Hopeless selections!

[Darky]

Originally posted by Carlos
You're only human.

Not what I've heard.

Originally posted by Carlos
Why indeed. Its questions like this that turn me to qauntities of cigarettes and alcohol that arent good for me.

I thought it was the fact that you keep pushing your shopping trolley round and round the streets of the CBD, and not enough people are willing to "len' me five dollars for a train fare so I can see me dyin' dad in Sheppa-ton maaaaate....an' a smoke"

Originally posted by Carlos
I've asked the man himself (Harris, not Laidley) this exact question. Its all to do with suitable matchups and the fact he has older, more experienced players who Laidley sees as preferential AT THE MOMENT to him. But he has also been told that wont be forever....

Yeah that's more or less what I've initimated, but at this stage I think the gap between Robbins and Harris is not very great. But I'd rather see Harris in, compared to guys like Clayton and Rawlings who play spare and have crap disposal. Yes we need players who can find space, but surely Clayton and Rawlings are not the only two, and someone in the 22 can be found to play this role with Harris squeezing in. And there's no law to say that a bloke who can find space can't also be hard at the footy and make disposals count.

Originally posted by Carlos
Which makes any suggestion to trade him at this stage of his career all the more non-sensical IMO.

Anyone, from supporter to coach, looking to trade him, would be stupid.

 

[Moti]

The ability of Harris to stand up in tackles and get off an effective disposal is unsurpassed by anyone at the club.

Having watched a lot of footy, our club will stagnate if players like Harris are not given their dues.

I think the past month has shown that the younger players are ready and can certainly produce results without major input from the senior players.

We have been smashed in the middle, so why leave out one of the only players on our list that has influenced the centre square when playing seniors?

Go back and look at the games against the Bulldogs and the Tigers, and see what difference he makes. There was 1 game when he had 8 clearances, playing only half a game of football.

He has proven what he can do at senior level, not consistently as he hasn't been played consistently, but he has shown his worth.

I believe Laidley has been only average during selection and I think that when he looks back on this season, he has to realise he is making a huge mistake by placing so much responisibility in the hands of the senior players.

Finally, Rocca is one of the only players that is ready for senior football?? Based on today's game??? I would put at least 5 players ahead of him.

 

[Woodson]

What the hell is going on JYD ?

Originally posted by Moti
The ability of Harris to stand up in tackles and get off an effective disposal is unsurpassed by anyone at the club.

But not good enough to get a game ??? Pffft !! After we cop a belting from Freo tomorrow, hopefully JYD & the match commitee will WAKE UP !! Do the coaches ever consider our 'team weakness' when they pick the team ???? (I doubt it very much) I'm not happy with Harris' exclusion just like MOST ppl here.

 

[mighty mick]

was not at the game and got to watch the game last night was impressed with our effort versus a team that deserses to make the 8

motlop has stood tall and i know most of us on bigfooty are pleased to see the turnaround.

was mainly disappointed with our lack of 4 qtr footy allowing the dockers to overun us

liegh brown was doing well and then just fell away, and in the end watching the replay it seems the roos had that chance within the dying moments but rushed it again thus causing the turnover and the loss

 

[Hearts to hearts]

I agree with everything that's been said about Harris and look forward to seeing him a permanent fixture in the 1s.

But I'm wondering, if people are going to be picked to "play for their careers" then surely Harris LESS likely to be picked than someone like Robbins? Harris will have a career - he doesn't need to prove it in the next three weeks. Ditto for Hale btw.

If you were honestly picking guys for the next 3 rounds who had to put it on the line or be off the list, who would they be?

I'd have thought, although I might not agree with all of these, that they might include:
Sav
Robbins
Clayton S
Motlop S
Morell
Teague

who else? Porter? King?

 

[hurricane]

From those in the twos, I'd have thought Sav, S.Motlop, D.Smith and Teague are the ones with question marks over them, particularly the first two.

There may be question marks over J Clayton and Firrito - not sure what the match committee's attitude to the rookies is.

It's also possible that Bourke may get another look in.

I think that M Stevens is guaranteed another season, while most of the kids are longer term prospects.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Originally posted by Hearts to hearts
I agree with everything that's been said about Harris and look forward to seeing him a permanent fixture in the 1s.

But I'm wondering, if people are going to be picked to "play for their careers" then surely Harris LESS likely to be picked than someone like Robbins? Harris will have a career - he doesn't need to prove it in the next three weeks. Ditto for Hale btw.

If you were honestly picking guys for the next 3 rounds who had to put it on the line or be off the list, who would they be?

I'd have thought, although I might not agree with all of these, that they might include:
Sav
Robbins
Clayton S
Motlop S
Morell
Teague

who else? Porter? King?

I agree with you about Harris and Hale not having to play for their careers, but I'm going to have to disagree with you about Sav, Robbins, S.Clayton and Morrell. These players have had pretty much all year to prove themselves and, apart from the odd good game, have come up short. You can probably add Porter to that as well. I think the players Laidley was probably talking about would be S.Motlop, Teague, Smith and M.Stevens.
Why not play these guys in the last 3 rounds and see if they are really up to playing senior AFL footy. If they don't perform, then it will be easier to let them go at the end of the year, but if they do well, then we may have some good players for next year and beyond.
Remember Jess Sinclair was running around in the VFL most of last year before having a run in the backline in the last 5 or 6 rounds. He will finish in the top 5 in our B&F this year.

 

[shmardin]

The bottom line with Harris is that he hasnt impressed the coaching staff enough to get a regular start. IF he was as good as this board rates him he would be a regular in the 1s by now. I'm not saying he isnt a good player and wont be a good player in the future just that he hasnt done enough in his limited game time to warrant a definate start. Sure if a youth policy is involved, he should be getting game time, but Laidley hasnt introduced a radical number of youngsters and Harris will have to wait his turn.

 

[NeoBlaze]

Originally posted by shmardin
The bottom line with Harris is that he hasnt impressed the coaching staff enough to get a regular start. IF he was as good as this board rates him he would be a regular in the 1s by now. I'm not saying he isnt a good player and wont be a good player in the future just that he hasnt done enough in his limited game time to warrant a definate start. Sure if a youth policy is involved, he should be getting game time, but Laidley hasnt introduced a radical number of youngsters and Harris will have to wait his turn.

i think the problem is is that the only person he would replace is our captain......

 

[Carlos]

I spoke to Laidley in the club rooms after the game and asked him about Harris (amongst many others).

I asked why Harris wasn't promoted after his excellent performance the week before for Port (which incidently Laidley wouldn't have seen due to being in Brisbane). I explained what i'd seen that day (a kid basically doing what he wanted whenever he wanted and so much further above every other midfielder on the ground in terms of class and ability) and why i found it hard to understand that this kid wasn't given more games and better game time.

Laidley responded by asking me "would Daniel Harris have been able to shut down Paul Haselby today?"

Courtesty of unlimited free beer all day as a result of attending the President's lunch yesterday, i had a bit of dutch courage and responded with "would Paul Haselby have been able to shut down Daniel Harris?!?"

He asked "how many of those types can you have in the one team though? I need blokes who can do jobs and not just hunt the footy".

He said that for the time being, the only way Daniel Harris was going to play regular senior footy was if he could develop into a tagger who could get his own footy but more importantly stop an opponent from getting his.

He did say however that he just had to bide his time, and work on the defensive aspects of his game before being a walk up start to our senior 22 as more than a pinch hitting, off the bench midfielder.

 

[Moti]

I feel confident about Laidley now.

 

[Karanicolas]

Originally posted by Carlos
I spoke to Laidley in the club rooms after the game and asked him about Harris (amongst many others).

I asked why Harris wasn't promoted after his excellent performance the week before for Port (which incidently Laidley wouldn't have seen due to being in Brisbane). I explained what i'd seen that day (a kid basically doing what he wanted whenever he wanted and so much further above every other midfielder on the ground in terms of class and ability) and why i found it hard to understand that this kid wasn't given more games and better game time.

Laidley responded by asking me "would Daniel Harris have been able to shut down Paul Haselby today?"

Courtesty of unlimited free beer all day as a result of attending the President's lunch yesterday, i had a bit of dutch courage and responded with "would Paul Haselby have been able to shut down Daniel Harris?!?"

He asked "how many of those types can you have in the one team though? I need blokes who can do jobs and not just hunt the footy".

He said that for the time being, the only way Daniel Harris was going to play regular senior footy was if he could develop into a tagger who could get his own footy but more importantly stop an opponent from getting his.

He did say however that he just had to bide his time, and work on the defensive aspects of his game before being a walk up start to our senior 22 as more than a pinch hitting, off the bench midfielder.

Carlos,

Serious question.

As a Harris fan (which I am too) were you happy with Laidley's response?

 

[Groucho]

Originally posted by Carlos
I spoke to Laidley in the club rooms after the game and asked him about Harris (amongst many others).

I asked why Harris wasn't promoted after his excellent performance the week before for Port (which incidently Laidley wouldn't have seen due to being in Brisbane). I explained what i'd seen that day (a kid basically doing what he wanted whenever he wanted and so much further above every other midfielder on the ground in terms of class and ability) and why i found it hard to understand that this kid wasn't given more games and better game time.

Laidley responded by asking me "would Daniel Harris have been able to shut down Paul Haselby today?"

Courtesty of unlimited free beer all day as a result of attending the President's lunch yesterday, i had a bit of dutch courage and responded with "would Paul Haselby have been able to shut down Daniel Harris?!?"

He asked "how many of those types can you have in the one team though? I need blokes who can do jobs and not just hunt the footy".

He said that for the time being, the only way Daniel Harris was going to play regular senior footy was if he could develop into a tagger who could get his own footy but more importantly stop an opponent from getting his.

He did say however that he just had to bide his time, and work on the defensive aspects of his game before being a walk up start to our senior 22 as more than a pinch hitting, off the bench midfielder.

Well that's very damn interesting Carlos! Well done. I'd like to know who else you asked about and his responses (seperate thread needed maybe!). On Harro; How many of "those types" do we have in the team exactly? I can't think of any and maybe that's a problem in itself.

 

[Carlos]

Originally posted by Karanicolas
Carlos,

Serious question.

As a Harris fan (which I am too) were you happy with Laidley's response?

Yes and no.

I do not see why he hasn't been given a fairer go. He has done very little wrong in his senior games, something Laidley agreed with, except for the odd moment where he has gone kick chasing and lost his opponent, which he said he could live with and acknowledged that he does make things happen with the ball in his hands.

He gave me no indiciation that Harris did not have a future at teh club, but seems reluctant to let him loose where he'd play his best footy. The "bide his time" comment came in the context that he had blokes like Boomer & Grant in his way, who are the only ones given the freedom to go after the footy and not worry too much about a direct opponent (as they are usually tagged). But if he can work on the defensive side and become a more balanced, complete player, he'll make it hard for Roobins and the spot is definately there when Stevo retires.

He gave the indication that the ball was basically in his court.

But i tell ya what, Laidley didn't like being reminded of the "birth certificates", "these kids are here to play footy" comments at the start of the year. My timing may have been a bit off though, considering his mood after our loss (filthy!!)

 

[Moti]

Still worried about Laidley

 

[Karanicolas]

Originally posted by Carlos


But i tell ya what, Laidley didn't like being reminded of the "birth certificates", "these kids are here to play footy" comments at the start of the year. My timing may have been a bit off though, considering his mood after our loss (filthy!!)

Carlos, I will be asking that you be given the Jason McCartney medal!!

BTW, thanks for these types of updates.

 

[mighty mick]

for you carlos and most of the posters on here with favorites, its so much easier for you making decisions and player judgements from the other side of the fence

 

[Carlos]

Originally posted by mighty mick
for you carlos and most of the posters on here with favorites, its so much easier for you making decisions and player judgements from the other side of the fence

I try and limit my comments to what my eyes have seen and what my ears have heard.

And i'm pretty sure Laidley and co. are on that same side of the fence also.

Your point being mate?

 

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Moti
I feel confident about Laidley now.

Want to get Denis Pagan back?

Pretty sure that you were one of the people here doing cartwheels when Pagan left and we signed up Laidley.

Now that things haven't quite gone to plan, you're now looking at making him your scapegoat.

Take it further...you've bagged the usual senior players and pushed the case for the kids. What's going to happen in three or four years if the kids don't deliver a flag? From bagging Stevo/Simpson/Grant etc., you'll be soon bagging Harris/Motlop/Wells and their peers.

 

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by mighty mick
for you carlos and most of the posters on here with favorites, its so much easier for you making decisions and player judgements from the other side of the fence

Pretty sure that you've put in your five cents worth on various issues and players....especially about Shannon Watt earlier in the season.

 

[mighty mick]

swap possies with him carlos and see what you can do do from the coaches box.

 

[mighty mick]

Originally posted by Shinboners
Pretty sure that you've put in your five cents worth on various issues and players....especially about Shannon Watt earlier in the season.

who hasnt

 

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by mighty mick
who hasnt

In that case, how can you have a go at Carlos for expressing an opinion? Sure, he might not be a coach or make the decisions at the club, HOWEVER, whenever he does posts his views on the game, he almost always backs it up with what he observes at the North Melbourne AND Port Melbourne games he sees.

I'm sure that Carlos can stick up for himself, but this entire "But you're not on the coaching staff and don't have to make decisions" argument is just rubbish. If we follow that, then we may as well close down the boards.

 

[Carlos]

Originally posted by mighty mick
swap possies with him carlos and see what you can do do from the coaches box.

You're kidding aren't you?

Why is it than whenever a person has an opinion on a player, a tactic, etc etc that it always has to come back to this kind of mindless response?

Fairdinkum!

Ok, from here on in would you prefer me and whoever else has strong opinions or the like just sit back and say "Dean is always right. I know nothing because i do not coach. I will close my eyes and blindly support everything he does and says."

Free thinkers are dangerous right mate?

Mate, i would give my left testy to be involved some how in this club. Whether i'd be any good is hugely debatable, and due to a lack of experience its odds on that i'm never going to find out.

But does that mean i should shut my gob and not have an opinion? I pay my money, i give up alot of my time. Noone is making me, but i sure as hell feel like i have the right to have a viewpoint based on my f*cking commitment to this caper.

Gees that sh*ts me when people trot out that "why dont you have a go at coaching" dribble.

 

[Z_K]

*** footy is sh1t.