DETECTIVE BLOODHOUND
31/01/2011 11:36:46 AM
"Look, Bloodhound, this is taking hibernation to a ridiculous level. You haven’t been sighted for months and I’m warning you - lift your game or our promise of an eventual multi-million dollar fee will be history.”
It hasn’t been that long, surely? Never mind, I’m always one step ahead and I’ve been out detecting for a while now and I’m a happy Bloodhound. After years of not kicking enough goals and not winning games, we suddenly seemed to be kicking about the same number of goals, but we won 10 games. It seems, though, that I was the only one who was happy. Some of our fans weren’t so happy, because we weren’t kicking enough goals. It’s a funny game and a funny perception.
I was glad our fans weren’t so happy though, because it was further proof that our expectations had rightly become much higher.
Now you know I don’t like to say “I told you so” (well……….), but loyal readers of the Bloodhound will readily recall that in the midst of our darkest days I accurately predicted the process that would unfold as we made our way towards the top. I haven’t wasted any time lamenting the fact that we needed to kick more goals, because it was self-evident. If it was obvious to everyone, your Bloodhound always had a sneaking suspicion that our coaches might have been aware of it, too.
What I did spend time on was to work out why this was happening. Now it’s reasonable to assume that our coaches don’t possess the intimate and detailed football knowledge that resides with your Bloodhound (very few, if any, do, of course), but on the whole they’re an intelligent group with pretty reasonable football backgrounds and I have always had faith that they would work hard to improve that part of our game.
I reckon we needed a key forward, a hard-at-it midfielder and a bit of pace. I think they agreed.
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Most years we hear whispers about potential recruits quite early. Even though some only pass those whispers on to a few (dozen) trusted friends, with strict instructions that they are to keep it totally to themselves (and a few (dozen) trusted friends), it’s amazing how the news reaches other clubs. It’s got me puzzled, I have to say.
In recent times, though, even the Bloodhound’s most secret sources haven’t shed any light on potential recruits, which is a disgraceful state of affairs.
What I do know is just how difficult it is to recruit very good players from interstate. “We need a ruckman” is a frequent refrain, but the last time I looked there wasn’t a big supply of available quality ruckmen wanting to shift house, shift family, start a new job, convince their partners to give up their job and start a new life. We all know they should instantly say ‘yes’, just for the honour of playing for us and we all know how powerful an argument that is, but somehow they take a lot of convincing. The last time I looked, I didn’t see any of the other clubs having any more luck than us.
We signed Brad Fisher. Not much surprises the Bloodhound, but that did. Big time. That’s what I call a coup.
We signed Ben MacReadie. A key forward and a hard-at-it midfielder.
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Where’s the added pace, I assume you ask. Well, recruits are one necessary way of bolstering your squad, but there has to be a good balance in a football club, so for pace I’ll back in several of our younger players. I’d say our quickest players are already in our younger ranks. Of those who narrowly missed being drafted, Matthew Rankine has explosive acceleration and is one to watch to quickly make his mark. Matthew Jose is quick and will be looking for a spot as a goal-kicking small forward and I’d keep an eye out later in the season for Drew Gallard, a very quick and composed flanker/wingman.
These kids are just some of the exciting players coming through and they’re the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our depth. I haven’t been as excited since a carton of Schmackos dropped off the delivery truck right in front of my kennel several years ago and why shouldn’t I be? Pre-season predictions are always optimistic, as we only look at where we will improve, don’t allow for injuries, presume all our AFL players will be available most weeks and never factor in any improvement by our opposition. It’s hard to win any game of football, so to win the 12 or more games needed for finals requires depth, as well as talent.
So where are we at? Key defenders? I’m very happy with what we already have. Key forwards? Obviously Brad Fisher adds an excitement factor and a problem for opposition planning.
On-ballers? James Ezard has been heavily tagged, but will now get much more help with the addition of Ben MacReadie and a returning Steve Bailey, as well as talented group out to prove they are league on-ballers.
AFL players? Who knows, but it’s reasonable to assume we’ll see plenty of Chris Schmidt and the importance of his availability shouldn’t be underestimated. Any more would be a bonus.
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There are times in the progression of a footballer’s career where opportunities present themselves. The Bloodhound has always thought that no-one is owed a game and players who wear the red and black should be playing league football because they have shown they deserve it. This is a year where we have so many players waiting to prove they should be there and it’s a joy to see players who have had a taste of senior footy make that progression to become league regulars. We have so many talented players in this category and they’re fighting for perhaps a limited number of places, so your Bloodhound thinks that observing how each of these players go about their footy, at training as well as in a game, is a rewarding part of watching the progression of our club each year.
What about players our supporters might not know as much about who might push for a senior spot this year? I only mention this because it has come to my attention that someone has stolen my black book and is threatening to publish names from it unless I reimburse them for a carton of Schmackos (allegedly) illegally borrowed some time ago. Of course, I am totally innocent of this charge, but to stop any further action, I’ve decided to publish some names from the said book.
I make no predictions about these players (and it’s not an exhaustive list) except to say I’ll watch them with interest:
Sam Agars
Chris Bonney
Drew Gallard
Tom Keough
Rory Laird
Chris Molitor
Peter Nelson
Josh Schiller
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There are recruits and there are young players coming through, but the backbone of our team will be the continued improvement of a solid list of young players who have been gaining experience over the last few years.
Our progress will largely depend on these players.
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Your Bloodhound attended the Presentation Night (yes, that was a while ago, wasn’t it).
As the evening progressed, I was struck by just how professional the Club now is. Whether it’s a function or a media release, we know it will be well done. Without going into detail, the amount of work and thought that goes into these things (and into recruiting) is reassuring and impressive.
Scott Turner’s hosting of the evening struck exactly the right chord and the best and fairest count was excellently presented (right down to your Bloodhound correctly picking the winner for a change).
I enjoyed the induction of the new members of the Hall of Fame and once again left feeling positive about our Club’s direction.
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The Bloodhound expects our players to be fit – very fit. I have the same expectation that all the support staff will strive for the very best level of fitness possible, considering their age and personal circumstances and by and large they fulfill their obligations.
You have to draw the line somewhere, though. For well-being, Yoga – fair enough, Tai Chi – fair enough. For the body, swimming, running, aerobics, cycling, etc – fair enough, but you have to suspect the motives of some who choose other pursuits.
Now I have been reliably informed that a member of the Match Committee (no names, no pack drill, Andrew) turned up for the weekly meeting breathless from his fitness session and declared that his Zumba session was tough. I was shocked to hear this, mainly because I had to Google ‘Zumba’ to find out what it was.
Zumba !!!
PS – 1. I know, I said no names and inadvertently mentioned Andrew, but I hasten to add it’s not the Andrew you think it is.
PS -2. My fitness? I don’t know that this should extend to supporters as well, but although some have commented that I’m slightly above my optimum playing weight, I’m one of those lucky ones who maintain a constant peak fitness level, while cleverly giving the impression that may not necessarily be the case. Rest assured, as soon as pre-season starts, I’ll again be hard at work.
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I mentioned how professional we have become, but this is supposed to be a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred critique, so it’s time for a brickbat.
Our AGM is on February 14th, at 7.30pm.
I hope there is a large attendance.
I won’t be there.
When it was announced, the date seemed vaguely familiar, but obviously not familiar enough to that group of non-romantics known as the Board of Management of the West Adelaide Football Club.
I’ll once again be at the Red Ochre Restaurant, the best Valentine’s Day dinner in town (and one where the Bloodhound regularly sees young West Adelaide footballers with their lovely partners).
First AGM I will have missed for many years.
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Jeremy Rowe will be playing in near-country Victoria this season and we thank him for his time with us, but the Bloodhound hears that the family connection will continue, with Jeremy’s father Bevan joining our coaching staff as an Assistant Coach.
Bevan has had extensive playing, coaching and development experience in country NSW and will be a valuable addition to our coaching ranks.
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Finally, the Bloodhound sends best wishes to club stalwart Ted Kerley, who is at home recovering from a recent major operation.
All the best for a speedy recovery, Ted; the grandstand Selection Committee is missing you and looks forward to seeing you again soon.
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