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IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
My apologies if this has been discussed in detail in a thread previously. Feel free to merge if appropriate.
In looking at the four teams left in the comp this weekend, I was prompted to look at their paths to success. What struck me is that none of these teams have done the "bottom out" or "St.Kilda blueprint" thing that seems to attract so much interest around here and in other footy circles. The last four teams this year have had sustained periods of general success without drastic plummets down the ladder for long periods. I'm wondering what that tells us.
And I'm mindful that these are non-Vic teams with huge advantages in available funds and resources - so maybe that's the difference.
But what if it isn't? What if the focus on splitting hairs between early draft picks isn't the answer. What if "bottoming out" is so detrimental to where players begin their careers that they never really recover. Players through history have been condemned to beginning their careers in poor teams and never reaching the premiership pinnacle. Robbie Flower and, most appropriately lately, Spida Everitt spring to mind.
I guess it just has me wondering if Hawthorn's plan, is in fact flawed. That by focussing on the draft we are "taking out eyes off the ball". Of course, draft the best we can when we can. But the teams in the top four this year haven't had many great picks for years. I think I'm leaning towards a sustained culture of success every week we go into battle, with major emphasis on player development - rather than hoping we an trade into a draft that, while strong, should never be viewed as a panacea.
Whaddayareckon?
In looking at the four teams left in the comp this weekend, I was prompted to look at their paths to success. What struck me is that none of these teams have done the "bottom out" or "St.Kilda blueprint" thing that seems to attract so much interest around here and in other footy circles. The last four teams this year have had sustained periods of general success without drastic plummets down the ladder for long periods. I'm wondering what that tells us.
And I'm mindful that these are non-Vic teams with huge advantages in available funds and resources - so maybe that's the difference.
But what if it isn't? What if the focus on splitting hairs between early draft picks isn't the answer. What if "bottoming out" is so detrimental to where players begin their careers that they never really recover. Players through history have been condemned to beginning their careers in poor teams and never reaching the premiership pinnacle. Robbie Flower and, most appropriately lately, Spida Everitt spring to mind.
I guess it just has me wondering if Hawthorn's plan, is in fact flawed. That by focussing on the draft we are "taking out eyes off the ball". Of course, draft the best we can when we can. But the teams in the top four this year haven't had many great picks for years. I think I'm leaning towards a sustained culture of success every week we go into battle, with major emphasis on player development - rather than hoping we an trade into a draft that, while strong, should never be viewed as a panacea.
Whaddayareckon?