I am not sure if Essendon will make the 8 next year
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Re: Re: Re: Re: I am not sure if Essendon will make the 8 next year
Yes, ageing. But next year they won't be too old. Bickley is gone, Smart is in his mid 30s, and Carey doesn't have long left. The rest of their so-called "old" players are really in their prime (Ricciuto, McLeod, Hart, Goodwin, Stevens, etc.)
Yes, ageing. But next year they won't be too old. Bickley is gone, Smart is in his mid 30s, and Carey doesn't have long left. The rest of their so-called "old" players are really in their prime (Ricciuto, McLeod, Hart, Goodwin, Stevens, etc.)
Re: Re: Re: Re: I am not sure if Essendon will make the 8 next year
It amazes me how many Pies supporters seem to think that 28 year-old players are automatically past it - actually it seems to be only 28 year-old Crows players, since Buckley is considered a champion. Go figure.
Anyway - Smart will be OK for another year, Burns is likely to be replaced in the side next season by Schuback, Clarke is still going strong but Biglands is likely to take more & more of his gametime anyway, and Bickley's role will be replaced by whichever of Torney or Massie wants it bad enough.
Stevens can hardly contribute less next year than this, and as for Carey - probably will be OK for another season.
The list of each & every team ages by 1 year each year. Hence every team has an "ageing" list. The actual age of the players is only a problem if older players are dropping off in performance yet are still selected in the side because there are no viable younger replacements.
That is just not the case at the Crows. If an older player is not performing - he won't get a game. If the older player IS performing - then there is not a problem.
It amazes me how many Pies supporters seem to think that 28 year-old players are automatically past it - actually it seems to be only 28 year-old Crows players, since Buckley is considered a champion. Go figure.
Anyway - Smart will be OK for another year, Burns is likely to be replaced in the side next season by Schuback, Clarke is still going strong but Biglands is likely to take more & more of his gametime anyway, and Bickley's role will be replaced by whichever of Torney or Massie wants it bad enough.
Stevens can hardly contribute less next year than this, and as for Carey - probably will be OK for another season.
The list of each & every team ages by 1 year each year. Hence every team has an "ageing" list. The actual age of the players is only a problem if older players are dropping off in performance yet are still selected in the side because there are no viable younger replacements.
That is just not the case at the Crows. If an older player is not performing - he won't get a game. If the older player IS performing - then there is not a problem.
Kane McGoodwin
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- May 21, 2001
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Re: Re: Re: Re: I am not sure if Essendon will make the 8 next year
With respect to team lists, the key is to have a balance of ages for groups of player types. The Crows have far from the oldest playing list in recent memory & apart from lacking ruck depth (which they say they will address in the upcoming drafts), the balance of the squad is fine.
hotpie, provide me a list of players that aren't getting older!
With respect to team lists, the key is to have a balance of ages for groups of player types. The Crows have far from the oldest playing list in recent memory & apart from lacking ruck depth (which they say they will address in the upcoming drafts), the balance of the squad is fine.
Kane McGoodwin
Make me an Admin!
- May 21, 2001
- 87,714
- 93,524
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- Adelaide Crows
BTW, back to the question - IMO, Essendon will make the eight, given a reasonable run with injuries.
If we split this years 8 into those that should make the eight again barring some major run of injuries, I think you can pretty safely say:
Brisbane
Collingwood
Port
Then there are those that will most likely make it:
Crows
WCE (enough home games)
Then those at risk:
Sydney
Freo
Bombers
Then the most likely to improve/threaten:
Hawks
Saints
So between the last 5 above, 3 make it 2 don't. Can't see Bombers being only 4th best of those 5. Therefore IMO the Bombers will be there again.
Brisbane
Collingwood
Port
Then there are those that will most likely make it:
Crows
WCE (enough home games)
Then those at risk:
Sydney
Freo
Bombers
Then the most likely to improve/threaten:
Hawks
Saints
So between the last 5 above, 3 make it 2 don't. Can't see Bombers being only 4th best of those 5. Therefore IMO the Bombers will be there again.
