The reason we are heading back down.
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- Drake Huggins
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The reason we are heading back down.
I did post why a number of weeks ago and was howled down by the usual blue sky specialists. At the time I said the team was playing as though there was a malaise affecting the whole club. It coincided with Roo being cooked and injured in the last seven games of last year. Despite the protestations of some, his loss is incalculable for its effect on the team. Trying to replace him is like trying to fill in the Grand Canyon with a bucket and spade.
Even though we won last week, anyone could see it was quite an average performance against a developing team that is still miles off being consistently competitive. Having watched Adelaide and Richmond last night, I shudder to think what either of those sides would've done to us today. We probably would've got Tonned. Can you imagine roo out there today, putting up with that insipid effort?
Having lost roo, the problem was compounded by the loss of the one competent administrator we had, being Ameet Bains. That was a bigger disaster than has been acknowledged. No wonder other clubs wanted him. He was far from perfect but the others around him made him look like a genius. At least he left us a war chest, which we can now spend on the existing list. Goodness knows no one wanted to come to us after last season. I doubt they'll come this year, either.
The answer to the question is simple. I'll leave it to the great, late Allan Jeans. I can give it to you in 25 words or less. "Clubs with s*** administrations don't win premierships. Only well run clubs do, laddie." Unfortunately, we have a long history in the former category only. The tradition continues at Moorabbin. The last and only time this club had a decent, competent and stable administration was under the men I take my moniker from. Huggins and Drake. It's no coincidence we were a regular finalist, played in three GFs and won our only flag. Looks like Yabby was right.
There is a stench of mediocrity about the place that starts at the very top and goes all the way through. Don't be in any doubt that Finnis and Lethlean are using us as a stepping stone in their careers, nothing more. Finnis covets the top job at HQ and took the job because he was told to by Gilligan. Lethlean is trying to rehabilitate his reputation so he can get a CEO job at club level or beyond the AFL.
The coach, whom I've supported until this preseason, when the ugly truth about his ability to coach a senior AFL club became obvious, is a study in mediocrity. A tough, but limited footballer, he brings those same limits to his coaching. The fact we have a captain cast in the image of Richo the player is hardly surprising. Barely worthy of a place in the side, he is incapable of inspiring, leading, or changing the course of a match. A GOP by definition. Hardly what you want as the leader. Imagine what Roo would've done today? I'm sure we wouldn't have capitulated as easily as we did.
The assistants? A motley collection of Clouseaux who have nothing in their CV's that inspires confidence. Playfair may be the only exception, but we have to wait and see on that one. We lost our best in Paul Hudson, in circumstances that suggest he and the coach didn't see eye to eye on a number of issues. Perhaps the Milky Bar Kid felt threatened. The rest have damned themselves with their dismal records in terms of development and performance. We're clearly going backwards. They've all been there for a number of years. I believe the club has mistaken stagnation for stability. The extension for TMBK last year was at best puzzling and at worst, incompetent. We'll be paying for that for a while. It also sends a message that results don't matter as much as the much prized "stability".
Once we lost Roo, we lost our only decent leader. There is no logical or obvious successor. I mean, Riewoldt to Geary. Say it slowly to realise how much we're lacking in that area. If Geary was hit by a bus tomorrow, who would take over? Take your pick, but it's not obvious, but it wouldn't matter who it was at this stage.
Then there's my favourite bugbear, the terrible recruiting in the past six years since you know who took over. Apart from the appalling howler with McCartin, there is also the fact that the 2012 and 2014 drafts are now write offs. That's two entire drafts when your building, with the advantage of numerous early picks. We saw the fruits of the flathead's efforts today. 2012, he gave us Lee, Hickey, Wright, White, Murdoch, Saunders and Trent Dennis Lane. 2014, McCartin, Goddard, McKenzie and Lonie. Outstanding.
Only McCartin out there today and he was disgraceful again. Dropped marks, fumbles, missed easy set shots and a complete inability or desire to chase. Did anyone see how pathetic his second efforts and chasing were? Team mates would've been disheartened at his apparent lack of effort. Maybe he just can't run, or he was having a hyper / hypoglycaemic episode. Can't kick, can't mark, can't run, can't chase. Our genius recruiter told TMBK, Paddy would be a great player for us for 12 years. That estimate is now down to eight years and falling by the week. You'd think a gun recruiter might have noticed the faults I outlined before. Anyone watching his U/18 highlights would've known he was nowhere near worth the number one pick.
At this stage, it would be reasonable to expect at least five of the eleven I mentioned should by now be regular, consistent senior players in the vital 50-100 games played bracket. The foundation of our rise. Remember, the plan stated that by 2018 we would be the envy of the competition in terms of recruiting and player development. Instead we are a laughing stock after today. The plan is done. A flag by 2020? As Daryl Kerrigan would say, "Tell 'em they're dreamin'."
Now the flathead has appointed the work experience kid as his successor. Fantastic. At least he's clever enough to appoint someone under him who can't possibly get his job. Learnt that from Sheedy, no doubt. I'm sure you'll be comforted by the thought he'll be up against the likes of Kinnear Beatson, Stephen Wells, Simon Lloyd, Graham Wright, et al.
Some have suggested I have a personal beef with the flathead. I don't. I'm only going on his record of consistent failure in most positions he's held since his retirement from playing. No training, no qualifications, no aptitude for the job. His appointment was a job for the boy type. Typical saints. Buy what you can afford, not what you need. That's my beef, as the recruiting and list management are now the most important jobs in the club, after the head coach. TMBK has every right to be disappointed by what he's been handed. I do feel some sympathy for him.
In conclusion we have the worst debt of any Victorian club and the lowest membership. So the master plan has failed dismally on all fronts. At the risk of telling you so, but I did warn you all as to what was coming. Our incompetence has finally caught us. It appears my old idol the Yabbster was right. I can hear him spinning in his grave.
Even though we won last week, anyone could see it was quite an average performance against a developing team that is still miles off being consistently competitive. Having watched Adelaide and Richmond last night, I shudder to think what either of those sides would've done to us today. We probably would've got Tonned. Can you imagine roo out there today, putting up with that insipid effort?
Having lost roo, the problem was compounded by the loss of the one competent administrator we had, being Ameet Bains. That was a bigger disaster than has been acknowledged. No wonder other clubs wanted him. He was far from perfect but the others around him made him look like a genius. At least he left us a war chest, which we can now spend on the existing list. Goodness knows no one wanted to come to us after last season. I doubt they'll come this year, either.
The answer to the question is simple. I'll leave it to the great, late Allan Jeans. I can give it to you in 25 words or less. "Clubs with s*** administrations don't win premierships. Only well run clubs do, laddie." Unfortunately, we have a long history in the former category only. The tradition continues at Moorabbin. The last and only time this club had a decent, competent and stable administration was under the men I take my moniker from. Huggins and Drake. It's no coincidence we were a regular finalist, played in three GFs and won our only flag. Looks like Yabby was right.
There is a stench of mediocrity about the place that starts at the very top and goes all the way through. Don't be in any doubt that Finnis and Lethlean are using us as a stepping stone in their careers, nothing more. Finnis covets the top job at HQ and took the job because he was told to by Gilligan. Lethlean is trying to rehabilitate his reputation so he can get a CEO job at club level or beyond the AFL.
The coach, whom I've supported until this preseason, when the ugly truth about his ability to coach a senior AFL club became obvious, is a study in mediocrity. A tough, but limited footballer, he brings those same limits to his coaching. The fact we have a captain cast in the image of Richo the player is hardly surprising. Barely worthy of a place in the side, he is incapable of inspiring, leading, or changing the course of a match. A GOP by definition. Hardly what you want as the leader. Imagine what Roo would've done today? I'm sure we wouldn't have capitulated as easily as we did.
The assistants? A motley collection of Clouseaux who have nothing in their CV's that inspires confidence. Playfair may be the only exception, but we have to wait and see on that one. We lost our best in Paul Hudson, in circumstances that suggest he and the coach didn't see eye to eye on a number of issues. Perhaps the Milky Bar Kid felt threatened. The rest have damned themselves with their dismal records in terms of development and performance. We're clearly going backwards. They've all been there for a number of years. I believe the club has mistaken stagnation for stability. The extension for TMBK last year was at best puzzling and at worst, incompetent. We'll be paying for that for a while. It also sends a message that results don't matter as much as the much prized "stability".
Once we lost Roo, we lost our only decent leader. There is no logical or obvious successor. I mean, Riewoldt to Geary. Say it slowly to realise how much we're lacking in that area. If Geary was hit by a bus tomorrow, who would take over? Take your pick, but it's not obvious, but it wouldn't matter who it was at this stage.
Then there's my favourite bugbear, the terrible recruiting in the past six years since you know who took over. Apart from the appalling howler with McCartin, there is also the fact that the 2012 and 2014 drafts are now write offs. That's two entire drafts when your building, with the advantage of numerous early picks. We saw the fruits of the flathead's efforts today. 2012, he gave us Lee, Hickey, Wright, White, Murdoch, Saunders and Trent Dennis Lane. 2014, McCartin, Goddard, McKenzie and Lonie. Outstanding.
Only McCartin out there today and he was disgraceful again. Dropped marks, fumbles, missed easy set shots and a complete inability or desire to chase. Did anyone see how pathetic his second efforts and chasing were? Team mates would've been disheartened at his apparent lack of effort. Maybe he just can't run, or he was having a hyper / hypoglycaemic episode. Can't kick, can't mark, can't run, can't chase. Our genius recruiter told TMBK, Paddy would be a great player for us for 12 years. That estimate is now down to eight years and falling by the week. You'd think a gun recruiter might have noticed the faults I outlined before. Anyone watching his U/18 highlights would've known he was nowhere near worth the number one pick.
At this stage, it would be reasonable to expect at least five of the eleven I mentioned should by now be regular, consistent senior players in the vital 50-100 games played bracket. The foundation of our rise. Remember, the plan stated that by 2018 we would be the envy of the competition in terms of recruiting and player development. Instead we are a laughing stock after today. The plan is done. A flag by 2020? As Daryl Kerrigan would say, "Tell 'em they're dreamin'."
Now the flathead has appointed the work experience kid as his successor. Fantastic. At least he's clever enough to appoint someone under him who can't possibly get his job. Learnt that from Sheedy, no doubt. I'm sure you'll be comforted by the thought he'll be up against the likes of Kinnear Beatson, Stephen Wells, Simon Lloyd, Graham Wright, et al.
Some have suggested I have a personal beef with the flathead. I don't. I'm only going on his record of consistent failure in most positions he's held since his retirement from playing. No training, no qualifications, no aptitude for the job. His appointment was a job for the boy type. Typical saints. Buy what you can afford, not what you need. That's my beef, as the recruiting and list management are now the most important jobs in the club, after the head coach. TMBK has every right to be disappointed by what he's been handed. I do feel some sympathy for him.
In conclusion we have the worst debt of any Victorian club and the lowest membership. So the master plan has failed dismally on all fronts. At the risk of telling you so, but I did warn you all as to what was coming. Our incompetence has finally caught us. It appears my old idol the Yabbster was right. I can hear him spinning in his grave.
"Is this the right room for an argument?"
"I told you once."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did."
"Listen, an argument isn't just the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says, it's a series of statements designed to support a particular conclusion."
"No, it isn't."
"Oh, I've had enough of this."
"No you haven't"
"Oh shut up."
"I told you once."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did."
"Listen, an argument isn't just the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says, it's a series of statements designed to support a particular conclusion."
"No, it isn't."
"Oh, I've had enough of this."
"No you haven't"
"Oh shut up."
- Waltzing St Kilda
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Hard to argue with that, DH.
The way forward?
1. Acknowledge failure.
2. Clean out recruiting squad.
3. Make moves to replace coaching staff at year's end.
4. Aim for six picks in the top 20 of this year's superdraft.
5. Put everyone up for trade barring a handful.
6. Ask for more handouts from Gil.
The way forward?
1. Acknowledge failure.
2. Clean out recruiting squad.
3. Make moves to replace coaching staff at year's end.
4. Aim for six picks in the top 20 of this year's superdraft.
5. Put everyone up for trade barring a handful.
6. Ask for more handouts from Gil.
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- Saintsational Legend
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
You are spot on with a few of your observations, however your observations on Roo and his influence are incorrect imo. Was he really a great leader, or was he simply a superstar player? How do you measure a great captain? What do you think external unbiased third party judges would say about Roo's accomplishments as a captain? Yes he is a legend of the St Kilda footy club but fact remains he had a fair crack at the helm, with a pretty good support cast and he fell short.Drake Huggins wrote:I did post why a number of weeks ago and was howled down by the usual blue sky specialists. At the time I said the team was playing as though there was a malaise affecting the whole club. It coincided with Roo being cooked and injured in the last seven games of last year. Despite the protestations of some, his loss is incalculable for its effect on the team. Trying to replace him is like trying to fill in the Grand Canyon with a bucket and spade.
Even though we won last week, anyone could see it was quite an average performance against a developing team that is still miles off being consistently competitive. Having watched Adelaide and Richmond last night, I shudder to think what either of those sides would've done to us today. We probably would've got Tonned. Can you imagine roo out there today, putting up with that insipid effort?
Having lost roo, the problem was compounded by the loss of the one competent administrator we had, being Ameet Bains. That was a bigger disaster than has been acknowledged. No wonder other clubs wanted him. He was far from perfect but the others around him made him look like a genius. At least he left us a war chest, which we can now spend on the existing list. Goodness knows no one wanted to come to us after last season. I doubt they'll come this year, either.
The answer to the question is simple. I'll leave it to the great, late Allan Jeans. I can give it to you in 25 words or less. "Clubs with s*** administrations don't win premierships. Only well run clubs do, laddie." Unfortunately, we have a long history in the former category only. The tradition continues at Moorabbin. The last and only time this club had a decent, competent and stable administration was under the men I take my moniker from. Huggins and Drake. It's no coincidence we were a regular finalist, played in three GFs and won our only flag. Looks like Yabby was right.
There is a stench of mediocrity about the place that starts at the very top and goes all the way through. Don't be in any doubt that Finnis and Lethlean are using us as a stepping stone in their careers, nothing more. Finnis covets the top job at HQ and took the job because he was told to by Gilligan. Lethlean is trying to rehabilitate his reputation so he can get a CEO job at club level or beyond the AFL.
The coach, whom I've supported until this preseason, when the ugly truth about his ability to coach a senior AFL club became obvious, is a study in mediocrity. A tough, but limited footballer, he brings those same limits to his coaching. The fact we have a captain cast in the image of Richo the player is hardly surprising. Barely worthy of a place in the side, he is incapable of inspiring, leading, or changing the course of a match. A GOP by definition. Hardly what you want as the leader. Imagine what Roo would've done today? I'm sure we wouldn't have capitulated as easily as we did.
The assistants? A motley collection of Clouseaux who have nothing in their CV's that inspires confidence. Playfair may be the only exception, but we have to wait and see on that one. We lost our best in Paul Hudson, in circumstances that suggest he and the coach didn't see eye to eye on a number of issues. Perhaps the Milky Bar Kid felt threatened. The rest have damned themselves with their dismal records in terms of development and performance. We're clearly going backwards. They've all been there for a number of years. I believe the club has mistaken stagnation for stability. The extension for TMBK last year was at best puzzling and at worst, incompetent. We'll be paying for that for a while. It also sends a message that results don't matter as much as the much prized "stability".
Once we lost Roo, we lost our only decent leader. There is no logical or obvious successor. I mean, Riewoldt to Geary. Say it slowly to realise how much we're lacking in that area. If Geary was hit by a bus tomorrow, who would take over? Take your pick, but it's not obvious, but it wouldn't matter who it was at this stage.
Then there's my favourite bugbear, the terrible recruiting in the past six years since you know who took over. Apart from the appalling howler with McCartin, there is also the fact that the 2012 and 2014 drafts are now write offs. That's two entire drafts when your building, with the advantage of numerous early picks. We saw the fruits of the flathead's efforts today. 2012, he gave us Lee, Hickey, Wright, White, Murdoch, Saunders and Trent Dennis Lane. 2014, McCartin, Goddard, McKenzie and Lonie. Outstanding.
Only McCartin out there today and he was disgraceful again. Dropped marks, fumbles, missed easy set shots and a complete inability or desire to chase. Did anyone see how pathetic his second efforts and chasing were? Team mates would've been disheartened at his apparent lack of effort. Maybe he just can't run, or he was having a hyper / hypoglycaemic episode. Can't kick, can't mark, can't run, can't chase. Our genius recruiter told TMBK, Paddy would be a great player for us for 12 years. That estimate is now down to eight years and falling by the week. You'd think a gun recruiter might have noticed the faults I outlined before. Anyone watching his U/18 highlights would've known he was nowhere near worth the number one pick.
At this stage, it would be reasonable to expect at least five of the eleven I mentioned should by now be regular, consistent senior players in the vital 50-100 games played bracket. The foundation of our rise. Remember, the plan stated that by 2018 we would be the envy of the competition in terms of recruiting and player development. Instead we are a laughing stock after today. The plan is done. A flag by 2020? As Daryl Kerrigan would say, "Tell 'em they're dreamin'."
Now the flathead has appointed the work experience kid as his successor. Fantastic. At least he's clever enough to appoint someone under him who can't possibly get his job. Learnt that from Sheedy, no doubt. I'm sure you'll be comforted by the thought he'll be up against the likes of Kinnear Beatson, Stephen Wells, Simon Lloyd, Graham Wright, et al.
Some have suggested I have a personal beef with the flathead. I don't. I'm only going on his record of consistent failure in most positions he's held since his retirement from playing. No training, no qualifications, no aptitude for the job. His appointment was a job for the boy type. Typical saints. Buy what you can afford, not what you need. That's my beef, as the recruiting and list management are now the most important jobs in the club, after the head coach. TMBK has every right to be disappointed by what he's been handed. I do feel some sympathy for him.
In conclusion we have the worst debt of any Victorian club and the lowest membership. So the master plan has failed dismally on all fronts. At the risk of telling you so, but I did warn you all as to what was coming. Our incompetence has finally caught us. It appears my old idol the Yabbster was right. I can hear him spinning in his grave.
Here's the thing...I'm not saying Roo wasn't a good captain, but to denigrate Gears after only a couple of seasons is poor form form you. The whole team played shitful footy today. The buck stops with the coach. Everyone knows that. Sure it helps having a few A graders and a solid leadership group, but the confidence in game plan and the motivation to compete has to come from the coaches.
After the coaches set things up and help to instill confidence and help to prepare and motivate, then you need a playing group that is on board. Wer the playing group on board last year when Richo was sacrificing our future by wheeling out Roo even though he was injured? Were the playing group happy to be losing games and at the same time seeing our number 1 draft pick from 2014 being distanced from the group and being denied an opportunity to develop as an AFL player.
Rooy is definitely a powerful figure at St Kilda, but he could not and did not win us a premiership and niether can any 1 player win you a premiership by themselves.
Even the greats of the game like Gary Jnr, Juddy, and Buddy Franklin need a support cast. Even some of the best players to have ever played the game and some of the very best captains of winning premierships like King Cary or Sticks Kernehan have all had great teams behind them. Successful teams do not ever sacrifice the future for the sake of 1 player and his wishes, his opinion, his glory, or his unrealistic expectations as was the case with Rooy last year ( and I'm talking about Round 1 last year- not just the emnarassing events that occured after he was injured).
Once we get the coaching right we need to remember to never allow a player to have as much influence on a footy club as Roo has had on StKilda in the last few years
Last edited by Scollop on Sat 31 Mar 2018 3:34am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
My concern is that no-one will turn out to watch us play if we continue to dish up what we did yesterday. The last thing we can afford. We need to turn this around and fast or this season is turning into an unmitigated disaster. I've been saying it for years. we laud our kids when quite simply they're not that good compared to others.
I agree completely re Roo as well. As soon as he dropped off last year you could see the performance drop off a cliff by everyone else. We're in serious trouble.
I agree completely re Roo as well. As soon as he dropped off last year you could see the performance drop off a cliff by everyone else. We're in serious trouble.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
I've mentioned it before but how was Maddie's Match last year?
The team played for Roo and they annihilated the eventual premiers. Played out of their skins.
Off the chain. Unbelievable.
Then it was back to playing for Richo and they got flogged.
The team played for Roo and they annihilated the eventual premiers. Played out of their skins.
Off the chain. Unbelievable.
Then it was back to playing for Richo and they got flogged.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
The Club as a whole does not know how to be successful and everything we do reflects this.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Then that would suggest we should make Roo coach.Waltzing St Kilda wrote:I've mentioned it before but how was Maddie's Match last year?
The team played for Roo and they annihilated the eventual premiers. Played out of their skins.
Off the chain. Unbelievable.
Then it was back to playing for Richo and they got flogged.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Between both North and us we managed 33,966 for a Marquee game!Moods wrote:My concern is that no-one will turn out to watch us play if we continue to dish up what we did yesterday. The last thing we can afford. We need to turn this around and fast or this season is turning into an unmitigated disaster. I've been saying it for years. we laud our kids when quite simply they're not that good compared to others.
I agree completely re Roo as well. As soon as he dropped off last year you could see the performance drop off a cliff by everyone else. We're in serious trouble.
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― Aristophanes
If you have a Bee in your Bonnet - I can assist you with that - but it WILL involve some smacking upside the head!
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
I hope we enjoyed our first good Friday game. It may well be our last. 2.10 at half time, No structure again, terrible in the middle, worse in the forwards. I hate the way we play nowadays and unless we change something soon it wont be a good few year.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
One presumes our president and board are getting a bit worried by now- they should be! Don't expect any CEO to show loyalty, they always have an eye on their next opportunity, but it is up to the board to work out where this club is going, and in their own corporate worlds, they would not tolerate system failures, poor management etc etc and would swiftly take action. Seems like they are sitting on their hands though.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
The OP is surely mistaken.
Finnis, Bains and Lethlean are the greatest sports administrators in Australia. Very highly regarded in AFL circles.
Richo is a beauty of a coach who all other teams covet and are trying to poach. Luckily we signed him until 2020.
Finnis, Bains and Lethlean are the greatest sports administrators in Australia. Very highly regarded in AFL circles.
Richo is a beauty of a coach who all other teams covet and are trying to poach. Luckily we signed him until 2020.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
The weather for the long weekend is too good to ignore this season with Saster falling early.Sainter_Dad wrote:Between both North and us we managed 33,966 for a Marquee game!Moods wrote:My concern is that no-one will turn out to watch us play if we continue to dish up what we did yesterday. The last thing we can afford. We need to turn this around and fast or this season is turning into an unmitigated disaster. I've been saying it for years. we laud our kids when quite simply they're not that good compared to others.
I agree completely re Roo as well. As soon as he dropped off last year you could see the performance drop off a cliff by everyone else. We're in serious trouble.
NO IFS OR BUTS HARVS IS KING OF THE AFL
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
I'm starting to feel warm and fuzzy...Con Gorozidis wrote:The OP is surely mistaken.
Finnis, Bains and Lethlean are the greatest sports administrators in Australia. Very highly regarded in AFL circles.
Richo is a beauty of a coach who all other teams covet and are trying to poach. Luckily we signed him until 2020.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Drake Huggins wrote:I did post why a number of weeks ago and was howled down by the usual blue sky specialists. At the time I said the team was playing as though there was a malaise affecting the whole club. It coincided with Roo being cooked and injured in the last seven games of last year. Despite the protestations of some, his loss is incalculable for its effect on the team. Trying to replace him is like trying to fill in the Grand Canyon with a bucket and spade.
Even though we won last week, anyone could see it was quite an average performance against a developing team that is still miles off being consistently competitive. Having watched Adelaide and Richmond last night, I shudder to think what either of those sides would've done to us today. We probably would've got Tonned. Can you imagine roo out there today, putting up with that insipid effort?
Having lost roo, the problem was compounded by the loss of the one competent administrator we had, being Ameet Bains. That was a bigger disaster than has been acknowledged. No wonder other clubs wanted him. He was far from perfect but the others around him made him look like a genius. At least he left us a war chest, which we can now spend on the existing list. Goodness knows no one wanted to come to us after last season. I doubt they'll come this year, either.
The answer to the question is simple. I'll leave it to the great, late Allan Jeans. I can give it to you in 25 words or less. "Clubs with s*** administrations don't win premierships. Only well run clubs do, laddie." Unfortunately, we have a long history in the former category only. The tradition continues at Moorabbin. The last and only time this club had a decent, competent and stable administration was under the men I take my moniker from. Huggins and Drake. It's no coincidence we were a regular finalist, played in three GFs and won our only flag. Looks like Yabby was right.
There is a stench of mediocrity about the place that starts at the very top and goes all the way through. Don't be in any doubt that Finnis and Lethlean are using us as a stepping stone in their careers, nothing more. Finnis covets the top job at HQ and took the job because he was told to by Gilligan. Lethlean is trying to rehabilitate his reputation so he can get a CEO job at club level or beyond the AFL.
The coach, whom I've supported until this preseason, when the ugly truth about his ability to coach a senior AFL club became obvious, is a study in mediocrity. A tough, but limited footballer, he brings those same limits to his coaching. The fact we have a captain cast in the image of Richo the player is hardly surprising. Barely worthy of a place in the side, he is incapable of inspiring, leading, or changing the course of a match. A GOP by definition. Hardly what you want as the leader. Imagine what Roo would've done today? I'm sure we wouldn't have capitulated as easily as we did.
The assistants? A motley collection of Clouseaux who have nothing in their CV's that inspires confidence. Playfair may be the only exception, but we have to wait and see on that one. We lost our best in Paul Hudson, in circumstances that suggest he and the coach didn't see eye to eye on a number of issues. Perhaps the Milky Bar Kid felt threatened. The rest have damned themselves with their dismal records in terms of development and performance. We're clearly going backwards. They've all been there for a number of years. I believe the club has mistaken stagnation for stability. The extension for TMBK last year was at best puzzling and at worst, incompetent. We'll be paying for that for a while. It also sends a message that results don't matter as much as the much prized "stability".
Once we lost Roo, we lost our only decent leader. There is no logical or obvious successor. I mean, Riewoldt to Geary. Say it slowly to realise how much we're lacking in that area. If Geary was hit by a bus tomorrow, who would take over? Take your pick, but it's not obvious, but it wouldn't matter who it was at this stage.
Then there's my favourite bugbear, the terrible recruiting in the past six years since you know who took over. Apart from the appalling howler with McCartin, there is also the fact that the 2012 and 2014 drafts are now write offs. That's two entire drafts when your building, with the advantage of numerous early picks. We saw the fruits of the flathead's efforts today. 2012, he gave us Lee, Hickey, Wright, White, Murdoch, Saunders and Trent Dennis Lane. 2014, McCartin, Goddard, McKenzie and Lonie. Outstanding.
Only McCartin out there today and he was disgraceful again. Dropped marks, fumbles, missed easy set shots and a complete inability or desire to chase. Did anyone see how pathetic his second efforts and chasing were? Team mates would've been disheartened at his apparent lack of effort. Maybe he just can't run, or he was having a hyper / hypoglycaemic episode. Can't kick, can't mark, can't run, can't chase. Our genius recruiter told TMBK, Paddy would be a great player for us for 12 years. That estimate is now down to eight years and falling by the week. You'd think a gun recruiter might have noticed the faults I outlined before. Anyone watching his U/18 highlights would've known he was nowhere near worth the number one pick.
At this stage, it would be reasonable to expect at least five of the eleven I mentioned should by now be regular, consistent senior players in the vital 50-100 games played bracket. The foundation of our rise. Remember, the plan stated that by 2018 we would be the envy of the competition in terms of recruiting and player development. Instead we are a laughing stock after today. The plan is done. A flag by 2020? As Daryl Kerrigan would say, "Tell 'em they're dreamin'."
Now the flathead has appointed the work experience kid as his successor. Fantastic. At least he's clever enough to appoint someone under him who can't possibly get his job. Learnt that from Sheedy, no doubt. I'm sure you'll be comforted by the thought he'll be up against the likes of Kinnear Beatson, Stephen Wells, Simon Lloyd, Graham Wright, et al.
Some have suggested I have a personal beef with the flathead. I don't. I'm only going on his record of consistent failure in most positions he's held since his retirement from playing. No training, no qualifications, no aptitude for the job. His appointment was a job for the boy type. Typical saints. Buy what you can afford, not what you need. That's my beef, as the recruiting and list management are now the most important jobs in the club, after the head coach. TMBK has every right to be disappointed by what he's been handed. I do feel some sympathy for him.
In conclusion we have the worst debt of any Victorian club and the lowest membership. So the master plan has failed dismally on all fronts. At the risk of telling you so, but I did warn you all as to what was coming. Our incompetence has finally caught us. It appears my old idol the Yabbster was right. I can hear him spinning in his grave.
Excellent post Drake. Poor administration with questionable appointments, very poor recruiting and unacceptable management of the club's finances. Now they are stuck with Richardson, they already burnt themselves once financially with the Watters sacking. This time they are 10 million in debt,and let's hope the books are accurate because going by on-field performance, it is likely to rise. There was not even a shred of positivity in yesterday's disgraceful performance. Embarrassed even more by their nedia big talk prior to the season. The current list are as bad as I can remember and the coaching/administration staff are not much better.
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Totally agree with the OP. This club is a total write off.
I’m kicking it to the curb. Life is too short with too many other more important things to consider.
I’m kicking it to the curb. Life is too short with too many other more important things to consider.
- BackFromUSA
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Yesterday was shocking. The question remains was it one bad game? I have played in teams that lost by 100 points in a game yet gone on to play finals. This can go two ways. What we can all agree on is that our current 22 is very young and inexperienced in AFL terms in age and number of games played. Performing like that is unacceptable but not yet the norm.
AwayInUSA no longer ... have based myself back in Melbourne for a decade of Saintsational Success (with regular trips back to the USA)
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Can't recall so much comment on our bewildering style of play as I heard yesterday on various media...all clearly pointing the finger at Richo without mentioning names. Last week's scrappy win against a weaker team showed us nothing. The last few years have not set us up for anything better than just middle rung at best.
- Linton Lodger
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Calm down people, I'm as furious as anybody and for the first time I'm asking qusetions of the Coach. Given yesterday's performance its reasonable to ask questions about the Coach and List, but its not yet time to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
There was one issue and one only yesterday, effort and attitude. We disgracefully disrespected our opponent at a time when the competition is more even than ever and we were outworked for four quarters. Apparently we weren't great on the training track last week, attitude and work rate again. In hindsight, it appears that was the issue last week and in the JLT games.
This is the first time in a while, that we've lost a game we were expected to very likely win. We won't need to go through a long season been teased, tortured and wondering. The next three weeks will surely sort things out as we play probably the best 3 teams in the competition. Good performances in those games will mean yesterday was an anomaly and perhaps a watershed (Essendon have gone from strength to strength after they were rolled by Brisbane at home last year) or alternatively if there is a significant problem it will be glaringly apparent after those games.
The next 3 weeks will be defining ones for the Coach and the List.
If this season turns out to be a write off, we will not need to completely rebuild, although some substantial tinkering of the List will be necessary.
There was one issue and one only yesterday, effort and attitude. We disgracefully disrespected our opponent at a time when the competition is more even than ever and we were outworked for four quarters. Apparently we weren't great on the training track last week, attitude and work rate again. In hindsight, it appears that was the issue last week and in the JLT games.
This is the first time in a while, that we've lost a game we were expected to very likely win. We won't need to go through a long season been teased, tortured and wondering. The next three weeks will surely sort things out as we play probably the best 3 teams in the competition. Good performances in those games will mean yesterday was an anomaly and perhaps a watershed (Essendon have gone from strength to strength after they were rolled by Brisbane at home last year) or alternatively if there is a significant problem it will be glaringly apparent after those games.
The next 3 weeks will be defining ones for the Coach and the List.
If this season turns out to be a write off, we will not need to completely rebuild, although some substantial tinkering of the List will be necessary.
- bobmurray
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
I think i'm reading that the SAINTS are not just a team full of SPUDS, they're a club full of SPUDS.
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Six debutants for the Saints so far in Season 2024. ![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Cameron Mooney, who I've always considered a dog turd on the shoe of humanity, summed up our performance extremely well and succinctly.
"At stoppages, StKilda walked". In other words, no sense of urgency and North just ran away with the ball every time.
"At stoppages, StKilda walked". In other words, no sense of urgency and North just ran away with the ball every time.
Saint supporter since '62
- Linton Lodger
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Yup, there is no doubt that our performance was about effort, the lack of intensity and urgency was blatantly obvious. Whether that's a sign of arrogance or a general malaise will be answered in the next 3 weeks.Trev from the Bush wrote:Cameron Mooney, who I've always considered a dog turd on the shoe of humanity, summed up our performance extremely well and succinctly.
"At stoppages, StKilda walked". In other words, no sense of urgency and North just ran away with the ball every time.
- Con Gorozidis
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
We lost to Carlton in JLT. A game we were expected to win.
But yeah yeah. That doesn't count right.
All sorts of bulls*** excuses were trotted out by tony74 after that game.
One was we were 'experimenting' with game style.
One was something about our players having a break.
Seriously tony74 is a compulsive bullshitter.
Who buys this club initiated spin?
But yeah yeah. That doesn't count right.
All sorts of bulls*** excuses were trotted out by tony74 after that game.
One was we were 'experimenting' with game style.
One was something about our players having a break.
Seriously tony74 is a compulsive bullshitter.
Who buys this club initiated spin?
- Con Gorozidis
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
We lost to Carlton in JLT. A game we were expected to win.
But yeah yeah. That doesn't count right.
All sorts of <edited by mods> excuses were trotted out by tony74 after that game.
One was we were 'experimenting' with game style.
One was something about our players having a break.
Another was it is only meaningless JLT and we were going to suddenly flick a switch when the real stuff started.
Then there was the lies about Freeman.
Seriously tony74 is a compulsive <edited by mods>.
Who buys this club initiated spin?
It is a propaganda of an incompetent regime.
<warning for abuse of a poster>
But yeah yeah. That doesn't count right.
All sorts of <edited by mods> excuses were trotted out by tony74 after that game.
One was we were 'experimenting' with game style.
One was something about our players having a break.
Another was it is only meaningless JLT and we were going to suddenly flick a switch when the real stuff started.
Then there was the lies about Freeman.
Seriously tony74 is a compulsive <edited by mods>.
Who buys this club initiated spin?
It is a propaganda of an incompetent regime.
<warning for abuse of a poster>
- SaintPav
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Re: The reason we are heading back down.
Was very concerned when I saw Armo selected before Dunstan.
Armo missed most of last year and Dunstan finished the year well.
It was not only a safe choice and a fall back to the same old but what does it say about our development?
Armo missed most of last year and Dunstan finished the year well.
It was not only a safe choice and a fall back to the same old but what does it say about our development?
Holder of unacceptable views and other thought crimes.
- Con Gorozidis
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