We had the highest proportion of points conceded from chains from oppos defense in the league last year.....Kent, Long & Lonie on the field together will help change that - likewise Parker but getting all 4 in the 22 is problematic....
Reduce the damage of the poor entries by getting to the defender, manning up quicker to make it harder to transition, allow the key forwards to try knock downs more as hopefully they'll be in the frame to collect groundballs....
I sincerely hope so but I reckon Newnes will still play, as will Sav due to the new rules and the fact they are older players with experience.
The rest are miles from it!?
Hind was very good in the vfl last year and would more than likely have been playing seniors if he were in our list. Named in the best 9 times. But the reason I think he's very likely to play is that he has something we currently don't have. Line breaking speed.
Big bird is back!
I think one of the differences between us and the successful teams, is that players in those teams who have good seasons, tend to build on that in the following seasons, but we had too many who just treaded water from late 2017 and through 2018- wasted development and a blight on the coaching at our club. Let's hope this turns around and we see more leadership from the more experienced players.The rest are miles from it!?
In Roberton's last full season he made the AA squad, which means he was in the best handful in his position in the league. Miles from A-grade and a massive overrating?
Seb had a poor year last year, but the year before- when he was at his best- he was top 10 in the coaches votes, made the AA squad, and got from memory 14 Brownlow votes. You don't do any of those things if you're "Miles off A-grade"!
Billings for his role (HHF) is well and truly on the verge of "A-grade", when he's at his best (which he again clearly wasn't last year, especially the first half), because his disposal numbers by position are not only elite, but no.1 in the comp, and a big gap to the next best, and he's in the top handful in the comp for goal assists, which is one of the most important stats in the game.
Skunk has had a season of 44 goals from just 17 games, and once he got his s**t together last year (post-yips), he went at over two goals a game, in a rubbish team. This year he hopefully goes back to the "3rd-banana marking" role, and how many are better than him at that in the comp? Darling is the only similar type who comes readily to mind as currently better.
Steele is ranked in the top 60 in the league in the AFL's own official ratings, because he is ELITE defensively and by the end of last year was also racking up the touches and so-on. For what he does (tagging/going head-to-head with the best in the opposing midfield) he was arguably already playing at an A-grade level by the end of last year.
So I don't believe Gringo's anywhere near as far from being on the money as you think (at least if they play at or near their best- of course if those who weren't last year continue not to, then you'd be right) and it's probably why we were on the verge of playing finals two years ago, before the wheels completely fell off last year.
It wasn't Nick and Joey who were winning games for us that year, as neither came top 10 in the B&F, and between them they got a paltry 5 of the 230 or-so coaches votes we were awarded in our last 10 wins that year. Less than 2.5% of the votes.
So we didn't have anyone (or more than one) who was really "elite" that year- but as many in the football community were saying, we had a lot of "B-graders"- which means they're potentially on the verge of being "A-grade". As Gringo said.
Otherwise, with our lack of A-graders", we wouldn't have been anywhere near finals that year and would have been much more like we were last year.
I reckon if you put any of those I mentioned into a really good team and they were playing the sort of footy we know they can play, they'd be regarded a lot more highly than they are now.
Enormous trouble, unless they seriously step it up. And yet they played 17 games between them last season!
Pressure for spots has to come from underneath. Much will depend on the players you mention actually stepping up.
I would go with Joyce if it were between the two. Roberton first game back too so he will be raw. I'd look at Webster to play a lock-down role. Maybe give Battle a run in a third tall type of role but I'd be nervous. It's kind of funny when you think about it but Gilbo would probably get a run in our Rd 1 team
The last report on Austin was no contact for 2 weeks, so he isn't ruled out for rd1.I would go with Joyce if it were between the two. Roberton first game back too so he will be raw. I'd look at Webster to play a lock-down role. Maybe give Battle a run in a third tall type of role but I'd be nervous. It's kind of funny when you think about it but Gilbo would probably get a run in our Rd 1 team
I guess I'm forgetting the JLT games plus intraclub which should give Battle a good run in defence.
What about Austin? Is he injured?
If Marshall plays, he and/or Bruce might have to be swingmen for a little bit? I don't like the idea of it, but I'd be surprised if Battle's ready to play back.
