There are constant calls on this forum and elsewhere for us to go for the number 1 draft pick - that it is the best outcome for this season. Just on the Carlton match thread numerous people have suggested that the number 1 draft pick is more important than the win.
The suggestion is usually that we play no/limited top-up players because we need to play the young guys and develop them. Playing only the young guys and developing them will then result in us losing and we gain the number 1 pick and everyone is happy according to these people.
The only problem is that I believe winning is what is required to build and develop a team. I would not want us to go into any game in any context not trying to win for the sake of a draft pick. I would happily forego the number one pick to beat Carlton today and not just for the satisfaction of it - because I really believe that going out and winning is how a team learns, and we’ll never win if we’re always thinking about draft picks.
It’s not necessarily just the win itself but fighting for the win. I want us to fight every game to get the win - that is the mentality we should be instilling in the young guys. It would be a disaster if a Parish or Zerrett or Tippa thought even for a second that we weren’t trying to smash Carlton.
Woosha has been picking teams based on merit in the AFL and VFL and he wants to win games and develop the team that way. The re-signing of Hooker coupled with Woosha’s words that he never even considered losing Hooker for pick 2 is exactly the attitude that this club needs.
This is a forum and I’m happy to be proved wrong but trying to win IMO is the recipe for building a strong culture and successful team and we’ll never win if playing the most competitive team is not our primary objective.
■■■■ the draft picks, I’d take every single win we can get this year and don’t for a second believe we’d be foregoing ‘development’
Couldn’t agree more EJ. People only have to look at FarCarlton to see how well having Murphy, Gibbs, Kruezer, and a raft of other high picks worked out for them. And also look at Melbourne, although to a lesser extent.
freo have the added benefit to finish bottom that they could get McCarthy for free.
they will finish bottom
Fair enough given what they offered last year and were rejected. Player also should have no concern walking after indicating he wanted the trade done last year. They had their chance.
Just had a look at the below. I think Drew Banfield and Luke Hodge are the only #1 picks to have won a flag.
Additionally, West Coast are the only team to win a flag within five years of having a #1 pick.
For mine, teaching our kids of the future how to compete all day every day and that you always, always play to win will get us to a flag well before a #1 pick will.
Another reason to avoid it is that we have gone the longest time - over 80 years - since getting the spoon iirc, and I for one hope our great club can maintain that record.
Just had a look at the below. I think Drew Banfield and Luke Hodge are the only #1 picks to have won a flag.
Additionally, West Coast are the only team to win a flag within five years of having a #1 pick.
For mine, teaching our kids of the future how to compete all day every day and that you always, always play to win will get us to a flag well before a #1 pick will.
We don’t have a choice EJ, like it or not we will finish last. Freo won’t stay winless all season and carlton will scratch out the odd win or two, so just embrace the fact we will get the wooden spoon and pick 1.
The difference is we are not dealing with a very poor list that will take many years to develop.
At least half a dozen VERY GOOD players walk back into the team next year.
Yes you can set a good culture/ standard this year but it will change again for the positive next year simply because of our circumstances.
I think the players can work out that they may be a wooden spoon team this year but they’re not a typical one.
They know that improvement is coming and they know they are going to need to fight to hold a spot next year.
Most tipped them not to win a game.
We get a free hit to see who has the heart to fight.
freo have the added benefit to finish bottom that they could get McCarthy for free.
they will finish bottom
I think McCarthy is still contracted for next year so a trade will still need to be done. He still can’t walk to them for nothing if they finish last.
I could be wrong but I think you might find by sitting out the year and not playing, that he has satisfied the AFL requirements to void his contract and be eligible to draft next year.