Killa wrote: ↑Sat 27 May 2023 6:27pm
The early loss of Clark from our mid-field rotations put the pressure on our other mid-fielders to stand up.
As did the absence of Owens.
Some just did not.
And they need to be looked at.
Then you get to ball use particularly going forward (noting the number of marks a - so one - Hawthorn defender took).
I am of the view that the players who drive us are well known, are now the subject of scrutiny by opposition Coaches and that the lesser lights are being shown up.
I have contributed to this site that my view is that we are a KPP attacking player short, a KPP defender short, Ruck support for Marshall short plus we need a line breaking, goal kicking mid (or 2!!)
From last season we have lost Hannebery and Ryder who, whilst absent as they were, were first choice players because of their class.
We have not replaced this class, noting the promise of our kids is delivering.
But the likes of Wanganeen-Milera, Owens, Windhager, Phillipou are currently cream on the cake.
Billings and Coffield will add poise and class - but they have to get back.
And they do not answer the KPP, Ruck and mid-field deficiencies exposed again today.
On statistics alone, Gresham, Battle, Marshall, Ross, Sinclair and Steele were not to expectation.
These are not the kids, they are the core of our side (currently).
And when they are down it exposes the kids, kids who should be cream on the cake.
From history, this is the story of footy Clubs building sides.
And as they transition from ordinary to competitive to contending.
It was the reason Ratten put the pressure on the shoulders of the younger players to move past the ageing contingent.
We have a few other kids where we look forward to them putting their hands up.