The performance of the players?
Rating: C
First 6 rounds were non-competitive. In hindsight it was a mixture of Dimma taking time trying to find the right mix as far as the team structure and our players especially newbies adjusting to this new gameplan and the level and intensity of AFL footy in general.
Next 3 weeks was about becoming competitive. Tucky brought back from obscurity to add some hardness and experience and we pushed Adelaide for 3/4s and Hawthorn all the way.
Finally broke through to pump Port at AAMI and then won 5 from 6 games knocking off finalists Swans and Freo.
The North loss saw the bubble burst and with the young guys tiring and suspensions to Cotch and Jacko we fell away badly again to being non-competitive against archrivals Pies and Blues. Last 6 weeks has been up and down like a yo-yo with our form. A competitive effort followed by a shocker. So typical of young sides though to be that shockingly inconsistent.
The performance of the coach?
Rating: B
Dimma has done what we needed and expected him to do. Play the kids (everyone bar Jordie played from the senior list) and teach a new gameplan that was more about ballwinning, teamwork and 1%ers such as tackling.
Too early and unfair to judge him as far as tactics given he has us in development mode. Even the Club has admitted Dimma has only installed and focussed phase one of his gameplan. Phase two is yet to come.
The Big Improvers?
Jack, Edwards, Connors, Morton (past month as a mid), Gus, King.
The disappointments?
McGuane, Nahas, Hislop, Polo, Tambling (inj?).
The Development of Junior Players?
12 debutants in a season is a great sign. Dimma obviously wanting to get games into our cubs which is exactly what he should be doing. It's still early days to judge given the low expectations/unknown/surprise factor. Next year will show a clearer picture with opposition clubs now having seen our cubs playing Dimma's gameplan. The more cubs who can step up another level again in 2011 will determine how we'll go next year and beyond.
Morton going back to Coburg for six weeks to go from a midsized forward to a valuable midfielder in the past month is another sign of Dimma's developmental regimes. Early signs good but once again the proof for Mitch is next year.