I expect Fletcher to play loose so I don't think the backline will be too tall and I think it is possible to have Johns, Lloyd and Lucas in the forward line with Hird playing a floating role through half-forward, midfield and half-back. As for the second ruckman, if we have Johns, Lloyd and Lucas up forward and Fletcher playing loose down back there will be much less work for Hille to do as he wont have to go deep into the 50s and it may not be 100% necessary to have a second ruckman. I am also of the opinion that Laycock has a long way to go yet.
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Davey & Jetta
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I expect Fletcher to play loose so I don't think the backline will be too tall and I think it is possible to have Johns, Lloyd and Lucas in the forward line with Hird playing a floating role through half-forward, midfield and half-back. As for the second ruckman, if we have Johns, Lloyd and Lucas up forward and Fletcher playing loose down back there will be much less work for Hille to do as he wont have to go deep into the 50s and it may not be 100% necessary to have a second ruckman. I am also of the opinion that Laycock has a long way to go yet.
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It sounds like Laycock has had a big pre season, and you always have to have 2 ruckmen in a side. If Hille went down who would ruck? Fletcher, Bradley? Laycock will show us why he was picked so high this season
Couldnt really see Fletcher pinch hitting in the ruck....his slender frame wouldnt be able to handle the ever increasing mass of the premier ruckman, namely White, Cox, Sandilands, Simmonds...not to mention that young monster out at the Dogs, Minson. Wouldnt be worth the risk having Fletcher nursing corked thighs, etc. Losing Laycock wouldnt be as detrimental as losing Fletch. Hille and Ryder would be my first 2 picks for ruck duties.
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thats a player I was not thinking of when I was doing the team (Ryder) I
guess it comes down to having Ryder or Laycock in the team. You would think if Ryder passes Laycock this year in the second ruck spot his future is in doubt
Fletcher won't play lose, for two reasons.
1) We always man up a loose player in our forward line. If the oppositions play with 5 forwards and put a man behind the ball we will make it 7 on 7 in our forward line. The Richmond game it was 10 on 10. If we play Fletcher lose the opposition will have a lose man in our forward line, we won't do that.
2) The opposition will never let Fletcher play lose anyway. He'll have an opponent, more to the point, he'll be given one.
If the opposition ruckman pushes forward, don't you think Hille will have to follow? If we go in with one ruckman, don't you think the opposition will ensure Hille has to push into both 50's? If Michael or Fletcher ruck in the back 50, who takes their opponents?
Laycock is further developed than Neagle. Neagle only play about half a dozen reserves games.
Depending on Johns and if he takes the next step, I could see Neagle playing half a dozen senior games for us. Has a decent set of hands over head I thought when I watched him last Friday night. Couldnt hurt to trial him in defence also and see what he's made of seeing as there isnt much room for him up front.
If we only had the 1 ruck in the team, Bradley would probably be the next in line to do the job, He did some short stints in the ruck last year and a few times he looked alright.
Just not sure he has that aggression for such a role. Aside from his long limbs, whats his vertical leap like?
I can see Laycock playing forward a bit. I've heard the club mention in the past that they see potential as a key forward and Ive seen him take a mark and kick accurately. Tough for the opposition to man up on. Big question is with so many talls in the forward line already (Lloyd, Johns, Lucas, Gumby), how much time can we expect to see him playing up there, not to mention Hille whom will certainly rest up there too.
I can see Lucas going back every now and then, giving us three strong marking defenders. Yes I know Lucas is a 50+ goal kicking forward and he will play a lot up there, but if we are still kicking goals with the guys mentioned along with Hird, Monfries, Lovett, Davey, Bradley etc, it may be plausible and allow Fletch to play looser. Plus Bradley and Lee may show significant development to go down there at times therefore we may be able to get Fletch playing free anyway.
For the general rule of thumb I think we'll get Fletch playing a deep defensive role if there is a forward he is perfect to negate (O'Loughlin, there are others), but for the most part we want him roaming across half back doing whatever he wants. If the opp CHF is a player who continually leads to the wings, I'd say McPhee would be a good option to go with that player (Riewoldt, Pav etc), as it would also bring McPhee into the game and Fletch can play his floating role, after all, how many floaters across half back can we have at one time.
I can see Lucas going back every now and then, giving us three strong marking defenders. Yes I know Lucas is a 50+ goal kicking forward and he will play a lot up there, but if we are still kicking goals with the guys mentioned along with Hird, Monfries, Lovett, Davey, Bradley etc, it may be plausible and allow Fletch to play looser. Plus Bradley and Lee may show significant development to go down there at times therefore we may be able to get Fletch playing free anyway.
For the general rule of thumb I think we'll get Fletch playing a deep defensive role if there is a forward he is perfect to negate (O'Loughlin, there are others), but for the most part we want him roaming across half back doing whatever he wants. If the opp CHF is a player who continually leads to the wings, I'd say McPhee would be a good option to go with that player (Riewoldt, Pav etc), as it would also bring McPhee into the game and Fletch can play his floating role, after all, how many floaters across half back can we have at one time.
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some are obsessed with the idea of McVeigh playing on the wing!
good team though...geez its gunna be tough for the young blokes and the draftees to claim a spot....even harder if we're winning.
i'd like to think Laycock will play every week,hope so
Would not have a clue, i doubt he will ever be faced with a situation of having to ruck for a whole game, sheeds usually plays 2 rucks.
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keepzitreal;6732772[B said:
You sound like whats her name off Romper Room
I see Billy and Peter and Molly and Sandra......
You're right about Laycock. Put him forward. Strong hands and a lumper jack body
We won't be the first team to load up on talls in the forward line. I hope it happens. Who's gunna stop a Lloyd,Lucas,Laycock,Johns and Kepler/Gumby/Hird forward set up?You sound like whats her name off Romper Room
I see Billy and Peter and Molly and Sandra......
You're right about Laycock. Put him forward. Strong hands and a lumper jack body
Hands off his milk...
Essendon will do everything they can to play Fletcher loose and he will only have an opponent if the opposition want to tag him.
Hille will not have to go with the oppposing ruckman into the back 50 unless there's a bounce because we will have numbers in defence already to deal with it if Fletcher is loose. He will only have to go into the forward 50 is the opposition ruckman stands in Lloyd's space and Hille can be an alternative target in that situation.
What you're saying is all very nice, but it's fantasy stuff.
Fletcher won't be loose, not ever. We won't play with five forwards and the opposition won't let him loose. Ever, it will never happen. What Fletch can do is read the play well, he will drop off when he can and he will be very good at it. We even saw it on Friday night, but he will still have an opponent.
Hille will have to go into defense because Fletcher will have an opponent. David Hille actually pushes forward as an option, he plays his best when he does that. He's not going to change the way he plays, a ruckman can't just run between the two 50's. If David Hille doesn't follow his opponent he'll do one of two things, fill Lloyd's space or push forward.
What you're talking about is Under 12's stuff. It won't happen.
Fletcher won't be loose, not ever. We won't play with five forwards and the opposition won't let him loose. Ever, it will never happen. What Fletch can do is read the play well, he will drop off when he can and he will be very good at it. We even saw it on Friday night, but he will still have an opponent.
Hille will have to go into defense because Fletcher will have an opponent. David Hille actually pushes forward as an option, he plays his best when he does that. He's not going to change the way he plays, a ruckman can't just run between the two 50's. If David Hille doesn't follow his opponent he'll do one of two things, fill Lloyd's space or push forward.
What you're talking about is Under 12's stuff. It won't happen.
agree Fletcher is clever enough to no when to run of his opponent and thats how he always played but the great thing now is he has Mal there as safety. I am very excited about this year and I beleive we are going to be making steps forwards this year
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Fletcher won't need to run even out of the back 50 mtr arc this year...if his mates play like they should and help him out.
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I agree,but so long as the ball doesn't fly back over his head while he's trotting back to the BL,after a turn over further up
My point is,Fletcher can go for one of his runs down the wing...but that usally only happens when we are dominating a match and everything looks good. If we are constantly under attack and the ball keeps flying down to the enemies goal square,Fletcher has to be there...in my humble opinion
I agree,but so long as the ball doesn't fly back over his head while he's trotting back to the BL,after a turn over further up
It will take two kicks to get there...Fletch doesn't waste it.
and the ball keeps flying down to the enemies goal square,Fletcher has to be there...in my humble opinion
Mal will be there...
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I keep going on about Mcphee,but i keep remembering how good he was a couple of years back..and if he can just get back that sensational form it will make MM and Fletcher's day alot easier.
So many options,so many good players,they just have to gell as a team (all over again) and get some sort of system going,get some confidence back.
I don't know who i'm more excited to see play come rd1..Jobe,MM,Lloyd or Davey
So many options,so many good players,they just have to gell as a team (all over again) and get some sort of system going,get some confidence back.
I don't know who i'm more excited to see play come rd1..Jobe,MM,Lloyd or Davey
I actually think it's MM that will make Fletcher and McPhee's job easier.
MM in the side will actually allow McPhee to go back to doing what he does best. Remember when McPhee was AA not only was he fit, but Sean Wellman was also still running around.
And Jetta is the one you should be excited about...