When the word “consistency” is brought up most people immediately think of a team’s performance from one week to the next.
However, that is obviously a direct result of just who exactly is out on the field for any given side in any particular week.
It is this type of consistency, or stability, that can’t be underestimated in today’s modern footy.
The days of wholesale changes are becoming far rarer than they once were, with coaches trying to keep a consistent mix together for extended periods.
While this is not always possible, there are a number of positives in doing this.
Here at the Sydney Swans, it’s widely known that we try to keep a pretty settled line-up as much as we can.
In our premiership year of 2005 we used just 29 players for the whole season.
This year we’ve already had 31 play senior football, but have still been able to keep a pretty consistent core, with 16 players having run out in every match for us.
These figures on consistency -- not only at the Swans but at every AFL club -- obviously relate to some degree to a side’s form; if a team is winning a coach is less likely to makes changes.
But win or lose, I’ve always believed the ability to keep a stable 22 on the field from one week to the next is crucial.
More often than not, however, the ability to maintain a consistent line-up reflects the health of your senior list.
Luckily, in past years we have been pretty fortunate with injuries. If injuries are sustained, however, your hand is forced.
It is for this reason that I think AFL clubs will really start investing their money in two distinct categories in coming years: the development and medical departments.
The medical department relates to getting your best team on the field, while development relates to the fast-tracking of youngsters.
There’s no doubt we’ll see teams spending more and more money, with the aim being the ability to get the best 22 out on the park more frequently.
In fact. we’re already seeing it, with some clubs flying players to the other side of the world to see German doctors for radical treatment on hamstrings.
We tried something a little revolutionary this year with Nick Malceski’s knee and, so far at least, it’s paid off.
It’s all a huge part of trying to get a consistent line-up out on the park during a season.
All clubs are at different stages in their development.
Some clubs go down different paths and simply try to get a young side together every week.
It might not help a team in 2008, but it might in 2009 because they’ll have had for example the same defensive group playing together for a sustained period.
Our opposition this week is Melbourne, and I really like the look of their backline.
If guys like Garland, Bode, Frawley and Warnock can get through the year playing together, it gives Dean Bailey something to work with going into next season.
Going back a couple of years, Hawthorn might not have won all that many games but they stuck to their task.
It was guys like Roughead at full-forward, Franklin across half-forward, Lewis as a midfielder and guys like Birchall across half-back.
Today, we’re seeing the same players in that Hawthorn line-up. And, importantly, a lot of those guys are playing in the same position.
The difference now? Instead of getting beaten, those guys are winning their positions.
They’ve developed physically, further improved as footballers, and Alastair Clarkson is reaping the rewards for his patience.
