2013 Team

[pulsade]

For me the first choice team is something along the lines of

B Golby Merrett Patful

HB Polks Goose Adcock

C Hanley Rich Bewick

HF Zorko Brown Green

FF Ash Ace/Lisle Martin

Fol Lewy/Billy Moloney Redden

Bench: Rocky (a good midfielder always starts on the bench), Raines, Black and one of Beams/Lester and Karnezis. I think Green and Bewick have the most work to do to cement a position. Polkinghorne can play both sweeper across half back as well as tag the most offensive minded defender so I think he is a lock for round 1. Playing on the wing seems like a definite focus across preseason training and the games so far and Hanley, Bewick, Karnezis, Beams, Lester, Raines, Yeo and Paparone have all spent time there. Hopefully Polec can get healthy for a long stretch and get a good crack on the wing as well.

 

[Ray Button]

What I find both frustrating and potentially exciting is that it still looks like we'll start the year without any of our top draft picks from the last four years (Mayes, Docherty, Polec, Bartlett) in the team. A couple of those might start, but the odds look to be against them for Round 1.

That's a fair group that hopefully will all be in the 22 come the end of the season.

 

[pulsade]

What I find both frustrating and potentially exciting is that it still looks like we'll start the year without any of our top draft picks from the last four years (Mayes, Docherty, Polec, Bartlett) in the team. A couple of those might start, but the odds look to be against them for Round 1.

That's a fair group that hopefully will all be in the 22 come the end of the season.

I think the good thing about the lions this year is that you really have to earn your spot. Nobody is going to get games just because they were a high pick. Look a Polec, he has been unlucky with injury in the preseason which puts him behind Hanley, Bewick, Karnezis and Lester in terms of full time wingers. The first and second year players I'm not so worried about it is more Green, Karnezis, Lester and Beams if they can't get a fair number of games this year they may look elsewhere in the offseason. I wonder how much players are informed of plans for them going forward and what they need to do to cement a place in the team because for guys like Beams and Karnezis who crush the opposition in the reserves it must be difficult not to get consistent games.

 

[maroon and blue]

Big fan of Ryan Lester on the half back flank.

 

[Balony_pony16]

No love for Toddy eh Balone?

I always thought you had a full man crush on the lad.

Bewick gets the nod over Corni for mine his workrate is far better and can play different roles at this stage.

I am waiting till I see proper game before posting my Rd1 thoughts on the squad that will tackle the Doggies.

oops...yeah he is in. Personally i think we should try a 3 small forwards like carlton did with yarran, betts, garlett

 

[weevil]

What I find both frustrating and potentially exciting is that it still looks like we'll start the year without any of our top draft picks from the last four years (Mayes, Docherty, Polec, Bartlett) in the team. A couple of those might start, but the odds look to be against them for Round 1.

That's a fair group that hopefully will all be in the 22 come the end of the season.

I reckon 3 of those have a chance of playing round 1.

 

[cotter101]

B: Patful Merrett Adcock
Hb: Golby Maguire Polkinghorne

Mid: Hanley Moloney Redden

Hf: Karnezis Brown Zorko
F: Bewick Cornelius McGrath

Foll: Leuenberger Rich Rockliff

Int: Black, Raines, Green. Sub: Mayes.

 

[acuguy]

B: Adcock Merrett Patfull
HB: Polkinghorne Goose Golby
C: Hanley Rich Karnezis
HF:Zorko Martin Rockliff
FF: Cornelius Brown McGrath

Foll:Leuey Moloney Redden

Inter: Black, Polec, Raines Sub: Green

 

[Dylan12]

For those that have attended training over the pre season, how often has Polkinghorne been training with the defensive group, if at all? Re-watching the Suns game again, I thought he looked ok back there and my thoughts immediately jumpred to the role reversal that Leigh made with Chris Johnson and Jason Akermanis back in 99-01 when they were moved to the backline with a lot of success.

With a plethera of players that can play the mid sized defender role (Golby, Adcock, Yeo, Lester, Wearden, Docherty, McGrath etc) I would think such a move unliklely, but curious nonetheless. That being said, the coaches could have just been trying it for a one off as they do this time of year.

 

[Luke Kathutian]

Polkinghorne was pretty noticeable in his efforts directing traffic to set himself up in that sweeper role during the first week of NAB. If that continues think its safe to lock him in to the backline for round 1. Longer term he's probably more of a solid squad player rather than best 22 but the composure and spirit he brings to the team probably has him ahead of a developing docherty at this stage.

Really like your team Cotter101, only change I'd make is to drop Cornelius for Stef Martin or perhaps Staker. There's an interesting article in inside football magazine that highlights the change in average stopage times:

2001 - 2005 (10 - 12 seconds)
2006 - 2011 (8 seconds)
2012 (7 seconds)
2013 (3-4 seconds. estimation based on changing bounces around the ground to a ball up)

Teams will adapt to this reduced stoppage time in different ways but one thing I'm expecting to see consistently is the ruck/fwd taking all the ball ups in the fwd line. Unless he has absolutely elite endurance there's just no way the ruckman's going to be able to cover the whole ground.

 

[pulsade]

For those that have attended training over the pre season, how often has Polkinghorne been training with the defensive group, if at all? Re-watching the Suns game again, I thought he looked ok back there and my thoughts immediately jumpred to the role reversal that Leigh made with Chris Johnson and Jason Akermanis back in 99-01 when they were moved to the backline with a lot of success.

With a plethera of players that can play the mid sized defender role (Golby, Adcock, Yeo, Lester, Wearden, Docherty, McGrath etc) I would think such a move unliklely, but curious nonetheless. That being said, the coaches could have just been trying it for a one off as they do this time of year.

Most of the trainings I went to had him training with the forwards, especially earlier in the year but in the intraclub he was in the back and I think some of the other simulated games he was there as well. I think he is nearly definitely in our best 22 in that he can tag the most offensive minded defender as well as play that sweeper role.

 

[cotter101]

Polkinghorne was pretty noticeable in his efforts directing traffic to set himself up in that sweeper role during the first week of NAB. If that continues think its safe to lock him in to the backline for round 1. Longer term he's probably more of a solid squad player rather than best 22 but the composure and spirit he brings to the team probably has him ahead of a developing docherty at this stage.

Really like your team Cotter101, only change I'd make is to drop Cornelius for Stef Martin or perhaps Staker. There's an interesting article in inside football magazine that highlights the change in average stopage times:

2001 - 2005 (10 - 12 seconds)
2006 - 2011 (8 seconds)
2012 (7 seconds)
2013 (3-4 seconds. estimation based on changing bounces around the ground to a ball up)

Teams will adapt to this reduced stoppage time in different ways but one thing I'm expecting to see consistently is the ruck/fwd taking all the ball ups in the fwd line. Unless he has absolutely elite endurance there's just no way the ruckman's going to be able to cover the whole ground.

I was thinking of swapping Cornelius out for Martin, was impressed by both of their performances. I think it will be one of these two named in the round 1 side. I would have put Staker in but I'm unsure if he will be ready for rd 1.

 

[Keystone agony]

Outsiders view on your team. Purely mine, look at list to see if i forget anyone.

Polkinghorne/Docherty - Merrett - Patful

Adcock - Maguire - Golby

Hanley - Redden - Rich

Rockliff - Brown - Zorko

A.Mcgrath/Banfield/Green - ACorn - Longer

Leunenberger - Raines - Moloney

S.Black, Karnezis

Last 2 spots including sub to come from 2 of the forward pockets that miss out + Beams, Bewick to fight it out. For some reason i think Green and Beams would be my preffered options like what ive seen from Green in intraclub and week 1 of nab. Beams got plenty of it against GWS just needs to back that up in the last 2 NAB games to cement a spot.

 

[THE MIGHTY ROAR]

b: Adcock Maguire Patful
hb:Hanley Merrett Golby
c: Karnesis Rich Rockliff
hf:Bewick Brown Cornelius
f: Zorco Martin Mcgrath
foll:Luenberger Maloney Redden
Int: Black Beams Raines
Sub: Green

 

[Harris Specter]

FB: Adcock Merrett Patfull
HB: Golby Maguire Yeo
C: Karnezis Raines Rich
HF: Zorko Martin Rockliff
FF: McGrath Brown Cornelius
R: Leuenberger Redden Moloney
INTER: Hanley Beams Bewick Green (s)

Going by last night's performance, still sticking with this, and perhaps Lisle for Martin, but other than that, mine's set in stone unless someone like Polec or Mayes does something outstanding next week.

 

[whizkizz]

FB: Adcock Merrett Patfull
HB: Golby Maguire Yeo
C: Karnezis Raines Rich
HF: Zorko Martin Rockliff
FF: McGrath Brown Cornelius
R: Leuenberger Redden Moloney
INTER: Hanley Beams Bewick Green (s)

I like the look of that team!

I reckon Polkinghorne, Docherty and Yeo are competing for the same spot.

And who gets squeezed out for Blacky??

 

[POBT]

Going by last night's performance, still sticking with this, and perhaps Lisle for Martin, but other than that, mine's set in stone unless someone like Polec or Mayes does something outstanding next week.

Pretty close to my side too Rubix.

I think it is unlikely that Black will miss round 1. Just adds to the pressure for spots.

 

[weevil]

Going by last night's performance, still sticking with this, and perhaps Lisle for Martin, but other than that, mine's set in stone unless someone like Polec or Mayes does something outstanding next week.

Think you are being too hard on Martin, we had no structure going forward but I thought he fought it out really hard. I was originally thinking Lisle but think Martin has it all wrapped up now for me.

Swap Yeo with Docherty and McGrath with Mayes and I think you have my team.

 

[weevil]

And who gets squeezed out for Blacky??

Oh yeah, that guy.

 

[Haso]

Blackie to squeeze Leuey out, IMHO.

 

[Harris Specter]

Think you are being too hard on Martin, we had no structure going forward but I thought he fought it out really hard. I was originally thinking Lisle but think Martin has it all wrapped up now for me.

Swap Yeo with Docherty and McGrath with Mayes and I think you have my team.

I thought so too, he gives the effort all around the ground and is a better ruckman which is why I have him first. Just hope last night was a one-off in terms of accuracy. But things could change next week, and I just think Yeo has earned his spot after solid performances while McGrath is that smart elusive forward that we need. But the way things are going, at least 3-4 spots are still up for grabs and the competition is red-hot.

 

[Morgs_]

Blackie to squeeze Leuey out, IMHO.

I think you're being too hard on Leuey there, while Blackys tap work isn't at Leueys level, Black definitely has the experience over Leuey.

 

[Haso]

Martin is much more aggressive and energetic than Lisle, and is therefore my pick out of those two. Martin and Zorko in the same forward line causes chaos for lackadaisical defenders. It's only the statr of the season so if Martin can pick up a few more of thse ground balls with more practise he could be more aggressive goal-wise as well.

 

[weevil]

Martin is much more aggressive and energetic than Lisle, and is therefore my pick out of those two.

Yeah, I agree Lisle is clearly behind at the moment but I think he is a long way from the lost cause some people are portraying him as.

He is not a hustle and bustle, pack crashing forward, he is a no nonsense leading forward.
Dunstall was not as flashy as Brereton, but he was a fair player just the same.

Martin and Zorko in the same forward line causes chaos for lackadaisical defenders.

Yeah should be lots of fun.

 

[Sanchez365]

I like that team too Rubix, although I don't have Yeo in my team. Would probably be the one to get squeezed out to fit Black in (Black to the bench and Hanley onto that back flank).

Must say though that FF line looks very dangerous. Brown McGrath and Cornelius each have the ability to kick a bag of goals. Very nice.