What now Paul Osborne

[Suitman]

Don't know about a rabbit...would a 'hare' do...

pete - there's only SOOOO many times you can tell the same joke.

Suity

 

[Chipmunk]

That is the thing I have seen plenty of improvment in a large number of players, most of them on the fringe but players like Mannah who in two seasons under Anderson has become a State player, blokes like Jono Wright has told me largely that DA is a fantastic coach and has been great for him. Blokes like Kris and Phil have gone backward, or maybe for Phil, and it pains me to say it, has just dished up so much of the same style of play year in year out that everyone knows his go and tries to spoil it.

In the end coach Anderson will be judged on his tenure here, but I would say we gave Hagan till his 3rd recruiting year and before we subtly pushed him, I this is Ando's 2nd recruiting year, and I think this is where he will come good.

If the side doesn't perform well next year, then yes he will most probably have some pointed questions heading his way, and won't be asked back, but I am happy enough to let him have a go next year, with a side he believes he can work with. At the moment we are just missing a half back, and I think it is fair to say that is a situation we have been in since 1998.

Im not saying that DA is not a high quality coach, but why do you think that next year will be different given that he couldnt do it with the current squad?

I ask why will losing Cayless, Mateo, Inu and Keating, and then playing Webb, Maitua & Grothe (he didnt play much this year, so I will allow him as an addition) be any different then?

Everyone has alot of wraps and hopes for Brad Murray, but we have all seen what has happened in the past with what happens when wraps are put on a halfback....everyone expects them to be world beaters from moment one and thats a big ask for a 20 year old....

I actually think there are more issues with the team than just sticking in a number 7 and that will fix everything. I think we are well behind most other teams in a number of facets of the game and just sticking a kid in the 7 is not going to fix that overnight....

 

[cv8z]

Im not saying that DA is not a high quality coach, but why do you think that next year will be different given that he couldnt do it with the current squad?

I ask why will losing Cayless, Mateo, Inu and Keating, and then playing Webb, Maitua & Grothe (he didnt play much this year, so I will allow him as an addition) be any different then?

Everyone has alot of wraps and hopes for Brad Murray, but we have all seen what has happened in the past with what happens when wraps are put on a halfback....everyone expects them to be world beaters from moment one and thats a big ask for a 20 year old....

I actually think there are more issues with the team than just sticking in a number 7 and that will fix everything. I think we are well behind most other teams in a number of facets of the game and just sticking a kid in the 7 is not going to fix that overnight....

Most players have praised cayless and his leadership and inspiration. if they couldnt put in this year for him then next year looks bleaker than this

 

[parra pete]

pete - there's only SOOOO many times you can tell the same joke.

Suity

I believe in recycling.....:lol:...

 

[Stewie]

I reckon we have signed far too many halves on the verge of retirement since Sterlo,eg Freeman,Green,Taylor(feel free to add to my list). Couldn't believe we were chasing Kimmorley,Barrett and Orford. Surprised they haven't mentioned Monaghan. I'd rather we kept our money and just had some faith in the young side we have and the new halfback we bought. That way we have the funds in the cap to upgrade their contracts as they get older instead of having them all leave like they have in the past. We don't need to spend every cent. Would prefer to have a team that dominates for the next 10 years rather than a one-off premiership and another 25 year wait. We had it right in 01(a great young team) but we just let go of too many players.

 

[oldmancraigy]

FYI, that was what I was suggesting - the Dogs spent under the cap at start of 2008 (when they got the spoon), resigned Andrew Ryan and a few others to front ended contracts and signed the players.

Isnt Tahu on a backloaded contract? that looks like being the gift that will keep on giving...

So the Dogs actually changed the deals of Ryan and Patten and paid them their money 'up front' (so to speak) - it wasn't a new deal with those guys.

That's why the rule was changed, to avoid the rort of the 2009 bulldogs (who were effectively $500k over the cap). But in a legal fashion for 2009. But the rule is now changed to stop a club changing an existing deal.

So now the only way to 'frontload' is to sign a new player to a frontloaded contract. Which is a risky business since they might play well for 1 season, be completely Finch crap for another 2, and you've already paid them up front....

It wouldn't help us with our existing players anyway - only with new ones. So if we're going to sink $500k on someone, it might as well be a good player?

 

[IFR33K]

pete - there's only SOOOO many times you can tell the same joke.

Suity

Regardless, it was gold

 

[MarkInTheStands]

I ask why will losing Cayless, Mateo, Inu and Keating, and then playing Webb, Maitua & Grothe (he didnt play much this year, so I will allow him as an addition) be any different then?

Everyone has alot of wraps and hopes for Brad Murray, but we have all seen what has happened in the past with what happens when wraps are put on a halfback....everyone expects them to be world beaters from moment one and thats a big ask for a 20 year old....

I actually think there are more issues with the team than just sticking in a number 7 and that will fix everything. I think we are well behind most other teams in a number of facets of the game and just sticking a kid in the 7 is not going to fix that overnight....

The difference will be attitude, and the lack of errors. That is going to help greatly to show what sort of skill we will have as a club, a dominant half will be the cream on top.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Im not saying that DA is not a high quality coach, but why do you think that next year will be different given that he couldnt do it with the current squad?

I ask why will losing Cayless, Mateo, Inu and Keating, and then playing Webb, Maitua & Grothe (he didnt play much this year, so I will allow him as an addition) be any different then?

Everyone has alot of wraps and hopes for Brad Murray, but we have all seen what has happened in the past with what happens when wraps are put on a halfback....everyone expects them to be world beaters from moment one and thats a big ask for a 20 year old....

I actually think there are more issues with the team than just sticking in a number 7 and that will fix everything. I think we are well behind most other teams in a number of facets of the game and just sticking a kid in the 7 is not going to fix that overnight....

I don't mean to be insulting, but what exactly DID happen last time we had a young halfback?
It was 2005 and we won the minor premiership...

I'd happily take that next season - even IF we lost 29-0 in the prelim final.

If you're referring to Mortimer, well I think it's worth remembering that he is a young 5/8 who was forced in to playing halfback this season. And it didn't work - in patches it looked good, but wasn't great overall.

And if you're referring to the way Tim Smith broke down AFTER 2005 - well again, I think it's worth remembering that drugs and alcohol had more than a small part to play in that...

Sticking kid in the 7 who can (a) get repeat sets with grubbers (b) set up tries via bombs OR passes and (c) can 'marshall' the troops and carry out the coaches game plan on the park --> sticking a 'kid' (who will be 21) with those gifts into our current team (minus the bad attitude bros) would surely be a wonderful thing???

 

[Noise]

I don't mean to be insulting, but what exactly DID happen last time we had a young halfback?
It was 2005 and we won the minor premiership...

I'd happily take that next season - even IF we lost 29-0 in the prelim final.

If you're referring to Mortimer, well I think it's worth remembering that he is a young 5/8 who was forced in to playing halfback this season. And it didn't work - in patches it looked good, but wasn't great overall.

And if you're referring to the way Tim Smith broke down AFTER 2005 - well again, I think it's worth remembering that drugs and alcohol had more than a small part to play in that...

Sticking kid in the 7 who can (a) get repeat sets with grubbers (b) set up tries via bombs OR passes and (c) can 'marshall' the troops and carry out the coaches game plan on the park --> sticking a 'kid' (who will be 21) with those gifts into our current team (minus the bad attitude bros) would surely be a wonderful thing???

I agree, but please dont ever bring up that 29 nil debacle ever again.

 

[oldmancraigy]

I agree, but please dont ever bring up that 29 nil debacle ever again.

I can still remember Daniel Wagon sprinting off the tryline towards Matty Bowen, to be 'oh so easily' sidestepped for a soft soft try.
And then Wagon lay there beating the turf in frustration - summed it all up for me!

 

[Noise]

I can still remember Daniel Wagon sprinting off the tryline towards Matty Bowen, to be 'oh so easily' sidestepped for a soft soft try.
And then Wagon lay there beating the turf in frustration - summed it all up for me!

No seriously, stop it!!:x