and you know why ? Because alot of our young players aint up to it.
We fall in love with them and live in hope.
Fythe looks like a gun in his first game, cant remember that I have ever said the same about any current Richmond player, besides Cotchin
sheesh thats harsh and im considered a real negative type.
the key to my logic when looking at young players coming into sides is the structures experience and leadership around them.
fyfe can play well for freo because right next to him is pavlich. they have size strength and height right thru the side. with a decent sprinkling of experience and know how. in the main this has always been at freo. pavlich sandilands mcpharlin grover johnson you can add tarrant who has turned himself into a very good fb in recent yrs.all have been aropund awhile and are something structurally to build around. simply put most people think fremantle have grossly underachieved in recent yrs because of they have had such good structure.
go back to their 07 list at the end of that yr it comprised of bell both carrs mcmanus farmer peake and others who made up their midfield and run and carry it was poo. but pav and the mentioned players were there.
imo harvey has been able to turn them around so quickly because unlike us hes not having to build them structurally or from the ground up almost.
imo fremantles problem is now achieving something in a short space of time because their structure is starting to age. weather they have enough quality throughout their side is also a problem. they have a heavy reliance on that structure or spine atm.