Ocker 157 wrote: I was in the bar on Saturday night and got to speak to a few players.
Kitchin said he's definitely playing next year, Clancy said "probably" and Twomes said he'll take a couple of weeks to decide and Hancock is chomping at the bit to get out there next year.
Thanks for the posts above boys and just like to express my views on some.
I don't agree our defence needs any further height as all of them down there are excellent spoilers and rebounders and I'm sure no big man carved us up this year.......even in the GF with all Peel's talls, it was the smalls in Yarran and Ugle who got their goals. We could even put the rangy Stephenson down there if injuries or form warranted because I still think he plays way better footy there than he does up forward (eg 2014).
With regards the players mentioned by Singha, Moore is a bit frustrating because he has been given many games this season and at times he's done well but he just doesn't seem to be moving up to the next level and a couple of his turnovers on Saturday were terrible and cost goals, but let's hope that may sting him a bit for next year.
Mahoney gets a lot of run-with roles on top players and has done many great jobs over the season (I've seen nearly every game) which is why Schoey likes him. Had a shocker in the GF, but if you use that, then surely Hamish Shepherd should be on the outer as well......for a big bloke he was made to look pathetic by a good player in Silvani and that had nothing to do with conditioning but we won't sack him on the basis of that will we?
Rhys Waters was very lucky to get games in the two finals in my opinion as he had done precious little at league or reserves level leading in and I am disappointed they didn't run with Sokol in the GF despite his lack of recent matches because he is lively, a decent mark and far more likely to take his chances on goal than Rhys. It's alright to talk about pressure forwards but at the end of the day they need to contribute on the scoreboard or set up goals for others!!
Latham in my opinion has had a very consistent year as about our only small defender and like Mahoney has done some great jobs on dangerous players. Would he have played as often if Hayden Kennedy hadn't been out nearly all season?
Possibly not, but he gave his all every week and what he lacks in class, he makes up for in commitment and pressure, which again is why Schoey likes him. Yes, had a pretty average Grandy, but so did a few more highly rated players.
With regards Bradley, he did a serviceable at best job in at least competing in the ruck whilst Delahunty was out, but he gathers very few disposals and only kicked a couple of goals all year. There is absolutely no way he could ever be considered as a tall mid in my opinion.
Right on the money Ocker, particularly re Bradley who, while I'm a bit of a fan after he was thrown into the ruck and tried his guts out week after week against massive odds, he lacks the footy skills and the height and bulk to be a top 2 or 3 ruck in the comp and that's what we need to take the next step forward. I heard that Deluca would be back after his year off but nothing confirmed, his would be a great return. Shep needs to be far more aggressive, even though he was crucified by the umps who let Silvani hold and scrag him all day, he needed to take some action and get really physical with Silvani who cracks the shites if someone looks at him sideways. Would have been worth a couple of frees just to set the tone, anyway he'll learn from that and with a full pre-season he can improve on his 50 goal season, would have tried him at CHF where he's got more room to move. Don't see any need to recruit outside a Ruckman, if Phez and Twomes pull the pin would like to see some of the good mids in the 2's be given a chance like Walters who is a big bodied bash n crash mid & Boges who is a born outside mid.
