Shattered is an understatement!

[richards42]

On paper when we all did our teams for round 1 I'd look at it and thought that is a top 4 team and the best forward line in the comp.
I knew age was catching up but not to this degree. Grimes and Vlastin have surprised me how quickly their decline is coming.
Maybe some decisions have to be made at the end of the year. If Dusty wanted to go to the Gold Coast it would be a win/win or Broad or Jack Graham wanted to go home we'd get some picks. It will be an interesting year especially with Jack and Cotchin finishing up.

 

[CarnTheTiges]

I don’t think Dusty does want to go to the Gold Coast, but I can’t see how if he does that’s a win. They won’t give us anything close to solving any of our drafting issues, and they’ll want a fair chunk of his wage as well. The problem is, we’ve got no real capital. Our best players are old and therefore not worth much, if we trade the younger ones (Bakes, DRioli, Bolton) we get the picks, but lose important cogs in gen next. We won’t get much for Broad and Graham, either.

 

[Ian4]

I am truly astonished at the decline of our senior players. No one expected this. Could lack of hunger be an issue too? Its going to be a long winter.

 

[Scoop]

I am truly astonished at the decline of our senior players. No one expected this. Could lack of hunger be an issue too? Its going to be a long winter.

Everyone over 28 is savagely down on form or injured. Jack can hold his head up for the year but yesterday was ugly. You can't plan for this type of mass loss of from. As @Redford put it, something is wrong.

No	Name	Games	Age	Date of Birth	Height	Weight	Origin	Position
8​	Riewoldt, Jack	332​	34yr 5mth	31 Oct 1988	193cm​	92kg​	Tassie Mariners	Forward
6​	Tarrant, Robbie	194​	34yr	25 Apr 1989	196cm​	96kg​	Bendigo Pioneers	Defender
9​	Cotchin, Trent	294​	33yr	7 Apr 1990	185cm​	86kg​	Northern Knights	Midfield Forward
4​	Martin, Dustin	275​	31yr 10mth	26 Jun 1991	187cm​	92kg​	Bendigo Pioneers	Midfield Forward
2​	Grimes, Dylan	214​	31yr 9mth	16 Jul 1991	194cm​	91kg​	Northern Knights	Defender
50​	Pickett, Marlion R	64​	31yr 3mth	6 Jan 1992	184cm​	81kg​	South Fremantle	Midfield
3​	Prestia, Dion	198​	30yr 6mth	12 Oct 1992	175cm​	82kg​	Calder Cannons	Midfield
19​	Lynch, Tom	216​	30yr 5mth	31 Oct 1992	199cm​	99kg​	Dandenong Stingrays	Forward
35​	Broad, Nathan	110​	30yr	15 Apr 1993	192cm​	87kg​	Swan Districts	Defender
33​	Mcintosh, Kamdyn	153​	29yr	3 Apr 1994	191cm​	92kg​	Peel Thunder	Midfield
1​	Vlastuin, Nick	197​	29yr	19 Apr 1994	187cm​	87kg​	Northern Knights	Defender
25​	Nankervis, Toby	125​	28yr 8mth	12 Aug 1994	199cm​	102kg​	North Launceston	Ruck

 

[tigertime2]

Everyone over 28 is savagely down on form or injured. Jack can hold his head up for the year but yesterday was ugly. You can't plan for this type of mass loss of from. As @redfrod put it, something is wrong.

No	Name	Games	Age	Date of Birth	Height	Weight	Origin	Position
8​	Riewoldt, Jack	332​	34yr 5mth	31 Oct 1988	193cm​	92kg​	Tassie Mariners	Forward
6​	Tarrant, Robbie	194​	34yr	25 Apr 1989	196cm​	96kg​	Bendigo Pioneers	Defender
9​	Cotchin, Trent	294​	33yr	7 Apr 1990	185cm​	86kg​	Northern Knights	Midfield Forward
4​	Martin, Dustin	275​	31yr 10mth	26 Jun 1991	187cm​	92kg​	Bendigo Pioneers	Midfield Forward
2​	Grimes, Dylan	214​	31yr 9mth	16 Jul 1991	194cm​	91kg​	Northern Knights	Defender
50​	Pickett, Marlion R	64​	31yr 3mth	6 Jan 1992	184cm​	81kg​	South Fremantle	Midfield
3​	Prestia, Dion	198​	30yr 6mth	12 Oct 1992	175cm​	82kg​	Calder Cannons	Midfield
19​	Lynch, Tom	216​	30yr 5mth	31 Oct 1992	199cm​	99kg​	Dandenong Stingrays	Forward
35​	Broad, Nathan	110​	30yr	15 Apr 1993	192cm​	87kg​	Swan Districts	Defender
33​	Mcintosh, Kamdyn	153​	29yr	3 Apr 1994	191cm​	92kg​	Peel Thunder	Midfield
1​	Vlastuin, Nick	197​	29yr	19 Apr 1994	187cm​	87kg​	Northern Knights	Defender
25​	Nankervis, Toby	125​	28yr 8mth	12 Aug 1994	199cm​	102kg​	North Launceston	Ruck

We had a very very poorly planned off season. it is almost terminal for this season. what you put in you get out. Serious questions need to be ask of Hardwick. he can coach....but did not put any effort into the off season from the results we are getting.

 

[Baloo]

Our senior players have all fallen off a cliff, but Jack has climbed back up. Lack of hunger might be it, or something else, but to have them all fall off makes you think something is going on.

 

[tigertime2]

something went on...they did not have a proper pre Season.

 

[Carter]

something went on...they did not have a proper pre Season.

Tactical about face when they realised we needed to work WITH the stand rule rather than against it?

 

[Mr Brightside]

Take the top 3 out which obviously won’t be playing next season , we are not that old , a huge percentage of our list should be in their prime or on the improve .

Biggest worry for the future for me is I only see one “ potential “ genuine star and that’s Gibcus , potentially a lot of parts towards a premiership list though.

 

[tigertime2]

Harwick has form 2016. he had the most diabolical game plan....same here.... the older guys are not buying into it. its just *smile*!!

 

[Merveille]

We had a very very poorly planned off season. it is almost terminal for this season. what you put in you get out. Serious questions need to be ask of Hardwick. he can coach....but did not put any effort into the off season from the results we are getting.

He was overseas for a lot of it

 

[TigerForce]

We had a very very poorly planned off season. it is almost terminal for this season. what you put in you get out. Serious questions need to be ask of Hardwick. he can coach....but did not put any effort into the off season from the results we are getting.

Yep. Going to somewhere cheap like Apollo Bay was barely anything compared to past pre-seasons. Julius said it in his preseason training reports. Too many small injuries and even easy training.

 

[richards42]

I don’t think Dusty does want to go to the Gold Coast, but I can’t see how if he does that’s a win. They won’t give us anything close to solving any of our drafting issues, and they’ll want a fair chunk of his wage as well. The problem is, we’ve got no real capital. Our best players are old and therefore not worth much, if we trade the younger ones (Bakes, DRioli, Bolton) we get the picks, but lose important cogs in gen next. We won’t get much for Broad and Graham, either.

I'd hate to see the great man go and it probably would never happen but Gold Coast is a unique market. It wouldn't be just about a 32 year old in decline. It's Dustin Martin! That club needs a marquee player with his profile for all its marketing.
For all that,you may get a young player or a reasonable pick for him. Similar to what lids did for us.

 

[Carter]

If an idiot club like GC hands over a 20s pick plus takes on most of the salary for 2024, where do I sign?

 

[Little Ziggyadee]

On paper when we all did our teams for round 1 I'd look at it and thought that is a top 4 team and the best forward line in the comp.
I knew age was catching up but not to this degree. Grimes and Vlastin have surprised me how quickly their decline is coming.
Maybe some decisions have to be made at the end of the year. If Dusty wanted to go to the Gold Coast it would be a win/win or Broad or Jack Graham wanted to go home we'd get some picks. It will be an interesting year especially with Jack and Cotchin finishing up.

Picks for players leaving isn't the answer.
We don't do anything with these PICKs everyone mentions.
Yes trade out but player swap no Picks.
Giving us Picks is like throwing them in the bin.
Unless Hartley & Clarke leave.
We cannot give them anymore Picks.
Besides Sampson who was again a late pick is coming through that exciting to watch?
We need to do what are clubs do, Geelong Picks them up from the tough country leagues over 20 yrs old ready to go.
Collingwood don't mind the kids that can't get regular games at there clubs. Kruger Cameron Lipinksi Hill Frampton etc. Role players and not on big bucks. 2 -3 yr deals the most.
There must be kids under noses that dominate lower leagues.
Where's our Academy??

 

[Leysy Days]

Everyone over 28 is savagely down on form or injured. Jack can hold his head up for the year but yesterday was ugly. You can't plan for this type of mass loss of from. As @redfrod put it, something is wrong.

No	Name	Games	Age	Date of Birth	Height	Weight	Origin	Position
8​	Riewoldt, Jack	332​	34yr 5mth	31 Oct 1988	193cm​	92kg​	Tassie Mariners	Forward
6​	Tarrant, Robbie	194​	34yr	25 Apr 1989	196cm​	96kg​	Bendigo Pioneers	Defender
9​	Cotchin, Trent	294​	33yr	7 Apr 1990	185cm​	86kg​	Northern Knights	Midfield Forward
4​	Martin, Dustin	275​	31yr 10mth	26 Jun 1991	187cm​	92kg​	Bendigo Pioneers	Midfield Forward
2​	Grimes, Dylan	214​	31yr 9mth	16 Jul 1991	194cm​	91kg​	Northern Knights	Defender
50​	Pickett, Marlion R	64​	31yr 3mth	6 Jan 1992	184cm​	81kg​	South Fremantle	Midfield
3​	Prestia, Dion	198​	30yr 6mth	12 Oct 1992	175cm​	82kg​	Calder Cannons	Midfield
19​	Lynch, Tom	216​	30yr 5mth	31 Oct 1992	199cm​	99kg​	Dandenong Stingrays	Forward
35​	Broad, Nathan	110​	30yr	15 Apr 1993	192cm​	87kg​	Swan Districts	Defender
33​	Mcintosh, Kamdyn	153​	29yr	3 Apr 1994	191cm​	92kg​	Peel Thunder	Midfield
1​	Vlastuin, Nick	197​	29yr	19 Apr 1994	187cm​	87kg​	Northern Knights	Defender
25​	Nankervis, Toby	125​	28yr 8mth	12 Aug 1994	199cm​	102kg​	North Launceston	Ruck

Yeah the drop-off is incredible with like you say, everyone across the board.

Look at other clubs veterans. Hawkins is near 35 and kicking 8 in a match. Danger the exact age as Chimp as running on top of the ground. Selwood 34 and the same last year. Pendlebury is 35 and the same and Sidebottom 32 and still firing. Could go on.

Our guys for the most part are younger and many look very near the end. The theme is too common and broad for there not to be a reason. Leysy doesn't know exactly but reckon it can only come from one of the below:

1. Our manic, up tempo game plan gives our guys a shorter shelf life.
2. We *smile* our pre-season up and didn't give our older guys the grounding needed to be physically right. Either not enough load or too much - Dunno
3. They have lost the hunger and drive needed now another flag looks a way off.

Not sure, but something is up. Don't think it is the latter as looks more physical to Leysy.

 

[CarnTheTiges]

Yeah the drop-off is incredible with like you say, everyone across the board.

Look at other clubs veterans. Hawkins is near 35 and kicking 8 in a match. Danger the exact age as Chimp as running on top of the ground. Selwood 34 and the same last year. Pendlebury is 35 and the same and Sidebottom 32 and still firing. Could go on.

Our guys for the most part are younger and many look very near the end. The theme is too common and broad for there not to be a reason. Leysy doesn't know exactly but reckon it can only come from one of the below:

1. Our manic, up tempo game plan gives our guys a shorter shelf life.
2. We *smile* our pre-season up and didn't give our older guys the grounding needed to be physically right. Either not enough load or too much - Dunno
3. They have lost the hunger and drive needed now another flag looks a way off.

Not sure, but something is up. Don't think it is the latter as looks more physical to Leysy.

I think it might be a combination of all 3.

 

[Scoop]

Yeah the drop-off is incredible with like you say, everyone across the board.

Look at other clubs veterans. Hawkins is near 35 and kicking 8 in a match. Danger the exact age as Chimp as running on top of the ground. Selwood 34 and the same last year. Pendlebury is 35 and the same and Sidebottom 32 and still firing. Could go on.

Our guys for the most part are younger and many look very near the end. The theme is too common and broad for there not to be a reason.

So this, club needs an internal review of why our old blokes are cooked but THE LEAGUE is getting older.

Geelong won a flag with the oldest side ever to go on to the ground, we've followed the style to a point but savagely misread miles on the odometers of our vets.

I think it's the games' style and load management. I refuse to believe that all our vets don't want to win another one. But I'm skeptical of our preseason, @ceaser constantly pointed out how many blokes missed large chunks of the preseason, old and young. Something has been off since day dot .There has been some scuttlebutt on these boards of word at a private function that we were training differently and were confident of the results coming but I haven't seen one game where I thought we were fitter than the other side.

The underrated thing of Collingwood is how fit they are. They just run and run and run. And same with Adelaide. Darren Burgess is having a huge impact on the Crows, in his second year, they have that same elite endurance. The game yesterday showed it. Crow players in the media talk of how fit they are, they believe the summer built them for the winter. Our blokes summer were done at half pace in recovery and it shows.

There is something off. I go back to my post yesterday, there has been a leadership vacuum. So much has left and we haven't replaced it with the same quality. Rutten had how many years at Essendon? Scott has them looking completely different after one pre-season. Burge going to Hawthorn, underrated loss. Built a premiership dynasty fitness base. Quality people make quality organizations and get quality results. Think we need a reset around Dimma and the club as much as on field.

 

[tigers80]

So many little things, when all added together gives us the situation we are in now.
i would also ask the question re: pre season and who was running it.
was there a thought pattern that because we had ex senior coaches it was for them to run the pre season?
whilst the bloke who is running the show is away on a study trip.

2017 until 2020 we were at the forefront in off field player management, injury management.
covid came and so did the soft cap, have we cut corners.
we had many a people working on data analysis that we had to rent offices in and around Richmond.
what’s happened here…

has our off field become complacent.
I love what BG has achieved but he’s conspicuous by his absence when doing interviews recently.
what’s going on here..

this is when you look at the cats and go *smile* how do they do it..
how players look like and play like old men..
did we zig when we should’ve zagged.

as I said lots of little things become a huge thing when we look out of sorts.

 

[Dev Tiger]

I saw Massimo D'Ambrosio and another player I didn't recognise doing a running session in their end of season break period and they were busting a gut. They did something like 10 x 400m then 20 x 200m followed by some skills work. Brad Scott said they were unfit last year and needed to get fitter. It is no wonder they look so much fitter with sessions like that. We just look so far off the mark in terms of our fitness. The other teams just out work us every game. I think Meehan's new fitness regime has gone horribly wrong.