Not that the opinions of Daniel Harford are important from a club perspective (but as an ex-AFL footballer they are very good), but he is a huge believer in giving these young kids a thorough apprenticeship with the Ants before stepping up to AFL footy.

Not that I have heard a direct comment but he would definitely support the idea to keep Jackson, Flint and Smith with the Ants as they probably haven't shown enough yet for promotion. He is still of the opinion that JFK should be playing with the Ants and probably see out the year this way to help his development. Harfs genuinely believes that VFL footy is a fabulous competition to prepare kids for the AFL.

Wiggins has also declared his support for the VFL and has helped him build the confidence needed for AFL. He is starting to show the benefits of this now

Just to get a different perspective on this argument. Personally I would like to see Jackson step up eventually as he is the type of midfielder we need. One that can carry the ball and deliver at reasonable pace yet can find his own ball.

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C'mon Blueboys!

Bozman,
He appears to have been given several tagging roles and on these occasions he has been able to successfully shut his opponent down.When given these roles it obviously limits the opportunity to pick up mega possesions, but he still manages to do the job and aquire very good stats each week. If there was a question mark in regards to his pace I don't think he would be able to successfully shut down his opponent.

There's no reason to promote anyone unless they're going to play in the seniors. If all they're going to do is play VFL there's no point promoting them.

Pagan said yesterday he won't be playing Teague and sounds like he's had his chance and he'd prefer to try a younger player.

If it weren't for injuries Blackwell would probably still be in the VFL.

Do you anything to substantiate this point?

In my opinion, Simmo was playing far superior football to Clarke and Bowyer in the Ants yet they were getting "preferential selection" so that Pagan could persist with his "collision football".

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I think Brad's point is fair. All 3 boys have benefitted by playing longer in the Ants, regardless of why.

Clarke played 2 games last year. Bowyer 7.

Personally, I'd like to see a rookie get elevated, even if it's just for the hope and excitement it brings to watching another likely loss. On top of that, I can't see the harm it would do to a player to experience the last few games of the year. That said, I'm far away from the action and on this matter am happy to follow Pagan's lead.

Simpson had a shocking start to AFL footy, but is developing quite nicely now. Not sure as to the definite reasons why, and there is probably no sole reason, but a combination of factors. The point remains though, that he is playing pretty well now and if Pagan reckons Smith, Flint et al need more time then maybe he's right. Interesting point about the leadership group though.

Anyway, if we can't agree on which rookie to pwomote, maybe we can give this guy a wun. He has good height and woud be a pwetty handy cwash and bash wuckman I reckon.

Twy the veal.

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If we had won a few games and had not had injuries to the likes of Kouta, Waite etc the odds are that a player like Blackwell would still be running around in a Bullants jumper and not really progressing...a few senior games in a row and we now have a wonderful young player in the making who can hold his own at senior level..
Why wouldnt you want to promote a player like Smith who has been in the system for a while and along with Batson is coming to the end of their time as a rookie and have a look at them just in case they show soemthing before we get rid of them....I would be promoting a couple at least and hoping we can strike gold with one at least and turn them into a decent senior player.
There has to be more positives and excitement for the club and supporters by seeing young kids given a go then having to watch the tried and failed ie Sporn, Teague, Longmuir, Davies etc play out their time on the list......this is the sort of ultra conservative garbage that holds us back and why we are now a 3rd rate banana republic of a club...

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

I probably should have stated IMO.

Its not always about who is playing better at the Ants or who may perform better at AFL level. If a young guy can develop better with game time and opportunity at VFL level then he's better off playing for the Ants.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Exactly Elwood.
I reckon the recent playing of the kids in the seniors has been forced on Pagan by the MC and if it were still solely up to him he'd have the older 'triers' still in the side. Ver very conservative is our Denis.

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There's so much I could say...

True Brad but in 2004, Simpson was burning the grass in the VFL.
Meanwhile Bowyer and Clarke alternated through 20 of the 22 games in the AFL.
Neither could hold their spot and both were dropped on at least 3 occasions.
Who's to say Simmo would not be a better player had he been persevered with in 2004?
He was playing a running half back role in the VFL and flying whilst duds were getting selected ahead of him.

Could it have affected his confidence? Could he have learnt more in the AFL?
I dont know but I fail to see how he benefitted by being constantly overlooked.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Simpson was given 3 games in the AFL and couldn't find the ball. How could we keep playing him? He would have lost all confidence if he'd kept on getting played and not got a touch. Had to go back to VFL to regain that.

I jumped in at the end of this thread, so forgive me if this question has already been answered (probably 1,000 times by now)....

Can we even afford to promote a rookie?

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

If he was in the senior side and not doing his job then he had to get dropped. Just becuase he is a kid doesnt mean you leave him in the Senior side to fail. Just ask Zac Dawson

Well, at least I should be happy that you've got the right year this time.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

No one can say whether he'd have been better off playing AFL or VFL at the time. Perhaps its the confidence gained from dominating at VFL level and playing 120mins of football rather than 60mins which has made him the player he is today.

I'm pretty happy with the way he's turned out.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

That's exactly the point I was making.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I know...so if its possible being held back was good for Simmo, Wiggins is on the record as saying he wishes he had been held back, why are we in such a hurry to rush the next wave of kids through to AFL level?

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

We all know that the God Child was always gunna slot right in. We expected that JFK was too good to leave learning his trade in the magoos too long. He is streets above that level. Just needs to learn the pace of AFL and he will be a superstar.

Less heralded kids without underage history of being readymades need time to learn the positioning and pace of the game to step up. Look back to last year and so far this season:

The Doughnut King has turned into the Wing King. Blooper Bentick has turned into the Brawny Buster. The Crummy Kicker has turned into a 24 Carat Gem. The Baby Blackwell has turned into Laser Luke. The Older Irish looks like turning into the Super Swooper. The younger Irish could be our Palm Pilot. Raso the Rabbit is showing Razzle Dazzle. I reckon that Jacko could soon be Action Jackson.

Is there a pattern here guys? You bet there is. Give them time to show their wares at the lower levels and get some runs on the board first, FFS! Patience is what is required right now. We will be singing the clubs praises this time next year about their conservative approach to our kids education. Some will even come out and give Pago Pago some credit, but I won't be holding my breath. In fact I would go as far as saying this group of players coming through look to be even better than the Kangaroos class of 92 that you know who, was credited with developing.

For those who don't know: 12th of 15 in 92, 5th in 93, 3rd in 94, 3rd in 95, Premiers in 96, 4th in 97, 2nd in 98 & Premiers in 99.

I am certainly a glass half full type of guy, but believe in the principle of "Slowly, Slowly, Catch De Monkey"

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2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!