I was thinking about this last night watching Geelong, it’s incredible how they have all these players pop up out of nowhere like Oli Dempsey, Zach Guthrie, Gryan Miers, Sam De Koning. The common denominator with those 4 is that none of them played senior footy in their first year and only a handful of games in their second year for majority of them.
They actually let their players develop in the reserves until they are ready for senior action. Playing Tsatas in a position that doesn’t suit his strengths in the seniors is not going to help him develop and can absolutely impact his confidence. I think we did the right thing playing him in the VFL towards the back end of the year and we will reap the benefits next year.
For the record I do think it was a mistake not to play him in the last game dead rubber as a starting on ball inside mid instead of Shiel or a number of others.
IIRC Gary O’Donell played over 60 games in the 2’s, and during Hawthorns 80’s and 90’s it was common for players to have up to 100 games in the 2’s as well. I think peoples expectations of draftees are way too high. Many need time to fill out and develop their skills to suit senior AFL football. Jason Johnson was another example.
If they dont want 5 on the bench.
Sub rule could at least be amended to can come on anytime in first half for player subbed out.
And then after halftime they get added to the bench regardless.
Shaun Mannagh was selected in last years draft at No 36 and played round 1 this year. Was almost BOG last night - 13 score involvements and three goals and a stack of disposals. Granted he played with Werribee last year but straight into AFL this year - do you think our coach would have done that?
Mannagh is 27 years old dude. Yes, I think Brad would have played him.
And if the Cats plugging in a mature player of that age doesn’t tell you how critical small forwards have become in finals winning teams these days…nothing will.
A ‘like,’ ‘comment,’ or ‘share’ on social media triggers the same dopamine-driven reward pathways in the brain that are activated by eating food, winning money, or even taking some drugs. When someone likes your photo or post, your brain receives a hit of dopamine, making you feel pleasure or satisfaction.
IIRC O’Donnel played close to 90 reserve grade games. Roger Merrett is another eho served a long apprenticeship in the seconds, due to us having a surplus of big men at that time.
If we ever approach Geelong’s level of sustained success driven by a core group of senior players, then we can reconsider. But as it stands, we should be playing kids instead of guys taking us nowhere.
Just a pointless thing to drone on and fantasize about, 17 other clubs in the AFL could and probably would be asking themselves why they didn’t take Mannagh earlier than 36
