2018 Best 22

[theGav56]

The issue for me though is it probably isn't the best set up to develop Darcy/Meek as well. While we'll all go into the season hoping Sandi might make a decent forward (something he hasn't done for his entire time at the club) chances are he won't and he'll play 70/80% of time as a pure ruck meaning our second pure ruck ends up playing out of position.

That second ruck role is one of the hardest positions to nail down in the AFL and I could easily see Darcy having a pretty weak second season if we force him to play there.

It is certainly going to be a dilemma.

I think Sandilands is a bit irrelevant to the conversation about the make up of our rucks for the the future. He will be serving a purpose this year, and as you say, being a forward is not realistically part of that.

At the lower level I expect the club to finding out how much any of our other ruck prospects can contribute up forward, and they are clearly looking at that for Darcy.

 

[Bigtrev41]

The issue for me though is it probably isn't the best set up to develop Darcy/Meek as well. While we'll all go into the season hoping Sandi might make a decent forward (something he hasn't done for his entire time at the club) chances are he won't and he'll play 70/80% of time as a pure ruck meaning our second pure ruck ends up playing out of position.

That second ruck role is one of the hardest positions to nail down in the AFL and I could easily see Darcy having a pretty weak second season if we force him to play there.

This is my fear.

Sandilands is still a potent force at stoppages, Ross loves a stoppage and like a moth to a flame, will be tempted to play the monster chasing wins, it may feel good in the short term, but if we're really planning for the first flag Sandi needs to be a second ruck/forward option at best.

 

[theGav56]

This is my fear.

Sandilands is still a potent force at stoppages, Ross loves a stoppage and like a moth to a flame, will be tempted to play the monster chasing wins, it may feel good in the short term, but if we're really planning for the first flag Sandi needs to be a second ruck/forward option at best.

Didn't happen last year. He is fully committed to the rebuilding of the list. Followed that up with recruiting replacements for Sandilands. The only scenario where your "fear" gets realised is if we somehow find ourselves in finals contention. Apart from that it is a development year.

If you stress about this kind of thing you may need to take up yoga.

 

[Kenny_01]

Might not be the Rd 1 side, but the side I hope we end up with as the season progresses.

B: Hughes Hamling Logue
HB: Wilson Pearce Ryan
C: B Hill Fyfe S Hill
HF: Bennell McCarthy Langdon
F: Matera Cox Walters
R: Darcy Blakely Neale

I: Brayshaw Cerra Tucker Mundy

 

[Scham]

The issue for me though is it probably isn't the best set up to develop Darcy/Meek as well. While we'll all go into the season hoping Sandi might make a decent forward (something he hasn't done for his entire time at the club) chances are he won't and he'll play 70/80% of time as a pure ruck meaning our second pure ruck ends up playing out of position.

That second ruck role is one of the hardest positions to nail down in the AFL and I could easily see Darcy having a pretty weak second season if we force him to play there.

All valid points. Sandi playing on + the drafting of Jones contributes most to that imo.

I think the chances of Sandi playing many games is very low though which'll alleviate some of the issues.

 

[sherrif]

All valid points. Sandi playing on + the drafting of Jones contributes most to that imo.

I think the chances of Sandi playing many games is very low though which'll alleviate some of the issues.

The last time Sandy played out a full game of AFL football (round 8) Freo where 5th on the ladder. He is still super, super important in my view.

Seeing Sandy the other day at training he looks in ripping shape. Paul Salmon had the best year of his career when he was 35. I think Aaron is capable of that too. The genuine giants who have played the game seem to come into their own in the latter years of their career. Justin Madden was the same. Id be surprised if Sandy didn't have a terrific year provided he is over the hamstring issues. Darcy will be much better off long-term playing forward with some stints in the ruck, rather than rucking for an entire year as the main ruckman at his age. I think Aaron will play this year and next season too.

 

[Wally Walpamur]

Haven't had a crack at this since we've finalised our list for 2018. What i'd like to see (assuming everyone is fully fit and ready to go from round 1):

FB: Logue - Hamling - Hughes
HB: Ryan - A. Pearce - Wilson
C: Hilly - Neale - Billy
HF: Bennell - Tabs - Walters
FF: McCarthy - Cox - Matera
FOLL: Sandi - Fyfe - Blakely - Mundy
INT: Darcy - Tucker - Brayshaw - Cerra

Could be a little top heavy, in that case Darcy OUT Langdon IN

 

[Joao]

Haven't had a crack at this since we've finalised our list for 2018. What i'd like to see (assuming everyone is fully fit and ready to go from round 1):

FB: Logue - Hamling - Hughes
HB: Ryan - A. Pearce - Wilson
C: Hilly - Neale - Billy
HF: Bennell - Tabs - Walters
FF: McCarthy - Cox - Matera
FOLL: Sandi - Fyfe - Blakely - Mundy
INT: Darcy - Tucker - Brayshaw - Cerra

Could be a little top heavy, in that case Darcy OUT Langdon IN

Carrying an extra follower there, have to lose a player. Otherwise it is the exact 22 I would like but not what I expect round 1.

 

[Monument Hills]

Might not be the Rd 1 side, but the side I hope we end up with as the season progresses.

B: Hughes Hamling Logue
HB: Wilson Pearce Ryan
C: B Hill Fyfe S Hill
HF: Bennell McCarthy Langdon
F: Matera Cox Walters
R: Darcy Blakely Neale

I: Brayshaw Cerra Tucker Mundy

This side running around the park next year week after week, fit and healthy, would make me very happy

 

[Wally Walpamur]

Carrying an extra follower there, have to lose a player. Otherwise it is the exact 22 I would like but not what I expect round 1.

Well that makes my decision easier then, OUT one of Brayshaw/Cerra IN Mundy to the bench and if we're too tall, both new draftees get a run.

 

[theGav56]

Well that makes my decision easier then, OUT one of Brayshaw/Cerra IN Mundy to the bench and if we're too tall, both new draftees get a run.

Sounds like Brayshaw is ready to go and Cerra needs to do a short period of recovery having spent a fair bit of time injured over the past period.

 

[getgaff]

Pardon the intrusion folks. Here are my thoughts from the outside on the Dockers best 22, happy to accept any criticism.

FB: Lee Spurr/ Tom Sheridan ~ Joel Hamling ~ Griffin Logue
HB: Nathan Wilson ~ Michael Johnson ~ Luke Ryan
C: Bradley Hill ~ Connor Blakely ~ Stephen Hill
HF: Harley Bennell ~ Matt Taberner ~ Michael Walters
FF: Brennan Cox ~ Cam McCarthy ~ Hayden Ballantyne
1R: Aaron Sandilands ~ Nathan Fyfe ~ Lachie Neale
IC: Sean Darcy ~ Andrew Brayshaw ~ David Mundy ~
Darcy Tucker/ Ed Langdon

• Spurr or Sutcliffe in the back half with the task of negating a smaller forward, can't fit both i don't think. Would love to see Alex Pearce at some stage but will get a good stint of game fitness behind him first.

• Wilson comes straight in as a replacement for Weller who with his run and long kick is similar to an additional midfielder playing off HB.

• Starting midfield is pretty settled, throwing in the experience of Mundy into that second string midfield would be more than handy.

• I know there's Dockers supporters that aren't fans but I'm a Taberner supporter. From an outsiders p.o.v. he seems to be a scapegoat at selection when things are going bad. Give him a good crack at CHF because he can be that taller connecting forward between defence and attack.

• Brayshaw steps straight into the 22 I think as you would expect from a number 2 pick. Think he'll adjust to the next level smoothly.

• Tucker or Langdon is hard to split. Different players but with a fitter Bennell I think he would bypass Langdon in that HF role. I'm a fan of Tucker's as well, have been since watching bits and pieces of his draft year.

• Matera is a guy who I'd make earn his spot BUT if Walters spends more time through the midfield he could get a look in, will keep Ballantyne on his toes at selection as well.

 

[theGav56]

Pardon the intrusion folks. Here are my thoughts from the outside on the Dockers best 22, happy to accept any criticism.

FB: Lee Spurr/ Tom Sheridan ~ Joel Hamling ~ Griffin Logue
HB: Nathan Wilson ~ Michael Johnson ~ Luke Ryan
C: Bradley Hill ~ Connor Blakely ~ Stephen Hill
HF: Harley Bennell ~ Matt Taberner ~ Michael Walters
FF: Brennan Cox ~ Cam McCarthy ~ Hayden Ballantyne
1R: Aaron Sandilands ~ Nathan Fyfe ~ Lachie Neale
IC: Sean Darcy ~ Andrew Brayshaw ~ David Mundy ~
Darcy Tucker/ Ed Langdon

• Spurr or Sutcliffe in the back half with the task of negating a smaller forward, can't fit both i don't think. Would love to see Alex Pearce at some stage but will get a good stint of game fitness behind him first.

• Wilson comes straight in as a replacement for Weller who with his run and long kick is similar to an additional midfielder playing off HB.

• Starting midfield is pretty settled, throwing in the experience of Mundy into that second string midfield would be more than handy.

• I know there's Dockers supporters that aren't fans but I'm a Taberner supporter. From an outsiders p.o.v. he seems to be a scapegoat at selection when things are going bad. Give him a good crack at CHF because he can be that taller connecting forward between defence and attack.

• Brayshaw steps straight into the 22 I think as you would expect from a number 2 pick. Think he'll adjust to the next level smoothly.

• Tucker or Langdon is hard to split. Different players but with a fitter Bennell I think he would bypass Langdon in that HF role. I'm a fan of Tucker's as well, have been since watching bits and pieces of his draft year.

• Matera is a guy who I'd make earn his spot BUT if Walters spends more time through the midfield he could get a look in, will keep Ballantyne on his toes at selection as well.

Like it.

I have more than a little bit of hope that Hughes squeezes out Spurr/Sheridan, but if not, then I'd be taking Langdon and Tucker.

I also get a little surprised that Kersten doesn't seem to be part of discussions, but he isn't in my 22 either.

 

[jlandy]

Pardon the intrusion folks. Here are my thoughts from the outside on the Dockers best 22, happy to accept any criticism.

FB: Lee Spurr/ Tom Sheridan ~ Joel Hamling ~ Griffin Logue
HB: Nathan Wilson ~ Michael Johnson ~ Luke Ryan
C: Bradley Hill ~ Connor Blakely ~ Stephen Hill
HF: Harley Bennell ~ Matt Taberner ~ Michael Walters
FF: Brennan Cox ~ Cam McCarthy ~ Hayden Ballantyne
1R: Aaron Sandilands ~ Nathan Fyfe ~ Lachie Neale
IC: Sean Darcy ~ Andrew Brayshaw ~ David Mundy ~
Darcy Tucker/ Ed Langdon

• Spurr or Sutcliffe in the back half with the task of negating a smaller forward, can't fit both i don't think. Would love to see Alex Pearce at some stage but will get a good stint of game fitness behind him first.

• Wilson comes straight in as a replacement for Weller who with his run and long kick is similar to an additional midfielder playing off HB.

• Starting midfield is pretty settled, throwing in the experience of Mundy into that second string midfield would be more than handy.

• I know there's Dockers supporters that aren't fans but I'm a Taberner supporter. From an outsiders p.o.v. he seems to be a scapegoat at selection when things are going bad. Give him a good crack at CHF because he can be that taller connecting forward between defence and attack.

• Brayshaw steps straight into the 22 I think as you would expect from a number 2 pick. Think he'll adjust to the next level smoothly.

• Tucker or Langdon is hard to split. Different players but with a fitter Bennell I think he would bypass Langdon in that HF role. I'm a fan of Tucker's as well, have been since watching bits and pieces of his draft year.

• Matera is a guy who I'd make earn his spot BUT if Walters spends more time through the midfield he could get a look in, will keep Ballantyne on his toes at selection as well.

really good effort always great to get an opinion from the outside. the one thing i would change is swapping sheridan with Hughes who is more of a natural defender and was in good for at the end of last year.
I think the trial of sheriden as a defender will be over and be looking at playing a roll as a tagger or forward where he looks more capable.... oh and Peel

 

[IAMJUNGLEMUFFIN]

I disagree that Johnson should be gone altogether. However those saying he was moving and playing well early in the year should go take another look. He was quite terrible and didn’t start moving better until after round six. Take a look at the games and or autopsy threads on this site before you react.

Oh boy you're in for it now...

 

[Righteo]

Oh boy you're in for it now...

Posted a week ago and nobody has had any issue with it. It's because he posted his opinion rationally and without any hysterics

 

[IAMJUNGLEMUFFIN]

Posted a week ago and nobody has had any issue with it. It's because he posted his opinion rationally and without any hysterics

Ok sweetheart.

 

[getgaff]

I also get a little surprised that Kersten doesn't seem to be part of discussions, but he isn't in my 22 either.

Think Cox is deserving of first crack as that third tall fwd but Kersten will put a lot of pressure on him from underneath.

 

[Boppo]

Gee some exciting teams being touted here if they can all play to their best and get chosen as regulars. Imagine if Apness comes good as well..

 

[wayToGo_]

I think there's a bit to get excited about. When you consider SEN had this as our B22 just over a year ago:

B: Lee Spurr, Joel Hamling, Cam Sutcliffe
HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Michael Johnson, Tommy Sheridan
C: Bradley Hill, David Mundy, Stephen Hill
HF: Harley Bennell, Shane Kersten, Michael Walters
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Cam McCarthy, Hayden Crozier
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale
INT: Connor Blakely, Zac Dawson, Danyle Pearce, Lachie Weller

And now... that backline would only still contain Joel Hamling and Michael Johnson (for the moment). In the forward line, Crozier has been replaced by someone who can kick goals in Matera. Our other talls Cox, Dixon, Taberner and Apeness are all possibilities. And 3 of the 4 on the bench are no more, replaced by younger prospects with higher ceilings overall (eg Tucker, Brayshaw, Cerra, Langdon, Crowden, North). And the one still around from that bench had a breakout year and is looking great from both half back and in the middle. I think it's fair to say the direction is right and it's looking a lot better than it was only 14 months ago.

 

[DaveLister]

I think there's a bit to get excited about. When you consider SEN had this as our B22 just over a year ago:

B: Lee Spurr, Joel Hamling, Cam Sutcliffe
HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Michael Johnson, Tommy Sheridan
C: Bradley Hill, David Mundy, Stephen Hill
HF: Harley Bennell, Shane Kersten, Michael Walters
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Cam McCarthy, Hayden Crozier
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale
INT: Connor Blakely, Zac Dawson, Danyle Pearce, Lachie Weller

And now... that backline would only still contain Joel Hamling and Michael Johnson (for the moment). In the forward line, Crozier has been replaced by someone who can kick goals in Matera. Our other talls Cox, Dixon, Taberner and Apeness are all possibilities. And 3 of the 4 on the bench are no more, replaced by younger prospects with higher ceilings overall (eg Tucker, Brayshaw, Cerra, Langdon, Crowden, North). And the one still around from that bench had a breakout year and is looking great from both half back and in the middle. I think it's fair to say the direction is right and it's looking a lot better than it was only 14 months ago.

tbf they did a shit job last year

 

[wayToGo_]

tbf they did a shit job last year

SEN, our team or both?

 

[DaveLister]

SEN, our team or both?

Our team put some effort in

 

[yyou]

B Hughes Hamling Logue
HB Ryan A Pearce Wilson
C B Hill Blakely S Hill
HF Bennell Taberner Walters
F Matera Cox McCarthy
R Sandilands Fyfe Neale
IC Darcy Mundy Cerra Sutcliffe
E Tucker Langdon

 

[freoextra]

B Hughes Hamling Logue
HB Ryan A Pearce Wilson
C B Hill Blakely S Hill
HF Bennell Taberner Walters
F Matera Cox McCarthy
R Sandilands Fyfe Neale
IC Darcy Mundy Cerra Sutcliffe
E Tucker Langdon

Sutcliffe in the team ahead of Tucker and Brayshaw????