April 26, 2022
Success in the AFL does not come easily, so much has to go right.
Unfortunately for our club, very little has gone right in the lead up to the season and the first six rounds. A string of key injuries and then a series of COVID-related health issues have resulted in a tough start to the year.
We can’t do much about what has happened, but we do have control over what happens next and we will attack that challenge with great vigour.
Obviously I have seen and heard the frustrations of our members and fans; trust me, internally, we understand and share those frustrations and we are working vigilantly to address all the issues.
Everyone at our club is putting their shoulder to the wheel and working towards performances that will make us all proud. But given what we have dealt with so far means that it may take a little time.
There is no doubt our team is in transition. We have already called on 41 players in the first six rounds and that’s more players than we have ever used in any completed season prior to 2022.
We have had 11 debutants, five of them players who were elevated from the WAFL through the COVID contingency list. We have had just three players who have played all six matches – our games record holder Shannon Hurn, young defender Luke Foley and the newest player to our program, Patrick Naish.
Patrick was one of three players selected in the Supplementary Selection Period, and all three have played senior football with us already – the others being Hugh Dixon and Luke Strnadica, who made his debut last week.
Two players drafted last year, Brady Hough and Jack Williams, have also been given a taste of senior football and developing key position player/ruckman Callum Jamieson has also had an opportunity.
Those are the facts and while our depth has certainly been tested, there have been a number of things to like, particularly the development of those young players.
But the young guys also need seniority around them. Transition means that young players will come in and out of the team and our senior players have a key role to play in passing on their knowledge to the next generation.
We have been fortunate to have players – and people – of the ilk of Shannon Hurn, Josh Kennedy and Luke Shuey as leaders of our club for 12 to 15 years. They have been outstanding servants and their on-field leadership is important as we plot to recover this season in the short to medium term.
Along with other senior players like Andrew Gaff, Jeremy McGovern, Nic Naitanui, Jack Darling and Tom Barrass, they have an important role to play in the education and development of those around them.
The coaching staff are also central to that commitment, and we aim to reverse our current situation as quickly as possible.
There have been a couple of brave performances, but some unacceptable efforts as well. Inconsistency on the field is often a reflection of what is happening off it, and a lack of continuity with player availability has meant training has been disjointed too.
We anticipate that we are through the worst of the pandemic impact and the injuries and that we will have stronger numbers at training as we build the connection of the squad.
We remain united and committed to playing at our best, producing a brand of football that stands up against all teams.
That will not happen overnight, but it is important as a club that we stick together. It is times like these we need our members and supporters and hopefully we can reward that faith, starting with a big game on Friday night at Optus Stadium.
Optus Stadium will be back to 100% patron capacity, and if you’re in Perth and able to make it along to show your support, we’d love to see you there.
Kind regards,
Trevor Nisbett
