Rookies

[shire1976]

Whenever we put in a rubbish performance a stack of people call for under 20s players to be brought into the team.

And I'm sure after tonight more will demand the likes of Townsend, Frizzel, Peachey be brought in.

But tonight proves rookies aren't the answer, the proof Stewart Mills.

He is going to be a very good player, he had a dream debut, but his inexperience was shown up tonight and cost us at times. And gee he doesn't look to fast anymore.

He certainly wasn't the cause of our loss, nor the worst player, we simply had too many reserve grade standard players, but I thnk it shows bringing up some of our under 20s players before they're ready would probably do them more harm than good.

 

[Lumpy]

That is why Flanno did not bring on Frizzle. We need to blood these kids not throw them to the wolves.

 

[Born&bred]

Whenever we put in a rubbish performance a stack of people call for under 20s players to be brought into the team.

And I'm sure after tonight more will demand the likes of Townsend, Frizzel, Peachey be brought in.

But tonight proves rookies aren't the answer, the proof Stewart Mills.

He is going to be a very good player, he had a dream debut, but his inexperience was shown up tonight and cost us at times. And gee he doesn't look to fast anymore.

He certainly wasn't the cause of our loss, nor the worst player, we simply had too many reserve grade standard players, but I thnk it shows bringing up some of our under 20s players before they're ready would probably do them more harm than good.

How is Mills the proof that juniors aren't the answer?

He didn't cost us much at all.

He was continually put in very difficult situations - sure a junior is going to make mistakes. ET made plenty in his early years and got dropped for it.

We're not meant to be a cheque book team - we are the Shire team - let's show more faith in our kids and allow them to **** up in fg and develop.

 

[Ibanez]

It's only Mills' second first-grade game.

He jumped early for one bomb, and then Parra began sending the bombs his way to mount pressure. Up against an experienced Burt flying through and a determined Hayne, he was always going to be in trouble.

I still support the decision of not playing Frizz, though.

 

[ben]

Mills was bad tonight, admittedly he had no help though.

 

[Born&bred]

Mills was bad tonight, admittedly he had no help though.

I don't think he was that bad - certainly wasn't the worst out there by a long shot.

He was under a truckload of pressure all game - let him get used to that.

He's worth sticking with.

 

[sharkyboy]

not bagging him but he looked slow didnt he

 

[Tiger Shark]

I think he just takes a while to get going, lacks acceleration.

 

[sharkyboy]

same as pomms

 

[Ibanez]

And he had to turn and run a fair bit.

 

[ben]

He joins a group that would share the honour - Mills, Bwright, mannah, Porter, Morris,
Gordan all had poor games.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

I think Matt Wright looked pretty bad at the start of the year but is now looking better and better. In other words he's good for the experience. Mills will be the same.

But there's no use sugar coating it. He was bad tonight. As were others.

 

[Capmar]

Mills had a poor game BUT when you play next to the Captain who plays a less than inspiring game then I can understand his performance.

 

[jasontitty]

I will say Mills did have a bad game, did not take the high kicks and let some bounce which is worse

 

[Shipwreck]

But thats what happens with the young guys, they have off nights it's all part of learning.

Example im an electrician 3 years out of my trade everytime i look for another position i read the same thing minimum 5 years experience out of apprenticeship.

Now how do i gain that if no-ones willing to give me a go?

Same with these young guys they need to be given a go, at the right time, they also need to be perservered with.

what im getting at is sometimes risk can equal reward.

 

[gallen our leader]

great post shipwrek.

i just love it how everyone changes their mind so easily. if some of u's were coach there would be a new team after every loss.

we had 7+ first grade players out. it wasnt bad coaching, we had a depleated squad.

and please dont say friz shoula been picked. flanno did the right thing to ease him into firsts by allowing him to debut with a stronger team

 

[Johnno'54]

I've actually thought all week that friz wouldn't be playing but flanno was just playing "good" mind games with him. Getting him to prepare in his head a few times before eventually giving him a run. And like flanno said, it wasn't the approp week to do it wth our 3 international forwards out

 

[SF]

We need to do both, bring them in this season, but at the right time. Flanagan was vindicated tonight in leaving Frizell out.

I've brought out this quote before, but still relevant:

He had a shocker against Canberra in the heavy rain at Endeavour, was replaced at half time and dropped to reserve grade.
- RLW on Andrew Ettingshausen's second first grade game, 1983