Opinion 2024 Round 1 Team

[Gtowncrow]

They have already emerged and become a mainstay of their midfield. That's the point. Ours are not at that level yet

What's the AA count of the two midfields?

 

[AFC979810]

"emerging", it was part of what you bolded. You seriously put Laird and Crouch in the 'emerging' basket?

"experience battle" just LOL.

they're still on the improvement curve, they're young midfielders, this being their 5th year. We're only looking at deploying Rankine to more midfield minutes this year and he was drafted a year earlier. Connor Rozee's and Zac Butters' 5th years were last year. You need to look beyond your own nose.

You are such a negative Nelly. So keen to jump in you don't follow the discussion.

The original claim by old mate Scorpus was, and I quote "The big thing for me is I believe Gold Coast's midfield is comfortably better and more experienced than ours which will probably decide it".

He then compared Rowell/Anderson to Rachele/Soligo as to why they were more experienced. Its a silly comparison because judging on Nicks coaching history we are going to be lining up with Laird, Crouch, Dawson at that first centre bounce.

My only assertion is that our core midfield group of Dawson/Laird/Crouch is far more experienced than Gold Coasts Rowell, Anderson and Miller. Not once did I suggest that our midfield group was better.

 

[AFC979810]

i doubt that anything will change having seen them play their opening round. Our 23 and strategy will have been locked in prior to our external trials.

You don't think the coaching staff will watch round 1 and make adjustments?

 

[AFC979810]

A midfield isn't three players

Dawson, Crouch, Laird, Jones, Soligo, Rachele up against Rowell, Anderson, Miller, Flanders, Swallow, Ellis

625 games versus 827 games from each side's six best midfielders encompassing contest and wing

I mean we match them if we remove Rachele from the midfield and put in Sloane...

Depends on the teams.

Each team has a core midfield group of 3 to 4 players. We use 3 players heavily and then 2-3 in spurts.

I also think putting Ellis vs Jones as part of the midfield battle is a bit rich.

 

[Alwaysacrow]

It would be a bit of a slap in the face to those that completed the full preseason if Milera was put straight in. Needs a 2 or 3 weeks

Not if he's good to go. He's best 22 IMO when fully fit. Sloane on the other hand............

 

[BACCS]

Not sure if mentioned, but Tex was big on a potential round one debut for Charlie Edwards on MMM last week. Also mentioned it could turn out to be our best ever overall draft crop.

Curtin likely to play off half back.

 

[MsTopG]

I think this game will be a very early indication on how our season will go.

If we're going to have a good year then this is the type of game that has to be a win

I think we are on a hiding to nothing with the round 1 draw and i'm pretty certain we will lose but that won't have any bearing on our season imo. I think most teams will get beaten up there especially in the first half of the season. 3w and 3l would be a good result after our tough first 6 weeks although freo may not be any good and this could be easier than it looks.

 

[crows dude]

AFL 23 for Round One
F Fogarty Thilthorpe Rachele
HF Keays Walker Rankine
C Soligo Pedlar Jones
HB Curtin Worrell Hinge
B Michalanney Keane Milera
R O'Brien Dawson Crouch
I Edwards Nankervis Laird Smith McHenry

 

[Betts are off]

Sound doesn't seem to be working but the gist of it is there.

Leave him out for the internal trial, not much to gain, lots to lose

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Was it last year we were going okay vs the Suns then they suddenly kicked 10 goals in a row or something?

 

[AFC979810]

Was it last year we were going okay vs the Suns then they suddenly kicked 10 goals in a row or something?

We had a dominant start kicking 8 of the first 10 goals - we were up 51-6. They then kicked the next 9 goals in a row. We then responded with 4 goals straight to take the lead 79-76. They then kicked 5 of the last 6 and won by 25 points. They absolutely dominated the midfield battle with Rowell / Anderson combining for 12 centre clearances and our primary movers (Dawson, Laird, Sloane, Keays) combining for 6.

We got our own back at home in week 23. Dawson, Laird and Crouch dominated the middle and kept Rowell/Anderson to 3 Centre clearances.

The big difference this year will be that Hardwick is in charge of the Suns. Our squad is better on paper, so hopefully this will override the massive tactical advantage Hardwick has over Nicks.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Post-Trial Best 23:

B: Michalanney, Keane, Curtin
HB: Hinge, Worrell, Smith
C: Jones, Dawson, Soligo(?)
HF: Keays, Walker, Rachele
F: Pedlar, Fogarty, Thilthorpe
R: ROB, Rankine, Laird
I/C: Crouch, Murphy, Milera(?), Nankervis
Sub: Berry

Milera/Soligo fitness question marks. Have a feeling Hamill, Sholl and Borlase are going to be in the conversation too

 

[Jcpdragonx]

We need to fit Curtin in somewhere, clearly not cut for KPD to play on a 30 year old Gorilla as a kid. He looks like a flanker but we have 3 already.

Pedlar had zero impact in the midfield. Early on kicked a few goals forward, he should stay there and push up like Keays.

Rankine after Q1 got going in the midfield. He is too valuable forward to keep him up the ground too much.

Dawson did it easy in the midfield, was cruising. He's our best player, being able to use it out of stoppage and take contested marks, we don't have anyone else who can do that.

Berry is going to pressure selecters. Based of this game and preseason, he needs to be in the 23. We have a problem - Crouch, Laird and Berry no real second position.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Rankine after Q1 got going in the midfield. He is too valuable forward to keep him up the ground too much.

We have a ton of natural forwards, but we’re definitely lacking pace and agility in the middle. I think having Rankine in there gives us a whole new dynamic that we’ve been missing through the Laird/Crouch/Keays/Sloane years

Should still definitely spend time up forward, but I’d like to see him get an average of maybe 50% of CBAs per game

 

[1970crow]

We need to fit Curtin in somewhere, clearly not cut for KPD to play on a 30 year old Gorilla as a kid. He looks like a flanker but we have 3 already.

Pedlar had zero impact in the midfield. Early on kicked a few goals forward, he should stay there and push up like Keays.

Rankine after Q1 got going in the midfield. He is too valuable forward to keep him up the ground too much.

Dawson did it easy in the midfield, was cruising. He's our best player, being able to use it out of stoppage and take contested marks, we don't have anyone else who can do that.

Berry is going to pressure selecters. Based of this game and preseason, he needs to be in the 23. We have a problem - Crouch, Laird and Berry no real second position.

I wouldn't read anything into an internal trial where intensity is absent and forwards can be playing ahead of a probable midfield against a SANFL version. Not saying throwing him to the KPD wolves wouldn't be a terrible idea, just that you learn nothing from those games about what will happen at AFL level.

 

[1990crow]

Post-Trial Best 23:

B: Michalanney, Keane, Curtin
HB: Hinge, Worrell, Smith
C: Jones, Dawson, Soligo(?)
HF: Keays, Walker, Rachele
F: Pedlar, Fogarty, Thilthorpe
R: ROB, Rankine, Laird
I/C: Crouch, Murphy, Milera(?), Nankervis
Sub: Berry

Milera/Soligo fitness question marks. Have a feeling Hamill, Sholl and Borlase are going to be in the conversation too

There's a bit to work out.
Is Keane, Worrell and a first year Curtin strong enough for talls down back? Not sure it is.
Milera probably not going to be ready.
Soligo should be.
Does Nankervis make the 22? Needs to show some strong form against Port and Eagles.

Edwards, Hamill, Taylor don't look far off.
Dowling might have to start in the 2s.
Cook looks like he hasn't done enough.

 

[MsTopG]

There's a bit to work out.
Is Keane, Worrell and a first year Curtin strong enough for talls down back? Not sure it is.
Milera probably not going to be ready.
Soligo should be.
Does Nankervis make the 22? Needs to show some strong form against Port and Eagles.

Edwards, Hamill, Taylor don't look far off.
Dowling might have to start in the 2s.
Cook looks like he hasn't done enough.

They will go with Butts Keane Worrell as the talls down back imo. Curtin is more of a utility type along with Hinge. They could play half back or wing.

 

[1990crow]

Zac Taylor?

Can't see him being anywhere near the team early in the season.

I don't think he's best 23 but I don't think he's that far off getting a game if there's an injury or two.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

They will go with Butts Keane Worrell as the talls down back imo. Curtin is more of a utility type along with Hinge. They could play half back or wing.

Not sure we need both Butts & Keane. Butts probably preferred on King with his size.

Think Golf Coast are using Lukosius at CHF, who would be a good matchup for Worrell.

Agree Curtin & Hinge off the flanks.

 

[Ham]

Not sure we need both Butts & Keane. Butts probably preferred on King with his size.

Think Golf Coast are using Lukosius at CHF, who would be a good matchup for Worrell.

Agree Curtin & Hinge off the flanks.

and then Milera/Smith in the other pocket to Max? don't mind it actually. There was a great give and go from Max early in the trial yesterday, hit up someone on defensive 50, ran past for the handball receive, Ebony I think commented on it - could see him and Milera dominating that play.

Would be good to have some set plays following a behind rather than bomb it long to ROB on the boundary.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

and then Milera/Smith in the other pocket to Max? don't mind it actually. There was a great give and go from Max early in the trial yesterday, hit up someone on defensive 50, ran past for the handball receive, Ebony I think commented on it - could see him and Milera dominating that play.

Would be good to have some set plays following a behind rather than bomb it long to ROB on the boundary.

If the opposition have 2 really tall forwards, then we should use Worrell as 3rd tall... otherwise he can be the 2nd tall.

Yes, we have Curtin, Hinge & Max all capable of playing on mid/smalls.

Then the likes of Milera & Nankervis to complete our defence.

Reckon Smith mainly off a wing like late last year... but we have a few in the side capable of playing wing/HBF.

 

[dogs105]

Hinge and Worrell were the 2 most disappointing players for mine in yesterday's trial game, both need to lift on their efforts yesterday.

I'm very keen for Hinge to build on last year, and not be a one year wonder. He ismsptoved so much last season

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Hinge and Worrell were the 2 most disappointing players for mine in yesterday's trial game, both need to lift on their efforts yesterday.

Sure... but it was only a trial game.

They both played very well last season, so both are certain starters.

 

[Thylacinus]

Post-Trial Best 23:

B: Michalanney, Keane, Curtin
HB: Hinge, Worrell, Smith
C: Jones, Dawson, Soligo(?)
HF: Keays, Walker, Rachele
F: Pedlar, Fogarty, Thilthorpe
R: ROB, Rankine, Laird
I/C: Crouch, Murphy, Milera(?), Nankervis
Sub: Berry

Milera/Soligo fitness question marks. Have a feeling Hamill, Sholl and Borlase are going to be in the conversation too

Thanks for your prospective team and comments. You have saved me the task. My initial reaction is 'close, very close'! Perhaps just add Butts into the conversation somewhere if or when he is fully fit (I think some players are being managed, being preseason and no risk policy). Again, very close. We will find out more after the more serious hit outs over the next couple of weeks! Once again, thank you!

 

[footy4ever]

Was it last year we were going okay vs the Suns then they suddenly kicked 10 goals in a row or something?

I wuz there.

Hideous.

Not to mention hideous umpiring...which I just mentioned.

Worst football weekend away in my entire life except for the AFL-indorsed Richmondfest GF.