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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: List Building - More than one way to skin a cat
Last post by Baggers -I find myself optimistic about 2026. But I'm the same before the beginning of most seasons.
Bottom line is that there are so many moving parts, so many variables and 17 other clubs going through much the same as us. Soooo many IFs.
The number 1 IF would be for a healthy list giving us the very best chance to show our best. Already being without HOF is a concern.
The number 2 IF would be for how long it will take this list to gel, considering the number of new faces.
And the number 3 IF would be our skills and ability to move the aggott quickly (and accurately). We know our pressure and contest is in the top bracket but can we successfully integrate a deadly offensive game?
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Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Shawny’s concerns about Victorian and Australian Governments
Last post by PaulP -4
Ladies Lounge / Re: AFLW - Contracted or uncontracted?
Last post by kruddler -2. Lauren Bella
4. Claudia Whitfort
8. Lily Baxter
22. Brooke Boileau
26. Tayla McMillan
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench
Last post by kruddler -
Well if we don't have paper teams at this time of the year we may as well shut the site down
Its all speculation.
We don't even know who Vossys favourites are yet
By all means discuss it
It was a fun exercise.
Just don't give it any weight.
With regard to players playing every game.
Individually it may not be important but the more players who play together, the more often, the better it is for team dynamics.
They develop an understanding and cohesion.
They gain an understanding of their teammates strengths and weaknsess under pressure that training cannot reproduce.
If half the side are missing half the year, playing injured or have their minds elsewhere it's not conducive to good team development.
I get that, and its also 1 reason why i prefer to 'grow my own' KPPs. Better for team development rather than imported one later.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench
Last post by Lods -
And that's why the 'paper' team we've currently picked means 'diddly squat'.
We're going to find later in the year that players who are currently not in the paper side will have cemented spots...some through a change of position or role.
Well if we don't have paper teams at this time of the year we may as well shut the site down
Its all speculation.
We don't even know who Vossys favourites are yet
By all means discuss it
It was a fun exercise.
Just don't give it any weight.
With regard to players playing every game.
Individually it may not be important but the more players who play together, the more often, the better it is for team dynamics.
They develop an understanding and cohesion.
They gain an understanding of their teammates strengths and weaknsess under pressure that training cannot reproduce.
If half the side are missing half the year, playing injured or have their minds elsewhere it's not conducive to good team development.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench
Last post by kruddler -
Because that was from pre-season, he hadn't played a game there.
Do you want me to find one from the middle of the year??
And that's why the 'paper' team we've currently picked means 'diddly squat'.
We're going to find later in the year that players who are currently not in the paper side will have cemented spots...some through a change of position or role.
Well if we don't have paper teams at this time of the year we may as well shut the site down
Its all speculation.
We don't even know who Vossys favourites are yet
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench
Last post by kruddler -^^ it was his first time in 7 years. Not sure we ditched him or he moved on for greater opportunities as the inside mid spot is very much occupied.
Like one swallow not making a summer, lets see how he gets on again moving forward at the Doggies. Kennedy is a fine player, but he isnt a needle mover on his own.
No i get that, i'm just pointing out 2 things.
1. If its all about players that play every game, we stuffed up last year.
2. If its more about the quality of players playing, then players playing every game is somewhat irrelevent, as long as the players playing are better than players previous. eg Fogarty, good on him, he played 20 games. Not 1 person picked him as a starting 6.
Only 1 person gave him a spot on the bench, 1.
So does it matter how many games he played or does it matter that he is no good?!
Same with Motlop, played every game, he just got a gig as an emergency in our team this year though.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench
Last post by Lods -Having only six players who played all games was a significant factor in our season.
However, what I want to know is why the best and most irreplaceable CHB we’ve had wasn’t rated? 😇
Because that was from pre-season, he hadn't played a game there.
Do you want me to find one from the middle of the year??
And that's why the 'paper' team we've currently picked means 'diddly squat'.
We're going to find later in the year that players who are currently not in the paper side will have cemented spots...some through a change of position or role.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: List Building - More than one way to skin a cat
Last post by kruddler -Ill say one thing about the talls from this draft. With Tassie joining in shortly, these talls are going to get more opportunities in future to make it, as there will be a limited bunch that are any good. Letting others take them in this draft, might ensure there are more available in the next and I also expect that any keys that are floating around will get more opportunities as a result. I reckon Essendon might have one or two that will be free to a good home at the end of next season too, as they went recruiting as many as they could in 2025 to fill in temporary holes.
For those that like to say pessismist and optimist, I simply go realist. I expect somewhere between spots 6 and 12 for 2026. Spots lower than 10 will see us change coach at the end of the season unless we end up having another Annus Horribilius and lose many players across the season. Thats the scenario we drop as low as 14th. If things go swimmingly, depending on other results, we could sneak into top 6 and put us in the frame for a flag. Thats what I am hoping for, but I dont think it will happen either.
I think an average result for us will be in the wildcard places. Wont be happy, wont be dissapointed, but missing that without some extenuating circumstances will mean time for a new coach.
I'm trying to follow your train of thought here, but i'm missing something.
Are you saying there will be more talls available next year because teams like Essendon have extra talls so some will be available?
Isn't that us hoping to secure rejects from other teams? Is that the best way to go about it??
I really don't like a list management strategy that relies on other teams giving us what we need. Its destined for failure.