I was sitting down at the hell hole yesterday with some friends and we were discussing our season from hell and we then got on to the subject of our list.
All I've read and heard from the so called experts over the past few weeks is how bad our list supposedly is. I've also read from posters here about how bad the list is.
For me at least there were some promising signs yesterday despite the result. And if people could look past their fixation with bagging Wallace, Miller and everything else you may have noticed it too.
First up the average age of our team yesterday was 23.5 and that is because we had 3 players aged 29, one aged 28 and of course Richo at 32. Take them out and the average of our team yesterday was 21 and that included 2 blokes aged 25.
Coupled with the ages we had 12 blokes who had played less than 60 games. Take out Lids and we had 11 who had played under 50 games.
We've cried out for the kids to be played guess what... they are being played.
If anyone noticed (and I doubt very much the TV would have bothered with it) but during the 2nd & 3rd quarters our back line was made up of 5 blokes 23 or under. That people was our future on display and guess what they did a super job.
Why? Because the Cats didn't get their goals from their forwards the came from the mid-field and S Johnson (who had Newman stumped
). Ablett. N, was beaten easisly by McGuane, Mooney was beaten (don't want to gloat but thrashed would be more apt) by Thursfield.
Tambling was given a more defensive role in the 2nd half and his efforts were rewarded. It was great to see him put in the 2nd & 3rd efforts in the chasing and tackling department. It's a slow process but the signs are there that he will be a player.
Brett Deledio showed great leadership yesterday - that hand is not right but he showed up and played a good solid game. Hell Geelong obviously rate him because they started Ding-a-Ling on him.
What about Foley - how good is he going to be? I'd say pretty good because Ding-a-Ling got moved onto him
Gus Graham - sure alot to learn but the improvement in this kid in the last 18 months is extraordinary
Daniel Connors - anyone out there not impressed with what they've seen so far ???
Add the other kids running around at Coburg - eg Clingan things aren't that grim.
Shane Edwards, Jack Reiwoldt, Jake King - improving every week - what more do we want.
From where I am sitting there is lot ot look forward to with more kids onthe way
