2019 Expectations
- Thread starter Cobbler
- Start date
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In: (Players competing for a spot in the 22)
Hogan
Lobb
Bewley
Conca
Colyer
A fit Logue and Bennell
Out:
Neale
Decline
Mundy
Sandi
Improvement
Brayshaw
Cerra
Cox
McCarthy
Taberner
Fyfe - if fit for 22 games
Hill and Hill
With any doubt our best 30 players have improve significantly, and the burden being put on our top 5 players has dropped.
This should mean the difference between our best and worst is a lot closer, we have less players playing 75% of the game or less, and we get less blow outs.
I am optimistic was can push for a top 8 spot, but so are another 12 clubs.
Last year we have 9 games where we scored 80 points, and 4 games where we scored 100 points or mre (2 against Calrton).
I would like to see us this change to be 13-15 game where we score 80 points or more and 7 to 9 games where we score 100 points or more.
Hogan
Lobb
Bewley
Conca
Colyer
A fit Logue and Bennell
Out:
Neale
Decline
Mundy
Sandi
Improvement
Brayshaw
Cerra
Cox
McCarthy
Taberner
Fyfe - if fit for 22 games
Hill and Hill
With any doubt our best 30 players have improve significantly, and the burden being put on our top 5 players has dropped.
This should mean the difference between our best and worst is a lot closer, we have less players playing 75% of the game or less, and we get less blow outs.
I am optimistic was can push for a top 8 spot, but so are another 12 clubs.
Last year we have 9 games where we scored 80 points, and 4 games where we scored 100 points or mre (2 against Calrton).
I would like to see us this change to be 13-15 game where we score 80 points or more and 7 to 9 games where we score 100 points or more.
Mr Fonebone
Club Legend
I think, with the squad fit and available esp Hogan and Bennell, we should be a top 8 side. On paper we have very handy spine ( Hamling-Pearce-Fyfe-Tabs-Hogan ), a good ruck division and developing midfield.
My queries are about the coach. I think is a smart bloke but I am not convinced that he adapted to the recent changes in the game all that well.
This year will be the test with the new 6-6-6 rule and changes to kick ins from behinds having the potential to fundamentally change tactics across the board. I, for one, have absolutely no idea as to how it is all going to pan out.
At this stage my only expectation is that there will be an improvement this tear over the last 3.
My queries are about the coach. I think is a smart bloke but I am not convinced that he adapted to the recent changes in the game all that well.
This year will be the test with the new 6-6-6 rule and changes to kick ins from behinds having the potential to fundamentally change tactics across the board. I, for one, have absolutely no idea as to how it is all going to pan out.
At this stage my only expectation is that there will be an improvement this tear over the last 3.
Hey someone has to make the big call. If Bennell comes back 4-5. I think Tabs, Swita and Logue will surprise everyone with their improvement if preseason training is anything to go by. Bewley also has the potential to be this years best mature recruit. We're actually 50%+ in games where Sandy has been available in the last two years. If we have him available for more games and give him a bit of rest to play Sean Darcy he could be very effective throughout the year still. Im tipping a lot more scoring and a long kicking gamestyle with the new additions. There is potential for massive improvement if we finally have a decent run with injury. Unfortunately that's the big IF for Freo for as long as I can remember. The key will be can the addition of Conca and improvement from the likes of Blakely, Brayshaw and Cerra combine to cover what we loss with Neale as we seem to have obvious improvement everywhere on the ground bar clearance work.
Neale had the highest broken tackle % of the top 50 clearance mids in the league. Contributed too by his recurrent injuries IMO, it’ll be better I think at the Lions this year. But defensively he was a liability. Opposition midfields use to Waltz the ball out against us, I hope removing him improves this. I can’t recall a broken tackle from Fyfe or Mundy. Hopefully Blakeley has the should strength after the dislocation 2 years ago.
Andy and Banners are good tacklers too. Think Conca is handy as well.
A stat that backs up what you are saying is that in the last two years we've been 11 wins 10 losses with Sandy in the team and 5 wins 23 lossess without him. That stat happened despite the fact Sandy's overall production per game in marks and possessions has slipped over the same period. In my opinion the reason for that is because with Mundy, Neale and Fyfe playing the main clearance roles (Mundy less so in 2018) it has resulted in us being good at clearances when we have Sandy consistently gaining an advantage in the ruck, but then when he is not there the fact that our main mids still position themselves to attack at clearances leaves us open to being exposed when we dont have a ruck advantage. Probably not this year, but I can see Cerra, Valente and Brayshaw being players capable of breaking tackles in the near future. If Neale's midfield role is filled by a combination of Conca, Brayshaw and Blakely then at the very least we should be more defensively accountable at stoppages in 2019.
Dont be surprised if Jesse Hogan starts there (in the centre) as well. He started in the centre square occasionally for Melbourne last year, but we could use him there a bit more than occasionally if the coaches thought we needed a bit more size at centre clearances. He could play forward after the bounce.
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To back that up Brayshaw led us with 4.4 tackles a game last year Banfiled was up there at 4.1 tackles. Conca averaged 5.1 per game as a comparison, so Reece definitely adds tackle pressure. Neale averaged 4.1 tackles, but had a lot more time playing as an inside mid then the two Docker youngsters or Reece.
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Personally I have no doubt that Neale's loss gets covered with those additions and development. I was a big fan of Neale's and it amazes me how productive he was. But his shortcoming was always the "hurt factor", and I think that is an area we can gain some ground with those players.
I also think that in a very short period of time North and Valente will become genuine players for us. They have decent physical development already and could easily begin to get games in 2019.
Re-reading, I noticed I used the word "short" twice in a post about Neale.
I personally expect that training threads don't get locked because a few people are clutching their pearls...
JFC
JFC
Purple Jesus
not jess
Yep, that's why I maintain he's not a good mid. He's a better small forward. Far too many empty possessions and a liability the other way.
Banfield will hold down the opposition's ball hawk with his pressure and tackles. He's bulked up and, from what I read, looking to really take a step forward. Neale's influence on the game will have to be picked up by our young bucks Brayshaw, Cerra, Langdon, etc.. and the veterans Mundy, BHill, Fyfe, etc.. I'm really excited to see how things pan out in the midfield. I would guess it's gonna take Ross some time to find the right formula.
Probably right, but to be honest I think there is enough maturity in the list. For an emerging/developing list I think there is a pretty good balance across the lines.
Also, while there are going to be options there is also a bit of certainty about the make up of each section;
- Defence is almost settled in terms of who will be there with the only real debate about about the final spot, and whether that goes to a specialist defender or to a mid/defender.
- Rucks is settle with Sandilands or Darcy in the #1 spot and Lobb doing some relief.
- Our core midfield is Fyfe, Mundy, BHill, SHill, Langdon, Blakely, Brayshaw, Cerra, Conca. Some of those may roll through the backline or perhaps forward. That is a good mixture of experience and precocious high end talent.
- Forward things may be a little unsettled but the core is fairly well locked in with Hogan, Lobb and Walters. Structurally that is already promising, and those 3 players will be the major defining features of any forward strategy. The next tier are a bit unsettled but there is strong competition, variety and depth. The empty slots can all be filled with players who have shown ability at the top level, and won't be relying on blooding the likes of Dixon, Schulz or Sturt. The remaining slots could be filled by Bennell, McCarthy and Colyer, (or Matera, Taberner and Ballantyne); all seasoned players.And that list still does not include Cox and Switkowski who many posters would have in their best 22's despite their best being a few years away yet. For me it is the only area of the ground where I think any leeway for "finding the right formula" will get any traction as an excuse.
My expectations for season 2019:
Best 22
B: Logue - Hamling - Ryan
HB: Wilson - Pearce - Conca
C: B.Hill - Brayshaw - Langdon
HF: McCarthy - Hogan - Walters
F: Matera - Lobb - Ballantyne
Followers: Sandilands - Fyfe - Mundy
INT: Cerra - Banfield - Blakely - S.Hill
EMERGENCY - Cox - Taberner - Tucker - Hughes
My best 22 is based on current knowledge of the list, I have NFI about the new draftees but blokes like Lobb and Conca should slot straight into the 22. Cox is probably next KPP in due to his flexibility and McCarthy makes it over Tabener as I believe he is a better 3rd tall. Pretty tough on Tabs who has been in good nick but Lobb and Hogan take the 2 KPF slots with McCarthy being the obvious 3rd tall choice.
Sandilands and Ballantye get the nod for the first few rounds based purely on our history of selection. If Ballantyne is still in the side come round 22 it is because he is playing as a crumbing forward at the feet of actual FPFs and doing his job. Who knows, maybe this is the year that he gets boots that allow him to stay on his feet?
Doubt it.
Sandilands keeps his spot for as long as he is fit with Mr.Darcy ready to take the mantle as soon as round 2 if needed. I like that he is being given time to develop, he is definitely going to be a keeper.
Backline should be fairly settled with only the addition of Conca who should slot in seamlessly with S.Hill, Cerra and Blakely floating through there when needed. Wilson has been a joy to watch and with Ryan continuing to develop our distribution should start to click as we get some cohesion between the line groups.
Our midfield is going to be fascinating to watch, I was highly critical of Lachie Neale in the game day threads for most of the year (along with a couple of posters) that he racks up disposals but has very limited hurt factor. Losing him when we did was probably a win for both parties, we got max trade value and he gets to go to Brisbane for......reasons? Cerra, Brayshaw, Banfield and Blakely are clearly our core moving forward with Fyfe, BHilly and SHilly hopefully providing a bit of protection. Walters should be played more forward IMO however it seems he will be used in the midfield more and more.
Let's not forget my main man Mundy who is like a fine wine, getting better with age. The coaching staff clearly tried to use him more forward last year until Fyfe went down. He had limited impact as a forward (as did most of our forwards) but once he was back in the guts showed how much of a majestic beast that he is. Keep him in the guts, let him play 60-70% game time but get him on for the crunch time.
The forward line looks like a jigsaw that has taken a while to find all the pieces. Matera has copped a bit of flak on here but I believe he has been played out of position. He showed at the Gold Coke that he could kick goals, he needs to be given a licence to hunt goals. He is good enough. Ballaz shouldn't be in the team for too long but he has been a good servant of the club.
The Twin Towers of Hogan and Lobb will be a mouth watering prospect. When I hear Lobb was on the way I immediately thought, "that soft bloke?". I maintain he is soft but GWS were always a better team with him in it so hopefully I am eating humble pie on that opinion by the end of 2019. Hogan should kick 40-50 goals. Even when Melbourne were at their shittest he was kicking goals so if he doesn't kick 40+ then the entire coaching staff needs to be punted.
Overall
I am expecting the club to be in the hunt for the bottom half of the 8 with a final finish expectation of between 8-12. I really want to see NO 100+point losses but really, the expectation should be a percentage of 90+.
I feel like this season may start off a bit like the 2012 season where the team takes a little while to get going due to personnel and game plan changes. Having brought in 3 new best 22 players who are all expected to play key roles there is bound to be some early season teething issues.
I have been a big supporter of Ross Lyon but this year needs to see us improving. I certainly am not in the camp of "finals or sacked" but there needs to be noticeable improvement shown. We have the Rolls Royce (Fyfe), the Lamborghini (Hogan), the Jeep Wrangler (Lobb) and the Mustangs (BHill/SHill) in the garage, it's time to give them the track to drive on.
Best 22
B: Logue - Hamling - Ryan
HB: Wilson - Pearce - Conca
C: B.Hill - Brayshaw - Langdon
HF: McCarthy - Hogan - Walters
F: Matera - Lobb - Ballantyne
Followers: Sandilands - Fyfe - Mundy
INT: Cerra - Banfield - Blakely - S.Hill
EMERGENCY - Cox - Taberner - Tucker - Hughes
My best 22 is based on current knowledge of the list, I have NFI about the new draftees but blokes like Lobb and Conca should slot straight into the 22. Cox is probably next KPP in due to his flexibility and McCarthy makes it over Tabener as I believe he is a better 3rd tall. Pretty tough on Tabs who has been in good nick but Lobb and Hogan take the 2 KPF slots with McCarthy being the obvious 3rd tall choice.
Sandilands and Ballantye get the nod for the first few rounds based purely on our history of selection. If Ballantyne is still in the side come round 22 it is because he is playing as a crumbing forward at the feet of actual FPFs and doing his job. Who knows, maybe this is the year that he gets boots that allow him to stay on his feet?
Doubt it.
Sandilands keeps his spot for as long as he is fit with Mr.Darcy ready to take the mantle as soon as round 2 if needed. I like that he is being given time to develop, he is definitely going to be a keeper.
Backline should be fairly settled with only the addition of Conca who should slot in seamlessly with S.Hill, Cerra and Blakely floating through there when needed. Wilson has been a joy to watch and with Ryan continuing to develop our distribution should start to click as we get some cohesion between the line groups.
Our midfield is going to be fascinating to watch, I was highly critical of Lachie Neale in the game day threads for most of the year (along with a couple of posters) that he racks up disposals but has very limited hurt factor. Losing him when we did was probably a win for both parties, we got max trade value and he gets to go to Brisbane for......reasons? Cerra, Brayshaw, Banfield and Blakely are clearly our core moving forward with Fyfe, BHilly and SHilly hopefully providing a bit of protection. Walters should be played more forward IMO however it seems he will be used in the midfield more and more.
Let's not forget my main man Mundy who is like a fine wine, getting better with age. The coaching staff clearly tried to use him more forward last year until Fyfe went down. He had limited impact as a forward (as did most of our forwards) but once he was back in the guts showed how much of a majestic beast that he is. Keep him in the guts, let him play 60-70% game time but get him on for the crunch time.
The forward line looks like a jigsaw that has taken a while to find all the pieces. Matera has copped a bit of flak on here but I believe he has been played out of position. He showed at the Gold Coke that he could kick goals, he needs to be given a licence to hunt goals. He is good enough. Ballaz shouldn't be in the team for too long but he has been a good servant of the club.
The Twin Towers of Hogan and Lobb will be a mouth watering prospect. When I hear Lobb was on the way I immediately thought, "that soft bloke?". I maintain he is soft but GWS were always a better team with him in it so hopefully I am eating humble pie on that opinion by the end of 2019. Hogan should kick 40-50 goals. Even when Melbourne were at their shittest he was kicking goals so if he doesn't kick 40+ then the entire coaching staff needs to be punted.
Overall
I am expecting the club to be in the hunt for the bottom half of the 8 with a final finish expectation of between 8-12. I really want to see NO 100+point losses but really, the expectation should be a percentage of 90+.
I feel like this season may start off a bit like the 2012 season where the team takes a little while to get going due to personnel and game plan changes. Having brought in 3 new best 22 players who are all expected to play key roles there is bound to be some early season teething issues.
I have been a big supporter of Ross Lyon but this year needs to see us improving. I certainly am not in the camp of "finals or sacked" but there needs to be noticeable improvement shown. We have the Rolls Royce (Fyfe), the Lamborghini (Hogan), the Jeep Wrangler (Lobb) and the Mustangs (BHill/SHill) in the garage, it's time to give them the track to drive on.
That looks like a good team, I personally have Bennell, Bewley and Swit/ Schultz in the 22 ahead of Ballas, Matera and Banfield, but I think they shows the depth is really starting to improve.
Having Cox, Taberner, Tucker, Hughes as depth players helps us a lot.
Bennell is lucky to still be on the list in my opinion. He has done nothing to warrant a starting B22 spot come round 1. I don't think it is fair of me to name him when he has done nothing but disappoint for 3 years, I have put a line through his name. I hope I am proved wrong by him and he reaches his potential but it has been a long time since he played any good football.
Colyer I really know nothing about so couldn't name him, training reports sound promising though, same with Switta etc.
I am conservatively optimistic about this year but as a long suffering member I am prepared for the worst.
Colyer I really know nothing about so couldn't name him, training reports sound promising though, same with Switta etc.
I am conservatively optimistic about this year but as a long suffering member I am prepared for the worst.
I enjoyed the read. From what I have read, Colyer only played a small amount of games for the Dons last year due to injury and is normally a best 22 player. I see him getting a starting role for game one especially as he is super quick and will instantly supply more pressure in the forward line (built for tackling too!!).
I can't see Lyon passing on a player like that, so I reckon Matera would go out (due to lack of defensive pressure and speed). Personally I would replace Ballas but that just wont happen round one.
The depth looks good, throw in Duman at 192cm who I am looking forward to seeing after this pre season
I am not keen on Matera and McCarthy starting as they had plenty of chances last year for not much.
Happy for them to show something-fire up in the WAFL and come back with some confidence
The forward line make up is fascinating.
Who will be the 3rd tall?
Can we play McCarthy as the 4th tall?
Who will apply the forward pressure? Matera, Walters , McCarthy, etc are not known to apply great pressure. We need Swit or Schultz or .... To apply pressure.
SHill Shall
Club Legend
A lot of questions get answered in March. Can’t wait.
