Best 22

[Reyes_9]

FB: Johnson Fletcher Solomon
HB: Rama Richards McPhee
C: Stanton Johnson Murphy
CF: Cupido Lucas Hird
FF: Rioli Lloyd Laycock
OB: Hille Welsh McVeigh
Int: Allan Winderlich
Dyson Peverill

[rolandproducts]

yeah, Jim Hird would need to put in a few good weeks in the VFL if he was going to get a game...slacker :D

[bLuEMoOsE]

haha.

FB: Andrew Welsh~Dustin Fletcher~Mark Johnson
HB: Mark Bolton~Scott Lucas~Adam McPhee
C: Adam Ramanuaskas~Marc Bullen~Justin Murphy
CF: Dean Rioli~Ted Richards~Dean Solomon
FF: Damien Cupido~Mathew Lloyd~James Hird
OB: David Hille~Jason Johnson~Mark McVeigh
Int: Jason Laycock~Jobe Watson~Brent Stanton~Damien Peverill

Emg: Ricky Dyson~Mark Alvey~Keplar Bradley

[pazza]

As it stands after today:

B: Welsh Fletcher MJ
HB: McPhee Richards Solomon
C: Ramanuaskas Bullen Murphy
HF: Hird Lucas Bolton
F: Cupido Lloyd Rioli
R: Allan JJ McVeigh
Int: Peverill Stanton Winderlich Hille
Emerg: Laycock Watson Dyson

[Darealrath]

FB: Welsh Fletcher Richards
HB: McPhee Lucas Bullen
C: Rama Solly Murphy
HF: Rioli Laycock Hird
FF: Cupido Lloyd MJ
R: Allan JJ McVeigh
Int: Pev Hille Stanton Watson
EMG: Dyson Alvey Bradley Bolton

Hard to fit the midfielders in, which is odd, seeing it's our weakness.

[Cooldude]

FB: Welsh Fletcher M. Johnson
HB: Mcphee Lucas Soloman
C: Rama McVeigh Stanton
HF: Murphy Laycock Hird
FF: Cupido Lloyd Rioli
R: Hille JJ Pev

INT: Winderlich, Watson, Bullen, Richards

[rama_9]

FB: A.Welsh, D.Fletcher, K.Bradley
HB: A.McPhee, S.Lucas, D.Soloman
C: A.Ramanauskas, M.McVeigh, R.Dyson
HF: B.Stanton, J.Laycock, J.Hird
FF: J.Watson, M.Lloyd, M.Johnson
R: D.Hille, D.Rioli, J.Johnson
Int: M.Allan, J.Murphy, D.Peverill, D.Cupido
Emg: T.Richards, M.Bullen, M.Bolton

That side will probably change when the draft has taken place.
Have to go with the young kids, I think Kepler Bradley has to play along side Dustin Fletcher for the year and hopefully when Fletcher decides to retire, Bradley will be a ready-made replacement.

Left Winderlich out all together, hasn't showed enough to suggest that he will be a really good player in the future, Stanton and Dyson have shown good signs.

Jobe Watson and David Hille, I think these two will become two really good players in the next couple of years while I think Damien Peverill needs to keep his opponents to less possesions and limit their impact consistantly like good taggers do.

[bomberbluey]

All I know is Lucas is best at CHB, Bolton's only any value on a weak forward so he can run off him (like wellman), MJ will become a dangerous forward (just needs to kick some goals), Richards and Lovett-Murray should play every week and Hille must ruck!!!!! Maybe McPhee as CHF????

Maybe something like (hope noone's left out!):

Welsh Fletcher Bolton
Rioli Lucas Ramma
McVeigh Solomon Murphy
Hird McPhee Richards
M.Johnson Lloyd Watson
Hille J.Johnson Peverill
From: Allan Bullen Stanton Dyson Bradley Richards Blumfield Laycock etc...

[MOJOE]

FB: Welsh - Fletcher - Solomon
HB: M Johnson - Lucas - McPhee
C: Ramanauskas - McVeigh - Murphy
HF: Hird - Richards* - Rioli
FF: Watson - Lloyd - Cupido
FOL: Hille - Peverill - J Johnson
IC: Bolton - Allan - Laycock - Stanton
EMER: Reynolds - Winderlich - Bullen

*Dream of Courtney Johns at CHF!!!

[marcuz]

That side will probably change when the draft has taken place.
Have to go with the young kids, I think Kepler Bradley has to play along side Dustin Fletcher for the year and hopefully when Fletcher decides to retire, Bradley will be a ready-made replacement.



Bradley will never pley FB, he is too slow and ungainly. Fletch for a tall bloke is super explosive and very agile.

Bradley will most likely play forward, thats if we havent traded him along with a couple of early picks to west coast for Judd. ;)

[F-Bomber]

B: M.Johnson, Fletcher, Welsh

HB: McPhee, Lucas, Ramanauskas

C: Murphy, Solomon, Peverill

HF: Hird, Laycock, Rioli

F: Watson, Lloyd, Cupido

Foll: Hille, J.Johnson, McVeigh

Int: Allan, Bullen, Stanton, Reynolds


* Rioli is arguably one of our best players and should be in the heart of the midfield, "IF" we can get him fitter than he has ever been before (big call)
* Really hoping that Laycock can stand up at CHF. Richards or Bradley are alternatives for either CHB or CHF if they can bulk up. I do rate Bradley after seeing him with Bendigo

[dons877]

FB:Johnson Fletcher Welsh
HB:Solomon Lucas McPhee
C:Ramanuaskas Rioli Murphy
HF:Hird Richards Watson
F:Laycock Lloyd Cupido
R:Hille Johnson McVeigh
Int:Peverill Dyson Alvey Bradley
Emg from: Stanton Bullen Reynolds(will be a gun) Cartledge Bolton

[waspy]

B: Welsh, Fletcher, MJ
HB: McPhee, Richards, Bolton
C: Ramanauskas, Peverill, McVeigh
HF: Hird, Lucas, Murphy
F: Cupido, Lloyd, Rioli
R: Hille, JJ, Solomon
Int: Allan, Watson, Stanton, Laycock
Emerg: Winderlich, Dyson, Bradley

[bartos]

FB: WELSH, FLETCHER, M JOHNSON
HB: BOLTON, LUCAS, RICHARDS
C: MCPHEE, RIOLI, RAMANAUSKAS
HF: HIRD, LAYCOCK, SOLOMON
FF: CUPIDO, LLOYD, DYSON
FOLL: HILLE, J JOHNSON, MCVEIGH
INT: PEVERILL, MURPHY, BULLEN, ALLAN

Check out that spine! Fletch at FB and Lucas at CHB, the keys to our defence. Both have won B&F playing in those positions. Rioli, first hands on the ball in the centre with his body strength and clean hands. Laycock, the 198cm kid who can crash the packs and perform the ruck work in the forward 50. And then there's Lloydy in the square.

Changes to this season's familiar side: Mcphee, moved out to the wing. Mark Johnson back into his pocket. Bolton playing on the back flank, in an attempt for him to play the role Mcphee did this year. Teddy slotting into the back six as a permanent defender to provide run with Bolton. Cupido in his favourite snapping pocket, ousting Lovett-Murray and, unfortunately, Watson for the role next to Lloydy. Dyson slots into the other pocket as he can play a greater on-ball role than Jobe when rotating with players such as Rioli.

plenty of players in the 22 to rotate into the midfield to compensate for lack of exquisite quality. they're still a quality bunch though. i reckon that everyone in the team can have a run in the midfield with the exception of Lloyd, Lucas, Cupido, Fletcher and perhaps Richards and Bolton.

[Longy13]

B: Welsh Fletcher M. Johnson
HB: Richards Bolton McPhee
C: Murphy J.Johnson Solomon
HF: Hird Lucas Rioli
FF: Cupido Lloyd Watson
R: Hille Peverill McVeigh
I: Allan, Ramanauskas, Bullen, Stanton

[sfish54]

FB: A.Welsh, D.Fletcher, K.Bradley
HB: A.McPhee, S.Lucas, D.Soloman
C: A.Ramanauskas, M.McVeigh, R.Dyson
HF: B.Stanton, J.Laycock, J.Hird
FF: J.Watson, M.Lloyd, M.Johnson
R: D.Hille, D.Rioli, J.Johnson
Int: M.Allan, J.Murphy, D.Peverill, D.Cupido
Emg: T.Richards, M.Bullen, M.Bolton

That side will probably change when the draft has taken place.
Have to go with the young kids, I think Kepler Bradley has to play along side Dustin Fletcher for the year and hopefully when Fletcher decides to retire, Bradley will be a ready-made replacement.

Left Winderlich out all together, hasn't showed enough to suggest that he will be a really good player in the future, Stanton and Dyson have shown good signs.

Jobe Watson and David Hille, I think these two will become two really good players in the next couple of years while I think Damien Peverill needs to keep his opponents to less possesions and limit their impact consistantly like good taggers do.


What about Alvey. He should be in your best team of 22.

[nonchalance]

Alvey didn't make much of an impact last year, sfish - the knee reco and lack of a real preseason kinda screwed him over.

Therefore, he's still got some work to do before he becomes an automatic selection in the 22 - I think he'll do it, but there are a lot of doubters.

[Longy413]

Tristian Cartledge

[SweedishMeatball]

Alvey has got nothing on a young kid like Dyson on the wing

[Schopp]

"Left Winderlich out all together, hasn't showed enough to suggest that he will be a really good player in the future, Stanton and Dyson have shown good signs."

Next year will be a big year as we will get a very good indication of how good our 2002 draft crop particularly Winderlich and Darren Walsh will be - we invested highly in these guys. Will also see how those rookie listed in recent years such as Lovett and Adrian Wilson fare if given a go since they appeared to do well at reserves level.

Hopefully Laycock can get lots of game time next year and really impose himself with his unique athleticism for a big guy up forward - wouldnt want to see him get battered full time in the ruck at a still relatively tender age. I live in WA, so unfortunately dont really see how the younger ones perform, only read about it on the Bendigo website. Do we have any guys with good pace and hardness who could cut it at seniors and maybe force there way into our best 22?

[Longy413]

Do we have any guys with good pace and hardness who could cut it at seniors and maybe force there way into our best 22?

Pace and hardness is a rare combination.

Dyson showed signs of hardness this season, which was very pleasing considering it was something that was missing from his game in the under 18's.

Winderlich has got the combination. Good pace and likes to get dirty. Opportunities and confidence will decide his fate.

Adrian Wilson is a player i really rate. He is definately hard at the footy, but isn't all that quick. Unfortunately for someone with really good skills they seem to go missing at times. But I think is worthy of a crack at the big time.

[Schopp]

Thanks Longy.

How about Cartledge. Could he be a KPP or is he strictly a ruckman? I heard he is athletic, does he get a lot of it (ie read the play).

Do we have anyone who looks like they could take a grab at CHF and be physically imposing?

Johns sounds exciting lets hope his hip recovers fully so he and we dont die wondering.

[Longy413]

Thanks Longy.

How about Cartledge. Could he be a KPP or is he strictly a ruckman? I heard he is athletic, does he get a lot of it (ie read the play).

Do we have anyone who looks like they could take a grab at CHF and be physically imposing?

Johns sounds exciting lets hope his hip recovers fully so he and we dont die wondering.

Cartledge is a ruckman. Very athletic, good tap ruckman, good mark, good kick, good awareness but lacks strength. I think he is a bit of a sleeping giant and I have my own theory that he could become the best player we took in that draft. Unfortunately injury and illness hurt him a lot this season. He was tried up forward and down back at times during the VFL season and was servicable at best. That said, for some reason I just see him becoming a very very good AFL ruckman, but he is going to take a lot of time.

Johns is the power forward we probably haven't had since Roger Merrett and it may stay that way. However if he gets fit I have no doubt he has the ability. Big, strong, hardworking and intimidating. Laycock is the other who could hold down CHF. His skills for a big bloke are pretty outstanding.

I think our ruck/forward stocks are in pretty good shape. It's down the other end we could have a few problems.

[kizza]

B M.Johnson Fletcher Welsh
HB Solomon McPhee Bolton
C Murphy McVeigh Ramanauskas
HF Hird Lucas Rioli
F Cupido Lloyd Watson
R Hille J.Johnson Peverill

B Allan Richards Stanton Dyson

emerg: NLM, Bradley, Winderlich

[MiniS]

B: Welshy, Fletcher, Teddy;
HB:McPhee, Lucas, Solly;
C: Rama, McVeigh, Murphy
HF:Hird, Rioli, Bolton;
F: MJ, Lloydy, Cupido;
R: Hille, JJ, Pev;

INT:Allan/Laycock; Dyson/Stanton; Bradley/Watson; Bullen/Winderlich;

EMG: NLM, Lovett, Wilson, Hunt, Haynes, Alvey

All interchange players can alternate, depending on form and matchups
Lucas at CHB but play as Chad Cornes role=loose man along with McPhee, Solly can take the 2nd best forward; Teddy can take 3rd tall;
Rioli always around 50mark line, pin-point best forward option for us with his good football smart n skillful disposals;
MJ play forward coz he can mark, and his aggression can trap the ball in our 50. Plus if he gets carried away n gives away 50M penalties, it would be further away from other team's goal.
We have good depth in our team, with so many young guys deserving opportunity, if anyone fails or lose form during the season, first move them to bench, then back to VFL n give other a chance.
MJ and Bolton and also Rama probably played a few games in 04 when others like bullen or even haynes would not have done any worse.
Forget about Bolton downback, even if we had injuries I'll say HUnt would be more accountable. after the game against St. Kilda, it should be obvious to Sheeds everyone's just attacking thru Bolton's man. He has some usage as a forward and lead away his defender all day since he is a good endurance runner

[Deadly Hedley]

Whilst I agree that we need to find a small goal kicking foward,Cupido is a squib. Matthews is still pi**ing himself laughing.
BACKS - Welsh Fletcher Richards
H. BACKS - Hird Lucas McPhee
CENTERS - Stanton McViegh Bolton
H. Forwards- Peveril Laycock Soloman
Forwards - M.J Llyod Watson

Followers- Hille ,Rioli , J.J

Inter - Dyson ,Murphy ,Allen, Rama

Have named Hird at H.B in an attempt to ease the load.He would dominate anyway. Bolton on a wing to try and create miss-matches ala Wellman and Barnes 2000.Laycock, Watson and Teddy to step up big time.

[oaksy09]

B Rama Fletch Bullen
HB Welsh Lucas Solomon
C Dyson J Johnson Peverill
HF Murphy Laycock Hird
F M Johnson Lloyd Rioli
R Hille Mcphee Mcveigh
B Stanton Lovett-Murray Bolton Richards

[Bolt]

MJ - Fletch - Bolton
Solly - Lucas - Welsh
Rama - Pev - Murphy
McPhee - Watson - Rioli
Hirdy - Lloydy - Cupes
Hille - J.J - McVeigh
Allan - Winderlich - Bullen - Stanton

I know I'll get criticised for not naming Richards and the fact of the matter is he will play the majority of the games next year anyway. And I know Watson probably won't be a CHF. I just think personally that with Johns still out for the majority of the year that a mobile half forward line with plenty of targets eg McPhee\Watson\Hird may be the way to go until Johns is fully fit (if ever). There are still too many question marks over our list for us to win the flag in my opinion, a hell of a lot would have to go right. Bring on 2006, Watson, Winderlich, Stanton, Dyson, Laycock, Johns, Bullen and the like should all be cherry ripe by then. Fingers crossed.

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

here is my best 22 for the EFC:

Backline--------- Andrew Welsh-------Dustin Fletcher------Mark Johnson
Half Back line---- Ted Richards--------Scott Lucas--------- Adam Mcphee
centre line------- Mark Mcveigh----Jason Johnson-------Adam Ramanauskas
Half Forward line--Damien Cupido------Jason Laycock-------James Hird
Forward line------Dean Rioli---------Matthew Lloyd-------Nathan-Lovett-Murray
Followers--------David Hille-----Dean Sollomon----Damien Peveril

Interchange--Joel Reynolds--Jobe Watson--Marc Bullen--Matthew Allan

[Andrew Lovett]

Not Bad,thats for Kizzas that is
;)

[markh1818]

After the national draft.

B: Welsh Fletcher M.Johnson
HB: McPhee Lucas Solomon
C: Bolton McVeigh Ramanauskas
HF: Hird Laycock Murphy
F: Cupido Lloyd Rioli
1R: Hille Peverill J.Johnson
INT: Allan, Watson, Bullen, Alvey

EMERG: Richards, Bradley, Henneman, Reynolds, Thomas, Monfries, Dyson, Stanton, Haynes.

[bartos]

Yeah, ive got a new "best 22"... My side has changed after the coupla preseason games ive seen this year

FB: Welsh, Fletcher, M Johnson
HB: Hird, Solomon, McPhee
C: Ramanauskas, J Johnson, Rioli
HF: Stanton, Lucas, Murphy
FF: Cupido, Lloyd, Hille
R: Allan, McVeigh, Peverill

Bench: From Laycock, Bolton, Zantuck, Dyson, Bradley, Richards, Monfries, Thomas, Haynes, Bullen, Watson, Alvey


Notes:
Monfries is ready, yay - a midfielder!, as is 22-year old Paul Thomas (number 17 who stood out in Carlton game) but its bloody hard to rank the players from the team's best 18-30 as none have yet to show their best week in, week out (due to lack of game time, etc) so i have taken the weak option of listing the players who should be considered for the 4 comfortable seats on the bench rather than cementing my complete team at this point in time.

Our defence has suffered since hard/aggressive men M Johnson, Solomon and Hardwick left. Since we have yet to find suitable replacements to date, we need to get the experienced players back in the back six. SO... Hardwick is gone (derr!) but Solly and MJ are stilll around so i reckon the two of them should go back. Literally, go back... to the backline. And im admitting that i liked watching MJ more when he was shutting down the game's best small forwards and regularly using his explosiveness to rebound from the defensive 50.

Our midfield has lacked ball carriers in recent times. A fit rama playing a midfield role is a huge asset to the team as he can carry the ball and swing on to his left to deliver long inside 50 regularly and even goal from 50+

On the 4th Sept last year, elimination final against the dees at the G on a brilliant, sunny saturday arvo (i only remembered it well cuz it was the day of my birthday), i liked what i saw when i watched david hille in the final quarter kick some goals playing deep in the forward 50. i think he's good enough and suitable enough to play next to lloydy on a regular basis (or he can even play in the goal square to allow Lloydy to play closer to the arc if one prefers).. Also a late change to this message.. here's something i didnt know earlier: Hilley tips the scales at 109kg, according to his player profile on essendonfc.com.au. Wow, thats solid! He can certainly cause headaches for opposition defenders and as long as we have a genuine ruckman in Allan, i think we should definitely play Hilley up forward. He carries 17kg more than Lloyd!

Its time that McVeigh moved into the midfield. He has pace and is an excellent user of the ball. He's small, yet tough and and is experienced enough to command a regular spot in the middle.

Lucas. i think (correct me if im wrong) he has kicked 60-odd goals in a season before. No one in the side, besides Lloydy, is capable of achieving such a feat playing CHF (not yet anyway). He is therefore my preferred option to play in the game's most difficult postion in 2005. 2006 and beyond? who knows.. maybe one of our young big men can step up to the plate and take the possie - i hope so!

[waspy]

I like that line-up, the bench i would pick from those would be Richards, Bolton, Watson and then one of the youngsters (Monfries, Dyson, Bradley, Laycock are the most likely)

[M29]

After the national draft.

B: Welsh Fletcher M.Johnson
HB: McPhee Lucas Solomon
C: Bolton McVeigh Ramanauskas
HF: Hird Laycock Murphy
F: Cupido Lloyd Rioli
1R: Hille Peverill J.Johnson
INT: Allan, Watson, Bullen, Alvey

EMERG: Richards, Bradley, Henneman, Reynolds, Thomas, Monfries, Dyson, Stanton, Haynes.

It's taken three pages, but someone had to post Henneman somewhere. Even as an emergency. I'd have him last.

[bigbomber]

B: Welsh, Fletcher, M.Johnson
HB: McPhee, Bradley, Ramanuaskas
C: McVeigh, Solomon, Murphy
HF: Rioli, Lucas, Hird
F: Watson, Lloyd, Cupido
R: Hille, J.Johnson, Peverill
Inter: Bolton, Allan, Bullen, Zantuck

i would conider giving m johnson another go in the midfield because he can add some real mongrel to it. if he is to have another go than thomas can go the back pocket. i think bradley deserves first go a chb but i wouldnt put him up against the monster type chf ala brown and treadrea. i think solomon might be the person who as to go back and help out there unless they can find a chf to replace lucas.

boltons days in the back line are gone. i wouild consider using him as a tagger on an opposition midfielder that has a bit of size. or maybe in the forward line just to get another tall defender away from lloyd.

[teams]

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/03/11/1110417626189.html

CONNOLLY'S BEST 22
B Thomas Fletcher Zantuck
HB McPhee Solomon Welsh
C Ramanauskas Peverill Murphy
HF Rioli Lucas McVeigh
F Hird Lloyd Cupido Foll: Hille, M Johnson, J Johnson
Inter: Bolton, Stanton, Dyson, Laycock

[Rod Stroker]

Who will get more game this year :
Thomas, Bradley or Laycock ?

[Stealth bomber]

Bradley and Thomas should play 20+ games, based on form and need. Laycock should be in and out of the side all season but Allan and Hille (when healthy) are probably still the #1 and #2 rucks.

[Darealrath]

Who will get more game this year :
Thomas, Bradley or Laycock ?

Bradley.

[Thunderstruck]

Thomas without a doubt