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Post by leighbertrand46 on Apr 27, 2012 7:58:10 GMT 10
With round one over how about some opinions on round two.
LB46
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Post by farnt on Apr 27, 2012 9:42:57 GMT 10
Saw some of the Knox v Croydon A Grade game last week. Knox looked strong, and Croydon didn't with a few big names out. With Melb Uni and Watsonia missing a few too, and Watsonia scaping in v Uni last week, this week's Watsonia v Croydon could be an important game in the context of the end of the season (yes, I know this is a big call in round two). If Wats win, they will be two games clear of Croydon and if GB beat Melb Uni, then Uni too. Is this a big call?
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Post by lonewolf75 on Apr 30, 2012 9:01:04 GMT 10
I hope that the new Essendon side is still expecting an injection of players otherwise I think they are in for a long season.
I know it is only two weeks in but they were kept scoreless in week one by Ringwood, who didnt make finals the year before, and again were kept scoreless on the weekend by Bundoora, who only won four games last year.
Going but whats been said they are an extrmely young side, and I have heard off the record some really small kids at that, but have the guys looking after that team done this kids a disservice by putting them into B grade this year rather than C grade or even starting the club in D. Were they hoping that by going into B Grade that they would pick up more quality players.
I had an issue with the league allowing the club into B grade without the depth of a reserve team to back them up but I now also have concerns for the players and for the quality of competion in B grade for clubs wanting to push for A grade promotion.
I dont know what was discussed at league and club level, but I feel that a club like Panton Hills would have been a better fit into B Grade.
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Post by farnt on Apr 30, 2012 10:09:07 GMT 10
Lonewolf I concur to an extent re Essendon straight to B Grade was ambitious though I do wish them all the best.
I think it's a little embarrassing that GMBC's thirds aren't in B Grade. I think they have won the past five flags in C Grade. Panton Hills C Grade team are mature men and quite capable, and I believe they could do OK in B Grade, however like Mitchell Majors, their C Reserves will not add any depth to their line-up and would get absolutely pummelled in B Reserve.
Fitzmaurice threw some A Grade games at Doncaster this summer so he could handle B Grade, and Whyte is a former C Grade league MVP so their arms are strong enough and their fourths are strong too. Whilst I'm sure guys like Mack, Keiper, Gibson, Mitchell love winning every week, IMHO it's a bit embarrassing to their club and the league. You can't force a club to change grades and without sounding like sour grapes or jealousy, GMBC should spend some time in the room of mirrors before next winter.
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Post by thefacts on Apr 30, 2012 10:28:44 GMT 10
With the depth GMBC has in there 2's there is always going to be strong players playing in their lower grades.
On the other hand, there are a lot of kids at GMBC who will spend some time in between the 3s & 4s this year playing their 1st or 2nd year of seniors , so to have experience players like those you mentioned in the team is a good thing, to ask those kids to play their 1st year of seniors and in B Grade after only playing jnrs or E Grade last year is a big step.
I think GMBC have the right mix, C Grade is a good step for those kids to move up to A /A Res and a good grade for those just playing to have some fun and play with their mates.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2012 19:29:05 GMT 10
I've always thought that after Ringwood did OK going into B Grade that GMBC's 3s were the logical other choice if ever there was a Bye OR they just wanted to do it.
That said I respect that the club can (and should) choose if it wants to do this or not and not have it imposed on it by the League.
And I too do hope that there was proper dialogue as to Essendon's capability in B Grade as current results seem to indicate that it may have been better for all to have started lower (then again if it had of created a Bye that would have been no good too).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2012 19:43:08 GMT 10
Don't think I'd write off Essendon as being uncompetitive just yet.....
TC is still to return to the lineup. ;D
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Post by lardio on Apr 30, 2012 21:30:53 GMT 10
Farnt, rest assured, there was some robust discussion on a number of occasions re movng to B grade, including at the AGM. Our sub committee meet twice for several hours, to work thru what was the best option for our club and players. we had a few players express interest in moving up, our thinking was to make that team the next best in the club, full of the up and coming kids with a few veterans mixed in, and stretch the other grades up a level as well. It all looks good on paper in December, but as time went on, and confirming who was and wasn't playing, it simply wasn't worth the risk to alter our whole club structure to accommodate a few players. Just to name a few, Boone, King, Mcquiggan, Gerraty, Lea, McGrath are not playing due to a variety on reasons, then you mix in 3 or 4 kids that go to academy, all adds up to stretch any clubs depth.
I don't know if we need a room full of mirrors, it's makes it hard to hang the flags up properly:)))
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Post by farnt on Apr 30, 2012 21:49:29 GMT 10
As always, I respect your wisdon grasshopper
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