rjay

Get the Rev back anyone? Clarkson certainly heaped the praise on the other night.

This is a good post and it shows up what has been really worrying me about where we sit now and the failure of the last 7 years. We should be making a run for the flag now and sitting in prime position as one of the power clubs, instead because of total incompetence we are sitting at the bottom of the heap with diminished chances of a quick turn around in fortunes. It was vital that we got things right as the concessions going ahead for GC and GWS were always set to stifle any club who was relying on draft picks. If we look where Richmond are now, we were seen as being at least a year ahead of them. Unfortunately for them they have missed some key components that would make them a real threat, at the moment I can't see them winning a flag with this list. They have done well trying to recruit from other clubs but in the end class will win out and the 2 new clubs will jump them unless something significant happens to change things. FA might save them as they are seen as a club on the rise, it's going to crucify us. I just feel like throwing things at the incompetents that have led us to this position.

"The roles of football manager Josh Mahoney, director of sports performance Neil Craig, list manager Tim Harrington and player development and strategy manager Todd Viney will be overhauled." From the article above and looks to be taking place already with Mahoney in the box and Craig on the boundary being an indication. Jackson has stated he wants some clean air to let the coach coach, he will give Neeld some time from when he gets the FD structure in place. How much time???? depends a bit on the results, massive blowouts he can't afford.

You're right there with Geelong 'old dee' but Hawthorn have been a bit later into the reinvention game. There list is close to if not the oldest in the comp and they are miles behind Geelong as far as developing young players. Geelong has seen it coming for a while now, Hawthorn are holding on for that flag. Geelong pinched one in between.

No, I would like to see him play where he can do the most damage. We were killed in the middle on Saturday, it's where Taggert killed Box Hill in one of his only games last year. Our senior team are used to not having the footy, I would rather a they had it a bit more. Simple answer I know but I don't have time to go into it at the moment, just saying I think we are spending to much time and thought on not having the footy instead of getting it.

...this is just about Hawthorns last shot this year, Buddy out the door, Mitchell and co wrong side of 30. GC are on the way up, the cross over will happen next year.

Thompson is a beauty, agree their forwards are developing but they could still go either way. There's no way I would want to lose Frawley, that would be a major setback for us. What gets me angry though is the opportunity lost, with GC & GWS coming into the system we needed to be and should have been pushing top 4 now and it was blown by some very poor decisions. A topic for another time but GC are on the move now and have passed us in their wake.

Just send them Hogan.

Frawley to GC gives them a realistic shot at top 4 and a premiership by 2015. The only other thing they need is a top line tall forward.

I agree and think he is, however I don't like the way he is being played at Casey and think they need to get him into the action. We seem to be putting a lot energy into players becoming defensive forwards and it is hurting their game. Players like Tapscott, Bail, Jetta, Davey when forward and Howe just don't get enough ball. Howe needs to be released up the ground a lot more. With comments like this from the coaches "Rory Taggert - Rory had limited impact on the game, as his defensive efforts were not at the level we require. While he had 13 touches, we do expect more from him as he has the fitness and body strength to compete hard at this level when he sets his mind to it." I fear he will be another wasted talent. So he has the fitness and body to compete then get him into the action and into the middle. We don't need anymore defensive forwards who can't get a kick and mids/ HB's who can't kick.

I think it's because of that list it could be said that they are in better shape. They have quality senior players to lead the way. Having said that I think our list is under performing.

You are right 'sat' they are not always a good indication. The scoreboard is the stat that counts...17th

Not quite, I think you will find that Thompson also said you need to win games.

Me too, very similar player to Ricciuto. Strong, quick, forward/mid, goal kicker. Much better player than Wines and was the steal of the draft.

Agree 'Macca'

I just don't think we have anyone to audition anyway. Unless someone like Roos or Eade take the gig now or we have some massive blowouts I can't see any change either until the end of the season but stranger things have happened.

That's what I thought, Craig was on the bench on Sunday and I'm pretty sure he's usually at the back of the coaches box.

I think you are probably on the money there 'rpfc', no point putting someone in who is not going to be the next coach anyway....but pressure will come with bad defeats, lets hope it doesn't get to that.

I think you are right. We expected to see 2011 as the year we made a serious attack at the 8 and the club stalled. Who's fault it was will be argued for ever and a day but Bailey was the fall guy. The conventional wisdom in the football community was that we only had a one way game and needed a defensive aspect added. Unfortunately our resident genius (G Lyon) decided that we needed someone from the Collingwood coaching factory and did not show enough respect to the likes of Eade or the Geelong boys. I think we threw the baby out with the bath water. We went from all out attack to all out defence when we needed to add a defensive aspect but not at the expense of our attacking game.

I thought this would be a good well thought out post.

I'm not sure if this is a new thing or not, but does Josh Mahoney usually sit next to Neeld in the coaches box on game day. It's the first time I've noticed this and maybe it's part of getting the FD in order and upgrading that role. Then again I might be writing much more into this than is actually there.

I thought he was good, beat Reiwold, did his job. Difference of opinion.

...and same with our guys. Rodan, MacDonald, Pederson, Blease, Spencer, Couch have all been around a few years as well. Their ball use was much better than ours as it is in their AFL team but that is to be expected, it's what we have to aim for. As for most of them, their time is past but Blease who could have a good future and needs to get more consistent with his ball use, he certainly has the skill it's more a mental issue (concentration) with him. Taggert is a good kick, Barry just finding his way and a bit hit of miss at the moment but he has the fundamentals of a good kick.

Still had some decision making probs but his kicking was pretty good.

How Spencer got in the best is amazing, must have been because of his chase and tackle. He was comprehensively beaten in the ruck.