TWO WEEKS ago, we played Carlton and it was one of our worst games for the season.

The way the competition works, we have to very quickly turn our attention to what we can do about the position we're in - and the main focus now is our recruiting.

I've always played an active role with our recruiting staff in selecting our players.

I feel as though it's an easy out for a coach to have no ownership and to be able to say 'Well, you picked them' to a recruiter if a player turns out to be no good.

After our club games not only do I review our game tape in preparation for our group review on Monday, but I also look through my database of under-18 players.

I keep some highlights, positives and negatives, of the players I like.

This gives me a chance to see them play in their own club strip as well as in their state colours and ensures I have a bit of an idea of what I'm looking for when I go out to watch them play live.

I definitely have a view and I keep track of the upcoming players.

Obviously, I don't watch as much as any recruiter, but two weeks ago I got the chance to see two terrific games, albeit in the freezing conditions at Sandringham.

Luckily our recruiters Blair Hartley (National Recruiting Manager) and Geoff Parker came prepared with an umbrella and gloves for me, so I could sit there and concentrate on the footy rather than how cold it was, you really learn to appreciate the life of a Recruiter.

Typically, when I go to these games we have a footy record, which Blair has marked with 10 names, probably four or five from each side, and I attempt to have a look at these players.

Blair sits next to me and says, 'There's that guy again'. Within a quarter and a half I probably have an ability to recognise the players we're looking for, and that's the most difficult thing to overcome.

At half time we analyse the players a little bit and in the second half I'm pretty much left on my own to see if there's anyone else I like.

It's amazing, every time I manage to find one or two players who have done something nice and I ask Blair and Geoff, 'Well, what about him?'

You can't be sucked in by someone's good performance in one half or one game because it might be that they're having a performance out of the box.

I did find someone else I liked on that day. Blair watched him again the following week and he did some more nice things, so he might be someone we can find at a later stage in the draft - and that's always exciting.

I know Amon Buchanan was one of those players years and years ago. Not too many others valued him, but I thought he had something going for him.

The other thing I like do during the breaks of these games is to go out there and stand next to the players.

It's pretty daunting for some players to see an AFL coach standing next to them all of a sudden ... even when he's wearing a beanie, gloves and is rugged up like he's going to Antarctica.

The players peer around and have a little chat to each other. I also like to see how they carry themselves and if they talk to the group or sit there quietly. I look for any little sign that gives me an indication that player might be someone we'd like at our club.

After the first game, we went down to Preston and watched the Murray Bushrangers and the Northern Knights play. In the two games we went to see both Grant Thomas' son and Terry Wallace's son were playing. It was interesting for me to see how they were progressing and they both look like they'll be worthy father-son selections.

There are always different conditions and factors you have to take into consideration.

I went to watch one supposedly gun player and he was playing in a completely different position to where our recruiters think he might slot into our side, so we were able to see how he handled that.

I'm always asking which round or at what number certain players might go in the draft because there are lots of good players out there - it's just a matter of when you want to pick them and if you're satisfied taking them ahead of someone else.

I would say 95 per cent of the time the recruiting people get their way, especially with the first or second-round picks, because they've seen more of the players than I have. But I'll certainly test them.

I'll ask them to justify why one player is better than another and I'll make sure they're so certain they want to go to war with that selection. If that's the case I'm very, very happy to support them.

There have been a few indigenous players that Gavin Wanganeen and the Burgoyne boys have brought to my attention over time, like Alwyn Davey and Matthew Stokes, and for one reason or another I've been convinced not to select them.

I went into the 2006 draft 100 per cent certain of getting Alwyn, who I wanted to take the year prior, but it didn't turn out that way.

I think I blurted out something a little too loudly at the draft table when he was selected just ahead of our pick, but these things happen and it's nice to know that he is actually a quality player.

We, like most clubs, have made some terrific selections and some not-so terrific ones.

We've passed on some players I thought were stars and they have indeed ended up to be stars. But we've also taken some players I thought were stars that have ended up as duds.

It's not like I get it right all the time either, but I feel as though it's important for the whole club to have an opinion because, in five years time, at least you can say, 'I was right' or 'I was wrong', rather than sit on the fence or blame other people.

Reflecting back on your past thoughts or decisions can also help you to make better judgements in the future and I've learned you can't be as black and white as I was when I first started making my choices.

The other thing we always factor in is if a particular player will work well interstate.

Should we pick SA players ahead of interstate players because it's easier for them to fit into the local league and they can live with their own families?

All those considerations come into it, but the overriding thing to go by is talent. Without any doubt, the best way to rise to the top again is to have the best, most talented players.