Selection trouble

[LeeARM]

An article was posted on essendonfc.com.au (http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=6487) that talked about fitting in McVeigh, McPhee and possibly Lonergan into the side this week. If we're having trouble fitting in players now I'm wondering what will happen when Gumbleton, Reimers, Hurley, Welsh, Prismall and Laycock are back. Keeping in mind we'll want to get games into Neagle as well and any other players who are playing well in the VFL at the time.
I'm glad we have so many options and possibilities but I wanted to ask everyone which 22 (with everyone fit) is the best in terms of preparing for the future, having a good team structure and still having the best players possible?

[Kaiser Powser]

it's a welcome problem

[LeeARM]

it's a welcome problem
it definetly beats having not enough players.

[efcboy]

think the problem here is bringing in two blokes mcveigh and lonergan who have missed gaining some match fitness (particularly mcveigh) and dropping a hard fit bloke like dyson. i'm thinking they are best to just bring in the one which would have to be mcveigh on talent to avoid running out of legs etc. lonergan wasn't brilliant in R1 so i don't think one week in the vfl would hurt too much.

[Kong]

Driving home from the game on Saturday, I was most excited knowing that we still had Welsh, McVeigh, Lonergan, Reimers, Prismall, McPhee, Gumbleton and Hurley - not to mention players such as Houli and Neagle who create even more pressure for spots -still to return from injury. How's that for depth?!

[kelvin_sheedy]

There's no trouble fitting them in at all.

Myers, Nash, Dyson, Jetta aren't good enough at the moment and are only getting a game due to injuries.

When Reimers and Laycock become available then we might have a few headaches.

The form of Pears and Daniher might see Hurley playing a lot more VFL than first planned. Again not a bad thing because it means the other 2 are getting the job done.

[LeeARM]

i've been wondering about hocking, he's been playing great and when welsh comes back i can't really see where he fits into the team. it'd be nice if we could fit him somewhere instead of sending him back to Bendigo.
oh well.

[TechnoViking]

Hurley will be the no 1 young tall picked every week me thinks!

All three of them will play
:thumbsu::thumbsu:

[Smokin]

having such a horrid run last year was always going to pay off sooner or later - and now we have many players with senior experience providing depth.

Look on the weekend, with already 7-8 first 22 selections out, we could make a late repacement for quinn and could choose between the likes of Nash and Nat Rat, with guys like Houli playing 2's.

There will be room, as a couple ie Myers, Jetta and Nash would be hanging by a thread one would think.

Wouldnt be suprised to see Daniher trailed up forward in games once Hurley comes back. I think he may have the raw ingredients to be a very hard matchup.

[Skeeta Olly]

Had a look at the replay of the match last night and noticed some things.

Myers had a pretty good night when he had the ball. He set up the Lucas' goal from half back, running along the wing and following up from rebounding the 50.
On another occasion he received the hard ball and passed it off into space. This time though instead of following up he decided to sheppard off 2 Carlton players, giving room for his team mate to get an uncontested possession.
Mentioned on here before, he's a bit top heavy and needs to do some sprint training. Looked a bit slow out there when chasing.

As for Dyson, he was good but I've given up arguing his case, as I think I'm the only one that thinks he's playing well...

[Colin D'Cops]

It's a lovely situation to be in isn't it? :)

[Skeeta Olly]

The form of Pears and Daniher might see Hurley playing a lot more VFL than first planned. Again not a bad thing because it means the other 2 are getting the job done.

You would have to be 99% sure that he'll get some game time this year to learn off Fletcher, Knights wouldn't deny Hurley of that needed help and experience.

[JimmyHird]

I can't wait for the day when we have a close to fully fit squad with competition for a lot of places in the 22. It's hopefully not too far away in the near future :thumbsu:

[danzan22]

think the problem here is bringing in two blokes mcveigh and lonergan who have missed gaining some match fitness (particularly mcveigh) and dropping a hard fit bloke like dyson. i'm thinking they are best to just bring in the one which would have to be mcveigh on talent to avoid running out of legs etc. lonergan wasn't brilliant in R1 so i don't think one week in the vfl would hurt too much.
An unfit Mcveigh>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>a fully fit Dyson

[Boucks09]

Just watched the replay again on Fox Sports which confirmed a few things for me in regards to selection:

- Myers struggled. He did a few nice things but many of his errors were due to the fact that he was constantly fatigued. He gave away a few free kicks, made a couple of bad decisions and his skills weren't spot on. He needs to get some 'conditioning' (Knighter's favourite word) in the VFL.

- Leroy struggled. Again he made some poor decisions. His tackling pressure was great, but with Alwyn firing I'm not sure that is enough to keep him in the side.

Going off Knight's comments today the following appear obvious:

- McPhee will play
- McVeigh will play
- Lonergan will play VFL
- 1 of Houli, Quinn and Nat Rat will play

The most interesting things for the remainder of the season for me are the following:

- Can we play Hurley, Pears and Daniher all together in defence? It would be great as they are the nucleus of our backline in the next 2-10 years. I think Darcy could play on a smaller forward, Pears on the monster, Hurley at full back and Fletcher doing WTF he wants to :)

- Does Laycock play? I am an abashed Laycock fan. However Knight's seems intent to play Ryder as the second ruckman at the moment rather than Bellchambers which raises an interesting point RE Laycock. Given my first point about the 3 young defenders, it appears Ryder won't play CHB, so does he play permanent forward if Laycock comes into the team?

- Neagle. Lloyd said yesterday that the experiment with him at full forward hadn't worked. Whilst it is disappointing that he is playing so poorly, it could work out ok. Lloyd has been forced to go back deep and has now found form. With Lloyd's form, Lucas will also gain confidence. So if Neagle finds form he can come into the team with both senior forwards in form and able to adapt better to a change in roles much easier than they were able to at the start of this season. He will get opportunities when he derserves them.

- Hocking vs Lonergan. Didn't see this one coming but I've got a feeling both players are playing for the same spot when Welsh comes back. Ignoring Hocking's ability to tag a player, he is clearly an in and under clearance player in the same ilk as Lonergan. The gap is closer than many think.

-Monfries vs Skipworth. I think that with many solid midfielders to come into the side, there is only room for one of these two as a small forward who gets plenty of posession through the midfield. Both have been great so far this year, so it could go either way depending on form throughout. I'm favouring Gus just at this stage but have been wrapped with the Skipworth selection.

So at this stage (lots will change but this is from around Round 12 onwards) my best 22 for this year are:

Backs: Slattery, Hurley, Daniher
Half Backs: Fletcher, Pears, Dempsey
Centres: Prismall, Watson, Stanton
Half Forwards: Lovett, Lucas, McPhee
Forwards: Davey, Lloyd, Monfries
Followers: Hille, McVeigh, Welsh
I/C: Ryder, Winderlich, Reimers, Lonergan
Emerg: Depending on opponent

Notes:

- I don't think Gumbleton or Laycock will get fit enough to play seniors this year. Even if they do make a comeback they would have to hit great form to force a way in.

- I think that one of the 3 young KPP will be dropped occasionally depending on matchups, in which case a Houli/Nash/Quinn would come in depending on form.

- Neagle will get a run on occasion with Lucas/Fletcher to rest some games with short turnarounds. When Fletcher rests, Ryder may go back to help.

- Myers and Jetta still have a way to go to forge a permanent spot in the team.

-Nat Rat plays games when one of the kids is showing signs of a long season (e.g. Pears as he is coming of a short preseason)

- Zaharakis keeps pressure on Lovett to stay dedicated

[abers47]

Sensational - how long since we have had this 'problem'? :D

[abers47]

Another pressing for selection should be Hooker - good game in the VFL!

[zaharakamania]

dont think my boy will be going anywhere in a hurry & the one out i really wouldnt want to see would be that of hocking - he has really started to impress imho:thumbsu:


& aint it great how quickly a clubs fortunes can turn around - touch wood!!

[the diddy]

At long last we have selection pressure, blokes will be picked more on performance, likely to see McPhee, McVeigh and Lonergan to play this week, hopefully we can stay injury free the next few weeks and then the selection problems will get very serious.

[Smyth94]

The form of Pears and Daniher might see Hurley playing a lot more VFL than first planned. Again not a bad thing because it means the other 2 are getting the job done.

Only, and only because Hurley will need the extra conditioning. Talent wise, he's the first one picked out of the three.

[kelvin_sheedy]

Only, and only because Hurley will need the extra conditioning. Talent wise, he's the first one picked out of the three.

Well he might be a better natural footballer but the others are better athletes. They might end up having better careers... it's too early to predict.

As long as they are doing the job, then I find it hard to fit all three in the same side and somethings got to give.

He might be unlucky and I'm not too fussed about having a first year KP kid only playing 4-6 games. I'd rather ease him in then put an enormous amount of strain on his body.

We should aim to get 15-20 games of football into him at any level.

Similar with Zaharakis, maybe 8-12 games AFL and then interchange him with Houli, Jetta and the like.

[Smyth94]

Well he might be a better natural footballer but the others are better athletes. They might end up having better careers... it's too early to predict.

As long as they are doing the job, then I find it hard to fit all three in the same side and somethings got to give.

He might be unlucky and I'm not too fussed about having a first year KP kid only playing 4-6 games. I'd rather ease him in then put an enormous amount of strain on his body.

We should aim to get 15-20 games of football into him at any level.

Similar with Zaharakis, maybe 8-12 games AFL and then interchange him with Houli, Jetta and the like.

Yeah I agree with that. I just think Knights will want him in the side more often than not because of the Fletch factor.

We're also a more dangerous team with Hurls in the side coming out of defense because he takes the kick in and can spot up Fletch from 50-60m, Fletch will be then able to spot up Lloyd/Lucas/Ryder with another 50-60m pass.

Tayte and DD can't do that. If there's no match up for him down back, give him a go up forward, where he is supposed to be pretty good too.

There's always a place in your side for a bloke that can kick the ball like Hurley.

[Darealrath]

Something is going to have to give in our midfield. Have you tried picking a best 22 assuming all of McVeigh, Welsh and Prismall return fit and in the form they had last season? Bloody hard.

I honestly think Lonergan could be in a bit of trouble, and one of McVeigh and Welsh
may have to move back/forward while only pinch hitting in the midfield to keep the balance right (as far as pace goes).

Very nice problem to have!

[kelvin_sheedy]

Yeah I agree with that. I just think Knights will want him in the side more often than not because of the Fletch factor.

I'm not sure about the Fletch factor. If he's a natural footballer and already knows how to position and all of that then he won't need Fletch's assistance as much.

Maybe Pears and Daniher will benefit a lot more from Fletch than Hurley and it'll be better for us in the long run.

[Thrust]

Myers had a pretty good night when he had the ball. He set up the Lucas' goal from half back, running along the wing and following up from rebounding the 50.
On another occasion he received the hard ball and passed it off into space. This time though instead of following up he decided to sheppard off 2 Carlton players, giving room for his team mate to get an uncontested possession.
Mentioned on here before, he's a bit top heavy and needs to do some sprint training. Looked a bit slow out there when chasing.

As for Dyson, he was good but I've given up arguing his case, as I think I'm the only one that thinks he's playing well...

I'm one of Dyson's biggest critics but I agree, also that pass to skipworth was sensational. Still don't think he'll make it but can't drop him after that game.

[Boucks09]

Something is going to have to give in our midfield. Have you tried picking a best 22 assuming all of McVeigh, Welsh and Prismall return fit and in the form they had last season? Bloody hard.

I honestly think Lonergan could be in a bit of trouble, and one of McVeigh and Welsh
may have to move back/forward while only pinch hitting in the midfield to keep the balance right (as far as pace goes).

Very nice problem to have!

I had a crack, let me know your thoughts. It's not easy!

[kelvin_sheedy]

Something Dermie said on the weekend got me thinking about our midfield. He said that he could not believe Carlton did not go for Daniel Rich because it would have given them a potentially great mid at every contest around the ground when players are resting.

For us I think it highlighted to me that we must play Watson, McVeigh, Lonergan and Welsh because they can rotate and give us a pretty good contest at every stoppage around the ground.

Geelong and Hawthorn do this and do it well with their depth in the middle.

What it means is that players like Stanton, Winderlich, Lovett, Prismall and the kids will be fighting for a few spots. Personally I think all the above guys offer us something extra than Prismall and it's why I can't see him in our best 22 if we have everyone fit.

[Darealrath]

Just quickly...

B: Fletcher Daniher Slattery
HB: Dempsey Pears Welsh
C: Stanton Watson Winderlich
HF: McPhee Lloyd Davey
FF: McVeigh Lucas Monfries
R: Hille Prismall Lovett
Int: Ryder Nash Skipworth Reimers

[The Donners]

B: Fletcher Hurley Slattery
HB: Dempsey Pears Welsh
C: Stanton Watson Winderlich
HF: Lloyd Ryder Davey
FF: McVeigh Lucas Monfries
R: Hille Prismall Lovett
Int: Hocking Reimers Gumbleton McPhee
Emerg: Skipworth Myers Zaharikis Daniher

Damn tough. I had to add an extra emergency and I'm still not sure of the final make-up! Some very stiff players. I hope this translates into great performances from all and sundry to retain their spots - or to get promoted!

I have every faith in Gumbleton becoming a star hence I forced a spot for him on the bench. I wanted Zaharikis in there too but the only person I could think of taking out for him was Slattery. Then who would play BP? I would say McVeigh would be the only player who could play there other than Slattery! Why? It has been said ad nauseam but BP specialists are not drafted.

[upanddown]

I have a feeling Lovett-Murray won't get a game this year and be delisted next year. Hopefully Jetta will be on the trade table at the end of the season. Apart from that the team should be alright.

Where can people see Neagle fitting in and Gumbleton?

[Mr Mosquito]

Personally I think all the above guys offer us something extra than Prismall and it's why I can't see him in our best 22 if we have everyone fit.

I would think that a midfielder that can find a place in Geelongs team, would quiet easily find a place it ours.

Dont find it likely knights goes after a guy in trade week, and offer him a contract like we have to ship hum off to bendigo.

IMO he is one of the first players picked in our midfield.

[Mr Mosquito]

B: Fletcher Hurley Slattery
HB: Dempsey Pears Welsh
C: Stanton Watson Winderlich
HF: Lloyd Ryder Davey
FF: McVeigh Lucas Monfries
R: Hille Prismall Lovett
Int: Hocking Reimers Gumbleton McPhee
Emerg: Skipworth Myers Zaharikis Daniher

Damn hard task! I think that this is because us as Essendon fans rarely get to see or even think to consider our best 22 because it is never available due to injury.

The changes i make to the above are:

Zaharakis 4 Hocking....as good as Hock has been i think Welsh has proven he is our best taggers.

For some reason i feel sad that Skipworth cant be fit into the team, even though selection difficulties should be a good thing. I do have a suspicion however Skipworth is somewhat of a love child to knights and think there will be some real unlucky person to miss out instead.

Houli and Lonergan can't even get an emergency spot........TIGHT

[kelvin_sheedy]

I would think that a midfielder that can find a place in Geelongs team, would quiet easily find a place it ours.

Dont find it likely knights goes after a guy in trade week, and offer him a contract like we have to ship hum off to bendigo.

IMO he is one of the first players picked in our midfield.

Well lets just look at it a little bit. He's an outside mid. He is not competing with Watson, McVeigh, Welsh and Lonergan for the inside post.

He's competing with Stanton, Winderlich, Lovett, and the more skilfull outside guys.

Winderlich and Lovett both have serious pace and on form are picked in front of him.

Stanton is a better player and demands to be picked.

Which mid do you leave out of the side for him?

Lovett Watson Winderlich

Hille McVeigh Welsh/Stanton

Lovett on the wing rotating with Stanton who might go a bit to half back. Welsh tagging when required.

[Mr Mosquito]

Well lets just look at it a little bit. He's an outside mid. He is not competing with Watson, McVeigh, Welsh and Lonergan for the inside post.

He's competing with Stanton, Winderlich, Lovett, and the more skilfull outside guys.

Winderlich and Lovett both have serious pace and on form are picked in front of him.

Stanton is a better player and demands to be picked.

Which mid do you leave out of the side for him?

Lovett Watson Winderlich

Hille McVeigh Welsh/Stanton

Lovett on the wing rotating with Stanton who might go a bit to half back. Welsh tagging when required.

The team listed above......put ur best 22 down

[kelvin_sheedy]

The team listed above......put ur best 22 down

B: 2 of Pears/Daniher/Hurley Slattery
HB: Dempsey Fletcher NLM
C: Stanton Watson Winderlich
HF: Lucas McPhee Lovett
FF: Davey Lloyd Jetta
R: Hille McVeigh Welsh
Int: Ryder Reimers Lonergan Hocking

Emg: Monfries, Prismall, Skipworth, Houli

[Mr Mosquito]

B: 2 of Pears/Daniher/Hurley Slattery
HB: Dempsey Fletcher NLM
C: Stanton Watson Winderlich
HF: Lucas McPhee Lovett
FF: Davey Lloyd Jetta
R: Hille McVeigh Welsh
Int: Ryder Reimers Lonergan Hocking

Emg: Monfries, Prismall, Skipworth, Houli

ha ha a u fricken kidding?

The highlighted point are where u are wrong......anyone who thinks u have n e idea is deluded themselves

[loopy_cam]

ha ha a u fricken kidding?

The highlighted point are where u are wrong......anyone who thinks u have n e idea is deluded themselves

Well that's a well constructed arguement if ever I've seen one. :rolleyes:

[B-Bomber]

As far as KSs team is concerned, based on what we've seen at AFL level I would much prefer Reimers in the FP instead of Jetta and rotating through the midfield while Prismall takes up a bench spot. Between Davey, Reimers, Winders, Lovett I think we will generally have the FP covered. Besides, another skillful outside midfielder like Prismall (who can also kick goals) reduces the need for genuine crumbers a little bit. Would love Jetta to take the next step but if everyone was fit right now he would need to work his arse off at Bendigo first.

As far as NLM is concerned... I'd be tempted to play Daniher as the attacking HBF as he has shown flair in this area much like NLM but has more upside (and possibly a better defensive side to his game). That does leave our backline quite tall however.

[Mr Mosquito]

Well that's a well constructed arguement if ever I've seen one. :rolleyes:

Well i would have though there was no argument necessary.

NLM is gone, he wont play this year, unless we a severely struck by injury again. He butchers the ball too often and its time as a club we move past these type of players.

Prismall is very comfortably in our best 22, not an issue at all about it, he is there.

Monfries, Kelvin obviously didnt watch the game on the weekend. A guy who is capable of playing a game like that is in our best 22.

Jetta - i like the dynamics of him and davey in the same side, however he does not deserve his spot, he has not performed at all really apart from 4 matches last year, and unless he really shows something throughout this year he may not be around much longer.

I also think that only one of Pears/Daniher will play each week alongside Hurley

[kelvin_sheedy]

ha ha a u fricken kidding?

The highlighted point are where u are wrong......anyone who thinks u have n e idea is deluded themselves

:D

Kids telling me I have no idea when they reply in sms unreadable rubbish. If you try to hold conversations in sms you'll end up cleaning toilets for the rest of your life.

As for the side well, NLM is a better option than Monfries for me. He can play forward, back, has more pace and kicking is on the same par. Monfries is a man in a kids body.

I have high hopes for Jetta and I like the combination forward with Davey. I think he makes our team better with his forward pressure and I'm willing to back him in that he can start producing the goods.

Prismall is yet to play a game for us so how can you say he's an automatic selection. He got a few games in Geelongs team last year but he fed off the likes of Ablett, Selwood, Ling. Remember how good Heffernan and Blumfield looked in 2000 surrounded by guns?

As for the side you put up, well you have Prismall and Lovett as ruck rover and rover. Who is going to win the ball? Neither are good at it. Your side is more dreamteam then reality.

[Colin D'Cops]

B: 2 of Pears/Daniher/Hurley Slattery
HB: Dempsey Fletcher NLM
C: Stanton Watson Winderlich
HF: Lucas McPhee Lovett
FF: Davey Lloyd Jetta
R: Hille McVeigh Welsh
Int: Ryder Reimers Lonergan Hocking

Emg: Monfries, Prismall, Skipworth, Houli

I'd want Prismall in the team anyday of the week ahead of both NLM & Hocking.

You could argue Hocking's in the team as a 'tagger', but the days of hard tagging are over now. Guys like Judd can burn you off with quick ball movement and pure pace easily.

NLM's one of them types that gets a bit flustered when the midfield is getting pumped. He continually gives away free kicks under pressure and fumbles the ball in critical stages of matches. I just don't think players like Nathan will take us to that next premiership; Now and into the future.

My best 22 would read Prismall in for Hocking, and Houli in for NLM.

[donsman4eva]

There seems to be a bit of talk about pushing Daniher up forward. I dont see the reasoning behind it though. We have Lloyd, Lucas, Neagle and Gumbleton already. He is of far more use down back. With Hurley in the team, it means Daniher gets the second forward, Pears gets the third and Fletcher can play loose to help out the three young guys.

[Kong]

As far as the future is concerned, I see Daniher being our Milburn or Harley-type third tall. Ideally Hurley will come on as expected, and I honestly believe Pears will cement CHB as his own. Daniher played well on Tarrant, who isn't any worse than most team's third tall, and I feel he'll best be utilised as the third tall defender exploiting them with his dash and poise from defence.

[Boucks09]

As far as the future is concerned, I see Daniher being our Milburn or Harley-type third tall. Ideally Hurley will come on as expected, and I honestly believe Pears will cement CHB as his own. Daniher played well on Tarrant, who isn't any worse than most team's third tall, and I feel he'll best be utilised as the third tall defender exploiting them with his dash and poise from defence.


:thumbsu:Spot on.

[danzan22]

It's rather amazing how Ryder has suddenly been pushed out of our backline when last year he was easily our best (excl fletch). I'm getting very excited at the prospect of him developing into a chf/relief ruck type player.

[Valve Bounce]

An article was posted on essendonfc.com.au (http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=6487) that talked about fitting in McVeigh, McPhee and possibly Lonergan into the side this week. If we're having trouble fitting in players now I'm wondering what will happen when Gumbleton, Reimers, Hurley, Welsh, Prismall and Laycock are back. Keeping in mind we'll want to get games into Neagle as well and any other players who are playing well in the VFL at the time.
I'm glad we have so many options and possibilities but I wanted to ask everyone which 22 (with everyone fit) is the best in terms of preparing for the future, having a good team structure and still having the best players possible?

I didn't know Laycock was still in the side - I thought they'd retired Chook. :p

[LeeARM]

I didn't know Laycock was still in the side - I thought they'd retired Chook. :p
they were going to but then accidentally gave him a 2 year contract instead.

[Colin D'Cops]

Am going to training tomorrow morning; Are there any special requests for players to closely watch? Jetta is on my hit-list, trained average last training session and had a below average game against Carlton IMO. Be interesting to see if indeed he has picked up the pace.

[Boucks09]

Am going to training tomorrow morning; Are there any special requests for players to closely watch? Jetta is on my hit-list, trained average last training session and had a below average game against Carlton IMO. Be interesting to see if indeed he has picked up the pace.

Thanks Great Source, I always appreciate the guys that provide updates from training. My requests are:

- Neagle: RE intensity
- Prismall: RE full training involvement
- Houli: RE skills
- Hurley: RE full training involvement

And obviously any guys that don't train or pull up sore.

Cheers mate.

[Mighty_bombers]

This would be my best 22 if everyone was fit

Backs
Andrew Welsh.............Michael Hurley..............Dustin Fletcher
Brent Stanton...............Tayte Pears.............Courtenay Dempsey

Mids
Jason Winderlich.........Mark McVeigh.............Brent Prismall
David Hille...................Jobe Watson..............Andrew Lovett

Forwards
Adam McPhee..........Paddy Ryder..............Kyle Reimers
Angus Monfries........Matthew Lloyd.............Alwyn Davey

Bench
David Myers
Hayden Skipworth
Bachar Houli
Scott Gumbleton

Emg
Ricky Dyson..........Jason Laycock...............Sam Lonergan


Very Unlucky
Heath Hocking........Darcy Daniher

[Colin D'Cops]

My requests are:
- Neagle: RE intensity
- Prismall: RE full training involvement
- Houli: RE skills
- Hurley: RE full training involvement

No problems at all, will have a good look at all the players mentioned above.

Any other requests? I don't want people tomorrow asking me questions that I have next to no idea about! :p

[General Banter]

This would be my best 22 if everyone was fit

Backs
Andrew Welsh.............Michael Hurley..............Dustin Fletcher
Brent Stanton...............Tayte Pears.............Courtenay Dempsey

Mids
Jason Winderlich.........Mark McVeigh.............Brent Prismall
David Hille...................Jobe Watson..............Andrew Lovett

Forwards
Adam McPhee..........Paddy Ryder..............Kyle Reimers
Angus Monfries........Matthew Lloyd.............Alwyn Davey

Bench
David Myers
Hayden Skipworth
Bachar Houli
Scott Gumbleton

Emg
Ricky Dyson..........Jason Laycock...............Sam Lonergan


Very Unlucky
Heath Hocking........Darcy Daniher

Backs
Andrew Welch Mick Hurley Dustin Fletcher
Nathan Lovett-Murray Paddy Ryder Courtney Dempsey

Centres
Andrew Lovett Brent Stanton Jason Winderlic
David Hille Mark McVeigh Jobe Watson

Forwards
Adam McPhee Scott Gumbleton Angus Monfries
Alwyn Davey Matthew Lloyd Scott Lucas

Interchange (From)
Reimers, Houli, Skipworth, Lonergan, Meyers, Hocking, Pears, Prismall

Unlucky
Daniher, Dyson, Zaharakis, Neagle, Jetta

Overrated
Slattery

surprised you left Lucas and NLM out of the squad. but impressed Slattery didnt get a run

[Plumah]

I'd pick Zaharkis and Dyson over Myers any day. At least these blokes are trying to put their bodys on the line. Myers just looks like he's day dreaming out there.

[hateitorlovett13]

-Monfries vs Skipworth. I think that with many solid midfielders to come into the side, there is only room for one of these two as a small forward who gets plenty of posession through the midfield. Both have been great so far this year, so it could go either way depending on form throughout. I'm favouring Gus just at this stage but have been wrapped with the Skipworth selection.

So at this stage (lots will change but this is from around Round 12 onwards) my best 22 for this year are:

Backs: Slattery, Hurley, Daniher
Half Backs: Fletcher, Pears, Dempsey
Centres: Prismall, Watson, Stanton
Half Forwards: Lovett, Lucas, McPhee
Forwards: Davey, Lloyd, Monfries
Followers: Hille, McVeigh, Welsh
I/C: Ryder, Winderlich, Reimers, Lonergan
Emerg: Depending on opponent

Agree with most of what you said, but I think Skipworth has well and truly earnt his spot over Monfries at this stage of the season, considering what Gus has actually shown us during his career at the Bombers- which isn't enough.

Also I'd say our 22 would be quicker than that, especially in the midfield. At first I agreed with you on the very tall backline, and it's clear that Knights is using Fletcher as a loose man so that the kids can learn off him, but our game plan is also centred around our run off half back. Can we continue this in the same veign with 4 tall backs and Slattery? I'm not completely sold on Daniher either, and I know people will have a go at me for this, but NLM is showing good form and I'd like to give him a decent go before we write him off.

On the comparison between Lonergan and Hocking, I agree that they are very similar. However, I see Lonergan as a faster version of Heath, and for this reason I think he will be given priority (provided his form is also satisfactory). This doesn't mean that I think he will come straight back in by any means. Although Judd was best on ground last week, Hocking actually beat him in the last quarter and really put in all game. Really impressive from such an inexperienced kid, especially when he's put on that scumbag who deserted West Coast when they needed him most and went to that correspondingly scummy team (and is also a fantastic player).

Definately a hard decision for Knights, but I'd pretty much be bringing McVeigh and Welsh almost straight back in when available, and letting the others fight for their spots.

[Colin D'Cops]

Went to training this morning and will post a fairly normal sized report on what occured at today's session. Unfortunately though, as my camera run out of charge and couldn't find the charger last night; I couldn't take any photos.