Should one of our rookies be now promoted?

[one-eyed]

from the Herald-Sun
AAP | July 09, 2008

Wallace said that ruckman Tristan Cartledge and defender Jarrod Silvester were best-positioned to replace Polak on the senior list for the rest of the season if the club upgraded a rookie.

Polak's playing future remains unclear, although he will certainly not don the Tigers' jumper again this season, freeing up a berth on the Tigers' senior list.

"I would say the two who are probably strongest are Jarrod Silvester and Tristan Cartledge," Wallace said.

"They are probably the best two best-performed players at VFL level.

"We've got a meeting today where we'll discuss those sorts of things.

"It's a waste of time bringing them up unless you are going to play them, so we don't have to make a decision in a hurry.

"If we feel that one of them's ready to play, well, that's when you make the decision."

Richmond's other two rookies are midfielder Cameron Howat and former Fremantle goalsneak Clayton Collard.

Cartledge played seven games with Essendon in 2005-06 before being delisted, while Silvester was drafted from the Tigers' VFL affiliate Coburg.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23991521-19742,00.html

[Tigermonk]

whats the holdup then, whats all the talk, why dont they just promote & then have thier media splash instead of all the pre media splash we get every week, fair stuffin dinkum, Wallace would like 10 media conferences just to do a simple job. tired of his spin stuff him off soon please 

[Stripes]

What TW was trying to say is that unless they are going to play in the side it is no use elevating them because of the cost involved. No use paying extra money for nothing.

daniel - you're a funny fellow. I never said drive Simmo into the dirt and play him injured or keep playing Patto in the ruck even if he is smashed continously. You really need to start reading actually what is written rather than what you suspect people are saying.

The truth be known I stated weeks a go that we should have rested Simmo because he could no longer ruck out games and the opposition were taking advantage of his lack of leap and run as the game progressed.

Similiarly Patto is getting beaten at the moment as much becasue he is once again being forced to ruck against No. 1 ruckmen rather than just the second tier support rucks. Patto is no ruckman and was forced into the situation because of a desperate need rather than because of overwealming ability. Patto was recruited as a potential HF not a ruckman. We need to start playing him in the position we recruited him to play in but to do this we need someone to fill the 2nd ruck place and unfortunately Gus has not been capable of that to date.

I'm sure the coaches would have elevated Cartledge sooner but they were loath to place Cogs on the long term injury list if there was any chance for him returning this year. Now that a tall has gone down the elevation can be made but who's to say that the mid-season break wasn't just what Simmo needed to overcome his niggle and now perform at the satndard he was at the start of the year when he was named Victorian 1st ruck.

I would definately elevate Cartledge but only if they are going to play him and move Patto into Polaks position but I just can't see Patto filling that role well.

Interesting decision all round becasue it will change or team dynamics regardless.

Stripes

[Tigermonk]

then why does Wallace have to say to the media that they are thinking of giving someone a chance to step up when they are not going to do it  ???

MORE MEDIA SPIN from Wallace who should have stayed in his media job & let someone like Gary Ayres coach Richmond who would have done a much better job IMOPO 

[Stripes]

He was asked the question and answered it. Do you think he should have answered - 'No comment'? 

I think you will scrutinize anything TW says and attempt to twist it to paint it in a bad light. Yes he is good with the media and yes this is a reason he has been able to at least attempt to rebuild our list without the usual bloodlust frenzy from the media and supporters.

Hois answer was clear and logical - we will only elevate a rookie if they will play in the main side, plain and simple. He felt he should mention Cartledge and Silvester becasue of their excellent efforts and work ethic not to send mixed signals.

If their is a need it will be filled by Cartledge or Silvester. If not no elevation will occur. Where is the spin doctoring??

Stripes

[mightytiges]

The decision didn't need to be made right away either. If you were going to bring Cartledge up at all you'd do it next week against his old side where the motivation would be greatest.