Something of a continuation from my round eight thoughts, I thought I would take a look at some of the shortcomings within our current list, the development of specific players and the decisions made by the selection committee so far this year.
Whilst I intended on tackling this subject after my initial write-up, I was further motivated to do so after Pedro – a regular visitor to this blog – aired some concerns over our team selection so far this year. I share these concerns, as our selection has left me uncertain for most of the year and even completely baffled at times.
The inclusions of Leigh Brown and Anthony Corrie have not paid off and may even be a hindrance to the development of our existing younger brigade at this point. I’ll admit, I let out a groan when I heard Leigh Brown’s name called out on draft day, but once he pulled on the black and white I held out the sort of blind hope that Collingwood fans are famous for.
I would get frustrated watching Leigh Brown at the Kangaroos and I’ve never had any sort of investment in an opposition team. Unfortunately, my initial reaction to the drafting of Brown has been justified so far this season, whilst Anthony Corrie has proven to be a handy player when everything is going right, which was a solitary occasion, but any expectations of a Medhurst like revelation should be put on ice.
Nothing against Leroy and Corrie, as despite being guilty of the typical off-season optimism my main expectation was purely based on depth when we drafted them as we were clearly lacking in the experience stakes. Evidently, the club had grander expectations for both players and have provided them with the opportunity to reach those heights. So far, they’ve fallen short and whilst Malthouse has persisted – particularly with Leigh Brown – most fans have been left wondering what the selectors have in mind and what illicit substance spawned such ideas.
Whilst Anthony Corrie has been dropped ahead of our clash with West Coast, Leigh Brown has retained his spot despite recent poor performances and the return of Josh Fraser. After Malthouse defended Leigh Brown when his form was questioned in the press conference following our loss to Carlton, I can’t help but wonder whether the choice to retain him ahead of the likes of Chris Dawes, Chris Bryan or even smaller options has more to do with petty pride than team balance — a balance which has so far made vertigo sufferers look like tight rope walkers in comparison.
Persistence despite performance has plagued just about every incarnation of Collingwood since we stepped into the new millennium, with the likes of Andrew Williams and Chad Morrison being prime examples. Reasonable fans can forgive singular poor performances, even form slumps, but too often have under performing players been given extended stints in the seniors when even the most inattentive Magpie fan would deem their selection as being undeserved.
Leigh Brown and Anthony Corrie may yet add something to this side previously not envisioned by most supporters, but for the time being their contributions in the seniors (Brown) and reserves (Corrie) have not warranted senior selection.
Speaking of our most recent team selection and rewarding good form in the seconds, Tyson Goldsack was our other inclusion alongside Josh Fraser. Now, I’ve written many times on this site that I’m a fan of Moneybags and hope that he can recapture some past form and better yet, improve upon it. However, Tyson Goldsack continues to struggle, looking as out of touch in the VFL as he has when called up to the seniors.
Last week, Tyson once again struggled in the seconds, so much so that our official VFL write-up couldn’t put a positive spin on his game. Yet, this week we find Goldsack elevated into the seniors despite the fact that we’re already playing Maxwell, Toovey and Cox. The general consensus even before the season started was that we couldn’t carry all these “utilities” in the one line-up; a belief that was vindicated in round one against Adelaide.
Whilst how that selection might play out on Saturday night worries me, what worries me most is the message that is sent to our fringe players when such selections occur. It’s a problem that has existed for a while now, but has become increasingly apparent over time. On more occasions than I can count, players have been rewarded with senior selection when others around them had performed a lot better at VFL level. If enthusiasm is lacking in our seniors, I could only imagine how hard it must be for players to work up the motivation when relegated to the seconds — this may also go some way to explaining prolonged form lapses, when the threat of being dropped is generally perceived as empty.
I understand the argument surrounding horses for courses and of course team balance, but I fail to see how a superfluous utility on the vast expanses of Subiaco benefits us strategically; or how an under-performing Leigh Brown would be a better option up forward than Chris Bryan or a developing Chris Dawes.
This rigid selection process has played a part in the seemingly stagnant development of our list. We were steered to within one goal of a Grand Final in 2007 on the back of youthful exuberance and understandably Collingwood fans sensed a bright future ahead. Since then, we have been treading water whilst being carried out to sea by a tide of stubbornness.
We have had a fascination in utilities with perceived versatility, capable of multiple positions yet masters of none. Unfortunately, this preoccupation with flexibility hasn’t extended to our strategy come game day and our selection has been bereft of creativity whilst displaying an inability to identify blatant problems.
Heath Shaw was left to flounder last year when opposition teams took to tagging him out of a match in defence. Malthouse placed the onus on Heath Shaw, indicating that he needed to learn to break a tag and become better for the experience. I agree with this approach when it’s directed at midfielders, as being tagged is a rite of passage for any developing on-baller with an ounce of talent. However, it’s a different kettle of fish when you’re a defender playing under a coach who demands accountability above all else. Whilst Shaw’s form had lulled regardless, he was in a no win situation and his football suffered.
On the bright side, Shaw has been named up forward on paper this week and if this move actually eventuates, then I’ll be pleased to see some lateral thinking incorporated into our match-ups.
Hindsight plays a big part in assessing selection and it could be construed as cheap to be critical of such selections in light of the outcome; but personally I think those of us who have been disgruntled with the line-ups so far have merit considering how glaring some of the decisions have been. Whilst injuries haven’t made the job any easier, a reluctance to address obvious holes – even if some of the options are as yet unproven – has been the prime cause for restlessness amongst Collingwood fans.
Collingwood may yet prevail this Saturday night, I certainly hope that we do, but I doubt that the result will do much to ease the understandable concerns of supporters at this point in time. I’ve not given up hope just yet, but should things continue as they are – with similar results – then my tone is likely to change come the mid-season break.
