Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Wed Oct 09, 2024 9:31 am
DSJ1983 wrote:
I’ve never been a ‘play the youngsters at all cost’ type of fan, but there’s absolutely no argument that the most successful sides on both sides of the world have the most faith and patience with young players.
I think the key is finding the right balance and agree that the most successful clubs manage that balance. For me, we struggle to do that. This year for example we have overexposed a lot of our youngsters but in the past we've done the exact opposite and blocked youngsters pathways. As has been pointed out, two of our ex youngsters are now about to feature in the Grand Final and both left us when they did because they couldn't get game time with us. If you look at someone like Saints for example, they had to make a decision a few seasons back regarding sticking with Coote or backing Welsby. I guarantee FC would have stuck with Coote and Welsby would have ended up moving on.
I like the approach the club seem to be taking now. They recognise that the youngsters are our imminent future but not our immediate present and are bringing in players to help mentor and guide them over that period. Time will tell if the club gets it right but it does feel that they have a balanced plan in place.