View Full Version : Team Selections in 2010
kelvin_sheedy
7 Mar 2010, 09:34
A few of us got lambasted last year for being hindsight heroes when we criticized selections.
Lets get some out of the way early.
What we must not do in 2010:
- Play Hille, Laycock, Ryder in the one side with another key forward(Gumby, Neagle, Hurley)
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side.
- Play Pears, Hooker, Hurley, Fletch in defence at the one time. Hurley goes forward or one misses out.
- Myers play underserved games. He should not play half back and needs to dominate games at VFL in the centre then get a game as a mid.
What we must do:
- Find a spot for Houli and/or Zaharakis
- Use Hille/Ryder forward a bit until Neagle/Gumbleton have enough form/fitness.
- McVeigh must be full time mid and Watson's deputy general
- Play Hurley forward. Pears and Hooker to hold the key defensive posts.
- Get Winderlich into the midfield full time.
- Drop senior players if they aren't performing - all about team balance.
Good points, I think this one will be the most common problem.
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side.
Especially since Welsh is now our vice captain, this may get him undeserved selections into the side. We might be able to fit him into the back line but at the moment I think I'd prefer Slattery, Dempsey and Lovett-Murray.
We seem to have a lot of midfield depth, with a fair few midfielders around the same skill level which seems to leave us with extra midfielders in the same side that do similar things and take away from our team balance and sometimes it might be best if we drop a player like Lonergan or Welsh, even if they're not the worst in the team.
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side.
While they are all quality players who are hard at it and great users of the ball. They are very slow.
I agree with a fair bit of that.
Balance-wise, we should be playing:
2 key defenders plus Fletch.
2 Ruckmen.
2 Key Forwards.
Thus if we play the 3 ruckmen, one of em has to be one of the 2 key forwards. I dont consider Williams a key forward for this purpose.
And on McVeigh - IMO must be a full time, small defender.
He is the best one we have (perhaps can play it as good as anyone in the comp) in an area we can have trouble with.
Welsh's spot, vice captain or not is based on his form. No free games for him.
Oh, and Howlett may cause some more headaches for which mids we select. Might be a good one we have found here.
A few of us got lambasted last year for being hindsight heroes when we criticized selections.
Lets get some out of the way early.
What we must not do in 2010:
- Play Hille, Laycock, Ryder in the one side with another key forward(Gumby, Neagle, Hurley)
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side.
- Play Pears, Hooker, Hurley, Fletch in defence at the one time. Hurley goes forward or one misses out.
- Myers play underserved games. He should not play half back and needs to dominate games at VFL in the centre then get a game as a mid.
What we must do:
- Find a spot for Houli and/or Zaharakis
- Use Hille/Ryder forward a bit until Neagle/Gumbleton have enough form/fitness.
- McVeigh must be full time mid and Watson's deputy general
- Play Hurley forward. Pears and Hooker to hold the key defensive posts.
- Get Winderlich into the midfield full time.
- Drop senior players if they aren't performing - all about team balance.
I agree with everything you've said here.
I think our injury list will dictate a lot of these variables. With a minimal injury list we can afford to drop underperforming senior players, we have the luxury of team balance.
kelvin_sheedy
7 Mar 2010, 10:52
... and last year we played guys in the seniors to get match fitness.
We can't do any of that this year. If you aren't fit enough then find a person that can run.
And on McVeigh - IMO must be a full time, small defender.
He is the best one we have (perhaps can play it as good as anyone in the comp) in an area we can have trouble with.
If McVeigh gets back in form (it's sounding like he has a bit) then he's one of our best midfielders so should be played in the midfield. I'd only put him in the backline if he struggles again.
... and last year we played guys in the seniors to get match fitness.
We can't do any of that this year. If you aren't fit enough then find a person that can run.
Correct - that's why we suffered so much in the 2nd half of the year, McVeigh, Priz, Welsh, Reimers especially just faded out after half time during the 2nd half of the season.
I agree with most of that. However the opposition's forward structure will fluctuate a lot from week to week. There may very well be cases that justify having those 4 KPs playing down back, but not often.
- Use Hille/Ryder forward a bit until Neagle/Gumbleton have enough form/fitness.As long as it's short term, that's fine... but I prefer neither to be spending large portions of a game up forward.
Frothies Mcveigh
7 Mar 2010, 12:33
Will be hard to get a gig this year, especially with Neagle, Gumby, Hurley, Pears, Hooker, Fletch, Ryder, Hille, Laycock and with Carlisle and Daniher pushing for senior selection.
If McVeigh gets back in form (it's sounding like he has a bit) then he's one of our best midfielders so should be played in the midfield. I'd only put him in the backline if he struggles again.
I would say the converse. I think we are developing enough midfield depth to not require him there, and he'd be better used as a defender. I think we should only play him in the midfield if we have to (through injuries or others underperforming).
As long as it's short term, that's fine... but I prefer neither to be spending large portions of a game up forward.
Well you'd better get used to it then, cos they are going to be spending a lot of time rotating through the forward line this year. I think it's likely you will see Ryder cause a lot of damage in his time up forward this year, and alter your perspective on this one.
Mad Bomber Sean
7 Mar 2010, 13:07
What we must not do in 2010:
- Play Hille, Laycock, Ryder in the one side with another key forward(Gumby, Neagle, Hurley)
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side.
- Play Pears, Hooker, Hurley, Fletch in defence at the one time. Hurley goes forward or one misses out.
- Myers play underserved games. He should not play half back and needs to dominate games at VFL in the centre then get a game as a mid.
What we must do:
- Find a spot for Houli and/or Zaharakis
- Use Hille/Ryder forward a bit until Neagle/Gumbleton have enough form/fitness.
- McVeigh must be full time mid and Watson's deputy general
- Play Hurley forward. Pears and Hooker to hold the key defensive posts.
- Get Winderlich into the midfield full time.
- Drop senior players if they aren't performing - all about team balance.
Agree with everything here.
Not much has been said of Reimers selection. I would prefer to give Houli a run for five games instead of him.
Mcveigh is starting to find some form, to the extent that he will rotate key midfield/back.
Not sure if Welsh/ Hocking & Lonergan in the side at once is going to add value. IMO If Welsh is fit then either one of Lonergan or Hocking should miss. If Welsh's form declines - drop him for the one that missed out.
Based on last night I prefer Neagle playing along side the small / mid sized fwd line with Laycock rotating through there over Gumby. But this could change.
Will Fletch be able to play every game at his age ?
Although in vintage physical condition, might suffer more than the young-ens' & probably needs a rest from time to time. Could this create see Hurley move from fwd to def & allow a Laycock or a Gumby to play as key fwd perhaps.
Like the idea of Zaha playing. Feel his polish is important and as fitness builds will have more impact on the game's - not sure though who to drop to allow him to play...
Pretty much agree with what has been stated.
Like to see Houli in the midfield and Zaka to play the small forward role.
Would consider playing Mcveigh as a small defender.
Final Thing - Fletcher plays as a third tall in defence - therefore taking the third tall. There may be 2 or 3 times a year when Fletcher has to line up on the best tall or get moved on the best tall. The coaches were too slow to react last year to this scenario last year.
Darealrath
7 Mar 2010, 14:46
I think you're just about spot on KS.
Wouldn't mind McVeigh moving back to defence if the midfield is working well, though that means Slattery probably misses out but if it makes us better then so be it.
Winderlich I don't mind pinch hitting at half forward (like in the game at Sydney last season), because he uses the footy so well and has a good eye for goal, but I agree the midfield should be the priority for him to get us some extra drive out of the middle.
I reckon Lonergan might be the one to miss out from that midfield group you have there. Love the way he goes about it but he'll need to find more of the footy to cement a place with Houli, Jetta and even Melksham knocking hard on the door, all who offer something a bit different.
I like how we've gone in the space of a year to being somewhat reliant on Neagle and Gumby to make it to now having a backup plan of Hurley and Carlisle, whos pre season form has me really excited. Plus all our rucks can pinch hit forward and then we have Still and Daniher who might be a chance to make it, though perhaps not this year (Daniher could be really unlucky with all the depth we have I feel). I don't like the idea of playing more than 3 talls up forward, and to be honest think 2 is enough with the marking ability of Williams and Monfries, so the competition should hopefully bring out the best in these guys.
I'm liking our depth at the moment. Bendigo should be decent for a change.
My one concern is we might play a bit top heavy to accomodate all our talls.
A few of us got lambasted last year for being hindsight heroes when we criticized selections.
Lets get some out of the way early.
What we must not do in 2010:
- Play Hille, Laycock, Ryder in the one side with another key forward(Gumby, Neagle, Hurley)
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side.
- Play Pears, Hooker, Hurley, Fletch in defence at the one time. Hurley goes forward or one misses out.
- Myers play underserved games. He should not play half back and needs to dominate games at VFL in the centre then get a game as a mid.
What we must do:
- Find a spot for Houli and/or Zaharakis
- Use Hille/Ryder forward a bit until Neagle/Gumbleton have enough form/fitness.
- McVeigh must be full time mid and Watson's deputy general
- Play Hurley forward. Pears and Hooker to hold the key defensive posts.
- Get Winderlich into the midfield full time.
- Drop senior players if they aren't performing - all about team balance.
Quality post KS...agree especially with the point in bold...I just hope Knighta realises this too....
A few of us got lambasted last year for being hindsight heroes when we criticized selections.
Lets get some out of the way early.
What we must not do in 2010:
- Play Hille, Laycock, Ryder in the one side with another key forward(Gumby, Neagle, Hurley)
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side.
- Play Pears, Hooker, Hurley, Fletch in defence at the one time. Hurley goes forward or one misses out.
- Myers play underserved games. He should not play half back and needs to dominate games at VFL in the centre then get a game as a mid.
What we must do:
- Find a spot for Houli and/or Zaharakis
- Use Hille/Ryder forward a bit until Neagle/Gumbleton have enough form/fitness.
- McVeigh must be full time mid and Watson's deputy general
- Play Hurley forward. Pears and Hooker to hold the key defensive posts.
- Get Winderlich into the midfield full time.
- Drop senior players if they aren't performing - all about team balance.
Agree with everything you said.:thumbsu:
saladodger
7 Mar 2010, 18:22
Good OP.
Must not: Play Quinn until he has earned his position or injury issues offer no alternative.
Pick Slattery week in week out if he is not performing, a week or two for Bendigo was good enough for Lucas so it's good enough for Slatts.
kelvin_sheedy
7 Mar 2010, 18:38
McVeigh must play mid imo. I was thinking defence late last year but our midfield needs him more.
He along with Watson and possibly Hocking/Welsh should be the big guys that protect and do the hard work for the talented kids like Melksham and Zaharakis over the next few years.
Must not: Play Quinn until he has earned his position or injury issues offer no alternative.
We all know, Knights wont be able to resist playing him.
what happens if gumby neagle hooker and pears are all undroppable come round 4 when hurley is up for selection? surely they can all play in the same team!
then we can rotate the rucks through the forward line and rest gumby who may take all year to work up a fitness base also hille! neagle can stay on the field and work his butt off!!
and we recruited mature age rookies surely they will get a chance ahead of quinn you would hope!!
donspremiers
8 Mar 2010, 08:28
B Welsh Pears Fletcher
BF Dempsey Hooker NLM
C Winders Watson Stanton
FF Monfries Hurley Gumby
F Wiliams Ryder Davey
R Hille Primall Hocking
Int Mcveigh Lonergan Zaka Myers
Imo is our strongest team. I think welsh will struggle this year and surely he'd do a better job than H slattery in that tagging bp position.
Our great strengh this year is our depth and all but watson and maybe pears are replacable.
Would love to get Melksham and Houli in this team and give Myers a starting spot in the middle but there is just no room at the moment.
The future is bright
without lovett, dempsey is hard to replace also!!
morebeer
8 Mar 2010, 08:55
Good post kelvin. It always amuses me when people act as though you should not discuss team selection in anything other than a positive light. Surely an Essendon forum is the perfect place to discuss such issues.
Agree with everything except Houli being a must pick. He has a few flaws that he needs to work on for sure and I hope he gets there.
Definatley agree on the Gumbleton selection. There is no need to force feed senior games into him before he puts together a series of reasonable to good performances in the twos.
Skeeta Olly
8 Mar 2010, 09:01
Replace Myers with "Anyone" and I agree.
B Welsh Pears Fletcher
BF Dempsey Hooker NLM
C Winders Watson Stanton
FF Monfries Hurley Gumby
F Wiliams Ryder Davey
R Hille Primall Hocking
Int Mcveigh Lonergan Zaka Myers
Imo is our strongest team. I think welsh will struggle this year and surely he'd do a better job than H slattery in that tagging bp position.
Our great strengh this year is our depth and all but watson and maybe pears are replacable.
Would love to get Melksham and Houli in this team and give Myers a starting spot in the middle but there is just no room at the moment.
The future is bright
not a bad idea but we need neagle to play out of FF he will be our premiership FF one day so he needs to play now
our best side is
B-H.Slats-Pears-Fletch
HB-Dempsey-Hooker-NLM
C-Winda-Watson-Stanton
HF-Monfries-Gumby-Zaka
F-Hurley-Neagle-Williams
R-Hille-Mcveigh-Hocking
Int-Ryder-Welsh-Davey-Reimers
Em:lonegan-houli-myers
What we must not do in 2010:
- Play Hille, Laycock, Ryder in the one side with another key forward(Gumby, Neagle, Hurley) - Not sure on this one. Ryder could play anywhere and if Hille returns to 2008 form and Laycock realises his potential you would be crazy to drop one of them. It would depend on alot of other factors. Namely the form of our forwardline and backline.
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side. Agree with this one although it will happen alot this year.
- Play Pears, Hooker, Hurley, Fletch in defence at the one time. Hurley goes forward or one misses out. Probably right.
- Myers play underserved games. He should not play half back and needs to dominate games at VFL in the centre then get a game as a mid. Agree.
What we must do:
- Find a spot for Houli and/or Zaharakis - :thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu:
- Use Hille/Ryder forward a bit until Neagle/Gumbleton have enough form/fitness. :thumbsu::thumbsu:
- McVeigh must be full time mid and Watson's deputy general - Depends on form. Don;t mind McVeigh down back.
- Play Hurley forward. Pears and Hooker to hold the key defensive posts. Ideally yes but I love him in the backline also.
- Get Winderlich into the midfield full time. :thumbsu:
- Drop senior players if they aren't performing - all about team balance:thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu:
Good post. See comments above.
not a bad idea but we need neagle to play out of FF he will be our premiership FF one day so he needs to play now
That's just your assumption. If we have better forwards than Neagle we should definitely play them instead.
Longy413
8 Mar 2010, 11:25
- Play Welsh, McVeigh, Hocking, Lonergan, Prismall in the one side.
Easy done. Don't play Hocking, he's not in our best side.
Won't happen though, Lonergan will be the one that misses out.
- Myers play underserved games. He should not play half back and needs to dominate games at VFL in the centre then get a game as a mid.
What we must do:
- Find a spot for Houli and/or Zaharakis
Those two points seem to contradict each other.
edstar10
8 Mar 2010, 11:42
Easy done. Don't play Hocking, he's not in our best side.
Won't happen though, Lonergan will be the one that misses out.
Those two points seem to contradict each other.
ive watched lonergan ever since he started at essendon, sheedy wouldnt play him, he dominated in reserves, he puts his body on the line for the essendon jumper harder than anyone on our list, he creates goals and isnt afraid to kick one himself, i will be puting the number 14 on my jumper this year and i hope it stays for awhile, droping lonergan from the side for not getting enough of the ball is silly, his job is to put his body on the line and he does that well, he is the most under-rated player in the afl and we would be crazy to ever drop him from our best 22.
Skeeta Olly
8 Mar 2010, 11:57
Does he have the tank for a permanent Midfield position though?
Longy413
8 Mar 2010, 12:09
I love him, never seems to lose a contest.
He'd be one of the first I'd pick every week, the kid is an animal.
I don't know if he has the tank, I guess it hasn't been tested. I just get the sense he's not rated as highly as he probably should be.
not a bad idea but we need neagle to play out of FF he will be our premiership FF one day so he needs to play now
our best side is
B-H.Slats-Pears-Fletch
HB-Dempsey-Hooker-NLM
C-Winda-Watson-Stanton
HF-Monfries-Gumby-Zaka
F-Hurley-Neagle-Williams
R-Hille-Mcveigh-Hocking
Int-Ryder-Welsh-Davey-Reimers
Em:lonegan-houli-myers
That forward line and midfield is as slow as treacle! I shudder to think what teams who move the footy quickly would do to us!!??
kelvin_sheedy
8 Mar 2010, 17:42
Those two points seem to contradict each other.
Maybe they do.... I guess I'm trying to give an equal standing to guys that have flaws and to see which one with the flaws can best server our side.
Skeeta Olly
8 Mar 2010, 17:44
Maybe they do.... I guess I'm trying to give an equal standing to guys that have flaws and to see which one with the flaws can best server our side.
Or maybe we could just give those last positions to the players that have earned them, be it Zaharakis, Myers, Houli or even a rookie.
kelvin_sheedy
8 Mar 2010, 17:53
Or maybe we could just give those last positions to the players that have earned them, be it Zaharakis, Myers, Houli or even a rookie.
Most of these guys do enough at VFL level to warrant a game. They all have claims on a spot one way or another.
When you are choosing between a few players you need to pick the guy that best serves the side.
Ben the Gooner
8 Mar 2010, 20:24
Great OP kelvin.:thumbsu:
- Play Hille, Laycock, Ryder in the one side with another key forward(Gumby, Neagle, Hurley)
This is the one point I'd disagree with. Laycock could well be a permanent forward, and with Hille/Ryder rucking and Laycock and Gumby (for example) forward, I'd be happy enough with the balance.
Does he have the tank for a permanent Midfield position though?
My only concern.
bombersno1
8 Mar 2010, 20:39
- Play Myers anywhere except in the midfield, if he plays HBF, he is better playing for Bendigo.
- Play Reimers if he wants to be a showpony and not put his head over the ball.
- Give players undeserved games, whether that be the captain or the last rookie on our list. We play our best 22. None of this "lets play him at 60%" business.
Nuts4Bolts
9 Mar 2010, 07:17
- Myers play underserved games.
Ditto Alwyn Davey. He stole every game he played last year.
Slattery_20
9 Mar 2010, 07:46
I agree with everything you've said here.
I think our injury list will dictate a lot of these variables. With a minimal injury list we can afford to drop underperforming senior players, we have the luxury of team balance.
... and last year we played guys in the seniors to get match fitness.
We can't do any of that this year. If you aren't fit enough then find a person that can run.
Agree. We suffered through giving games to Welsh, Prismall & Davey and a few others.
Problem is, you say this now, and 99% of us agree, then exactly that proportion will crack the sads when Hocking (or who-ever else) gets games over someone else half-fit.
EDIT: Massive one as well - if you don't do the team things, you don't play. Ie head over it, tackling back, not chasing cheap kicks. It's not *all* about talent. Our midfielders also need to appraise leads offered a lot better... not helped when you're choosing between a guy who's won 2 B&Fs, screaming out for it with 2 men hanging off him; and an unknown kid with 10 games standing by himself.
If we get full pre-seasons into 80% of our midfield, we'll power through games and the season a lot better.
I'll be very, very interested how Michael Still goes. IMHO he's closer to the seniors than expected.
I'll be very, very interested how Michael Still goes. IMHO he's closer to the seniors than expected.Yep, make that two.
People keep mentioning Carlisle and Daniher; in my opinion this guy's ready to play senior football, even if he is still pretty raw.
Also agree with pretty much everything said in this thread. Good post kelvin.
ive watched lonergan ever since he started at essendon, sheedy wouldnt play him, he dominated in reserves, he puts his body on the line for the essendon jumper harder than anyone on our list, he creates goals and isnt afraid to kick one himself, i will be puting the number 14 on my jumper this year and i hope it stays for awhile, droping lonergan from the side for not getting enough of the ball is silly, his job is to put his body on the line and he does that well, he is the most under-rated player in the afl and we would be crazy to ever drop him from our best 22.
Correction, he puts that cranium on the line.
It is hard not to like the boy, he does a lot of grunt work and doesn't get the stats to show for it.
Houli2Gumbleton
9 Mar 2010, 10:57
Was at the Melbourne Essendon game a couple of weeks ago and saw Still. He did not get a go on the field, but he was standing in front of me for most of the game doing stretches. What I am getting to is that he is still very light and no where near developed enough to play in regular games this year. He may be smart and quick enough but is still not strong enough to hold a full forwad position.
- Play Myers anywhere except in the midfield, if he plays HBF, he is better playing for Bendigo.
- Play Reimers if he wants to be a showpony and not put his head over the ball.
- Give players undeserved games, whether that be the captain or the last rookie on our list. We play our best 22. None of this "lets play him at 60%" business.
Myers (hopefully) will turn into a quality mid. His best attribute would be his clearence work. He played from half back because of his injuries. He'll be playing there again this year but you'll see that change in the upcoming years.
Reimers is a bit of a showpony, I doubt he'll ever get that out of his game. As long as he keeps it in the rules and doesn't give many free kicks/50's then i'll be happy.
It all depends on the player and their importance to our stucture. Eg, if Gumby/Neagle go down then we'll need Laycock in the side to play forward. McVeigh or Watson at 60% is better then a kid through the middle.
Players will play with injuries, or not at full strenght. It always happens.
Slattery_20
9 Mar 2010, 11:27
Was at the Melbourne Essendon game a couple of weeks ago and saw Still. He did not get a go on the field, but he was standing in front of me for most of the game doing stretches. What I am getting to is that he is still very light and no where near developed enough to play in regular games this year. He may be smart and quick enough but is still not strong enough to hold a full forwad position.
As opposed to....?
As far as I'm concerned, if he can run out 4 quarters that's a good thing. Neagle is big enough but not fit, Daniher is strong and fit enough but maybe not tall enough, Gumbie is question mark central. They are his competition.
mugsyman
9 Mar 2010, 11:27
Correction, he puts that cranium on the line.
It is hard not to like the boy, he does a lot of grunt work and doesn't get the stats to show for it.
I have been a huge fan of Lonergan since his first preseason. Since then i was always surprised, not so much at his natural ability, but his effort that he puts in. We need players like that in our side.
He managed to convert a few of my friends onto his bandwagon as well last year against, i think it was West Coast in rd. 20. We were down by about 7 goals with a couple of minutes left and nearly everyone had taken the foot of the gas. A W.C player was running into an open goal, Lonergan really had no chance to get to him, however they showed in slow-mo the effort on his face that he was putting in to the chase, even though the result was well and truly finalised.
I've also seen him come off the ground with a blood rule from diving head first into a pack, and be back on getting involved a couple of minutes later.
2010 being three years into Knights reign is not the year that we should
stop all the experiments. There is certainly nothing that stands out as wrong when it comes to the cultural aspects (earning games, etc) of team selection put forward. The "selection horrors" of last year have no reason to occur this year as we have a full list to choose from and it is fair to assume that Knights will select the team on merit.
I also have no argument with the balance in the midfield required by Kelvin and most posters. It is for this reason that Welsh, Lonergan and Hocking should rarely be picked in the same team unless Welsh is being
played in that tagging role he owned in the forward line or as a defender (which seems unlikely). Arguably all three have similar characteristics and similar roles and do not add enough by way of pace and disposal to be selected to play through the middle.
The inclusion of Myers on a half back line is acceptable as long as Watson is getting adequate support in the middle and Myers is playing well in the twos. He has the size and kick to be very effective from half
back and even though his future is as an in an under midfielder there is no harm in developing his game off half back.
The selection of the talls can be more liberal as long as the justification is primarily based on performance in the twos. There is significant potential flexibility among some very talented footballers who can all fit into the one team. When looking at the inclusions of Neagle and Laycock (in particular) Ryder, Pears, Gumbleton and Hooker needn't be considered as immobile talls that inhibit out game plan. In the backline Pears, in particular, is more than capable of providing run and rebounding off half back and can also play small replacing McVeigh in the position (who in my team replaces Slattery). Up forward, Monfries has been playing the role of lead up target for the best part of two years, giving the role to a confident Gumbleton would, from all reports, actually increase the mobility of the half forward line. As a side note, Monfries should not be dropped, he could play a similar role to the one he is currently or he could be recast.
The most exciting prospect is the use of Ryder in a following role (but starting on a wing because I don't want him in at centre bounces). A fit Hille and/or a confident and in form Laycock or Bellchambers could be used to do the grunt work at stoppages with Ryder contesting 30 to 40% of ball ups/throw ins as a third man up. He showed last year that he has the ability and natural inclination to "follow" and with an improved fitness base should be able to run around for most of a game.
Come about round 10 I would like to see the following team selected at least once:
FB McVeigh Pears Fletcher*
HB Dempsey Hooker Dyson
C Ryder Watson Stanton
HF Hurley Gumbleton Davey
FF Riemers Neagle Williams
R Hille Winderlich Hocking
I Houli Zaharakis Monfries Prismall
E Lonergan Laycock Myers NLM
*In a side with Fletcher retired Pears would take his role or would be play Mcveigh's role with Hurley brought in to play tall. Laycock would be brought in to ruck and Ryder would not actually line up as a ruckman.
- I think Riemers could be effectively recast as a defensively minded forward. He is very quick and aggressive enough to thrive on the tackling. He also isn't afraid to have a shot which too many forwards
are.
The side that should be selected early in the season to win games should look something like:
FB McVeigh Pears Fletcher
HB Dempsey Hooker Houli
C Dyson Watson Stanton
HF Monfries Gumbleton Davey
FF Williams Hille Zaharakis
R Ryder Winderlich Hocking
I Lonergan Prismall NLM Riemers
- Hurley is suspended, when eligible to play Monfries to bench and Lonergan out of the side.
- Neagle and Hille should not line up in the same forward line from round 1. I would like some proof that the combination would not be too slow before playing them. Hille can give Ryder the break he needs in the ruck.
- McVeigh has played best and most consistent football down back. Slattery is a player I cannot stomach and a viable alternative needs to be provided. I also want to back Hocking to add confidence to his game
because he could really help Watson in the role.
- What role does Welsh play and who do we leave out?
bombersno1
10 Mar 2010, 20:32
It all depends on the player and their importance to our stucture. Eg, if Gumby/Neagle go down then we'll need Laycock in the side to play forward. McVeigh or Watson at 60% is better then a kid through the middle.
Players will play with injuries, or not at full strenght. It always happens.
That was our thinking with Reimers, etc last year. It backfired. You play 22 100% fit players. Not 18 fit players and 4 players at 75%. I don't care if that means playing kids through the middle. I'll take my chances with 22 100% fit players.
Smyth94
10 Mar 2010, 21:09
That was our thinking with Reimers, etc last year. It backfired. You play 22 100% fit players. Not 18 fit players and 4 players at 75%. I don't care if that means playing kids through the middle. I'll take my chances with 22 100% fit players.
^^ This
Jonesy1987
11 Mar 2010, 00:07
That was our thinking with Reimers, etc last year. It backfired. You play 22 100% fit players. Not 18 fit players and 4 players at 75%. I don't care if that means playing kids through the middle. I'll take my chances with 22 100% fit players.
Agree, we payed the price against Adelaide in Melbourne for doing just that.
it depends on the player, Jobe seemed to carry his injury alright except for maybe 1 bad game....
others like McVeigh didnt seem to be able to do it aswell maybe its because he is a bit older now! and prismall was alright coming back from the knee, and he is probably just getting back to 100% now! hille probably wont be 100% until after midyear but he has to play!
Donakebab
11 Mar 2010, 03:42
I understand the comment and agree in part, but you'll never see any side with every player at 100%.
Bombers36
11 Mar 2010, 05:22
Certainly players will never all be 100% fit at one time - its impossible with the naturfe of our game today.
As far as selecions go IM a little concerned everyone is penciling in Gumbleton at CHF. Sure the guy was a high draft pick and has shown some ability but hes missed a hell of a lot of footy and Id be much more confortable if he spent the first few rounds at Bendigo finding some consistant form and confidence. I like Ryder at CHF - and now we have Hille back we have the luxery of using Paddy there, with Laycock to provide support for Hille off the bench
Also BrunoV I would have Welsh in the team before Houli at this stage. Whilst I have some reservations about Welsh, at least he puts his head over the ball and can be effective in the back pocket or in a tagging role.
For me the selections will be more like:
Welsh Pears H.Slat
Fletch Hooker Dempsey
Dyson Watson Prismall
Monfries Ryder Reimers
Neagle M.Williams Davey
Hille Winderlich Stanton
Lonergan Hocking Myers Laycock
Hurley is suspended, when eligible to play Monfries to bench and Lonergan out of the side. - spot on here Bruno
Neagle and Hille should not line up in the same forward line from round 1. I would like some proof that the combination would not be too slow before playing them. - I would never have them both in the same forward line. Hille is a ruckman - we shld play him there - I much prefer Ryder in the forward line.
Also McVeigh and NLM are out early but they aere both solid experienced players and should come in for Hocking, Myers, H.Slat or Reimers or someone else who is out of form.
Ryder will be the clubs number one for at least the first third of this season and Hille has been playing foward in the first few practice matches. The Neagle-Hille combination is something we are going to have to deal with.
Slattery_20
11 Mar 2010, 07:00
Knights doesn't have 100% control over who's selected. Board of selectors, he has a big vote but not complete control. NFI who's on it, possibly Egan and I think Hammo as well.
mid year id like to see this side
FB Fletcher Pears Welsh
HB Dempsey Hooker Myers
C Prismall Watson Stanton
HF Hurley Gumbleton Monfries
FF Davey Neagle Williams
R Ryder Winderlich McVeigh
I Hille Houli Zaharakis Reimers
E Laycock NLM Dyson
obviously dependant on houli, and myers coming of age, if not Dyson and 1 of lonergan, H.slat, Jetta, hocking and NLM come in.
Knights doesn't have 100% control over who's selected. Board of selectors, he has a big vote but not complete control. NFI who's on it, possibly Egan and I think Hammo as well.
That's pretty shit, coaches should have 110% control.
Slattery_20
11 Mar 2010, 08:49
That's pretty shit, coaches should have 110% control.
Disagree. Falling for the trap of 1 guy with complete control over everything and a legion of yes-men is not a good thing.
However the head coach should have the biggest say and the selection panel and coach should be pulling in the same direction.
bombre-boy
11 Mar 2010, 23:23
Knights doesn't have 100% control over who's selected. Board of selectors, he has a big vote but not complete control. NFI who's on it, possibly Egan and I think Hammo as well.
Doesnt really matter who is on it, as long as they dont make the stupid mistakes they made on a number of occasions last year...
bombersno1
14 Mar 2010, 20:26
it depends on the player, Jobe seemed to carry his injury alright except for maybe 1 bad game....
others like McVeigh didnt seem to be able to do it aswell maybe its because he is a bit older now! and prismall was alright coming back from the knee, and he is probably just getting back to 100% now! hille probably wont be 100% until after midyear but he has to play!
Prismall showed why you don't play till you are 100% fit. He played a fair few games for Bendigo. Exactly what I am saying. There is no need to play unfit players, even Watson.