Coach Chris Scott re-signs to 2022 (aka the Chris Scott discussion Part IV)

[Nickoo]

Personally I doubt it. I just think that our system isn't conducive to standing up in big games. Scott got it horribly wrong this year with how he instructed the team to play. I can only hope that changes are made to our game style next season.

Looks like the review is on:
"
GEELONG chief executive Brian Cook says the Cats will thoroughly review the club's coaching, strategy and list management as the assessment of what went wrong against the Demons begins at the Cattery.

Cook told SEN 1116 that the process had already begun after the disappointment of Friday night.

“I think we're up for a deep analysis and we're ready for it,” he said.

"It's still very raw and to say the least we're really disappointed about the weekend and so the analysis has begun for us.

“There's a lot of meetings that we planned this week particularly around the coaches and our strategy moving forward and our style moving forward which will run into our list management strategy as well.”

The Cats were beaten in most aspects of the game against Melbourne, with the Demons dominating possession, inside 50s, contested ball, clearances and tackles on the night.

"I'm not a coach but to me it's rather obvious that you've got the possession type football and the pressure type football. We've shown some weakness I think in relation to the pressure," Cook said.

“Melbourne were by far the better side, I don’t think I’ve seen Melbourne play with that sort of pressure for a long, long time, maybe since the John Northey days.

“Having said that, we really didn't perform well on the weekend, we know that and we’re going to do something about it.”

While some adjustments may need to be made to Geelong’s style of play, Cook said the assessment was not a criticism of Chris Scott.

“Making the finals 13 years out of 15 says that we’ve done pretty well over the past 15 years and both Mark Thompson and Chris Scott have been at the front of that.”

“They’re both good coaches. It probably time for a really good look at what we’re doing right through.”

That process will involve taking a long and hard look at the club’s past recruitment strategy.

"I think we have to look at that (recruitment philosophy) I can't say too much but I think we need to do that,” Cook said.

“I think the evolution of the draft has changed so much that you can err on the side of trading or picking up young kids or the combination of both, we have to decide whether we continue to go through both or whether we err to one side or the other or go back to simply just drafting kids. They're the decisions we need to make."

Cook hasn’t shut the door on topping up on established AFL talent however, highlighting free agent Luke Dahlhaus as a player that could have helped the Cats against the Demons.

"If you looked at our game on the weekend we had one tackle inside our (forward) 50 in the first half. A player like Luke Dahlhaus is of great interest to us because he applies that pressure."

Cook also backed in the Cats’ recruitment of favourite son Gary Ablett.

"I think it has (paid off)," Cook said.

"It depends what the expectations of people were, I think some people felt that Gary Ablett coming home thought it was the difference between us playing in the grand final and not.

"The reality is I think the success of our club is making sure the bottom 12 players improve as much as the three guys (Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood)."

Despite significant criticism, Ablett finished the year ranked 13th in the league for disposals per game whilst also kicking 16 goals.

 

[AM]

The look CS gave Joel at 1Q time was very reminiscent of the player CS.
I doubt any of us really know how he coaches, what gets said.
For all we know, the majority of players might be shit-scared of CS, worried they will stuff up.

Understand he can give a serve. I was thinking more of how the players go about their craft. For example, in his playing days neither he or his brother would have allowed JS to be targeted as he was against the Dees without some sort of retribution.

I've heard him questioned about it and his response was something along the lines of you can't do that these days. There's some truth in that but you can be aggressive, hit to hurt, don't stand for bullying et al.

Part of the problem is we just haven't recruited Chapman, Mooney, Rooke type players.

I hated the bullying we took from Melbourne and the consequent pejorative ' handbagger' comments. I thought those days were well behind us.

 

[Vdubs]

Understand he can give a serve. I was thinking more of how the players go about their craft. For example, in his playing days neither he or his brother would have allowed JS to be targeted as he was against the Dees without some sort of retribution.

I've heard him questioned about it and his response was something along the lines of you can't do that these days. There's some truth in that but you can be aggressive, hit to hurt, don't stand for bullying et al.

Part of the problem is we just haven't recruited Chapman, Mooney, Rooke type players.

I hated the bullying we took from Melbourne and the consequent pejorative ' handbagger' comments. I thought those days were well behind us.

They came out with payback in mind. How many times in recent years, decades have we been responsible for their humiliation?
Even this year, they wanted revenge.
We just did not have that level of motivation.
They had 2 weeks to prepare for us.
So did we, but we know the incentive was different for us, and inferior.
And yes, we do not have those players, including the underrated Milburn.

CS has repeatedly said what you just quoted. I respect him for it. 'Don't do as we did, it'll cost you big time'

 

[Stan The Caddy]

Looks like the review is on:
"
GEELONG chief executive Brian Cook says the Cats will thoroughly review the club's coaching, strategy and list management as the assessment of what went wrong against the Demons begins at the Cattery.

Cook told SEN 1116 that the process had already begun after the disappointment of Friday night.

“I think we're up for a deep analysis and we're ready for it,” he said.

"It's still very raw and to say the least we're really disappointed about the weekend and so the analysis has begun for us.

“There's a lot of meetings that we planned this week particularly around the coaches and our strategy moving forward and our style moving forward which will run into our list management strategy as well.”

The Cats were beaten in most aspects of the game against Melbourne, with the Demons dominating possession, inside 50s, contested ball, clearances and tackles on the night.

"I'm not a coach but to me it's rather obvious that you've got the possession type football and the pressure type football. We've shown some weakness I think in relation to the pressure," Cook said.

“Melbourne were by far the better side, I don’t think I’ve seen Melbourne play with that sort of pressure for a long, long time, maybe since the John Northey days.

“Having said that, we really didn't perform well on the weekend, we know that and we’re going to do something about it.”

While some adjustments may need to be made to Geelong’s style of play, Cook said the assessment was not a criticism of Chris Scott.

“Making the finals 13 years out of 15 says that we’ve done pretty well over the past 15 years and both Mark Thompson and Chris Scott have been at the front of that.”

“They’re both good coaches. It probably time for a really good look at what we’re doing right through.”

That process will involve taking a long and hard look at the club’s past recruitment strategy.

"I think we have to look at that (recruitment philosophy) I can't say too much but I think we need to do that,” Cook said.

“I think the evolution of the draft has changed so much that you can err on the side of trading or picking up young kids or the combination of both, we have to decide whether we continue to go through both or whether we err to one side or the other or go back to simply just drafting kids. They're the decisions we need to make."

Cook hasn’t shut the door on topping up on established AFL talent however, highlighting free agent Luke Dahlhaus as a player that could have helped the Cats against the Demons.

"If you looked at our game on the weekend we had one tackle inside our (forward) 50 in the first half. A player like Luke Dahlhaus is of great interest to us because he applies that pressure."

Cook also backed in the Cats’ recruitment of favourite son Gary Ablett.

"I think it has (paid off)," Cook said.

"It depends what the expectations of people were, I think some people felt that Gary Ablett coming home thought it was the difference between us playing in the grand final and not.

"The reality is I think the success of our club is making sure the bottom 12 players improve as much as the three guys (Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood)."

Despite significant criticism, Ablett finished the year ranked 13th in the league for disposals per game whilst also kicking 16 goals.

It's a start at least mate. Hopefully we will play a better brand of footy next year.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Looks like the review is on:
"
GEELONG chief executive Brian Cook says the Cats will thoroughly review the club's coaching, strategy and list management as the assessment of what went wrong against the Demons begins at the Cattery.

Cook told SEN 1116 that the process had already begun after the disappointment of Friday night.

“I think we're up for a deep analysis and we're ready for it,” he said.

"It's still very raw and to say the least we're really disappointed about the weekend and so the analysis has begun for us.

“There's a lot of meetings that we planned this week particularly around the coaches and our strategy moving forward and our style moving forward which will run into our list management strategy as well.”

The Cats were beaten in most aspects of the game against Melbourne, with the Demons dominating possession, inside 50s, contested ball, clearances and tackles on the night.

"I'm not a coach but to me it's rather obvious that you've got the possession type football and the pressure type football. We've shown some weakness I think in relation to the pressure," Cook said.

“Melbourne were by far the better side, I don’t think I’ve seen Melbourne play with that sort of pressure for a long, long time, maybe since the John Northey days.

“Having said that, we really didn't perform well on the weekend, we know that and we’re going to do something about it.”

While some adjustments may need to be made to Geelong’s style of play, Cook said the assessment was not a criticism of Chris Scott.

“Making the finals 13 years out of 15 says that we’ve done pretty well over the past 15 years and both Mark Thompson and Chris Scott have been at the front of that.”

“They’re both good coaches. It probably time for a really good look at what we’re doing right through.”

That process will involve taking a long and hard look at the club’s past recruitment strategy.

"I think we have to look at that (recruitment philosophy) I can't say too much but I think we need to do that,” Cook said.

“I think the evolution of the draft has changed so much that you can err on the side of trading or picking up young kids or the combination of both, we have to decide whether we continue to go through both or whether we err to one side or the other or go back to simply just drafting kids. They're the decisions we need to make."

Cook hasn’t shut the door on topping up on established AFL talent however, highlighting free agent Luke Dahlhaus as a player that could have helped the Cats against the Demons.

"If you looked at our game on the weekend we had one tackle inside our (forward) 50 in the first half. A player like Luke Dahlhaus is of great interest to us because he applies that pressure."

Cook also backed in the Cats’ recruitment of favourite son Gary Ablett.

"I think it has (paid off)," Cook said.

"It depends what the expectations of people were, I think some people felt that Gary Ablett coming home thought it was the difference between us playing in the grand final and not.

"The reality is I think the success of our club is making sure the bottom 12 players improve as much as the three guys (Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood)."

Despite significant criticism, Ablett finished the year ranked 13th in the league for disposals per game whilst also kicking 16 goals.

While I endorse the concept of a review, it does seem odd we are seemingly reviewing the coaching set up a month after extending the senior coach’s contract by 4 years.

Suggests to me it won’t be a genuine root and branch review with some sensitive areas such as Scott “being out of scope”

I hope my cynicism is misguided

 

[Partridge]

While I endorse the concept of a review, it does seem odd we are seemingly reviewing the coaching set up a month after extending the senior coach’s contract by 4 years.

Suggests to me it won’t be a genuine root and branch review with some sensitive areas such as Scott “being out of scope”

I hope my cynicism is misguided

Cynicism is never misguided.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Cynicism is never misguided.

Actually, it often is.

Scepticism, on the other hand ......

 

[romeohwho]

Understand he can give a serve. I was thinking more of how the players go about their craft. For example, in his playing days neither he or his brother would have allowed JS to be targeted as he was against the Dees without some sort of retribution.

I've heard him questioned about it and his response was something along the lines of you can't do that these days. There's some truth in that but you can be aggressive, hit to hurt, don't stand for bullying et al.

Part of the problem is we just haven't recruited Chapman, Mooney, Rooke type players.

I hated the bullying we took from Melbourne and the consequent pejorative ' handbagger' comments. I thought those days were well behind us.

Have watched bit of the replay and several of our players did in fact shove the Dees players back. I don’t see many of the Richmond players doing that sort of stuff-playing good footy is obviously the key. Other clubs have no fear of us because they know they are a fair chance to beat us with their football.

 

[romeohwho]

While I endorse the concept of a review, it does seem odd we are seemingly reviewing the coaching set up a month after extending the senior coach’s contract by 4 years.

Suggests to me it won’t be a genuine root and branch review with some sensitive areas such as Scott “being out of scope”

I hope my cynicism is misguided

It is. Why would anyone be content with our repeated failings in finals?
Scott was pretty reasonable on 360 last night-eg. when Whatley asked him what was the point of continuing to make the 8 if you can’t contend, Scott asked him what the alternative was- 6 years down the bottom, with no guarantees it will pay off? They obviously want to find a way to balance remaining relevant with not too much bottoming out. Fair enough-after listening to him and cook, sounds like they are seriously wanting to find better ways because nobody is happy with ordinary finishes every year. A reasonable starting point is to assume the club wants success as much as we all do.

 

[Chappycats]

It is. Why would anyone be content with our repeated failings in finals?
Scott was pretty reasonable on 360 last night-eg. when Whatley asked him what was the point of continuing to make the 8 if you can’t contend, Scott asked him what the alternative was- 6 years down the bottom, with no guarantees it will pay off? They obviously want to find a way to balance remaining relevant with not too much bottoming out. Fair enough-after listening to him and cook, sounds like they are genuinely wanting to find better ways because nobody is happy with ordinary finishes every year. The club wants success as much as we all do.

I don’t really understand this concept, do they think that remaining relevant but not actually being truely strong enough to win one is better then planning for the future with the chance of actually giving ourselves a chance.
It’s like the club has bought into the drivel that we as Cats supporters won’t be able to handle a slide down the ladder, do they not remember that we have been through the years of heartache before 07!
I for one would rather see us play team first, uncompromising footy, with players playing in the right positions, ie Cocky , Narkle, Parfitt etc taking over the onball stuff, wingman that are actual wingman, forwards that apply both pressure and kick goals(not a midfielder playing forward because there is no other spot for him) and if that means we slide down the ladder until we get the right played then so be it. I will enjoy watching the team develop and have optimism of improvement.
But I think to have a long term strategy to stay in the 8 to remain relevant but not really give yourselves a real chance of winning is just plain dumb!

 

[cynical]

It is. Why would anyone be content with our repeated failings in finals?
Scott was pretty reasonable on 360 last night-eg. when Whatley asked him what was the point of continuing to make the 8 if you can’t contend, Scott asked him what the alternative was- 6 years down the bottom, with no guarantees it will pay off? They obviously want to find a way to balance remaining relevant with not too much bottoming out. Fair enough-after listening to him and cook, sounds like they are seriously wanting to find better ways because nobody is happy with ordinary finishes every year. A reasonable starting point is to assume the club wants success as much as we all do.

Scott still cant be that dumb.

There are 2 options and have always been 2 options.

1. Fall down the ladder and rebuild (this doesn't mean finish 18th or bottom 4 necessarily)
2. Top up until the club has very little talent left and then do option 1

If you stick with option 2 for too long, like we have, then you end up with a really poor list with very few good players (cos with few talented kids coming through all your good players are old). This means we will be on the bottom of the ladder for quite a few years to fix the problem.

It's like having a big debt, you can suffer the pain of paying it off asap or you can drag it out and pay a lot more. Both are bad but 1 is less bad.

 

[OddYears]

It is. Why would anyone be content with our repeated failings in finals?
Scott was pretty reasonable on 360 last night-eg. when Whatley asked him what was the point of continuing to make the 8 if you can’t contend, Scott asked him what the alternative was- 6 years down the bottom, with no guarantees it will pay off? They obviously want to find a way to balance remaining relevant with not too much bottoming out. Fair enough-after listening to him and cook, sounds like they are seriously wanting to find better ways because nobody is happy with ordinary finishes every year. A reasonable starting point is to assume the club wants success as much as we all do.

Getting the early exit from finals every year sounds like the exact opposite of being relevant.

 

[Nickoo]

I don’t really understand this concept, do they think that remaining relevant but not actually being truely strong enough to win one is better then planning for the future with the chance of actually giving ourselves a chance.
It’s like the club has bought into the drivel that we as Cats supporters won’t be able to handle a slide down the ladder, do they not remember that we have been through the years of heartache before 07!
I for one would rather see us play team first, uncompromising footy, with players playing in the right positions, ie Cocky , Narkle, Parfitt etc taking over the onball stuff, wingman that are actual wingman, forwards that apply both pressure and kick goals(not a midfielder playing forward because there is no other spot for him) and if that means we slide down the ladder until we get the right played then so be it. I will enjoy watching the team develop and have optimism of improvement.
But I think to have a long term strategy to stay in the 8 to remain relevant but not really give yourselves a real chance of winning is just plain dumb!

Feels like we have been cutting corners to stay in 8 which gets exposed come finals. But seriously all this talk of list when the main problem is the coaching and the coach.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Vdubs]

and we return back to my bug bear... P11 and he was better than that but slipped due to his height ... a young Eddie Betts is what we need ..some one who slips thru. But it may take several gos to find one...

I think the "quality person" aspect may have let Toby slip through a bit back then.

 

[Chappycats]

Feels like we have been cutting corners to stay in 8 which gets exposed come finals. But seriously all this talk of list when the main problem is the coaching and the coach.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yep I agree, but a few people on here have mentioned the “fish rotting from the head” which by the sounds of what has been mentioned since our exit has actually been some sort of directive from the top to stay ‘relevant’.
GFC has been a bit a a snake oil salesmen, especially this year, selling hope and talking us up before finals, even Scott himself but then coming out and saying we really weren’t a shot, after we got smacked.
If we weren’t really a shot then why the bullish optimism. It creates distrust in the brand and that’s more harmful then dropping a few rungs on the ladder!
Also back on Scott, if we weren’t really a shot, then why employ the same outdated losing game plan that we employed last year, like guarding grass and no real pressure until our back 50, try something that might actually work in seasons to come!

 

[Mr Meow]

Every single game in the 2017 finals series was decided by 6+ goals and never less including a belting we game out, so I am interested to see how despite making a prelim and by margins across the entire finals series being the norm you believe we didn’t compete for a premiership. If you make the top four and a prelim then your in the race and around the mark.

We have been quite similar to the bulldogs of 2007-2010 in terms of our outcomes.

Hmm. WB in the 2008 PF were just 3 goals down to us at 3QT. Final margin 5 goals, but that's a different kind of game than say us against Sydney 2016, 40-50 points down at stages with the game over at QT.

Going down to St Kilda in the 2009 PF by 7 points after leading for most of the game, in an absolute heart breaker, is nothing like our recent finals performances. Maybe if you go back to the 2013 PF.

Up at half time in the rematch in the 2010 PF, going down by 4 goals in the end.

How we are losing is what is winding people up the most, not just which stage of the finals we reach. The Bulldogs had holes in their list they couldn't fill, but nobody could question their endeavour or fight in those finals series. It was a series of "not quites" for making the GF. With Geelong 2014 onwards, it hasn't been not quite, it has been "nowhere near". The two prelims we made were over at QT and complete embarrassments, and there's only been one good performance in that whole period (vs Sydney 2017 SF).

 

[Cattery]

Looks like the review is on:
"
GEELONG chief executive Brian Cook says the Cats will thoroughly review the club's coaching, strategy and list management as the assessment of what went wrong against the Demons begins at the Cattery.

Cook told SEN 1116 that the process had already begun after the disappointment of Friday night.

“I think we're up for a deep analysis and we're ready for it,” he said.

"It's still very raw and to say the least we're really disappointed about the weekend and so the analysis has begun for us.

“There's a lot of meetings that we planned this week particularly around the coaches and our strategy moving forward and our style moving forward which will run into our list management strategy as well.”

The Cats were beaten in most aspects of the game against Melbourne, with the Demons dominating possession, inside 50s, contested ball, clearances and tackles on the night.

"I'm not a coach but to me it's rather obvious that you've got the possession type football and the pressure type football. We've shown some weakness I think in relation to the pressure," Cook said.

“Melbourne were by far the better side, I don’t think I’ve seen Melbourne play with that sort of pressure for a long, long time, maybe since the John Northey days.

“Having said that, we really didn't perform well on the weekend, we know that and we’re going to do something about it.”

While some adjustments may need to be made to Geelong’s style of play, Cook said the assessment was not a criticism of Chris Scott.

“Making the finals 13 years out of 15 says that we’ve done pretty well over the past 15 years and both Mark Thompson and Chris Scott have been at the front of that.”

“They’re both good coaches. It probably time for a really good look at what we’re doing right through.”

That process will involve taking a long and hard look at the club’s past recruitment strategy.

"I think we have to look at that (recruitment philosophy) I can't say too much but I think we need to do that,” Cook said.

“I think the evolution of the draft has changed so much that you can err on the side of trading or picking up young kids or the combination of both, we have to decide whether we continue to go through both or whether we err to one side or the other or go back to simply just drafting kids. They're the decisions we need to make."

Cook hasn’t shut the door on topping up on established AFL talent however, highlighting free agent Luke Dahlhaus as a player that could have helped the Cats against the Demons.

"If you looked at our game on the weekend we had one tackle inside our (forward) 50 in the first half. A player like Luke Dahlhaus is of great interest to us because he applies that pressure."

Cook also backed in the Cats’ recruitment of favourite son Gary Ablett.

"I think it has (paid off)," Cook said.

"It depends what the expectations of people were, I think some people felt that Gary Ablett coming home thought it was the difference between us playing in the grand final and not.

"The reality is I think the success of our club is making sure the bottom 12 players improve as much as the three guys (Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood)."

Despite significant criticism, Ablett finished the year ranked 13th in the league for disposals per game whilst also kicking 16 goals.

Seven years of wilting under the pressure of finals footy and suddenly Cookie thinks there's an issue there; at least we're now going to "do something about it" so I feel much more confident about next year now.

He can prattle on all he likes about us making the finals under Scott, but the truth is that when he finally departs it's highly likely that it will eleven years under his leadership without a single GF appearance, despite a number of top four finishes, that doesn't scream success in my book.

 

[Chappycats]

Seven years of wilting under the pressure of finals footy and suddenly Cookie thinks there's an issue there; at least we're now going to "do something about it" so I feel much more confident about next year now.

He can prattle on all he likes about us making the finals under Scott, but the truth is that when he finally departs it's highly likely that it will eleven years under his leadership without a single GF appearance, despite a number of top four finishes, that doesn't scream success in my book.

The sad part is they have only just seemed to have noticed it!
How many years have people on this board talked about some of our weaknesses, ie overuse of footy against high pressure teams especially in finals, or lack of forward defensive pressure only to be told by others on this board that we have no idea because we aren’t a coach!
As you say it’s been happening regularly for 7 years yet the GFC hierarchy have only recently noted it to be a problem!
Hmmmm maybe a whole new board from top to bottom that has an uncompromising goal of a premiership might be in order.
Also I’m still waiting for the good karma to come back to us for being easy to trade with!

 

[OddYears]

Seven years of wilting under the pressure of finals footy and suddenly Cookie thinks there's an issue there; at least we're now going to "do something about it" so I feel much more confident about next year now.

He can prattle on all he likes about us making the finals under Scott, but the truth is that when he finally departs it's highly likely that it will eleven years under his leadership without a single GF appearance, despite a number of top four finishes, that doesn't scream success in my book.

I'm not convinced that much will change. It's great that Cook has said there will be a review but I'm sure they do a review every year. The re-signing of Scott before finals when he had a year to go anyway suggests they're happy with the status quo. We really haven't seen any major game plan changes under Scott. Just a slow decline into defense first.

 

[Max Milburn]

I'm not convinced that much will change. It's great that Cook has said there will be a review but I'm sure they do a review every year. The re-signing of Scott before finals when he had a year to go anyway suggests they're happy with the status quo. We really haven't seen any major game plan changes under Scott. Just a slow decline into defense first.

Things will change. The powers seem to recognize that something has to be done. Whether the changes go far enough to make a difference is the question.
This will test the mettle of our club leaders, and also the patience of supporters.

 

[And_ROOS]

Need to follow the Hawks method and attract free agents based on the fact we are still a destination club.

The one thing the club has done right was finding guys like Kelly. Plenty of talent in the state leagues, just need to find it.

 

[romeohwho]

Scott still cant be that dumb.

There are 2 options and have always been 2 options.

1. Fall down the ladder and rebuild (this doesn't mean finish 18th or bottom 4 necessarily)
2. Top up until the club has very little talent left and then do option 1

If you stick with option 2 for too long, like we have, then you end up with a really poor list with very few good players (cos with few talented kids coming through all your good players are old). This means we will be on the bottom of the ladder for quite a few years to fix the problem.

It's like having a big debt, you can suffer the pain of paying it off asap or you can drag it out and pay a lot more. Both are bad but 1 is less bad.

Yep, maybe you are right. Or maybe there is a middle ground as they have been trying to do. But we sure need some young guns, better development of players, fix the post bye issue, fix the failure under pressure in finals.
The club, the coach, the players are doing some things right, some things wrong. Plenty needs to be done differently or better. Presumably we will have a good hard look at every aspect in the review. Nonetheless, I assume that pretty well everything they do is meant to contribute to us winning a flag. I understand the frustration but I don’t necessarily see them all as evil or totally incompetent or being satisfied with ‘good enough’-does Scott really strike you as that sort of person? And no he isn’t dumb at all- stubborn maybe?

 

[romeohwho]

Getting the early exit from finals every year sounds like the exact opposite of being relevant.

Agree, but so is finishing out of the 8.

 

[romeohwho]

I don’t really understand this concept, do they think that remaining relevant but not actually being truely strong enough to win one is better then planning for the future with the chance of actually giving ourselves a chance.
It’s like the club has bought into the drivel that we as Cats supporters won’t be able to handle a slide down the ladder, do they not remember that we have been through the years of heartache before 07!
I for one would rather see us play team first, uncompromising footy, with players playing in the right positions, ie Cocky , Narkle, Parfitt etc taking over the onball stuff, wingman that are actual wingman, forwards that apply both pressure and kick goals(not a midfielder playing forward because there is no other spot for him) and if that means we slide down the ladder until we get the right played then so be it. I will enjoy watching the team develop and have optimism of improvement.
But I think to have a long term strategy to stay in the 8 to remain relevant but not really give yourselves a real chance of winning is just plain dumb!

Yep I remember the days before 2007 and it was no fun so not sure I agree with you that the supporters will handle going down the ladder-it’s pretty hard to see long term gain when you get done all the time.
Agree, we need to play better footy -not sure we are as far off it as people think. The club wants to stay relevant, surely the only way to do so, means being a serious contender. Am assuming the club understands that and is seeking that outcome.

 

[cynical]

Yep, maybe you are right. Or maybe there is a middle ground as they have been trying to do. But we sure need some young guns, better development of players, fix the post bye issue, fix the failure under pressure in finals.
The club, the coach, the players are doing some things right, some things wrong. Plenty needs to be done differently or better. Presumably we will have a good hard look at every aspect in the review. Nonetheless, I assume that pretty well everything they do is meant to contribute to us winning a flag. I understand the frustration but I don’t necessarily see them all as evil or totally incompetent or being satisfied with ‘good enough’-does Scott really strike you as that sort of person? And no he isn’t dumb at all- stubborn maybe?

There is no middle ground.

If you are topping up then you aren't getting quality draft picks and the players who need development get moved on.

When you bring in a mature player then you are pushing out a developing player.

Eg bringing in players like Rivers pushed out guys like Brown and Hamling

Danger, Scooter, Menegola pushed out Caddy and GHS (possibly Lang and Motlop also)

A developing player has a spot they are expected to fill in a few years but when the club brings in someone else it shows a loss of faith.

So even if you get Rivers for "free" its costs players like Brown and Hamling who we lose for nothing but have some value and even more value now.

If you are topping up you are trading at a loss to produce for the now. It's like having credit card debt. You dont increase your savings and increase your credit card debt at the same time.