Re: 2017 Rd 1 Post Game Analysis: Carlton vs Richmond
Reply #105 –
I think that is a lie that has become a 'known truth'.
I believe you could play an entire team of under 23s and they would be able to match it. Most often the players are going one for one against their older opponents and neither Weitering or Cripps look overwhelmed by elder opponents, regardless of who is around them.
I completely dismiss the notion that you need bigger older bodies in there. I agree you won't win a flag with just younger players, but I think you get more by building a team where the culture is completely reset and those from an alternate era have no influence on where the club heads.
I would rather Curnow or McKay or Silvagni in our forward line over Casboult every single time, even though Casboult would take more contested marks. If i had 3 spots I would put all three of them in and still leave Casboult out.
Build a team of young , brash, cocky antisocial footballers unburdened by the softly approach our elder players have taken to games for years. I don't want them to be role models to these younger guys, not now, not for 1 more day/game.
Just look what happened with GWS. It wasn't until they brought in some strong, experienced and talented older players that there young talented brigade began to understand direction/discipline. It's a balancing act. If you only have younger blokes it ends up being lambs to the slaughter, regardless of how talented they are, and they may in fact end up scarred and developing a culture of failure expectation/tolerance.
As frustrating as it is, I think we're going about it the right way. In fact, I suspect another big clean-out at year's end to complete the 'reset'.