Jason - I reckon that is the biggest case of rose coloured glasses that I have seen. You have ranked most of our group as "A graders" even though we finished in the bottom half of the ladder with close to the worst percentage in the AFL.
This was your list of "A graders" - Fyfe, Neale, Sandi, Hodor, B & S Hill, Walters, Bennell, Weller, Mundy, Blakely, Hamling, Cammac*, AAJohnno & Ryan. That is 15 players. We wouldn't be finishing bottom with 15 A graders in our side.
Out of that list I'd agree with Fyfe (based on his pre-broken leg year & late season form). You get a maybe on S Hill & Neale.
For the others:
Sandi - in one way is the most important member of our team, in another way can hurt us as we rely on him so much. Rucks have become less important as the years have gone on. I remember Sam Mitchell saying that he enjoyed playing against Sandi as he was predictable "B"
Hodor - no way an A-grader. Let's temper expectations here. The guy could barely run out a game. He has shown enough potential to suggest in about 4 years time he should be good. If you rank on actual ability now, he is a "D"
B Hill - good footballer and valuable, but no way is he an A grader. He was the 4th best midfielder in Hawthorns team! "B"
Walters - good footballer "B"
Bennell - I remain very excited about his potential, but based on current ability, "D". I'm hopeful with a good preseason, he will be an "A".
Weller - "C" or a "B". Does OK, but doesn't set the world on fire. Good skills.
Mundy - at his peak, "A". Now "B" and on his way down.
Blakely - "B" at best
Hamling - was close to listing him as an "A". Thought he was our most important player this year.
Cammac - "C" at best. Looks like he is great, output is terrible.
Johnno - a shadow of his former self. "C" or "B" at best
Ryan - must admit to not seeing enough of him. From what I have seen, "B" at best.
Ballas - "C" at best. Has not been the same since the grandfinal year.
Of the up and comers:
Hodor looks the goods, however he is 4 years off really playing a part
Logue doesn't look like a footballer at all. Wanders around the contest and seems lost
Grey - servicable at best
Langdon - servicable. Will never be an "A"
Pearce - was at least a "B" before his broken leg. However, never certain on how guys recover from that. It took Barlow at least 2-3 years to get back to his best, at which point age and team selection started to catch up to him. Don't expect too much
Hughes, Tucker - must admit to always getting these two mixed up. "D" at best presently, show potential to get to a "C" or a "B"
Tabs - is our best option at the moment. Will never be better than a "C" or a "B" on a good day
Kersten - "D". Couldn't even get a game at Geelong
Griffin, Suban, Pearce, Sutcliffe, Crozier and just about anyone else on the list (I'm sure I've missed a couple) are fillers.
Most important - Roly - "D" has not shown ability to innovate or adapt to the game.
A dose of reality is needed here. We are currently a bottom 8 team and I think we are staying there for some time.
