Who was the most unlucky to miss out?

[Stranglers]

Who do you think was the player who was most unlucky not to make the premiership side this season?

There are a lot of contenders; Simpkin who played the sub role for a lot of the season, Ceglar who admirably held down a rucking role in the first two finals, Brad Sewell who has been an absolute warrior for the hawks in all our finals, amongst others.

Personally I feel particularly sorry for Whitecross; missed two grand finals in a row from the same injury. It must be very tough for him to see the boys celebrating knowing he could have been part of it if not for bad luck.

 

[B0SK]

As the competition's #1 specialist sub you could argue Simpkin was very stiff, though I'd lean towards Ceglar who was actually our best performing ruckman for much of the year. Sewell on the other hand didn't have much of an impact this year, would've been nice to send him off with another flag though.

Another bloke who deserves a mention is Kyle Cheney. Performed a vital role early in the year and usually played to the peak of his abilities. Speaking of stiff, Brendan Bolton deserves a mention!

 

[James Colorado]

Whitecross. He'll be the reason for a 3 peat.

 

[lyger]

As the competition's #1 specialist sub you could argue Simpkin was very stiff, though I'd lean towards Ceglar who was actually our best performing ruckman for much of the year. Sewell on the other hand didn't have much of an impact this year, would've been nice to send him off with another flag though.

Another bloke who deserves a mention is Kyle Cheney. Performed a vital role early in the year and usually played to the peak of his abilities. Speaking of stiff, Brendan Bolton deserves a mention!

I endorse Cheney - i hope we keep him (he stays with us).

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Cegs

 

[jiphoc]

Whitecross. He'll be the reason for a 3 peat.

I hate to say it. However I really don't see a spot for WhiteX anymore. Simpkin is likely past him now. You then have Hartung and Jed. Fighting for the same spot. It will be a long, long way back even after he recovers.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Ceglar. Played 14 games prior to being dropped and was better than good for the majority. Just tailed off at the wrong time and gave the selectors a reason to drop him.

 

[BloomingHawk]

Poor Cegs. He's been a solid contributor.

 

[Max Powers]

Ceglar

 

[Davo-27]

none i think the team we had run out was the best team we had, but i would like to see Ceglar/McEvoy for the next few years as Hale is slowing down......so it will be good to see Cegs possibly get some reward for effort in the future

P.S. Anderson(Silk Mk II) if he wasn't injured!

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

I hate to say it. However I really don't see a spot for WhiteX anymore. Simpkin is likely past him now. You then have Hartung and Jed. Fighting for the same spot. It will be a long, long way back even after he recovers.

From my sources Whitey is one of the first picked every week when fit.

 

[The GOAT]

Cegs. Simpkin was lucky to win one last year. Sewell wasn't really ever in our best 22 this year like those 2 blokes were.

 

[jiphoc]

From my sources Whitey is one of the first picked every week when fit.

That was before the arrival of Jed and Hurtung. Keep in mind WhiteX has barely played for 2 seasons now and the team has been forced to move on. What ever we get from WhiteX going forward is a bonus because with his role in the side and after his injuries it is not looking good.

I am not saying I don't like the guy. He is a champion. I am just being realistic.

 

[Symons]

Definitely Cegs, but I can see why we went with Big Boy.

I was sad for Sewell because he was just the wrong age, and had a battle with injuries. Had we won in 2012, he probably would've got a Norm Smith as well as another premiership medal (although, maybe we wouldn't have come out with such fire in 2013 if we had won in 2012).

Simpkin was 'gifted' a place in the 22 last year, and although he played the sub role with aplomb this year, you could argue that they balance each other out.

And Cheney is the other, as everyone else had an opportunity to cement their spot in the 22. But Cheney was only ever playing as a stop gap, and he played admirably well. He punches well above his weight, is a strong leader at VFL level to help the upcoming boys learn their craft, and he put in a consistent performance in 9 games for us this season...when he must've known that it was unlikely he would stay best 22 when others came back from injury.

 

[Thaihawk]

If you didn't experience these sort of selection problems, then your list isn't good enough to play in a grand final. That's unfortunate, but a fact.

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

Surely Whitecross is done. I can't see him getting in this team

 

[ossie_21]

I was just randomly thinking about the back to back flags tonight. You always hear about the hard luck stories & the players that just never quite got the holy grail, but Whitecross is surely one of the unluckiest players ever.

Could be a dual premiership player but now may never get a chance to win one. Prior to reco 1 he had really turned a corner, even on his comeback he seemed like he would get back into it fairly quickly. Definitely have to feel sorry for him

 

[The BIG X]

Surely Whitecross is done. I can't see him getting in this team

Which means - Whitie will play 1st round 2015

 

[The Swert]

Another guy unlucky to miss the last two premierships is Ryan Schoenmakers. He had a tough initiation to football as a 20 year old, often holding down the toughest position on the field and deserves a premiership. Still time for him though.

 

[Hawker55]

I hate to say it. However I really don't see a spot for WhiteX anymore. Simpkin is likely past him now. You then have Hartung and Jed. Fighting for the same spot. It will be a long, long way back even after he recovers.

Whitecross is our insurance for Burgoyne.

 

[bigton08]

sewell nice guys do finish last