Brian Royal in the huddle on SEN 1-2pm

[one-eyed]

Royal in the Huddle on SEN

* Yep Hawks win was the most satisfying win especially without Browny and Foley.

* The way the game is going with more zoning and looking at other sports like soccer and hockey.

* Been starting to talk to other codes just this year. Always had zones at kick-ins but Hawks are doing it at 4-5 different spots on the ground.

* Sides have copied what we did against Buddy when he kicked 1.7.

* They replayed Richo this morning - talking about how bad last year was and how much improvement there's been this year with 8 more wins and with a mostly young group.

* Players lose confidence during and after a year like 2007. It took a while to get that back this year. We had 3 wins in the first half year which was disappointing albeit we knew we had a tougher draw against good sides.

* We still felt we should havve made the finals this year with the natural improvement in the list so that's disappointing but having said we weren't too far away.

* Spoke about us going to Richo too much last year as he's a huge presence.

* Next year is a huge year for the Club. Need to make the finals to take the next step.

* Cotchin - Another 17 possies on the weekend. Most composure ever seen in a kid that age. Compared him to Edwards who in his 3rd year still doesn't have the strength yet to break tackles.

* Put Cotchin, Foley, Deledio, Tambling together - building up a good midfield and we know the best sides have a strong midfield.

[one-eyed]

* Tambling - much maligned player. Not his fault we selected him before Buddy. Harford agreed it's stupid as no one picks on Griffen who was taken before Buddy too. Royal said we've chucked him around and he's handled it very well. As coaching staff we're really pleased with how Tambo's going. Still has further improvement. He had 18 possies on the weekend and we'd like to see him have 20+ possies per game. He's giving us defensive pressure which aren't recorded on the stats sheet. He's chases, etc. As a biased midfield coach he'd like to see Tambo in the middle. Understands Terry plays him in other positions as well which suits the team and Tambo's done well running out of defence too.

* Caller asked about our physically - said we're still thin? Royal replied when you change your list dramatically you're going to end up with a lot of kids. Said he mentioned Edwards before who is one of the skinniest on our list. It takes time for bodies to develop.

* Rance - 34 possies at CHB on the weekend. Coming along really well. Unfortunate fro him our tall defenders Moore, Thursty and McGuane are playing well. Alex has one of best attitudes he's seen and that will only make him more determined and good player for us in the future.

* Graham - ankle at the end of last year cost him the first 8 games this year. He's going to be a good player for us and is coming along well.

* Rainesy - disappointing year due to injuries. Just can't get on the park. Combo of quad and hammies after dislocating his kneecap. Confident he'll come good next year.

* Cogs - Like Rainesy a lot of hammies after the 2 knee recos. Has played the last 6 games and had 31 possies on the weekend for Coburg.

* Only sees Hawks and Roos challenging Geelong this year. Need to do something different to beat Geelong and only sees these sides able to do that. Mind you no doubt Geelong is the top side.

* Hyde - outstanding character. Knows he's not the most gifted player but good attitude. Had some run with roles this year at Coburg.

* Tivs - not sure what Tivs is going to do next year. We haven't made any decisions this year. Been fantastic at Coburg but with a lot of kids in our side that's the direction we're going. Favourite for Liston.

* Both realise we're going with kids despite them probably being better players right at this moment. Both understand we need to get games into the kids.

* Lids - No doubt a future captain. He's finally learnt how hard he needs to work at this level.

[one-eyed]

* Caller asked about the NAB rising star - Palmer, Rioli, Cotchin and Reimers? Royal said as much as he'd like to see Cotchin will it he only came into the side in round 10. Consistency and longevity may cost him as Palmer and Rioli have played all year and to do what they've done is a good effort.

* Trade for a big name? Comes down to two things - Would we go after a Brown or Kerr and try to get some success while our older players are still around. Don't know if that guarantees success either. Or do we go along the same path of going with youth. Something for us to consider.

* No to Cousins. Not in the age bracket we're after which is mid 20s.

* JON - Good kid and attitude. Not every kid coming into the system will have the awareness of a Cotchin. Up to the coacing staff to develop that.

* Schulz - thrown from pillar to post back and forward. Other boys playing well in defence have meant he hasn't had a permanent key defensive role and has been thrown forward. We're quite happy where Jay is at.

* 5 year plan? Another 12 months to finally judge but 8.5 more wins this year is a bonus and we think we're on track.

* Polo - shoulder reco over preseason which affected his performance early on this year. Needs everything to go right as physicality is part of his game.

* Meyer - hip problems. In the last few weeks he is playing some really good footy.

[tigersalive]

Royal in the Huddle on SEN
* Cotchin - Another 17 possies on the weekend. Most composure ever seen in a kid that age. Compared him to Edwards who in his 3rd year still doesn't have the strength yet to break tackles.

2 years I would think.

[one-eyed]

* Tuck - He's been great. Not just past 6 weeks but in the last 2 months he has lead the club in most areas.

* West Sydney job? Difficult one as it's a fair way off. Didn't go for the Gold Coast one as it's a development role. Courageous of McKenna to take it. They often go for a high profile coach in these things. Royal personally won't go for a job unless he thinks he's a good chance of getting it.

* Technology these days? Our magnetic board is linked to a computer so those upstairs make changes and we see them on the bench. Then there's video and statistical info even live on the ground. Coaches obviously need to know a lot more info. We're aware on information overload and the players only need to know what they need to know and some players can handle more. Some incredible technology available these days.

* Next week - Monday is casual and we let the players go their way.  Tuesday and Wednesday we need to sit down with them and start making some decisions. We like the players out of here by Wednesday.

* Whether trade or draft we're after KPPs, ruckmen and elite mids who can kick the ball.

[tigersalive]

Thanks one-eyed.  Plenty to read about there. 

[Smokey]

Thanks one-eyed.  Plenty to read about there. 

I would like to second that.  Thanks heaps to one-eyed, MT and all the other members who post their own eye-witness reports on training, functions, Coburg matches etc.  Your effort in translating all that info on a regular basis so that some of us who choose the warmer climes with it's corresponding informational vacuum can keep up to date is very, very much appreciated.

      

[WilliamPowell]

* Meyer - hip problems. In the last few weeks he is playing some really good footy.

Having watched the tape - I thought Danny played his best game of footy in 18 months last week for Coburg. His first half was excellent

[mightytiges]

* Trade for a big name? Comes down to two things - Would we go after a Brown or Kerr and try to get some success while our older players are still around. Don't know if that guarantees success either. Or do we go along the same path of going with youth. Something for us to consider.

* No to Cousins. Not in the age bracket we're after which is mid 20s.

Too me listening to Chocco we'll be holding onto our early picks. Tivs and Hyde look not surprisingly gone but Sarge and Meyer may be a Punt Rd next year going by Royal's comments today.

I know Chocco was only using Edwards as an example of youth but I thought he was a bit harsh singling out Shane specifically who is only 19 and in his second year.

I hope he keeps his word about us being after more KPPs, a ruckman and elite mids who can kick in this upcoming trade/draft period. Elite mids aren't skinny flankers either. Mind you under Francis Jackson last year we finally drafted kids with size to begin with. Hopefully that's repeated in this draft.