Hypothetical - Our List was in Decline

[rodgerfox]

Ok, this is the now officially the stance taken by those who were wrong about GT's coaching and are back tracking on their claims.

So let's assume, for argument's sake that it's true.

But firstly, were we in decline in 2004? Or 2005? Or 2006? Or just when Lyon took over in 2007?

This needs to be clarified, as it doesn't really make much sense to suggest we were in decline in 2004. We made the 8 for the first time in years, and although not in the class as Port and Brisbane that year (and possibly Sydney) we looked like we'd become a very good side.

It still doesn't really add up that we were in delcine in 2005 either. That was our best year since 1997 in terms of being the best team in the comp. We were the best in 2005. Injuries cost us dearly. They single handedly robbed us of a flag. Full stop.

So we didn't decline from 04 to 05, everyone agree?

In 2006, we won 14 games. This was with an even unfitter list than in 05! We were dealt a horried draw with more 6 day breaks than anyone and plenty of interstate travel. We were also trying to cover the loss of our 2 best defenders - Aussie and Penny. At the start of 2006, our list had declined heavily by losing those 2 players. You cannot cover the loss of your best FB, and your best play maker and running back. Adding in Gram and Sam Fisher stemmed the flow of that, and with an extra pre-season and 20 games into Ball, Dal, Roo etc., most would argue that our list even with losing those 2 guns - wasn't really that much worse after all.


In 2007, we were fit. New fitness staff focussing on areas that were so poorly negelcted in the past. Our core of guns and AA players now getting into their mid 20s. Our KPPs also men, as opposed to boys.
Apart from losing Penny and Aussie at the end of 05, we'd only lost guys to retirement who were plodders by that stage anyway.
The fact we only won 11 games, might suggest from 2006 to 2007 we started to decline - but on paper it doesn't really appear that our 'list' delcined at all. On paper, it actually got better.

In 2008, we are now all fit and injury free. Not only are Dal, Lenny Ball all AA midfielders, they're now all men - not kids. Also skinny kids like Joey and BJ are mature. We also have a permiership and AA ruckmen in the list. We have 2 of the most talented running backs in the game and have 2 other premierships players in the starting 22. We've also injected a top 10 pick in aswell.
It could easily be argued (apart from the fact we're now a bottom 4 side), that our list is better than it's ever been.


But hypothetically, let's say it has declined horrendously since 2005 - why aren't our good players playing good footy?

The guys who are still on our list, AA players, premiership players, Rising Star winners and Brownlow Medallists - why aren't these guys playing well together?

[spert]

I was watching a pre-season game against another club (cant remember which one) in 2006 and thought some intensity had dropped across the team..there seemed to be less enthusiasm than 2004/5. I was worried then that things might be getting a bit shakey, and I thought GT didn't really do enough re-jigging of the team following 2004 and should have brought more young players through in 2005.

[desertsaint]

Spot on about 2004-2006.

Despite worrying indicators in 2007 the team did suffer just as badly with injuries -although mainly in the first half of the season. I for one was prepared to cut some slack. Unfortunately those worrying indicators (lack of enthusiasm, lack of direction on the field) were accurate. Coach has 1/2 season to further disrupt the careers of players and the direction of the club
... whoops, i mean 1/2 season to show his message and plan are gelling.