Hartigan's an interesting one. There is no doubt that he has done extremely well so far this season. However the more games he plays the more he seems to be sitting on the bench which is detrimental for his development. Whenever he has been on he has mostly had run-with roles. I'm not a fan of this. Sure it's good to teach a young kid some accountability, but he also needs the freedom to develop his attacking and his "creative" aspect of his game. Danny Frawley has been very poor in terms of developing young kids. Under Splud, a kid either a)sits on the bench (mostly), b) is bunkered in the forward line, and c) is given a run with role. What's wrong with the wing ?? What;s wrong with saying to a kid - look - I'll give you 2 full quarters on the wing and I just want you to run and enjoy your footy"
Kevin Sheedy does this all the time. If you pay attention to Essendon, you will notice that Sheedy will always promote a kid and give him sufficient game time on the ground in an attacking, non-accountable role. He will then demote him in a couple of weeks, regardless of how they played in order that they play some full games in the VFL. If the kid keeps showing signs he will promote him again, give him an extended run for more games and then back to VFL. If the kid keeps showing good signs his stay in the firsts is extended each time until he is a regular. When giving a kid an opportunity he never lets them rot on the bench, never bunkers them in the forward pocket, and never gives them a run-with accountable role.
Just pay attention on how he is developing Bullen and Winderlich at the moment.
I would like to see Hartigan be given extended time on the ground in a free-er role - either on the wing or in the centre as a rover - ruck rover. He appears to have the ability and smarts to develop into an on-baller IMO. At the moment there is too much pressure on him as he gets limited game time and when he is on the ground he is given too accountable roles.
Wrennyboy - settle down mate. Foley looks the goods but he's got a long way to go. Foley has the potential to be a rover IMO. He is built like one (low center of grvity), pretty quick (especially the first few yards), and most importantly appears to know how to read a pack situation. He reminds me of Steven Milne. What impresses me most is how, where and when he runs. In a ball up or a throw in situation I like to watch where and how players move before the ruckmen touch the ball. A true rover should always be moving and darting through or accross the pack situation before the ball is contested by the big guys. A rover should always have momentum and never be flat footed when the ball falls into their hands. This appears to be a natural instinct in Foleys game - as I like to say a "good habit". Too many tigers are flat footed in pack situations. Krakour and Brown are the only 2 that always "move" and hence why they are the most dangerous at ball ups near goal.
