2013 Team

[POBT]

B: Adcock Merrett Patfull

HB: ________ Maguire Golby

C: Hanley Rich Rockliff

HF: _________ Brown Zorko

F: McGrath _____________ ____________

R: Leuenberger Redden Raines

I: ________, _______,________,_________


If I were selecting the side, there would be 7 places clearly up for grabs next year. I've left Black out because I'm unconvinced of his ability to play week in, week out (if he goes around again).

 

[AFLQLD]

B: Adcock Merrett Patfull

HB: ________ Maguire Golby

C: Hanley Rich Rockliff

HF: _________ Brown Zorko

F: McGrath _____________ ____________

R: Leuenberger Redden Raines

I: ________, _______,________,_________


If I were selecting the side, there would be 7 places clearly up for grabs next year. I've left Black out because I'm unconvinced of his ability to play week in, week out (if he goes around again).

I agree with this on the whole. Bewick, Beams and Harwood are making a strong case and there might be a place somewhere for Staker when he returns. Based on the skeleton of a team that POBT has put together it seems like a couple of forwards might be handy.

Some just aren't going to make it from next season on: polkinghorne probably won't and Banfield is probably the most frustrating player of all. There is an AFL player under that red hair somewhere, but will we ever get to see it? He is committed and tries hard but...he spills more than the Exxon Valdez!! In fact, does he have oil on his hands every game?

 

[jackess]

I really hope our back 6 can surpass their 2009 form. Maguire, Patfull and Merrett can take care of any talls and Golby and Harwood have shown a lot of improvement.If Adcock and Drummond can get back to career best form our defensive unit will be very strong.

 

[BrisbaneLion9636]

By now, we've seen most of the players on the list save Dyson and Harvey and have a reasonable amount of knowledge to deduce what could be. I know it's still a long way till Round 1, but it got me thinking. We get players from injury and players who could retire.

This is assuming that both Black and Hudson call it quits after this season

FB: Harwood, Merrett, Patfull
HB: Golby, Maguire, Drummond
C: Rockliff, Adcock, Hanley
HF: Zorko, Staker, McGrath
FF: Green, Brown, Lisle
Foll: Leuenberger, Redden, Rich
Interchange: Lester, Beams, Raines, Karnezis

I know there are so many things that could happen between the start of pre-season and game day on Round 1, but it's all hypothetical of course.

What do you think?

 

[Scubaveg]

Missing Tippett and pick 8.

 

[Big Lion]

I can see quite a few guys like green overtaking mcgrath next year. Getting on a bit and doesnt have the same impact he once did

Your kidding aren't you McGrath is a great player versatile too and he is really good at breaking the lines out of defence top player has to be in the starting side if fit.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Missing Tippett and pick 8.

"Pick 8" could be another Polec.

 

[Bert Man]

"Pick 8" could be another Polec.

Polec will become a good half forward at worst give him time he will take longer than most

 

[Toffee Lion]

Polec will become a good half forward at worst give him time he will take longer than most

No I mean that he might be a player that isn't exactly going to be in the best 22 straight away and might take longer to develop.

Since this is the '2013' team.

 

[CarloLion]

Needs more Beams!!

 

[Balony_pony16]

looking forward to cricket season..after that I will start thinking about the lions 2013 team

 

[POBT]

I know the move for most of this year has been to play Hanley further afield, which I agree with. We have backline stocks and don't have penetrating outside mids. The move makes sense.

What would be great however is if we could find 1 or 2 guys who can really own the wing spots and allow Hanley to play defence again, even if just on a rotation basis. I don't mean guys that we can slot onto a wing while they develop - I want someone who has an "out of the box" season like Rockliff did a couple of years ago and really own a senior spot. Hanley's run from defence doesn't get replicated by the likes of Adcock.

The options right now are:

- Polec, O'Brien as a classic outside mid/wing type role

- Beams, Crisp, Bartlett, Harwood etc in a "another mid in the rotation" role

- perhaps Docherty, Bewick could change roles

- Karnezis, Lester or even Weardon in an Embley style role

I know most people have Doc pencilled in for that last back flanker role which would eleviate some of the "stodginess" concerns about our backline. But Hanley is now the finished product as a flanker - just putting his name into that defence gives it a far more attacking look. As a wingman, he is still a bit inconsistent IMO.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

I know the move for most of this year has been to play Hanley further afield, which I agree with. We have backline stocks and don't have penetrating outside mids. The move makes sense.

What would be great however is if we could find 1 or 2 guys who can really own the wing spots and allow Hanley to play defence again, even if just on a rotation basis. I don't mean guys that we can slot onto a wing while they develop - I want someone who has an "out of the box" season like Rockliff did a couple of years ago and really own a senior spot. Hanley's run from defence doesn't get replicated by the likes of Adcock.

The options right now are:

- Polec, O'Brien as a classic outside mid/wing type role

- Beams, Crisp, Bartlett, Harwood etc in a "another mid in the rotation" role

- perhaps Docherty, Bewick could change roles

- Karnezis, Lester or even Weardon in an Embley style role

I know most people have Doc pencilled in for that last back flanker role which would eleviate some of the "stodginess" concerns about our backline. But Hanley is now the finished product as a flanker - just putting his name into that defence gives it a far more attacking look. As a wingman, he is still a bit inconsistent IMO.

Interesting, I agree that we need to fill that spot but I'd pencilled in Yeo to play there. Do you see him as a different type?

 

[POBT]

Interesting, I agree that we need to fill that spot but I'd pencilled in Yeo to play there. Do you see him as a different type?

No - Yeo is a very likely type and I should have included him in my post. But there's a difference between guys like Yeo who are doing an OK job for their first year at senior level and someone really owning that spot. I'd equate it to the difference between Zorko and Green - Green looks really promising at times but Zorko owns a spot. Or Golby and Harwood - Harwood's had his moments and looks OK. Golby looked like a best 18 player just about every week.

Not sure if that makes sense?

 

[PattyKwasagun]

No - Yeo is a very likely type and I should have included him in my post. But there's a difference between guys like Yeo who are doing an OK job for their first year at senior level and someone really owning that spot. I'd equate it to the difference between Zorko and Green - Green looks really promising at times but Zorko owns a spot. Or Golby and Harwood - Harwood's had his moments and looks OK. Golby looked like a best 18 player just about every week.

Not sure if that makes sense?

It does, but in terms of typical wingers I've always pencilled Yeo in as the perfect candidate. Obviously he has some way to go, but personally I think he has more potential to be superb on the wing than those you did bring up, who I believe would play better elsewhere. I just think a fast, tall, marking, agile player who has relatively good disposal and vision would be absolutely perfect for that position, and he's probably, in my opinion, the player on our list most tailored to playing on the wing. O'Brien, who you mentioned, would probably be the other.

 

[POBT]

It does, but in terms of typical wingers I've always pencilled Yeo in as the perfect candidate. Obviously he has some way to go, but personally I think he has more potential to be superb on the wing than those you did bring up, who I believe would play better elsewhere. I just think a fast, tall, marking, agile player who has relatively good disposal and vision would be absolutely perfect for that position, and he's probably, in my opinion, the player on our list most tailored to playing on the wing. O'Brien, who you mentioned, would probably be the other.

I think there are different styles of "wing". The skinny, quick skilful type is a bit of a stereotype. Not inaccurate but it is not exclusive either. Depending what style of footy you want to play, you may need a different type to play the role. I personally think Karnezis, with a big engine, would be the perfect wing player. I have always rated what Embley does for West Coast. But the "ball hunter" is also a wing type - they don't really hold the wing position, they just go and try and win the ball - an extra midfielder. In that environment, the back flankers tend to provide the width, run and carry that a traditional wing would.

Yeo should be aiming for that spot though - I can't put him into the 2013 side just yet though.

 

[Van Nostrand]

I know the move for most of this year has been to play Hanley further afield, which I agree with. We have backline stocks and don't have penetrating outside mids. The move makes sense.

What would be great however is if we could find 1 or 2 guys who can really own the wing spots and allow Hanley to play defence again, even if just on a rotation basis. I don't mean guys that we can slot onto a wing while they develop - I want someone who has an "out of the box" season like Rockliff did a couple of years ago and really own a senior spot. Hanley's run from defence doesn't get replicated by the likes of Adcock.

The options right now are:

- Polec, O'Brien as a classic outside mid/wing type role

- Beams, Crisp, Bartlett, Harwood etc in a "another mid in the rotation" role

- perhaps Docherty, Bewick could change roles

- Karnezis, Lester or even Weardon in an Embley style role

I know most people have Doc pencilled in for that last back flanker role which would eleviate some of the "stodginess" concerns about our backline. But Hanley is now the finished product as a flanker - just putting his name into that defence gives it a far more attacking look. As a wingman, he is still a bit inconsistent IMO.

I'd actually like to see Hanley playing in the middle.
His pace and acceleration are just what we need in there, because Rockliff and Redden aren't the quickest midfielders.
Booming kick too which could make him a useful goalkicking mid.

 

[Van Nostrand]

Your kidding aren't you McGrath is a great player versatile too and he is really good at breaking the lines out of defence top player has to be in the starting side if fit.

Maybe I am being a bit harsh on him...

 

[Nigel Kenyon]

This side is based on Black & Hudson retiring & McGrath walking (back to WA as a free agent)
I'm going to assume that Callum Bartlett takes the next step.
Obviously this is done without any knowledge of trades/recruits.

B.Harwood Merrett Patful
HB. Drummo Goose Golby
C. Yeo Rich Adcock
HF. Rockliff Lisle Hanley
F. Staker Brown Bartlett
R. Luenberger Redden Zorko
I/C. Green Lester Docherty
sub. Crisp
emerg. Banfield Karnezis Polkadot

Hanley, Rockliff, Green, Bartlett all in the midfield rotation.

 

[Dylan12]

McGrath walking (back to WA as a free agent)

McGrath hasn't mentioned playing in WA for about 7 years now. Yes, he has publically stated that he would like to play with his brothers at South Freo if the opportunity presents itself. Yes, he has also publically stated that he wants to be a one club player and with 12 games to go until he reaches 200, will not be going anywhere. He is one player we have clearly missed when he is out and I for one would select him in our starting 18 every day of the week and welcome him back.

And no, West Coast or Freo would not entertain recruiting him at this stage of McGrath's career.

 

[dlanod]

McGrath hasn't mentioned playing in WA for about 7 years now. Yes, he has publically stated that he would like to play with his brothers at South Freo if the opportunity presents itself. Yes, he has also publically stated that he wants to be a one club player and with 12 games to go until he reaches 200, will not be going anywhere. He is one player we have clearly missed when he is out and I for one would select him in our starting 18 every day of the week and welcome him back.

And no, West Coast or Freo would not entertain recruiting him at this stage of McGrath's career.

100% spot on to my mind!

 

[Grimreepah]

Things can change pretty quickly. It looks like I'm going to have to clear soom room for Bewick.

 

[iBeng]

So most people dont see Longer really being significantly used till 2014/2015? Makes sense with his development and so forth.

 

[POBT]

Things can change pretty quickly. It looks like I'm going to have to clear soom room for Bewick.

Nothing like seeing a young bloke run out the year well. Great signs.

I'm inclined to take Golby out of my "certainties" list now. I still think it is his spot to lose but Yeo and Harwood are showing a bit too in a similar type role and I think we're all expecting Doc to have a big summer.

So that makes 8 positions up for grabs. At this stage I'm slotting Golby, Green, Bewick, Lisle, Lester, Beams, Yeo and Drummond into those 8 spots but that is likely to change weekly over summer.

 

[Quigley]

I know the move for most of this year has been to play Hanley further afield, which I agree with. We have backline stocks and don't have penetrating outside mids. The move makes sense.

What would be great however is if we could find 1 or 2 guys who can really own the wing spots and allow Hanley to play defence again, even if just on a rotation basis. I don't mean guys that we can slot onto a wing while they develop - I want someone who has an "out of the box" season like Rockliff did a couple of years ago and really own a senior spot. Hanley's run from defence doesn't get replicated by the likes of Adcock.

The options right now are:

- Polec, O'Brien as a classic outside mid/wing type role

- Beams, Crisp, Bartlett, Harwood etc in a "another mid in the rotation" role

- perhaps Docherty, Bewick could change roles

- Karnezis, Lester or even Weardon in an Embley style role

I know most people have Doc pencilled in for that last back flanker role which would eleviate some of the "stodginess" concerns about our backline. But Hanley is now the finished product as a flanker - just putting his name into that defence gives it a far more attacking look. As a wingman, he is still a bit inconsistent IMO.

Docherty is a guy I expect to see a lot of next year. He has nice pace and great skills and I can see he and Hanley swapping quite a bit between the wing and HBF. Both being greenlighted to get right up the field and if they start from the back half the other dropping in behind them. Both are good running options which I like in those roles and can actually do a good job defensively.

Yeo I was not that high on but has developed nicely and is finishing the year strongly. I would have to have him as the favourite right now to get the wing slot coming into the new season. Polec and O'Brien are teh other two true wing types but I think both have plenty to prove before you could legitimately slot them into the best 18.

Bewick I have been disappointed with as a winger. In the forward pocket though he has been very good the last few weeks. If something is working I wouldn't change it and I do not expect him on the wing much early in the season.

Crisp not without a chance although I see him getting games in the pockets more where he can use his best feature to a greater extent - his tackling. If he improved his running he is not without a chance of making the spot his own though. Voss also seems to love Lester and I guess he might be picturing him as a Joel Corey like wing.

Beams, Bartlett and Harwood are all probably outside in mids for me and I think they would be at least a season away from making the jump to a hard running outside mid. Admittedly Beams is closer than the other two but I like him inside more as a defensive player who can find his own ball as well.