Team Mgmt. 2017 Team selections, injuries and availability

[Lore]

So you're probably aware of the spreadsheets I keep posting everywhere. Well this will be something of a home for it I guess.

Spoiler: 2016 version

 

[jmoo wan]

Yeah but he's crap in the ruck and does nothing up forward as a second ruck. He's literally had half a good year at AFL level amongst 7 and a half years of crap

yes but he offers so much more around the ground than Bellchambers and Leuenburger

 

[Beerfish]

Rucking is overrated in the modern game. It's sad but apparently true.

 

[Lore]

It would seem that the selection committee consider McKernan to be our third best ruckman and our fourth best tall forward, at least as far as I can tell from the teams we've put on the park so far this year.

McKernan can ruck, but he's undersized and will get beat most games at AFL level. He is highly unlikely to play as a first ruck while Leuey and TBC are fit – even last year he barely got a game, and that was with retirees and VFL level players getting games ahead of him.

If we even choose to have a third tall forward, he is competing against Stewart for the role, who is three years younger and has a two year contract on the senior list (McKernan is a rookie, I think upgraded in lieu of Ridley?).

I assume Stewart must also provide more around the ground than McKernan would, given he's in this week and McKernan isn't.

 

[Mootsy]

At the same time, McKernan has been in form and playing very well, he was winning contested ball in the middle and kicking some awesome goals for us.
I'd be rewarding players who play well and he was and then got dropped, now you could still use him an interchange option or as a forward because then you are rewarding form, etc..

they didn't do that though.

i'd prefer McKernan to numerous players not putting in enough effort because he plays four quarters and actually seems to care about doing well on the ground..

 

[astrowizzle]

How can we know what bellchambers will offer hes played one damn game. He wasn't our worst player by any stretch of the imaginatiin

 

[Bombermania]

The forward six might be close to set

The backline looks better with only Ambrose and Francis missing

The center clearances are the real worry, if that can be fixed this is a top eight side.

 

[Killer_Mike]

Very good coaching performance tonight and a real glimpse of our gameplan going forward!

Our forward line and backline are top four in the league in my opinion and only need for the midfield to catch up.

Unfortunately with the senior players in there this year I don't think we will see it at its best until later in the year and even then its still going to be slow. The more that the smaller guys go through there the better we will be!

 

[JayJ20]

Like Hooker swinging back at the end of each quarter to stop red time goals. Worked pretty well!

Stewart in allows us to do that

 

[Skipper_]

The forward six might be close to set

The backline looks better with only Ambrose and Francis missing

The center clearances are the real worry, if that can be fixed this is a top eight side.

What's with the obsession for Francis? He's not ready yet.

 

[Killer_Mike]

I want to give Woosha another pat on the back for the way he handled Stewarts inclusion in the side!

When Langford went back to the VFL to continue his development as a midfielder Woosha had the opportunity to bring James in then. What he did though was give Francis an opportunity when most feel he wasn't ready. In doing so Stewart continued to work his arse off and now he can sit back comfortably knowing that he's earned his spot in the side and should be rewarded with a good run in the seniors.

Also it has given Francis a taste of what he needs to do and if he wants back in the team he has to win it back off James!

It would be disappointing if Francis was given an easy out and allowed to come back in as a defender and I believe that would be detrimental for his development. I get the impression that Woosha wants him forward anyway so Francis has a battle on his hands!

 

[Lore]

So James Stewart essentially makes the Hooker back in junk time, Daniher ruck relief stuff more possible without losing our two tall forwards as a structural element. Sounds like it could be a more permanent thing (rather than a 'lets go tall and have three talls' thing).

Forward structure
The match against the Cats provided the first look at a forward set-up featuring three genuine marking options. James Stewart was brought into the side to partner Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker. The trio all had a significant impact on the final outcome.

Stewart booted three goals in the first half, Hooker kicked one and pulled in six marks and Daniher was best on ground with five goals.

But it was the added options that were perhaps the biggest benefit for the Bombers. When Daniher went into the ruck to relieve Matthew Leuenberger, the Dons could still maintain two marking options in attack. In the last quarter, Hooker spent most of the match in the defensive half as the Cats made their run, but again the Bombers were able to keep two ‘talls’ inside 50.

Essendon’s marking targets kicked nine goals between them, while the small forwards (Orazio Fantasia, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Josh Green were responsible for the other eight.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2017-05-14/talking-points-v-cats

 

[Lore]

Went in unchanged today, got our best margin all year. Team is starting to gel, Myers is in the midfield more, defence is getting the job done, Hooker, Green and Stewart are working really well with JD, Walla and Raz, and the mids are starting to read Leuey's taps better. All round seems good.

But Ambrose may be available next week, Bellchambers is kicking bags in the VFL. Hearing some good things about Langford and Redman in the 2s too. So, what do? Who do we have room for? Should we make changes to a winning team? Who comes out? Match-ups?

 

[Duckworth]

Went in unchanged today, got our best margin all year. Team is starting to gel, Myers is in the midfield more, defence is getting the job done, Hooker, Green and Stewart are working really well with JD, Walla and Raz, and the mids are starting to read Leuey's taps better. All round seems good.

But Ambrose may be available next week, Bellchambers is kicking bags in the VFL. Hearing some good things about Langford and Redman in the 2s too. So, what do? Who do we have room for? Should we make changes to a winning team? Who comes out? Match-ups?

Tough call, but Ambrose has to come in (probably after some VFL games). Kelly has been good this year but won't be around next year. Dea hasn't yet overtaken Ambrose. I would probably say Dea to make way. Kelly to be rested through the year and Dea will get opportunities that way. The final call has to be that Ambrose is the better player so he has to come in.

Langford needs to do more to break into the midfield (more weeks at VFL). Before he can overtake the mids that are already there. Now that the team is playing well it is harder to break into. He only has himself to blame for not playing well earlier when he had his chance. Credit to him for working on the things he was asked to - he just needs to hang in there until an opportunity arises (at least having eared a senior call up, he will appreciate it more).

Bellchambers unlucky. Same could be said for a few others who are dominating at the moment.

edit: The current game style (that has us winning) means that the balance of players is right. If someone else is to come in then they have to perform the role better than the incumbent. ie Ambrose is an upgrade on Dea. Is Bellchambers an upgrade on Luenberger?

 

[Doss]

Belly is not an upgrade on Luey.

 

[Ambrosia]

Belly is not an upgrade on Luey.

I'd say he's more talented just lacks the work rate defensively and around stoppages that Luey has.

If Bellchambers put in a reasonable effort outside of marking and ruck contests he'd be well ahead of Luey imo

 

[Doss]

Leuy might be the most misunderstood or unappreciated player on our list.

A victim of the athlete-isation of the ruck position.

For mine he gets to nearly every ruck contest, puts in his all every time, and that more than makes up for his cumbersome tendencies sometimes. Barring a drop off in Leuy's form Bellcho will simply struggle to get back in for mine.

 

[BomberFan355]

It's a good position to be in right now, two good wins and a few guys in the 2's putting their hands up for selection, plus Ambrose coming back from injury. Some pressure to hold your spot is good. Very hard to want to change a winning side right now though.

 

[BrunoV]

I think it's a pretty straightforward call to bring Ambrose in for Dea.

I'd want to be able to play Ambrose or Hurley on Martin.

Generally, we want to settle a team with three talls at each end. Hartley and Ambrose will need to improve their respective games but that will come as the combination builds chemistry.

The run of McKenna and McGrath at half back is going to be great fun to watch.

 

[Whatsonswhat]

Hard to make changes to a winning team, especially one like yesterday where the whole team performed well or better, but also need to reward good form in the reserves. Sure players need to earn their spot to play in the seniors, but this also means when they do earn it, they actually get the reward.

Blokes in the reserves currently pushing for a spot in the seniors, based on (especially last week's) performance, include Bellchambers, Howlett, Redman, and Langford. And then there's also Ambrose due back from injury, who you'd expect will also be looked at to come straight back in.

But who would they replace?

Bellchambers' push for a spot is based on his work as a KF kicking bags of goals, so he'd need to replace one of the talls in there. Stewart would be the obvious choice, but Stewart offers mobility, which is invaluable if you're going with three talls. On the other hand, Bellchambers would offer relief in the ruck, however, Daniher is covering this role beautifully. Another option might be to return Hooker to the back line, but after Hartley's last game it's questionable whether this would be a better option than replacing Stewart. Would think Bellchambers might need a couple more bags to push anyone out.

Howlett and Langford would probably be competing for the same role in the seniors; forward/mid. Hard to see them replacing anyone in the seniors playing this role. They could maybe replace Green to add a rotation through the mid to his role, but Green has put in a couple of nice games. Nice to know that if Watson needs another rest, there's a couple of ready replacements. But then if whoever it is plays well, who would Watson replace when he comes back? Colyer?

Redman played superbly as a back flanker following plays right up to the forward line. McKenna is probably lucky he played at least equally well in a similar role in the seniors this week. Kelly might be a replacement option if we're looking for a bit more speed.

And who would Ambrose replace? Hartley's probably better suited to taller KFs, and Dea put in a ripper where Ambrose would usually play. You'd think against Richmond, at least, they'd leave Dea in. Ambrose on Reiwoldt, Hurley on....Rance?

 

[Runk]

I think it's a pretty straightforward call to bring Ambrose in for Dea.

I'd want to be able to play Ambrose or Hurley on Martin.

Generally, we want to settle a team with three talls at each end. Hartley and Ambrose will need to improve their respective games but that will come as the combination builds chemistry.

The run of McKenna and McGrath at half back is going to be great fun to watch.

We've been very blessed in a lot of ways to see two young players running off half back, breaking lines. Their sideways movement/ability to turn is exceptional bordering on elite imo. Very exciting to watch these two kids go at it.

 

[bacon buster]

Leuy must stay in
He probably played his best game for the club yesterday, especially in terms of pure ruckwork/taps

Belly, unfortunately, is not an upgrade on Leuy, nor on any of our 3 tall forwards at the moment. You could argue Stewart, however, Stewart is much more quick and agile, which is a must with our style of play, and style of play in the AFL in general at the moment

 

[keepzitreal]

Ambrose VS Hartley is a tough one

 

[citizen-erased]

Ambrose VS Hartley is a tough one

Both
Replace Dea imo. Use Dea to cover Kelly when required

 

[Doss]

Ambrose VS Hartley is a tough one

Right now I don't really agree. Ambrose easily if you can only pick one.

 

[Killer_Mike]

Right now I don't really agree. Ambrose easily if you can only pick one.

It's a great indicator that we are building depth throughout the team when we have two very solid KP players that we can choose from.

Happy times.