Upon reflection, Roosters coach Marc Greig said the 2017 season was one that offered up its fair share of frustration and hurdles, but there were positives.
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On top of the uncertainty that surrounds the Roosters future in the VFL, which weighed heavier on the club’s shoulders at different stages throughout the season.
North Ballarat were dealt a significant blow to its tall timber before and during its season, which Greig said was a challenging aspect to the season, in which it won just one match.
Key tall Rowan Marshall was drafted in last year’s AFL National rookie draft, Orren Stephenson retired in May while recruits Toby Thoolen and Nick Nott were struck down by injury – a significant blow to an already undersized and inexperienced line-up.
Greig felt the off-field noise affected its recruiting ability, but the season did provide ahead-of-schedule exposure for some young players.
“We didn’t have too much luck with our bigger blokes,” Greig said.
“To lose those guys was pretty disappointing, on the flip-side it gave an opportunity to some young blokes.
“It’s frustrating, because you’re trying to plan and play a particular method...that’s part of football, you’ve got to adjust.
“The off-field stuff...it affected our recruiting, the higher-end recruits.”
Greig outlined how this season had provided young players with opportunity, but those opportunities would not always be so easy.
Speaking openly to the group post-match, he said top-level VFL clubs would provide much fiercer competition.
“I explained to them into the rooms on the weekend...they’ve got to understand, if you’re on a really strong list, you’d be getting zero senior games there – getting senior games this year isn’t normal.
“The amount of games these guys are getting is more than normal, if it all works out and you come back you’ve got to make sure you commit to VFL level, not just want to play VFL because it sounds good.”
Greig is currently uncontracted, having served his two-year contract. However, that contract included a one-year option. Whether or not Greig and club take that option will be decided as the club’s future in the VFL competition becomes clearer.
The club meets with AFL Victoria on Wednesday night.
You’ve got to make sure you commit to VFL level, not just want to play VFL because it sounds good.
- Roosters coach Marc Greig