Tivs inclusion highlights the Richmond criteria for selection.
It is clear now that sustained quality form for Coburg will get you a spot if one opens up in the team regardless of your age, experience or future potential.
Until now I had always believed that the selectors look at performance and potential when choosing. Therefore if Tiv and Polo had both been named in the best for a number of weeks then Polo would get the call up over Tiv because of his potential.
Tiv has be the standout player for Coburg of late so, on performance alone, he deserves his place. On the other hand, if we are looking beyond the moment, I think his inclusion over Polo or Connors is a mistake as it is shortsighted.
I agree we need to provide incentive for effort and performance, and we need to encourage competition for spots in the team to ensure all players across the list never take their place for granted.
I think TW is right in not just handing places in the team to young players like he did to Lids and Bling. Using Geelong as a model and even Collingwood (I hate having to use them as a model of success!
), players are never included in the team until they are more than ready to play. Take the Pies Nathan Brown (No 6 2006 draft pick) for example, he sat his first year out in the 2s before being elevated and made an immediate impact.
But if the performance and form of two players are close then I think it is a mistake
not to look at their potential. Tiv is a good average player but Polo, Connors and Collins could be great players and are a very good chance of being part of our future structure.
I am fearful we are reverting back to our sub standard team. I would much rather lose with a young team who fight than lose with the same bunch of meaningless possession acquiring seniors. We were looking good because of the 1% and in the past players like Bowden, Petts and Tiv have been terrible with these team orientated elements.
IMHO It is a mistake to elevate Tiv.
Stripes
