Yep it did.
He has also shoehorned every senior guy into the team that he can. Except for Shiel ,and even he good weeks to hit some sort of form
Scott even admitted that some players only debuted because of injury
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Yeap. Reality is when we had availability last year we debuted 2 players. We arenāt rebuilding. This year weāve had 11ā¦ due to injuries.
I think the league average is 6? So about even par on the league average now through 2 years.
This injury crisis in the long run will be a blessing in disguise, I truly believe that.
Itās forced Scotts hand. The big test will be at the start of next year, will Scott go back to his favourites and leave Johnson, Lual, Clarke, Day-Wicks, Tsatas in the reserves while playing Prior, Parish, Gresham, Perkins or will he pivotā¦. Iāve got no doubt in my mind which way he will swing.
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Honestly I thought this week just gone would have been the test, but the injuries again stopped us from seeing the answer.
But in my mind had Langford redman etc been fit he would have played them he showed it with godly and Vigo he even snuck Sheil in as emergency before mystery illness or injury got him
There is zero point risking Caldwell if he is anything less than 100%. If he doesnāt get up and tsatas still isnāt picked, I just give up.
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I agree with the test being the start of next year , and said so. Well, long before that actually, via the trade and list management period.
But itās interesting to look at the fact that we forced Stringer out, took 5 or 6 players at the draft , had debutants in rounds 1, 2 and 3 and not conclude that there was a shift in outlook for this year.
Of course we wouldnāt have had as many debuts in such a short space without all the injuries . Heck, several wouldnāt have even been on the list without them. But itās far from certain that many wouldnāt have earnt a game over the course of the season either way. We were clearly keen to play Clarke, for instance, as soon as heād had a VFL match under his belt. Johnsonās kicking skills stood out at VFL level. And I suspect Nguyen would have got a chance too. And still might.
Weāve stuck with Roberts. Reid was clearly playing every week when fit. Laverde and Goldy have only played as much as they have due to injuries.
I think thereās enough to suggest that this year was looking a bit different even without 102 injuries.
Edit - none of which should be taken to suggest that I think there havenāt been weird mistakes made. The continued trial of Jones as a wingman a case in point. And Iām still trying to fathom how Duursma was allowed to play against Freo.
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These are the key roles I assess a senior coach on.
-Develop a clear and sustainable gameplan and system - FAIL
-Selection integrity - FAIL
-Motivate players - FAIL
I know Brad doesnāt have the cattle, so this is not about win/loss.
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With respect, I donāt think youād really knowā¦ How do you know heās not motivating the group?! Iād argue their recent performances have shown this group is committed, switched on and playing as cohesively and intently as can be realistically expected. Objectively they donāt look demotivated to me. Carlton is what demotivated looks like and thatās not where Essendon is at.
Further, and most important of all his KPIās, heās leading an improved culture and a more professional footy environment.
Heās not perfect but heās doing a decent job on the areas Essendon need him to be strong at.
If youāve got it in for him, youāve got it in for him.
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The usual fade outs that have occurred every year continue as do the excuses.
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I think our effort has been good given the amount of kids weāve been forced to play.
Iām certainly in the camp of we should be looking for a different coach, but heās done ok the past six weeks or so.
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Player development is shocking. Only a few have progressed since heās been there
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Agreed, our players are not switched off like the Bloos.
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What KPIās are you using for āimproved cultureā - you keep bringing this up by the way and Iām yet to see a demonstrable change / improvement in hardly anything. Selection based on demonstrated performance should be a key one as evidence and thatās in the ātoiletā
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Weāve lost two times by 90+ points in past 6-8 matchesā¦
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How can you tell someone they donāt really know, and then assert an option as knowledge? FWIW, I donāt think motivation and commitment are major concerns, but I donāt think the club reflects or emulates the blueprint of success either. The coach is copying North Melbourne, and theyāve been perpetually bottom two for the last five years - and Essendon is very much on track in this respect.
Unless Iām mistsken, there isnāt a lot of supporting data either on or off the field, that endears Brads tenure - Iād actually wager that things look worse in his tenure.
Happy for him to prove me wrong, but things seemingly never change, ergo I wonāt hold my breath.
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BDB has only played so many kids due to injury, but what people seem to miss is that our best 22 with all the more experienced players in it is still very young.
I think one of the major issues Brad has, is that his leaders have no idea what success is. Theyāve barely even played finals, never won a final and unfortunately, theyāre supposed to set the benchmark of what success looks like for the younger crew.
Iām no fan of Brad, but this oneās not his fault.
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Brad Johnston made a good point post match.
We have been forced to play all these youngsters in doing so would have given them a taste at AFL level and will want more.
So these kids will put in a big preseason which wont gurantee regular starters a spot in the side next year.
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We have the Cats and Dogs soon as well.