MT, do you really think miller is being played because he is more likely to help us win games than post? I thought you didnt rate him as a player?
But for us, it's all about getting our process right.
Hardwick said the ongoing refinement of the Tigers' game plan remains his priority rather than the more immediate goal of winning on Saturday which could elevate the club into the top eight
post is not getting a go for one of two reasons that i can think of.
Dimma and the rest of the coaching staff simply do not like him personally?
or he is not doing the things that "get the processes right"?
I doubt too many people would argue against post having more ability than miller, but miller can follow instructions and provide structure.
It seems that post cant. to gift him games for the sake of it, while this is the case, is not development, its counter development.
To me the constant calls to drop miller, for whomever, are short sighted. as long as he plays how the coaches want, following instructions and work rate, then it is up to the more talented youngsters to follow his lead and they will naturally push him out of the side. When they do they will have earned their spot and to me that is development for the longer term.
But al Miller was recruited onto the rookie list as insurance (in case Jack say went down with injury) yet he's now playing game after game ahead of young talls such as Post who were already on our senior list even though there is no need to play that 'insurance' card given Jack and Vickery have kicked 60 goals between them. There's an inconsistent message there to now expect the youngsters to push out an older player who was only drafted as insurance in the first place and isn't part of our future. I know Post has his deficiencies (low number of tackles being one of them) but even if Miller follows instructions his own many deficiencies and age don't have him ahead of our youngsters for mine with the future in mind. He's just a list clogger. We went down this path in the past with Mark Graham who had a good final year in 2005 playing in our defence but it did sweet stuff all for the team going forward as after the older player leaves you then need to play a younger player in that same position playing to the same structures in any case but a year later and with a year less development at AFL level. IMO players who aren't part of our future should not be in the side.
The only tall miller is keeping out is post and my guess is post is keeping himself out of the team.
Miller sets the example of work rate following instructions etc, it is up to post to follow that example. develop[pment is not all about just getting a run in the seniors it's about following team rules and structures. Imagine what sort of player rich would have been had he had some disiplin installed in him at a younger age.
As i've said before, there is no denying that post is more talented than miller, but talent will only get you so far. Obviously post is not in favour with the coaching staff so to just gift him games is counter productive for the long term and the short term. It is up to post to rectify what ever it is keeping him out of favour it really as simple as that.
As for "not being part of the future" a hawthorn poster on big foot yput it nicely when he said how hardwick will be giving games to those that he thinks will be part of a succesful team as well as thos that will play a part in getting the team to where it needs to be. There will always be players who are not part of the long term future who play an important role in developing the team how the coaches want and obviously they see miller in the later role.
I suppose it comes down to whether you think development is just throwing players into the seniors, even if they do not earn it, or a multi faceted approach based on individual assessment of players and acting accordingly. There is so much we will never have privy to in relation this.
It really doesnt do anyone any harm to serve an apprenticeship at the lower level. If anything it strengthens their resolve and sorts out those who have what it takes and those that don't. Only those of a strong character will take the club to success and perhaps post doesnt have this, which means that he will not be part of the future?