well we built a forwardline structure around a player who literally wasn’t there most of the time for about four years so changing it twice in two years ought to not be that big a deal.
second point, do you reckon harry jones would be coming along like he is if he was the #1 key forward?
We may actually want the structure that Hooker gives us, with a plan to use Wright or Bryan or whoever there next year if Hooker requires. In that case it’s not building a structure around Hooker, but building the structure that Truck wants, and finding Hooker the best option for that structure while others develop.
I’ll answer this again
Given you ignored my response last time in another thread.
If Hooker retires
2MP takes the Hooker role
The resting one of Draper & Bryan take the 2MP role. Which is deep second tall.
Jones keeps the Jones role
Therefore no change in structure
That’s why we lose nothing from playing Cale this year.
Yes, because what we’re building is a structure, not a Hooker-centric plan.
Which really just sounds like a reasonable Saturday night.
Always good to have a fallback option.
What kids aren’t being given opportunities? We are currently both giving everyone games and winning. The perfect combo.
Other than those who’ve had injuries(Reid, Draper and Caldwell) I don’t see anyone else we need to play. Maybe throw Eyre a couple at some point.
Actually Bryan is probably the one I’d like to see more of.
This should be a poll
Settle down creepy.
Try to win as many games as possible. If the kids are good enough, like cox, Perkins and Jones, they will get games.
Nothing is worse than blooding kids who clearly aren’t ready for the big time and it sets their careers back
Look at the demons of 10 or so years ago and Carlton as prime examples
Posssibly:
the reality is we don’t have a Hooker replacement on the list
Unless Baldwin was up and running and ready to go.
or we switch Stewart forward as the big guy and play Reid back.
Or we play Reid up there. Or play Wright as the FF, and Bryan or Draper as the second forward.
So actually, lots of options.
Yes… err… fallback. Quite right.
If we go to the draft I see Hooker going around again to help assist in our forward line and give more experience to Jones. That’s if we don’t decide to go after a player.
The Hurley going forward ( if he does play next season ) won’t happen.
Isn’t Waterman a perfect Hooker replacement?
I think there are differing viewpoints at the selection table.
Look at the North game where we went in as favourites: Why did we leave our development players to battle in a VFL game with little substance and almost no mature leadership in our game plan (and Ham as medical sub), leaving zero opportunity for our young players to build confidence or master game plans?
Then against WC, no VFL opportunity, no development, no young ins
Followed this up with Richmond, again no VFL and we select Ambrose over Cahill. Did having Zaka remain in give that mature leadership - maybe? Maybe not
Definitely two voices at the selection table and one of them doesn’t wear the development re-build hat
I’m 80/20 for Strategy 2 and 3. But on game day I can’t help myself. 100% for a win and greatly disappointed when we lose. Logically, we have to plan for development and sustained success and that will take some sacrifices. Emotionally, win at all costs.
I can’t help thinking if we do worse than the teams around us in the lead-in, we’ll finish with pick #5 or #6. I know that would mean the end of season wasn’t great, but it feels like we learned a lot from this season, if we could also come away with a top young player that would be great.
As we’ve pushed for finals, this has very much reminded me of 2009.
We really, really need more top end quality in the side who can/will actually impact games.
The dreaded mid-table finish is looming large once again…
I think we are 2 pre seasons and a clean injury list away from a legit top 4 challenge.
Finishing 13th is better than fighting for 9th, even 8th and a finals loss would be worse.