1) Can Harvey coach?
I don't mean it literally, as he obviously can coach, that being his job. But can he coach at the highest level succesfully? Having shifted course, but gone again for an untried senior coach, this is the single biggest question about the immediate and mid term aspirations for the club. While he has been in charge for a limited number of games last season they are virtually meaningless in assessing Harvey's coaching ability, though did give him some valuable "experience" at the helm. But so far there have been some questionable indicators along with whatever positive ones we have seen including;
- the decision to delist the young first year players at the end of last year. They represent a massive investment in talent discarded.
- the decision to dart MJ, and to a lesser extent Bradley (who at least has youth on his side and a potential position to play).
-the decision to keep MacManus on the list when his potential game time must be very limited, especially with the recruitment of MJ.
Some of these points may turn out to be masterstrokes, but at this stage they are fodder for the question; Can Mark Harvey coach?
2) Can our midfield win/loss ration be turned around?
This is the weakest area of our recent past, and the drafting won't have a significant short term benefit. Hasleby is key, and his renewed fitness is welcome, but he does not have a great history of retaining fitness for 22+ rounds. The young speedstars are also a questionable area of improvement with promise shown, but potential yet to be realised. Peake, Ibbotson, Foster, Schammer etc; step up!
While the ruckmen may or may not be better than last year, we have faired little differently depending on whther Sandilands is winning the tap, or Gilmore is boinging around the place, and while it may change the complexion of the gameplan, I believe is less significant than the impact of the midfielders.
But the midfield battle is also an area where I think we have failed to develop a game plan which is a winning one, and our midfield coaching/strategy has been disapponting.
3) Will Farmer fall apart again?
Our forward line has enormous potential and was shackled by the lack of discipline Farmer showed last year. If he has a similar year then we will again have to compromise other players roles to try and compensate, and lose a major and potent weapon.
I don't mean it literally, as he obviously can coach, that being his job. But can he coach at the highest level succesfully? Having shifted course, but gone again for an untried senior coach, this is the single biggest question about the immediate and mid term aspirations for the club. While he has been in charge for a limited number of games last season they are virtually meaningless in assessing Harvey's coaching ability, though did give him some valuable "experience" at the helm. But so far there have been some questionable indicators along with whatever positive ones we have seen including;
- the decision to delist the young first year players at the end of last year. They represent a massive investment in talent discarded.
- the decision to dart MJ, and to a lesser extent Bradley (who at least has youth on his side and a potential position to play).
-the decision to keep MacManus on the list when his potential game time must be very limited, especially with the recruitment of MJ.
Some of these points may turn out to be masterstrokes, but at this stage they are fodder for the question; Can Mark Harvey coach?
2) Can our midfield win/loss ration be turned around?
This is the weakest area of our recent past, and the drafting won't have a significant short term benefit. Hasleby is key, and his renewed fitness is welcome, but he does not have a great history of retaining fitness for 22+ rounds. The young speedstars are also a questionable area of improvement with promise shown, but potential yet to be realised. Peake, Ibbotson, Foster, Schammer etc; step up!
While the ruckmen may or may not be better than last year, we have faired little differently depending on whther Sandilands is winning the tap, or Gilmore is boinging around the place, and while it may change the complexion of the gameplan, I believe is less significant than the impact of the midfielders.
But the midfield battle is also an area where I think we have failed to develop a game plan which is a winning one, and our midfield coaching/strategy has been disapponting.
3) Will Farmer fall apart again?
Our forward line has enormous potential and was shackled by the lack of discipline Farmer showed last year. If he has a similar year then we will again have to compromise other players roles to try and compensate, and lose a major and potent weapon.