A couple of points i disagree with Crash.
1. Downie.
I think she is almost exclusively played in defence this year, especially since Davey has gone down. She uses her height and marking ability to thwart opposition thrusts better than most playing in defence. She might be better off playing in the ruck, but cover for Davey might be the reason this isn't happening.
2. Fitness.
I agree with this, and i don't think its anything we have done per se. I think its simply the opposition have done more. Nobody goes backwards, but if you stand still, you get overtaken.
3. Defence.
I can't help but think the AFL have scared us into changing our defensive setup. First 2 weeks we won, and were criticised for flooding. Since then we've played a 'prettier' brand of football and got flogged. Again, Davey going down certainly wouldn't help, but i think there's more to it.
Overall, i think we have more girls who look like footballers this year.
Davey
Vescio
Arnell
Loynes
Hosking x2
Harris
Harrington
Gay
Stevens
and a few others who exhibit some traits.
These girls are generally cleaner with the ball, decent size and can hit a target. A lot of of the rest are missing at least one of those traits IMO.
The more girls that come into the system, the more 'others' we can afford to cut.
I'm not sure how the off-season will go this year with the addition of new teams, but i'd like to see us keep all of the above as a priority.
EDIT: I just checked the stats re Downie and rucks. First 2 games, 12 and 10 hitouts. 3rd game when Davey went down - 5 hitouts. Last 2 games, a total of 3 hitouts.
1. Downie.
I think she is almost exclusively played in defence this year, especially since Davey has gone down. She uses her height and marking ability to thwart opposition thrusts better than most playing in defence. She might be better off playing in the ruck, but cover for Davey might be the reason this isn't happening.
2. Fitness.
I agree with this, and i don't think its anything we have done per se. I think its simply the opposition have done more. Nobody goes backwards, but if you stand still, you get overtaken.
3. Defence.
I can't help but think the AFL have scared us into changing our defensive setup. First 2 weeks we won, and were criticised for flooding. Since then we've played a 'prettier' brand of football and got flogged. Again, Davey going down certainly wouldn't help, but i think there's more to it.
Overall, i think we have more girls who look like footballers this year.
Davey
Vescio
Arnell
Loynes
Hosking x2
Harris
Harrington
Gay
Stevens
and a few others who exhibit some traits.
These girls are generally cleaner with the ball, decent size and can hit a target. A lot of of the rest are missing at least one of those traits IMO.
The more girls that come into the system, the more 'others' we can afford to cut.
I'm not sure how the off-season will go this year with the addition of new teams, but i'd like to see us keep all of the above as a priority.
EDIT: I just checked the stats re Downie and rucks. First 2 games, 12 and 10 hitouts. 3rd game when Davey went down - 5 hitouts. Last 2 games, a total of 3 hitouts.