04-24-2017, 05:19 AM
Q1-What did Bolton really think going into this last game? Did he expect a 100 point thrashing or did he expect the kids to put on a bit of a show? A thrashing. He explained that this was the ONLY Friday night game for the year and was too good an opportunity to miss out on for those teenagers.
Q2-Has that result influenced the selection process for upcoming games? I hope not. I doubt it.
Q3-No doubt youngsters will benefit from game time… but is that more beneficial when you’re surrounded by more experienced players?Most of our experienced players weren't up to it and were moved on. GWS provides a good example of where we're headed.
Q4-What do the senior players feel about being surrounded by such a young group? How do they feel about carrying an extra burden with the knowledge that they may not be around to taste any success? This is professional football and that is what they're paid to do. Only 22 players out of 750 listed players in the AFL can be premiers in any one season. Some miss out.
Q5-How do experienced fringe players feel about being passed over for selection to get games into kids? The message for these guys is “You’re finished!”…how does that affect team dynamics? They may not be the future but they are the “here and now” and as such can be a positive or a negative influence depending on how they’re managed.Games are given based on merit. Nobody has a given right to play. You must earn it.
Q6-Despite comments to the contrary, wins don’t seem to be important at the moment and it’s all about development. But how long can folk hold the faith while that process occurs? Those that are true supporters will hang on as long as necessary. Hopefully, success will be sooner, rather than later.
Q7-How good a match day and tactical coach is Bolton. He has wraps on him as a developer of character. What’s he like as a developer of footballers.That's what assistant coaches are there for. Also, Bolts has a mentor that he can bounce ideas off. I don't think our lack of recent success has anything to do with game style or planning.
Q8-Are we asking too much of Weitering and Cripps…both appear to be hampered by injuries that aren’t serious enough to stop them from playing but what’s the mental toll of continuing to push the injured body?The mantra has been to endure through adversity. These guys are leading by example. They will be managed through these niggles. We have a 9 day break this time around.
Q9-We’ve seen some “flashes of brilliance” by a few of the young fellows (e.g.Fisher’s goal) but does that necessarily indicate a champ in the making? I remember a “weave and dodge” from Boekhorst in one of his early games that had us a bit excited, but nothing much has come of that….yet. These guys will develop at different rates. Some won’t meet expectations others will exceed them. And...that is football. The coaches will do everything possible to get these guys playing good, football consistently.
Q10-Can we hold the group together? Players like Cripps and Weitering, should they continue their development, will attract decent offers down the track. Will we be at a stage where some of the burden has been shouldered by others and they’re happy to stay?That's the plan. I'M sure they and their managers can see that. The guys love playing under Bolton.
Q2-Has that result influenced the selection process for upcoming games? I hope not. I doubt it.
Q3-No doubt youngsters will benefit from game time… but is that more beneficial when you’re surrounded by more experienced players?Most of our experienced players weren't up to it and were moved on. GWS provides a good example of where we're headed.
Q4-What do the senior players feel about being surrounded by such a young group? How do they feel about carrying an extra burden with the knowledge that they may not be around to taste any success? This is professional football and that is what they're paid to do. Only 22 players out of 750 listed players in the AFL can be premiers in any one season. Some miss out.
Q5-How do experienced fringe players feel about being passed over for selection to get games into kids? The message for these guys is “You’re finished!”…how does that affect team dynamics? They may not be the future but they are the “here and now” and as such can be a positive or a negative influence depending on how they’re managed.Games are given based on merit. Nobody has a given right to play. You must earn it.
Q6-Despite comments to the contrary, wins don’t seem to be important at the moment and it’s all about development. But how long can folk hold the faith while that process occurs? Those that are true supporters will hang on as long as necessary. Hopefully, success will be sooner, rather than later.
Q7-How good a match day and tactical coach is Bolton. He has wraps on him as a developer of character. What’s he like as a developer of footballers.That's what assistant coaches are there for. Also, Bolts has a mentor that he can bounce ideas off. I don't think our lack of recent success has anything to do with game style or planning.
Q8-Are we asking too much of Weitering and Cripps…both appear to be hampered by injuries that aren’t serious enough to stop them from playing but what’s the mental toll of continuing to push the injured body?The mantra has been to endure through adversity. These guys are leading by example. They will be managed through these niggles. We have a 9 day break this time around.
Q9-We’ve seen some “flashes of brilliance” by a few of the young fellows (e.g.Fisher’s goal) but does that necessarily indicate a champ in the making? I remember a “weave and dodge” from Boekhorst in one of his early games that had us a bit excited, but nothing much has come of that….yet. These guys will develop at different rates. Some won’t meet expectations others will exceed them. And...that is football. The coaches will do everything possible to get these guys playing good, football consistently.
Q10-Can we hold the group together? Players like Cripps and Weitering, should they continue their development, will attract decent offers down the track. Will we be at a stage where some of the burden has been shouldered by others and they’re happy to stay?That's the plan. I'M sure they and their managers can see that. The guys love playing under Bolton.