I’ve been surprised to see some people of late knocking our player development in recent times and even go as far as to question McRae and our recent development so thought I would look into it a bit. The question of player development is a complicated one and I don't believe it is fair to give all credit or all criticisim merely to the person in charge currently of Player Development. There are factors that make his job easy (developed well elsewhere, high talents/draft picks etc) and factors that are out of his control (whether players get rewarded, where wallace regime plays them, injuries etc).
McRae came on in October 2006. So really only had 3 pre-seasons and two full seasons to have a full impact on players, let’s have a look at most of the list he probably would have a fair bit of influence on…keepin mind also McRae did not succeed anyone. We had no one in player development beforehand so he had his work cut out for him.
I’ve left out players well and truly in the system before he got there or who are too old or unfair to judge in their development (most trades, especially older ones etc).
Obviously many are going to have different views and my opinions are just that, but I've tried to step away from emotion and personal belief for their futures and just focussed on what they have shown to date and what they show at all levels reserves, coburg and AFL games and are at least placed to do so as I watch all three games each weekend. There are better footy brains on here than mine to judge such but I am just trying to get people thinking and looking at the detailed/overall picture rather than make easy, sweeping statements.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND WE ARE LOOKING AT DEVELOPMENT HERE, NOT JUDGING IF A PLAYER HAS MADE IT OR NOT, OR IS A GENUINE TALENT/KEEPER, BUT RATHER WE ARE LOOKING AT HAVE WE GOT THE MOST OUT OF THEM?
THE GOOD
Thursfield/Moore/McGuane development wise we have gotten the most out of them. Perspective is everything, last year most were raving about them as our future. Now, they are being harshly looked at for various reasons.
Deledio & Tambling continue to progress, just because they are high draft picks doesn’t mean they should automatically do so, just read the Tambling thread if you have a week off to do so. Point being even Tambling continues to improve his game each season. A constant theme I have is the coaching department hurting our development with not dropping Tambling when he should have been earlier, not playing players in right positions or consistant positions etc, this should be taken into account to and not blamed on McRae.
Jack develops nicely and really shows something, playing 8 games in is first season and 18 in his second and contributing strongly to many of them, especially for a young tall often considered needing an average of 4 years to develop.
Cotchin a freak barely deserves being mentioned but he has not been “Richmondised” yet.
Polo after spending significant time at Coburg has come on to be a regular start in our 22.
Rance another tall like Riewoldt who within two years of being drafted is able to come in and contribute to our side strongly after spending time at Coburg with McRae.
Jackson has developed to the maximum of his ability and whether or not people judge him good enough can only develop to the best of his ability and has show leaps and bounds of improvement.
Post: A surprise so early I know, but I expect he will be another tall who will be playing games for Richmond within two years of being drafted and be on par with Jack & Alex. The rate of his improvement and development is impressive. Both in body, confidence and form. He has jumped up from reserves quickly and is contributing strongly at seniors coburg. Not bad for a second round tall/KP player. We are only talking development and his has been excellent to date which is why I will call him a success.
Hislop & Thomson are contributing strongly at Coburg, and at times dominating, despite being injured. Thomson has improved his kicking and Hislop has improved his work rate two aspects required of them both.
Andrew Collins: Played strong footy at Coburg week after week, much like other boys in there right now and got to the point he could not be denied by a Coach under a lot more scrutiny. Once given his opp has taken it with both hands and run with the ball, a true success development wise.
Graham: I’m not completely sold on him yet, but to be fair to him his development has been a success to date, certainly getting the most out of his development and is really giving himself every chance to become a consistent starting 22 which is all that can be asked of him. He is certainly developing in the traditional pattern for talls.
Nahas: Has to be considered a success story, with his size and coming from VFL footy, has really turned it on and shown a hell of a lot. Not sure we can take a hell of a lot credit for his development, to be fair, probably have to attribute much of that to Gary Ayres. However I wonder if it is a coincidence that Nahas plays VERY much like McRae did. I am sure McRae would have given him some great tips as he was a ferocious tackler / small forward who read the ball well off packs as well. Nahas would most certainly been exposed to McRae as a rookie pick.
Morton: Has to be a success, hit the ground running at the club and while more developed at WCE part of development is helping him fit in and adjust here and he certainly appears to have slotted in nicely.
NOT SO GOOD / JURY STILL OUT? / TOO EARLY
Foley: Some might be shocked by this but I am not convinced he is continuing to develop. The opposite to some players, his attitude gives him every chance alone and can’t be faulted. However I wonder if he got under the radar and his tremendous work ethic has got him where he is now, I wonder how much scope he has for improvement, if he can learn to beat a tag, improve his kicking etc. I also wonder if he has been injured more than we know, not sure about Foley.
Edwards struggled in seniors but playing consistently at Coburg where he is exposed to McRae playing consistent great footy and working on his game evidently.
Dean Putt, the jury is still out but being a 200+cm tall player and with limited slots available in sides that have to play Simmonds, Graham, Pattison, Vickery, Browne etc is being developed gradually. Always a long term viewed player/prospect. One with a potential big pay off with his mobility around the ground.
JON is now playing consistently strong football at Coburg to the point where he is being considered for senior roles now. Jury still out, more than likely more on way out than in but some are calling for him to replace players like McMahon, Pettifier, etc so he has developed recently, the only question is can he do so more in time?
Pattison had a bad run of injuries, been asked to play as a ruck at AFL often when he is not best suited for such a role or at least was way too early. Hard to get a handle on him as frequently injured.
Vickery, way too early, doing exactly what he should be as a first year tall, 200+ player. Has put his stamp on games strongly at Coburg and has gone missing some days, all to be expected.
Matt White: Tempted to put him in the failure category but there is no doubt he works hard and has developed his game. The question on development is not judging a players talent but rather how much they have been improved, he has to be given a JUST pass mark for that. He is playing to the best of his ability I feel.
Daniel Connors: The enigma of the RFC, is on borderline of being considered a failure. Once again there are some theories on other influences affecting his development as in more personal/attitude ones. You can’t lead a horse to water if it doesn’t want to drink. Has a hell of a lot of potential and talent for mine, is very soon about to run out of time to realise it if he has not already.
Gourdis: Still a fair way to go but is certainly developing and improving. Has some enormous upsides as he is a athletic freak with blistering speed for a KP. Kicking is still a let down for him but it is evident he is working on it and he has improved it a little. He certainly is getting more confidence and increasing his work ethic also.
Gilligan is developing very strongly and considering where he has come from and the whole cultural/relocation and work ethic cultures he has had to face is coming along very nicely and another good example of development to date.
Browne: Has developed very strongly for a massive kid/unit/monster. A long way to go but he is young and looking very promising. A testament to the improvement he showed early was his body change in the pre-season, his strong showings against Graham in pre-season and being named in the first game of the year. Right or wrong it was a testament to his apparent strong development since being at the club.
FAILURES
Schulz: Cannot seem to stay in the side consistently. Perhaps it is his own failures, perhaps it is the coaching departments fault, I believe it is more of those two myself but anyway you shake it could certainly be considered a development failure. Doubt it has much to do with McRae though.
Hughes: Our biggest failure yet in my mind, JON might have hurt as more cost wise, but to have a Senior Player being paid to run around in Coburg reserves is ludicrous. For mine a clear case of a player mentally not up to it, keep in mind the other clubs let him drop to us, evidently for good reason. They were right, we were wrong on this one.
Danny Meyer: Sorry Bobby & Leysy to bring up old wounds and pain but a definite failure, another one however much like Schulz who has not been treated the best by coaching department and of course he had a shocking injury problem and some possible personal input in not dealing with his injury the best. Still, has to be chalked up on the board as a club failure to develop.
Silvester: A failure for mine by default only I don’t believe he was a proper rookie pick and merely insurance in the typical p!ss poor way we have used the rookie draft in the past. A good VFL footballer, one of their best if not best Full Backs, will never be anything more.
Jake King: Probably more limited talent/skill than actually capable of being developed. Certainly has to be considered a failure to date though, has shown little development and seems destined to stay at Coburg for now where even at that level his turnovers are wince inducing.
The following is the excess crap we have had to deal with form previous years…
If you want to judge McRae’s for only having a season with;
Patrick Bowden
Brent Hartigan
Andrew Krakouer
Carl Petersen
You could of course but most of them should never have been drafted or had personal demons.
He at least had two seasons with;
Hyde & Casserley. Neither could be criticised too heavily I feel for not being developed by the club at this point.
IN CONCLUSION
I think our recruitment and coaching staff have more to blame for the perceived poor development of our players. Since we have employed McRae and the Board has increased support to the football department there has been a marked spike in development for mine. We can do a lot more but we are improving I feel.
With better recruitment and a true structure and coaching plan in place our development will continue to improve.
At this stage I wouldn’t be criticising McRae too quickly. I believe he is doing a good job with the new talent.
McRae came on in October 2006. So really only had 3 pre-seasons and two full seasons to have a full impact on players, let’s have a look at most of the list he probably would have a fair bit of influence on…keepin mind also McRae did not succeed anyone. We had no one in player development beforehand so he had his work cut out for him.
I’ve left out players well and truly in the system before he got there or who are too old or unfair to judge in their development (most trades, especially older ones etc).
Obviously many are going to have different views and my opinions are just that, but I've tried to step away from emotion and personal belief for their futures and just focussed on what they have shown to date and what they show at all levels reserves, coburg and AFL games and are at least placed to do so as I watch all three games each weekend. There are better footy brains on here than mine to judge such but I am just trying to get people thinking and looking at the detailed/overall picture rather than make easy, sweeping statements.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND WE ARE LOOKING AT DEVELOPMENT HERE, NOT JUDGING IF A PLAYER HAS MADE IT OR NOT, OR IS A GENUINE TALENT/KEEPER, BUT RATHER WE ARE LOOKING AT HAVE WE GOT THE MOST OUT OF THEM?
THE GOOD
Thursfield/Moore/McGuane development wise we have gotten the most out of them. Perspective is everything, last year most were raving about them as our future. Now, they are being harshly looked at for various reasons.
Deledio & Tambling continue to progress, just because they are high draft picks doesn’t mean they should automatically do so, just read the Tambling thread if you have a week off to do so. Point being even Tambling continues to improve his game each season. A constant theme I have is the coaching department hurting our development with not dropping Tambling when he should have been earlier, not playing players in right positions or consistant positions etc, this should be taken into account to and not blamed on McRae.
Jack develops nicely and really shows something, playing 8 games in is first season and 18 in his second and contributing strongly to many of them, especially for a young tall often considered needing an average of 4 years to develop.
Cotchin a freak barely deserves being mentioned but he has not been “Richmondised” yet.
Polo after spending significant time at Coburg has come on to be a regular start in our 22.
Rance another tall like Riewoldt who within two years of being drafted is able to come in and contribute to our side strongly after spending time at Coburg with McRae.
Jackson has developed to the maximum of his ability and whether or not people judge him good enough can only develop to the best of his ability and has show leaps and bounds of improvement.
Post: A surprise so early I know, but I expect he will be another tall who will be playing games for Richmond within two years of being drafted and be on par with Jack & Alex. The rate of his improvement and development is impressive. Both in body, confidence and form. He has jumped up from reserves quickly and is contributing strongly at seniors coburg. Not bad for a second round tall/KP player. We are only talking development and his has been excellent to date which is why I will call him a success.
Hislop & Thomson are contributing strongly at Coburg, and at times dominating, despite being injured. Thomson has improved his kicking and Hislop has improved his work rate two aspects required of them both.
Andrew Collins: Played strong footy at Coburg week after week, much like other boys in there right now and got to the point he could not be denied by a Coach under a lot more scrutiny. Once given his opp has taken it with both hands and run with the ball, a true success development wise.
Graham: I’m not completely sold on him yet, but to be fair to him his development has been a success to date, certainly getting the most out of his development and is really giving himself every chance to become a consistent starting 22 which is all that can be asked of him. He is certainly developing in the traditional pattern for talls.
Nahas: Has to be considered a success story, with his size and coming from VFL footy, has really turned it on and shown a hell of a lot. Not sure we can take a hell of a lot credit for his development, to be fair, probably have to attribute much of that to Gary Ayres. However I wonder if it is a coincidence that Nahas plays VERY much like McRae did. I am sure McRae would have given him some great tips as he was a ferocious tackler / small forward who read the ball well off packs as well. Nahas would most certainly been exposed to McRae as a rookie pick.
Morton: Has to be a success, hit the ground running at the club and while more developed at WCE part of development is helping him fit in and adjust here and he certainly appears to have slotted in nicely.
NOT SO GOOD / JURY STILL OUT? / TOO EARLY
Foley: Some might be shocked by this but I am not convinced he is continuing to develop. The opposite to some players, his attitude gives him every chance alone and can’t be faulted. However I wonder if he got under the radar and his tremendous work ethic has got him where he is now, I wonder how much scope he has for improvement, if he can learn to beat a tag, improve his kicking etc. I also wonder if he has been injured more than we know, not sure about Foley.
Edwards struggled in seniors but playing consistently at Coburg where he is exposed to McRae playing consistent great footy and working on his game evidently.
Dean Putt, the jury is still out but being a 200+cm tall player and with limited slots available in sides that have to play Simmonds, Graham, Pattison, Vickery, Browne etc is being developed gradually. Always a long term viewed player/prospect. One with a potential big pay off with his mobility around the ground.
JON is now playing consistently strong football at Coburg to the point where he is being considered for senior roles now. Jury still out, more than likely more on way out than in but some are calling for him to replace players like McMahon, Pettifier, etc so he has developed recently, the only question is can he do so more in time?
Pattison had a bad run of injuries, been asked to play as a ruck at AFL often when he is not best suited for such a role or at least was way too early. Hard to get a handle on him as frequently injured.
Vickery, way too early, doing exactly what he should be as a first year tall, 200+ player. Has put his stamp on games strongly at Coburg and has gone missing some days, all to be expected.
Matt White: Tempted to put him in the failure category but there is no doubt he works hard and has developed his game. The question on development is not judging a players talent but rather how much they have been improved, he has to be given a JUST pass mark for that. He is playing to the best of his ability I feel.
Daniel Connors: The enigma of the RFC, is on borderline of being considered a failure. Once again there are some theories on other influences affecting his development as in more personal/attitude ones. You can’t lead a horse to water if it doesn’t want to drink. Has a hell of a lot of potential and talent for mine, is very soon about to run out of time to realise it if he has not already.
Gourdis: Still a fair way to go but is certainly developing and improving. Has some enormous upsides as he is a athletic freak with blistering speed for a KP. Kicking is still a let down for him but it is evident he is working on it and he has improved it a little. He certainly is getting more confidence and increasing his work ethic also.
Gilligan is developing very strongly and considering where he has come from and the whole cultural/relocation and work ethic cultures he has had to face is coming along very nicely and another good example of development to date.
Browne: Has developed very strongly for a massive kid/unit/monster. A long way to go but he is young and looking very promising. A testament to the improvement he showed early was his body change in the pre-season, his strong showings against Graham in pre-season and being named in the first game of the year. Right or wrong it was a testament to his apparent strong development since being at the club.
FAILURES
Schulz: Cannot seem to stay in the side consistently. Perhaps it is his own failures, perhaps it is the coaching departments fault, I believe it is more of those two myself but anyway you shake it could certainly be considered a development failure. Doubt it has much to do with McRae though.
Hughes: Our biggest failure yet in my mind, JON might have hurt as more cost wise, but to have a Senior Player being paid to run around in Coburg reserves is ludicrous. For mine a clear case of a player mentally not up to it, keep in mind the other clubs let him drop to us, evidently for good reason. They were right, we were wrong on this one.
Danny Meyer: Sorry Bobby & Leysy to bring up old wounds and pain but a definite failure, another one however much like Schulz who has not been treated the best by coaching department and of course he had a shocking injury problem and some possible personal input in not dealing with his injury the best. Still, has to be chalked up on the board as a club failure to develop.
Silvester: A failure for mine by default only I don’t believe he was a proper rookie pick and merely insurance in the typical p!ss poor way we have used the rookie draft in the past. A good VFL footballer, one of their best if not best Full Backs, will never be anything more.
Jake King: Probably more limited talent/skill than actually capable of being developed. Certainly has to be considered a failure to date though, has shown little development and seems destined to stay at Coburg for now where even at that level his turnovers are wince inducing.
The following is the excess crap we have had to deal with form previous years…
If you want to judge McRae’s for only having a season with;
Patrick Bowden
Brent Hartigan
Andrew Krakouer
Carl Petersen
You could of course but most of them should never have been drafted or had personal demons.
He at least had two seasons with;
Hyde & Casserley. Neither could be criticised too heavily I feel for not being developed by the club at this point.
IN CONCLUSION
I think our recruitment and coaching staff have more to blame for the perceived poor development of our players. Since we have employed McRae and the Board has increased support to the football department there has been a marked spike in development for mine. We can do a lot more but we are improving I feel.
With better recruitment and a true structure and coaching plan in place our development will continue to improve.
At this stage I wouldn’t be criticising McRae too quickly. I believe he is doing a good job with the new talent.
