Someone amongst the kids needs to step up. Otherwise we are going nowhere.
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Jack Ross
- Thread starter Tigertool
- Start date
Yep, forgot to add Edwards to the "in decline" list.
Like @LeeToRainesToRoach said elsewhere, we have the 3rd oldest list and we finished 12th. That means window closed, time to rejuvenate.
I'd love to see us challenge for the flag next year again, but it's a fantasy. We've got some promising young mids including Ross but you have to think about how much, slog, pain the likes of Cotchin/Dusty/Edwards went through to get to be so good that no-one could stop em.
Like @LeeToRainesToRoach said elsewhere, we have the 3rd oldest list and we finished 12th. That means window closed, time to rejuvenate.
I'd love to see us challenge for the flag next year again, but it's a fantasy. We've got some promising young mids including Ross but you have to think about how much, slog, pain the likes of Cotchin/Dusty/Edwards went through to get to be so good that no-one could stop em.
No coincidence that these 3 Key Mids have been 3 of our 4 two way runners along with Fridge.
Wear and Tear of the chaos style plus their advancing ages (Cotchie and Lambo) has taken more petrol tickets from them and now they are susceptible to soft tissue / joint injury through fatigue and wear and tear.
The extra break will do these guys a world of good.
We can challenge next year with the right luck but next year is likely our last shot at at it before more heavy rebuilding and re stumping is in order.
The first 8 weeks will likely give us a more reliable indication.
Look at how the old Cats have finished the season, a few injuries and form deteriorated.
It's a real challenge. I'm sure in 5 months time the boys will be raring to go. But how will they be after Round 8? Round 15? I'd love us to have another crack but as Ant suggests it's pretty unlikely.
What a story it would be....
Stodgy blandness thus far. Deprived of development opportunities over the last 2 yrs due to COVID so another yr on the list.
Yep its likely our last shot but it could all go tits up real fast too, agreed.
We also have my man Shane who when uninjured is pure magic on the field but age and injuries are catching up on the guy just like our core mids. Ross may not be the superstar like the ones mentions but he has enough talent and grunt to be more than serviceable to us for years to come
Pre-draft commentary in 2018...He was noted pre-draft for his strength, power and ball-winning ability and was labelled by Aussie Rules Draft Central as "a ready-made prospect". No mention of disposal efficiency and why does he now duck his head when going back for a mark? I know this is harsh but are those two reasons why he went pick 43?
followed Jacks year at Caulfield Grammar in 2018. After being captain of Vic Metro 16’s he had a few bad injuries and ultimately missed Vic Metro 18’s selection. The coaches at Caulfield couldn’t understand why as he became one of the top players in APS and won the B&F for Oakleigh in a team that won the GF. One thought was the whole man child thing and limited scope for development.
he is an inside mid, always has been. Playing him in a running wing role is just stupid. Is mega fit but isn’t a running machine like KMac.
I’m not a big fan but some here think that could be his trajectory
I think the club needs to be smarter by rotating players more often like they do in the top soccer leagues. This is a proactive way of ensuring their conditioning is as close to 100% & helps reduce the possibility of injury/reinjury. It also helps utilise younger players ideally on the right terms when the team is relatively injury free, unlike this season with the cupboard bare. You presumably will find these youngsters play with more confidence knowing they have more seasoned players to teach and support them on field
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Thanks for the background Ghost, hope he gets a chance to play regular games next year if we can get over this Covid crisis.
Yes thanks also Ghost, i know it was more like a Practice game, Jack looked a lot more likely on Saturday in traffic, rather than on the wing or half back. The Club must be big fans, as they are keen to get games into him.
agree. With some work done on his tank and transition over the past couple years would like to see his upcoming full pre-season focus on in and under work, tackling and first ball use.
At my local footy oval and Jack was there training with a couple of draft hopefuls who live locally. When you see an AFL player train it is obvious why they are so much better than your suburban punters. Saw him drop some long range goals on the left and right and moving really well.
It's a tough one that's been magnified this past years with constipated VFL. In normal years the kids would be able to play the exact role expected of them at the lower levels so they'd be better prepared. Lightning couldn't strike the same club twice? Could it? I bl00dy hope not!
