Questions

[LP]

I guess so. At any rate, we all know the old cliche - It's not where you start etc.

True, but I have to concede we all need help, and that where you end can depend on the action of others.

[Thryleon]

Five rounds in, and we are exactly where I expected to be.

I know some people deluded themselves somewhat and expected positive results and perhaps a surprise finals berth, but the reality is that was provided best case scenarios occurred.

That being said the bottom spots on the ladder are reserved for teams where the wheels have completely fallen off.  That could still happen to us, but I doubt it.  Looks like that will be freo, North, hawthorn or Sydney at this stage.

[Jofo]

Kade Simpson

From the past - Kouta. Maclure. Justin Madden. Doull (spent 2 years in the reserves).

Recently - Fevola. Betts. Kennedy. Cripps. 

[Jofo]

Fevola - 62 disposals in his first 10 games. 13 goals.

Silvagni, J. - 100 disposals. 9 goals.

[Jofo]

Check this site.

http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J...adden.html

You can get any player's stats from every game he has played in order. You will soon see that it takes at least 2-3 years for most (there are some exceptions) 18-19 year olds to develop into established players.

[Thryleon]

Something else to think about.

The selection process of players in form or not to get a gig at AFL level has no bearing on how well they will perform the following week, and also whether or not they're ready.

You can do everything right and still stink it up next week. That's simply where our kids are at.  Half of them would never have experienced Friday night footy in a stadium like that one. There are many reasons why things happen sometimes but its important that we don't judge a decision made with the benefit of hindsight. 

[LP]

A worry for me Thry is the message from the club and coach is that they expect to win games.

Yet it's pretty clear you cannot take so many 1st year kids into a game like that and expect to win!

Play to win of course, I expect them to play to win in every game.

Expect them to win, no!

Select to win......?

Select to develop......, I'm not sure?

[Jofo]

A worry for me Thry is the message from the club and coach is that they expect to win games.

Yet it's pretty clear you cannot take so many 1st year kids into a game like that and expect to win!

Play to win of course, I expect them to play to win in every game.

Expect them to win, no!

Select to win......?

Select to develop......, I'm not sure?

I think you're misinterpreting what the coach says. Here are some real quotes to digest.

"It was one that got away ... (we're) disappointed (and) frustrated," Bolton said.

"We have a high expectation of this group even though they're young.

"We know they're developing, we know they're learning but we got ourselves in a position at three-quarter time to win a game and some errors really hurt us.

"It's a really good learning opportunity but ... (we're) really frustrated that we didn't get a result."

[PaulP]

I think you're misinterpreting what the coach says. Here are some real quotes to digest.

"It was one that got away ... (we're) disappointed (and) frustrated," Bolton said.

"We have a high expectation of this group even though they're young.

"We know they're developing, we know they're learning but we got ourselves in a position at three-quarter time to win a game and some errors really hurt us.

"It's a really good learning opportunity but ... (we're) really frustrated that we didn't get a result."

It's difficult to know exactly what he or the club are thinking because those answers are what he is supposed to say. He can hardly tell the world that we're not interested in winning, which is why we're playing the kids.

He says a few contradictory things e.g "we won't be defined by wins and losses".

[LP]

It's difficult to know exactly what he or the club are thinking because those answers are what he is supposed to say. He can hardly tell the world that we're not interested in winning, which is why we're playing the kids.

He says a few contradictory things e.g "we won't be defined by wins and losses".

Well Paul, it does seem to me BB is towing the company line, I hope the people making the call on his career are in direct support and contact with him, because BB would be in a world of hurt at 99 out of 100 footy clubs after an effort like that!

Compare this weekends result and media to the heat Ratts took in the final stages of his caretaker season!

Let's hope our club has changed, because if it hasn't I have some very grave concerns!