Managing the kids workload

[Pies2016]

There seems to be a lot of conjecture on nicks as to where some of our recent draftees are at right now.

We bang on about them being physically big enough, skilled enough and mentally ready to go. However, an interview by an AFL assistant coach on SEN today shed more light regarding the preparation required for these kids to make the step up.

The assistant coach ( missed his name ) was saying that the physical demands of AFL footy just don't allow most draftees to be '' hardened '' enough for senior football from day one. There are always exceptions ( Heeney this year, for one ) but lower leg stress related injuries to Tom Lamb and Jaden McGrath on the weekend prompted this assistant coach to declare most draftees need a year to get their body hardened for the rigours of senior football.

We just need to keep some perspective about our kids when we go spruiking imminent debuts because they have dominated in a VFL ( practice ) match or two

I have said it all along, their time will come.
You could also argue that we have actually been going ok without them, so why rush them in just yet.

[Bob Sugar]

Then again sometimes you have to expose the kids, the best way to learn is to play.

[RudeBoy]

The truth is that all players are different. Some may be ready from round one while others need a year or even two years in the VFL before getting a crack at senior footy.

FWIW, De Goey seems to already have the necessary physique to play AFL. Moore is perhaps a touch slightly built, but could probably play a role in the seniors, but not as a KPP. Freeman has the necessary physique, but probably needs more VFL game time to build his confidence. Overall, I expect each of these players to be playing some senior footy by the second half of the season. This means that players such as Brown, Goldsack, Dwyer and even Blair will need to perform well to hold their spots.