Josh Kaplan wrote:
Doc.. You're now saying our chief Development coach in Harris isn't up to scratch?
Not saying that at all...although if I run into Darren in the off-season, I'll pick his brain re: whether he thought the likes of Caleb became the 'forgotten man' and at the selection table it is all too easy to say 'Caleb's progressing ok across half-back in the VFL magoos, still learning the defensive side of his game' ...meanwhile the kid is training with Carlton and then during game day taking direction from Reserves VFL coaches who are very much learning on-the-job. Meanwhile, there's a guy who had two titles 'Bullants Senior Coach/Carlton Development Assistant' who doesn't have much to do with Caleb when he is the one person who should be having the most contact with him. Teague has coaching potential, but the two roles was too much for him.
Re: Development...we've simply got to get better at it. These guys picked after the 3rd round have an uphill battle to make it and when recruiting them, it's my opinion that their character needs to speak volumes during interview stage. Despite all their talents, they really have to want it. Perhaps Caleb didn't demonstrate that desire enough. But personally, I would give them an old Sherrin and tell them to live with it. Take it with you in the car, take it to Uni, take it to bed, have breakfast with it. Essendon* did this with James Hird when he first arrived in Melbourne. But he embraced it, and year round during his first 2 seasons - was not seen without his Sherrin by his side.
Can you imagine the number of greats of the game who would have been lost if the system spat them out every 2 years? Quite a few spring to mind. Why aren't these guys told when they hit a bit of form -
'Mate - the next month you're automatic selection in the Bullant ones...we're going to play you where we deem appropriate, but we want to see how you cope given different scenarios we present to you...make the most of your opportunity'It's exactly what Caleb needed...but he was left to rot a bit, and whilst I'm not saying his skills were perfect, the time and level of development that went into him was negligible and I think with the appointment of Richardson it's been addressed, but that's not much good to Caleb Tiller now is it?