2018 Best 22

[theGav56]

You think Brayshaw or Cerra would be a played in the pocket? I see them rotating through the midfield and half-forward/half-back.

I think for all three of those players rolling through mid/forward is likely. And I have no reason to prefer Crowden in a pocket over any of them. If he shows something, no problem. But Walters, Ballantyne, Matera and Grey are my preferred, and I don't see Grey as best 22. Langdon in the pocket is also an option After that I would notionally prefer Brayshaw, perhaps rolling with Walters, but it would depend who was injured.

 

[Righteo]

Brayshaw may be first to debut but it wouldn't surprise me if Crowden turned out to be the better player.

I think a handful of training sessions in their first pre-season might be a touch early to be making a call on either way Let's not forget that Suban looked like a superstar in training too, never quite translated over to actual games. fwiw I reckon all of Brayshaw/Cerra/Crowden will debut long before the bye and hopefully by the end of the year they'll be well established in the 22. Bennell's misdemeanour offers them opportunity to get a foothold in the side at HF and from there they can rotate through the middle with an increasing number of players

Will also be interesting to see how much pressure Switkowski can place on guys like Ballas/Matera/Grey/Langdon. A mature ager who seems like the type of player Lyon would favour, looms as a bit of a dark horse selection in my eyes. Meant to be an elite pressure fwd who is also a genuine goal threat so defs looking forward to him pushing for games too. We've done quite well in recent times with our mature-age state league selections and he could be another.

 

[Scham]

I think a handful of training sessions in their first pre-season might be a touch early to be making a call on either way Let's not forget that Suban looked like a superstar in training too, never quite translated over to actual games. fwiw I reckon all of Brayshaw/Cerra/Crowden will debut long before the bye and hopefully by the end of the year they'll be well established in the 22. Bennell's misdemeanour offers them opportunity to get a foothold in the side at HF and from there they can rotate through the middle with an increasing number of players

Will also be interesting to see how much pressure Switkowski can place on guys like Ballas/Matera/Grey/Langdon. A mature ager who seems like the type of player Lyon would favour, looms as a bit of a dark horse selection in my eyes. Meant to be an elite pressure fwd who is also a genuine goal threat so defs looking forward to him pushing for games too. We've done quite well in recent times with our mature-age state league selections and he could be another.

Good call re Swita. It's a shame his preseason has been interrupted. Anyone know what his issue is? Seems to be doing a stack of laps but no ball work.

 

[Joao]

Are you including the rucks in that 12? Bit of a stretch if not.

To be honest it was just a rough guess, lets have a look.

I guess it depends on who is playing but I think 10 would be the minimum and I am sure we would be aiming for more given the way the game is going. Based on last years squad:
Fyfe, Neale, Mundy, Blakely, Hill, Hill, Tucker, Walters, Ballas, Langdon, Sherro/Pearce, Sutty/Subes
They or something similar probably all played together at some stage. So I think you can make an argument for 12 pretty easy.

 

[Clems Knee]

Good call re Swita. It's a shame his preseason has been interrupted. Anyone know what his issue is? Seems to be doing a stack of laps but no ball work.

Last Friday he told the watchers that he had a hamstring injury, and would hopefully be back to full training within a week.

 

[Lach72]

The conundrum with Mitch Crowden is his height.
Mitch is a long kick too which supports him being further out from full forward line but too short as half forwards go.
I'm pretty sure he is our shortest player now but what difference does a centimetre or two make.
We don't start with a conventional forward structure anyway so I say list him in the pocket and let him run all around within 55 metres.
At the risk of sounding overly effusive, not only does he have great handball and kicking skills but he is quick too.
To top it all off, he was taking terrific marks in a match sim which was drawing applause..... I mean overhead onehanders.
Damn, I hope he gets the chances. He's a bloody energiser bunny.

He's short but has a great vertical leap

 

[Joao]

He's short but has a great vertical leap

Good hands too.

 

[sherrif]

Good call re Swita. It's a shame his preseason has been interrupted. Anyone know what his issue is? Seems to be doing a stack of laps but no ball work.

Sam's year was finished at VFL level last season with a very severe hamstring injury, hence running laps in a bid to strengthen the hamstring and avoid re-injury. He said he will be back in full training soon last Friday. Swita is definitely looking a bit stronger and fitter than his first pictures training just after the draft. His highlights and path to the AFL reminds me a bit of Dan Butler at Richmond who ended up being super important to a Premiership team. He could definitely be a major surprise this year.

 

[sherrif]

I think a handful of training sessions in their first pre-season might be a touch early to be making a call on either way Let's not forget that Suban looked like a superstar in training too, never quite translated over to actual games. fwiw I reckon all of Brayshaw/Cerra/Crowden will debut long before the bye and hopefully by the end of the year they'll be well established in the 22. Bennell's misdemeanour offers them opportunity to get a foothold in the side at HF and from there they can rotate through the middle with an increasing number of players

Will also be interesting to see how much pressure Switkowski can place on guys like Ballas/Matera/Grey/Langdon. A mature ager who seems like the type of player Lyon would favour, looms as a bit of a dark horse selection in my eyes. Meant to be an elite pressure fwd who is also a genuine goal threat so defs looking forward to him pushing for games too. We've done quite well in recent times with our mature-age state league selections and he could be another.

I agree with you regarding your comments on it being too soon to judge Crowden and your comments on Switowski being a potential surprise packet. The only thing Id add on Crowden is that he looks the most capable of the new draftees under 190cm of taking a tackle and not getting injured along with Banfield. Im just a bit concerned that both Bradshaw and Cerra might be a bit of a risk to get injured in a tackle or collision if thrown in the deepend at AFL level straight away without half a dozen or so games getting used to playing against men at WAFL level. I still remember a pencil thin Jack Martin suffering a terrible shoulder injury in his first game and I don't want that to happen to Cerra or Bradshaw. Personally think Crowden isn't competing against Brayshaw or Cerra, but rather Ballantyne/Grey/Swita/Langdon to play a forward pressure role in attack. He played that role against men in SA last year and in one game had ten tackles.

 

[sherrif]

Ill put Harley back in the 22. Good signs at least. Brady Grey is also shaping as our biggest surprise packet. Love his presaeson. With that in mind and Tabs not doing great in first intra game. Brayshaw is also definitely looking more ready for an early debut than I first thought. My rolling best 22.
B:Wilson Hamling Logue
HB: Blakely A.Pearce Ryan
C: S.hill Neale B.Hill
R: Sandy Walters Fyfe
HF: McCarthy Cox Bennell
FF:Matera Darcy Mundy

i/c Tucker, Brayshaw, , Hughes, Grey

Super close between Grey and Balla. Cox and Tabs. Kersten and McCarthy. Brayshaw and Langdon.

 

[exxcessivve]

I'd love to see Nyhuis get a few opportunities to emulate his debut performance and push into the best 22

 

[IAMJUNGLEMUFFIN]

Those that don’t have brayshaw in there 22 are kidding themselves. If he isn’t starting round one we may as well call us a poor club at rebuilding.

After seeing him for 20 minutes tonight you'd think he's good enough to get a game.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[SHill Shall]

After seeing him for 20 minutes tonight you'd think he's good enough to get a game.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

With bells on. And Sutcliffe and DP to shoulder the workload at Peel.

 

[MrDanggazz]

If everyone is available for selection, I think this is what the club will be going to pick at Round 1. It might not be the refreshing, new look we want to see but we need to see this first and I'm okay with that.

Ryan Hamling Spurr
Hughes Johnson Wilson

Hill Fyfe Hill

Blakely Sandilands Mundy

Kersten McCarthy Walters
Ballantyne Taberner Grey

I/C: Logue, Neale, Langdon and Tucker

No debutants, but the reality is it's a new year with new chances for everyone on our list. Make people fight for their spots and the fighters break their way into the B22. I think this will be one of the most competitive seasons for our players come selection time which is great.

-

Quick thoughts on the B22's progression throughout the season:

That B22 has a lot of danger spots on it - which means there will be a lot of opportunities for others to break in and claim them.

Cox / Darcy / APearce / Matera / Bennell / Ape will all have a shot and be back in by Round 6.
If Spurr is out of form or goes down Nyhuis goes straight in.

Before the bye we will definitely have 2 debutants in Brayshaw and Cerra. North would be the bonus.
Crowden, Duman, Dixon and Jones all to debut after the bye.

Probably should of waited until after JLT to do my updated version but I'm too bored and excited.

Neale on the interchange ? Lol what.

 

[bone2468]

Stephan Siro looks like an absolute gem from what i saw in game 1 against Geelong

 

[Joao]

Stephan Siro looks like an absolute gem from what i saw in game 1 against Geelong

Champion data ranked him around 40th overall of the draft class so not surprising he has some ability.

It will be interesting to see if his size is a problem in AFL proper. That X crap was way too uncontested to find that out.

He is a small fellow but clearly knows how to football.

 

[bone2468]

Champion data ranked him around 40th overall of the draft class so not surprising he has some ability.

It will be interesting to see if his size is a problem in AFL proper. That X crap was way too uncontested to find that out.

He is a small fellow but clearly knows how to football.

Reminds me of a little Lachie Neale V2 to be honest the way he runs around and kicks etc

 

[Joao]

Reminds me of a little Lachie Neale V2 to be honest the way he runs around and kicks etc

We should be so lucky. It was awesome enough getting 1x Lachie from a pick in the 50s. Imagine getting a second from a rookie...

Early days of course.

 

[bone2468]

We should be so lucky. It was awesome enough getting 1x Lachie from a pick in the 50s. Imagine getting a second from a rookie...

Early days of course.

did you watch the game against geelong? He has explosive pace and for his size hes not scared of a contest always going in head first to get the ball, the kid has guts and determination so hopefully he turns out good

 

[UYD 4 Life]

2nd crack at it.....

B:Wilson Hamling Logue
HB: Blakely A.Pearce Ryan
C: S.hill Neale B.Hill
R: Sandy Walters Fyfe
HF: McCarthy Cox Matera
FF: Ballas Mundy Grey

i/c Langdon, Brayshaw, , Hughes, Tucker

 

[Joao]

2nd crack at it.....

B:Wilson Hamling Logue
HB: Blakely A.Pearce Ryan
C: S.hill Neale B.Hill
R: Sandy Walters Fyfe
HF: McCarthy Cox Matera
FF: Ballas Mundy Grey

i/c Langdon, Brayshaw, , Hughes, Tucker

Think Grey is up against it with Ballas fit and Matera rocking up. He can't play Croz's role either so it limits his forward line options. Not saying he won't play games but I don't think he is B22.

 

[Galvo]

2nd crack at it.....

B:Wilson Hamling Logue
HB: Blakely A.Pearce Ryan
C: S.hill Neale B.Hill
R: Sandy Walters Fyfe
HF: McCarthy Cox Matera
FF: Ballas Mundy Grey

i/c Langdon, Brayshaw, , Hughes, Tucker

Looking at your team I'd Swap Darcy, Cerra and Bennell in for Ballas, Grey and Hughes. It bodes well for our depth when you think that Johnson, Kersten and Tabs haven't found a spot either

 

[Joao]

Looking at your team I'd Swap Darcy, Cerra and Bennell in for Ballas, Grey and Hughes. It bodes well for our depth when you think that Johnson, Kersten and Tabs haven't found a spot either

I reckon Hughes has to stay in. Think he is good for defensive balance.

Whilst I (and 99% of this board I am sure) want Darcy to play, he is not better than Sandi yet and I am fairly sure our B22 does not include two genuine rucks. He will get his position in 2019 I think.

 

[theGav56]

2nd crack at it.....

B:Wilson Hamling Logue
HB: Blakely A.Pearce Ryan
C: S.hill Neale B.Hill
R: Sandy Walters Fyfe
HF: McCarthy Cox Matera
FF: Ballas Mundy Grey

i/c Langdon, Brayshaw, , Hughes, Tucker

Mundy as our FF and Cox as our part-time ruck has me pretty uncomfortable. I would be trying for some other permutation, but it isn't easy.

B:Wilson Hamling Logue
HB: Hughes, A.Pearce Ryan
C: S. Hill Neale B.Hill
R: Sandilands Blakely Fyfe
HF: McCarthy Cox Matera
FF: Ballas Taberner Walters

i/c Langdon, Brayshaw, Mundy , Tucker

 

[UYD 4 Life]

Think Grey is up against it with Ballas fit and Matera rocking up. He can't play Croz's role either so it limits his forward line options. Not saying he won't play games but I don't think he is B22.

Yeh didn't have grey in my first side i just thinks he brings a bit of a hard edge which we lack a little