List Cloggers

[bandwagon]

Interesting article in todays Herald-Sun. Premise is that there are players that may be in your best 22 that do not offer anything in the future, and should be removed to give an opportunity to a youngster. The example was Tivendale at Richmond.

So who is a clogger at the Swans?
Crouch
Matthews
Brennan ??
Brabazon ?? 3 years on the list without even being named as emergency!

[Matt79]

Crouch although been a great servant for the club in past years is now a 'list clogger'. Doubt he will add much if anything if he ever returns.

Matthews is heading that way too.

[caj23]

I actually dont believe that we have any obvious ones on our list.

Every list is going to have players at different stages of their career.

Neither Crouch or Matthews are getting a game ahead of the youngsters so they could hardly be labelled list cloggers, plus they are unlikely to be there in 2009.

Brennan is a handy depth player who can step straight in comfortably to the seniors if required. It remains to be seen if he will play a role beyond this year.

Brabazon is probably gone at years end, however IMO you need at least 3 seasons to assess how good a youngun will be. McVeigh is a case in point

Interesting to see G Lyon actually get off the fence for once, although was suprised to see him label Polak at Richmond a clogger, one of their best players last year

[Matt79]

Neither Crouch or Matthews are getting a game ahead of the youngsters so they could hardly be labelled list cloggers, plus they are unlikely to be there in 2009.

I think this point is exactly why they are 'list cloggers'. If they are not going to add anything of value to our list we could have two rookies in their place.

[liz]

I think this point is exactly why they are 'list cloggers'. If they are not going to add anything of value to our list we could have two rookies in their place.

To start with they were contracted. A club can't just dump contracted players without facing salary cap squeeze (and there are ethical considerations too).

Secondly, you need a balance between experience, youth and you need depth. Not just on the ground but around the club too. We read recently about Mathews helping Jack prepare for his role on Power, and this week we've read about Crouch helping out with the reserves on game day. It's hard to know the tangible impact they are having but chances are it's as great as having two low-chance rookies propping up the list. Plus Mathews finished last season in the coaches' best 22 (and had a pretty decent season). Even though his one outing this year was less than sparkling, he remains a strong body that might have a role to play later in the year if some injuries hit.

Also, I am sure clubs plan their list management a year or two ahead, depending on how the deep each draft is projected to be. Last year's was described by many as particularly shallow, with the quality dropping away significantly after the top 25-30. It was probably a good year to use the minimum picks. Some in the know have said this year's looks to be a lot deeper so it is probably better to free up space at the end of this season with retirements than to have clogged up the list at the bottom end with marginal youngsters.

[DST]

I could not have said it better myself Liz. not all of a players worth is purely on field related and there are far more ranging issues from depth to available talent that decides when a player is retained or cut.

The list as it stands looks well balanced and I am sure the right decisions will be made about Crouch, Matthews etc at the end of the year should we need space to draft deeper into a better pool this year.

DST

[thedoc]

Nice analysis Liz. Always bringing the rational view.

[daggersworth]

Amon Buchanan is fast becoming a list clogger which is a shame. I would say that a fit and firing Nick Smith would offer just as much as Amon would.

Having said that, I really hope he finds some form and gets his kicking for goal sorted out.

[Legs Akimbo]

Can someone please define precisely for me what is a 'list clogger'? Does it mean @@@@ful, does it mean no improvement left, does it mean Gary Lyon dislikes you, does it mean you look unfashionable, don't try hard enough, have a head like a lemon?

Who was it that said the difference between teams is not the top 6 players on the list but rather the bottom 6 (Yabby Jeans?).

To the nub of it, what is the difference between a 'list clogger' in a team struggling or treading water and a 'good average' player in a contending team? The salt of the earth, the third tall defender, the back pocket, the flashy but aerobically challenged midfield forward.

Truth is, there is none. This is just the age old issue of list rotation for teams at different times on the premiership clock all tarted up, renamed and rebranded.

Brent Geurra is a sausage at Hawthorn, but a at the Saints, he's a 'list clogger'

Anyone for some tunnelling?

[dimelb]

Who was it that said the difference between teams is not the top 6 players on the list but rather the bottom 6 (Yabby Jeans?).

Blight. Is right!

[reigning premier]

No one game enough to start a RWO list cloggers thread?

[ScottH]

No one game enough to start a RWO list cloggers thread?

It's already full.

[thedoc]

Can someone please define precisely for me what is a 'list clogger'? Does it mean @@@@ful, does it mean no improvement left, does it mean Gary Lyon dislikes you, does it mean you look unfashionable, don't try hard enough, have a head like a lemon?

Who was it that said the difference between teams is not the top 6 players on the list but rather the bottom 6 (Yabby Jeans?).

To the nub of it, what is the difference between a 'list clogger' in a team struggling or treading water and a 'good average' player in a contending team? The salt of the earth, the third tall defender, the back pocket, the flashy but aerobically challenged midfield forward.

Truth is, there is none. This is just the age old issue of list rotation for teams at different times on the premiership clock all tarted up, renamed and rebranded.

Brent Geurra is a sausage at Hawthorn, but a at the Saints, he's a 'list clogger'

Anyone for some tunnelling?

word