No trading - a different suggestion for 2005

[Cannibal]

There has been post after post suggesting this, that and the other player should be traded for so as to apply a magic "fix" over summer and turn us from pumpkins into premiership contenders.

The latest suggest we should chase an old crock in Shane Crawford, whose contract - $750,000 per year - would inevitably lead to the departure of a number of players so as to free up the cap space, as we wouldn't get the veteran's list cap relief that Hawthorn enjoy (which is no doubt why his contract was back-loaded).

IMO, our biggest problem this season was a lack of goal scoring, not midfield pace. How often until we played Hawthorn were posters lamenting the fact that we hadn't even been able to kick 15 goals per game? And setting that as the target to enable us to start winning?

So, I have a suggestion to offer. Our top goalscorers were:

Taz 36
Rocca 27
Davis 23
Dids 21

I don't know just how much room we have to spare under the salary cap, but it won't be a lot, since clubs have to spend a minimum of 92.5% of it and we're probably, like most clubs, somewhere around the 95-97.5% mark. However, Burnsie goes onto the veteran's list next year and that should save us maybe $200,000.

I think that, rather than chase players from other clubs, we should pay the above four guys some incentives to kick more goals. Here's how I'd work it if I were MM:

Taz, kick 50 goals, we'll pay you another $50,000 (ie on top of your existing contract). Pebbles, same goes for you if you kick 50 goals as well. However, Taz, you're our FF, so we expect you to kick even more than 50. For 75 goals, you get $75,000 and if you kick 100 goals, we'll pay you $100,000.

[Digression: Richo kicked 65 goals, which is the minimum I reckon Taz is capable of kicking, but I think his target should be 75]

Leon and Dids, you're small forwards, so your target is 40 goals each. Kick that, we'll pay you another $40,000 each.

Now, if they achieved their targets (Taz - 75 goals, Pebbles - 50, Dids and Leon - 40 each), it would add 98 goals to what they kicked this year, so we should win a darned sight more games than we won even in 2003. And it would come at an additional cost of $205,000, or just about what I think we'll be saving in cap space by putting Burnsie on to the veteran's list next season.

This makes more sense to me than chasing players from other clubs.

[chalky]

Money is not the solution, at least not the way you are suggesting. Goals have been scant this season mainly because we've never had a fully functioning, first choice combination on the field. Incentives are all well and good at seasons end when it's time to pay. You can't truely believe that when a forward lines up for goal he thinks about his salary/bonus etc and this will in turn make him kick straight?! Injuries at critical times have sorely tested our depth (which was found to be wanting) The elite players need assistance, they need hardened bodies protecting them, taking some of the heat in and under, players who can deliver accurately under pressure etc. I believe we have to trade/draft to secure this type of player. They are there. This would be money well spent.

[Joel]

Problem with that, you lose a team focus.

[Johnson#26]

Correct Joel. We should only get Crawford if he comes cheap.

[Johnson#26]

Correct Joel. We should only get Crawford if he comes cheap. Our forward line is ok how it is, and the way Jon Anderson rated it today was slightly off the mark.

[Big T]

Oh forward line is at best enigmatic and at worst plain shithouse. Taz unreliable, Rocca how many years left, Didak and davis inconsistent, rely then on Burns and Bucks to kick goals, Fraser can kick goals but again not a reliable forward and needed elsewhere.

It is the major problem - look at the stats. Defence is solid, midfield solid but went missing at times this year, however developing players. Who are we hoping for improvement in the forward line? Dids and Davis earmarked to play more in the midfield. Taz better playing up the ground and kicking would be consistent by now if it was ever going to be. Can't rely on Rocca for improvement, may have already peaked. Morrison can't take control in the Willy reserves yet. Williams shows glimpses of brilliance and last game may have saved him but wouldn't want to rely on him.

Lonie - definitely improving all of the time. Lonie is the player that needs to stay in the forward line - heaps of potential here.

If we are to recruit a ready made player, need a gun small forward ala Matera. Some have written off D. King but I think he showed some great signs late in the season - I'd keep working on him. If Dids and Davis are our future midfield (which I think is the case) then we'd be better to recruit the best midfielder in the draft for our long term future and develop some current smaller players into crumbing forwards and work on their man-man ability. You'd then bank on Rocca improving until Morrison can come through (again a gamble) and keep working on Taz's goal kicking.

But for our long term future we need a star midfielder from the draft and should be trying to get the earliest pick possible, probably from the Dogs (who already have Cooney and some other young guns) to get the best midfielder of the new crop of stars.

Teams are not going to give away good forwards. You'd be better off trading for a cheaper player like McCarthy who can take contested marks. What about Davidson - will he stay, because if so he has the talent - just needs a good run at it.

[Big T]

But at the end of the day, how many modern teams have won premierships through trading for ready made players, as compared to developing their list through superior coaching and CONDITIONING?

[Big T]

But at the end of the day, how many modern teams have won premierships through trading for ready made players, as compared to developing their list through superior coaching and CONDITIONING?

[Big T]

But at the end of the day, how many modern teams have won premierships through trading for ready made players, as compared to developing their list through superior coaching and CONDITIONING and then topping up with players who have 50+ games under their belt.

[sq3]

Exactly right - Bigt.

The Pies could be a Top4 and possibly permiers as early as 2005 if they got their off field staff right.

Conditioning in 2004 was basically a joke as was strength.

Skills are probably the worst in the AFL.

If the Pies can get the correct off field staff - they will be a top4 team in 2005 and from there it is up to the players.

Pies goal tally will improve in 2005 as C2 will be FF and if right Davo can be tried out there.

I would prefer if we get the right off field staff - cut the bad players or trade them if any clubs want them - promote the rookies that are good and draft more youth.

If we get the right off field staff and have the list we will be contenders.

In 2002 and 2003 we got there with guts and hard play. 2004 showed up how far behind we are the Power, Lions, Saints etc.,

Conditioning, or lack of it, cost us at least 5 games in 2004 - must be fixed or be prepared to stay bottom 4 in 2005.

[Johnson#26]

[chalky]

I'm concerned that pursuing the youth with too much enthusiasm will delay our success even further. We have the structure and the key position players atm. But depth was very thin and very young. Buckley, Burns and Woewodin were utterly spent early on. We will not get over Port or the bears because they are more mature sides ie men. StK are a prime example vs the bears - skilled boys vs experienced men. BANG!! 10 goals, thanks for coming!! Trade/draft for experienced midfield perhaps Notting, if available. Worth no 7 IMO.

[Johnson#26]

Bucks, Burns and Woey were spent because of injury and a late start to the pre-season. A longer pre-season and less injury will take us all a long way.

[chalky]

Hear what you're saying Johnno, but surely you have to plan for worst case scenarios. ie injuries. Have a plan B. After cutting some experience from the team, MM gambled on getting through this season unscathed and lost, hence our position on the ladder. MM was obviously going to rotate Bux, burns, woey but was eventually forced to work them harder than planned esp Burnsy. MM tried the stocky kids, like McG, King, Mullins, Shackelton, in the middle to take some of the heat. But they weren't ready. Eventually had to resort to Davis, Johnno, Didak with Lica, Burns, Woewodin doing the heavy stuff again - and physically paying for it. Classy ready-made midfielder is required to steady the midfield and to allow rotations without the loss of "grunt". My suggestion is still to chase Notting with our number 7 not to chase a kid fresh out of the TAC

[Johnson#26]

Plan B, is to develop players Davo, Tex and Morrison and even Maxwell to go forward when we are down on numbers. That is what we should focus on.