Opinion 2016 Best 22

[Paulski19]

My approach - take the NAB Challenge Rd 3 squad, add Murphy (injury) and Jaksch (illness), then work out who we cut from the list of 28:
1 Andrew Walker, 3 Marc Murphy, 4 Bryce Gibbs, 6 Kade Simpson (C), 7 Dylan Buckley, 8 Matthew Kreuzer, 9 Patrick Cripps, 11 Sam Kerridge, 12 Blaine Boekhorst, 13 Jed Lamb, 15 Sam Docherty, 17 Sam Rowe, 18 Kristian Jaksch, 22 Jason Tutt, 23 Jacob Weitering, 24 Mark Whiley, 30 Charlie Curnow, 32 Nick Graham, 33 Andrejs Everitt, 34 Andrew Phillips, 35 Ed Curnow, 37 Daniel Gorringe, 38 Ciaran Byrne, 39 Dale Thomas, 40 Michael Jamison, 41 Levi Casboult, 42 Zach Tuohy, 43 Simon White, 46 Matthew Wright

Ive bolded my locks for best 22 - 15 players in total - need 7 more:
Lamb v Wright - going to go with youth here, but we may opt for experience
Gorringe v Phillips - I think phillips is the better pick to give Kruezer more time up forward
White v Rowe v Weitering - 2 from this grouping - Weitering for the development, and Rowe fore the gorillas. If we play a more mobile line, we could go with White
Tutt v Whiley v Boekhorst - whiley is in odd company here, but I think this player will be the last choice for the midfield selection Cripps and Graham give us the gruntwork, and the squad lacks class - so Boekhorst is my selection here
Buckley v Byrne - I really like Byrne, but his first two preseason games have been lackluster....buckley gets the nod ahead of him, and if he proves himself, perhaps buckley could go forward
C.Curnow v Jaksch - Thinking for the full year I'm giving this spot to Jaksch (as a forward) while Charlie develops, if its not Jaksch, i;d also expect to see Liam Jones given a crack in this spot.

The lineup:
Weitering Jamison Tuohy
Simpson Rowe Docherty
Boekhorst E.Curnow Gibbs
Kruezer Cripps Murphy
Kerridge Casboult Thomas
Walker Everitt Lamb

Phillips Graham Buckley Jaksch

I like it a lot. Couldn't agree more actually. In a perfect world where Kreuzer's body is holding up, we'd play him 80% ruck and then split the 20% between Rowe and Casboult so we could play an extra runner...but Kreuzer's fitness is suspect, so need to protect him.

 

[HARKER]

Carlton set to blood up to six new players for Round 1 clash with Richmond at the MCG

Weitering and Kerridge are the only definites for mine, just at this stage.

Phillips is a likely and one of Lamb/Wright........but not two.
Would be happy for Charlie given as many games as possible. He's not the type that will be spoiled for the ups and downs.

 

[Jeremias]

Would be happy for Charlie given as many games as possible. He's not the type that will be spoiled for the ups and downs.

I don't want Charlie to be given any games. Talented as he may be, he's got to earn them.

 

[gandaal]

Player are actually expected to earn their games this year?

I'm not sure the AFL allows clubs to field a team of 8 players each week.

 

[HARKER]

I don't want Charlie to be given any games. Talented as he may be, he's got to earn them.

Yeah well, everyone has to earn their spot but if Bolton has initiated the 'reset' then Curnow has as much a chance as anyone............Lamb, Wright and even Walker, included.

Just saying that Curnow doesn't seem to be intimidated by the experience, as some players happen to be.
This guy could be a big game player for us and may be worth getting games into. It's not as though we're going to be jousting for a top 4 spot, is it?

 

[ShanDog]

Player are actually expected to earn their games this year?

I'm not sure the AFL allows clubs to field a team of 8 players each week.

Gotta remember that earning a game for us means you're the best option, not necessarily any good lol

 

[Jimmae]

Carlton set to blood up to six new players for Round 1 clash with Richmond at the MCG

Weitering and Kerridge are the only definites for mine, just at this stage.

Phillips is a likely and one of Lamb/Wright........but not two.
Would be happy for Charlie given as many games as possible. He's not the type that will be spoiled for the ups and downs.

Wright has to be the guy there; in great nick, and his kicking is an asset.

 

[Coona Blues]

Interestingly, after a long preseason, my best 22 pretty much remains unchanged.
If it makes sense, my 22 has 23 players in it. Bolts has me guessing which he will "jump".
Note can't include Plowman or Sumner until they get on the park.

Backs: Tuohy, Jamison, Weitering
H/Bs: Simpson, Rowe, Docherty
Centre: Boekhorst, Cripps, Thomas
Foll: Kreuzer, Gibbs, Murphy
H/Fs: Kerridge, Casboult, Everitt
Fwds: Wright, Walker, Phillips
Int'ge: Byrne, E.Curnow, White, Graham, C.Curnow

The bolded IMO all have some chance of missing, with perhaps Charlie the unlucky one first up. I would like
his X factor, but would probably mean Rowe or White missing - unlikely.

Close
Obviously Gorringe has some claims against Phillips.
Tutt divides supporters, his work rate all but earns a spot, until he pops up with decision and disposal issues.
Buckley is close, but can only play so many HBF's. Has not been trialled forward so I have him behind the named.
Lamb not recruited to play seconds footy, but his NAB was ordinary. I have him behind Wright and no room for both.
Jaksch - MIA - has to be credence to the illness or surely would have received an audition.
Plowman and Sumner need games to enter the mix.
Whiley despite being talked up over summer has to be behind Kerridge, Graham, Ed, Wright, Thomas, White & CC
in the second string. If Murphy doesn't get up for round 1 may get a go.
Gallucci will get the chance to push for promotion.
Smith likewise, needs to put more in the bank/tank.
Sheehan has shown plenty if fit must enter calculations for LTI/mid year upgrade.
Cuningham has the goods, just needs time for confidence, composure and exuberance to be sorted.
The rest are developing or will not make it. The exception being Armfield who will justify a spot if required, but
given the list and his stature is probably more mentor now.

 

[TheCoach16]

I like the look of that side Coona, and I reckon it's pretty close to what we'll see come round 1. But surely Buckley plays, no matter how many half backs we have. In my opinion, he encompasses everything that Carlton need, want and stand for right now.
But again, I like that side, it looks well balanced...

 

[JustaBattler]

Good summary Coona Blues - a few tricky selection decisions to be made in coming weeks.

 

[Blue Baggers]

Had dinner with Matt Priddis and in his opinion if Jones and Tutt are playing we will not improve. Just said they are liabilities no matter the work rate.

He also thinks Trent Cotchin is disliked by his own team mates as he loves himself.

 

[ParapMarkets]

Had dinner with Matt Priddis and in his opinion if Jones and Tutt are playing we will not improve. Just said they are liabilities no matter the work rate.

He also thinks Trent Cotchin is disliked by his own team mates as he loves himself.

Nothing there we didn't already know, I do think Tutt will get quite a few games this year though. I really did like his game against the Hawks and unfortunately with where our list is at we don't have many options ahead of him for his role.

 

[Blue Baggers]

Nothing there we didn't already know, I do think Tutt will get quite a few games this year though. I really did like his game against the Hawks and unfortunately with where our list is at we don't have many options ahead of him for his role.

I'd rather play a kid ahead of both. Tutts run is good but he just butchers the footy, I'd rather sosos play as he is going to be a deadset gun

 

[Cringle]

Jones shouldn't even be considered for selection all year. Give him the Watson treatment regardless of form. Unfortunately the Watto had 50 less chances.

 

[thylacine60]

Cringle still working at getting his man to 300 games.

 

[Cringle]

Still has time.

 

[1981]

Had dinner with Matt Priddis and in his opinion if Jones and Tutt are playing we will not improve. Just said they are liabilities no matter the work rate.

He also thinks Trent Cotchin is disliked by his own team mates as he loves himself.

Loves his hair
I get a sense that would be true

 

[1981]

Yeah Tutt can find it but his usage is not good enough
Jones can't even find it
Bolts is no fool. I have in mind a handful of players who really shouldn't be given games as a priority . Rowe is one to add to the two above. But we might need him more than the other two this year. But need is diff to want .

 

[Nut_Sacks]

Rowe should be made captain of the Northern Blues and thanked for his efforts.

 

[ShanDog]

Rowe should be made captain of the Northern Blues and thanked for his efforts.

As soon as we have a better option for a 95-100kg primary defender.

 

[Cringle]

As soon as we have a better option for a 95-100kg primary defender.

We did but he was wrongly delisted last year after never being given a proper go.

I'm talking about Matthew Watson in case you weren't aware.

 

[thylacine60]

Think we may have gone early on Matty. Thoughts, Cringle?

 

[Jeremias]

Yeah well, everyone has to earn their spot but if Bolton has initiated the 'reset' then Curnow has as much a chance as anyone............Lamb, Wright and even Walker, included.

Just saying that Curnow doesn't seem to be intimidated by the experience, as some players happen to be.
This guy could be a big game player for us and may be worth getting games into. It's not as though we're going to be jousting for a top 4 spot, is it?

Of course not, which makes it even more imperative for the club to set the standards required for us to get back there down the track.

Talent will only get you so far at the elite level and no player should be able to rest on their laurels and demand a spot on talent alone.

I'm very excited to see how Charlie develops but if we're playing him at senior level because he's talented, then we're playing him at that level for the wrong reason.

Just as with every player on the list, he needs to work hard for a spot and if he does, he'll be rewarded.

 

[juzza316]

Got a head of ourselves you reckon?

 

[Spida23]

My best 22 at this stage would be

B Weitering Jamo Tuohy
HB Simpson Docherty Buckley
C Boekhorst Cripps Gibbs
Foll Kreuzer Murphy Kerridge
HF Thomas Gorringe Everitt
FF Lamb Casboult Walker
Int E Curnow, C Curnow, Whiley, Graham

I am a little concerned with the pace off the bench. would like to see Smith get a few games in a row at some stage and I think Galluci could replace Lamb. Lamb has a big question mark on his disposal at this stage in my opinion. I can't see the point in moving forward with Rowe as he is a bit slow and very fumbly around the ball. Better off blooding younger guys and if a hard body is needed I would stick with white at this stage.

Anyway just my thoughts.