Who wants a laugh?

[Goldust]

I conceded that Crameri deserves to be there, mostly due to the lack of forwards this year. Same goes with Taylor Walker, he's not an All Australian quality player but yet he's in there because there's no one else.

No way does Fletcher deserve to be there, if he was 10 years younger and playing the same role he is now, no one would be talking about him.

Crameri yes ... Fletcher no.
The fact that Taylor-walker leads the goalkicking with a less than stellar 23 speaks volumes of how forwards are travelling this year.

 

[Goldust]

Great job by Robbo. Really.

His opinion is no better than anyone else's, but people take it seriously. he has probably sold a few more papers - particularly those people who just want to ridicule him - and his employers (HS in this case) have probably patted him on the back and said 'Keep up the good work'.

AAs, Player of the year, Dreamteam rankings, ladder predictors and the like are invented by the media to get supporters to buy their product.

A lot of it is thinly-disguised trolling. We can all remember occasions where a journo has 'said something controversial' and we were all urged to tune in next week to see how other journos responded.

It's all a laugh - don't get offended by it. Treat it with the dismissive contempt it deserves.

VERY interesting that Robbo should cop so much flak for doing his job and pickinga team based on HIS opinion, yet the 20 odd people who have posted on here can't agree on an AA 22. It's an OPINION .. he's entitled to have one, just as the selectors won't agree on every single pick!!

 

[Slattery_20]

No way does Fletcher deserve to be there, if he was 10 years younger and playing the same role he is now, no one would be talking about him.

How so?

Incredible late in the tight Port & North wins. Very good against Carlton, Brisbane, GC & Richmond until he went off.

The competition's leading rebounder.
Equal 7th in 1%ers.
Top 30 for kicks per game.

Why would he not be in?

 

[Wallaby]

Crameri yes ... Fletcher no.
The fact that Taylor-walker leads the goalkicking with a less than stellar 23 speaks volumes of how forwards are travelling this year.

Or more likely a reflection on how the game is now being played. I find it hard to believe that every key Forward is having the same down year.

Scoring is only down 2 points per team from last year.

 

[richolovesgoal]

How so?

Incredible late in the tight Port & North wins. Very good against Carlton, Brisbane, GC & Richmond until he went off.

The competition's leading rebounder.
Equal 7th in 1%ers.
Top 30 for kicks per game.

Why would he not be in?

He doesn't play on the most dangerous forwards.

 

[Walesy]

He doesn't play on the most dangerous forwards.

How many rebounding defenders do?

I don't mean to sound condescending, but different defensive roles require different skill sets.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Absolutely yes way.

Only players clearly ahead of Lids this year are Ablett (when he's played) and Pendles. He's in the next group with Stanton, Watson, Thompson and Kennedy.



Why are you questioning his consistency? Bar the Carlton game coming off a hammy and little match practice he's been very good to dominant every single week.

As a true midfielder do you think Lids is ahead of Cotchin, this season ?

 

[00Stinger]

I conceded that Crameri deserves to be there, mostly due to the lack of forwards this year. Same goes with Taylor Walker, he's not an All Australian quality player but yet he's in there because there's no one else.

LOL, do you realise how stupid this sounds?

Walker is not an AA player he is just there because he has been the best KPF in the league

FWIW Delidio would be a lock and Cotchin would be clode. Thats it for the Tigers. To the OP there is no chance in hell that a team outside the 8 could have 5 players in the AA team.

 

[richolovesgoal]

How many rebounding defenders do?

I don't mean to sound condescending, but different defensive roles require different skill sets.

As a rebounding defender I think there are better options, and as a traditional defender I think there are better options.

He's been good, no doubt, but in my opinion not All Australian worthy. His inclusion in this list I believe would have been affected by the hysteria following him this year.

 

[richolovesgoal]

LOL, do you realise how stupid this sounds?

Walker is not an AA player he is just there because he has been the best KPF in the league

FWIW Delidio would be a lock and Cotchin would be clode. Thats it for the Tigers. To the OP there is no chance in hell that a team outside the 8 could have 5 players in the AA team.

It's not stupid at all, Taylor Walker is not of All Australian quality. I don't put him in the same class as Richo, Carey, Lloyd, Dunstall, Riewoldts, Brown, etc, who have all been All Australian forwards.

He is in because of the lack of quality forwards this year, yes he may be the best full forward at the moment, but he's the best out of a bad bunch. He spent half of last year in the SANFL.

In regards to the bold, Maric should also be a lock as of right now. I don't agree with the selection of Cox as Natanui has done what seems to be 80% of the ruckwork.

 

[Slattery_20]

It's not stupid at all, Taylor Walker is not of All Australian quality. I don't put him in the same class as Richo, Carey, Lloyd, Dunstall, Riewoldts, Brown, etc, who have all been All Australian forwards.

He is in because of the lack of quality forwards this year, yes he may be the best full forward at the moment, but he's the best out of a bad bunch. He spent half of last year in the SANFL.

In regards to the bold, Maric should also be a lock as of right now. I don't agree with the selection of Cox as Natanui has done what seems to be 80% of the ruckwork.

Maric?
He spent half of last year in the SANFL!!!!
I don't put him in the same class as Cox, Sandilands, Everitt who have been All Australian rucks

you got one thing right... thread is providing the laughs alright!

He doesn't play on the most dangerous forwards.

Who does?

As opposed to Scarlett, Glass, Enright, Murphy, Reid and Davis - the AA backline last year?
Scarlett's not played full-back for 2 years, Pies prefer Reid to go 3rd up (Tarrant/Brown taking the main men), Murphy & Davis never ever have and never ever will, Glass about 50/50 last year and very rarely now.

As a rebounding defender I think there are better options, and as a traditional defender I think there are better options.

He's been good, no doubt, but in my opinion not All Australian worthy. His inclusion in this list I believe would have been affected by the hysteria following him this year.

Shoot. I'm genuinely interested to hear who's been a better defender and/or rebounder - Fletch is, as usual, doing both a fair sight better than most guys can do either.

 

[smasha]

Maric?
He spent half of last year in the SANFL!!!!
I don't put him in the same class as Cox, Sandilands, Everitt who have been All Australian rucks

you got one thing right... thread is providing the laughs alright!



Who does?

As opposed to Scarlett, Glass, Enright, Murphy, Reid and Davis - the AA backline last year?
Scarlett's not played full-back for 2 years, Pies prefer Reid to go 3rd up (Tarrant/Brown taking the main men), Murphy & Davis never ever have and never ever will, Glass about 50/50 last year and very rarely now.


Shoot. I'm genuinely interested to hear who's been a better defender and/or rebounder - Fletch is, as usual, doing both a fair sight better than most guys can do either.

Maurice Rioli was in the WAFL before he played for Richmond.Still the best indigenous player ever to play the game.
What's your point?

 

[Slattery_20]

Maurice Rioli was in the WAFL before he played for Richmond.Still the best indigenous player ever to play the game.
What's your point?

My point wasn't really that hard to find.
Have another crack. Read all of richo's post and you should be able to spot it.

 

[richolovesgoal]

Maric?
He spent half of last year in the SANFL!!!!
I don't put him in the same class as Cox, Sandilands, Everitt who have been All Australian rucks

you got one thing right... thread is providing the laughs alright!



Who does?

As opposed to Scarlett, Glass, Enright, Murphy, Reid and Davis - the AA backline last year?
Scarlett's not played full-back for 2 years, Pies prefer Reid to go 3rd up (Tarrant/Brown taking the main men), Murphy & Davis never ever have and never ever will, Glass about 50/50 last year and very rarely now.


Shoot. I'm genuinely interested to hear who's been a better defender and/or rebounder - Fletch is, as usual, doing both a fair sight better than most guys can do either.

1. Maric has been performing to the standard that players like Sandilands and Cox have previously set. Players like Walker haven't been performing up to AA standard, but find themselves in the team, due to the opposition from other forwards this year.

2. From a Richmond perspective, Rance and Grimes, they have played on the 2 best forwards every week, and shut them down successfully. While they also still get 20-25 touches and 10 marks each.

Others like Lachie Henderson, Ted Richards, Michael Johnson, have all been great stoppers this year.

Players like Birchall, Suckling, Duffield, Malceski, Goddard, have all been great rebounders this year.

Get off your high horse, I never said Fletcher was bad, I don't agree with him being in the All Australian team, and he gets way over-hyped due to his age.

For mine the backline right now should be something like:

Rance Richards Lake
Birchall Johnson Waters

 

[Goldust]

Me thinks .... as AA selectors do ... they'll find room for Deledio in the team and slot him in across half back. He has spent minimal time there this year, but they plain won't leave him out.

Looking for a decent rebounding defender .... Reilly from the Crows is doing it better than anyone bar Waters at the moment. The guy on the other back flank from the Coast is doing just fine too in Hurn.

I think Goddard might just slot back in a defensive role too.

Think there are a few inconsistencies with Robbo. Couldn't find room for Deledio onabll but gladly play others out of position.

 

[Slattery_20]

Earlier you had a lash at Shaw being in, because he's missed "half the year" (2 weeks)... now you think Birchall should clearly be in (also missed 2).

You said Waters had been "ok"... but now think he should be in

You want Lake in... he was utter poop for 2 weeks, put himself out suspended before he got dropped, played very well vs Collingwood and 2 other games...

Over Fletcher, who's been consistently very good every week.


I just don't get it.
Your standards are changing every time you post.

 

[richolovesgoal]

Earlier you had a lash at Shaw being in, because he's missed "half the year" (2 weeks)... now you think Birchall should clearly be in (also missed 2).

You said Waters had been "ok"... but now think he should be in

You want Lake in... he was utter poop for 2 weeks, put himself out suspended before he got dropped, played very well vs Collingwood and 2 other games...

Over Fletcher, who's been consistently very good every week.


I just don't get it.
Your standards are changing every time you post.

My standards haven't changed at all. Birchall has been good in all of his games, so the fact he has missed 2 doesn't concern me, Shaw was playing very poorly before he got injured.

I stand by Waters, he has been okay, but he is the best choice for the flank.

Lake plays the role Fletcher does, but does it playing on the best forward, in a much worse team.

Fletcher is made to look good because of the defenders around him, yes he does good things, but he's not AA. Why would he been AA now at 37 or whatever he is, and not for the last 10 years? My memory tells me he's made it once before.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I have no problem with Fletcher being named.still an excellent player and I'm sure any Essendon fan would admit to being terrified at the prospect of him retiring.
Although that seems unlikely.

 

[00Stinger]

It's not stupid at all, Taylor Walker is not of All Australian quality. I don't put him in the same class as Richo, Carey, Lloyd, Dunstall, Riewoldts, Brown, etc, who have all been All Australian forwards.

He is in because of the lack of quality forwards this year, yes he may be the best full forward at the moment, but he's the best out of a bad bunch. He spent half of last year in the SANFL.

The best players of the year make the AA team. Thats it's it, no arguements about it.

He has been the best KPF of the year, better than Reiwoldt(x2), Cloke, Franklin. So I don't know how you can say he isn't AA quality

 

[Slattery_20]

My standards haven't changed at all. Birchall has been good in all of his games, so the fact he has missed 2 doesn't concern me,

Shaw was playing very poorly before he got injured.

I stand by Waters, he has been okay, but he is the best choice for the flank.

He got thumped by Monfries, had to go forward to get a kick. Can't recall that happening to Fletcher this year

Lake plays the role Fletcher does, but does it playing on the best forward, in a much worse team.

Not true.
Lake was on Lynch, Markovic had Kennedy rd 1 - Kennedy kicked a huge bag.
Petrie had his best game of the year on him. He's had 3 good games (Coll, GC & GWS), he's been average and no, he hasn't been taking top quality forwards all the time.

Fletcher is made to look good because of the defenders around him, yes he does good things, but he's not AA.

Who?
Most of the year our most experienced defender outside Fletch has been Dempsey (just hit 60 games).
He's been the one covering, teaching, guiding guys like Hibberd, Carlisle, Hardingham, Heppell. All still very raw.
Or is it that venerated superstar Ricky Dyson who's been making him look good..... erm...

Scarlett's had the same established, experienced backmen (Mackie Lonergan Enright Hunt Milburn all 100+ gamers) around him for best part of 8 years. Weren't they "making him look good" ?
O'Brien & Maxwell had Presti & Johnson (150 gamers) when they were AA.
Same for Birchall (Gibson Guerra Burgoyne 150+gamers), and Waters has Glass & Hurn (200 & 100 gamers) every week.

Why would he been AA now at 37 or whatever he is, and not for the last 10 years? My memory tells me he's made it once before.

Honestly it beats me too, there are questionable decisions every year.
Pavlich over Fletch for FB possibly the best in recent years but O'Brien > Fletch is a pretty good one too.


You just have to ignore all of that crap and just judge how they've done their job.
Fletcher's job is that third tall, organise the set-up, get to a lot of contests, get a spoil in, and rebound the ball.

Most weeks that's the same role as Johnson (or are you going to tell me Dawson/McPharlin are there as 3rd tall/rebounders?) or Scarlett or Glass or Lake have.

 

[_RT_]

Way too much bias being displayed on this thread. While Deledio Cotchin & Maric in particular have been very good for us, they haven't had the same sort of impact on games as what the others named have had for their sides. To put it bluntly most of the others are match winners for their sides, i.e. they play well and their sides win. At the moment even when our 3 play well, we still get done.

Oh and before people say yeah but what about Ablett? Ablett averages 10 disposals a game more than either Deledio or Cotchin, he is also the leading contested possession winner in the league and is widely regarded as the best player in the game. Based on that alone he gets picked, the only way he wouldn't is if he was to not play a game from here until the end of the year.

 

[Tigerbob]

Deledio and Cotchin should be in the side, don't know why they wouldn't be. Both have been as influencial as any other midfielder save from Ablett and Pendles.

Amazing most have Deledio as a lock with Cotchin just missing out yet Cotchin would probably have had more best on grounds than Lids. I think both have done more than enough to be in the side.

The only other players worth considering but not saying they should be in are Rance, Maric and Grimes.

On other selections. It's all a bunch of crap anyway. The All Australian gets pick by muppets like Gerard Healy who showed his obvious bias the other night on the Couch. Why do we respect a team that is picked by people that most people have zero respect for? And it is well known that you must have a reputation before being selected. Judd will get in due to being Judd. Being a better player this year has little significance when competing with the likes of Judd.

I am just enjoying the likes of Deledio and Cotchin playing for my club. Would not trade them for anyone. All Australian? Robbo? Healy? Bigfooty experts like these Essendon flogs on here? LOL whatever. Bunch of crap if you ask me.

 

[Barnzy]

Way too much bias being displayed on this thread. While Deledio Cotchin & Maric in particular have been very good for us, they haven't had the same sort of impact on games as what the others named have had for their sides. To put it bluntly most of the others are match winners for their sides, i.e. they play well and their sides win. At the moment even when our 3 play well, we still get done.

Probably because our bottom 6-8 players are amongst the worst in the comp/very inexperienced. Don't see how this should be viewed as a negative on Lids, Cotch, etc individual performances so far. Replace them with Thompson, Kennedy, Stanton, etc or whoever you judge as being the so called match winners or having more impact on games and I doubt we have a better record. You need an even team effort to get over the line against good teams. This is where we still fall down.

 

[_RT_]

Probably because our bottom 6-8 players are amongst the worst in the comp/very inexperienced. Don't see how this should be viewed as a negative on Lids, Cotch, etc individual performances so far. Replace them with Thompson, Kennedy, Stanton, etc or whoever you judge as being the so called match winners or having more impact on games and I doubt we have a better record. You need an even team effort to get over the line against good teams. This is where we still fall down.

Not going to disagree with that. The one difference is that with the other guys, when they play their sides are more likely to win than lose and vice versa when they don't play.

With our guys regardless of whether they play or not at the moment we're still likely to lose. As someone posted early in the thread, we start winning more games and our players will get the recognition they deserve. Its slowly coming, as witness by the Deledio article today.

Between now and the end of the season there is plenty of opportunity for our guys to get noticed.