Tigers 2012 - Hopes and prospects...

[jb03]

It's not optimism, it has to happen. It's going to take a massive effort and a lot of things going right. But it's time to raise the bar.

It is ok to look to finals but this should not be a reason to miss the view of the bigger picture which is we are miles from a flag. Would you prefer a couple of years in the bottom half of the eight then dropping out of contention or another year or two out of the eight but building for a realistic tilt at the flag come 2014 ish.

Still concerned that we are not going to use enough picks this year - we are still paying dearly for those recent years where we took only 3 picks.

 

[Scoop]

It is ok to look to finals but this should not be a reason to miss the view of the bigger picture which is we are miles from a flag. Would you prefer a couple of years in the bottom half of the eight then dropping out of contention or another year or two out of the eight but building for a realistic tilt at the flag come 2014 ish.

Still concerned that we are not going to use enough picks this year - we are still paying dearly for those recent years where we took only 3 picks.

I agree but we need to start pushing into the 8. That is the next logical step. Long way to go but what else do we do? Go back down?

 

[Smoking Aces]

Would Hardwick get a contract extension if we dont make the finals?

 

[martyshire]

I just hope we develop some more consistency and our game plan improves. I hope:
- not to lose to a bottom 4 team for the whole season
- not to lose a game to any team by over 70 points
- not to loose any quarters by more than 5 goals

If that happens then we are clearly still heading in the right direction and getting closer to a flag. Realistically, if we can achieve all that we will probably end up playing finals, but that's neither here nor there.

 

[jb03]

I agree but we need to start pushing into the 8. That is the next logical step. Long way to go but what else do we do? Go back down?

Preferably not but we have a habit of peaking mid table and dropping back. Just wondering hypothetically whether another year or two out of the finals but with a realistic tilt at the flag is preferable to short term making the lower half of the eight but without a realistic chance.

Interestingly the two times we have made it we have made top 4. If they had kept a final 5 for all these years our finals record wouldn't look so bad.

 

[tommystigers]

Would Hardwick get a contract extension if we dont make the finals?

Good question smokes. Depends on who is available at seasons end. If Malthouse were available I don't think we would overlook that opportunity. Top 8 is an improvement from this year, to finish outside would be seen as a failure and probably goodbye Dimma.

 

[Scoop]

Preferably not but we have a habit of peaking mid table and dropping back. Just wondering hypothetically whether another year or two out of the finals but with a realistic tilt at the flag is preferable to short term making the lower half of the eight but without a realistic chance.

Interestingly the two times we have made it we have made top 4. If they had kept a final 5 for all these years our finals record wouldn't look so bad.

We peek mid table because all of a sudden we push all our chips to the middle of the table and forget what got us there. We just need to keep investing in kids, make the odd trade to fill the gaps in the core group and invest in the rookie draft to try and find some gold. Instead we get to the point of just being a finals side and trade for Paul Hudsons and Jordan McMahons.

If we add another three players from other clubs and get our first rounder to walk in we can make that lower half of the 8. Then the goal is top 4, then a flag. It’s steps and we need to take the next one.

 

[jb03]

We peek mid table because all of a sudden we push all our chips to the middle of the table and forget what got us there. We just need to keep investing in kids, make the odd trade to fill the gaps in the core group and invest in the rookie draft to try and find some gold. Instead we get to the point of just being a finals side and trade for Paul Hudsons and Jordan McMahons.

If we add another three players from other clubs and get our first rounder to walk in we can make that lower half of the 8. Then the goal is top 4, then a flag. It’s steps and we need to take the next one.

Fair enough. Bit nice if we could actually pull it off for once.

 

[SAF]

A couple of thought I would add:

• I think Jack needs to be more of a lead up forward. He would be better suited to run his opponent around the forward half more like his cousin. At times this year I think he got sucked in to trying to out muscle his opponent and spent too much time wrestling. He is a fantastic contested mark when he gets a clear run at the ball and would be better off focusing on leading towards the ball carrier than trying to stay deep in the forward line and outmuscle his opponent in a 1-on-1
• I am hopeful that with the addition of Houli at half back, Newmen returning from his knee and young players like Connors, Conca, Dea and Bathelor all capable of playing down back that Lids will be freed up to play a more free wheeling role and more time in the midfield/forward. Lids has the talent to be our most damaging player - I loved it this year when he kicked long goals from outside 50. Seeing Cotchin, Martin and Lids all in the center is a mouth watering prospect and in the short term this is going to be the best way to bostler our midfield as it is highly unlikely we'll be able to draft another top shelf midfield in the next couple of years.
• I think Grimes is going to be best suited to the 3rd tall in the backline rather than a key defender. I loved the way Grimes went about it this year and I just hope he overcomes what is a significant injury. Rance looks to be the full back we need and is developing nicely. We still need either Astbury or Post (or someone new) to become a CHB.
• The ruck is our area of most concern, we need a ruckmen who adds to the midfield by winning the ball at ground level and taking more marks around the ground. These days the ruckmen needs to be like a tall midfielder, which is why NicNat is going to be a star (I wish we had him). In time I think Vickery will be able to play more in the ruck (along the same lines at Ottens) but we still need a better partner for him.
  

 

[pmac21]

We need to approach the AFL and work out a draw where we play GWS, GC Suns, Brisbane & Port Adelaide early on in the season at home rather than another start like Blues, Hawks, Pies & Saints. If we get on a roll early on it is much easier to sustain than to start of 0 - 4 every year.

Why we keep asking to play Blues round one is beyond me, even though we make a heap of $$$..

Boy, if we make the finals imagine how much money the club could make ?? Limitless.

 

[Scoop]

Fair enough. Bit nice if we could actually pull it off for once.

But does it look that hard?

Draft youth with a required skill set, off load dead wood for core footballers if possible, use the rookie list on youth.

Should be a standard set up.

 

[footballmonk]

No reason why we shouldn't make 7th or 8th next year. The vast majority of our team are at an age where some kind of improvement can be anticpated, while there's almost nobody who's on the way down (Newman perhaps?). We now kick enough goals to win matches (which we rarely did in 2010) so if we can get even a minor upgarde in the ruck (eg Maric) and avoid too many injuries I think we've got every chance.

 

[jb03]

But does it look that hard?

Draft youth with a required skill set, off load dead wood for core footballers if possible, use the rookie list on youth.

Should be a standard set up.

Must be harder than it looks! Though West Coast seem to have it worked out.

 

[Scoop]

Must be harder than it looks! Though West Coast seem to have it worked out.

Hell yeah, we make it look impossible.

The rookie list is the one that bugs me most. Get it right. Fill it up with untried talent.

 

[ToraToraTora]

I don't wanna make he finals in 2012 cos Wallet will say he was only out by one .

 

[TigerForce]

Injuries aside, we should be capable of finishing 7th or 8th next season, and the best bonus is to see the Bummers fall......

 

[Big Cat Lover]

We need to play finals in 2012. Whether the club likes it or not, 6 ninth finishes in the last 20 years, only two finals appearances and ten years in the wilderness is enough. This club does not have much credit left in the bank.

If they need to shore up the team with experienced players to achieve this goal, then so be it. The only thing that young players learn by losing every week is that they are not good enough. Get a couple of ruckmen, find a defender or two, pay out some contracts if need be, do whatever it takes.It is time to ramp up expectation and deliver.

This notion of lying low until we have built a Premiership squad is nonsense. Climb the ladder and build on the run, just like all the other successful teams have done.

Couldn't disagree more. So we get a couple more Miller's? Like Baker/McQualter etc? Pointless short-term thinking that's failed in the past. We need to build the foundations for long-term success. I'm not suggesting we do not aim for finals because it is a realistic goal given the talent of our youth. But we were lucky no key players were injured this year. I'd rather see us invest in 22 or 23 yr olds from state leagues or even tried AFL players under 23 than older experienced types. We didn't lose every week this year and we won't next year, but we have the opportunity to build a list that will see sustained success. It's not about lying low, nor setting the bar high, its about building a list. We've had it wrong for decades and are just getting it right, why go backwards again?

 

[Disco08]

Agreed BCL. Use our first 3 picks on juniors, hopefully trade player/player to fill the ruck and possibly defender needs, use later ND/PSD/rookie picks on a mix of under 23 talent and more juniors. Easy.

 

[Scoop]

Couldn't disagree more. So we get a couple more Miller's? Like Baker/McQualter etc? Pointless short-term thinking that's failed in the past. We need to build the foundations for long-term success. I'm not suggesting we do not aim for finals because it is a realistic goal given the talent of our youth. But we were lucky no key players were injured this year. I'd rather see us invest in 22 or 23 yr olds from state leagues or even tried AFL players under 23 than older experienced types. We didn't lose every week this year and we won't next year, but we have the opportunity to build a list that will see sustained success. It's not about lying low, nor setting the bar high, its about building a list. We've had it wrong for decades and are just getting it right, why go backwards again?

Great post. We are not that far off from breaking into the finals building a list. Vast improvement in 24 months. We need to say on the steady path of building through the draft and picking up Houli's and Griggs. The State League players are something we need to do better.

 

[jb03]

Couldn't disagree more. So we get a couple more Miller's? Like Baker/McQualter etc? Pointless short-term thinking that's failed in the past. We need to build the foundations for long-term success. I'm not suggesting we do not aim for finals because it is a realistic goal given the talent of our youth. But we were lucky no key players were injured this year. I'd rather see us invest in 22 or 23 yr olds from state leagues or even tried AFL players under 23 than older experienced types. We didn't lose every week this year and we won't next year, but we have the opportunity to build a list that will see sustained success. It's not about lying low, nor setting the bar high, its about building a list. We've had it wrong for decades and are just getting it right, why go backwards again?

Yeah add me for good post too BCL. Hate the thought of trading/drafting Miller types.