Conundrum wrote:
This is where we will have to agree to disagree. Our 2nd and 3rd tier players have been around for approximately 4 years. Wiggins and Sporn came to us in the 2000 I believe. If we have to continue to wait for such players including Davies, Bannister, Johnson and Clarke Sporn, Prender to take the next step up we will continue to stagnate down the bottom. They have been given opportunities but have failed to grasp it albeit with poor leadership from the senior players.
The majority of these players will be delisted. I want the newer signings to be given those senior births in order to accelerate their development regardless of form. I agree that guys like Russell and Hartlett's form in the VFL may not warrant it but such is the poor standard of VFL football at the moment, exposure limited to the VFL will not prepare them adequately for the required standard in the AFL.
You just have to watch the last few VFL games featuring the Bullants to see the poor kicking, decision making, skill errors. Would love to see Russell run off the half back line in the seniors and hopefully help him overcome his "soft" tag. I want to see Hartlett play in the backline and add some height and aggression. Holding on to Campo and Digby will deprive these two of such opportunities. If it means finishing last next year, so be it. These youngsters will repay our faith in the years to come.
Let's make the hard decisions now before we cultivate a culture of mediocrity.
It’s a difference of opinion and I can see your point.
I don’t think however you can get rid of 2/3 of your best 6 players, de-list the middle tier and get a group of kids together and throw them to the wolves.
It would be suicide on so many levels.
All these will drop
Performance
Members
Sponsors
Attracting Future Players (Kosi is a prime example. Stated so in a 3AW interview)
Player’s confidence (IMO it had an influence on Livinston’s development playing full-back in the wooden spoon season. Had a good season the year before)
It has to be a mix of youth and experience. The balance can be in the youth side yes.
Not sure how Campo is compared to Morrell. One will finish top 5 in the B&F and the other will finish top 5 in the Bullants best and fairest. It’s hard to know who to believe when it come to Campo’s leadership. Denis Pagan, Jarrad Waite have said on the public record that he is a leader of the club and Jarrad mentions him as an influence on his developing career. On the other side you have rumors, perception, assumptions, personal opinions and the “inside informationâ€