Ben Holland, goodness me. Was one player when playing well (In the eyes of the club and media) I just hated. Same with Jackson.. somehow, somewhere there are players that beyond my belief trick the footy public that they are up to the task. Nick Maxwell is another, just baffles me how that bloke leads an AFL club.
I wouldn't have a clue how to run a business or a football club so I can't really comment on our history in that department, or how to improve it going "forward".
The only thing I can criticise and pass judgement on is our list management. It is by far the most important thing in football to have a good list, with quality A Grades, depth players that are fit and durable. The rest is all polish, icing on the cake.
Things like Grigg for Collins trade, as much as some thought it was a sideways trade, it wasn't. Grigg is more capable at AFL level than Collins and therefor our list improves. You can't go from rags to riches overnight. So more of this type of trading will please me.
Houli been a huge success.
Our drafting recently has been excellent IMO. Batchelor seems a steal IMO with many others coming though.
Player development under Hardwick is blossoming, obvious in the likes of Rance, Post, Nahas etc.
So for mine, trading and drafting recent history seems solid. My issue is current list management of current stocks.
If you look at our history we have failed in many areas.
- Overated McGuane and gave him a 3 year contract, instead of cashing in on a big GC trade.
- Re-rooking Hicks, Westhoff and Hislop. All extremely bad decisions.
- Kings 2 year contract after a month of good football.
- Jacksons contract renewal (Yet to be confirmed)
For mine the biggest area we are failing in IMO is our current list evaluations and decision making. This year we HAVE to make the hard calls. Guys like Jackson are Edwards are the main ones. Does anyone HONESTLY believe that either of these two could possibly compete in todays game against the cats or pies? Edwards would be slaughtered. Jackson gives away so many cruicial free kicks, you saw how every single free kick effected the game today, you can't give away free kicks the way Jackson does. Don't get me started on his disposal etc.
Hard calls need to be made.
Jackson, Edwards, Farmer, Graham, Browne, McGuane, Nason, Morton, Connors
Tough calls need to be made these guys aren't September quality, time to get ruthless, there is some genuine quality in the state leagues. Need to start rolling the dice to find some diamonds in the rough.
