Bryan is entering his 5th season and the impact of this injury on his preseason will be minimal. It’s time to back him in. He needs support, not a replacement.
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ok so if bryan is fit and firing, what is the issue with having a mature backup?
again, most, if not all, teams will have a ruckman who can step in immediately when needed.
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We gave games to heaps of kids in 2023.
Draper will miss a chunk of the early season. Goldstein will not be able to play regular games, he will need rests. Bryan will probably play 12+ games next year and will have a far higher performance environment due to Goldstein’s mentoring.
We needed a mature backup and this is potentially a career making opportunity for Bryan to learn from one of the greatest modern ruckmen. Just because we have Goldstein available doesn’t mean we play him, but competition for spots is healthy.
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Do you really think Goldstein will be back up to Bryan? Goldstein will play every game if fit.
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Only one team played fewer players than us last year.
if thats how you feel thats fine. I think mature backups are absolutely required. we would have been cactus last season without phillips.
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If Goldstein was recruited as a back-up, then sure. But I have seen nothing from this coaching regime to suggest that is the case. He probably agreed to come here because he was sold on the idea of being number one ruck.
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Not necessarily number 1 but one of the two in a two ruck strategy which he said in an interview
Draper himself also said however expects may play more fwd on his return
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So you don’t think Bryan and Draper will learn anything from training with a guy who was one of the best 2 ruckmen in the competition for a decade or so?
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Kids that got games in 2023:
Tsatas
Hobbs
Cox
Perkins
Jones
Bryan
Baldwin
A Davey
Martin
Ambrosio
Menzie
Kids that didn’t get games:
Hayes (not ready)
Lord (delisted)
Reid (injured)
J Davey (injured)
Montgomerie (delisted)
Voss (delisted)
Wanganeen (injured)
McBride (delisted)
Munkara (delisted)
Hunter (injured)
So we basically played every single kid that was healthy and had a future with the club. The small number of players fielded is more an indication on the poor injury management and poor quality of the fringe players than any coaching issue.
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Retention of our draft hand this trade period (and the last four years) and no player of relevance to our next list peak older than Merrett at 27 suggests primary focus is medium term- not next year.
That is potentially a short-sighted view of what is happening.
Bryan showed plenty last year, but who is going to help him develop his ruck craft beyond where he is at.
Sure won’t be Draper, not because he is injured, he simply isn’t capable of mentoring anyone.
So the Goldy move, could prove to be an absolute master stroke that sees Bryan emerge from this season as a far more capable resource.
I think this is actually a good long-term focussed acquisition.
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We just need to pick well now.
{giggle snort} as if.
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Although we don’t know how many of those delisted MAY have had a future at the club if given a chance?
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Technically true, but I’m going to say something controversial here. Brad Scott has a better understanding of the players than we internet nuffies.
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Nonsense!!
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I wonder where this guy stands and what he’s thinking for the year ahead, obviously Drapes is no 1 and Goldy is training the house down, does he get a look in this year if he plays well in the VFL or will Brad stay loyal to Goldstein.
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You already know the answer.
Just like any other depth player, improve and play your best and you’re giving yourself a shot
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