2008 Squad & Team Analysis

[BrizzyBlue]

As some of you know, I have a fair bit to do with collating Training Reports and subsequently get first hand views of most of what happens on the track. I also read everything that is reported in the press and have a couple of little birds that fill me in on injuries and training drills as well.

Reading between the lines is fairly difficult to ascertain how the Coaches and the MC are planning to use various players at this stage of their development/fitness. Based on the mountain of reports and video tape from last year as well as the 3 televised matches this season, I have concluded that Ratts and co have a Grand Plan that we are all yet to realize. Certain players are being trialed in different roles to those they are accustomed to, whilst others are being fast-tracked to gain the required skills they will need to step up to AFL standard.

What we have seen so far is disappointing to some and they can’t see the improvement, whilst others wear their rose coloured glasses and believe we are destined for the top 4 this year. I am certainly not going to criticize the results to date, nor am I going to gush with excitement. I will however try to breakup the list into something more logical than the majority of dribble that we all read on a daily basis.

The summary in advance is that we are at least a much fitter and skillful squad than this time last year. I believe we are a 5 class-player better side than last year which should make us about a 3 goal better side than last year. This may transpose into about 10 wins and who knows with luck maybe 12-13 wins which might see us scrape into the finals. I don’t think we really have the depth just yet and injuries will play a big part in our season and for this reason we just might become the new Ninthton of 2008!

Think of this year as a platform where the quality kids that we have will try to emulate the skills of the Juddmeister and our small band of leaders. The locker configuration has a lot to do with this. 1 Walker - 3 Murphy - 4 Gibbs – 5 Judd - 6 Simpson – 7 Bentick – 8 Kreuzer etc. A pretty handy band of young tyros all eager to impress! If this is not the nucleus of a Premiership team, I don’t know what is!

Anyway, now back to 2008. On the basis of the aforementioned research, I have tagged each player on our list with a primary number to indicate the Role I believe they will be playing, Some are fortunate to have a couple of strings to their bow and accordingly have an extra number.

(1) Ruckmen
(2) Tall Defenders
(3) Medium Defenders
(4) Tall Forwards
(5) Medium Forwards
(6) Midfield Rotation

You will notice I haven’t included small defenders or small forwards, simply because we only have a couple and they are just about extinct in the game plans employed these days. For simplicity purposes even the smaller guys (-180 cm) have to play taller than they are, so they are grouped with the mediums.

2008 List shown in this order, from left to right: Jumper Number – Name - Role

1:...Andrew Walker (3-6)
2:...Jordan Russell (6)
3:...Marc Murphy (6)
4:...Bryce Gibbs (6)
5:...Chris Judd (6)
6:...Kade Simpson (6)
7:...Adam Bentick (6)
8:...Matthew Kreuzer (4-1)
9:...Jason Saddington (2)
10: Richard Hadley (6-5)
11: Cain Ackland (1)
12:
13: Luke Blackwell (6)
14: Bradley Fisher (4)
15: Steven Browne (3)
16: Shaun Grigg (3-6)
17: Setanta O’hAilpin (2)
18: Paul Bower (2)
19: Eddie Betts (5)
20: Clinton Benjamin (3)
21: Mark Austin (2)
22: Shaun Hampson (1-4)
23: Adam Hartlett (4)
24: Nick Stevens (6)
25: Brendan Fevola (4)
26: Joe Anderson (3)
27: Dennis Armfield (3)
28: Cameron Cloke (1)
29: Heath Scotland (3-6)
30: Jarrad Waite (4-2)
31: Jordan Bannister (3)
32: Bret Thornton (2)
33: Ryan Houlihan (5-6)
34: Simon Wiggins (5)
35: Aisake O’hAilpin (1-2)
36: Darren Pfeiffer (6)
37: Jake Edwards (4)
38: Ryan Jackson (6)
39: Sam Jacobs (R) (1)
40: Michael Jamieson (R) (2)
41: Lachie Hill (R) (2)
42: Michael Sheilds (R) (3)
43:
44: Andrew Carrazzo (6)
45: Aaron Joseph (R) (6)
46: David Ellard (R) (5-6)


I’m gunna surprise a few forums readers with the order that I reckon our guys are ranked. There are some notable omissions as well as a couple of inclusions in the best side I can work out on the basis of my research. I can hear the chorus of the peanut gallery already, but I stick by my assessments. Because we have so much more depth now, a few favourites will miss out.


Backs:.............Grigg (3-6).............Jamieson (2)........S O’hAilpin (2)
HBacks:...........Walker (3-6)..........Thornton (2)........Scotland (3-6)
Centre:............Simpson (6)...........Gibbs (6).............Stevens (6)
HForw:.............Fisher (4)..............Waite (4)............Houlihan (5-6)
Forw:...............Hadley (5-6)..........Fevola (4)...........Kreuzer (4-1)
Follow:.............Hampson (1-4).......Judd (6)..............Murphy (6)

Interc:.............Bentick (6)..............Bower (2)...........Cloke (1)........Betts (5)

Emerg: ...........Anderson (3)...........Hartlett (4) .........Pfeiffer (3-6)


I can’t find a place in the Ruck (1) for these guys: A O’hAilpin, Jacobs & Ackland.
I can’t find a place in the Back Half (2-3) for these guys: Austin, Browne, Sheilds, Hill, Saddington & Bannister.
I can’t find a place in the Front Half (4-5) for these guys: Edwards & Wiggins.
I can’t find a place in the Midfield Rotation (6) for these guys: Carrozzo, Jackson, Armfield, Russell, Blackwell, Ellard, Benjamin & Joseph.


What think you, my Blue Brethren?

 

[I_was_there_in_87]

Would be happy if ackland is never seen in the navy blue again. I also think that Carazzo would be ahead of bentick, but we won't know for sure until the real stuff starts.

One thing is for sure we are starting to get a little bit of depth and the drop off in talent is no where near as bad as it has been from first to last.

 

[Brettox]

Would be happy if ackland is never seen in the navy blue again. I also think that Carazzo would be ahead of bentick, but we won't know for sure until the real stuff starts.

One thing is for sure we are starting to get a little bit of depth and the drop off in talent is no where near as bad as it has been from first to last.

No way would or should Bentick get a game ahead of Carazzo

 

[Bluebear]

Yep, Carrazzo is the obvious one.

If you can't find a place for our reigning best and fairest, best midfielder of last year AND one of few mids in our rotation with an in and under approach and a defensive game then we are shot.

He is ahead of Bentick. No question.

The backline is interesting as well.

With Waite at CHB, and Setanta, Jamieson, Thornton and Bower around, its very tall.

Don't be surprised to see Setanta trialled at CHF in the Alice.......otherwise it would be nice to see them line up as you have indicated......but Thornton is no CHB.........Setanta might need to be trialled there as well if we are to release Waite.

 

[Magic Alley]

Backs:.............Grigg (3-6).............Jamieson (2)........S O’hAilpin (2)
HBacks:...........Walker (3-6)..........Thornton (2)........Scotland (3-6)
Centre:............Simpson (6)...........Gibbs (6).............Stevens (6)
HForw:.............Fisher (4)..............Waite (4)............Houlihan (5-6)
Forw:...............Hadley (5-6)..........Fevola (4)...........Kreuzer (4-1)
Follow:.............Hampson (1-4).......Judd (6)..............Murphy (6)

Interc:.............Bentick (6)..............Bower (2)...........Cloke (1)........Betts (5)

Emerg: ...........Anderson (3)...........Hartlett (4) .........Pfeiffer (3-6)

That would be the best possible lineup I've seen posted this preseason.....only thing I'd change would be Carrazzo in for Bentick or maybe Kruezer.

- Like the look of the back 6 and think we should play them every week for the for 12 rounds and try build a solid unit.
- 100% agree with Waite at CHF and pushing up to the wings
- Houlihan should only play forward and should be the bloke delivering inside 50
- The list shows we are lacking a mercurial small forward - Betts may still come on but would be nice to have an alternative.

Hats off.

 

[Blah Blah Blue]

Backs:.............Grigg (3-6).............Jamieson (2)........S O’hAilpin (2)
HBacks:...........Walker (3-6)..........Thornton (2)........Scotland (3-6)
Centre:............Simpson (6)...........Gibbs (6).............Stevens (6)
HForw:.............Fisher (4)..............Waite (4)............Houlihan (5-6)
Forw:...............Hadley (5-6)..........Fevola (4)...........Kreuzer (4-1)
Follow:.............Hampson (1-4).......Judd (6)..............Murphy (6)

Interc:.............Bentick (6)..............Bower (2)...........Cloke (1)........Betts (5)

Emerg: ...........Anderson (3)...........Hartlett (4) .........Pfeiffer (3-6)


I can’t find a place in the Ruck (1) for these guys: A O’hAilpin, Jacobs & Ackland.
I can’t find a place in the Back Half (2-3) for these guys: Austin, Browne, Sheilds, Hill, Saddington & Bannister.
I can’t find a place in the Front Half (4-5) for these guys: Edwards & Wiggins.
I can’t find a place in the Midfield Rotation (6) for these guys: Carrozzo, Jackson, Armfield, Russell, Blackwell, Ellard, Benjamin & Joseph.

Firstly what an outstanding piece of work this is.

The thing in Benticks favour is he is an in and under [in the mould of Ratts to a certain degree], wether that keeps Carrazo out is another thing.

I am also a fan of Jackson and could see him on the bench instead of who???
Looking at it this way certainly shows the depth being built. Spots will be hard won, what a great sign.

My minimum for the year is 12th with 8 wins [and no floggings], Ninthton could be a go and with luck a spot in the 8. The most important thing is we understand this is still largely a developement year, 2009 is when we should expect finals as a real possibility.

Is exciting times and again well done on your work on this.

 

[bLuEbOy1984]

as always brizzy blue, you put in the hard yards for your threads, well thought out!! but i have to agree Carrots has to be in the squad

 

[Beloved]

Excellent compilation here, it seems that our coaching staff really do have things under wraps down Royal Parade way.

 

[Beloved]

No way would or should Bentick get a game ahead of Carazzo

I completely agree. There are so many boys in our list that could be moved aside (unfortunately) for Bentick to come in, a fella' who I would love to see tear up the track.

 

[Carlton Kid]

I think

IN: CARRAZZO
OUT: BOWER

 

[BrizzyBlue]

Thanks guys for your kind thoughts. For those of you who push the Carrots barrow, have you had a serious look at our midfield rotation possibilities? This the order that I regard them in at the moment.

5:...Chris Judd (6)
24: Nick Stevens (6)
1:...Andrew Walker (3-6)
4:...Bryce Gibbs (6)
6:...Kade Simpson (6)
3:...Marc Murphy (6)
10: Richard Hadley (6-5)
29: Heath Scotland (3-6)
33: Ryan Houlihan (5-6)
16: Shaun Grigg (3-6)
7:...Adam Bentick (6)
36: Darren Pfeiffer (6)
44: Andrew Carrazzo (6)
38: Ryan Jackson (6)
2:...Jordan Russell (6)
13: Luke Blackwell (6)
46: David Ellard (R) (5-6)
20: Clinton Benjamin (3)
45: Aaron Joseph (R) (6)

If you don't agree with the order, consider this:

Carrots couldn't push any of these guys from this centre line out of the team. Simpson (6) Gibbs (6) Stevens (6)

He seriously couldn't push either of these guys from the centre square. Judd (6) Murphy (6)

A small possibility on replacing young Grigga in the back pocket, but Shauns composure, marking ability and accurate passing gets him the nod over other hopefuls. No chance of doing what Walks is capable of and Bagpipes is probably a better sweeper than Skinny was. 3 very reliable defenders which will all push forward during the season Grigg (3-6) Walker (3-6) Scotland (3-6)

We need utility type players who can be moved around like chess pieces to do a job required for the team. Houlihan (5-6)can play back forward and even have a run on the ball. I still think he is an outside reciever, however his disposal is second to none in this squad. Those couple of bullet like passes on Saturday night were sublime. Hadley (5-6) played in the Lions last premiership side as Mr. Everywhere. He also can plug holes. He reads the play very well. He can do the defensive sweeping role, he is a goal kicker and most importantly he is an inside blocker and feeder. Just what Judd needs.

Interchange: Bentick (6) Now this is where most people see Carrots fitting in the role that AB has filled for the past few seasons. AB is unique in the number of tackles he gets through in a game (not wavy wavy arms stuff, like a few we got) as well as the number of times he is first to the pill at the stoppages. Just look at the AFL season stats. His hand disposal is as good as any. Carrots has not demonstrated that he can play this role let alone challenge AB for it. Think back 3 weeks before AB was injured and didn't play in the SA game or since. We had a trial at PP. It only went for an hour or so, but was pretty serious as the boys were all trying to impress the MC to get a berth in the Freo game. AB got over 30 possies and was adjudged BOG.

Emergency: Pfeiffer (3-6) The young croweater could just be the steal of the summer. Aside from getting run off his feet against the Dawks, he did superbly against Port and Freo. Once again his size, speed, flexibility and accuracy puts him slightly ahead of other aspirants.

If you can fit Andy Carrazzo into our best 25, tell me who he replaces and why. Don't just write a critique of my post and say he won the Club B&F, so must be in the side. Teaguey, McKernan and Whittas all fell away after winning it. I think Carrots is made of sterner stuff and is a fitness nut, but we are developing a bunch of kids who are following the lead set by Andy Walks, the Irish boys and now Juddy wjhen it comes to gut busting running. In the end it will be about skills. Unfortunately Carrots can't kick accurately even when not under pressure and some of his hospital handballs just will not cut it at the elite level. He gets plenty of the red thing on the fringe of packs and often gets away from his man (although rarely tagged), but just doesn't hurt the opposition; cause he turns it over too many times.

 

[THE AISSASSIN]

Thanks guys for your kind thoughts. For those of you who push the Carrots barrow, have you had a serious look at our midfield rotation possibilities? This the order that I regard them in at the moment.

5:...Chris Judd (6)
24: Nick Stevens (6)
1:...Andrew Walker (3-6)
4:...Bryce Gibbs (6)
6:...Kade Simpson (6)
3:...Marc Murphy (6)
10: Richard Hadley (6-5)
29: Heath Scotland (3-6)
33: Ryan Houlihan (5-6)
16: Shaun Grigg (3-6)
7:...Adam Bentick (6)
36: Darren Pfeiffer (6)
44: Andrew Carrazzo (6)
38: Ryan Jackson (6)
2:...Jordan Russell (6)
13: Luke Blackwell (6)
46: David Ellard (R) (5-6)
20: Clinton Benjamin (3)
45: Aaron Joseph (R) (6)

If you don't agree with the order, consider this:

Carrots couldn't push any of these guys from this centre line out of the team. Simpson (6) Gibbs (6) Stevens (6)

He seriously couldn't push either of these guys from the centre square. Judd (6) Murphy (6)

A small possibility on replacing young Grigga in the back pocket, but Shauns composure, marking ability and accurate passing gets him the nod over other hopefuls. No chance of doing what Walks is capable of and Bagpipes is probably a better sweeper than Skinny was. 3 very reliable defenders which will all push forward during the season Grigg (3-6) Walker (3-6) Scotland (3-6)

We need utility type players who can be moved around like chess pieces to do a job required for the team. Houlihan (5-6)can play back forward and even have a run on the ball. I still think he is an outside reciever, however his disposal is second to none in this squad. Those couple of bullet like passes on Saturday night were sublime. Hadley (5-6) played in the Lions last premiership side as Mr. Everywhere. He also can plug holes. He reads the play very well. He can do the defensive sweeping role, he is a goal kicker and most importantly he is an inside blocker and feeder. Just what Judd needs.

Interchange: Bentick (6) Now this is where most people see Carrots fitting in the role that AB has filled for the past few seasons. AB is unique in the number of tackles he gets through in a game (not wavy wavy arms stuff, like a few we got) as well as the number of times he is first to the pill at the stoppages. Just look at the AFL season stats. His hand disposal is as good as any. Carrots has not demonstrated that he can play this role let alone challenge AB for it. Think back 3 weeks before AB was injured and didn't play in the SA game or since. We had a trial at PP. It only went for an hour or so, but was pretty serious as the boys were all trying to impress the MC to get a berth in the Freo game. AB got over 30 possies and was adjudged BOG.

Emergency: Pfeiffer (3-6) The young croweater could just be the steal of the summer. Aside from getting run off his feet against the Dawks, he did superbly against Port and Freo. Once again his size, speed, flexibility and accuracy puts him slightly ahead of other aspirants.

If you can fit Andy Carrazzo into our best 25, tell me who he replaces and why. Don't just write a critique of my post and say he won the Club B&F, so must be in the side. Teaguey, McKernan and Whittas all fell away after winning it. I think Carrots is made of sterner stuff and is a fitness nut, but we are developing a bunch of kids who are following the lead set by Andy Walks, the Irish boys and now Juddy wjhen it comes to gut busting running. In the end it will be about skills. Unfortunately Carrots can't kick accurately even when not under pressure and some of his hospital handballs just will not cut it at the elite level. He gets plenty of the red thing on the fringe of packs and often gets away from his man (although rarely tagged), but just doesn't hurt the opposition; cause he turns it over too many times.

Brizzy Blue it is not Carrots that needs to push Murph out of the centre square but the other way around. Murph is yet to prove he can handle the heat with any consistency in the centre square at AFL level.
You have Richard Hadley who has played 15-20 ok minutes of football for us since being dropped by Brisbane (to never return) mid season last year ahead of Scotland and Carrots.
Pfieffer was crap against the Hawks but good against Port. The guy is yet to play a single AFL game yet and from 2 NAB cup games you have him also in front of Carrots....bizzare
Ok we get the point......you dont rate Carrots......like I dont rate Adam "the snail" Bentick........but I would suggest to you the MC does.
Last season the were happy to drop AB while giving Carrots the B&F.
They tried to never have AB and Blackwell on the ground at the same time
because they were wary of the effect of 2 slow mids.
They recently signed Carrots to a lucrative 3 year deal but have not tried to extend Bentick's beyond this season.
Hadley and Bentick are probably fighting for the same spot, as the MC will not play too many slow mids in the 1 team, with Hoops part of the "running brigade" also.
I heard Bentick has got a little quicker and he sure will need to be if he is going to cement a spot. His form last year could best be described as average.

Carrazzo replaces Bentick, Hadley, Bower and Betts.
Jacko will make the 22 also.
You also have 4 tall forwards + a 6'3 Hadley in the pocket with Houlihan on a flank......top heavy....no pace.....cant see us ever lining up anything like that. It reminds of the dark days under Pagan when his solution to not taking enough marks up forward was to just stick more tall guys up there. We didnt take any more marks but it sure was easy for the opps to run it out of the backline.
Geelong won a flag playing mostly with 2 tall forwards for the year.
The game is about run and uncontested possesion not kicking to tall forwards in a contest.

Ellard looks like one they are keen to expose at senior level.
Considering Blackers is fit and didnt get a look in during the NAB cup I would suggest he wont get to pull on the Navy blue ever again. He should be on the very bottom of the mids list.

 

[Pie_squasher]

Brizzy Blue it is not Carrots that needs to push Murph out of the centre square but the other way around. Murph is yet to prove he can handle the heat with any consistency in the centre square at AFL level.
You have Richard Hadley who has played 15-20 ok minutes of football for us since being dropped by Brisbane (to never return) mid season last year ahead of Scotland and Carrots.
Pfieffer was crap against the Hawks but good against Port. The guy is yet to play a single AFL game yet and from 2 NAB cup games you have him also in front of Carrots....bizzare
Ok we get the point......you dont rate Carrots......like I dont rate Adam "the snail" Bentick........but I would suggest to you the MC does.
Last season the were happy to drop AB while giving Carrots the B&F.
They tried to never have AB and Blackwell on the ground at the same time
because they were wary of the effect of 2 slow mids.
They recently signed Carrots to a lucrative 3 year deal but have not tried to extend Bentick's beyond this season.
Hadley and Bentick are probably fighting for the same spot, as the MC will not play too many slow mids in the 1 team, with Hoops part of the "running brigade" also.
I heard Bentick has got a little quicker and he sure will need to be if he is going to cement a spot. His form last year could best be described as average.

Carrazzo replaces Bentick, Hadley, Bower and Betts.
Jacko will make the 22 also.
You also have 4 tall forwards + a 6'3 Hadley in the pocket with Houlihan on a flank......top heavy....no pace.....cant see us ever lining up anything like that. It reminds of the dark days under Pagan when his solution to not taking enough marks up forward was to just stick more tall guys up there. We didnt take any more marks but it sure was easy for the opps to run it out of the backline.
Geelong won a flag playing mostly with 2 tall forwards for the year.
The game is about run and uncontested possesion not kicking to tall forwards in a contest.

Ellard looks like one they are keen to expose at senior level.
Considering Blackers is fit and didnt get a look in during the NAB cup I would suggest he wont get to pull on the Navy blue ever again. He should be on the very bottom of the mids list.

Reckon you've nailed it!!!! For me Carazzo is in the team before Stevens as well (based on last years performance and form he has showed thus far in 2008). He may just make many of these posters eat their words come mid season - where I expect he will be outshining superstars like Murphy and Stevens

 

[Bluebear]

Living up to your username........The Aissassin.......nice shooting.