2018 Best 22

[wayToGo_]

A. Pearce in the ruck?

Basically two years out of the game with severe leg injuries.

Injury to said dodgy legs -----> baby pacifier will be hurled from infant perambulator with great force.

Did you read the conversation? It wasn't to play in the ruck unless one or both our playing ruck options (the ruck and the ruck/forward) get injured - ie ruck emergency insurance. Also, he's over his injuries - I remember an article a long while back where he said the chance of re-injury is miniscule.

 

[theGav56]

Yeah I'm a massive fan of MJ - think he's been one of the most important players on our list over the past decade. But ever since I went to my first training session this pre-season and saw him moving I've been thinking his time is almost up unfortunately. And every time I've seen him since, that perception has only solidified. Just doesn't appear to have the run in the legs anymore. We'll certainly miss his footy brain in the back half but Pearce and Hamling are our future and Logue and Hughes need to learn to play alongside them and our half backs. Like most of our veterans I'm sure he is very aware of his role in the transition and whether he plays or doesn't I'm sure he'll continue providing plenty of guidance to a number of our younger players.

I think his disposal has fallen away too, and with Wilson and Ryan the need for it has been superseded to some extent.

 

[youmewe]

Did you read the conversation? It wasn't to play in the ruck unless one or both our playing ruck options (the ruck and the ruck/forward) get injured - ie ruck emergency insurance. Also, he's over his injuries - I remember an article a long while back where he said the chance of re-injury is miniscule.

I did.

The thought of putting that young kid anywhere near the ruck at any time worries me greatly. Just because he's tall doesn't make him a ruck alternative. I remember him going head-to-head with Sandi in a pre-game ruck drill before the GC game nearly two years ago...had no idea. Sandi could have killed him. Literally.

Over his injuries? When he plays 20 games in a row I'll believe it. I want to believe.

 

[theGav56]

The issue for me is that I think A Pearce is structurally important, whereas Taberner is a lot more mobile in his position. And I also think it is easier to slide the ruck forward where he doesn't have to do much to draw attention, than it is to roll him back, where you need a different discipline.

Sandilands forward is a bit scary for the opposition : Sandilands back is scary for us.

 

[wayToGo_]

I did.

The thought of putting that young kid anywhere near the ruck at any time worries me greatly. Just because he's tall doesn't make him a ruck alternative. I remember him going head-to-head with Sandi in a pre-game ruck drill before the GC game nearly two years ago...had no idea. Sandi could have killed him. Literally.

Over his injuries? When he plays 20 games in a row I'll believe it. I want to believe.

Anyway it's a moot point. When was the last time we had to utilise a 3rd ruck in a game? We have other options (apart from Alex) if things become that dire - we don't need to deliberately bring in a person just to be insurance that'll never get used in a season. Sandi would kill most 3rd rucks for any club

 

[Kunna17]

The way the games going, it doesn't really seem like we need a 3rd ruck just in case. Bachar Houli rucked ... I think Blakely/Fyfe/Mundy/Logue/Hughes could all play a similar sort of roll where they simply compete, and play as an extra midfielder.

 

[yakamoto]

I see Kirsten as our 4th ruckman. After all he’s done a lot of running in the pre season. Must have been some reason for that.

 

[theGav56]

I see Kirsten as our 4th ruckman. After all he’s done a lot of running in the pre season. Must have been some reason for that.

4th ruckman.... can't see that happening.

The club is clearly looking to a future where we are playing two of Darcy, Meek, Jones, Strnadica or Apeness imo. They all at least have some level of credentials in the forward department too. At least that is the signals coming from our drafting.

 

[youmewe]

I see Kirsten as our 4th ruckman. After all he’s done a lot of running in the pre season. Must have been some reason for that.

 

[yakamoto]

OK! Forget the 4th. How about 5th for Kersten then?

 

[DaveLister]

is Ballas our 22nd ruckman? Must be why he guaranteed to play round one

 

[freoextra]

It isn't meant to be a round 1 team. Logue is our best player for the position he plays. There is nothing to say Cerra is, apart from his draft position, but so far he has zero runs on the board, Logue has a few games under his belt, an extra pre-season, and isn't competing with more established midfielders for a spot.

It is obviously quite a big deal for you that I don't have him in my best 22. If Logue is ready for round 1, he is a definite starter for me, Cerra wouldn't be. Brayshaw and Banfield have forced their way in with persuasive pre-seasons. Cerra is a little behind that having come off injuries, but he'll put his case soon enough. But there's no hurry. I think our best 22 is fluid at this point in time.

I was quite impressed with Cerra in the second half, took time to get going but looked very comfortable playing in the midfield and had some good footy smarts. Brayshaw and Cerra playing in the second half with Darcy in the ruck was the highlight of the scratch match for me, l like them equally as much.

But yes absolutely Cerra is coming from a long way back to catch Brayshaw and now Banfield, reckon he will do it but probably not round one.

 

[mopsy]

Sorry again guys for butting in. Have seen lots of sides with Blakeley at H/B and i just dont get it.He is a mid and a damn good one at that. big bodied inside ball winner who just goes and gets it.
Hughes and Ryan look great and with Wilson they provide everything thats needed to play in defense. It is like robbing peter to pay paul when there is no need for it. Personally id have only two of your mids in front of Connor atm thats how highly i rate him.Thats not to say a few may not go past him but midfield grunt is everything in todays game.It rarely matters which team it is, if you cant get your hands on it at the coal face you usually lose.

 

[wayToGo_]

Sorry again guys for butting in. Have seen lots of sides with Blakeley at H/B and i just dont get it.He is a mid and a damn good one at that. big bodied inside ball winner who just goes and gets it.
Hughes and Ryan look great and with Wilson they provide everything thats needed to play in defense. It is like robbing peter to pay paul when there is no need for it. Personally id have only two of your mids in front of Connor atm thats how highly i rate him.Thats not to say a few may not go past him but midfield grunt is everything in todays game.It rarely matters which team it is, if you cant get your hands on it at the coal face you usually lose.

We are looking for all our mids to be versatile - it's just part of his development. We tried Blakely at half forward and it didn't really suit him (not alone in that regard), then he moved back to half back and had some really impressive performances last year. Having a contested ball winner who can beat most to the ball on the ground, and then manoeuvre out of congestion can be a big asset in a back line - especially when he can feed it out to someone like Wilson in space now. He'll rotate between mid and half back whereas most of our other mids will rotate into the forward line (Fyfe, Mundy, Walters and Neale). Once Hughes is fully fit I'm assuming that will release Blakely to play mid more - in the meantime he's been spending almost all his time down back. Not a bad thing as we need to get midfield minutes into our young guys like Brayshaw. We already know how good Blakely can be on ball.

 

[theGav56]

Sorry again guys for butting in. Have seen lots of sides with Blakeley at H/B and i just dont get it.He is a mid and a damn good one at that. big bodied inside ball winner who just goes and gets it.
Hughes and Ryan look great and with Wilson they provide everything thats needed to play in defense. It is like robbing peter to pay paul when there is no need for it. Personally id have only two of your mids in front of Connor atm thats how highly i rate him.Thats not to say a few may not go past him but midfield grunt is everything in todays game.It rarely matters which team it is, if you cant get your hands on it at the coal face you usually lose.

Skip forward a couple of seasons and our midfield comprises Fyfe, Neale, Brayshaw, Cerra, SHill and BHill as virtual locks, and possibly Walters too. Blakely is in the group of players who could potentially push in there, but the question becomes "Is that where we get the best value from him?". That is a pretty large group of players now. Banfield, Crowden, Langdon and Tucker are all talked about as legitimate contenders. Carter coming in next year may give an opportunity for someone like Hughes or Ryan to slide midfield.

I get the same answer as you do, and would groom him to be a battering ram in the middle, but starting in the back half is also very productive. He is a ball winner, and that's a great place to win it. He will be a better midfielder for having spent time there.

I think his destiny is as an inside mid who rolls into defense. I'd get that happening this season and use it to free up Fyfe and Mundy to play more forward.

 

[elsleevador]

We are looking for all our mids to be versatile - it's just part of his development. We tried Blakely at half forward and it didn't really suit him (not alone in that regard), then he moved back to half back and had some really impressive performances last year. Having a contested ball winner who can beat most to the ball on the ground, and then manoeuvre out of congestion can be a big asset in a back line - especially when he can feed it out to someone like Wilson in space now. He'll rotate between mid and half back whereas most of our other mids will rotate into the forward line (Fyfe, Mundy, Walters and Neale). Once Hughes is fully fit I'm assuming that will release Blakely to play mid more - in the meantime he's been spending almost all his time down back. Not a bad thing as we need to get midfield minutes into our young guys like Brayshaw. We already know how good Blakely can be on ball.

Well said!
I also agree with a few posters that Hughes’ bigger body, athleticism and toughness could contribute to him heading into the guts as well.
At this juncture, his lack of footy smarts means the backline (straight line running) is a better suit.
We could throw him in as a tagger for his apprenticeship swapping with Blakely in a back pocket.

 

[Unique Name]

Logue - Hamling - Hughes
Wilson - A Pearce - Ryan
S Hill - Blakely - B Hill
Walters - Fyfe - Bennell
Matera - Tabs - McCarthy

Sandi - Neale - Mundy

Tucker - Brayshaw - Banfield - Langdon

- Fyfe and Mundy about 50/50 forward and midfield.
- That forward line looks dangerous AF.
- Langdon I'm unsure on but i like us having a few genuinely fast players.
- Cox instead of Langdon if we want some extra height.

 

[_007_]

Logue - Hamling - Hughes
Wilson - A Pearce - Ryan
S Hill - Blakely - B Hill
Walters - Fyfe - Bennell
Matera - Tabs - McCarthy

Sandi - Neale - Mundy

Tucker - Brayshaw - Banfield - Langdon

- Fyfe and Mundy about 50/50 forward and midfield.
- That forward line looks dangerous AF.
- Langdon I'm unsure on but i like us having a few genuinely fast players.
- Cox instead of Langdon if we want some extra height.

I have basically the same side on the back of a napkin somewhere. Interested to know your thoughts on Cox vs McCarthy as opposed to Langdon.

 

[Unique Name]

I have basically the same side on the back of a napkin somewhere. Interested to know your thoughts on Cox vs McCarthy as opposed to Langdon.

All off-season Cox was in my best 22. Tabs and Cox the two talls and McCarthy as the 3rd tall. His stinker against Adelaide soured me a little though.

That and I thought the Fyfe/Tabs combo worked really well in that same game. Always having one of them in the F50 as a marking target. I imagine it won't take long before Cox is pressing for a B22 spot again. I stilll think he will be apart of our future forward line. He could quite easily take McCarthy's spot as the 3rd tall if Cam struggles. McCarthy can't afford many stinkers, I don't think he will get the free pass that he (and Kersten) had for most of last year.

Langdon I'm really undecided upon. Sometimes our midfield looks so stale and slow coming out of the backline. While Langdon's kicking is an issue his speed will really help stretch the opposition on the big new ground. Happy to give him a chance, if his disposal doesn't improve then let's give Crowden a chance.

 

[dockerfemme]

All off-season Cox was in my best 22. Tabs and Cox the two talls and McCarthy as the 3rd tall. His stinker against Adelaide soured me a little though.

That and I thought the Fyfe/Tabs combo worked really well in that same game. Always having one of them in the F50 as a marking target. I imagine it won't take long before Cox is pressing for a B22 spot again. I stilll think he will be apart of our future forward line. He could quite easily take McCarthy's spot as the 3rd tall if Cam struggles. McCarthy can't afford many stinkers, I don't think he will get the free pass that he (and Kersten) had for most of last year.

Langdon I'm really undecided upon. Sometimes our midfield looks so stale and slow coming out of the backline. While Langdon's kicking is an issue his speed will really help stretch the opposition on the big new ground. Happy to give him a chance, if his disposal doesn't improve then let's give Crowden a chance.

I have been thru the same thoughts as you on Cox.

I feel Langdon does a good job of linking up play, but the kicking needs to improve.

 

[theGav56]

Logue - Hamling - Hughes
Wilson - A Pearce - Ryan
S Hill - Blakely - B Hill
Walters - Fyfe - Bennell
Matera - Tabs - McCarthy

Sandi - Neale - Mundy

Tucker - Brayshaw - Banfield - Langdon

- Fyfe and Mundy about 50/50 forward and midfield.
- That forward line looks dangerous AF.
- Langdon I'm unsure on but i like us having a few genuinely fast players.
- Cox instead of Langdon if we want some extra height.

I like this line up. Just a couple of comments;

• Really we need Dixon/Apeness to come on really quickly. Fyfe/Mundy as CHF is a better "shock" tactic than a structural solution.
• I am a big fan of Blakely spending his time more midfield. In your set up we have big midfielder bodies available all over the place.
• That bench looks weak with Tucker and Langdon needing to really step up this season. By seasons end that bench could easily replace them with Cerra and Crowden.
• That side would be better if we did have a genuine "swingman" and Cox is our obvious candidate. But gee he looked slow.

 

[Clems Knee]

Logue - Hamling - Hughes
Wilson - A Pearce - Ryan
S Hill - Blakely - B Hill
Walters - Fyfe - Bennell
Matera - Tabs - McCarthy

Sandi - Neale - Mundy

Tucker - Brayshaw - Banfield - Langdon

- Fyfe and Mundy about 50/50 forward and midfield.
- That forward line looks dangerous AF.
- Langdon I'm unsure on but i like us having a few genuinely fast players.
- Cox instead of Langdon if we want some extra height.

We’ll find out this weekend if Logue and/or Hughes get up.
If not, there’s still a place for Johnson, and maybe even Spurr. I hope Logue and Hughes play.

If S.Hill doesn’t come in, then Langdon or Tucker takes his place on a wing? Langdon has kicked poorly early in both games, but has improved over the course of the game.

I also think Kersten will be an early starter, based on his preseason games.
For now, he takes the place you’ve kept for Bennell.

 

[Unique Name]

I like this line up. Just a couple of comments;

• Really we need Dixon/Apeness to come on really quickly. Fyfe/Mundy as CHF is a better "shock" tactic than a structural solution.
• I am a big fan of Blakely spending his time more midfield. In your set up we have big midfielder bodies available all over the place.
• That bench looks weak with Tucker and Langdon needing to really step up this season. By seasons end that bench could easily replace them with Cerra and Crowden.
• That side would be better if we did have a genuine "swingman" and Cox is our obvious candidate. But gee he looked slow.

I'm hoping Cox just wasn't mentally switched on and ready to crack in. The coaches appear to have called him on it straight away by not playing him in the scratch match with WC which is a good thing.

I'm still keen on Tucker. He just needs to try and make a position his own. At the moment it's easy to put him on the bench because he's just a utility. I'd have him ahead of Langdon who I think is probably the weakest link. Both will be under pressure to perform early or the likes of Cerra/Crowden/North will be ready to take their spot.

Fyfe is good enough to play fulltime at CHF. But the shock tactic of him and Mundy rotating probably causes more headaches for the opposition backline so I do agree with your comment.

I feel like Cox would probably be our best option at CHF. Has the marking prowess and the footy smarts/skills to deliver well inside 50. Tabs/Ape more suited to FF in my opinion. Both good marks and Tabs is a very good shot on goal. Neither are super creative though with ball in hand and I wouldn't say kicking inside 50 to advantage would be a strength of theirs.

 

[Unique Name]

We’ll find out this weekend if Logue and/or Hughes get up.
If not, there’s still a place for Johnson, and maybe even Spurr. I hope Logue and Hughes play.

If S.Hill doesn’t come in, then Langdon or Tucker takes his place on a wing? Langdon has kicked poorly early in both games, but has improved over the course of the game.

I also think Kersten will be an early starter, based on his preseason games.
For now, he takes the place you’ve kept for Bennell.

Yeah that side was more a 'hope' than a what I think for Rnd 1.

Agreed on Johnson, likely to take one of Logue or Hughes' spots.

I would hope they give Tucker a chance to take SHilly's spot on the wing. Has good speed and acceleration and a decent skillset to boot. I imagine all of Tucker/Langdon/B Hill will play as the outside mids.

Not really expecting Bennell to lineup. I feel like this will be our Rnd 1 forward line with Fyfe and Mundy rotating forward.

Walters - Fyfe/Mundy - McCarthy
Matera - Taberner - Ballas
+ Banfield

I would be very happy to switch Ballas and Bennell but we'll have to wait and see.

I think Kersten should be playing for Peel first up. Feel like he needs to gain his spot in the B22 back. If he's playing JLT2 though he'll probably be lining up come Rnd 1.

 

[dominguez]

Sorry again guys for butting in. Have seen lots of sides with Blakeley at H/B and i just dont get it.He is a mid and a damn good one at that. big bodied inside ball winner who just goes and gets it.
Hughes and Ryan look great and with Wilson they provide everything thats needed to play in defense. It is like robbing peter to pay paul when there is no need for it. Personally id have only two of your mids in front of Connor atm thats how highly i rate him.Thats not to say a few may not go past him but midfield grunt is everything in todays game.It rarely matters which team it is, if you cant get your hands on it at the coal face you usually lose.

I agree with you but everything we've seen this pre-season suggests he'll be at half back round one.

Where he plays most of the year may depend on results. If after 7 rounds we're 4-3 Blakely will probably get more midfield minutes as we push for finals. But if we start 2-5 we'll probably take the opportunity to get midfield minutes into Brayshaw and/or Cerra.