Player Watch #14 Tim Taranto.

[Ralll]

I don’t think the club needs to come out and make a public statement. Actions speak louder than words and I don’t think there is too many punters in the dark as to what direction the club is moving in.

What direction is the club moving in?
Are we going to try to win as many games as possible playing the best 22?
Are we going to get 50-100 games into the kids asap (a la 2010) sacrificing possible wins with more experienced players?
Is there another direction I'm missing?

 

[THE_GUN]

Taranto , Hopper , Prestia & Ross will be very important to both the season and to the development of Smille , Lawla & McAuliffe. Im thinking Ross takes another step up this year and becomes a best 23 auto selection

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

What direction is the club moving in?
Are we going to try to win as many games as possible playing the best 22?
Are we going to get 50-100 games into the kids asap (a la 2010) sacrificing possible wins with more experienced players?
Is there another direction I'm missing?

Yes you is...

 

[tora tora tora]

What direction is the club moving in?
Are we going to try to win as many games as possible playing the best 22?
Are we going to get 50-100 games into the kids asap (a la 2010) sacrificing possible wins with more experienced players?
Is there another direction I'm missing?

A million games of experience left the club in retirements and trades. No Luke Parker type old free agents brought in. But ample experience left.
We won't be as bad as 24.

More than 4 games out of Lynch and we improve, ,22 games out of Bauer we improve our forward line. Chuck in whoever trains the house down ~ Fawcett, Faull etc.

A fit Hopper we improve, a fitter Kmac2 & Lalor & Smile is a huge boost to the middle.

Maybe Smith steps up...

How quick the 8 kids adjust to the pace is a question ~ just got to wait.

 

[Sir_Loin]

Live scenes of Timmy last season when all his teammates had already checked out early.

Not dissimilar from your draft predictions

 

[Coach_Required]

Not dissimilar from your draft predictions

I sat on the fence so much I got splinters

 

[Dr Tigris]

What direction is the club moving in?
Are we going to try to win as many games as possible playing the best 22?
Are we going to get 50-100 games into the kids asap (a la 2010) sacrificing possible wins with more experienced players?
Is there another direction I'm missing?

Develop the kids as fast and thoroughly as possible, without breaking them. That requires us to play a mature core to the team each week, and to play the kids in roles best suited to development. So not to win games. But playing most of the team that is most likely to win each week. So maybe KMac gets dropped at times to allow a young guy playing well to get a taste, etc. We try to play a midfield and spine of mature bodies that take the punishment (Lynch, TT, Hopps), and/or guys that we don't care if they get hammered (Kozi). Fill n around that with players on the rise, role players and our developing players.

So, not to get as many games in as fast as possible. I suspect that the new KPs are likely to mostly play VFL.

Doesn't matter if we are 18th. But it does matter if our young guys learn bad habits. That means we want to win, but more importantly we want to be competitive - both VFL and AFL.

Walk the tightrope, hope our injuries are limited and we can develop those kids into champions.

 

[Hank Heavenly]

Develop the kids as fast and thoroughly as possible, without breaking them. That requires us to play a mature core to the team each week, and to play the kids in roles best suited to development. So not to win games. But playing most of the team that is most likely to win each week. So maybe KMac gets dropped at times to allow a young guy playing well to get a taste, etc. We try to play a midfield and spine of mature bodies that take the punishment (Lynch, TT, Hopps), and/or guys that we don't care if they get hammered (Kozi). Fill n around that with players on the rise, role players and our developing players.

So, not to get as many games in as fast as possible. I suspect that the new KPs are likely to mostly play VFL.

Doesn't matter if we are 18th. But it does matter if our young guys learn bad habits. That means we want to win, but more importantly we want to be competitive - both VFL and AFL.

Walk the tightrope, hope our injuries are limited and we can develop those kids into champions.

I nearly agree with this wholeheartedly , apart from the bolded bit

A player like KMac should only be getting a game should the kids need a break or there are not enough available.

TT, Hops, Prestia, Lynch, Vlas Broad and Nank 100% carry the workload and protect the younger players
Players like Kmac, kozi only player as last resort depth

 

[Muddiemoose]

I nearly agree with this wholeheartedly , apart from the bolded bit

A player like KMac should only be getting a game should the kids need a break or there are not enough available.

TT, Hops, Prestia, Lynch, Vlas Broad and Nank 100% carry the workload and protect the younger players
Players like Kmac, kozi only player as last resort depth

I differ a little personally, I’m the type who want us to play our best 22 available every week

Doesn't matter who, because that is what ultimately lifts the standards of the entire group to improve with genuine competition for the spots

Do I want Kmac to play every week? Of course not, but it’s up to the younger players to push him out of the side and stake their own claim

Gifting games to anyone when someone else is better does both players a disservice and is ultimately a disservice to the club as well

 

[Dr Tigris]

I nearly agree with this wholeheartedly , apart from the bolded bit

A player like KMac should only be getting a game should the kids need a break or there are not enough available.

TT, Hops, Prestia, Lynch, Vlas Broad and Nank 100% carry the workload and protect the younger players
Players like Kmac, kozi only player as last resort depth

Agree. That was why I picked KMac. He will do an AFL level job. But if you can play, say Banks, instead of him and get a decent AFL performance, then play Banks. Similar across the park. Kozi is there if you need someone to get smacked around, and you want to protect our young KPFs.

But the point is that we should try to win/be competitive, but also develop players. I really don't care much about playing our mature guys, say Prestia, just to try and win a game. If they are fit and in form then play the older guys. Otherwise get really strategic and give the youngsters a go when it seem sensible.

Maybe play Smillie against Cripps to show him the level. No expectation that he won't get smashed. But letting talented juniors know where the level is, but not annihilating them is what I want to see. Don't care if that costs us games in 2025. But I do care if the team just sucks.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Develop the kids as fast and thoroughly as possible, without breaking them. That requires us to play a mature core to the team each week, and to play the kids in roles best suited to development. So not to win games. But playing most of the team that is most likely to win each week. So maybe KMac gets dropped at times to allow a young guy playing well to get a taste, etc. We try to play a midfield and spine of mature bodies that take the punishment (Lynch, TT, Hopps), and/or guys that we don't care if they get hammered (Kozi). Fill n around that with players on the rise, role players and our developing players.

So, not to get as many games in as fast as possible. I suspect that the new KPs are likely to mostly play VFL.

Doesn't matter if we are 18th. But it does matter if our young guys learn bad habits. That means we want to win, but more importantly we want to be competitive - both VFL and AFL.

Walk the tightrope, hope our injuries are limited and we can develop those kids into champions.

All that plus keeping an eye on the intro of the Tassy side to see if we can take advantage of it...
It's going to be a fine line next year between developing our young 'uns and tanking for those early draft picks once again!

 

[Dr Tigris]

All that plus keeping an eye on the intro of the Tassy side to see if we can take advantage of it...
It's going to be a fine line next year between developing our young 'uns and tanking for those early draft picks once again!

Plus buying draft picks with our spare $

Great time the AFL has brought in salary cap trading. ... Thanks AFL.

Could maybe get 2 firsts next year from clubs that need to deal with a tight cap. Wouldn't be surprised if we have already had discussions. Probably why we didn't add salary to the trades this year.

 

[Coach_Required]

Yeah I always wanted the full rebuild so probably biased.
I never saw the club sell anything but the 'refresh on the run' until their hand was forced late last season. Even then I have never heard the word full rebuild come out of anyone's mouth at the RFC (not that I have been looking), unlike Hawthorn who sold it clearly from the very start.

Hawks rebuild was just using the picks they had and trading in a few extra players with late picks. They haven't traded players out for more high-end talent. I guess it's our individual belief of what you consider as a full list rebuild.

If you go right back to 2019, hawks have only really had 1 first rounder each season. They did have a couple of late teen picks (early 2nd rounders maybe) but otherwise it's just been really good drafting and trading in players without losing too much capital.

Losing all 3 of Rioli, Bolton & Baker wasn't on the clubs bingo card but still especially this year, I feel we were thinking of a list refresh. 2023 was different, the club were definitely thinking finals.

 

[Charlie Pannam]

I differ a little personally, I’m the type who want us to play our best 22 available every week

Doesn't matter who, because that is what ultimately lifts the standards of the entire group to improve with genuine competition for the spots

Do I want Kmac to play every week? Of course not, but it’s up to the younger players to push him out of the side and stake their own claim

Gifting games to anyone when someone else is better does both players a disservice and is ultimately a disservice to the club as well

I reckon it pretty much comes down to where you are in the premiership window. If you’re competing for silverware, it’s best available, every week.
Where we are right now, it’s about getting games into players who will be part of our next finals campaign.
Obviously you’ve got to manage young players workloads early in their careers, until they build the fitness and conditioning to play week in week out. But for example you want Armstrong, Sims, Faull playing as much football as possible alongside Lynch to fast track them.

 

[Truetiger]

He should be made captain going into next season.

 

[Boxo004]

He should be made captain going into next season.

Agree and I’m a massive Nank fan. I think Lalor Smillie and co will hitch their wagon to him and follow

 

[Muddiemoose]

I reckon it pretty much comes down to where you are in the premiership window. If you’re competing for silverware, it’s best available, every week.
Where we are right now, it’s about getting games into players who will be part of our next finals campaign.
Obviously you’ve got to manage young players workloads early in their careers, until they build the fitness and conditioning to play week in week out. But for example you want Armstrong, Sims, Faull playing as much football as possible alongside Lynch to fast track them.

Kinda feels a little hypocritical
You are advocating playing kids over players who won’t be around for the next flag but also saying to play Lynch who retires next year, if we have that attitude we may as well not play Vlossy or Prestia either

Selecting kids who aren’t ready or produce footy at the standard that a seasoned player would creates double standards in the playing group

Why should Kozi or Kmac put in 100% off field or help drive standards if they are just going to be treated as 2nd class players when underperforming kids are getting games over them

The kids will improve at VFL level especially if it’s things like fitness and tactical/gameplan that is holding them back

We are better off playing Smilie or Kmac2 in the VFL on ball learning the role they are specifically recruited for over trying to shoehorn them onto the flanks in a role that doesn’t suit them

Just keep it simple
Play the best players in the positions they are meant to be playing in
The cream will rise to the top, if players like Kmac and Kozi get squeezed out by the kids fantastic but otherwise they can keep developing to a point that they are ready

 

[Vassp]

Kinda feels a little hypocritical
You are advocating playing kids over players who won’t be around for the next flag but also saying to play Lynch who retires next year, if we have that attitude we may as well not play Vlossy or Prestia either

Selecting kids who aren’t ready or produce footy at the standard that a seasoned player would creates double standards in the playing group

Why should Kozi or Kmac put in 100% off field or help drive standards if they are just going to be treated as 2nd class players when underperforming kids are getting games over them

The kids will improve at VFL level especially if it’s things like fitness and tactical/gameplan that is holding them back

We are better off playing Smilie or Kmac2 in the VFL on ball learning the role they are specifically recruited for over trying to shoehorn them onto the flanks in a role that doesn’t suit them

Just keep it simple
Play the best players in the positions they are meant to be playing in
The cream will rise to the top, if players like Kmac and Kozi get squeezed out by the kids fantastic but otherwise they can keep developing to a point that they are ready

kids need to be managed with game time to learn and develop, Nothing fast tracks that more than a game in the firsts provided they're close to that level.

 

[Muddiemoose]

kids need to be managed with game time to learn and develop, Nothing fast tracks that more than a game in the firsts provided they're close to that level.

Agree but with the players we have lost we have ample spots in the 23 to manage younger players into the squad without losing on field experience or playing the kids out of position just because we want to see the shiny new toys

People go on about playing Lynch to help guide the next crop and Kmac and others should be given the same opportunities

He’s closing in on 200 games with multiple flags and years of experience playing on the wing and as a utility in multiple roles

His guidance would be just as important as anyone else

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Kinda feels a little hypocritical
You are advocating playing kids over players who won’t be around for the next flag but also saying to play Lynch who retires next year, if we have that attitude we may as well not play Vlossy or Prestia either

Selecting kids who aren’t ready or produce footy at the standard that a seasoned player would creates double standards in the playing group

Why should Kozi or Kmac put in 100% off field or help drive standards if they are just going to be treated as 2nd class players when underperforming kids are getting games over them

The kids will improve at VFL level especially if it’s things like fitness and tactical/gameplan that is holding them back

We are better off playing Smilie or Kmac2 in the VFL on ball learning the role they are specifically recruited for over trying to shoehorn them onto the flanks in a role that doesn’t suit them

Just keep it simple
Play the best players in the positions they are meant to be playing in
The cream will rise to the top, if players like Kmac and Kozi get squeezed out by the kids fantastic but otherwise they can keep developing to a point that they are ready

I think you’re barking up the wrong tree. If you seriously think we are investing games into Kosi and Kmac , when we could be developing elite talent, then you’re delaying the rebuild.
The Kosi’ and Kmac’s may give 100% but they ain’t part of the next Premiership team.
And that’s not to say they haven’t got a role to play leading up to that. These kids aren’t conditioned to play full seasons, so we need seasoned campaigners that can do the grunt work. But they step aside when for example Yze decides he wants Armstrong to play alongside Lynch or Lalor alongside Taranto .

 

[RoaringTiger]

Will be announced as next captain, Tues 14 Jan at 10am

 

[DickieKnee]

Will be announced as next captain, Tues 14 Jan at 10am

Will be delayed 20 minutes.

 

[Wrenny]

Will be announced as next captain, Tues 14 Jan at 10am

Will be delayed 20 minutes.

Eastern and specific time

 

[Boston tiger]

The only fast tracking you can do in the AFL is fast tracking young players down the road to a losing culture.

 

[Aristotle Pickett]

I think Tim would be the perfect player to trade to Tassie for draft picks.
Moneyball wise, he isn't a super value player and we would get overs.