I am surprised no one has started this already. Perhaps we are too disheartened to do it.
Hard to make an informed opinion of where we are at given the injuries, completely distorting our form. I think at the start of the season/last season there was a general consensus that if we lost one of Dusty, Rance or Nank we were in trouble. Turns out when you lose virtually all of our senior players then we are thin, but same for all clubs.
Saddest thing for me is that we only have a couple of years left (if lucky) to enjoy Rance and Jack, and to a lesser extent Cotchin. I feel like we are being robbed of this entitlement/pleasure. Surely we have had done enough hard years to earn some joy. Next year becomes critical if we want to snare another premiership because I can't see them being able to play at such a high level for much longer.
Anyway, some huge positives this year and arguably we are stronger than at the start of the year with some kids emerging.
POSITIVES
1. Jack Ross
2. Sydney Stack
3. Noah Balta (although form has dropped off)
4. Liam Baker
5. Shai Bolton, after being flat for a couple of years, has really stepped it up this year. Hasn't quite cemented his spot but will be a very good player
6. Grimes, has been awesome although teams seem to be going around him
7. Flossy, has been awesome although seems to be playing injured
8. Some great kids running around in the VFL including Naish, Turner, RCD, CCJ, Eggy
9. Titch
10. Dusty, after a slow start, is playing better footy right now than 2018
11. Prestia playing injury-free, consistent footy
12. Overall the club has had some brave wins including Freo and Port and still well-placed to make finals
13. VFL development is outstanding with strong team culture, McCrae is very impressive, clearly some excellent depth with the VFL players
OPINION DIVIDED
1. Tom Lynch, although depends what week it is, could easily be in the positives
2. Garth, is getting exposed at senior level right now, but glass half full would say he is getting
3. Bachar, has played some excellent games, but last 3 weeks disposal and commitment has been exposed
4. Brando or Bellis, some great games with a few obligatory shockers.
5. Chol has played some dominant games in VFL and showed glimpses against Adelaide. But serious doubts whether he will make it.
6. Jack Graham played arguably his best game on the weekend. Hard to tell if injuries are affecting his year.
CRUELLED BY INJURY
Long list - Rance, Cotch, Jack, Short, Nank, Astbury, Lambert, C Moore, Rioli (albeit playing), etc.
NEGATIVES
1. Premiership ruckman Grigga unable to get healthy and retiring
2. Nank getting exposed against top rucks, not showing any further development
3. Ruck stocks has been exposed, Soldo unlikely to make it, mistake by the club to not target another mature ruck
4. Oleg has stalled, not come on after being talked up in pre-season
5. Menadue unable to step up to AFL level
6. Small forwards as a whole, including Butler, Rioli and George, have contributed nothing all year. Hard to tell if it is because of our lack of competitiveness. Butler and Rioli have gone backwards.
7. Higgins is a shadow of himself. Second year blues, but some concerns after a stellar first year.
8. Weller was a mistake. Continued his injury-plagued career. No point having a back-up insurance player who is always injured.
9. Harsh call on a kid but Miller is a bust. English is underwhelming (very unfair).
10. Towner playing some good VFL footy but it would seem that is his level. Door is still open for a late season renaissance...
11. Too many smalls on our list. Bolton, Baker, Higgins (touch-wood) all showing good signs and demonstrating best available but our list balance is way off IMO. Lacking quality in junior KPP's which has been exposed this year.
Hard to make an informed opinion of where we are at given the injuries, completely distorting our form. I think at the start of the season/last season there was a general consensus that if we lost one of Dusty, Rance or Nank we were in trouble. Turns out when you lose virtually all of our senior players then we are thin, but same for all clubs.
Saddest thing for me is that we only have a couple of years left (if lucky) to enjoy Rance and Jack, and to a lesser extent Cotchin. I feel like we are being robbed of this entitlement/pleasure. Surely we have had done enough hard years to earn some joy. Next year becomes critical if we want to snare another premiership because I can't see them being able to play at such a high level for much longer.
Anyway, some huge positives this year and arguably we are stronger than at the start of the year with some kids emerging.
POSITIVES
1. Jack Ross
2. Sydney Stack
3. Noah Balta (although form has dropped off)
4. Liam Baker
5. Shai Bolton, after being flat for a couple of years, has really stepped it up this year. Hasn't quite cemented his spot but will be a very good player
6. Grimes, has been awesome although teams seem to be going around him
7. Flossy, has been awesome although seems to be playing injured
8. Some great kids running around in the VFL including Naish, Turner, RCD, CCJ, Eggy
9. Titch
10. Dusty, after a slow start, is playing better footy right now than 2018
11. Prestia playing injury-free, consistent footy
12. Overall the club has had some brave wins including Freo and Port and still well-placed to make finals
13. VFL development is outstanding with strong team culture, McCrae is very impressive, clearly some excellent depth with the VFL players
OPINION DIVIDED
1. Tom Lynch, although depends what week it is, could easily be in the positives
2. Garth, is getting exposed at senior level right now, but glass half full would say he is getting
3. Bachar, has played some excellent games, but last 3 weeks disposal and commitment has been exposed
4. Brando or Bellis, some great games with a few obligatory shockers.
5. Chol has played some dominant games in VFL and showed glimpses against Adelaide. But serious doubts whether he will make it.
6. Jack Graham played arguably his best game on the weekend. Hard to tell if injuries are affecting his year.
CRUELLED BY INJURY
Long list - Rance, Cotch, Jack, Short, Nank, Astbury, Lambert, C Moore, Rioli (albeit playing), etc.
NEGATIVES
1. Premiership ruckman Grigga unable to get healthy and retiring
2. Nank getting exposed against top rucks, not showing any further development
3. Ruck stocks has been exposed, Soldo unlikely to make it, mistake by the club to not target another mature ruck
4. Oleg has stalled, not come on after being talked up in pre-season
5. Menadue unable to step up to AFL level
6. Small forwards as a whole, including Butler, Rioli and George, have contributed nothing all year. Hard to tell if it is because of our lack of competitiveness. Butler and Rioli have gone backwards.
7. Higgins is a shadow of himself. Second year blues, but some concerns after a stellar first year.
8. Weller was a mistake. Continued his injury-plagued career. No point having a back-up insurance player who is always injured.
9. Harsh call on a kid but Miller is a bust. English is underwhelming (very unfair).
10. Towner playing some good VFL footy but it would seem that is his level. Door is still open for a late season renaissance...
11. Too many smalls on our list. Bolton, Baker, Higgins (touch-wood) all showing good signs and demonstrating best available but our list balance is way off IMO. Lacking quality in junior KPP's which has been exposed this year.
