2021 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Markwebbos]

Yes. The Lizard can tackle. Misses a few, but generally I reckon he likes nailing them.

He almost killed someone the other week. What with his white line fever and all

[Bangalore Swans]

You have polar opposite opinions, i can only assume based on one match because you didn’t mention the tacking when you celebrated his inclusion last week prior to the match

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Blakey couldn’t tackle before his spell ..and he’s improved no end since so there’s hope

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Blakey couldn’t tackle before his spell ..and he’s improved no end since so there’s hope

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I think you are right about the confidence though and the fact that a rugby background experience wise and mentally is a great base to start with
But why so confident one week and then throwing out the baby with the bath water the next

I’m a fan of the draft and generally feel that a top 10 player should be destined for a good career. He was taken pick 5. He was rated as the 5th best 18 year old in the country to play AFL in late 2019.

I had the belief that he must potentially be a very good player and that he wasn’t getting a fair go at senior level. He wasn’t getting the opportunity to shine.

I also had the belief that he needed one or two strong moments to get himself restarted. Almost like an out of form batsman who hits his favourite shot and all the talent and confidence floods back into his game.

He did win a brilliant hard ball get in the 1st quarter and I thought that this was the moment. Unfortunately the umpire ruled that a free kick below the legs would be given to the opposition.

I wonder why he’s not hitting through his kicks and getting picked off. Its probably confidence. I wonder how he was balked two or three times on the mark. Has he not done his homework on opposition players or is he not concentrating?

In the last quarter he gathered the ball and made a strong run from the wing. Had a bounce and delivered into the forward line. It was a good kick and the defender did brilliantly to spoil. Another defender gathered the ball and ran straight at Stephens. Stephens had the opportunity to make that tackle. He literally did not want that contact, stood upright and let his shoulder be brushed aside and the St Kilda player did not have to change direction. If Stephens had stood in the way the runner may have had to step or crash front on into Stephens. It doesn’t matter how slight Stephens is, standing in the way would have forced a more pressurised action from the St Kilda player. A young Heeney or Mills (players taken in similar draft position) would have at least forced a collision in their 2nd seasons. They wanted the contact.
Stephens on this occasion did not want the contact. Even Rowbottom on one leg would have stood in the way and taken the punishment.

I doubt now that he will make a good AFL player. Something is amiss. It may be ruthless, but does the club cut its losses now and take the Crows 2nd round pick.

In my mind it’s as much a gamble to take him to year three than take the 2nd round pick.

People have told me he’s a joking prankster sort of bloke. Maybe the two years of playing in quarantine have impacted his persona.

Maybe I’m wrong and next year he breaks out.

[0918330512]

This is perhaps the most accurate & considered post on this topic

I’m a fan of the draft and generally feel that a top 10 player should be destined for a good career. He was taken pick 5. He was rated as the 5th best 18 year old in the country to play AFL in late 2019.

I had the belief that he must potentially be a very good player and that he wasn’t getting a fair go at senior level. He wasn’t getting the opportunity to shine.

I also had the belief that he needed one or two strong moments to get himself restarted. Almost like an out of form batsman who hits his favourite shot and all the talent and confidence floods back into his game.

He did win a brilliant hard ball get in the 1st quarter and I thought that this was the moment. Unfortunately the umpire ruled that a free kick below the legs would be given to the opposition.

I wonder why he’s not hitting through his kicks and getting picked off. Its probably confidence. I wonder how he was balked two or three times on the mark. Has he not done his homework on opposition players or is he not concentrating?

In the last quarter he gathered the ball and made a strong run from the wing. Had a bounce and delivered into the forward line. It was a good kick and the defender did brilliantly to spoil. Another defender gathered the ball and ran straight at Stephens. Stephens had the opportunity to make that tackle. He literally did not want that contact, stood upright and let his shoulder be brushed aside and the St Kilda player did not have to change direction. If Stephens had stood in the way the runner may have had to step or crash front on into Stephens. It doesn’t matter how slight Stephens is, standing in the way would have forced a more pressurised action from the St Kilda player. A young Heeney or Mills (players taken in similar draft position) would have at least forced a collision in their 2nd seasons. They wanted the contact.
Stephens on this occasion did not want the contact. Even Rowbottom on one leg would have stood in the way and taken the punishment.

I doubt now that he will make a good AFL player. Something is amiss. It may be ruthless, but does the club cut its losses now and take the Crows 2nd round pick.

In my mind it’s as much a gamble to take him to year three than take the 2nd round pick.

People have told me he’s a joking prankster sort of bloke. Maybe the two years of playing in quarantine have impacted his persona.

Maybe I’m wrong and next year he breaks out.

[Aprilbr]

Some players just don't have the natural aggression and ruthlessness to make it in the AFL despite natural talent. Its kill or be killed out there. Look at how hard players tackle and contest out there! Opponents will exploit any sign of weakness.

Can these attributes be learned? Maybe they can but ultimately it has to come from within. There have been players in the past who were accused of being too soft early in their career but managed to overcome this so there is hope. Stephens has the talent to become an excellent AFL player but can he develop those other attributes with us or elsewhere? Only time will tell.

[joeykanga]

This is perhaps the most accurate & considered post on this topic

I know I should have left it at the maybe I’m wrong comment 09183305

You could put the name of a hundred players from all clubs in that story of the missed tackle at some point in their careers and probably find lots that are now consistently good tacklers
I was a good tackler in my rugby days but if I wasn’t switched on or the team wasn’t perhaps I wasn’t mentally prepared for that moment that odd time where they would brush me aside
As for the personna , you’re saying his ebullient self is down ..perhaps he has a lot of pressure each time he comes in to play from himself particularly ..that would be pretty normal but what are you trying to say that it’s not
If you look at the footage as I like to do when they show the players in the dressing room before the match ..you see him hugging and looking fairly relaxed and he doesn’t look like he doesn’t belong or isn’t appreciated by the group ..the younger players all seem to have that bond that shows through pregame and that includes him .it’s a bond you get from belonging and playing more matches in firsts will help to forge that bond…that leads to those performances where tackles are nailed and the one per centres individually are performed

[111431]

I know I should have left it at the maybe I’m wrong comment 09183305

You could put the name of a hundred players from all clubs in that story of the missed tackle at some point in their careers and probably find lots that are now consistently good tacklers
I was a good tackler in my rugby days but if I wasn’t switched on or the team wasn’t perhaps I wasn’t mentally prepared for that moment that odd time where they would brush me aside
As for the personna , you’re saying his ebullient self is down ..perhaps he has a lot of pressure each time he comes in to play from himself particularly ..that would be pretty normal but what are you trying to say that it’s not
If you look at the footage as I like to do when they show the players in the dressing room before the match ..you see him hugging and looking fairly relaxed and he doesn’t look like he doesn’t belong or isn’t appreciated by the group ..the younger players all seem to have that bond that shows through pregame and that includes him .it’s a bond you get from belonging and playing more matches in firsts will help to forge that bond…that leads to those performances where tackles are nailed and the one per centres individually are performed

I agree with this. Dyl has the talent but is yet to develop the confidence from within, and from his team mates , to feel like he belongs. He is still a young, and lightly built, player who has not played many games. JMac is now in his third season and I'm pretty sure there were many who in the middle of last year wouldn't have predicted he would be where he is now. JMac still misses more than his fair share of tackles (ie Stringer against Essendon) but has confidence in his run and carry. Dyl needs to be given a few games to build that confidence. We need to persist with him as he has the skills to become a good player. He needs to want to become that player and that is the role of the development coaches to help him build that inner belief that he can make the grade.

[TheBloods]

Just silly , stephens is not there to stick tackles and if you think he is your mistaken . He was crap on the weekend , maybe hes not up to the level but to hang him for missed tackles is stupid

[Bangalore Swans]

Just silly , stephens is not there to stick tackles and if you think he is your mistaken . He was crap on the weekend , maybe hes not up to the level but to hang him for missed tackles is stupid

Ok. I appreciate everyone’s feedback. There are more moments in a game from 21 other players than one missed forward tackle.

This is the list management thread. You have two options people:

1) Trade Stephens and take the 2nd round pick. You start again.

2) Keep Stephens and forecast a good bounce back in year 3.

Don’t sit on the fence people. Make a decision either way.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Ok. I appreciate everyone’s feedback. There are more moments in a game from 21 other players than one missed forward tackle.

This is the list management thread. You have two options people:

1) Trade Stephens and take the 2nd round pick. You start again.

2) Keep Stephens and forecast a good bounce back in year 3.

Don’t sit on the fence people. Make a decision either way.

Second option, every day of the week.

[TheBloods]

Ok. I appreciate everyone’s feedback. There are more moments in a game from 21 other players than one missed forward tackle.

This is the list management thread. You have two options people:

1) Trade Stephens and take the 2nd round pick. You start again.

2) Keep Stephens and forecast a good bounce back in year 3.

Don’t sit on the fence people. Make a decision either way.

Whats wrong with sitting in on the fence ! I would wanna see what he can become before sticking a fork in him !

[Markwebbos]

I have very limited data, but I’m leaning towards option 1, get what you can for him.

The fact the club hasn’t renewed his contract makes me think that’s what will happen.

Then of course he’ll be the 2022 winner of the Toby Nankervis award. Looks like AA has it sewn up this year.

[Markwebbos]

What do people think about Jake Riccardi as a KPP option?

[Aprilbr]

Ok. I appreciate everyone’s feedback. There are more moments in a game from 21 other players than one missed forward tackle.

This is the list management thread. You have two options people:

1) Trade Stephens and take the 2nd round pick. You start again.

2) Keep Stephens and forecast a good bounce back in year 3.

Don’t sit on the fence people. Make a decision either way.

There is a third option. At season's end, Stephens tells the Club that he wants to be traded to Adelaide, Port or someone else low on the ladder to get more senior opportunities. In that case, our bargaining position is not strong and we may struggle to receive even a second rounder for him. In fact, if he is prepared to go to the team that finishes last eg North or Adelaide to get more opportunities then we will receive zero for him as he just nominates for the pre-season draft and goes first in that. This is what happened to Membrey - taken by the Saints from us for nothing.

Hopefully, none of this transpires and he stays and works on his current deficiencies. Within another two seasons we will surely know whether he has what it takes.

[Rod_]

Ok. I appreciate everyone’s feedback. There are more moments in a game from 21 other players than one missed forward tackle.

This is the list management thread. You have two options people:

1) Trade Stephens and take the 2nd round pick. You start again.

2) Keep Stephens and forecast a good bounce back in year 3.

Don’t sit on the fence people. Make a decision either way.

Keeper - number 2 IMO

[The Runner]

Whats wrong with sitting in on the fence ! I would wanna see what he can become before sticking a fork in him !

He's coming out of contract. If he was contracted, we could buy more time to make an assessment. But by October this year, the club needs to have made a decision to either extend or trade. They can't sit on the fence.