04-06-2021, 06:34 AM
(04-06-2021, 06:09 AM)tonyo link Wrote:True, albeit Season 3 was a total wipe off. Prior to one pre-season game and the first three this year, he hasn't played competitive footy at any level for over 18 months. We will know by the end of this season if he is a keeper.
I just hate the thought that someone like Clarkson or Buckley will turn him into a gun.
Simple fact is, CFC does still not know how to develop young players. It's really irritating to see the young Swans, Bombers, Demons doing such great things in their first few games, while so many of our high draft picks (other than Walsh) scratch around for 2 or 3 years and inevitably end up getting delisted and playing for Port Melbourne or Williamstown.
You need a few pieces of the puzzle in place for this to happen. Historically, I assume the club didn't need to develop anything because they just went on a shopping spree and bought the best as required. The Hawks have what is colloquially known as the Hawthorn Apprenticeship. I think the Cats have similar. The kids come in and play in the 2's for a few years learning the craft and getting up to AFL standard. But you need a proper 2nd's team to do this, which we haven't had. You also need a proper 1st's team, which we unfortunately also haven't had. I think when SOS came in, he decided that the way forward was the GWS model, whereby you recruit a large number of kids as quickly as possible, and get them to grow together, which is a different approach. I guess, depending on your sense of timing, it's either a failure or a work in progress.
Oh well.