Lets compare our players performance this year with last, and we will soon see if everything is as bad as the doomsayers are forecasting around here.
Young Players who have improved.
6. Polak - Considering we got him for a 3rd round pick looks like a big win. Will be solid CHB for the next 10 years. Playing his best footy at the Tigers.
8. Riewoldt - Can only compare VFL form and has produced on a more consistent basis already. Has improved on last year as expected.
25. Schulz - Looks like the first key forward apart from Richo we have had in the last 10 years. Definately improved.
29. JON - No preseason, followed by impressive VFL form and an early call up to Seniors. Still a way to go but the graph is going in the right direction.
30. Tambling - Developing nicely. Impacting on games this year which is a big step up from last year. Has definately improved.
34. Hughes - After an ordinary start to the year has looked ok in the last 2 games. Will play as a lead up forward and gives us another option. Definately showing more than last year on that form.
35. White - Only 1 game, but busting the door down at Coburg. The graph is heading in the right direction.
37. Casserly - Gone from VFL reserves level this time last year to playing excellent VFL senior footy. An AFL debut beckons. Another on the rise.
38. McGuane - Surprised many including me. Gives us some toughness that we need in the backline. Took the performance last night harder than any of the Senior players. Has to improved his disposal and composure, but has definately improved.
41. Foley - The biggest improver in the club. No more needs to be said.
That is 10 young players on the rise in my mind. Which is progress in the right direction.
Young Players marking time.
3. Deledio - No obvious improvement from last year but no doubt more expected of him by supporters and the club this year. Marking time and needs to take the next step. Is the classiest player we have apart from N Brown.
4. Raines - No improvement, and is lacking a little confidence. Heath Shaw was at the same level last year and has left Rainesy in his wake. Is a quality kid though and should bounce back.
14. Polo - Still looks the same player as last year. Run with role looks the only option at Senior level at this stage. Needs to develop his game to become a regular and valued player.
22. Meyer - An expensive draft pick that lacks a little intensity. Another with a lot of class but needs to bring a burning desire with it. Still have confidence he will make it given its a lot easier to fix attitude than it is to add class and skills to a player. Had his best Coburg game ever against Box Hill on Anzac Day.
23. Daniel Jackson - Looks at the same level. A candidate for delisting.
26. Adam Pattison - The biggest worry of all our young players on this list. Not athletic enough for key position and not tall enough for the ruck. Another Pat Steinfort I dare say.
33. Brent Hartigan - See D Jackson with the added worry of a bad injury history.
40. Kelvin Moore - Playing more Senior games now and the coaches like him, but is he any better than P Bowden as a back pocket option?
A concern that arguably 3 of our top 5 young guns are on this list (Deledio, Raines and Meyer) but at the same time they have more potential to become Stars than almost all the rest. Add these 3 to the top list + Thursfield which is a good chance before the end of the year and we have 14 young guys + 2007 draftees who are all developing very nicely. A very promising sign. Miller and co are actually doing ok.
Not considered due to injury or too early.
10. S Edwards
28. C Peterson
36. W Thursfield
39. D Connors
42. A Collins
Rookies
Part 2 - The 23 year olds +. Still to come.
These lists are the real problem behind our current form.
Young Players who have improved.
6. Polak - Considering we got him for a 3rd round pick looks like a big win. Will be solid CHB for the next 10 years. Playing his best footy at the Tigers.
8. Riewoldt - Can only compare VFL form and has produced on a more consistent basis already. Has improved on last year as expected.
25. Schulz - Looks like the first key forward apart from Richo we have had in the last 10 years. Definately improved.
29. JON - No preseason, followed by impressive VFL form and an early call up to Seniors. Still a way to go but the graph is going in the right direction.
30. Tambling - Developing nicely. Impacting on games this year which is a big step up from last year. Has definately improved.
34. Hughes - After an ordinary start to the year has looked ok in the last 2 games. Will play as a lead up forward and gives us another option. Definately showing more than last year on that form.
35. White - Only 1 game, but busting the door down at Coburg. The graph is heading in the right direction.
37. Casserly - Gone from VFL reserves level this time last year to playing excellent VFL senior footy. An AFL debut beckons. Another on the rise.
38. McGuane - Surprised many including me. Gives us some toughness that we need in the backline. Took the performance last night harder than any of the Senior players. Has to improved his disposal and composure, but has definately improved.
41. Foley - The biggest improver in the club. No more needs to be said.
That is 10 young players on the rise in my mind. Which is progress in the right direction.
Young Players marking time.
3. Deledio - No obvious improvement from last year but no doubt more expected of him by supporters and the club this year. Marking time and needs to take the next step. Is the classiest player we have apart from N Brown.
4. Raines - No improvement, and is lacking a little confidence. Heath Shaw was at the same level last year and has left Rainesy in his wake. Is a quality kid though and should bounce back.
14. Polo - Still looks the same player as last year. Run with role looks the only option at Senior level at this stage. Needs to develop his game to become a regular and valued player.
22. Meyer - An expensive draft pick that lacks a little intensity. Another with a lot of class but needs to bring a burning desire with it. Still have confidence he will make it given its a lot easier to fix attitude than it is to add class and skills to a player. Had his best Coburg game ever against Box Hill on Anzac Day.
23. Daniel Jackson - Looks at the same level. A candidate for delisting.
26. Adam Pattison - The biggest worry of all our young players on this list. Not athletic enough for key position and not tall enough for the ruck. Another Pat Steinfort I dare say.
33. Brent Hartigan - See D Jackson with the added worry of a bad injury history.
40. Kelvin Moore - Playing more Senior games now and the coaches like him, but is he any better than P Bowden as a back pocket option?
A concern that arguably 3 of our top 5 young guns are on this list (Deledio, Raines and Meyer) but at the same time they have more potential to become Stars than almost all the rest. Add these 3 to the top list + Thursfield which is a good chance before the end of the year and we have 14 young guys + 2007 draftees who are all developing very nicely. A very promising sign. Miller and co are actually doing ok.
Not considered due to injury or too early.
10. S Edwards
28. C Peterson
36. W Thursfield
39. D Connors
42. A Collins
Rookies
Part 2 - The 23 year olds +. Still to come.
These lists are the real problem behind our current form.
