Opinion 2024 and Beyond

[caesar88]

Not sure what you are saying. Are you saying those players werent all really good?

Put Vlaustin and Bews across half back for us and it is over. We win the flag. Home for dinner.

I'm saying they're really good, but they weren't what I'd describe as aggressive types like Maynard.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I think it will be from existing mids. We have never had so many mids in the last 7 years.
McInerney-> Blakey
Mills-> Rampe
Florent-> Lloyd
Co Warner-> Cunningham
Roberts->Florent

Something like that. That is the way we roll. Mids end up in the backline.

Very possible. McInerney and Roberts will have to wait a long time but the principle has legs.

I 'actually' think we might have that elite small/medium defender with Warner.

Staring us straight in the face.

Small possibly but he's a bit too light at 77kg for a medium. Fox is 84. 182 cm on the short side as well.

 

[tombomb]

Very possible. McInerney and Roberts will have to wait a long time but the principle has legs.

Small possibly but he's a bit too light at 77kg for a medium. Fox is 84. 182 cm on the short side as well.

Fox looked like he was getting to the end I thought. I hope he fights back.

 

[rustycrate]

Very possible. McInerney and Roberts will have to wait a long time but the principle has legs.

Small possibly but he's a bit too light at 77kg for a medium. Fox is 84. 182 cm on the short side as well.

McInerney more insurance than replacement. We have surplus mids.

 

[Kiama Chris]

McInerney more insurance than replacement. We have surplus mids.

When McInerney and Dawson swapped mid-season both's numbers improved. He was drafted as a HBF and is certainly tall enough - 189 vs Fox 184. Same weight. If there was someone needed back there he would be my first choice with Campbell and Jordon available to play on the wing. At the moment he's a good counterbalance for Gulden playing more defensively. Not sure Campbell and Jordon are as strong in that area.

 

[caesar88]

When McInerney and Dawson swapped mid-season both's numbers improved.

The Blakey-McInerney-Dawson-Hewett-Gulden game of musical chairs in mid-2021 remains probably the best bit of coaching in a very good coaching career for Horse, including maybe even the flag. Usually if you shift a few players around you'd take one or two of them benefitting from it every day of the week. But five? Sheesh.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

I think it will be from existing mids. We have never had so many mids in the last 7 years.
McInerney-> Blakey
Mills-> Rampe
Florent-> Lloyd
Co Warner-> Cunningham
Roberts->Florent

Something like that. That is the way we roll. Mids end up in the backline.

Yes. I think Mills is better down back.
Wicks could certainly do the Harry job down back with some development.

Matty Roberts don’t think will make it - seems off the pace, hope he proves me wrong.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Yes. I think Mills is better down back.
Wicks could certainly do the Harry job down back with some development.

Matty Roberts don’t think will make it - seems off the pace, hope he proves me wrong.

Wicks is more value as a forward UNLESS Konstanty goes past him or someone else pops up.
Roberts got a run last year before getting injured. I wouldn't give up on him just yet.

 

[Del198236]

Yes. I think Mills is better down back.
Wicks could certainly do the Harry job down back with some development.

Matty Roberts don’t think will make it - seems off the pace, hope he proves me wrong.

I don't think Wicks has the right temperament for defence. Certainly the speed and aggression, but he rushes things when under pressure.
The only complete season Mills played in the midfield - he was All Australian.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I don't think Wicks has the right temperament for defence. Certainly the speed and aggression, but he rushes things when under pressure.
The only complete season Mills played in the midfield - he was All Australian.

That's a very fair point about Wicksy. His "rush-rush" is an important part of his role as a forward but not necessarily suitable for defence.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Worth considering. I like him better than Magor. Hard as a cat's head.

just not as skilled.

i doubt he makes it

Magor is a way better kick and a year younger

 

[Dubai Quacker]

That's a very fair point about Wicksy. His "rush-rush" is an important part of his role as a forward but not necessarily suitable for defence.

I just can’t see Wicks in defence.

He has the physical attributes for it - but I can’t convince myself he has the discipline for what’s fundamentally a tagging role if you’re a small defender.

 

[Millky95]

The only complete season Mills played in the midfield - he was All Australian.

People really do seem to forget that

 

[rustycrate]

People really do seem to forget that

Mills can play anywhere.

 

[Cadsky]

Given the midfield actually seems stacked this season I'm very keen to see Mills return to defence where he was a star to start his career and rotate through the mid about 20% of the time.

Our midfield has been found out for quite some time in recent seasons, so mixing it up with our current depth can only be a good thing.

 

[Nuggetz]

Hope fox makes a return to his best footy. He's a very versatile player, good in many facets & performs in the big games.

 

[Millky95]

Mills can play anywhere.

True which is an absolute testament to his ability as a player

I think he is best suited for the team to be a mid

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Mills won’t be back til mid-season & even then will be severely underdone.

Sadly, our season will be largely framed under a no-Mills scenario.

 

[Millky95]

Mills won’t be back til mid-season & even then will be severely underdone.

Sadly, our season will be largely framed under a no-Mills scenario.

Impact sub in finals would be interesting

 

[Cadsky]

I hope when he's ready to play they don't bring back and under cooked Mills. Would rather he builds his fitness in the 2's but also hard to see that happening

 

[Millky95]

I hope when he's ready to play they don't bring back and under cooked Mills. Would rather he builds his fitness in the 2's but also hard to see that happening

Might depend on how the team is playing. If the team is going well and performing they may not want to change a good thing

 

[caesar88]

The only period in the last two or three years where we've looked like a top team and actually beaten top teams was in the back end of 2022. We need to use that period as the template for what works for us IMO.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

The only period in the last two or three years where we've looked like a top team and actually beaten top teams was in the back end of 2022. We need to use that period as the template for what works for us IMO.

I know the argument has been done to death - but I’m firmly of a view that our game style was superior over the past 2 years when sans-Buddy.

If the talls continue to progress, coupled with our newfound midfield strength….. 2024 holds enormous promise.

Of course, luck with injury will always be the no.1 caveat. A long term injury to Tommy Mac would, for example, be a huge blow.

And the no.2 caveat - stop the bloody defensive “protect the lead” mindset from creeping in when 3 goals up at 3/4 time!!!

 

[Bandicoot]

I don't watch enough of the reserves to say with total confidence, but I do think there are a few players that are maybe being pigeon holed as reserves players that could actually break out and be a source for improvement this season.

Warner, Vickery, Magor, Mitchell etc.

Small/medium defender seems like a position that is there for the taking by someone. They just need to be really tough and competitive.

I was actually referring to players who may break into the midfield. Outside of those who played there last year plus Adams and maybe Jordon, I find it hard to see who is going to jump that queue.

 

[tombomb]

I was actually referring to players who may break into the midfield. Outside of those who played there last year plus Adams and maybe Jordon, I find it hard to see who is going to jump that queue.

At the moment it looks hard for opportunities in the midfield, although that can change very quickly with a couple more injuries.

But that's one of the reasons why I think Co Warner would be better off being developed as a defender. Otherwise I can see him just playing out his contract over the next 2 seasons before the inevitable delisting.