Which (if any)premiership heroes need to start making way?

[momentai]

Agree and disagree. Even if you are right on the collision thing, I think you're overstating it but for arguments say lets say you're right, as we stand now, he still brings more in terms of linking up, getting the ball and using it than any replacement we have.

If he declines a bit more, AND we get to full strength, then his spot in the side will be under pressure sure. He's on the decline, its no secret, but there is decline and there's scrapheap, I reckon some are too hair trigger having him on the scrapheap.

Hard to see the opportunity cost in black and white terms. While Bashar remains in that position we don’t get to see Cotch, Sheds or Ralphsmith or Stacky or even Dow, show their worth in the role.
Not saying Bashar won’t fight his way back but IMO just like Jack who is also down on form, it is the ideal time for an opportunity even a single game, to be given to a next gen who are in fact, banging at the gate.

 

[Brodders17]

Hard to see the opportunity cost in black and white terms. While Bashar remains in that position we don’t get to see Cotch, Sheds or Ralphsmith or Stacky or even Dow, show their worth in the role.
Not saying Bashar won’t fight his way back but IMO just like Jack who is also down on form, it is the ideal time for an opportunity even a single game, to be given to a next gen who are in fact, banging at the gate.

I reckon people have been writing Houli off at this time each year for at least the last 4, he is only warming up for more September glory.
as as mentioned 1 of the coaches had him as our best player. cant see him being dropped soon.

 

[TigerForce]

Castagna has leadership written on his thighs

Trade

 

[mrposhman]

Get rid of Cotchin FFS
One week 5 weeks out
Castagna has leadership written on his thighs

Did he tattoo it on himself?

 

[momentai]

I reckon people have been writing Houli off at this time each year for at least the last 4, he is only warming up for more September glory.
as as mentioned 1 of the coaches had him as our best player. cant see him being dropped soon.

Not me. He has been great for us in 3 premiership victories. Never to be forgotten and always respected.
But he is not was he was and it will be a surprise if he lasts the year in the team

 

[Carter]

Agree and disagree. Even if you are right on the collision thing, I think you're overstating it but for arguments say lets say you're right, as we stand now, he still brings more in terms of linking up, getting the ball and using it than any replacement we have.

If he declines a bit more, AND we get to full strength, then his spot in the side will be under pressure sure. He's on the decline, its no secret, but there is decline and there's scrapheap, I reckon some are too hair trigger having him on the scrapheap.

This is fair.

No one wants Houli in the scrap heap, that’s for sure.

He has been - is - a star and an ornament to the game.

What I see at the moment however is predictability. We’re too easy to coach against. Where’s the x-factor coming from in 2021?

Would people object if Stack earned Houli’s spot after the bye?

 

[Dev Tiger]

I don't think Stack will take Houli's place but I think he could play in the small forward/pinch hitting in the midfield role when he is fit enough. I think Stack and Dow are better options than Hugo, Mansell, Ross and Naish. Mansell has shown a little bit as a low possesion lock down small defender but not enough to push any of the premiership players out. This years draft will be very important in getting some youth coming through. I hope we are into Zac Merrett as a free agent. I think he would suit us very well.

 

[The_General]

Would people object if Stack earned Houli’s spot after the bye?

I'll go you one (maybe more than one) better. I'm happy for *any* player to come in and replace an established veteran if they perform better. That could be Cotchin, Astbury, Houli, Riewoldt or even Dusty. I couldn't give a *smile* about egos. If it wins a fourth in five years, I'd play the entire VFL side.
But we've got an entire team struggling for "connection" and form. No point singling one person out when it's basically 22 not getting their act together each week.

 

[Carter]

I'll go you one (maybe more than one) better. I'm happy for *any* player to come in and replace an established veteran if they perform better. That could be Cotchin, Astbury, Houli, Riewoldt or even Dusty. I couldn't give a *smile* about egos. If it wins a fourth in five years, I'd play the entire VFL side.
But we've got an entire team struggling for "connection" and form. No point singling one person out when it's basically 22 not getting their act together each week.

It was just an example. My point is that the day we’re happy with our 22 because there’s plenty of medallions amongst them is the day the dynasty crumbles into dust.

 

[The_General]

It was just an example. My point is that the day we’re happy with our 22 because there’s plenty of medallions amongst them is the day the dynasty crumbles into dust.

Agree with that. It's not just about holding our ground, it's about improving at a rate faster than the competition can close the gap. With an older list, that's not normally going to come from growth of your established core. It's going to come from replacement.

 

[Feeling Tigerish]

Think we’ll lose a lot more games before they start moving on older players. Which means we’ll prob keep them way past their used by date, out of loyalty and respect. Just hope they don’t become whipping boys because of it, as they don’t deserve that. But they probably will

 

[ceehook2]

we find ourselves in a delicate position
our run of injuries , 5 1st grade mids and if you look to the VFL Dow and Cumberland as well for stints
on a list of 42 that does clean out the cupboard

I would rate our games V Port , Saints & Bulldogs as finals intensity and in the highest rating games of the season
and the Giants game was tough too

we cant beat anyone in the comp this year when right ,so it is how to make the finals in good shape

we have blooded RCD , Hugo , Mansell, , Martyn and Naish (not strictly his first game)
while they show promise , at this point in time , they wont win you a game but they can go missing and help lose a game
but for the future we need to get games into them

Grimmes , Vlast and Houli have had interuptions and aren't 100%
Grimmes - no problems he is class and still has plenty to offer
Vlas - he will get better and is not being mentioned because others think likewise
Houli - has had some bad fumbles that the whole world has seen , but I've seen little things that tell me he will get back
and it could be a better move to keep him in 2022 than Egg and I have faith (sic) the Houli will be important for us in the back half of the year

Astbury - I'm not seeing what others are in his current weaknesses, he is a quiet man that is never cocky or bold , I'm thinking more some opposition teams have really got hold of us ( Dees, Gee, Lions ) and under the pressure of an under performing midfield our rock solid back 6 has looked shaky and Astbury is a victim of that
I'd say hang tough , see how he goes when we do better thru the midfield , our other options are Garthwaite (injured) , Miller (not ready) , Biggie (def not AFL ready )
a 2021 premiership side is more likely to have him in it than not

Dimma said picking Picxkett to debut was one of the toughest things he had done

I reckon the selection meetings for the rest of this year will be tougher

and them knowing who to cut and who to keep of our older players could be the factor in 3 peat

 

[eZyT]

Naish and Ross are premiership heroes-in-waiting.

In the Ovens and Murray League.

so I'll nominate them to make way.