Age is not everything

[Total Tiger]

Why would you want to win the close one when you admit we should be in a total rubuild phase?

Some fans are totally confused.

So what if there is an age gap? Who cares? Are we aiming to win the flag next year or the year after? No.

If you hit the drafts hard every year from now on, then by the time the Deledios hit their late 20's (which is only 4-5 years away) your list will hopefully be balanced. Terry argued that we need a better balance hence we recruited retreads. Let's get rid of this mindset, and let's get rid of trying to find any excuse under the sun for why we shouldn't do a PROPER rebuild. Proper being the key word here as we have never done a proper rebuild before. And it starts with getting rid of every 30+ year old and as many others that are simply not good enough.

Not totally confused at all. After this year, there's no point going the tank because of the Gold Coast's and then West Sydney's draft concessions. This year is the final tank year for a while. Also, it's no good developing a team of talent if you can't teach them how to win. We have wasted the opportunity for the PROPER rebuild so keeping a couple of the talented over 30s for another year to mentor the younger players will not hurt at all.

 

[Willow]

To add to that, Spider wasn't forced out the door.
The hawks did OK out of Spida's departure but they didn't want him to go and were dirty that he wanted out.

I think you will find that Dixon was 26 when Clarkson took over the Hawks. Barker, Lekkas, Hay and Spida were all marked for trade/delisting and not considered part of the long term plan. It just didn't happen immediately in 05. Anyway, I hope the Tigers take a similar approach and move on most of those players in the 30 plus category.

 

[Brodders17]

Fair enough Willow.

No arguement from leysy that we should delist the majority of our old crew. (Only Cousins & Richo for leysy as well).

You are incorrect on one thing though. Whilst there's no doubt Clarkson cut deeply & pushed youth forward heavily. Crawford was not the only player in his twilight that was kept on. He did stagger the departures over his first few seasons.

Ben Dixon turned 29 in Clarksons first season & played 3 years under him.

John Barker turned 30 & played two as did Spider.

Lekkas & Hay also played the first season (05') before departing.

lazy, please dont let fact get in the way.
clarko cut everyone over the age of 16 and lost his first 121 games as coach for draft picks.

I think you will find that Dixon was 26 when Clarkson took over the Hawks. Barker, Lekkas, Hay and Spida were all marked for trade/delisting and not considered part of the long term plan. It just didn't happen immediately in 05. Anyway, I hope the Tigers take a similar approach and move on most of those players in the 30 plus category.

dixon was born 77. he turned 28 in clarkos first season.

the fact they werent part of the hawks long term plan is in agreeance with daisys point i think.
the general consensus is that they immediately got rid of everyone who wasnt gonna play in a premiership for them. that just isnt true.
2 of their big trades, thompson and hay were done under dubious circumstances.
also in 06 they won their last 4 games, going from 14th to 11th. costing them a hansen, lunaburger or boak for a thorp. (and possibly a priority pick. they had 5 wins, not sure when it changed to 4.5wins.)

 

[achillesjones]

Keep Richo. No explanation required. Still in our best 5.
Keep Cousins. Could have three years. will have positive impact on foley and cotchin (fighting culture)
Keep Bowden. Simply too good to lose. Still in our best 5.
Delist Simmonds. Slow, poor second efforts, declining athleticism, beaten most weeks, lethargic.
Delist Brown. See Simmonds.
Delist Pettifer. See Brown.
Delist Tuck. Much to admire but not enough class. Earnest journeymen do not win finals.
Delist McMahon. Has endeared himself to noone.
Delist Polak. Not good enough before the accident. (We have done the right thing by him.)
Sign and secure Delidio, Cotchin, Moore, Foley,Nahas,Morton.
Throw a blanket over the rest.
Too many chances: Edwards, King, *smile*, That makes 9 out, 10 with Johnno. Many fortunate to stay!!

 

[craig]

Cousins can go around and what he brings is quality when fit.

Richo gets one more year thats it.

Brown, Bowden and Simmonds gooone for mine, Sugar already gone.

Pettifer, Schulz, McMahon, KIng, Jon, and Polak and Silvester also to go for starters and Couglan very shaky at the minute, his best may well be past him and the game may well be also.

The Pattisons, Whites , Polos and McGuanes arent long termers in my book either.