Its a pretty simple equation... we drafted Watson and McCarthy as KPDs... and Hendo was touted as our CHF.. so why the !@#$%& arent we lining up something more like this?

B: Yarran Jamison McCarthy/Watson
HB: Scotland White Touhy

HF: Garlett Henderson Walker

Just look at Ben Reids breakout at Collingwood as another example...

My best mate is an Essendon* fan, so over the last few years ive seen them play most weeks (or at least 3/4 of their games). Ive had the pleasure of watching a very professional club give young players a fair crack in settled/permanent positions, and their system is starting to show the results that we, here at Carlton, are crying out for.

The one example im referring to above all else is the breakout of Jake Carlisle. Essendon* brought him into the team almost immediately, as an under weight, but athletic, KPD. They played him for the best part of 2 years as 3rd defender, with a combination of fletcher, hooker, hurley, ryder or pears taking the 1st and 2nd tall forwards. This season, now at an almost adequate size for a CHB, he has been one of the better performed defenders in the competition, and in my opinion, won the game for Essendon* against Freo last week.

Im not naive enough to think that this method would work for everyone, but I do question why our own player development system has in no-way resembled anything like this?

Its a pretty simple equation... we drafted Watson and McCarthy as KPDs... and Hendo was touted as our CHF.. so why the !@#$%& arent we lining up something more like this?

B: Yarran Jamison McCarthy/Watson
HB: Scotland White Touhy

HF: Garlett Henderson Walker


This part just comes down to my own opinion, but White (or Laidler, in some instances) would be an adequate senior player to take the 2nd forward whilst McCarthy or Watson develop on the third tall, with stints on the first or second tall when appropriate.

We invest so much in recruiting, yet we dont seem to be managing or developing players in any way that is going to set us up for the long term. I fear we had too many 'old heads' over the past few years who believed in holding back players into the Bullants until they have an amazing game, without even exploring the possibility that the best form of player development (especially for talls, it seems) comes from extended periods in the AFL.

Just look at Ben Reids breakout at Collingwood as another example...

Process has just begun
So cannot be questioned.

What can be questioned is where we find ourselves and why.
We have 2 guys from the last 4 drafts in our side right now... and they're hardly killing it... fringe players.

happy??

Let's be fair:

Graham: Currently Injured. Looked more than just promising heading into the season proper.
Menzel: Coming back from injury but looking very likely in even his 2 games at VFL level.
Temay: Slowest of the three to look ready but quite impressive nevertheless.

Bootsma: Clearly a prospect and has Micks backing. Will be a player.
Rowe: Could go either way
Buckley: Admired kid around the club already. Could have done worse with #62

Watson: Jury is still out on the 20 year old. Divides supporters in their opinions
McCarthy: Will make it but not ready yet.
Mitchell: Still see him as our best FF going forward. Looked better 12 months ago than he's looking right now and has clearly been told by MM to get aspects of his game right before any promotion.
McInnes: Others like him a lot more than I do, but still looks promising for a #67 selection
Duigan: Served his purpose and may continue to do so at the lower levels now.

Lucas: All sorts of problems with injury and with Ratten. Quality player that will come good under MM
Davies: #43 selection and looks unlikely to make it.


I have 7 out of 13 players I feel very confident in making it and not a top 10 selection in the lot.

so theyre all cornerstone players going forward???

u dont even rate mccarthy.....

I don't know Syn. How does one propose any group of kids as future cornerstone players for a club.

Was it you that suggested that development is as important, if not more important than the individual themselves? If so, well said.

Given opportunities, I think all those highlighted kids have plenty to offer the CFC from what I've seen to date and as for McCarthy: I just don't think he has the strength in his body just yet to lock down a premium position.
The kid came to us at 194cm & 79kg. He's now 196cm and 93kgs. He's still growing so let's give him time. Fair enough?

I don't know Syn. How does one propose any group of kids as future cornerstone players for a club.

Was it you that suggested that development is as important, if not more important than the individual themselves? If so, well said.

Given opportunities, I think all those highlighted kids have plenty to offer the CFC from what I've seen to date and as for McCarthy: I just don't think he has the strength in his body just yet to lock down a premium position.
The kid came to us at 194cm & 79kg. He's now 196cm and 93kgs. He's still growing so let's give him time. Fair enough?

My best mate is an Essendon* fan, so over the last few years ive seen them play most weeks (or at least 3/4 of their games). Ive had the pleasure of watching a very professional club give young players a fair crack in settled/permanent positions, and their system is starting to show the results that we, here at Carlton, are crying out for.

The one example im referring to above all else is the breakout of Jake Carlisle. Essendon* brought him into the team almost immediately, as an under weight, but athletic, KPD. They played him for the best part of 2 years as 3rd defender, with a combination of fletcher, hooker, hurley, ryder or pears taking the 1st and 2nd tall forwards. This season, now at an almost adequate size for a CHB, he has been one of the better performed defenders in the competition, and in my opinion, won the game for Essendon* against Freo last week.

Im not naive enough to think that this method would work for everyone, but I do question why our own player development system has in no-way resembled anything like this?

Its a pretty simple equation... we drafted Watson and McCarthy as KPDs... and Hendo was touted as our CHF.. so why the !@#$%& arent we lining up something more like this?

B: Yarran Jamison McCarthy/Watson
HB: Scotland White Touhy

HF: Garlett Henderson Walker


This part just comes down to my own opinion, but White (or Laidler, in some instances) would be an adequate senior player to take the 2nd forward whilst McCarthy or Watson develop on the third tall, with stints on the first or second tall when appropriate.

We invest so much in recruiting, yet we dont seem to be managing or developing players in any way that is going to set us up for the long term. I fear we had too many 'old heads' over the past few years who believed in holding back players into the Bullants until they have an amazing game, without even exploring the possibility that the best form of player development (especially for talls, it seems) comes from extended periods in the AFL.

Just look at Ben Reids breakout at Collingwood as another example...

The Development of our draftees over the past 5 years is the biggest blight on the 5 years of the Ratten coaching team.

We simply do not give our kids the best opportunity to become league footballers.

This year we finally have a coach that understands how to develop and grow a full list. Unfortunately that means in some cases we have to start again. One step back before two steps forward.

I'd be delisting Bell. Still not convinced he's an AFL player.

Raw with a lot of upside IMO.

Is this the same Essendon* that have flown out of the blocks every year and fallen in a heap?

Agree, let's hope our we don't flower his development up.