Brad Scott - yeah, whatever (Part 4)

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 aren’t rebuilding. This year we’ve had 11… 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.

It’s 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 pivot…. I’ve 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 doesn’t get up and tsatas still isn’t picked, I just give up.

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I’m also bemused, btw.

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Send this to him. [email protected]

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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 it’s 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 wouldn’t have had as many debuts in such a short space without all the injuries . Heck, several wouldn’t have even been on the list without them. But it’s far from certain that many wouldn’t have earnt a game over the course of the season either way. We were clearly keen to play Clarke, for instance, as soon as he’d had a VFL match under his belt. Johnson’s kicking skills stood out at VFL level. And I suspect Nguyen would have got a chance too. And still might.

We’ve 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 there’s 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 haven’t been weird mistakes made. The continued trial of Jones as a wingman a case in point. And I’m 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 doesn’t have the cattle, so this is not about win/loss.

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With respect, I don’t think you’d really know… How do you know he’s not motivating the group?! I’d 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 don’t look demotivated to me. Carlton is what demotivated looks like and that’s not where Essendon is at.

Further, and most important of all his KPI’s, he’s leading an improved culture and a more professional footy environment.

He’s not perfect but he’s doing a decent job on the areas Essendon need him to be strong at.

If you’ve got it in for him, you’ve 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 we’ve been forced to play.

I’m certainly in the camp of we should be looking for a different coach, but he’s done ok the past six weeks or so.

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Player development is shocking. Only a few have progressed since he’s been there

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Agreed, our players are not switched off like the Bloos.

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What KPI’s are you using for ā€œimproved cultureā€ - you keep bringing this up by the way and I’m yet to see a demonstrable change / improvement in hardly anything. Selection based on demonstrated performance should be a key one as evidence and that’s in the ā€œtoiletā€

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We’ve lost two times by 90+ points in past 6-8 matches…

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How can you tell someone they don’t really know, and then assert an option as knowledge? FWIW, I don’t think motivation and commitment are major concerns, but I don’t think the club reflects or emulates the blueprint of success either. The coach is copying North Melbourne, and they’ve been perpetually bottom two for the last five years - and Essendon is very much on track in this respect.

Unless I’m mistsken, there isn’t a lot of supporting data either on or off the field, that endears Brads tenure - I’d actually wager that things look worse in his tenure.

Happy for him to prove me wrong, but things seemingly never change, ergo I won’t 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. They’ve barely even played finals, never won a final and unfortunately, they’re supposed to set the benchmark of what success looks like for the younger crew.

I’m no fan of Brad, but this one’s 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.