Jacks Back wrote: ↑Wed 16 Aug 2023 11:13pm
Geez some people spout some crap.
We have only played 3 new players this year because of this (well said cwrcyn):
cwrcyn wrote: ↑Wed 16 Aug 2023 7:48am
Yes, we've only used 31 players. So who didn't get a gig?
McKenzie: Injured all yer
Hotton: First year player injured most of the year
Keeler: First year player injured for half of the year
Campbell: Back up ruckman who hasn't been required
Van Es: First year player who has not overly impressed with his performances
Allison: injured for most of the year
Adams: Injured for first part of season. Not performing well enough to be played
Coffield: Injured for most or the year
Hayes: injured for most of the year
Heath: Young developing ruckman not required to play and probably not ready
Highmore: Good form in VFL. Probably deserved a chance at some stage
McLennan: First year player injured for most of the year
Connolly: Has been good (and ordinary) at times. Probably deserved a shot at some stage
Out of all those players only Highmore would have realistically been considered for selection. Most other players dealt with significant lay-offs due to injury and simply do not have either the fitness or the body of work to justify selection.
We know that if they were fit, McKenzie, Coffield, and Hayes would have played in the senior team. Hotton may have got 3 or 4 games.
Only Highmore, Campbell, and Connolly could have genuinely been considered for selection this season, and realistically it would only have been as a back up, as there are players in the seniors who already have their respective positions covered.
You can't explore the value of players if they are not available or don't have the requisite fitness level to play in the seniors. You can't select them if their VFL form is ordinary, either. Selection integrity, anyone?
Can't stick this one on the coach. It's just not logical to do so.
Sorry to spoil your party but that's wrong
You can't explore the value of players if they are not available
Jack Bytel only got 1 full game in Round 1. The team has not explored his value in the seniors. He continues to be named best on ground for Sandringham
Seb Ross had a run of poor form. Brad Crouch had a run of poor form. Jack Steele broke his collar bone.
During these periods where change was required (and plenty here were calling for it) there were 2 mids playing at Sandringham. Both have good attributes as midfielders and 1 is considered elite at winning contested ball on the inside - Bytel.
Instead of giving Jack and Marcus an extended opportunity, they were both played as sub when Steele was out and during Crouch's form slump. One got an opportunity and is now playing off a half back flank.
Bytel was available for at least 8-10 senior games and the coach chose to continue with the 3 amigos.
The apologists will twist the argument and say he's not good enough, but the whole thread is about experimentation. The post by cwrcyn implies he wasn't available after Round 1.
I personally feel like we missed out on seeing him in the seniors for an extended run and I personally feel our club will be the loser for not affording him the opportunity
Hope I'm wrong or hope he remains on the list and takes over from B Crouch