With final selections of squads and the start of a new season just around the corner it is time to start thinking about how to develop a playing list that will bring  success either now or in the future.  There is no place to hide this time of year for coaches and selectors and nor should there be. Time to earn your keep. Making the right decisions and getting the balance of your list right is crucial. The decisions made now and during the season could and should have an impact on the team for several years ahead.

Teams do not achieve success by accident. If they do I haven’t seen or experienced it. Building a team list for success takes forward thinking, planning and honest evaluation.

• What do we want to achieve
• What have we realistically got
• What are we capable of (don’t sell this one short – might surprise you)
• What do we need now and in the future?

Previous success with a particular group does not guarantee ongoing success and it is foolish to think that this is the case. Achieving continued success often requires teams to refresh their playing list with new faces or in some cases reinventing their style of play. Whilst some selection calls will be made for you (injury, retirement etc) tough calls are almost certain to be needed and should not be ignored.

Building a playing list is not waiting until season ends and then making assessments. This is a lazy and high risk approach. Constant evaluation of your list throughout the year and thoughtful action at the selection table will decrease the “hope factor” and increase the ability to control the future.

Read John Worsfold’s (Head Coach West Coast Eagles) article outlining his thoughts “On Building a list” (click here) published in the 2009 AFL Coaches Record.