2021 best 22 (and sub)

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Gardiner Payne Coleman
Rich Andrews Starc
Cockatoo Treloar Luggs
Zorks Danaher Bailey
Rayner Hippy Cameron

BigO Lyons Neale

JBerry Narkle Answerth Fullarton

Emg McCarthy Ah Chee McStay Lester T Berry CEY Hinge

Where there is smoke...........

Need more runners so this team is more suitable hopefully.
 
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Haven't worked out a full team yet, but one thing that has been clear from our bad games this year is we looked slow. These days you can't have all of Lester, Rich, Brichall, Lyons, CEY in the team together despite what else they can offer.
 
Gee it's hard to throw names down on paper after a Preliminary loss.

Gardiner Andrews Rich
Answerth Adams Starcevich

Cockatoo Lyons McCluggage

Cameron Hipwood Payne
Zorko Daniher McCarthy

Big O Neale Rayner

McStay Bailey Ah Chee J Berry

McStay and Payne moulded into a utility key position/ruck. Robbo and Stef - where are they at. Have they got another seasons in them?

Ely, wake up man. We need you!
 
Answerth - Payne - Gardiner
Rich - Harris - Witho
Starc - Lyons - Luggage
O - Neale - Berry
Zorko - Hippy - Bailey
Coleman - Daniher - Cameron
Mcstay - Dev - Rayner - Mcarthy (Ah Chee)

Probably missing a few but I’d go with this. Big year to see if the younger guys can continue to develop
 
We've turned the corner, if we are going to err, we need to err on the side of youth. Witherden, Payne and Coleman.
Yes been saying all year blood the occasional young guy based on good training/preseason etc. NOT GIFT GAMES.
Hodge seemed to indicate that Birch has a contract and will go around again next year. Do we want to risk loosing Answerth or Witho (even though both contracted) to play Birchall. I have been against him almost all year and last night he did not get the easy non contested possessions that he has been racking up.
Stef goes, big presason for Fullerton and Ballendeen and give one of them a chance early in the year.
How Adams (with his very average form and continual injuries) could even be considered over Payne makes no sense. If that happened in 2021 you would reckon Payne would want out (even though he is a QLD'er)
Coleman, get games into him, has shown more than enough, and I want to see Ely and a couple of others given a chance.
Coleman and Payne only got their chances because of suspension or injuries, I am sure there are other young blokes ready to 'learn', just need exposure.
Had a look at the replay and the centre clearances and the ruck work at the stoppages was at times very ordinary.
We need a key forward (looks like it is done) and a big bodied mature mid with some speed.
 
Adams over Payne seems like a fantasy at this point, particularly after Paybe just played the game of his career predominantly manning a smaller opponent.

Adams should be fit round one. I'd probably opt for him over Payne too due to his maturity. Would be an absolute luxury if both were fit and firing together.
 
I'll have a crack

B: Gardiner Andrews Rich
HB: Neale Payne Starcevich
C: McCluggage Lyons Neale
HF: Neale Hipwood Rayner
FF: Cameron Daniher Coleman
Ruck: McInerney Zorko Neale
Bench: Berry, McCarthy, Bailey, Lester
Cloning Neale? 😂
 
Cloning Neale? 😂

I feel like he dropped the ball there a bit...

B: Andrews Andrews Rich
HB: Bailey Andrews Starcevich
C: Neale Neale Neale
HF: McStay Hipwood Rayner
FF: Cameron Daniher Cameron
Ruck: McInerney Neale Neale
Bench: Cameron, Neale, Gardiner, McCluggage
 
For me from the Prelim to round 1 2021 >

Outs- Stef Martin, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Grant Birchall, Mitch Robinson.

Ins- Joe Daniher, Darcy Gardiner, Keidean Coleman, Deven Robertson/traded in A grade mid.

Daniel Rich, Jack Payne, Darcy Gardiner.
Brandon Starcevich, Harris Andrews, Callum Ah Chee.

Oscar McInerney, Jarrod Berry, Lachie Neale.
Jarryd Lyons, Hugh McCluggage, Zac Bailey.

Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Cam Rayner.
Linc McCarthy, Joe Daniher, Keidean Coleman.

Dayne Zorko, Ryan Lester, Daniel McStay, Deven Robertson/traded A grade mid.

CEY not up to it. Stef cooked. Move on from Birchall. Mitch has been fantastic but I think we have better options now.

Feels like we desperately need another A grade mid traded in to match it with the absolute top sides in big sudden death finals.

Rayner to play a bit more time on ball, Fullarton to put pressure on McStay, Answerth to fight for a back 6 spot, Bailey/McCluggage/Starcvich on the wings, Zorko to spend more time forward.
Pretty good side overall. Agree with outs but question marks against Witherden and McStay. McStay is a passenger and is not doing anything near enough for his size. Fullarton to me will give us more given time. Down to McCarthy, is ok but there is better.Half forward line is inconsistent and need to address it. Need a better 2nd Ruck, A Grade Mid for starters. Answerth is good value with pace and grunt who could be used as a nippy forward along with Berry Jnr. Zorko has dropped off in form this season and is lacking that inspirational Captain Leadership during a game when it counts.
 
Also need to consider Adams and Cockatoo along with reserve players who may push for selction.
 

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I'm not considering Cockatoo because he just can't get on the field and for same reason I'm not selecting Adams. That said I'm putting Daniher in :)

B: Gardiner Andrews Answerth

HB: Starcevich Payne Rich

C: Bailey Berry McCluggage

HF: Zorko Hipwood Rayner

FF: Cameron Daniher McCarthy

R : Oscar Lyons Neale

I: Lester - Ah Chee - Coleman/Robertson - Fullarton.

E: McStay - Witherden - Coleman/Robertson

I think its time to move on from Stef (been a great servant in tough times) Robbo (love him to death) and Birchall. Need to get younger fitter bodies into 22. If we get Daniher I think McStay is in big trouble - either is back up or plays down back. I would like to see Fullarton get a crack at it - as back ruck to Oscar and third tall see what he can bring.

Time to play Berry in the centre now with the odd burst from Zorks and Rayner in there.
 
Some positives; games played

Ah Chee - 63
McCluggage - 82
JBerry - 74
Rayner - 63
Hipwood - 94
Andrews - 113
Bailey - 46
Starcevich - 23
Answerth - 28
McInerney - 56

We're the only team this year where the average games played ranking for our 22 across the season was more than one rank more than average age ranking. I think we were 9th for experience and 11th age. We put games into inexperienced players earlier and we're starting to see the benefits.
 
Some positives; games played

Ah Chee - 63
McCluggage - 82
JBerry - 74
Rayner - 63
Hipwood - 94
Andrews - 113
Bailey - 46
Starcevich - 23
Answerth - 28
McInerney - 56


Play finals next year and you would think thats an extra 20 games or close to it for the likes of Starcevich and Answerth. Payne maybe 25 games going to finals next year.
 
Defence:
RichAndrewsGardiner
Ah CheePayne / AdamsStarcevich

Mids

McCluggageRaynerBailey
McInerneyNealeLyons

Forwards

McCarthyHipwoodZorko
CameronDaniherColeman

Bench
J. BerryAnswerthFullarton / McStayDev Robertson / Traded Mid

Depth Players

Witherden, Lester, Brock Smith, T. Berry, Mathieson.

As much a fan of McStay I am and what he brings to the team, next year might be a huge preseason for him when the Daniher trade gets done. Fullarton looked very athletic (by far the best out of himself, Skinner and Ballenden coming in as a tall) when he came in to the team this year, keep in mind Fullarton has a lot more improvement in him. Another preseason into Rayner hopefully will see him spend more time in the middle and end up being the big bodied explosive midfielder we need. Payne and Adams to fight it out to play along side Andrews in defence freeing up Gardiner to play on players he might actually be the same size as.

Bring on trade period and 2021 preseason
 
Reckon they’ll be 2-3 that come on over the preseason and surprise. Last year it was Answerth and Big O. This year Coleman, Lester, and Payne. They’ll also be 1-2 trades that make our best side. Hoping blokes like T. Berry, Dev, Brock Smith, Fullarton come on because they all offer something we need.

Also time to lose Martin, Robbo, and Birchall from the 22 if they stay on the list. I’m not a huge Ah Chee or CEY fan either.
 
Prelim to 2021:

Outs- Stef Martin, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Grant Birchall, Mitch Robinson, Daniel McStay, Ryan Lester

Ins- Joe Daniher, Darcy Gardiner, Deven Robertson, Alex Witherden, Marcus Adams, Nakia Cockatoo.


Backs: Gardiner - Payne -Witherden

Half Backs: Starcevich - Andrews - Rich

Centres: Bailey - Berry - McCluggage

Half Forwards: Zorko - Hipwood - Rayner

Full forwards: Cameron - Daniher - McCarthy

Rucks: McInerney - Lyons - Neale

Interchange: Cockatoo - Ah Chee - Robertson - Adams

Emergencies: McStay - Coleman - Answerth - Fullarton - Lester

- Witherden inclusion based on his ability to find the footy 15-25 times a game and disposal. Yes, he turned it over a few times this year, but he takes more risks using the corridor, which we didn’t show in the Prelim. Will need to play with a real hardness, and tighten up on disposal efficiency to retain his position.

- Adams: as shown in the WAFL prior to being drafted can play forward as well. Swing man who can provide key backs with a rest. As strong as an Ox, something Fagan values highly.

- Robertson: Lions beaten badly in centre clearances against the cats. Robertson a clearance specialist who will only get better.

- Answerth: apologies. You were very good this year, and almost a flip of the coin between you and Cockatoo for a position in my 22.

- McStay: would like to see you trialled down back, but have selected 3 tall backs in starting 18 ahead of you.
 
Adams should be fit round one. I'd probably opt for him over Payne too due to his maturity. Would be an absolute luxury if both were fit and firing together.

Maturity over talent in round 1? Right now, we are about finding the best finals team, and I will back Jack, with another 20 games under his belt, over Adams any day.

And any team without Fullarton is ignoring the same principal.
 
Some positives; games played

Ah Chee - 63
McCluggage - 82
JBerry - 74
Rayner - 63

Hipwood - 94
Andrews - 113
Bailey - 46
Starcevich - 23

Answerth - 28
McInerney - 56
I might be being a tad harsh but the names that I bolded need to understand that it is the likes of them that will take us to the next level. It’s all well and good to talk about trading in players to improve your team but there has to be the natural growth within your list.

I am an unabashed fan of J.Berry and McCluggage but they need to have a massive pre-season and hitch their wagon with Neale. We lost the game in the middle and it’s there we need to improve.

Tad harsh on AhChee, Starcevich and Bailey but again it just comes back to improvement within your list. Bailey needs to lock down a position for his own development and I think he needs to play more midfield minutes. Starcevich needs another big pre-season, I honestly believe that kid is an AA in waiting. Ah Chee would be more settled with our game style and knowing the way certain players play so hopefully being more comfortable will help.

Rayner will not be a mid so find it curious to expect him to be one. He does need to be able to continue to build his ‘engine’ to impact on games more. I have seen moments in games where he feels more comfortable and think he will continue this next year.

Big O got pantsed on Saturday night but reflecting back over the season he cannot be faulted but there is a competition premium ruckman within him.

Dev needs some opportunity, Kiddy again and I would like to see Payne given the mantle instead of Adams. Payne now needs to be backed in and he will not only be better for it but so will our back six. Good to Great backline are imperative to win it all and I think we’re not quite there but close.
 
I think to improve as a side next year, we need players over taking Robinson, Birchall and Martin from the best 22. Making the assumption that we bring in Daniher and possibly Cockatoo, these are my thoughts (mix of what I think will happen and what I would like to see happen).

FB: Gardiner - Payne - Ah Chee
HB: Rich - Andrews - Starcevich

I think our best line-up is Payne or Adams and Andrews taking the two key forwards with Gardiner as the third defender rotating between resting ruckman/midfielders. I've gone for Payne, but realistically I think Adams will get the first shot. Rich is obviously a lock, and my hope is for Starcevich to expand his offensive game to provide another different attacking option. I've got Ah Chee as our lock down small defender, though it could easily be Answerth. The 7th position is tricky, and there's a few different type of players that could come in. I think right now that spot is Birchall or Lester's and it's on Answerth/Ah Chee/Witherden to push past him. All four are very different types of players, I think it'll come down to form and what role we've got planned for Starcevich.

C: McCluggage - Berry - Bailey
R: McInerney - Neale - Lyons

Robbo has been fantastic for us, but he's struggled this year. It's harder to forgive throwing the ball blindly on the boot when his overall impact is down. I'm not sure if Bailey has the tank for it, but if he does I can see him filling the wing opposite McCluggage, with Starcevich another option potentially. Berry needs a big off-season, but I think he'll take more of Zorko's midfield time next year. Still have question marks around whether we have the consistent ball winners that you need to continually contend.

HF: Rayner - Hipwood - Zorko
FF: Cameron - Daniher - McCarthy

I think Zorko will play less midfield time next year, and assume the HF/midield role that Berry has been playing this year. Daniher gives our forward line a different look and straightens us up considerably. Hopefully we now have Daniher under the high ball with Cameron at his feet as opposed to Cameron trying to do everything himself. It would be good to see Rayner get some more midfield time because I think we need a different look in there at times, and he has that potential.

INT: Lester - Robertson - McStay - Cockatoo

Like mentioned above, I have Lester as our 7th defender, but with Ah Chee and Witherden also competing for that spot. Playing Daniher as the second ruck gives us the flexibility of playing an extra versatile key position player, and it sounds like McStay will get first crack at it. The one I can see pushing for this spot is Fullarton at some point.

I think we need another contested ball winning midfielfer, and I might be wrong, but I don't think Berry is necessarily that player. I think Berry's best position might be as a first receiver from the players at the bottom of the pack. We evidently rate Robertson quite highly given what we gave up to get him, and I can see him being that type of contested ball player (from admittedly limited viewing) with his quick hands in the contest and ability to read the play. There's a few others like Smith and Joyce who could push hard with a good pre-season.

I think for the last spot we need someone that can play predominantly on the wing and half forward, but also be dynamic when played in the midfield. It seems like Cockatoo is a player that fits that description, and we tend to back players in that we bring in from other clubs. On paper he seems to have the potential to fill this role, but consistency and keeping fit will be the key. Other contenders for this position could be Coleman (especially if Rayner can take the next step and spend more time in the midfield), Hinge (if we're after more of a defensive option on the wing) or Berry jnr.

FB: Gardiner - Payne - Ah Chee
HB: Rich - Andrews - Starcevich
C: McCluggage - Berry - Bailey
R: McInerney - Neale - Lyons
HF: Rayner - Hipwood - Zorko
FF: Cameron - Daniher - McCarthy
INT: Lester - Robertson - McStay - Cockatoo

So from tonight's side:
IN: Gardiner, Daniher, Cockatoo
OUT: Birchall, Martin, Ellis-Yolmen
I like it a lot! I could also see Answerth taking Lester’s spot as more of a lockdown defender!
 
I might be being a tad harsh but the names that I bolded need to understand that it is the likes of them that will take us to the next level. It’s all well and good to talk about trading in players to improve your team but there has to be the natural growth within your list.

I am an unabashed fan of J.Berry and McCluggage but they need to have a massive pre-season and hitch their wagon with Neale. We lost the game in the middle and it’s there we need to improve.

Tad harsh on AhChee, Starcevich and Bailey but again it just comes back to improvement within your list. Bailey needs to lock down a position for his own development and I think he needs to play more midfield minutes. Starcevich needs another big pre-season, I honestly believe that kid is an AA in waiting. Ah Chee would be more settled with our game style and knowing the way certain players play so hopefully being more comfortable will help.

Rayner will not be a mid so find it curious to expect him to be one. He does need to be able to continue to build his ‘engine’ to impact on games more. I have seen moments in games where he feels more comfortable and think he will continue this next year.

Big O got pantsed on Saturday night but reflecting back over the season he cannot be faulted but there is a competition premium ruckman within him.

Dev needs some opportunity, Kiddy again and I would like to see Payne given the mantle instead of Adams. Payne now needs to be backed in and he will not only be better for it but so will our back six. Good to Great backline are imperative to win it all and I think we’re not quite there but close.
I seldom agree with absolutely everything in a long post, even if I give it a “like”. However I can not find one thing in this post that I disagree with. Improvement must come primarily from the players who have shown potential, but haven’t fully realised it. I too have the feeling Strace will be AA at some point in his career. despite his below par performance on Saturday night.
 

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