Team Mgmt. Makeup of our team II - Strengths & deficiencies, player development

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Champion data said on SEN that Gresham and McKay are 2 of the biggest improvers in the whole comp. Gone from like 200-300th rated player to top 30ish or something.

McGrath's best season ever according to their data.
Martin has dropped from 22nd to 70th
Redman dropped from 29th to 174th

Also suggested moving Martin back up the ground, said his last quarter up the ground was huge.

Said Daicos was best on ground and 2nd best for the entire round. (Suggesting he should get the medal I think?)
 
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if we are going to get where we want to be, elite - competing in close games at the pointy end, we are going to need to cross all t's and dot all i's. No carrying players flaws, no allowing repeat mistakes - none of those heart in mouth players that we always seem to have - nows the time to iron them out before one of said mistakes costs us a final. Nik Cox, always heart in mouth when he has possession...handballs at peoples feet, lazy kick that causes turnovers - undoubled potential, performs a role but needs to go back and work on his flaws. Jake Kelly, undoubtedly performs a required role but dumb mistakes, freezes when in possession and is always rife for dumb 50s (Draper also on notice) Hobbs has little game awareness, misses teammates and gets caught, also plays for frees - go work on your craft in the 2s. Are we at the stage yet where we can be ruthless and ask for greatness from our players? If so some of this needs to happen so we can turn from good to great.
 
I’m still treating this year as a development year. It’s all about growth - players have to either earn their spot, or be doing enough to make it difficult to drop.

We’re not gunning for a flag this year. No point in compromising growth for short term gain.
 
TheUnicorn said:
www.abc.net.au

'They were maniacs': Inside the US training camp that vaulted Essendon up the ladder

After last season ended with a whimper for Essendon, a host of the club's leaders embarked on an off-season trip to a world-renowned training facility in the United States. The result has been one of its best starts to a season in the last two decades. Here's a look at what the Bombers did in...
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
Click to expand...
colour me surprised that it was ridley who sought them out.

natural leader, what a person
 
Howard Moon said:
if we are going to get where we want to be, elite - competing in close games at the pointy end, we are going to need to cross all t's and dot all i's. No carrying players flaws, no allowing repeat mistakes - none of those heart in mouth players that we always seem to have - nows the time to iron them out before one of said mistakes costs us a final. Nik Cox, always heart in mouth when he has possession...handballs at peoples feet, lazy kick that causes turnovers - undoubled potential, performs a role but needs to go back and work on his flaws. Jake Kelly, undoubtedly performs a required role but dumb mistakes, freezes when in possession and is always rife for dumb 50s (Draper also on notice) Hobbs has little game awareness, misses teammates and gets caught, also plays for frees - go work on your craft in the 2s. Are we at the stage yet where we can be ruthless and ask for greatness from our players? If so some of this needs to happen so we can turn from good to great.
Click to expand...

No team is ever at that stage because the salary cap exists and all players have flaws.

By the time you’re looking at the 20th-30th best players on the team it’s about finding that balance between strengths and flaws and what strengths the team needs but also what weaknesses the team can cover.
 
TheUnicorn said:
Champion data said on SEN that Gresham and McKay are 2 of the biggest improvers in the whole comp. Gone from like 200-300th rated player to top 30ish or something.

McGrath's best season ever according to their data.
Martin has dropped from 22nd to 70th
Redman dropped from 29th to 174th

Also suggested moving Martin back up the ground, said his last quarter up the ground was huge.

Said Daicos was best on ground and 2nd best for the entire round. (Suggesting he should get the medal I think?)
Click to expand...


Champion data rankings have been bogus for years.
 
(2) KPF who did not play today; Jaiden Hunter (likely delisted), Nate Caddy (3rd tall / CHF played twos)

(4) KPD who did not play today; Zac Reid (injured), Kaine Baldwin (injured), Sam Weidemann (played two's, likely delisting candidate), Lewis Hayes (played two's and should be closing in on debut imho)


Time to make fitness of playing games the number 1 priority because forced to play 2MP is hindering us right now
 
shower thought of the day.

I wonder if Redman should get some CBAs. Now that Ridley is back we have our reliable defensive distributor and can play him or Cox or Kelly in Redmans medium defender role (or trial Hind/Menzie/Tex/ADJr)

Would add extra size to the midfield and another reliable kick into the forward 50.
 
jdstorm said:
shower thought of the day.

I wonder if Redman should get some CBAs. Now that Ridley is back we have our reliable defensive distributor and can play him or Cox or Kelly in Redmans medium defender role (or trial Hind/Menzie/Tex/ADJr)

Would add extra size to the midfield and another reliable kick into the forward 50.
Click to expand...

Didn’t we try this in the VFL at some point? Or was it Ridley?
 

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Where we're at, contracts wise and positionally etc.

3+ years: Jye Caldwell (4/5 years)
2 years: Jye Menzie, Lewis Hayes, Matt Guelfi, Nick Hind, Nik Cox, Jake Stringer
1 year: Dyson Heppell, Harrison Jones (trigger activated?), Jayden Davey (downgrade to RL), Saad El-Hawli

Delist: Jaiden Hunter, Sam Weideman, Tex Wanganeen, Will Setterfield
Retire: Jake Kelly, Todd Goldstein

Trade/FA:

1. Dylan Shiel for pick 54 (Geelong)
2. Kaine Baldwin for pick 51 (Richmond)
3. Tyson Stengle (FA)
4. Peter Ladhams for F3 (Sydney)

Leaves 5 open spots in the draft, 1 of which are rookie spots with Tex and Hunter gone, Menzie in a promote or delist year and downgrading Davey to the RL.

Draft:

Pick 15-ish (post Camporeale/Walsh bids): Jobe Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers, 194 cm, Key Forward)
Pick 40-ish (bids, FA compo etc): Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers, 199, Key Defender)
Pick 51: Isaac Kako (Bid match, Calder Cannons, 175, SF)
Pick 54: Austin Van Der Struyf (Claremont, 178/70, HB)

RD 13/14: Cam Nyko (Essendon VFL, 179/76, OM)
RD 30-ish: Jayden Davey
Cat B signing: Amin Naim (Essendon VFL, 187/82, Medium Forward), Jayden Nguyen (Calder Cannons, 178, HB)

Which would leave our list at:

Defenders (14):

Key Defenders: Lewis Hayes, Zach Reid, Ben McKay, Matt Whitlock
Medium Defenders: Nik Cox (MF), Jordan Ridley, Jayden Laverde, Dyson Heppell
Small Defenders: Andrew McGrath, Nick Hind (SF), Mason Redman, Luamon Lual, Austin Van Der Stuyf, Jayden Nguyen

Midfielders (16):

Inside Midfielders: Darcy Parish, Elijah Tsatas, Jye Caldwell, Zach Merrett, Ben Hobbs, Archie Perkins (MF), Sam Durham
Outside Midfielders: Xavier Duursma, Nic Martin, Archie Roberts, Saad El-Hawli, Cam Nyko
Rucks: Sam Draper, Nick Bryan, Vigo Visentini (KF), Peter Ladhams (KF)

Forwards (14):

Key Forwards: Peter Wright (ruc), Harrison Jones, Nate Caddy, Jobe Shanahan
Medium Forwards: Kyle Langford, Jake Stringer, Amin Naim
Small Forwards: Jade Gresham, Alwyn Davey (OM), Matt Guelfi, Jayden Davey, Jye Menzie (OM), Tyson Stengle, Isaac Kako

Seniors:

FB: Andrew McGrath - Ben McKay - Jordan Ridley
HB: Nik Cox - Zach Reid - Mason Redman
MF: Xavier Duursma - Zach Merrett - Nic Martin
HF: Jade Gresham - Harrison Jones - Matt Guelfi
FF: Kyle Langford - Peter Wright - Tyson Stengle
OB: Sam Draper - Darcy Parish - Jye Caldwell
IC: Sam Durham - Archie Perkins - Jake Stringer - Nick Bryan
TS: Nick Hind

Reserves:

FB: Jayden Laverde - Lewis Hayes - Luamon Lual
HB: Austin Van Der Struyf - Matt Whitlock - Dyson Heppell
MF: Saad El-Hawli - Jackson Hately - Archie Roberts
HF: Alwyn Davey Jr - Jobe Shanahan - Jye Menzie
FF: Jayden Davey - Nate Caddy - Isaac Kako
OB: Peter Ladhams - Elijah Tsatas - Ben Hobbs
IC: Vigo Visentini - Cam Nyko - Jayden Nguyen - Amin Naim - Xavier O'Neill

If Heppell doesn't play on I'd be looking for another medium defender somewhere. As a whole our current list balance spread wise is pretty good IMO, although another inside mid wouldn't go astray either.
 
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Yoda_ said:
im hitched to this cart now my friend
Click to expand...
FYI the other hobby horses still available:
  • players that tackle to hurt
  • brilliant field kicks
  • elite two way runners
  • big bodied mids
  • left footers
  • guys with tattoos

We have the following covered
  • private school boys
  • 180cm ish
  • followed Essendon as a kid
  • former top ten picks who need a lifeline
 
fairbump_playon said:
FYI the other hobby horses still available:
  • players that tackle to hurt
  • brilliant field kicks
  • elite two way runners
  • big bodied mids
  • left footers
  • guys with tattoos

We have the following covered
  • private school boys
  • 180cm ish
  • followed Essendon as a kid
  • former top ten picks who need a lifeline
Click to expand...
Gold.
Funny & true.
 
I think the difference to our success next year is going to be whether 2 or 3 from the 2020 to 2022 draft cohort can put together a season you'd say was worthy of a top 10 pick, which all of them were except Hobbs and yet he was touted as one.
 
2020 ND draft is looking like a wipeout. Two delisted. One can not get on the park. One has played 70 games and still can not work out how to play and another who has played 40 games and looks like a fish out of water most of the time.
 
Lets have a look at a few of our "hopes" for the future.

Archie Perkins . 4 seasons and 70 plus games and do we know what he is ? Pretty much going along at C grade level doing a couple of nice things in some games to keep people interested but in general has struggled big time to pick up the defensive side of the game. Is not a natural clearance player and has limited tricks as a midfielder. I thought he could be a good 40 goal forward but with so many medium guys in the side and his lack of forward pressure he can not play there. What is he and how much longer will it take to get there ?

Nick Cox . Think this one is simple. For me not really a wing but the biggest issue is the body. He gets gun shy when he is continually getting beaten up contact wise and he can be panicky with the footy . Still think he could be a decent half back but he has his limitations . Unless he can get some beef or maturity onto the frame he will play 100 games and be the same.

Zack Reid . Simply can not stay on the field.

Ben Hobbs. The development of Durham and Caldwell plus a couple of untimely injuries has cots him a place in the side . Think he still has a future but he is an inside player with a limited outside game. His decision making is not good enough to be creative on the outside.

Sam Draper . Enigma. Good physical presence . Poor footy IQ . Poor skills. Occasional X factor . He is our best choice as number 1 ruck but he has some serious issues with his game . His lack of footy IQ and poor skills leaves him playing like a giant under 12 kid . Half the time he actually gets in the way of our blokes and his unpredictable play burns us 10 times more than it does something good. Love his physical efforts and spirit but the dumb shit does my head in. Very hit and miss in the marking department and a lot of the time that is from his poor positioning leading into the contest.

Nick Bryan . Has skill. Decent footy IQ . Can win the footy and his tap work is decent although in saying that he could do a lot more with the hit outs he wins . Problem is he has no physical presence . He jumps in the ruck no worries but outside that you just do not see anything more. Rarely makes body contact with anyone. Is easily worked under the footy or off the line in marking contests. He is just too nice . He has no angry . Has never done a lot as a forward.

Elijah Tsatas . Initially it was if he could improve his defensive side and show more physical effort . That was the concern or me but the kicking has overtaken that. My view is it will never be great so his outside game will have its limitations. Has improved the defense and also the physical game so now it is just wait and see how the body develops and if we can salvage an inside midfielder out of him as he can find the footy. Not what we where expecting when he was drafted but still a player we can get something out of if he gets the body right and continues to have the attitude and mentality to be an inside player.

Alwyn Davey JNR . Still think he has scope for the future and it is more a body maturity issue but he does have to improve how he goes about it. Still sheepdogs the play too much looking for the easy ball when there are times he just has to try and get it himself. For me it will come down to the development of his body and he will most likely be 21/22 before we really see his best footy. Think he may have drunk a bit of his own bath water surrounding all the hype that has been on him but he has shown a level of improvement across the season.

Jayden Davey . He really is a long way back and probably should have been a rookie pick. He has speed and skill but all he has really known is school footy and now he is finding out that having a few tricks that can dazzle in school footy is not the same as playing a few levels up. He had a long and slow grind in his rehab which he did not enjoy and now he is learning that you need continual effort and more hard work . You can not just turn up and play. Not giving up yet as he was always going to be a long term project but he has to find a couple levels of work rate and effort to maximize the skills he has. Like his brother I think all the hype around the draft did not help him and he was a bit ahead of himself.

Wanganeen . Unlucky he has been injured. Has ability and I do not but into the whole he would not be here if his name was not Wanganeen. He was the guy you pick as a rookie to have a look at as he does have ability. Just did not get a decent run at it and time looks to have run out. Got him cheap. Did not work out.

Kane Baldwin. Another cheap pick up. Look promising for a while but injury had hurt.

Harry Jones. Struggled with injury and form as a forward. Shows some promise as a wing. Think he could easly be a defender. Struggles to mark it as a forward.

Nick Martin. Personally have not minded Scott sending him to half back to make something happen for us but long term he is a wing / forward.

Sam Durham . No issues here.

Jye Caldwell. Same with Sam. No issues with his spot.

Lewis Hayes. Has good VFL form but he is still developing body wise and has struggled playing on the bigger forwards at times. Does a lot of good stuff. Unlucky to not have played a couple of games but is not ready yet IMO. Has something worth going on with.

Caddy / Roberts / Lual / Visentini too early to say other than Caddy has met expectation and Roberts looks to have a lot to work with. Lual needs to work on disposal consistency and Visentini has show some good signs for a long term project .
 

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Team Mgmt. Makeup of our team II - Strengths & deficiencies, player development

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