Player Watch #16 Josh Smillie

[THE_GUN]

Smillie will be too good for VFL and pointless having him play VFL

He needs to be played AFL and learn exactly what it takes and whats expected
rated #1 most of 2024 and wanted to be selected at #1 so he is a mentally strong kid that will adapt quickly

2025 is a nothing year and just get games into the kids that have the talent

 

[SplintWhisky]

How sides are named means f all these days and aren’t really conclusive evidence of anything and never actually represents how a side lines up apart from listing the 22 players who will be playing

How many times over the last few years have we seen guys like Mansell named as CHF or FF

"These days" covering 14ish years is a bit of a stretch. I 100% doubt that Dusty was ever an official HB but was a midfielder who hung around that area because his tank wasn't good enough in his first few years. He was constantly under fire for it and then when he changed in 2017 it was the stat that everyone kept talking about with "How Richmond Changed from last year" constantly being talked about in the run up to the finals.

 

[Grrr]

Smillie will be too good for VFL and pointless having him play VFL

He needs to be played AFL and learn exactly what it takes and whats expected
rated #1 most of 2024 and wanted to be selected at #1 so he is a mentally strong kid that will adapt quickly

2025 is a nothing year and just get games into the kids that have the talent

We hope so but until he plays some footy we won't know. 2025 is not a nothing year, it is a year where a whole raft of players will make or break their careers. Fully fit we will be competitive, especially when players like Gibcus come back in.
Vlastuin, Balta, Broad
Brown, Gibcus, Trezise/Smith
HRS, Taranto, Campbell
Bauer, Fawcett or best new tall, Mansell
Lalor, Lynch, MRJ

Nank, Prestia, Ross
McAuliffe, Hopper, Short, Banks, Smillie

That is a not a bad side up and about with a bit of confidence could surprise.
I'm sure the players will be thinking much the same, and with an injection of real class from the new draftees as they get their turn, and improvement from a few others on the rise or coming back from injury, I don't see it as a nothing year at all.

 

[THE_GUN]

We hope so but until he plays some footy we won't know. 2025 is not a nothing year, it is a year where a whole raft of players will make or break their careers. Fully fit we will be competitive, especially when players like Gibcus come back in.
Vlastuin, Balta, Broad
Brown, Gibcus, Trezise/Smith
HRS, Taranto, Campbell
Bauer, Fawcett or best new tall, Mansell
Lalor, Lynch, MRJ

Nank, Prestia, Ross
McAuliffe, Hopper, Short, Banks, Smillie

That is a not a bad side up and about with a bit of confidence could surprise.
I'm sure the players will be thinking much the same, and with an injection of real class from the new draftees as they get their turn, and improvement from a few others on the rise or coming back from injury, I don't see it as a nothing year at all.

Its a nothing year as nothing expected from the team to participate in finals of min wins for the year
Totally about player development and coaches game plans
we could finish 15th or last it means nothing and its all about development next 2-3 years and building a list for success

 

[sregit]

Its a nothing year as nothing expected from the team to participate in finals of min wins for the year
Totally about player development and coaches game plans
we could finish 15th or last it means nothing and its all about development next 2-3 years and building a list for success

You’re correct in that expectations for results in 2025 are very low. Posters are looking at our draft hand and think we are a definite 17/18 lock. Bring on the early draft picks! I do find this attitude a little disturbing as I’m concerned we could end up like North and find ourselves languishing near the bottom for quite sometime. I know we need to build the list, however, with an eye for early picks we may just be building a long term losing culture.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

You’re correct in that expectations for results in 2025 are very low. Posters are looking at our draft hand and think we are a definite 17/18 lock. Bring on the early draft picks! I do find this attitude a little disturbing as I’m concerned we could end up like North and find ourselves languishing near the bottom for quite sometime. I know we need to build the list, however, with an eye for early picks we may just be building a long term losing culture.

We weren't building a long term losing culture when we lost the first 9-10 games under Hardwick 2010. We look a lot worse than we are as a 2 win team that has lost 4 strong players, because:

a) we had a perfect storm of new coaches, mass injuries, & probably a race to the bottom late season 2024, &
b) we have a lot of very talented looking young players, some of whom could impact significantly early on.

 

[THE_GUN]

You’re correct in that expectations for results in 2025 are very low. Posters are looking at our draft hand and think we are a definite 17/18 lock. Bring on the early draft picks! I do find this attitude a little disturbing as I’m concerned we could end up like North and find ourselves languishing near the bottom for quite sometime. I know we need to build the list, however, with an eye for early picks we may just be building a long term losing culture.

I think our rebuild is very different to NorF's
We have some very good leaders and talent still on the list
Lynch , Vlastuin, Prestia , Broad , McIntosh , Nank , Taranto , Hopper and even Short

We also have 11 top 30 picks in the space of 3 years and another 2 top 5 picks coming next year
Also with the cap savings and being Richmond we will get 2 very good free agents in 2 years time

We will be competing again in 3-4 years time

 

[Dr Tigris]

I think our rebuild is very different to NorF's
We have some very good leaders and talent still on the list
Lynch , Vlastuin, Prestia , Broad , McIntosh , Nank , Taranto , Hopper and even Short

We also have 11 top 30 picks in the space of 3 years and another 2 top 5 picks coming next year
Also with the cap savings and being Richmond we will get 2 very good free agents in 2 years time

We will be competing again in 3-4 years time

Plus being able to buy picks from this year. We'll find out how much a first round pick is worth.

Although the teams that are in salary cap trouble are also likely to have picks post 15.

 

[Moppey]

Plus being able to buy picks from this year. We'll find out how much a first round pick is worth.

Although the teams that are in salary cap trouble are also likely to have picks post 15.

NM list is looking scary as far as draft picks go.

They currently have 23 players taken at 27 or lower in the nd. The majority of them are now around 40 50 games at least.

I think they are finally at a point where they can only rise up the ladder.

Imo this century they showed what happens to a club who continually finish mid table.
Imo they have only really bit the bullet and properly bottomed out since 2020 where they have had five bottom 2 finishes in those years. Having suffered the pain they are now ready to rise.
The next few seasons i dont think we are going to enjoy playing them too much.

 

[THE_GUN]

NM list is looking scary as far as draft picks go.

They currently have 23 players taken at 27 or lower in the nd. The majority of them are now around 40 50 games at least.

I think they are finally at a point where they can only rise up the ladder.

Imo this century they showed what happens to a club who continually finish mid table.
Imo they have only really bit the bullet and properly bottomed out since 2020 where they have had five bottom 2 finishes in those years. Having suffered the pain they are now ready to rise.
The next few seasons i dont think we are going to enjoy playing them too much.

How many of them are under 23 ?
Are players like the following included ?
Dylan Stephens
Callum Coleman Jones
Luke McDonald
Aiden Corr
Jack Darling
Zack Fisher
Will Phillips

They have a great midfield mix but where is the young KPP ? that are quality and top 30 picks

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

How many of them are under 23 ?
Are players like the following included ?
Dylan Stephens
Callum Coleman Jones
Luke McDonald
Aiden Corr
Jack Darling
Zack Fisher
Will Phillips

They have a great midfield mix but where is the young KPP ? that are quality and top 30 picks

Callum Coleman Jones?!?!?
Zack Fisher?!?!?
Jack Darling?!!!?
Ooohhh scary!!!

 

[Dr Tigris]

NM list is looking scary as far as draft picks go.

They currently have 23 players taken at 27 or lower in the nd. The majority of them are now around 40 50 games at least.

I think they are finally at a point where they can only rise up the ladder.

Imo this century they showed what happens to a club who continually finish mid table.
Imo they have only really bit the bullet and properly bottomed out since 2020 where they have had five bottom 2 finishes in those years. Having suffered the pain they are now ready to rise.
The next few seasons i dont think we are going to enjoy playing them too much.

Um yeah. I don't think NM will have salary cap issues. GWS, GC, Geelong, Brisbane etc are likley to have salary cap issues. And some have draft picks that they might be willing to trade. No idea what we might get. But after 2024 I reckon Blair might hit it out of the park again.

 

[THE_GUN]

Gold Coast is the club that keeps giving and they will be under cap pressure again soon

 

[sregit]

I think our rebuild is very different to NorF's
We have some very good leaders and talent still on the list
Lynch , Vlastuin, Prestia , Broad , McIntosh , Nank , Taranto , Hopper and even Short

We also have 11 top 30 picks in the space of 3 years and another 2 top 5 picks coming next year
Also with the cap savings and being Richmond we will get 2 very good free agents in 2 years time

We will be competing again in 3-4 years time

I wish I had the same optimism. We are I believe taking the only real option open to the club with a bottom up rebuild but I’m scared. If we don’t nail draft picks in 2024-27 we could be anchored to the bottom for years. Although we need to focus on youth, I believe we need to be bringing in some older types who possess a bit of C about them. Free agents and trading for work horse types to help younger players develop and Set standards. I can not handle the thought of being long time cellar dwellers or even middle of the road.

Our rebuild wii be a roller coaster ride. Hang on!

Sadly we can not guarantee a successful rebuild.

 

[Dr Tigris]

I wish I had the same optimism. We are I believe taking the only real option open to the club with a bottom up rebuild but I’m scared. If we don’t nail draft picks in 2024-27 we could be anchored to the bottom for years. Although we need to focus on youth, I believe we need to be bringing in some older types who possess a bit of C about them. Free agents and trading for work horse types to help younger players develop and Set standards. I can not handle the thought of being long time cellar dwellers or even middle of the road.

Our rebuild wii be a roller coaster ride. Hang on!

Sadly we can not guarantee a successful rebuild.

Agree. But (not by plan I reckon) we are doing it very differently to others. We have a solid experienced core of players used to winning things, plus a heap of top end draftees. We have salary cap space and changed rules that suit us (trading 2 years ahead, buying picks) and apparently a plan to rebuild fairly quickly based on the guys we still have.

We cna still stuff it up. But we're starting from a good spot to rebuild thoroughly and quickly.

in 2 or 3 years as 2024 draftees start to become genuine full time AFL pros we will still have a lot of our core older players to hold it all togeher.

 

[tigerfan1961]

I wish I had the same optimism. We are I believe taking the only real option open to the club with a bottom up rebuild but I’m scared. If we don’t nail draft picks in 2024-27 we could be anchored to the bottom for years. Although we need to focus on youth, I believe we need to be bringing in some older types who possess a bit of C about them. Free agents and trading for work horse types to help younger players develop and Set standards. I can not handle the thought of being long time cellar dwellers or even middle of the road.

Our rebuild wii be a roller coaster ride. Hang on!

Sadly we can not guarantee a successful rebuild.

Agree there are risks but I’m confident that having done it before, Blair and our recruiting team can deliver us another list capable of saluting again.

 

[Tigerturbulance]

I don't have an issue with the drafting and player movements, all the kids we are getting can play and from the interviews I have seen come across as solid citizens. The determining factor of if we will be competing again in 3-4 years time will be our latest coach selection, his game plan and his ability to engage players in the vision.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

How many of them are under 23 ?
Are players like the following included ?
Dylan Stephens
Callum Coleman Jones
Luke McDonald
Aiden Corr
Jack Darling
Zack Fisher
Will Phillips

They have a great midfield mix but where is the young KPP ? that are quality and top 30 picks

Their list is about the same as ours tbh but we have premiership winning leaders around the kids instead of delisted free agents and spuds

 

[Moppey]

Agree. But (not by plan I reckon) we are doing it very differently to others. We have a solid experienced core of players used to winning things, plus a heap of top end draftees. We have salary cap space and changed rules that suit us (trading 2 years ahead, buying picks) and apparently a plan to rebuild fairly quickly based on the guys we still have.

We cna still stuff it up. But we're starting from a good spot to rebuild thoroughly and quickly.

in 2 or 3 years as 2024 draftees start to become genuine full time AFL pros we will still have a lot of our core older players to hold it all togeher.

Really in three years time

25 - 28 year olds in prime age bracket.

Hopper 31 will he be there.
Miller 28 if he survives this year
Taranto 30
Balta 28
Lefau 29 if he over comes acl's.
Young 29 will be lucky to still be there.

Vets 29 and over there is a real possibility 4 could be gone at the end of this year.
Vlastuin 33
Short 32 delist material now yet alone three years time.
Lynch 35 retired maybe this year
Nankervis 33. crash bash sole ruckman will he be there.
Broad 34 retired
Prestia 35 retired
McIntosh 34 retired

Take a look at the 12 players in the 22 - 24 age group still plenty of questions about the vast majority of them.
Jack Ross is probably the best of them and he is hardly a high quality player. More your garden variety average jo blogs.
Manseel is in the same boat then who? So far none of the others have put their hand up and demanded a spot.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Really in three years time

25 - 28 year olds in prime age bracket.

Hopper 31 will he be there.
Miller 28 if he survives this year
Taranto 30
Balta 28
Lefau 29 if he over comes acl's.
Young 29 will be lucky to still be there.

Vets 29 and over there is a real possibility 4 could be gone at the end of this year.
Vlastuin 33
Short 32 delist material now yet alone three years time.
Lynch 35 retired maybe this year
Nankervis 33. crash bash sole ruckman will he be there.
Broad 34 retired
Prestia 35 retired
McIntosh 34 retired

Take a look at the 12 players in the 22 - 24 age group still plenty of questions about the vast majority of them.
Jack Ross is probably the best of them and he is hardly a high quality player. More your garden variety average jo blogs.
Manseel is in the same boat then who? So far none of the others have put their hand up and demanded a spot.

I'm glass half full

 

[THE_GUN]

Another thread thats been hijacked into a doom and gloom list management thread by the usual negative nancy's

 

[Dr Tigris]

Another thread thats been hijacked into a doom and gloom list management thread by the usual negative nancy's

It's appalling that we have built an amazing young list so quickly. It'll all be a disaster

 

[Dr Tigris]

That Smillie guy looks OK though. Big, tough skilled, move a bit.

 

[THE_GUN]

That Smillie guy looks OK though. Big, tough skilled, move a bit.

Great another HBF'r

 

[NZ_Tiger]

I’ll weigh on our rebuild.

We gave away anything with value for picks last year and now we are looking a bit bare in the middle age bracket of our list.

The bright spot for us is we have buckets and a buckets of cash. I’d be chasing de Koning from Carlton and a few other free agents at the end of this year, we get a couple of guys in and we have already fixed that hole.

Personally I hope we find a credible ruck, some out side speed and potentially put in an offer for cadman.

We aren’t north, players won’t to come to us. If we’ve drafted okay we’ve got our foundation set. We add some quality free agents and we are fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk