Best 22 2012

[The Falcon Strike]

I really think Adam Selwood is going to struggle this year to keep a regular spot.

His brother has already pushed him out of the midfiled tagging role to the point he's largely playing as a small defender.

 

[Suma Magic]

I think you're right. McGinnity replacing him could add a bit of pace. He's really accountable and has improved his disposal considerably.

 

[JA56]

After round 1 of the NAB Cup my best 22 would be.

Schofield Glass Butler
Hurn Mackenzie Waters
Rosa Priddis Embley
Shuey Kennedy Darling
Nicoski Lynch Hams

Ruck: Cox S.Selwood Kerr

Int: Natanui A.Selwood Gaff Sub: Masten

 

[Chris_6678]

Well this year its going to really be tough to break into the team if there are no injuries!

 

[WCErevival]

After round 1 of the NAB Cup my best 22 would be.

Schofield Glass Butler
Hurn Mackenzie Waters
Rosa Priddis Embley
Shuey Kennedy Darling
Nicoski Lynch Hams

Ruck: Cox S.Selwood Kerr

Int: Natanui A.Selwood Gaff Sub: Masten

I agree with that but they should put Gaff on the wing, move Masten into the 21 and have Embley as a sub. He wouldnt have long left now until he retires and he disappears out of games a lot too so sub would suit him.

 

[the harry]

Calling it early, the way Stevenson played (and more importantly kicked) on Sunday night, will see him overtake Smith/A. Selwood by years end.

We need good footskills to get through zones and Stevenson is one of the best few on our list.

 

[Mick63]

I agree with that but they should put Gaff on the wing, move Masten into the 21 and have Embley as a sub. He wouldnt have long left now until he retires and he disappears out of games a lot too so sub would suit him.

It is a tough one... IMO a fully fit Embley should be in the starting 21, even in the twilight of his career he still causes major match-up headaches with the opposition due to his size, overhead marking and running capabilities.

He is also very vocal around stoppages, always directing the younger players and generally geeing up the boys.

Maybe he could be the sub in the first few rounds while he gets over his shoulder injury, could be a real impact player, run hard and hit the scoreboard.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Have heard Wopsha talk a lot about the two-speed squad we have. Firstly the inital crack at a flag with Kerr, Cox et al and then the second speed which is developing the younger guys for a longer term tilt at success.

What I find most interesting is he regularly mentions the same names amongst the senior blokes - pretty much all the premiership players over 27 - with the exception of one - Adam Selwood.

May be reading into the tea leaves too much - but the omission is worthy of note.

 

[flamingEMBERS]

Its really tough to pick a team this year, I strongly believe that we have built a tonne of depth and these young second tier midfielders are really going to be pushing and squeezing some of the older blokes out. So Kudos to the coaching staff have really done well to create a good young squad and a frustrating dilemma. I really hope some if the young players like your Browns, Sheppards, Stevens and SMiths etc dont get to frustrated if they are still behind Butler, Kerr, Embley, Glass and what not because they are vital to us having a crack at premierships in the next 5-10 years.

Adam Selwood you would assume is guaranteed a game for round 1 going on his history and he is probably good enough. However it will be a tough year for him and by seasons end he wont be in the best 22. Hopefully he takes it well and I assume he will because he is a great clubman and would be a great mentor around the club.

Kennedy IMO needs to play close to home with Lynch at CHF so we can utilize his kick into the F50 and long bomb goals. Not only that Lynch is better on the lead than a contested mark and Kennedy is good at both but a strong contested mark so makes more sense this way.

Also Im a firm believer that once Brad Dick gets his body right he will easily be in our best 22 as a forward pocket. This guy had some awesome games at collingwood unfortunately injuries got the better of him. But he is magical.

Last thing McGinnity is definitely best 22 material but again fitting these players in is so tough so im glad im not a selector

 

[Triptanes]

Have heard Wopsha talk a lot about the two-speed squad we have. Firstly the inital crack at a flag with Kerr, Cox et al and then the second speed which is developing the younger guys for a longer term tilt at success.

What I find most interesting is he regularly mentions the same names amongst the senior blokes - pretty much all the premiership players over 27 - with the exception of one - Adam Selwood.

May be reading into the tea leaves too much - but the omission is worthy of note.

Worsfold has said previously (around the end of last season) that he thinks A Selwood is young enough that he could be round for both tilts.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/afl/9984224/eagles-eye-dual-flag-window/

"If we don't win a premiership with those older guys still playing, then Beau Waters and Sam Butler might be the veterans in the next premiership. They will be the real senior players."

Worsfold indicated that Quinten Lynch and Adam Selwood could still be active during the "second window" while players such as Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood and Luke Shuey, among others, will have gained invaluable experience.

 

[Suma Magic]

He doesn't mention Nicoski either, but perhaps he may be young enough too.

FWIW:

turning 31 in 2012: Glass, Cox, Embley
29: Lynch, Kerr, Nicoski
28: A. Selwood
27: Priddis
26: Butler, Waters, LeCras, Hams, Rosa.

 

[Toshowyouwhy]

Also Im a firm believer that once Brad Dick gets his body right he will easily be in our best 22 as a forward pocket. This guy had some awesome games at collingwood unfortunately injuries got the better of him. But he is magical.

Very much agree with this. I think this bit of business by the club is being highly underrated, Dick could be the difference between us getting a flag out of a season or not over the next few years.

Robbo has consistantly been harping about Lecca's main attribute being his ability to turn games at times that noone else can; Brad Dick is certainly very capable of that.

 

[Chris_6678]

Tom Atkinson said on twitter yesterday that B Dick was looking good at training.

 

[Obeanie1]

It is a tough one... IMO a fully fit Embley should be in the starting 21, even in the twilight of his career he still causes major match-up headaches with the opposition due to his size, overhead marking and running capabilities.

He is also very vocal around stoppages, always directing the younger players and generally geeing up the boys.

Maybe he could be the sub in the first few rounds while he gets over his shoulder injury, could be a real impact player, run hard and hit the scoreboard.[/quote]

With the quality of fringe players such as Stevens, Weedon, Sheppard, Hill, Hams, Strijk, Stevenson, Masten, Swift, Neates and Smith we do not need to play aging stars or any players who are not fully fit.

This is a great position to be in.

This is where the improvement will come from, instead of playing someone who is carrying a niggle or isn't quite yet fit enough we can give them a couple more weeks training or a WAFL game to get cherry ripe before returning to the side.

 

[OurBoyJosh]

After round 1 of the NAB Cup my best 22 would be.

Schofield Glass Butler
Hurn Mackenzie Waters
Rosa Priddis Embley
Shuey Kennedy Darling
Nicoski Lynch Hams

Ruck: Cox S.Selwood Kerr

Int: Natanui A.Selwood Gaff Sub: Masten

I honestly thought Sheppard, Stevens and maybe Neates would get a round 1 or 2 chance to prove they are in the best 22. Looking at that side I can't see who they would get the nod over without an injury.

No doubt they both will at some point in the first half of the year along with Ash Smith, Hill and Swift. And having those guys knocking on the door is very exciting.

 

[Icanwalk]

After round 1 of the NAB Cup my best 22 would be.

Schofield Glass Butler
Hurn Mackenzie Waters
Rosa Priddis Embley
Shuey Kennedy Darling
Nicoski Lynch Hams

Ruck: Cox S.Selwood Kerr

Int: Natanui A.Selwood Gaff Sub: Masten

Best effort so far.

Not a Hams fan at all so I wouldn't hesitate in leaving him out completely, the only issue is who to replace him with. Boy I miss LeCras already.
I'd prefer one of Hill or Weedon to Hams.

Also agree with whoever proposed using Embley as a sub and promoting Masten to the 21. Gaff would be Embley's obvious replacement but I have my doubts, as good as the kid is.

Would also like to see Lynch, Embley and A.Selwood rotated from the team periodically to provide Swift, Smith, Sheppard and Stevenson (perhaps even McIness) with regular opportunities throughout the year.

Our depth is very promising.

 

[bunsen burner]

Schofield Glass Butler
Hurn Mackenzie Shepard
Rosa Priddis Gaff
Embley Kennedy Darling
Nicoski Lynch Hams

Ruck: Cox Kerr Shuey

Int: Natanui Masten S.Selwood sub: Stevens


Notable omissions
A Selwood (career limited, will be at GWS next year)
Waters - strong body, can't kick.

Fringe
Brown
Smith
Swift
Hill
Weedon

Breakout Year
Shepard

 

[Suma Magic]

With the amount of small injuries we have at the moment I'd be surprised if everyone is available for selection. But at the moment these are my thoughts on round 1 (preferences, not predictions):

- Masten has really locked himself into the team.
- Hams is ahead of Weedon and Hill, although I think it is reasonable to argue that any of them are currently the best option.
- McGinnity is the best small defender option and should come in for A. Selwood.
- Smith not best 22.
- No other best 22 player from last year should be dropped.

Schofield Glass Waters
Hurn Mackenzie Butler
Rosa Priddis Embley
Nicoski Lynch Shuey
Cox Kennedy Hams

Naitanui S. Selwood Kerr

I: Masten Darling McGinnity
S: Gaff

E: A. Selwood Hill Weedon

Crazy to think that Gaff is sub in this team. But he's never going to be pick ahead of the midfielders listed (Kerr, Priddis, S. Selwood, Embley, Rosa, Shuey, Masten). Although most likely a couple of players will be out and he will play if fit, with Weedon and Hill most likely to fill the next spots available, with both also looking good as sub options.

 

[Masto]

NO way is Masten and Darling sitting on the bench.

Also I think Jacob Brennan has had a pretty good preseason and will be on the fringe. Defends well and offers good rebound.

 

[Marlin01]

Woosha has said we'll field a full-strength team next week, so we should get a good indication as to who he rates hightest of the half forwards and half backs.

 

[Marlin01]

NO way is Masten and Darling sitting on the bench.

Also I think Jacob Brennan has had a pretty good preseason and will be on the fringe. Defends well and offers good rebound.

He's really impressed me. I knew he had a bit of toe, but he's also very courageous and a pretty good kick.

 

[Coledinho]

Ima go with

HB: Butler Glass Schofield
FB: Waters McKenzie Hurn
C: Rosa Kerr Shuey
HF: Nicoski Lynch Darling
FF: Hams Kennedy Naitanui
R: Cox Priddis S.Selwood
I/C: Masten Embley McGinnity SUB: Gaff
EMG: Brennan A.Selwood Smith

 

[Prem87]

I like it.

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

Dont like Gaff as a sub

 

[Carbine Chaos]

This would be my Round 1 team...

Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Beau Waters
Andrew Embley, Daniel Kerr, Andrew Gaff
Josh Hill, Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling
Mark Nicoski, Quentin Lynch, Nic Naitanui

Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey

INT - Chris Masten, Matt Rosa, Scott Selwood

SUB - Patrick McGinnity