gerry atric wrote:
People are way too keen to write an epitaph for Setanta. Waite is far too loose as a defender, was he supposed to be on O'Keefe yesterday? Austin is a work in progress who is a bit slow off the mark, very athletic etc. And sides have injuries. Basically we need coaching staff who get the best out of players, are open minded and don't pursue petty vendettas. We need some development staff and some coaches of the Ants who have soem experience, and good communication skills. Each game 6+ players are likely to be out with injury. This idea that our back six are 'set' afetr Austin has played one game and Waite has again ignored his oppoenent and our forward line again is a Waite short of competitive is absurd.
QFT.
We seem to be way too hard on Carlos, yet more lenient on other players. The argument that Carlos wasn't born playing AFL is no longer the main reason to throw up the notion that he needs more time than others, but to discard it, isn't fair on him.
Waite's issues are simply that he is far better at attacking than defending. He isn't the answer to our forward line issues, but he is better placed playing on a wing or half forward rather than defence, where his focus is not always on his man.
I am not a fan of our development in some areas and no doubt this belongs in another thread, but Teague and Lappin to me, seem to be ready fixes after Mitchell left [in Teague's case] and the need for a development person/just out of football, can lead the younger players etc [in Lappin's case].
I'm not sure how you can coach when you are playing in this day and age.
And I am not a fan of our ruck coach [what's his name?] - there is something not right about him always having his hands in his pockets at the huddle. Does he talk to the players or what? He doesn't seem to add any value IMO.
Good luck to Steve in the next few weeks, but there is place for Carlos in our backline and the sooner the MC realise this, the better off we might be [releasing Waite and establishing a back half].