A couple of a-grade tall forwards, tall backs, and midfield bulls at this year's draft wouldn't be asking for too much, would it?
We need to keep enough of the senior players around long enough for the next generation to understand the culture. It is also important that the mid 20s guys step up and take the responsibility for passing the culture on. Does the "Richmond Man" mantra just become hollow words once the current leaders leave? If it does, it doesn't matter who we recruit from other clubs.
We will still have Cotchin, Riewoldt, Edwards, Martin and Grimes for at least one more year, so tick, we have the leaders. We also have Baker, Short, DRioli, Graham, Balta and Bolton, so one more tick, we have the next generation of leaders in place already. We even have a decent group in between, Vlastuin, Prestia, Lynch, Broad and McIntosh, which tells us that the core group will be solid next year.
What we don't have is quality youngsters. Ten years ago, we had all the young talent we needed coming through, thanks to early draft picks. We then added foot soldiers like Maric, Houli and Grigg. Then we added more foot soldiers like Lambert, Broad and Short through the rookie draft and late picks. When we chose to bring in another group from other teams in 2016 to fill in the gaps, we were away.
It was a process and it began with pulling the right reins at the Draft. Riewoldt, Edwards, Cotchin, Rance, Martin, Astbury, Grimes. Forget the misses in between, this is the three flags right here! Along with Hardwick, they did the hard work to boot the loser mentality out of the club and replace it with culture that had everyone on the same page.
Now we need to get as many early picks as possible for the next two drafts. The senior players will guide them. We need an injection of classy young players now, not more core players. They can be added later. Bringing in older replacements like Talia to replace Dave, for example, is a mistake.
Go to the draft! this year! Find the next group of leaders and fill in the gaps later.
The best karma is he doesn't and another flag to his record!!!!!!!Ivan the Younger is no certainty that he will recover to his old self after the destruction of his knee. Tall gangly blokes, long levers, lots of forces through those pinion joints, ain’t good after such trauma.
I am being pessimistic but I think the likelihood that he returns as the player he was is only a 1 in 3 chance. Great if he does come back as the old Solo Man but I ain’t counting on it.
Bloody Shovekins, hope karma comes his way.
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So from the previous 3 drafts we have;
RCD
Ross
Dow
Cumberland
Martyn
Ralphsmith
Nyuon
Ryan
Rioli
All have played senior footy excluding Nyoun and Cumberland. Thats the core right there. None stand out as A Grade quality but they still have time on their side. But most if not all would want regular senior games next year.
The lack of VFL has been a big issue. Little to no continuity in their football. Which makes it very hard to pass judgement on any of those kids right now.Most of these players have had less than 10 games. The only one I would say we actually have a handle on is Ross (24 games) and he is clearly not quite making it at the moment unfortunately.
The rest need more time and more games.
To my way of thinking they all look decent prospects. Not like very early draft picks where they can come in and play in their first year, but with some development could make it.
DS
And no mention of @Leysy Days in the third person at all. Maybe sobered up?were you drunk when you wrote this? or did someone still your log in?
this post makes too much sense.
One reason and not the only one is they have the best draw in the league. Only club in Vic with a ‘true’ home ground advantage. All other Vic teams play home games at neutral venues. Then if you compare them with any other interstate teams with strong home ground advantages, Geesook don’t have the travel burden that the interstate teams have as they only have the drive up the highway when playing other Vic teams.How do Geecheat do it ? They haven’t fallen away since 2007. One year they missed the 8 ? Two ?
And here they are again, contending. As much as I wish they would, they never drop off the cliff.
Yeah I dunno. Maybe. I don’t put much in it. St Kilda, South Melbourne etc were all *smile* when they all had their own home grounds too - albeit back in the 80’s. Geecheat had theirs and they were up and down themselves. Think they’re just a good club. Can’t stand them but you’ve gotta hand it to them regardless.One reason and not the only one is they have the best draw in the league. Only club in Vic with a ‘true’ home ground advantage. All other Vic teams play home games at neutral venues. Then if you compare them with any other interstate teams with strong home ground advantages, Geesook don’t have the travel burden that the interstate teams have as they only have the drive up the highway when playing other Vic teams.
This is why Salty always wanted to play us at the bowling alley.
no doubt they are a good club, but cant deny their home ground advantage & getting to play the shitter teams there the majority of the time.Yeah I dunno. Maybe. I don’t put much in it. St Kilda, South Melbourne etc were all *smile* when they all had their own home grounds too - albeit back in the 80’s. Geecheat had theirs and they were up and down themselves. Think they’re just a good club. Can’t stand them but you’ve gotta hand it to them regardless.