Hypothetical

[ImperialPurple]

If you had to pick 10 players from our current list to build a squad around and carry us forward for the next 5 years, who would you pick and why?

I would take:

1. Pav - the rock up forward
2. Mayne - along side him for that crumbing presence and forward line pressure
3. McPharlin - the rock down back
4. Hayden - along side him for the small fwds and the run out of defence
5. Sandilands - 211cm and still improving
6. Ibbotson - ruck-rover to Sandilands
7. Palmer - rover; the three of them make a pretty good following division
8. Drum - Mr Versatile, can go forward or back

Gets harder from here... but I'll go with

9. Hinkley - young, fast and a pure midfielder
10. Foster - apart from the fact he's my buddy so of course I am biased, he also is young, fast and a pure midfielder.

The three emergencies are Hasleby & Headland - different style midfielders with different qualities and strengths and both with the abilities to drift forward and kick goals, both have proven track records and 4-5 years left if their bodies hold up; and Michael Johnson for his class and his ability to play forward or back also.

[Lach72]

You disrespect Kepler at your peril :cool:

[ImperialPurple]

:eek:

Actually TBH, I was tempted with Keps... only 22, huge engine, big heart, 199cm, can play back up ruck, side-stepped Judd to kick a beauty on the run after taking a couple of bounces - what's not love about Big Kep?? :thumbsu:

[bigkev bleeds purple]

Obviously you can't pick everyone, but I'd say Creepy was probably a bit unlucky. Every team needs a tagger and at the moment he's one of the AFL's best.

If we could push some stem cell legislation through state parliament and pump St Peter's legs full of them he would be at the top of the list.

[Lach72]

:eek:

Actually TBH, I was tempted with Keps... only 22, huge engine, big heart, 199cm, can play back up ruck, side-stepped Judd to kick a beauty on the run after taking a couple of bounces - what's not love about Big Kep?? :thumbsu:

Lucky I missed the game, hey? :o

[ImperialPurple]

Obviously you can't pick everyone, but I'd say Creepy was probably a bit unlucky. Every team needs a tagger and at the moment he's one of the AFL's best.

If we could push some stem cell legislation through state parliament and pump St Peter's legs full of them he would be at the top of the list.

True - Crowls has come into some terrific form over the past month or so. But yeah, if it's 10, then maybe Crowley for Fossie or Hinkley.

1. Pav
2. Mayne
3. McPharlin
4. Hayden
5, Sandi
6. Ibbo
7. Palmer
8. Drum
9/10. From - Hinkley, Foster, Crowley, Kep, Hase, Des, MiJ

They would have to be able to keep playing for another 5 years, so realistically Hayden (28 in Dec) / Des (28 in Jan) / Hase (27 next month) might be pushing it anyway.

[Chops_a_must]

I'd have Crowley instead of Sandi - perhaps the most overrated ruckman ever to play.

Not sure about Foster either, but he's worth a punt.

Certainly wouldn't have Hase or Headland. Perhaps Grover, MiJ or Keplar... Grover being Mr. Reliable, and Keplar looking like a very very good backup ruck. MiJ has been very very scratchy. Can't be good being a dad at such a young age... plus running for the president of the USA position. Belly from Geraldton is one thing, but Obama Johnson from the states each week? Pretty tough.

[Ysaye]

Okay - I think if we were rebuilding from ten players, those players would be:

1. Pavlich (Superstar and you need a KP forward)
2. Palmer (Future leader of the midfield)
3. Hasleby (Adds the experience, comes to the party in big games)
4. McPharlin (Decent KP Backman, with ability to swing forward)
5. Sandilands (Decent Ruckman)
6. Mayne (Speedy Half Forward)
7. Headland (Dangerous Half Forward/Wingman who can win games off boot)
8. Ibbotson (Speedy Wingman Potential)
9. Dunno....
10. Dunno again.....

[Chops_a_must]

How much longer do people honestly think Headland and Haselby have left?

1-2 more years I reckon, but nowhere near their best, and you would hope after that that some of the young guys would be creaming them for spots.

[Belnakor]

Haselby's game isn't based around pace, so i think he'll probably get a few more years than most. His game is based around fast hands and reactions, and they take a couple more years to go.

DJ headland wouldn't have much left though, especially if his knee is as ____ed as the rumors say.

[Eagle Ant]

If you had to pick 10 players from our current list to build a squad around and carry us forward for the next 5 years, who would you pick and why?

I would take:

1. Pav - the rock up forward
2. Mayne - along side him for that crumbing presence and forward line pressure
3. McPharlin - the rock down back
4. Hayden - along side him for the small fwds and the run out of defence
5. Sandilands - 211cm and still improving
6. Ibbotson - ruck-rover to Sandilands
7. Palmer - rover; the three of them make a pretty good following division
8. Drum - Mr Versatile, can go forward or back

Gets harder from here... but I'll go with

9. Hinkley - young, fast and a pure midfielder
10. Foster - apart from the fact he's my buddy so of course I am biased, he also is young, fast and a pure midfielder.

The three emergencies are Hasleby & Headland - different style midfielders with different qualities and strengths and both with the abilities to drift forward and kick goals, both have proven track records and 4-5 years left if their bodies hold up; and Michael Johnson for his class and his ability to play forward or back also.
As An outsider I just thought a unbias point of view would be cool.
I agee with all but 10 i would never leave Mike Johnson out of the side ever. Also unlucky today guys but as they say keep banging and sooner or later the door will open! GL next week against Port:thumbsu:

[dominguez]

Michael Johnson's a concern, had one good season and has done stuff all since. Can't play a key position and can't play midfield or wing. He looks destined to be a flanker type without the pace to really hurt the opposition. Foster needs to get off the Thornton diet and start spending more time in the gym with Ibbotson. How cut did Ibbo look today!

[Chops_a_must]

Michael Johnson's a concern, had one good season and has done stuff all since. Can't play a key position and can't play midfield or wing. He looks destined to be a flanker type without the pace to really hurt the opposition. Foster needs to get off the Thornton diet and start spending more time in the gym with Ibbotson. How cut did Ibbo look today!
Yeah, not sure what work he's doing on his triceps, but it is working. :thumbsu: Some of our young guys really look like our hardest workers, like I've said many times. A real embarrassment.

If Foster has a bad back, there aint much he can do really. He's probably missing a lot of work and only able to do stuff on the bike.

[Moo]

If you had to pick 10 players from our current list to build a squad around and carry us forward for the next 5 years, who would you pick and why?

1. Mr M Pavlich - Class personified on and off the field.
2. Luke McPharlin - Well take him and Pav and you have class at both ends of the ground ...can also push forward
3. Sandilands - Ruck is a tough position and I have made no secret that I see Sandi as one of core four
4. Palmer - If this was a 10 year team and you could only take 1 player ...it would be him so he walks into this list
5 Ibbotson - At 20 he is still a kid, very nice height at 188 and a class act
6 Drum - Another kid with very nice skills and the ability to play KP especially as he gets a bit of weight on sem bones
7 Mayne - Love the kids attitude and attack on the ball
8 Michael Johnson - I have taken MJ over some of the more obvious choices ...I think guys like Hase and Hayden may struggle as they get over 30 and I wouldnt want nothing but 19 & 20 year olds ..MJ is a nice mid player at 23
9 Crowley - Easily has 5 years in him and he is a great competitor
10 Mundy - Have to generate some controversy don't we? Very good skills and I am afraid when I look down our list I don't see many better with his height 192 cm - skill set and a good head on his shoulders

Apologies to Hase and Hayden - I am just ageist.

Very close to taking Warnock, Hinkley and even gambling on a Taz or Kep.

[kiroshi]

warnock is the future people, he will be a gun. :thumbsu:

[Avid_Avenger]

Don't think you should limit it to 10. I know its a hypothetical but 10 great reliable players is still not enough to build a successful club around. It should really be dragged out closer to a future 22 with one or two added for depth coz then you can add guys with relatively unknown potential like Foster - otherwise you're simply banking on talent that has only played 4 or 5 games and needs to baulk up in the gym.

We all know how Peake and Schammer have turned out.

But due to the set perimeters, here goes:

1. Pav
2. McPharlin
3. Sandi
4. Palmer
5. Ibbo
6. Mayne
7. Taz
8. Kep
9. Drum
10. Hayden
11. Hinkley (sorry, had to add a 'wildcard')

12. (And hard done by) Crowley, Solly, Grover, Mundy, Dodd, Mi Johnson, Foster.

Despite the necessity of midfielders these days you still need at least 2 quality KP Forwards and 2 quality KP Backs to form a sturdy spine and two guys who can ruck or you're team will not be able to win consistently, especially in the finals-type games. (The argument that WC didn't have a good forward line/backline doesn't rub with me becoz IMO they won their premiership whilst the competition was weakened by a transition phase. Sydney even has two quality KPF's in Hall and O'Loughlin and two quality KPB's in Barry and Bolton. Geelong have many at either end).

The mids I've squeezed into my top 10 are the ones who've shown they are 'pure' mids and will be quality in the future except for Hinkley who is a gamble at this stage.

[Scham]

We'll never have the ultimate success if we build a side around Headland! His current contract will be his last with this club IMO.

Hinkley should definately be in there.

If Warnock stays, he would be in there ahead of Sandi. Still not sure if Sandi will make it?

Jonno would have to improve to be one of the 10. Not sure we can play him and Mundy in the one side and not get exposed?

And now its looking like Rich will be in the 10 too!

[rgauci]

Its pretty easy really, clubs at the bottom of the ladder are always underrated. Just need to add 1 or 2 more class players and have a better run with injuries.

1. Pavlich
2. McPharlin
3. Sandilands
4. Hayden
5. Palmer
6. Headland
7. Ibbotson
8. Tarrant
9. MiJohnson
10. Crowley
11. Mayne
12. J.Carr
13. Hasleby
14. Dean Solomon
15. Peter Bell
16. Antoni Grover
17. Marcus Drum
18. Keplar Bradley
19. Jeff Farmer
20. Heath Black

Realistically our list is good enough to win a flag next season presuming a lot of things go right, and i mean a lot of things (*explained further down). I'm not suggesting trading for players, but we aren't that far away.

All the aforementioned players could be part of premiership succes. This is how i would line them up:

Hayden McPharlin Grover
Mi.Johnson Drum H.Black
Ibbotson Hasleby ??????
Headland Tarrant Palmer
Farmer Pavlich Mayne
R: Sandilands Crowley ???????

Int: Bradley Solomon Bell J.Carr

Now the spots to fill can't be filled by run of the mill players. We need players who are capable of winning their position on a regular basis.

If Bell doesn't play on next year we need another midfielder. Similarly if Farmer calls it quits we need another small forward.

So its quite obvious the midfield needs the most work. 1x class inside player and another wingman in the mould of Ibbotson.

But in all likelihood we won't challenge for a flag next year because everything won't go right.

But we could be premiers if:

1) Bell played on and stayed in current form (first game out of 8 he's lost yesterday)
2) Hasleby comes back from knee reco at top form
3) Farmer captures form again
4) Continued growth of youngsters
5) No player goes backwards
6) Injury free run for majority of best 22

Probably no.6 is the most important. Anyone think the year would be different if:
Hasleby didn't do a knee.
Headland was fit all year.
Hayden played most games.
J.Carr didn't get him self suspended.
Would definately take the pressure off Ibbotson and Palmer, though perhaps this sustained run of being to goto men will make our midfield rotations more potent in the long run.

[Lach72]

So, if we win less than 5 games we get a 2nd round Priority pick?

[wehavethepassion]

what is it with the number 10? Connolly singled out 10 players for special treatment from larcom. The rest is history

[ImperialPurple]

So, if we win less than 5 games we get a 2nd round Priority pick?

yep. if we were to win <5 games, and come (say) 15th, we'd end up with picks 2, 18, 20, 36, 52.

[wizard_9]

Pavlich
McPharlin
Sandilands
Warnock
Palmer
Ibbotson
Hasleby
Hayden
Grover
Headland

In no particular order.

[Freo Shark]

yep. if we were to win <5 games, and come (say) 15th, we'd end up with picks 2, 18, 20, 36, 52.

Yea I think the Tigers and Blues can still get a first round priority pick, they need to win five to lose that??

Blues probably will, Tigers I dont think will. So we'll get a pick somewhere between 2-5.

[ImperialPurple]

Yea I think the Tigers and Blues can still get a first round priority pick, they need to win five to lose that??

Blues probably will, Tigers I dont think will. So we'll get a pick somewhere between 2-5.

True that.

Carlton only need to win one more and they "lose" the number 1 draft pick for the first time since 2004. Master tankers that lot. :rolleyes:

However, I disagree on Richmond. They only need another 2 wins to not qualify for the PP. I reckon they'll pull off at least 2 wins out of the next 14 rounds. Probably one of them against us in Rd 21... :o

[Rabbitoh]

I find it interesting that Tarrant isn't on the lists. he has 2 years left on his contract, is starting to play some great footy and looks like he might even be enjoying it.
I have been a big critic of Tarrant in the past, but reckon he is starting to repay Harvey back for the faith shown in him.
All the shit he has copped [which was unusual last year, other than the yips, the rest of his game was good, but justified criticism early this year], coupled with personal problems were probably contributing factors to this years poor form.

The last few weeks he has shown the things that got people got stoked over when we recruited him. Great marks, leading, defence and some better accuracy, with a hard work rate.
Last quarter stats aren't overly flash, but that is hard as a forward when your midfield doesn't get the ball.
I reckon if his form continues, there is no reason to not include him in a team you can build youth around.
Onya Taz

[spEKTre]

This topic really doesn't address what we all know about the Dockers and that on paper they rock!. The list is full of talent lets face it, on paper it sh!ts on the Eagles list and probably 2/3's of the rest of the competition. If the eagles had Pavlich and Tarrant not to mention McPharlin we would be invincible.

There is one fact most at Freo dismiss and thats the guys who actually call the shots have always been your problem. You have yet to have had a top line coach/coaching staff, forget Harvey as all he has done is bring in his own people and recruit old stale players from the East. You need someone like Sheedy or Eade to shake off the amatureness that seems to always be there.

The Dockers used to be my second team until I realised that they accept mediocrity and continually bring disappointment to their fans, I have seen many Eagles supporters in the same boat as me...give up on them.

[dominguez]

This topic really doesn't address what we all know about the Dockers and that on paper they rock!. The list is full of talent lets face it, on paper it sh!ts on the Eagles list and probably 2/3's of the rest of the competition. If the eagles had Pavlich and Tarrant not to mention McPharlin we would be invincible.


The Dockers used to be my second team until I realised that they accept mediocrity and continually bring disappointment to their fans, I have seen many Eagles supporters in the same boat as me...give up on them.

Sure we have plenty of talented talls, but our midfield would be one of the weakest in the comp especially considering Hase, Headland and Carr didn't play yesterday. Only losers have a second team anyway.

[Tundrawolf]

yep. if we were to win <5 games, and come (say) 15th, we'd end up with picks 2, 18, 20, 36, 52.

Now they would be good picks.
2. Rich
18. Yarran (maybe because of his height might still be available)
20. Swift (Maybe available because of his knee injury last year- was rated the equal to Rich a couple of years back. Not uncommon for him to have 40 possessions a game)
36. King (absolute champ in the making. Natural runner who can get the ball and kick goals)
52. De Boer (playing senior footy for Claremont)

5 West Aussie midfielders:thumbsu:

Of course winning all our remaining games would be better:)

[Lach72]

De Boer won't go at 50-odd surely?

[Tundrawolf]

Wishful thinking in that he'd be available.

Dont think he'd be top 25 either.

[Freomaniac]

Now they would be good picks.
2. Rich
18. Yarran (maybe because of his height might still be available)
20. Swift (Maybe available because of his knee injury last year- was rated the equal to Rich a couple of years back. Not uncommon for him to have 40 possessions a game)
36. King (absolute champ in the making. Natural runner who can get the ball and kick goals)
52. De Boer (playing senior footy for Claremont)

5 West Aussie midfielders:thumbsu:

Of course winning all our remaining games would be better:)

Totally agree with that. Getting blokes outside of WA would be a concern for me. Especially the fact if they are "homesick".

Ive seen that hypothetical list of top 10 players in our club. and ive been impressed. Now for my top 10. and some people might be surprised who I choose.

1. Rhys Palmer: Yep I said it! hes one of the best players Freo have recruited since the famous 1999 draft when we got Hasleby at 2, pav at 4 and Leigh Brown at 5. One of those players that gives his all reagrdless how the team is going. Future captain right here.

2.Kepler Bradley: Yeah I know. Hes 198cm, can play forward defense or ruck. and hes underated. Essendon screwed him over. Hes doing his best to benifit his 2nd chance.

3.Matthew Pavlich: I know people will be shocked about this. Hes got at least 5 to 8 years with us. Best goal kicker in our history. reason i put him 3rd cause you need a good Ruckman and Midfielder(s) to feed the ball to the big fella.

4 Ryan Crowley: it was either him or Josh Carr as our best tagger. I chose him beacuse hes younger and he keeps away from trouble with the tribunral.

5: Rob Warnock: Hes 21 and can be a decent Ruckman. Time will improve him.

6 Roger Hayden: Should of been All australian last year. brillliant back pocket/back flanker. cant believe hes 27!:eek:

7: Luke MacPharlin: Great tall defender either Centre Half Back or full back.

8: Michael Johnson: Theres a bit of adam goodes about Him. Hes tall and skinny but can Play anywhere.

9: Garrick Ibbotson: Hes a Hard Running Midfielder and racks up 20 disposals a game.

10: Chris Mayne: He looks like Shaun MacManus with that Hair cut but hell hes as dedicated like the man Himself. will make a good wing man or half formard flanker.

Thats my top 10. thats a good core to build around the next 5 years. all but 3 of those players are under 25 or under.

I would of added Byron Schammer or David Mundy. but its good to see some good and young wa boys on that list.:)

[o54595]

warnock is the future people, he will be a gun. :thumbsu:

Not at Fremantle.

[o54595]

Those, who feel that Hasleby and Headland are players to build a team around and carry the club forward for the next 5 years, should take a long hard look at themselves. There would be more chance of Harvey coaching at Freo for the next 5 years than there would be of either of them playing for that long.

[Jetau]

Those, who feel that Hasleby and Headland are players to build a team around and carry the club forward for the next 5 years, should take a long hard look at themselves. There would be more chance of Harvey coaching at Freo for the next 5 years than there would be of either of them playing for that long.

That's fair enough, too. You can probably add Black and (dare I say it) Hayden to that list as well, gun player though he is. :(

[o54595]

That's fair enough, too. You can probably add Black and (dare I say it) Hayden to that list as well, gun player though he is. :(

Agree wholeheartedly.

[Lach72]

Those, who feel that Hasleby and Headland are players to build a team around and carry the club forward for the next 5 years, should take a long hard look at themselves. There would be more chance of Harvey coaching at Freo for the next 5 years than there would be of either of them playing for that long.

You're probably right...and it may be a reason we have a massive cleanout of fringe players for picks, to rejuvenate this year before the new teams come in...Hopefully they review the rookie list totals too and we can really bring some new blood in.

...and this may mean trying to trade guys like Schammer and Peake for lower picks...As well as Murphy, Campbell and Warnock if he goes...

[prattsta]

The FFC is about to board a doomed flight to the Bahamas for their end of season trip. Luckily for them I've had a Final Destination style premonition. Unluckily for them I'm only going to have enough time to make 10 phone calls prior to take-off...

1. Pavlich - 191cm 100kg 31.12.81
Perfect player to build a team around. He's not included in 'best player in the AFL' debates for nothing.

2. McPharlin - 193cm 95kg 12.01.81
Could be the best full-back in the AFL if he wasn't forced to play CHF more often than not. More than handy when thrown up forward as well.
3. Sandilands - 211cm 125kg 12.06.82
Whilst Sandi's effort concerns me at times, he is constantly improving. When he takes a contested mark I don't have to pinch myself any more. Get the right players around him and he could be an unstoppable force.

4. Ibbotson - 187cm 84kg 15.03.88
Perfect modern day midfielder. Fast, tall and skilful. Also more than capable of winning his own ball. Did I mention he's fast?

5. Palmer - 181cm 80kg 13.02.89
Works hard and runs all day, just refuses to get beaten. Is an outstanding 'do as i do' style leader.

6. Drum - 190cm 88kg 05.01.87
Versatile defender, could be the perfect sidekick to McPharlin down back. Has also shown he's not out of place up forward.

7. Warnock - 205cm 95kg 19.01.87
Given how well he compliments Sandi, after 2 games in purple Kepler almost got named here. Unfortunately Kepler would be the perfect side-kick for how i see Warnock turning out as well. That made me think 'always the bridesmaid never the bride' for young Keps, so our future number 1 ruckman gets the number 7 phone call.

(Note: Warnock only gets told the reason I'm calling after i receive a copy of his renewed contract)

8. Mayne - 187cm 79kg 02.11.88
Whilst I see him as more of a midfielder than a forward, he's already shown worst case he's a more than handy flanker for the next ten years.

9. Hasleby - 180cm 85kg 06.12.81
Assuming Hase get's back to his best (no reason he shouldn't) he just has to be included on this list. Great hands in close, can't wait to see him working in combination with Palmer and Sandi next season. Have a chat with Peter German if you don't think Hase deserves a call.

10. Hinkley - 186cm 72kg 21.02.89
Hinkley at 10 is probably the most speculative pick on my list. Super quick, agile and versatile he just has all the ingredients to make a great midfielder.

Hayden is probably the unluckiest omission. Really unlucky actually, yes he's older (Born in 1980) he'd have at least 2-3 years of top footy left in him though. If I didn't think so highly of Hinkley he'd probably be number 10.

[Angus McFuttock]

It's alright Prattsta, Hayden read the play and forgot his passport anyway.

[prattsta]

It's alright Prattsta, Hayden read the play and forgot his passport anyway.

Thank god for that! I was starting to feel really guilty about wasting all my credit on 1800 numbers...

[Bluto]

If Warnock stays, he would be in there ahead of Sandi. Still not sure if Sandi will make it?


If I have misinterpreted you here I apologise, but this is directed at Sandi-haters in general...

If you are not sure if Sandi will make it then maybe you should watch some footy. Sandilands is a very good ruckman and player, the biggest problem is that he is hitting the ball down to a very poor midfield. "Hitouts to advantage" dont actually include the copious amounts of hitouts that go straight to our players only to be fumbled.

But seeing as though most Sandi knockers like to jump into the stats I will put a few out there that I like. Note: These are from the AFL website and are based on the top 25 players for hitouts as a proxy for sorting by ruckman. Every club has at least one representative on the list.

1. Contested Marks - Sandilands is ranked 1st with 13 (Also in the top 15 across the entire league, not bad for a bloke who cant take a mark for his life apparently).
2. Clearances - Sandilands is ranked 2nd with 32 (Behind Cox)
3. Contested Possessions - Sandilands is ranked 2nd with 75 (Behind Cox)
4. Hitouts - Sandilands is ranked 1st with 302
5. Total Disposals - Sandilands is ranked 5th (behind Cox, White, Simmonds and Hille).

[Angus McFuttock]

Sandilands has improved his contested marking and clearing the ball from stoppages on his own. But our midfield lacks the quality and physical presence around the ball. Consider our 6 genuine midfielders from the Carlton game - Palmer, Ibbotson, Bell, Schammer, Peake and Crowley. Peake is purely a wingman and ineffective around ball ups, Schammer plays limited game time (about 55%) and Crowley is the main tagger and doesn't get big stats.
After that we're relying on utility/flanker types like Macca, Solly, Mundy and Duffield. No wonder we got ripped to shreds by Judd, Stevens, Murphy, Gibbs etc.
I know it's stating the obvious (I hope) but we need to draft at least 3 genuine young mids (starting with Rich:)) to add to Hase coming back and hopefully Hinkley and Foster improving next season ( but minus Bell). The better teams have about 10-12 genuine hard running midfielders not 6-8 and topping up with utility players.
It might be a blessing in disguise if Warnock, Mundy & Murphy want trades and we can get into the first 3 rounds of the draft in a big way.