My starting 22...We are building depth!

[linchpin]

Guys, it is getting closer by the day. I can hear the siren now, blowing somewhere in the distance.

Barring injury, and the possible development and inclusion of other youngsters, I have put togeather a team which I believe will start to play some scintilating footy.


FB: T-Bird - Hartlett - Carrazo

HB: Scotland - O'hailpin - Bower

Centre: Stevens - Walker - Simpson

HF: Kennedy - Whitnall - Waite

FF: Cloke - Fevola - Betts

Followers: Ackland - Gibbs - Murphy

Interchange: Kouta, Blackwell, Mclaren, Bentick

Emergency: Lappin, Wiggins, Fish, Russell

Yes, a little out there....But the continued development of Setanta has me thinking he can hold down a key position.

Hart's.... A make or break year. For him and us. Injury will decide his footballing fate. He has the nous and the size. Does he have his body sound?

Cloke is the big question mark. Could he play CHB? He would be a great foil in the forward line allowing Lance up the ground. We all know how good Lance is at reading the play. He will be our greates assett playing once again in attack.

Kouta? Where to for the former champ? I can not see him playing a great deal of footy. More of an impact type of role for the Adonis. Can pinch hit at either end of the ground.

Lappin, I could not fit in on 06 form....I hope he once again finds his mojo..

Gibbs we know will not play in the middle for too long, if not start there at all. But this will be his position. Lets hope for another Murph. Kennedy? The great white hope....Could be anything. I see him becoming a stand out one grab mark. Bring back the contested ball! Great hands and reads the play well. Extra bulk will only help his strength. A great talent on the rise.

With Blackers continued development and the possible gem in Joey Anderson, who knows what we may achieve?

Saddington and Teague may just about be cooked. Out of the two, Jase has the greater opportunity with a full pre season under his belt.
What do you think guys?
_________________

[whippersnipper]

No offence, but until Hartlett, Bower, Kennedy and whoever actually play more than 30-40 games (or in Hartlett's case, any at all) they are nothing to get excited about. Realistically, we are still at least 2 more years away from finals action, and I exopect this year will again be about pumped more and more games into that lot.

[linchpin]

It is all conjecture and opinion. There are alot of big 'IF's..............

Harts has to stand up if he wants to continue his injury plagued career...But from what I have seen, he could be a great foil down back!

[russel-jet]

I dont think theres anything wrong with optimism... Especially after dark times and how we're looking on the training track.

I think Setanta is an ideal chb but personally i wouldnt mind seeing jarrad waite given ago down they're as our top half looks a bit too big... But other than that i like the thoughts of starting Bryce in the square as he'll only benefit from time in there. I also think having Bryce, Walker and Murphy in the square at the same time is a good move as they can start to develop a devastating midfield combination that we have been dreaming of since the departure of ratts n braddles... :thumbsu:

[linchpin]

Another thought. Was Cam Cloke drafted as a possible CHB?

[AndyWalkersGirl]

I'd really love to see Kennedy and Whitnall alongside each other, if for no other reason, than the fact that Josh will be learning from a great reader of the play.

I'm sure Kennedy could learn a hell of a lot off Lance. Very nice to be able to have these two monsters on the HF line :)

I'm sick of chasing. Let's be the chased! :)

[BlueFeaver]

I still think Carlos will play full back and Saddington will play a similar role to Lance.
This will allow Lance to float forward and back creating headaches like he did during the infamous Wizard Cup.
My big questions are on:

Betts: great skill and a great kid, but unless he gets his fitness far better he is going to struggle. There is no room in the modern game for a one trick pony.

Bentick: He will need to really make some ground this year, Blackwell is making more and more ground. Sure enough Blackers isn't as strong but he has a uncanny way of getting the ball and using it well. Bentick can get the ball but his decision making can be horrible at times. He was injured last year so hopefully he proves me wrong.

Waite: Needs to be consistant, this may involve a move to the Back Line. In his defence injuries have been a huge factor.

Stevens: I am expecting big things, I saw him at training and he looks to be in better nick (punn) than I have seen in a long time. Seems to be a good 4-5kg lighter, this is the weight he needs to be.

Russell: Must take the next step, he is the key to letting Walker play in the middle. Russell has the pace, piose and the height to fill the gap Walker will leave.

There are many questions on certain players on our list, but I have rambled on enough.

By the way Gibbs needs to play HFF, if goes into the centre his career might end very soon. Murphy was able to compete for 13 games last year, but next time your at training look at Gibbs physically to Murphy last year. Murphy's frame is built for afl and his body was a lot more mature. This is good though, it means Gibbs has plenty of improvement in him.

[linchpin]

I still think Carlos will play full back and Saddington will play a similar role to Lance.
This will allow Lance to float forward and back creating headaches like he did during the infamous Wizard Cup.
My big questions are on:

Betts: great skill and a great kid, but unless he gets his fitness far better he is going to struggle. There is no room in the modern game for a one trick pony.

Bentick: He will need to really make some ground this year, Blackwell is making more and more ground. Sure enough Blackers isn't as strong but he has a uncanny way of getting the ball and using it well. Bentick can get the ball but his decision making can be horrible at times. He was injured last year so hopefully he proves me wrong.

Waite: Needs to be consistant, this may involve a move to the Back Line. In his defence injuries have been a huge factor.

Stevens: I am expecting big things, I saw him at training and he looks to be in better nick (punn) than I have seen in a long time. Seems to be a good 4-5kg lighter, this is the weight he needs to be.

Russell: Must take the next step, he is the key to letting Walker play in the middle. Russell has the pace, piose and the height to fill the gap Walker will leave.

There are many questions on certain players on our list, but I have rambled on enough.

By the way Gibbs needs to play HFF, if goes into the centre his career might end very soon. Murphy was able to compete for 13 games last year, but next time your at training look at Gibbs physically to Murphy last year. Murphy's frame is built for afl and his body was a lot more mature. This is good though, it means Gibbs has plenty of improvement in him.

Good call....What about Waite as you mentioned. He has looked lethargic, lazy and disinterested last season. He and Fish play similar roles. One of these two really need to take the next step.
Waitey has all the skills, but does he have the application?

[BlueFeaver]

Good call....What about Waite as you mentioned. He has looked lethargic, lazy and disinterested last season. He and Fish play similar roles. One of these two really need to take the next step.
Waitey has all the skills, but does he have the application?

I think Waite has the application but I agree he does have that lethargic look about him when things aren't going his way. Consistancy is my big concern, I think if he was played on the HB line he could offer real value. He has very good agression that can be used to advantage as we are missing some in the back hlf. This is without mentioning his ability to run forward onto the flanks or even further. I liken the situation to Cornes, he was good forward but was never really consistant over a season, the switch to the back lines saw him still use his attacking frame of mind in cutting the ball off.

Fisher is a interesting one, the HFF is a ideal position as long as he can run up to the wings etc. My general fealing is the more he can run the better he will be, some one said on a different thread he could play like O'keefe. This was given some ridicule but I beleive it had merit, Fish has the tank when fully fit, he has the work ethic, he has the hands and he is actually nearly two inches taller. This is without including Fish has incredibly long arm. The only thing that lets him down is his kicking, hopefully though if fully fit his confidence is high and negates this problem.

[btdg]

What do I think of that team?

- 3 of our defenders, including our full-back and CHB have a combined, what, 6 games experience. In fact, only Thornton and Carrazzo of the named back 6 have demonstrated the capacity to play a defensive role in the AFL.
- Our starting midfield contains a guy who hasn't yet played a game, a guy who has played only 13 games and missed half of last year with an injury, and a guy whose best football has been on the half-back flank and who has consistently stuggled as a midfielder, partly due to kicking troubles.
- Our starting KP forwards have never combined well together. Lance drops back with the flight of the ball into space from CHF - into the space Fevola leads into. There's no coincedence that Whitnall's form drop-off coincided with Fevola's introduction into the team, and Fevola's peak coincided with Whitnall going to defence. Its one or the other up forward, unfortunately

On the other hand, any potential Carlton lineup at this stage is going to have some horrendous flaws in it that can be picked apart.

[linchpin]

What do I think of that team?

- 3 of our defenders, including our full-back and CHB have a combined, what, 6 games experience. In fact, only Thornton and Carrazzo of the named back 6 have demonstrated the capacity to play a defensive role in the AFL.
- Our starting midfield contains a guy who hasn't yet played a game, a guy who has played only 13 games and missed half of last year with an injury, and a guy whose best football has been on the half-back flank and who has consistently stuggled as a midfielder, partly due to kicking troubles.
- Our starting KP forwards have never combined well together. Lance drops back with the flight of the ball into space from CHF - into the space Fevola leads into. There's no coincedence that Whitnall's form drop-off coincided with Fevola's introduction into the team, and Fevola's peak coincided with Whitnall going to defence. Its one or the other up forward, unfortunately

On the other hand, any potential Carlton lineup at this stage is going to have some horrendous flaws in it that can be picked apart.

This team is more on potential I know......

But as I have said, Harts, Bower and the 'Sultan' will develop into a formidable trio.....

Gibbs may play half forward then move middle...But gee, thanks for the picked apart flaws bit Mr DOOMSAYER!

[audas]

Maybe we can hoave the band-aid award for people wh can point out the bleeding obvious or cut themselves getting on the band wagon.

A couple of things. Lets get off the one trick pony Eddie Betts thing. Seriously, try getting your own opinion, because who ever said this first is just wrong. Heres why:

Best ball handling skills in the team.
Best goal sense of any player in the team.
Best tackler in the team.
Best defensive forward in the team.
Best small forward we have.

HE IS NOT UNFIT he does not have long distance stamina. He has explosive speed, not endurance, big differnce.

And not having long term stamina does not mean someone is a one trick pony.

And finally if the guy could only play one role, why then, has he ben used out of position almost all of last season playing roles he is not meant to be playing.

And then again, if we dont have Eddie as our small forward crumber, who then ?

Sheesh, drop eddie and he would be snapped up by almost any club. I drives me mental how people just start coming up with garbage.

Nick Stevens 44 possesions and he BAGGED for playing a bad game type of shyte that goes on.

[audas]

Geez, calm down Audas, only commenting on his stamina.

Anyway, heres something to consider (and anyone who can thinks some of htese players haven't played enough games, Bower or hartlett should play in the back line, Waite is a bad kick you get a BANDAID AWARD).

We have a lot of talls who are coming up and in the team, from setanta to kouta. We are constantly going on about Waite and Fish maybe Lance in the forward line. But, we could cause teams some real headaches through our flexibility. The forward line could move from talls, to mountains, to mediums to a bunch of fast moving smalls.

So to get us out of the mould (I mean mould) of this person goes here, you can't list that person cause the've only played 13 games etc, etc, please list some out of the ordinary forward lines.

FF: Betts, Fish, Fev
HF:Kennedy, Gibbs, Blackers

Each line works as a pair going forward so (Betts feeds of Kennedy, Blackers helps out Fev (think of that goal in "THE FEV" video))

Gibbs is moving around running amok and basically pinging the goal. While Fish is the best standing pack mark there is.

or

FF: Lance, Cloak, Fev
HF: Aisake, Kennedy, Setanta

Not sure about that one, but hey, who the hell are the going to put on em.


or

your turn, try anything !!

[HBF]

FF: Lance, Cloak, Fev
HF: Aisake, Kennedy, Setanta



:eek: :confused:

[sticks74]

:eek: :confused:

Cloak???....hardly a bloke you can hang your hat on...lol lol

[linchpin]

I am rapt about getting Cam Cloke.

I think he will grasp the opportunity.

A lump of a kid and only 20 odd.....

Give him a break and ample opportunity.....

[sticks74]

I am rapt about getting Cam Cloke.

I think he will grasp the opportunity.

A lump of a kid and only 20 odd.....

Give him a break and ample opportunity.....

Just ******** stiring the incorrect spelling of his name...
Excuse the pi** take
Too small to be a ruck and not good enough to play KP... I hope i am proven wrong!
Fill in player till Big strawbs and the spring heel jack mature!

[linchpin]

Just ******** stiring the incorrect spelling of his name...
Excuse the pi** take
Too small to be a ruck and not good enough to play KP... I hope i am proven wrong!
Fill in player till Big strawbs and the spring heel jack mature!
Sticks.....You sure you are only 32? I am 32... And I am sure you were 34 when you retired in 1997....Which makes you 44???
You fibber....

Who would you rather? Take a punt on Cloke or keep Iron Gloves Deluca????

I dont think I could have taken any more of his insipid football!

[sticks74]

Sticks.....You sure you are only 32? I am 32... And I am sure you were 34 when you retired in 1997....Which makes you 44???
You fibber....

Who would you rather? Take a punt on Cloke or keep Iron Gloves Deluca????

I dont think I could have taken any more of his insipid football!

lol
Ill take a punt on Cloke...Dudluca was a shocker!
Cloke could work out ok...just worried he is small for rucking duties and not a KP players ar**ho**...

Really excited about Big strawbs and Hampson...

[FieryNayta]

Fisher has more talent in his little finger than Cloke has in his entire body. No way will he get a game before Fisher.

Lappin also, a proven talent and inventive playmaker (not to mention gun!) is 30 times better than a guy who's only chalked up 20 games in 4 years.

Cloke has to take a backseat and should not be given a game over our own proven talent.

[linchpin]

Fisher has more talent in his little finger than Cloke has in his entire body. No way will he get a game before Fisher.

Lappin also, a proven talent and inventive playmaker (not to mention gun!) is 30 times better than a guy who's only chalked up 20 games in 4 years.

Cloke has to take a backseat and should not be given a game over our own proven talent.

Lappin has been playing uninterested in Struggletown...

I hope he comes good. But at 30+ there are many in the que wiating to take his place.

Cloke is our own....Not them, but our OWN! If he is training the house down, he deserves every opportunity...

But by your reason, Scotland, Teague, Saddo, Cloke, Carrazzo, Stevens, Ackland, McClaren, Bannister and Lappin for that matter should all be thought of after our own??

[Bradles21]

Lappin is quality and is not just a great player but a great leader. This is how my best 22 would look like,

B: Russel Thornton Bower
HB: Scotland Whitnal Walker
C: Simpson Stevens Lappin
HF: Houlihan Kennedy Fisher
F: Betts Fevola Waite
R: Ackland Bentick Murphy
I: Koutoufides Mclaren Carrazo Gibbs

Depth players: Cloke Blackwell Saddington Banister Wiggins O'hailpin Anderson Hartlett:thumbsu:

[audas]

:eek: :confused:

wow, straight away. BANDAID AWARD for stating the bleeding obvious

[audas]

Cloak???....hardly a bloke you can hang your hat on...lol lol

And the very next post, another BANDAID AWARD for cutting themselves getting on the bandwagon.

[TorresIsGod]

Guys, it is getting closer by the day. I can hear the siren now, blowing somewhere in the distance.

Barring injury, and the possible development and inclusion of other youngsters, I have put togeather a team which I believe will start to play some scintilating footy.


FB: T-Bird - Hartlett - Carrazo

HB: Scotland - O'hailpin - Bower

Centre: Stevens - Walker - Simpson

HF: Kennedy - Whitnall - Waite

FF: Cloke - Fevola - Betts

Followers: Ackland - Gibbs - Murphy

Interchange: Kouta, Blackwell, Mclaren, Bentick

Emergency: Lappin, Wiggins, Fish, Russell

Yes, a little out there....But the continued development of Setanta has me thinking he can hold down a key position.

Hart's.... A make or break year. For him and us. Injury will decide his footballing fate. He has the nous and the size. Does he have his body sound?

Cloke is the big question mark. Could he play CHB? He would be a great foil in the forward line allowing Lance up the ground. We all know how good Lance is at reading the play. He will be our greates assett playing once again in attack.

Kouta? Where to for the former champ? I can not see him playing a great deal of footy. More of an impact type of role for the Adonis. Can pinch hit at either end of the ground.

Lappin, I could not fit in on 06 form....I hope he once again finds his mojo..

Gibbs we know will not play in the middle for too long, if not start there at all. But this will be his position. Lets hope for another Murph. Kennedy? The great white hope....Could be anything. I see him becoming a stand out one grab mark. Bring back the contested ball! Great hands and reads the play well. Extra bulk will only help his strength. A great talent on the rise.

With Blackers continued development and the possible gem in Joey Anderson, who knows what we may achieve?

Saddington and Teague may just about be cooked. Out of the two, Jase has the greater opportunity with a full pre season under his belt.
What do you think guys?
_________________

Well, that team looks fine, but, if you have Ackland starting in the ruck, and you have Cam Cloke starting in the pocket, there is no need for McLaren (the worst player on our list) to be on the bench. I think Lappin should be in the starting eighteen, in the pocket, and Cloke on the bench and McLaren GONE!!

[linchpin]

I am surprised that most of you guys think Lappin is a leader and still a quality footballer...

Go watch some tapes of 1999 to 2002....

He is so far away from that bloke it is not funny...

He is past it, or needs a shake up, because the crap he dished up last year was ordinary to say the least.

He shows little leadership and on a number of occassions berated the youngsters!

[audas]

I am surprised that most of you guys think Lappin is a leader and still a quality footballer...

Go watch some tapes of 1999 to 2002....

He is so far away from that bloke it is not funny...

He is past it, or needs a shake up, because the crap he dished up last year was ordinary to say the least.

He shows little leadership and on a number of occassions berated the youngsters!

Nothing wrong with berating the youngsters. Give em a spray if they need it. Its all about balance, an arze wipe here and there backhander there. Its aussie rules mate, not going to get by on kisses and cuddles.

As far as previous years go, maybe. But lets not start bagging players of his calibre like we normally do THIS early in the season. Everyones allowed a bad year, and as far as I can tell thats been his first since he escaped.

[linchpin]

Nothing wrong with berating the youngsters. Give em a spray if they need it. Its all about balance, an arze wipe here and there backhander there. Its aussie rules mate, not going to get by on kisses and cuddles.

As far as previous years go, maybe. But lets not start bagging players of his calibre like we normally do THIS early in the season. Everyones allowed a bad year, and as far as I can tell thats been his first since he escaped.

Audas, I am not bagging him at all...

I just think that his heart was not in it last year. As for berating the kids. How does it help on the footy field? It looks terrible to supporters and does not show leadership in the slightest. He gave JR a mouthful in the first game against the Tigers last year. You never see Lance carry on...But as I said previously, I hope he comes good, for his sake and ours...

[AndyWalkersGirl]

Sounds like Lappin was taking his frustrations out on the younger boys, which is not a good thing to do.

I'm a Lappin fan normally, so hopefully the worst is behind him, he's had his bad year, and he'll settle in a lot more easier this year :)