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Every year this is pointed out, and every year the side ends up imbalanced.It will probably balance out, but it's a structural flaw to be picking more forwards than mids.
If you're picking a 2nd ruckman, he's going to be a forward not a mid (ie you're not going to be picking 0 mid rotations in order to play 2 rucks).
I guess you could go 6/ 5+1 /6 /4.
It seems very early to be making these picks anyway.
I flirted with that but he hasn't got any extensive junior or senior exposure in the middle yet. Won't likely see mid time for years to come.
But have added him now.
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Just about impossible to pick 6 from that group. Understand why we've done it but the reality is the midfield group extends well beyond that.
I have at least 10 of them in my best side and there are a few others on the cusp and who probably feature in other teams being put forward.
I'll prioritize players who are not only clear best 22 options but who probably don't have the flexibility in their game to be selected elsewhere.
1. Cripps
2. Walsh
3. Cerra
4. Hewett
No surprises there as these four basically pick themselves. The next two are the tricky ones.
Ed: A wonderful servant of the footy club who deserves a heap of praise for the career he's carved out for himself. Seems pretty clear to me we're in the process of phasing him out but still think he has plenty to give and I expect him to play seniors most weeks.
LOB: Earned a reprieve via the rookie list but 2022 is absolutely make or break for Lochie. Has a lot going for him but just hasn't really come close to nailing a spot down so I'm wondering if there's things happening with him off the field. A new coach may mean a new Lochie and I hope that happens, but he's not a consideration here.
Dow: I might be his biggest fan remaining. A lot have jumped off Paddy but he's still so young I still reckon there's a top level AFL footballer in there ready to explode. Will that happen in 2022? Maybe. And if it does it will be ******* glorious. A strong consideration here and I absolutely believe he'll be playing seniors in round one.
Setterfield: I am a fan but just can't trust him after what was a horrific 2021. He'll get games and an opportunity to turn things around but as of right now he's not in our 6 best midfielders and frankly it's not even close. 2022 is a massive year for him, I'm hopeful that he'll turn things around but I can't say I'm confident.
Stocker: Love this kid and can understand why people want him to progress into the midfield but for mine he's cemented a spot in our defence and that's where he should start the year. I can't pick him for a spot in the midfield but can and will pick him when we vote for our defenders.
Williams: Had a really disappointing year in 2021 but he's a much better footballer than that. I'm expecting him to bounce back in a big way and I suspect he'll get plenty of midfield minutes. He'll also spend time behind the ball where he's very capable and that's where I'll pick him.
Martin: Somewhat similar to Williams above but at the other end of the ground. Massive talent but wildly and frustratingly inconsistent, he's a brilliant match winner on his day then virtually invisible the next. Expect him to feature in the midfield at times but has played mostly forward for us and that's where I'll be picking him.
Fisher: A real favourite of mine but another who faces a big year after stagnating over the past few seasons. He is a natural midfielder who we've tried to develop into a forward but he's just not a forward. He'll show glimpses and then nothing and frankly that's not what we need and something we have enough of already. I see him playing at half forward with short stints in the midfield - not a candidate for me here but someone to consider when we vote forwards.
Cuningham: Not considered due to injury and frankly lack of exposed form as a midfielder. Was superb in 2020 v Essendon and looked set to break out in 2021 but as it has too many times over the past few years, injury brought that to an abrupt halt. Keen to see what he can do when he returns but he can't be considered here.
Fogarty: I like him but there are too many ahead of him in the midfield. One to consider for a spot up forward who can attend the odd centre bounce here and there but he's nowhere near our best 6 midfielders.
Cottrell: Not considered for this poll but I'm very keen to see if Voss and his coaching group can make something of Cottrell. Poor kick but absolutely elite runner and I'm keen to see whether these coaches know how to better utilize the wing position.
Philp: My boy. I've tipped him as someone who could 'break out' in 2022 despite no senior games this year. And to be honest it wouldn't surprise me if he's in the senior side come round one, but he's not in our best 6 mids now. He may very well be down the track, but not now.
Carroll: Exciting prospect but very young and still a fair way off it for mine. Just want to see him get games under his belt at VFL level. If form dictates happy to see him play seniors at some stage but as of right now he's not a consideration here.
Docherty: Not considered due to current circumstances, and wouldn't have been considered due to his flexibility. Get well soon, skip, we're all with you.
Williamson: Have always said I'd love to see him on a wing and I still would, but as of right now he's not our best option there and he's certainly not in our best 6 mids. A candidate for a spot down back.
Kemp: Starting to sound like a broken record. Not in our best few mids, but might be voted in elsewhere. A bench candidate at best I'd say.
Newnes: I almost considered him. Mainly for the reaction but I do genuinely believe he's our best wing - he's just not in our top 6 mids. I think he'll play a lot more than many expect.
That just about covers it. Basically we have a very clear top 4 and I have no ******* idea what happens next. I need more time to think.
Nice summary... but, Kennedy?Just about impossible to pick 6 from that group. Understand why we've done it but the reality is the midfield group extends well beyond that.
I have at least 10 of them in my best side and there are a few others on the cusp and who probably feature in other teams being put forward.
I'll prioritize players who are not only clear best 22 options but who probably don't have the flexibility in their game to be selected elsewhere.
1. Cripps
2. Walsh
3. Cerra
4. Hewett
No surprises there as these four basically pick themselves. The next two are the tricky ones.
Ed: A wonderful servant of the footy club who deserves a heap of praise for the career he's carved out for himself. Seems pretty clear to me we're in the process of phasing him out but still think he has plenty to give and I expect him to play seniors most weeks.
LOB: Earned a reprieve via the rookie list but 2022 is absolutely make or break for Lochie. Has a lot going for him but just hasn't really come close to nailing a spot down so I'm wondering if there's things happening with him off the field. A new coach may mean a new Lochie and I hope that happens, but he's not a consideration here.
Dow: I might be his biggest fan remaining. A lot have jumped off Paddy but he's still so young I still reckon there's a top level AFL footballer in there ready to explode. Will that happen in 2022? Maybe. And if it does it will be ******* glorious. A strong consideration here and I absolutely believe he'll be playing seniors in round one.
Setterfield: I am a fan but just can't trust him after what was a horrific 2021. He'll get games and an opportunity to turn things around but as of right now he's not in our 6 best midfielders and frankly it's not even close. 2022 is a massive year for him, I'm hopeful that he'll turn things around but I can't say I'm confident.
Stocker: Love this kid and can understand why people want him to progress into the midfield but for mine he's cemented a spot in our defence and that's where he should start the year. I can't pick him for a spot in the midfield but can and will pick him when we vote for our defenders.
Williams: Had a really disappointing year in 2021 but he's a much better footballer than that. I'm expecting him to bounce back in a big way and I suspect he'll get plenty of midfield minutes. He'll also spend time behind the ball where he's very capable and that's where I'll pick him.
Martin: Somewhat similar to Williams above but at the other end of the ground. Massive talent but wildly and frustratingly inconsistent, he's a brilliant match winner on his day then virtually invisible the next. Expect him to feature in the midfield at times but has played mostly forward for us and that's where I'll be picking him.
Fisher: A real favourite of mine but another who faces a big year after stagnating over the past few seasons. He is a natural midfielder who we've tried to develop into a forward but he's just not a forward. He'll show glimpses and then nothing and frankly that's not what we need and something we have enough of already. I see him playing at half forward with short stints in the midfield - not a candidate for me here but someone to consider when we vote forwards.
Cuningham: Not considered due to injury and frankly lack of exposed form as a midfielder. Was superb in 2020 v Essendon and looked set to break out in 2021 but as it has too many times over the past few years, injury brought that to an abrupt halt. Keen to see what he can do when he returns but he can't be considered here.
Fogarty: I like him but there are too many ahead of him in the midfield. One to consider for a spot up forward who can attend the odd centre bounce here and there but he's nowhere near our best 6 midfielders.
Cottrell: Not considered for this poll but I'm very keen to see if Voss and his coaching group can make something of Cottrell. Poor kick but absolutely elite runner and I'm keen to see whether these coaches know how to better utilize the wing position.
Philp: My boy. I've tipped him as someone who could 'break out' in 2022 despite no senior games this year. And to be honest it wouldn't surprise me if he's in the senior side come round one, but he's not in our best 6 mids now. He may very well be down the track, but not now.
Carroll: Exciting prospect but very young and still a fair way off it for mine. Just want to see him get games under his belt at VFL level. If form dictates happy to see him play seniors at some stage but as of right now he's not a consideration here.
Docherty: Not considered due to current circumstances, and wouldn't have been considered due to his flexibility. Get well soon, skip, we're all with you.
Williamson: Have always said I'd love to see him on a wing and I still would, but as of right now he's not our best option there and he's certainly not in our best 6 mids. A candidate for a spot down back.
Kemp: Starting to sound like a broken record. Not in our best few mids, but might be voted in elsewhere. A bench candidate at best I'd say.
Newnes: I almost considered him. Mainly for the reaction but I do genuinely believe he's our best wing - he's just not in our top 6 mids. I think he'll play a lot more than many expect.
That just about covers it. Basically we have a very clear top 4 and I have no ******* idea what happens next. I need more time to think.
That's what I've been thinking too. Can we afford to play Cripps, Kennedy and Hewett in the same midfield without compromising our speed and ball movement?Feel like we are slow. Rely on an inconsistent Dow\Cuners for burst speed. How does Cerra rate for leg speed?
Nice summary... but, Kennedy?
Fair summary again. imo, he's there round 1 based on his 2021 output. It's up to the likes of Dow, Martin, Setters, Fisher, Philp, Carroll & LOB to push him out. I figure our top-4 mids in 2021 were Walsh..... Cripps, Kennedy & Ed. 5 and 6 were debatable.Massive respect for the way he carried himself last year. Things haven't been easy for him at Carlton but he's never dropped his head.
Fought hard for and deserves his promotion back onto the senior list and there's a lesson there for someone like LOB. Shows that opportunities can present when you really knuckle down.
He'll play senior footy next year but for mine, like so many others on that list, I'm not sure he's in our top 6 mids and I feel like the addition of Hewett and Cerra may further restrict his midfield minutes.
As I've posted previously I'd love to see Kennedy spend significant time inside 50. He's slow but has a strong body and has terrific hands for someone his height and he's generally a very reliable kick for goal.
I pushed for it a while back when our talls were out injured and I think he could excel in that role. Maybe we'll see it more if Gov moves back and Charlie spends time up the ground.