Game Day A Wing and a Prayer

[theGav56]

One of the biggest discussions we are having on this board relates to the wing positions. Perversely, We actually seem to have quite a few options both in the short term with mid career players, and long term with emerging players. There are also some players who many in here consider candidates to transition from a different position. Some players fit across these categories.

In my opinion it is an area of critical importance for us.

Established options;
Aish, Tucker, Colyer, Acres

Emerging options;
Frederick, Henry, Western, O'Driscoll

Transition options;
Clark, Chapman, Walker, Johnson, Wilson

I'm actually amazed at the options we seem to have, and at the same time recognise that there really is no locked in stone players there for that position.

My question is; from our current options, will the wing be a strength for our future 22?

 

[anchor man]

On O'Driscoll, I spoke to Longmuir at a training session last year. He had been having an in-depth discussion with Nathan. I asked if he was going to play him in the AFL that week. He said no, we are talking of him becoming a wing man.
He played for Peel, beginning on the wing, then, got injured.

 

[theGav56]

On O'Driscoll, I spoke to Longmuir at a training session last year. He had been having an in-depth discussion with Nathan. I asked if he was going to play him in the AFL that week. He said no, we are talking of him becoming a wing man.
He played for Peel, beginning on the wing, then, got injured.

He could be quite intimidating as he develops. And he does have a big kick. It makes a lot of sense to me.

Aish and Tucker are likely first choice this year but hope we trial others.

 

[BigRang]

On O'Driscoll, I spoke to Longmuir at a training session last year. He had been having an in-depth discussion with Nathan. I asked if he was going to play him in the AFL that week. He said no, we are talking of him becoming a wing man.
He played for Peel, beginning on the wing, then, got injured.

Fair bit of Piggy Oliver about NOD I reckon.

 

[Dockeroo]

One of the biggest discussions we are having on this board relates to the wing positions. Perversely, We actually seem to have quite a few options both in the short term with mid career players, and long term with emerging players. There are also some players who many in here consider candidates to transition from a different position. Some players fit across these categories.

In my opinion it is an area of critical importance for us.

Established options;
Aish, Tucker, Colyer, Acres

Emerging options;
Frederick, Henry, Western, O'Driscoll

Transition options;
Clark, Chapman, Walker, Johnson, Wilson

I'm actually amazed at the options we seem to have, and at the same time recognise that there really is no locked in stone players there for that position.

My question is; from our current options, will the wing be a strength for our future 22?

At the moment I’d say it’s a position of relative weakness compared to other areas of the side at present. This is borne out by your list of established option players above, who are all role players at best. None of those players will ever trouble the all Australian selectors for example and would be struggling to slot into most fans B22 on here. Ed Langdon would be ahead of all of them and even he has limitations but is still a serviceable option in a flag side.
The club has clearly chosen to prioritise elite talent elsewhere on the ground which is totally fine with me.
So, given the likelihood of an A grade winger for the next 12 months at least is slim, can any of the up and comers reach and surpass Langdons output for the demons? I’d certainly hope so. In 2022 however? Unlikely. Henry would be the most promising for me, but I remain to be convinced about his ability to do the gut running required. Noddy sounds promising but I must admit I got some serious connor Blakely vibes in terms of ball use when I saw him play this year in the WAFL. Frederick could be another wildcard. Hopefully someone puts their hands up and grabs what is an important spot for themselves.

 

[vidwhal]

One of the biggest discussions we are having on this board relates to the wing positions. Perversely, We actually seem to have quite a few options both in the short term with mid career players, and long term with emerging players. There are also some players who many in here consider candidates to transition from a different position. Some players fit across these categories.

In my opinion it is an area of critical importance for us.

Established options;
Aish, Tucker, Colyer, Acres

Emerging options;
Frederick, Henry, Western, O'Driscoll

Transition options;
Clark, Chapman, Walker, Johnson, Wilson

I'm actually amazed at the options we seem to have, and at the same time recognise that there really is no locked in stone players there for that position.

My question is; from our current options, will the wing be a strength for our future 22?

I think it's obvious we've now got options for the wing. Currently, of the current pool, none are A graders, or players that have stamped it as their own, whether by impedance by injury or just not progressing towards elite. I will say that I wonder who it is out of that group, or future additions withstanding, that will own the role. That's what's exciting for me, personally. I'm sure we've got at least one of two of that ilk in the group.

 

[ubiquitous226]

One of the biggest discussions we are having on this board relates to the wing positions. Perversely, We actually seem to have quite a few options both in the short term with mid career players, and long term with emerging players. There are also some players who many in here consider candidates to transition from a different position. Some players fit across these categories.

In my opinion it is an area of critical importance for us.

Established options;
Aish, Tucker, Colyer, Acres

Emerging options;
Frederick, Henry, Western, O'Driscoll

Transition options;
Clark, Chapman, Walker, Johnson, Wilson

I'm actually amazed at the options we seem to have, and at the same time recognise that there really is no locked in stone players there for that position.

My question is; from our current options, will the wing be a strength for our future 22?

I'm not sure about a strength, I find it hard to project any of those becoming as effective/important as Brad Hill was to us for a while.
They're also interesting roles that are used very differently depending on the game plan and coach, with the thankless ability to cover a lot of ground and fill up space much more important than it used to be.

Aish/Tucker I see as a serviceable enough pair with some support coming from others.
Frederick/Henry is a nice little potential combo, I've liked the flashes from both of them and hope they can continue to develop.

I'd still like to see Clark on a wing more than HBF, but we'll see how he goes.
The others are fairly speculative for their capability on a wing at this stage IMO.

 

[WilloTree]

Going on what we've read and seen so far Tucker, Henry and Aish will be the plan A, but we'll know more after the scratchies.

Personally, I hope O'Driscoll breaks into the b22 and we 'set and forget' him on a wing for the next 10 years.

 

[blue shark]

Geez the established player list isn’t that enticing. Tucker is the enigma, Aish, Colyer are decent but Acres hasn’t changed since
his time at the Saints.
There is a spot that needs to be seized, honestly wouldn’t mind seeing Johnson’s name added to the list.
I don’t see Henry playing there, you wonder about his tank, seems more Cyril than Hill.
Watch vintage Balla, with his energy, and pest qualities and that is what Liam needs to develop, the 1 percenters, second efforts.
Same with Freddy. we need to start applying that manic pressure that leads to panic.
That requires being in the game when you don’t have the footy.

 

[blue shark]

Going on what we've read and seen so far Tucker, Henry and Aish will be the plan A, but we'll know more after the scratchies.

Personally, I hope O'Driscoll breaks into the b22 and we 'set and forget' him on a wing for the next 10 years.

I hope that I’m wrong but I have always been a little vanilla with the NOD selection.
Seems a utility pick, when we needed to prioritise.
Has time to develop and will get that at Peel. Acres, Blakely, Valente are on shaky ground.

 

[theGav56]

Geez the established player list isn’t that enticing. Tucker is the enigma, Aish, Colyer are decent but Acres hasn’t changed since
his time at the Saints.
There is a spot that needs to be seized, honestly wouldn’t mind seeing Johnson’s name added to the list.
I don’t see Henry playing there, you wonder about his tank, seems more Cyril than Hill.
Watch vintage Balla, with his energy, and pest qualities and that is what Liam needs to develop, the 1 percenters, second efforts.
Same with Freddy. we need to start applying that manic pressure that leads to panic.
That requires being in the game when you don’t have the footy.

Johnson is on the list, and I agree with you.

 

[theGav56]

I'm not sure about a strength, I find it hard to project any of those becoming as effective/important as Brad Hill was to us for a while.
They're also interesting roles that are used very differently depending on the game plan and coach, with the thankless ability to cover a lot of ground and fill up space much more important than it used to be.

Aish/Tucker I see as a serviceable enough pair with some support coming from others.
Frederick/Henry is a nice little potential combo, I've liked the flashes from both of them and hope they can continue to develop.

I'd still like to see Clark on a wing more than HBF, but we'll see how he goes.
The others are fairly speculative for their capability on a wing at this stage IMO.

If the club seriously rates that position quite a number of those options are players coming from the first round of the draft, so the potential is there.

The aggressive move would be to develop the likes of Chapman, Johnson, Young or Henry for the position. They are amongst the more talented draftees in recent years and can create mismatches. But as you have highlighted the wing role has evolved a bit. Dumbed down a bit to one of filling space compared to previously. And that is perhaps done just as well by a player such as O'Driscoll or Frederick.

 

[ubiquitous226]

If the club seriously rates that position quite a number of those options are players coming from the first round of the draft, so the potential is there.

The aggressive move would be to develop the likes of Chapman, Johnson, Young or Henry for the position. They are amongst the more talented draftees in recent years and can create mismatches. But as you have highlighted the wing role has evolved a bit. Dumbed down a bit to one of filling space compared to previously. And that is perhaps done just as well by a player such as O'Driscoll or Frederick.

That's exactly it, is the best use of resources to put your talented players out there?
It will depend on the role and how the game evolves, but I also think there is an opportunity to use different capabilities in different ways.

It could pay off with someone like Henry if you have a gameplan to get him involved with his potential ball use, but you don't want him sitting out all day running back and forth on the open wing for a handful of possessions.
I do see Frederick as being a good option with his speed, if he gains a little more composure and can nail some of those shots at goal then he could be very damaging running into open space.
At the moment the high half forward seems to be the best option, but if they continue to build their tanks then it could work.

 

[Square Peg]

Chapman first choice for mine, he seems ideally suited for the position.
The second spot after chappy I am not sure, I can see merit in many of the OP suggestions, probably easier to put a line through the few I don't like because they're no good (acres), better suited elsewhere (colyer, Walker, wilson) or not ready (o'driscoll, western, johnson). Plus it seems you can put a line through clark who would be good but it seems gets to choose his position.
So in summary Chapman on one wing, genuinely not sure between aish, tucker, henry, frederick on the other.

 

[Spirit Level]

Henry and Clark for me

Hopefully NOD can develop nicely to run around there too

 

[blue shark]

Chapman first choice for mine, he seems ideally suited for the position.
The second spot after chappy I am not sure, I can see merit in many of the OP suggestions, probably easier to put a line through the few I don't like because they're no good (acres), better suited elsewhere (colyer, Walker, wilson) or not ready (o'driscoll, western, johnson). Plus it seems you can put a line through clark who would be good but it seems gets to choose his position.
So in summary Chapman on one wing, genuinely not sure between aish, tucker, henry, frederick on the other.

Gameplan to use the talent available, rather than a square peg in a round hole.
I’d argue Neale, Langdon, Crozier haven’t improved since their time here. They were better utilised, played to their strengths.
Brayshaw at Melbourne is not a traditional winger, but best 22.
Ideally you have one offensive and the other defensive wings.
A Mainwaring/Matera combo is still the best from this state.

 

[Square Peg]

Gameplan to use the talent available, rather than a square peg in a round hole.
I’d argue Neale, Langdon, Crozier haven’t improved since their time here. They were better utilised, played to their strengths.
Brayshaw at Melbourne is not a traditional winger, but best 22.
Ideally you have one offensive and the other defensive wings.
A Mainwaring/Matera combo is still the best from this state.

Agree on the combo. So who are your choices?

 

[PurpleReign]

I think the established players on our list have had inconsistent performances on the wing, Aish probably being the best of them. Therefore we are inclined to favour players who are yet to establish themselves elsewhere on the field. Henry has the tools to play there, he has a bit of cockiness about him so he is likely to carry the ball and take risks with his kicks through the centre of the ground. Clark also has the tools, although JL has declared he’ll play HBF I think necessity will see him get a go on the wing. NOD seems a bit slow, Worner might be an option, I’d like to see Young play further up the ground. Frederick has plenty of run and a nice kick but stills seems a bit panicky, it will be interesting to see whether he keeps his spot in the first 22. Walker seems pretty cool under pressure but will all of Clark, Young, Chapman, Walker and Wilson, who I see slipping out of the 22, play back?
My preference is Clark and Henry. They’ll be our Mainwaring and Matera.

 

[Halfbaked]

I hope that I’m wrong but I have always been a little vanilla with the NOD selection.
Seems a utility pick, when we needed to prioritise.
Has time to develop and will get that at Peel. Acres, Blakely, Valente are on shaky ground.

He has looked a different footballer at the few training sessions I have managed to get to.
It's hard to fit everyone in the team , but he is looking good.

 

[blue shark]

Agree on the combo. So who are your choices?

You want a great kick, Young, Chapman, Johnson. Even Walker has been impressive.
All have reasonable size or height.
Some one from HB is too good to play Peel.
Defensive wing I think we bought Worner in to plug and play.
We have Plenty of defensive options.
Do you reckon Langdon is worth more now? Same player.

 

[theGav56]

From the hbf it seems that Longmuir is wanting run and a bit of kicking depth. The likes of Clark, Chapman, Logue and Young will push up hard and fast into the midfield.

I do think Aish and Tucker will be our default incumbents. Their disposal and speed are reasonable. They just lack weapons as such like elite speed, endurance, marking or disposal. But they are acceptable. Colyer has elite speed but some of his ball handling and disposal is inconsistent.

For the future, and I mean the near future, I think Chapman is replaceable as a defender. We are almost too tall there as it is, and Wilson, Walker and Hughes are likely relegated to the wafl if all are available. Chapman on a wing is something an opposition would need to plan around.

I agree with the comment about disposal being important as we begin to improve our scoring, and that indicates Henry, but Johnson could also do well there.

From the forward line Switkowski and Sturt can play as fast players creating link up options.

 

[BigRang]

Gameplan to use the talent available, rather than a square peg in a round hole.
I’d argue Neale, Langdon, Crozier haven’t improved since their time here. They were better utilised, played to their strengths.
Brayshaw at Melbourne is not a traditional winger, but best 22.
Ideally you have one offensive and the other defensive wings.
A Mainwaring/Matera combo is still the best from this state.

Neale, Langdon, Crozier, Gus Brayshaw are just in better teams. Our options will also appear to play better as our team naturally progresses/improves.

FWIW I know JL has stated that Clark will get a run off a back flank, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record... But Clark plays exatcly the way Isaac Smith does, runs, carries, kicks long, has a bit of arrogance etc. I think he's a wingman. But I'm not the coach so
I also think Henry is a viable option if he really comes on...
What about me new buddy Griff dawg? We've got a surplus of defenders... Imagine him running around the wings terrorizing little fellas..

 

[Scham]

Griff doesn't have the game sense. Wingmen need to be smart footballers.

Also, the underrating of Neale, Langdon and Hill just because they left us is bizarre. All 3 are top quality players.

 

[blue shark]

Griff doesn't have the game sense. Wingmen need to be smart footballers.

Also, the underrating of Neale, Langdon and Hill just because they left us is bizarre. All 3 are top quality players.

Not under rating, they were good players here. Neale was never going to win a Brownlow in purple.
Yep Griff could play a run with role, taken to the ball. You need natural footy instincts and would get lost on the wing.

 

[theGav56]

Griff doesn't have the game sense. Wingmen need to be smart footballers.

I agree re Logue, but some of our other contenders such as Tucker or Frederick also don't have great footy brains.