Is it the coaching ... (beware spoilers)

[dimelb]

... or do we draft the wrong kind of material?
I watched most of Cats v. Dogs today and despite clangers made by both sides I was hugely impressed with the disposal skills, especially Geelong. I thought the Dogs were pretty good too, but tired noticeably in the final quarter.
My question is, after blokes have been on our list for yonks, I'd expect their skills to be better. Perhaps I'm being over-critical or unrealistic but at times it is agonising to see the ineptness of seasoned performers. I'm thinking especially of kicking (including for goals and kickouts, GRR), handpassing and positioning around team mates. There are outstanding exceptions, and I think of Kirk (despite his share of clangers) as well as Moore and Bird, who while not perfect both seem to be particularly solid and accurate in traffic.
What do others reckon?

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Playfair, LRT, Jude, Bevan, Buchanan etc would suggest that we probably don't look at kicking skills when drafting/trading for players. They try hard, though.

[Nico]

Interesting though, it has been said by the club we targeted players in the last draft with good disposal skills because that was a seen as a weakness.

I think that Bevan can be excluded from the group mentioned above as he, for mine, has improved in that area, and is not getting caught with "holding the ball" as in past seasons.

[Nico]

Playfair, LRT, Jude, Bevan, Buchanan etc would suggest that we probably don't look at kicking skills when drafting/trading for players. They try hard, though.

You forgot Lukey boy.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Interesting though, it has been said by the club we targeted players in the last draft with good disposal skills because that was a seen as a weakness.

I think that Bevan can be excluded from the group mentioned above as he, for mine, has improved in that area, and is not getting caught with "holding the ball" as in past seasons.

You're right. He probably should have been left out of that group for the same reason McVeigh was, because he's actually improved.

I'm hoping players like Thornton, Vez and DOK (Injuries pending) will be better users of the ball by foot, because as much as I love our current group, they're really just plodders. I haven't seen the Swans on TV much lately, what are Jack and Moore's kicking skills like?

[giant]

There appeared to be an appreciable gap between today's teams and our recent efforts. It will be a very good team that beats the Cats this year when it counts.

[ScottH]

Maybe a bit of both, but the cats and esp. the dogs have had better draft picks than us for the last 10 years, as have a number of teams.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Very good point Scott, I failed to mention that in my first post. We have probably wasted a few of our earlier picks over the last 4-5 years, however.

[nicky]

yeah well we havent been giving outstanding players to choose from. Downside of being such a consitant side for a long period. We maybe should have tanked 2002 and come dead last eh.

[sprite]

Geelong have developed their style of play over the last 2 years - prior to that the Swans style was what worked.

It will take a period of time, to work put what beats it. Just as clubs developed strategies to counter the "flood".

[dimelb]

I haven't seen the Swans on TV much lately, what are Jack and Moore's kicking skills like?

Moore's are generally good, despite missing a couple of goals he should've got. Jack's are ... a work in progress.

[The Big Cat]

Geelong have been the enormous beneficiary of the father-son system. Two Abletts, scarlett, hawkins, Blake, plus Woolnough was a gun that did his knee. They also have Larry Donahue's son.

These were all taken in the days where they counted as third or fourth rounders. Who have we had? - James (physical crock), Doyle (ditto) and Dempster.

[hot potato]

With goal kicking I reckon it's possible to tell in the first few steps they take whether they are going to kick it or not..... and it's something Blighty mentioned today, it's to do with having relaxed ams as they come in.... those players with relaxed arms generally kick it straight thru the middle...

[Nico]

Geelong have been the enormous beneficiary of the father-son system. Two Abletts, scarlett, hawkins, Blake, plus Woolnough was a gun that did his knee. They also have Larry Donahue's son.

These were all taken in the days where they counted as third or fourth rounders. Who have we had? - James (physical crock), Doyle (ditto) and Dempster.

I thought Dempster was pretty good last night as was er,um er Schneider.

[ernie koala]

Having watched the fantastic pace and skills of Cyril Rioli week after week.
Many on here and elsewhere sang his praises prior to last years draft, and were surprised the swans didn't draft him, given our need for some skill and speed. Vespa better be very good, or our recruiters will be looking like they've let another gun player slip through our grasp.