First 22: Second 22:

[HFF_07]

Was thinking during the week, what would I side look like if we were not hampered by injuries? who would be in? who would be out? and what could a second 22 of just EFC listed players look like? well I have attempted to have a go, and have included some explanations.

Just off the back of my hand here is a first/second 22 lineups that EFC could of have for 2009.

B: H.Slattery - T.Pears - D.Fletcher

HB: C.Dempsey - P.Ryder - A.Mcphee

C: B.Stanton - J.Watson - J.Winderlich

HF: A.Lovett - S.Gumbleton - M.Mcveigh

F: A.Davey - M.Lloyd - S.Lucas

R: D.Hille - B.Prismal - A.Welsh

I/C: J.Laycock - K.Riemers - R.Dyson - N.Lovett-Murray

That is a seriously good looking side, young players such as Zaharakis/Hurley/T.Slattery would have to earn their stripes in the twos, although 'Zaka' (32 posessions, 7goals) did earn his place.

Two ruckmen (Laycock/Hille) would be a very good combo, and the small men surrounding them would be ideally suited with outside players like lovett, winderlich, stanton and co being the good foil for the in and under types such as Welsh, Watson Prismal and co, the forward line could look something like that, although if Gumby was up and about I could not see Lucas, Lloyd and Gumbelton all in the one team, so looking to the future, a Gumbleton/Lloyd combo would be better suited.

Only real glaring problem i see with this line up is the small lock down defender that we "dont" have. This is one are for concern for this team and thus the idea of Mcveigh back their is a good one, although Klemke or T.Slattery could become quite a useful acquisitions down back, what about changing the role of a L.Jetta or someone like that. Hocking to go down back possibly?

Now for a reserves 22:

B: T.Slattery - M.Hurley - D.Daniher

HB: J.Atkinson - C.Hooker - K.Klemke

C: B.Houli - H.Skipworth - D.Zaharakis

HF: J.Williams - M.Still - A.Monfries

F: L.Jetta - J.Neagle - R.Magin

R: T.Bellchambers - S.Lonergan - H.Hocking

I/C: T.German - B.Carrol - J.Nash - D.Myers

Alot of developing players hre, and a lot of fringe players also, as mentioned above, I would like to see the rookie players such as Hurley/Zaharakis and co earn their games in the ones first, so they start in the twos. I like the look of that back 6 for VFL level, and some of those players could be pushing into AFL level very shortly, and could even be apart of something special to come. I like the look of Klemke over D.Myers off HB, Klemke provides rebound like Myers would, but also shows respect for his opponent and would play on him also.

Houli to play on a wing, as this is where he is best suited, not as a back line player as Knights seems to think, although he would need to work both ways any ways, he just does not have the tow way mobility of a senior player just yet.

The forward six is a developing structure and one that would be ideally suited to the VFL level of play, strong players such as Still and Neagle surrounded by the smalls of the ilk of Jetta, Magin and Monfries, and Williams could play the hit up role of a Ryan O'Keefe.

The ruck is the most pleasing thing here, with big T'Bell being the number one rukc and Hocking and Lonergan under him, with the addition of Skipworth that is a pretty good looking starting four.

And rookies German and Carrol starting on the bench, and Myers and Nash also starting as they do not have a position really.

even that second 22 looks ok, with some players to top up from Bendigo filling in some of the gaps, the Bendigo Bombers would look like some form of VFL side.

Only two players I have not included are: C.Bock, M.Quinn, although you could argue and go with Bock on the bench to be a back up to bellchambers.

Any changes you could see in the teams mentioned? Any players from the Bendigo team you could include over the EFC guys?

[B-Bomber]

I think with what we've seen with Ryder in the ruck this year he's over taken Laycock for the back up ruck position. So for me Ryder onto the bench as second ruck and probably Hooker into the backline (Would like to be able to say Hurley but Hooker has been able to show more this season and deserves his spot). I don't think we'll see Ryder play a primary defensive post ever again unless we have some freak injuries.

As for Ryder V Laycock in the secondary ruck position, it just makes sense -- look at our game plan. Speed in attack and speed in defense, we look our best when we are applying tackling pressure from the likes of Davey, Jetta, Ryder, Winderlich, Dempsey etc. Laycock just hasn't got the body for that kind of game. Laycock does have some contested marking tricks that Ryder lacks due to being smaller bodied but more then makes up for it with his ability to take a hanger every now and then.

[Godzke]

Ryder would be used as a utility off the bench if Hille was fully fit ... that means rotating ruck, loose man at the back or a leading target up forward. even a matthew richardson role on the wing.

from that side ... laycock out and hurley in

[COACH__JB]

could scanlon get a guensey in a twos side?

[HFF_07]

Ryder would be used as a utility off the bench if Hille was fully fit ... that means rotating ruck, loose man at the back or a leading target up forward. even a matthew richardson role on the wing.

from that side ... laycock out and hurley in

I just like Ryder down back, dont get me wrong he has been amazing in the ruck, but he just adds so much down back, but then again, you are right he can be used in a variety of roles, so an extra backmen would not be that bad an idea.

[HFF_07]

could scanlon get a guensey in a twos side?

What is scanlon like though, some more info, i am from the SE suburbs of Melbourne, and thus dont actually get that much from the BB in terms of seeing them :(

[table tennis]

Welsh, Prismall And Watson to be on the ball??? Not a lot of speed through the guts!!!

Seriously, Myers on the bench in the Ressies??

Riemers ahead of : Hocking, Lonergan, Monfries, Zaka.

I would take out of your best 22:

A. Welsh (needs to prove his worth like anyone from Long term injury)
K. Riemers (I love him, however he is a fringe player at best)
J. Laycock (see A.Welsh)

I would change:
Ryder to be 2nd ruck
Hocking to be designated tagger ahead of Welsh
Cale Hooker or Hurley in
Angus in for Riemers.

Dyson, Jetta, Zaka, Welsh, Myers, Lonergan, monfries to all fight out for spots in side.

However, I would be happy for your team to run out onto the park.

The good thing about these things, are that peoples opinions are so different. Im sure not many will agree with me!

[Ben the Gooner]

First 22:

B: Henry Slattery - Michael Hurley - Dustin Fletcher
HB: Courtenay Dempsey - Tayte Pears - Bachar Houli
C: Jason Winderlich - Jobe Watson - Andrew Lovett
HF: Adam McPhee - Scott Lucas - Angus Monfries
F: Leroy Jetta - Matthew Lloyd - Alwyn Davey
R: David Hille - Andrew Welsh - Brent Stanton
I: Paddy Ryder - Mark McVeigh - Ricky Dyson - Brent Prismall

Second 22:

B: Tyson Slattery - Cale Hooker - Jarrod Atkinson
HB: Jay Nash - Darcy Daniher - David Myers
C: David Zaharakis - Heath Hocking - Kyle Reimers
HF: Nathan Lovett-Murray - Michael Still - Scott Gumbleton
F: John Williams - Jay Neagle - Rhys Magin
R: Jason Laycock - Sam Lonergan - Hayden Skipworth
I: Tom Bellchambers - Tom German - Michael Quinn - Kade Klemke

Christian Bock, Bryce Carroll

Those positions are actually the positions people should play as well.

[Mad Bomber Sean]

To get our best 22 on the park at the same time would be a dream come true.

Are we picking this side on potential or form?

Seems more based on reputation than current form - so I will go with that.

Either way Laycock is simply not good enough for the 1st 22. Hooker would fill this space. Otherwise I reckon your side HFF 07 is pretty good. However I would prefer to see Windas on the ball instead of Welsh.

Would love to find spots for Houli / Jetta / Zaha / Hurley / Hocking / Lonergan / Skippy / Myers/ Darcy & Still.

I can see Still taking over from Lucas some time & Darcy taking over from Mcphee or NLM in the next 3 years.

[HFF_07]

The side selected was based purely on before we had seen what players were going to be like pre injuries, so thus the inclusion of pree leg/ankle Welsh would be much better than the Hocking now.

Winderlich is not really an onballer, he is a genuine wingman, who runs from end to end, and works both ways, Stanton would be the wingmen to move onto the ball IMO.

Myers on the bench in the ressies may be a bad idea, but I would like to see him make a position his own before he gets a crack in the seniors, and we dont really know where he is best suited.

I think it is fair to say people are forgetting how important Ryder is to our back 50, how well he matches up on the big power forwards, as well as the endurance ones as well. But then again, he has been a revelation in the ruck this year, but bear in mind, as said in the opening paragraph, this side is one pre this season, when we had all fit players going.

NOTE: BEN THE GOONER, I ACTUALLY LIKE YOUR SIDES YOU HAVE POSTED, THEY ARE ACTUALLY BEST 22, SECOND 22 SIDES.

[eth-dog]

First 22:

B: Henry Slattery - Dustin Fletcher - Bachar Houli
HB: Courtenay Dempsey - Tayte Pears - Adam McPhee
C: Jason Winderlich - Jobe Watson - Andrew Lovett
HF: Kyle Reimers - Scott Lucas - Angus Monfries
F: Hayden Skipwroth - Matthew Lloyd - Alwyn Davey
R: David Hille - Andrew Welsh - Brent Stanton
I: Paddy Ryder - Mark McVeigh - Ricky Dyson - Brent Prismall

Second 22:

B: Tyson Slattery - Michael Hurley - Cale Hooker
HB: Jay Nash - Darcy Daniher - Jarrod Atkinson
C: David Zaharakis - Heath Hocking - Rhys Magin
HF: Nathan Lovett-Murray - Jay Neagle - Scott Gumbleton
F: John Williams - Michael Still - Leroy Jetta
R: Jason Laycock - Sam Lonergan - David Myers
I: Tom Bellchambers - Tom German - Michael Quinn - Kade Klemke

Christian Bock, Bryce Carroll

[Smyth94]

K. Riemers (I love him, however he is a fringe player at best)


At best, this comment is clearly wrong

Reimers (when fit) is a walk up start in our 22. Those who are putting Jetta infront of him should note that vs Adelaide, Knights selected Kyle (who has had a negligible pre-season) ahead of Leroy.

Reimers can play more roles than Jetta, is more dangerous around goals, and has better skills.

I rate Jetta but Kyle is easily ahead.

[AndyLesPaul]

First 22:

B: Henry Slattery - Dustin Fletcher - Bachar Houli
HB: Courtenay Dempsey - Tayte Pears - Adam McPhee
C: Jason Winderlich - Jobe Watson - Andrew Lovett
HF: Kyle Reimers - Scott Lucas - Heath Hocking
F: Hayden Skipworth - Matthew Lloyd - Alwyn Davey
R: David Hille - Andrew Welsh - Brent Stanton
I: Paddy Ryder - Mark McVeigh - Ricky Dyson - Brent Prismall

Second 22:

B: Tyson Slattery - Michael Hurley - Cale Hooker
HB: Jay Nash - Darcy Daniher - Jarrod Atkinson
C: David Zaharakis - Michael Quinn - Rhys Magin
HF: Nathan Lovett-Murray - Jay Neagle - Scott Gumbleton
F: Angus Monfries - Michael Still - Leroy Jetta
R: Jason Laycock - Sam Lonergan - David Myers
I: Tom Bellchambers - Tom German - John Williams - Kade Klemke

Christian Bock, Bryce Carroll

[bretto462]

First 22

B - Dustin Fletcher - Michael Hurley - Andrew Welsh
HB - Courtenay Dempsey - Tayte Pears - Adam McPhee
C - Jason Winderlich - Jobe Watson - Andrew Lovett
HF - Angus Monfries - Scott Gumbleton - Hayden Skipworth
F - Alwyn Davey - Matthew Lloyd - Scott Lucas
R - David Hille - Mark McVeigh - Brent Stanton
I - Paddy Ryder - Heath Hocking - Brent Prismall - Kyle Reimers


Second 22

B - Henry Slattery - Cale Hooker - Jarrod Atkinson
HB - Jay Nash - Darcy Daniher - Tyson Slattery
C - David Zaharakis - Bachar Houli - Ricky Dyson
HF - Nathan Lovett-Murray - Michael Still - Rhys Magin
F - Leroy Jetta - Jay Neagle - John Williams
R - Jason Laycock - Sam Lonergan - David Myers
I - Tom Bellchambers - Michael Quinn - Kade Klemke - Tom German

[tubbis]

Ideally I'd like to avoid seeing Ryder down back. Hopefully the likes of Pears and Hurley can develop well enough for us to not require his presence down back.

[eth-dog]

First 22

B - Dustin Fletcher - Michael Hurley - Andrew Welsh
HB - Courtenay Dempsey - Tayte Pears - Adam McPhee
C - Jason Winderlich - Jobe Watson - Andrew Lovett
HF - Angus Monfries - Scott Gumbleton - Hayden Skipworth
F - Alwyn Davey - Matthew Lloyd - Scott Lucas
R - David Hille - Mark McVeigh - Brent Stanton
I - Paddy Ryder - Heath Hocking - Brent Prismall - Kyle Reimers


Second 22

B - Henry Slattery - Cale Hooker - Jarrod Atkinson
HB - Jay Nash - Darcy Daniher - Tyson Slattery
C - David Zaharakis - Bachar Houli - Ricky Dyson
HF - Nathan Lovett-Murray - Michael Still - Rhys Magin
F - Leroy Jetta - Jay Neagle - John Williams
R - Jason Laycock - Sam Lonergan - David Myers
I - Tom Bellchambers - Michael Quinn - Kade Klemke - Tom German
too tall in defence for first 22, take away Hurley, put in Henry Slattery, Houli being the other back pocket, maybe for Hocking, Welsh on the ball, McVeigh in the FP, Lucas to CHF and Gumby to the magoos. I'm trying to find a spot for Dyson since he's had a very good season, but I can't

[eth-dog]

Ideally I'd like to avoid seeing Ryder down back. Hopefully the likes of Pears and Hurley can develop well enough for us to not require his presence down back.
I agree, we have 4 potentially great key defenders down there, and I'd like to see him play a Drew Petrie kind of role

[BrunoV]

Hear me out before totally discounting the idea but I think Ryder will end up on a wing Richo style.

He is not am impact player and would be totally wasted as a second ruckman. He has shown that he works best when he gets a continued run and there is no worse position for this than 2nd ruck.

There may be a way that the ruck duties can be split into forward and defence that would allow us to really kill opposition ruckmen.

Hopefully Laycock gets his body right because he can be selected as a forward/2nd ruckman which means that we are on the verge of total football with so many options in different positions.

Hooker has become one of our most important players because he is the one who has freed Ryder. He can play on talls (obviously) but he also seems agile and quick enough to play on smaller players if required. Automatic selection regardless of the odd belting that he will receive because he is a 19 year old defender.

I am not sure that there are 22 players on the list at Essendon that will contribute more to a victory at this stage (I am trying to distinguish the future and potential here) than Lovett-Murray.

I have said this before but the emergence of Winderlich, the consolidation of Watson as a gun, the development of Hocking and Lonergan and the drafting of Prismall means that McVeigh is not reqired in the middle as he once was. His demolition of Porp...(the ethnic one) proves that he can lock down with the best of them and is a calm head and beautiful user of the ball which makes his important to the back line. This also enables us to drop he who shall not be named for good.

Leading on from the last point either of Hocking or Lonergan are automatic selections. I would initially have gone with Sam but Heath has been showing more lately. There may not be a place in teh side for both of them if Welsh comes back into form because along with Skipworth there would be at least one too many of the same player (size and pace with roughly the same role)

With all of our midfield movers up and running there is deffinately a spot for Skipworth. He has copped a bit so far this year but, other than the Geelong game, he has been a very good presence on the ground.

The rest pretty much speaks for itself. I just wanted to put forward the more controversial points.

[Godzke]

bring hird out of retirement ... we'll make room for him at half forward :D

[dave_27]

Hear me out before totally discounting the idea but I think Ryder will end up on a wing Richo style.

He is not am impact player and would be totally wasted as a second ruckman. He has shown that he works best when he gets a continued run and there is no worse position for this than 2nd ruck.

There may be a way that the ruck duties can be split into forward and defence that would allow us to really kill opposition ruckmen.


Couldnt agree more about Ryder being wasted as 2nd ruck.

Ryder MUST be starting on the ground and not as a Key backman.

I honestly find it astonishing there are people on this board who after witnessing Ryders past 6 weeks are just lumping him back on the bench as 2nd ruckman or as CHB and think its for the better of the side. :thumbsd:

[BrunoV]

I am not against Ryder at CHB. He can still damage an opposition back there but I think we have all see that playing Paddy as a backman is restricting a free spirit that extremely damaging when allowed to do his own thing.

[eth-dog]

Ryder to play like Petrie? CHF, pinch-hitting in the ruck?

[kaskine]

too tall in defence for first 22, take away Hurley, put in Henry Slattery, Houli being the other back pocket, maybe for Hocking, Welsh on the ball, McVeigh in the FP, Lucas to CHF and Gumby to the magoos. I'm trying to find a spot for Dyson since he's had a very good season, but I can't

dyson for Hayden Skipworth

[eth-dog]

dyson for Hayden Skipworth
no way.

[Mr Mosquito]

no way.

yes way

[ant555]

I just like Ryder down back, dont get me wrong he has been amazing in the ruck, but he just adds so much down back, but then again, you are right he can be used in a variety of roles, so an extra backmen would not be that bad an idea.

After seeing how much better Ryder plays in the ruck i do not know how you can want him as a defender. He does not like playing defence. He has no defensive instinct at all and has only got by in defence on athletic ability.

Leave him playing in the ruck let let him devleop into one of the most dangerous players in the leauge.
Otherwise he gets left in defence and probaly want's to return home at some stage becasue he is not enjoying his footy.

[Smyth94]

After seeing how much better Ryder plays in the ruck i do not know how you can want him as a defender. He does not like playing defence. He has no defensive instinct at all and has only got by in defence on athletic ability.

Leave him playing in the ruck let let him devleop into one of the most dangerous players in the leauge.
Otherwise he gets left in defence and probaly want's to return home at some stage becasue he is not enjoying his footy.

IMO Ryder should be first ruck next season (at least until Hille regains his match-fitness), this way Hilley can play deep forward and give us some badly needed marking power.

They can swap Paddy with Hille at FF for the chop-out.

[eth-dog]

yes way
Skippy will play ahead of Dyson

[HFF_07]

After seeing how much better Ryder plays in the ruck i do not know how you can want him as a defender. He does not like playing defence. He has no defensive instinct at all and has only got by in defence on athletic ability.

Leave him playing in the ruck let let him devleop into one of the most dangerous players in the leauge.
Otherwise he gets left in defence and probaly want's to return home at some stage becasue he is not enjoying his footy.

So you would put Ryder ahead of a fully fit and firing David Hille, the one who was close to All Australian selection last year. Yes Paddy is playing awesome as a ruckmen, but would we know this had we not lost Hille, had we not lost Laycock, probably not, we might be as potent as the Kangaroos if those three were all playing together.

But yes... hindsight is a wonderful thing... isnt it? :rolleyes:

[AndyLesPaul]

So you would put Ryder ahead of a fully fit and firing David Hille, the one who was close to All Australian selection last year. Yes Paddy is playing awesome as a ruckmen, but would we know this had we not lost Hille, had we not lost Laycock, probably not, we might be as potent as the Kangaroos if those three were all playing together.

But yes... hindsight is a wonderful thing... isnt it? :rolleyes:
Ryder started off as a ruckman, the only reason he was in defence was because we were low on Defenders? (I think?)

He was always going to end up in the ruck.

To be honest, he is a very exciting ruckman. He is a ruck/mid. It's great.
He is not a defender.

[AndyLesPaul]

Skippy will play ahead of Dyson
Dyson > Skipworth.

[BrunoV]

So you would put Ryder ahead of a fully fit and firing David Hille, the one who was close to All Australian selection last year. Yes Paddy is playing awesome as a ruckmen, but would we know this had we not lost Hille, had we not lost Laycock, probably not, we might be as potent as the Kangaroos if those three were all playing together.

But yes... hindsight is a wonderful thing... isnt it? :rolleyes:


I am not sure that any of that is relevant at all.

[BrunoV]

Dyson and Skipworth are not competing for a spot in the side.

Skipworth is competing with Welsh and Monfries as a forward, and Hocking and Lonergan as a lockdown type in an under midfielder.

Dyson vs Skipworth is not an issue.

[HFF_07]

I am not sure that any of that is relevant at all.

Care to elaborate. Why is none of that irrelevant?

[BrunoV]

We wouldn't know that Paddy is a great ruckman if Hille and Laycock weren't injured?

So what, we know that he is a gun ruckman and Hille won't be fully fit because he is coming off a knee reco so Hille is probably going to find himself in a forward pocket untill he gets that fitness up.

[HFF_07]

For the record.

Skipworth is competing with Watson, Welsh, as in and under type players in the senior team, but when fully fit, Skipworth is a back up, although he can also be a half forward.

Dyson is on the bech as he has showed, in previous seasons before his break out half season (this year) that he can be a very good run and carry player, and thus got him the nod over players such as Zaka, Lonergan, Hocking, because he is the next best outside player, and someone who can add value to our team.

[HFF_07]

We wouldn't know that Paddy is a great ruckman if Hille and Laycock weren't injured?

So what, we know that he is a gun ruckman and Hille won't be fully fit because he is coming off a knee reco so Hille is probably going to find himself in a forward pocket untill he gets that fitness up.


Was thinking during the week, what would I side look like if we were not hampered by injuries? who would be in? who would be out? and what could a second 22 of just EFC listed players look like? well I have attempted to have a go, and have included some explanations.

this is what i said at the start of the thread if you had cared to actually read this.

if we were NOT hampered by injuries.. which means Hille would still be rucking. lol to your impetines at the finer details of life :p

[Ben the Gooner]

So you would put Ryder ahead of a fully fit and firing David Hille, the one who was close to All Australian selection last year. Yes Paddy is playing awesome as a ruckmen, but would we know this had we not lost Hille, had we not lost Laycock, probably not, we might be as potent as the Kangaroos if those three were all playing together.

But yes... hindsight is a wonderful thing... isnt it? :rolleyes:

If Dean Wallis had kicked, we'd have 17.

He didn't, we don't.

[BrunoV]

So this thread is really an assessment of the list the last time it was fully fit.

What you will find is that the best side changes based on recent performance which I know sounds very strange but it really does.

So the whole thread is an utterly pointless exercise and I am sorry I wasted my time.

[ant555]

So you would put Ryder ahead of a fully fit and firing David Hille, the one who was close to All Australian selection last year. Yes Paddy is playing awesome as a ruckmen, but would we know this had we not lost Hille, had we not lost Laycock, probably not, we might be as potent as the Kangaroos if those three were all playing together.

But yes... hindsight is a wonderful thing... isnt it? :rolleyes:

Whats with the hindsight shit ??
If you want to have a look go back and see how long i have siad Ryder should have been playing forward / ruck !!!

Of course we would have known how good Ryder was in the ruck. The kid came through the under 18's as a ruckman and was selected in front of Luenberger as the number 1 ruckman for WA in the year they both played champs together. He was in the AA under 18 side as a ruckman.
He was always drafted as a ruckman.

Just for you this was in the 2006 season preview.
A tall ruckman/forward who is a strong chance to debut in 2006 having already played senior football in the WAFL. Was named an All-Australian under 18 in 2005 and represented the AIS/AFL Academy in Ireland. Has a big leap and is excellent at the stopages.

It is not about hindsight. It is all about knowing the kids back ground and having seen where he has played his best footy.

You know what doing some research on the subject is a good thing as well :rolleyes:

[Brent Prismall#9]

FB. H.Slattery - M.Hurley - D.Fletcher
HB. C.Dempsey - T.Pears - A.McPhee
C. J. Winderlich - J.Watson - A.Lovett
HF. A. Monfries - S. Gumbleton - M. McVeigh
FF. M.Lloyd - J. Neagle - A. Davey
FOL. D. Hille - B. Prismall - B. Stanton
INT. P. Ryder - K. Reimers - A. Welsh - B. Houli - D. Zaharakis - S. Lonergan - S. Lucas - H. Skipworth - D. Myers - H. Hocking

I love the look of this team and i strongly believe this is our best 22 and if we could field this team fully fit i honestly reckon we could challenge just about any team in the afl except geelong and st. kilda. Dont forget there are many players i have left out like dyson, hooker, daniher, jetta, lovett-murray and nash.

[dirtywhitepacker]

First 22:

B: Bachar Houli Dustin Fletcher Mark McVeigh
HB: Courtenay Dempsey Tayte Pears Adam McPhee
C: Kyle Reimers Jobe Watson Andrew Lovett
HF: Nathan Lovett-Murray Paddy Ryder Jason Winderlich
F: Scott Lucas Matthew Lloyd Alwyn Davey
R: David Hille Andrew Welsh Brent Stanton
I: Jason Laycock Heath Hocking Ricky Dyson Brent Prismall

Second 22:

B: Henry Slattery Michael Hurley Kade Klemke
HB: Tyson Slattery Cale Hooker Darcy Daniher
C: David Zaharakis Hayden Skipworth Jay Nash
HF: Angus Monfries Scott Gumbleton Michael Still
F: Rhys Magin Jay Neagle Leroy Jetta
R: Tom Bellchambers Sam Lonergan David Myers
I: Christian Bock Tom German Michael Quinn John Williams

Bryce Carroll, Jarrod Atkinson

Would have Ryder/Laycock/Hille alternating between Ruck and Forward.

Welsh adds so much versatility to our side, being able to fill gaps foward, back and in the middle.

Depending on the match up, Houli could go out for Daniher if we were contending with a taller forward line.

I left Atkinson out of each side because I see the 2nd 22 as a development side and I'd rather have Tom German having a crack rather than a player I don't see on our list next year.

McVeigh can play the third man up, and play on the smaller forwards also, just with a cooler head coming out of defence.

[HFF_07]

Whats with the hindsight shit ??
If you want to have a look go back and see how long i have siad Ryder should have been playing forward / ruck !!!

Of course we would have known how good Ryder was in the ruck. The kid came through the under 18's as a ruckman and was selected in front of Luenberger as the number 1 ruckman for WA in the year they both played champs together. He was in the AA under 18 side as a ruckman.
He was always drafted as a ruckman.

Just for you this was in the 2006 season preview.


It is not about hindsight. It is all about knowing the kids back ground and having seen where he has played his best footy.

You know what doing some research on the subject is a good thing as well :rolleyes:

Nuh fair point Ant555, point being though, would we have seen his rapid improvement in the ruck this year, had Hille and Laycock both not been injured or not. That is the real question i am trying to ask. not just you, but everyone on the EFC board.

[Ben the Gooner]

Nuh fair point Ant555, point being though, would we have seen his rapid improvement in the ruck this year, had Hille and Laycock both not been injured or not. That is the real question i am trying to ask. not just you, but everyone on the EFC board.

Why does it matter?

The fact is, we have seen his development.

[eth-dog]

Why does it matter?

The fact is, we have seen his development.
Hey BtG, can you help me find that poll I posted about Ryder being developed as a ruck? I can't find it anywhere

[Slattery_20]

Hear me out before totally discounting the idea but I think Ryder will end up on a wing Richo style.

He is not am impact player and would be totally wasted as a second ruckman. He has shown that he works best when he gets a continued run and there is no worse position for this than 2nd ruck.

There may be a way that the ruck duties can be split into forward and defence that would allow us to really kill opposition ruckmen.

Hopefully Laycock gets his body right because he can be selected as a forward/2nd ruckman which means that we are on the verge of total football with so many options in different positions.

Hooker has become one of our most important players because he is the one who has freed Ryder. He can play on talls (obviously) but he also seems agile and quick enough to play on smaller players if required. Automatic selection regardless of the odd belting that he will receive because he is a 19 year old defender.

I am not sure that there are 22 players on the list at Essendon that will contribute more to a victory at this stage (I am trying to distinguish the future and potential here) than Lovett-Murray.

I have said this before but the emergence of Winderlich, the consolidation of Watson as a gun, the development of Hocking and Lonergan and the drafting of Prismall means that McVeigh is not reqired in the middle as he once was. His demolition of Porp...(the ethnic one) proves that he can lock down with the best of them and is a calm head and beautiful user of the ball which makes his important to the back line. This also enables us to drop he who shall not be named for good.

Leading on from the last point either of Hocking or Lonergan are automatic selections. I would initially have gone with Sam but Heath has been showing more lately. There may not be a place in teh side for both of them if Welsh comes back into form because along with Skipworth there would be at least one too many of the same player (size and pace with roughly the same role)

With all of our midfield movers up and running there is deffinately a spot for Skipworth. He has copped a bit so far this year but, other than the Geelong game, he has been a very good presence on the ground.

The rest pretty much speaks for itself. I just wanted to put forward the more controversial points.
Agree with that. Love a guy called Bruno calling people ethnic!

Hocking & NLM have added to the side this year.

*team deleted*

Arguably could swap Davey out. Has been a disappointment.

[Ben the Gooner]

Hey BtG, can you help me find that poll I posted about Ryder being developed as a ruck? I can't find it anywhere

I don't actually remember that one.:o Search for posts rather than threads maybe.

[eth-dog]

I don't actually remember that one.:o Search for posts rather than threads maybe.
Nah, I remember it, the one where I was bossing Merv around. it was a good one, got a couple of pages

[Amazing Bombers]

Nah, I remember it, the one where I was bossing Merv around. it was a good one, got a couple of pages

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=522568
Here you go.:D

[eth-dog]

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=522568
Here you go.:D
thank you very much.

[craaaig]

FB. H.Slattery - M.Hurley - D.Fletcher
HB. C.Dempsey - T.Pears - A.McPhee
C. J. Winderlich - J.Watson - A.Lovett
HF. A. Monfries - S. Gumbleton - M. McVeigh
FF. M.Lloyd - J. Neagle - A. Davey
FOL. D. Hille - B. Prismall - B. Stanton
INT. P. Ryder - K. Reimers - A. Welsh - B. Houli - D. Zaharakis - S. Lonergan - S. Lucas - H. Skipworth - D. Myers - H. Hocking


I love the look of this team and i strongly believe this is our best 22 and if we could field this team fully fit i honestly reckon we could challenge just about any team in the afl except geelong and st. kilda. Dont forget there are many players i have left out like dyson, hooker, daniher, jetta, lovett-murray and nash.

this is the closets team to what it should be i think just a few changes i think you should make

H.Slattery - M.Hurley - D.Fletcher
HB. C.Dempsey - T.Pears - A.McPhee
C. J. Winderlich - J.Watson - A.Lovett
HF. A. Monfries - S. Gumbleton - M. McVeigh
FF. K.Reimers - M.Lloyd - A. Davey
FOL. D. Hille - B. Prismall - A.Welsh
INT. P. Ryder - B.Stanton - B. Houli - D. Zaharakis - S. Lonergan

[mojon95]

1ST 22:

B: N.Lovett-Murray- T.Pears - A.Mcphee

HB: A.Welsh - D.Fletcher - C.Dempsey

C: B.Prismall - J.Watson - J.Winderlich

HF: A.Lovett - S. Lucas - R.Dyson

F: A.Davey - M.Lloyd - A.Monfries

R: D.Hille - B.Stanton - M.McVeigh

I/C: P.Ryder - K.Riemers - D.Zaharakis - S.Lonergan

2ND 22:

B: T.Slattery - M.Hurley - H.Slattery

HB: J.Atkinson - C.Hooker - K.Klemke

C: J.Williams - H.Skipworth - B.Carrol

HF: M.Still - S.Gumbleton - D.Daniher

F: L.Jetta - J.Neagle - R.Magin

R: T.Bellchambers - B.Houli - H.Hocking

I/C: T.German - J.Laycock - J.Nash - D.Myers