Not to mention Hayes and while he’s debuted, Roberts as well. The forgotten ADJ May also yet surprise and was on track to be a Round 1 pick before injuring his knee.
The depth of junior talent is as good as I can remember and if just 2 of these players become 100+ gamers we’ve done alright. 3-4 making it would be a true bonanza - is it just a coincidence that Dodoro didn’t have a part in the latest draft?
I’ve got no idea, right. Below is what you originally posted.
Even ignoring the statement about Dodorro. What evidence do you have that Rosa likes quicks?
Was it the free gift of Kako who he didn’t have to draft? The free hit of Nguyen on the Cat B list? You know, the guys Dodorro and every other recruiter would take as they were free hits.
Outside of those two, is there any strong evidence that Rosa is prioritising speed? What is the EVIDENCE that you think gives you an idea?
The speed thing is nonsense. But the kicking skill argument might have some legs. I was a defender of Adrian until after the saga. He simply underperformed in his role. Time to move on, good luck Rosa.
Oh, I agree we haven’t focussed on that enough. That said, I also think top kicks are a rarity. How many do most sides have? So many are either top 5 picks, half backs or academy/father-sons. And on the half backs, if fit and we had/had retained Reid, Ridley, Redman, Mass, Baldwin over Lav, and McKenna we’d have a host of quality kicks off the backline.
But we didn’t value Mass enough, couldn’t retain McKenna, Scott prioritised Lav over Baldwin, etc. And unfortunately EFC seems to have made some of ours worse since they were drafted (Redman, Ridley).
That all said, I agree it wasn’t focused on enough. But it wasn’t the desert some imply.
Yep. Not enough smarts, not enough efficiency. Lots of specimens and projects though.
This may be harsh on Perkins and Gresham, but if both have a slow start to the season, I’d be changing them out for genuine pace in Unwin and Nguyen.
We need to stop being scared to change our forward structure. Imagine having Kako, Unwin and Nguyen all pressuring and crumbing. Letting Stringer go was tough for me, but in doing so it’s opened up an opportunity to do what Richmond, Collingwood and Hawthorn have all done, which is go small and pressure. I feel we are to tall and immobile still.
Just having Davey in the F50 in place of Gresh or Perkins speeds us up appreciably.
I’d reckon at least 1/3rd of game time, neither Draper/Bryan will be playing forward.
That means we’s be looking at…
Gresh Caddy Martin/Perkins
Durham Langford Kako
That’s very mobile.
I’d love a Bobby Hill but if Marto’s more up there, again finally, he’s kind of better than that while still scoring like a Bobby Hill does
Mobile yes, but quick enough to pressure the opposition, no.
You need genuine speed and players that are hell bent on pressuring. I don’t care what number the player was picked, if he has the attributes and aptitude to apply pressure, get them in.
I get your point.
We need another Tippa, Kako type.
Speed and defensive intent is not enough though.
ADJ has those traits but it wasn’t enough to get regular games.
ADJ does not have the intent. He has the speed, but has looked scared of contact. You need fast and tough players.
Maybe ADJ has changed and if so great, but I don’t want last years ADJ anywhere near the AFL team.
Agree re wanting more pace up forward but I actually felt like we were changing the structure too much last year IMO.
One week it was 2 rucks, then 2 rucks with 2MP, then 1 ruck, Menzie fwd then back, Perkins mid then fwd then out, Jones fwd then wing, Guelfi in and out with injury, etc.
And now Stringer is gone & 2MP is out of the side - I really don’t think we’ve been scared to change the structure at all, we just weren’t able to settle on a mix that worked consistently.
We have changed the players, not the structure. Whether it is 2 rucks or 1 ruck and 2MP, it’s the same structure. Replacing Stringer with Perkins is the same structure. I want to see us go with more smalls.
Unwin and Nguyen appear to be the small forward solution. I’m not sure if they are ready for the physicality but would not be opposed to trying them at some stage this year. They are fast, have most of the required skill set and it seems a high footy IQ. Let’s see how they go in the VFL first
I n the meantime Perkins needs to perform or we could replace with SEH or Roberts
-both capable of small forward attack and defence
They have to be good enough mate.
Remember when WOB was creamin himself over Wanganeen kicking 2 nice goals in a practice match, then he played real matches and couldn’t get near it.
ADJ is a fast small, and chases oppo players exiting D50 manically, yet doesn’t do enough.
Let’s wait and see how Unwin and Nguyen play VFL before you place them in the Seniors.
Hmmm who has Kako replaced then?
Menzie or Davey.
Who barely played fwd in the seniors last year…
Menzie played a fair bit last year and was a lock for BScott in 23.
14 games, how many as a defender, wingman or sub?