It's what happens when you're trying to operate with a sub-standard roster (see, I resisted using the other word starting with c and ending with p, whilst making the same point).
OK, so if Bellamy was coach, with the same roster, which kids would he be bringing in?? Drinkwater, who has defensive and involvement issues?
Anyway - Drinkwater, Green, Cook, and now Quinlan have all been used at various stages already.
It seems easy to make these accusations against Price without considering what he has tried already....
Oh ive been pretty clear over the past 2 years, im like a broken record.. the biggest development issues were:
- Kyle Stanley who needed to be dropped early 2012, to the cutters in the #6 jersey in preparation to come back into 1st grade in that position.
- Vidot I also would have dropped back to Cutters last year at the same time (single handedly lost us about 3 games and a shot at the finals), I asked for him to be moved to right side, possibly try right centre for the cutters atleast a month before Price finally saw the writing on the wall.
- Cummins could have had a chance at some stage last year, it was a gamble and I dont blame Price on this one, but 1st grade experience would have done him wonders in an obvious development year
- Quinlan could also have come in the last 1-2 seasons, its just a question of position and I know its not easy because you dont know what injuries you will cover.. but they played him on the left wing this year, was he ever going to actually play left wing in 1st grade? And if not that was a waste of development time
- Vaivai was the most in-ur-face obvious selection last week at left centre (before Morris was injured), was the exact time for giving him a crack
- Drinkwater im on the fence about, but I would have went with him over Fein at start of season anyway, hoping that he stepped up in a development year, Fein is the safe conservative choice and like most fans we were seething pre-season.. but I can understand Price's thought process on this one, but still.. it is conservative.
Also I would not call a 20 minute run 'once' in which he actually went pretty good as giving him a go in 1st grade.
- King needed to see more minutes when he was selected on the bench, giving him 20minutes a game was just pointless for everybody, especially his development
Thats the players off the top of my head, I understand why Price does what he does, but he is an Ultra-Conservative coach, and he doesnt take gambles on kids (until the horse has bolted), but fundamentally the difference is that I saw 2012/2013 as our development years to get some of the kids ready for when we have a decent roster ready to roll.. Price plays more for short-term success and his job, hey I get it, but Id rather a coach with balls.
