Mega Thread Best 22 Season 2012

[swansfan51]

Syd I understand your thinking about putting LRT back in defence to help tackle the really big forwards and resting ruckmen, but it's incredibly harsh to drop Richards after the season he's had. He was by far our best defender, claiming major scalps throughout the whole season.

How is it harsh? Dropping your best player in a position is ludicrous, not harsh.

I agree with grimlock about LRT's standing though, he has performed at a high level. Richards is pretty comfortably ahead of Grundy on 2011 form.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

The main reason that jetta got a golden run last year was because rohan was injured and the coaches thought that we would be too slow if we didnt have jetta in the team (not that he did anything when he was in the team)

As soon as rohan was able to play a full game (and jetts played naother poor game) jetta was out never to be seen again for the rest of the season.

Also his poor showing so far in the preseason is not going to endear himself to the coaches. I think his golden run is over, which i actually think is the best thing that could have happened for jetta, it means he knows that he has to work really hard at his game and hopefully we can see the jetta that we saw is his first game against Carlton in the NAB cup.

He had around 15-16 possessions and kicked a couple of goals, thats really all we need from him

Jetta was new and only knew one thing in that NAB game against Carlton. Run!

That's Jetta and that's what we need. I know the coaches love all this tackling and defensive stuff, and it is important he improves those aspects of his game to some extent, but he should basically be told to run when he gets the balls and either deliver it to a forward or just use his pace to get closer to goal and kick it himself.

He's quick, really really quick. That is the ability he should be using the most, because almost no one in the league would catch him and it's a weapon.

 

[baja]

Jetta was new and only knew one thing in that NAB game against Carlton. Run!

I thought his best game was a real final when he really stood up when alot of our stars had games to forget, I cant think of the exact game but he kept us in it..

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I thought his best game was a real final when he really stood up when alot of our stars had games to forget, I cant think of the exact game but he kept us in it..

Against the Bulldogs.

In a sense though it was based off his natural game, when he's running with confidence and not trying to think about doing a thousand things, it comes together. There can be more meat to his game than I suggested, but he needs to be comfortable with that aspect first imo.

 

[Swansujelly]

Jetta was new and only knew one thing in that NAB game against Carlton. Run!

That's Jetta and that's what we need. I know the coaches love all this tackling and defensive stuff, and it is important he improves those aspects of his game to some extent, but he should basically be told to run when he gets the balls and either deliver it to a forward or just use his pace to get closer to goal and kick it himself.

He's quick, really really quick. That is the ability he should be using the most, because almost no one in the league would catch him and it's a weapon.

I remember reading Roos saying something along the lines of...if you get caught 2 or 3 times a game running, it means you got away 5 or 6 times.

 

[gaylordia]

both richards and grundy are more mobile and more reliable kicks than lrt. i know he is from sydney and was in the premiership team but if you take the emotion out of it his place from here on in is as a backup to those two in defence or as a forward who can provide a contest/cause some carnage and bring the ball to ground. if he kicks goals its a bonus. i think the same can be said of spangher which makes it even more difficult for lrt to be relevant anymore as spangher probably plays the forward role better due to his age and physique.

 

[vonn]

I don't understand the hate for LRT. I thought he did enough last year to at least hold down a spot in our backline. I would get rid of Grundy before LRT & even then I thought they were both okay... it's not as though we have anyone really competing for their spots anyway. & I have no idea where the suggestion to drop Teddy came from, he had a good year & was easily our best defender.

 

[Irvin11]

As tough as it is, I would much rather have Richards, Grundy and AJ in the team than LRT.

It's no knock on LRT, just feel those three are better.

 

[Tippett2Goal]

No hate for LRT I think he can still compete at AFL level, but it comes down to only being realistically to have 6 or 7 defenders in the team (depending on Shaw's role) and at this stage I'd say Richards and Grundy have earned the right to be FB/CHB respectively.

However I don't think LRT should be used as a forward, and believe that was a mistake, despite the Brisbane highlight

 

[SouthSwans]

B: Nick Smith - Ted Richards - Alex Johnson
HB: Rhyce Shaw - Heath Grundy - Marty Mattner
C: Gary Rohan - Jude Bolton - Dan Hannebery
HF: Adam Goodes - Sam Reid - Jarrad McVeigh
F: Ben McGlynn - Tommy Walsh - Ryan O'Keefe
Foll: Shane Mumford - Josh Kennedy - Kieren Jack
I/C: Luke Parker, Lewis R-Thomson, Craig Bird
Sub: Mitch Morton
Emerg: Matt Spangher, Nick Malceski, Tony Armstrong

 

[S120]

We seem to be all agreeing that about 16 or 17 of the starting 18 are near enough to decided (based on last year and what has been going on this preseason) but it's those last 2 and the bench that is causing the most questions to be raised.

I can't wait to see what Horse does with the tall defenders situation. I think it will start as Ted-Reg-AJ with LRT probably playing the 2nd ruckman role. I'd personally rather LRT as our CHB over Reg just because of his extra height and reach but I can't see Grundy not being in the 22.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

The interesting thing about the whole LRT/Grundy debate, is Grundy is only 25. He could easily hit his peak in 2012 and take his game to a new level, he's got the capability, he's just had lapses in his game that really cost us in the past. The same was said about Teddy 2-3 years ago and look how far he came in 2011.

LRT is 28, so he's pretty much at the end of his development cycle. 2010 was ruined by injury and 2011 was spent coming back from injury and filling holes in the team. So there's also plenty of upside for him, but not in a development sense, just in terms of continuity.

At this stage, it all depends on how Grundy has developed over the pre-season. If he reaches the heights he's capable of, and takes out the silly errors, free kicks etc out of his game, he goes ahead of LRT imo. However, if the 2011 version of Grundy comes out, then it'll be a tight battle between them with LRT more than capable of taking the position off him.

In saying that, I have no idea what LRT's been working on over the pre-season. He may return to the backup ruck role (however I don't think that'll be the case unless we see some injuries).

Interesting times ahead

 

[graemed]

I've managed to attend a few of the training sessions this year and late last year.
I believe that like Aaron it is essential to bracket the team into roles but importantly one aspect of the "team selection" is balance and how that balance can be affected by the opposition.

Consider:

1. Do we pick the same side against a smaller running team with power forwards like Collingwood, Geelong or Hawthorn as we might against say Carlton or Essendon who have smaller forwards but one key player through which they direct attacks and then rest the reseve ruck up there.
2. How many "talls" shopuld we play against "smalls" and "on ballers" vs "specialists".

If we're just picking our best 22 regardless of circumstances then my earlier points become moot and its just best performed players vs the rest. Lets go with this as a starting point and look at who this group may be:

"Core" players:
1.Adam Goodes - co-captain and inspirational leader
2.Jarrad McVeigh - tenacious and highly skilled leader
3.Shane Mumford - most complete ruckman in the competition
4.Ryan O’Keefe - killer running machine with an intensity and determination that inspires, great value late in games.
5.Jude Bolton - most courageous player in the competition, never beaten.
6.Kieren Jack - best tagger in team, able to get free and punish and makes good decisions but most importantly has best 'quick kick' in the game.
7.Josh Kennedy - best clearance player in the team, incredibly strong in the clinches.
8.Ted Richards - showed plenty last season and has blossomed into our best key defender.
9. Ben McGlynn - great crumbing forward, leads up and presents well, showed late last season that he has the tank for run with roles although lacks real pace.
10.Rhyce Shaw - runs well out of defence and supports well, decision making and disposal skills suspect under pressure but is resilient and reliable. Very disciplined.
11.Nick Smith - incredible discipline on small forwards. Supports well, provides excellent support and can take a fine o'head mark. Reads play well and makes good decisions with the ball in hand.
12.Daniel Hannebery - absolute running machine. Great courage and reads game excellently. Disposal skills need to improve both in front of goal and around the ground.
13.Sam Reid - Absolute standout as a key forward. Must be protected and given support so does not burn out i.e. Reiwoldt. Needs to woek on converting in front of goals.
14.Heath Grundy - Solid defender. Strong over the ball, runs well and has good speed. Excellent reader of ball in flight and marks well. Must be more careful in making tackles and gives up too many turnovers.
15.Matty Mattner - Excellent defender, runs well in support, can kick well to position and marks well o'head. Needs to work on tackling skills, concedes too many frees.

This group is the basis of the team.
It provides both the strike power and the reliability to win games and just as importantly match other teams phsically.

"Potential" players:
16.Craig Bird - still the best 'tagger' of the remaining players and we have seen he can go forward and punish if allowed freedom.
17.Alex Johnson - best 'new' talent from last year's list. Very cool under pressure, real pace and endurance. Disposals sound and supports well. Marks well under pressure. Can handle talls or smalls. Nice Craig Bolton type.
18.Gary Rohan - great talent but needs to be more involved for longer periods. Could be played off back flank this year to real effect but dispcipline and concentration will be a factor.
19.Luke Parker - showed real grit in every game last season and reminds me of an emerging Jude Bolton. Good prospect especially up forward if he can convert better this season.
20.Lewis Roberts-Thompson - best reserve ruckman prospect. Showed last season he can play up forward when required and be a reasonable ruckman. Injuries are always his biggest concern.
21.Matt Spangher - showed plenty late last season as a lead up forward and an alternative 'get out' to Reid. Has been playing in defence during training sessions but looks a better forward for mine.

These are players I believe deserve a spot either for consistency of performance and potential to team.

Final Spot: Priority based on team balance e.g. substitution etc.
22.Tommy Walsh -looks impressve on the track. Been training the house down as a leading forward. Takes great mark, very strong and I like his attitude (maybe the Irish in me).
23.Lewis Jetta - pace to burn and a real asset with the ball in hand (except when kicking for goal) but seems to fade in and out of play and concentration a concern.
NB Gets plenty of encouragement at training and seems genuinely popular with other players always a good sign.
24.Tom Mitchell - very busy player and looks ready made for top level. Runs well, hits packs hard and has good skills by foot and hand. Very tasty pick up with a great pedigree.
25.Nathan Gordon/Brett Meredith - have been very active on the track but need both to find more ball.
26.Jed Lamb - will be interested to see his development. Injuries have restricted his opportunities but looks great at training.
27.Mark Seaby/Mike Pyke - will have limited opportunities if both Mummy and LRT can remain on track.

Not Favoured -

28.Nick Malkeski - Kicking and disposals have suffered as a consequence of repeated proceedures. Likely to be overlooked for newer prospects.
29.Jesse White - had plenty of opportunities last season but failed to capitalise. Needs more grit to go with gleam.
30.Jarrad Moore - great team player but lacks real pace and the tank to play on ball. Better small forwards available from new crop.
31.Trent Dennis-Lane - maybe used from time to time but too ineffective for long periods of the game and does not chase well.
32.Mitch Morton - Injuries early in pre-season do not bode well, may come into contention late in season.
33.Andrejs Everitt - inconsistency his biggest concern needs to be more involved for longer periods. Not certain if he is a better forward or back and plays with same uncertainty.

 

[baja]

good post and interesting read, post more often please..

 

[AG]

10 years for your first post. Well worth the wait.

 

[kingbet22]

Great write up graemed. God i can't wait for the season to start now.

 

[Syd]

Syd I understand your thinking about putting LRT back in defence to help tackle the really big forwards and resting ruckmen, but it's incredibly harsh to drop Richards after the season he's had. He was by far our best defender, claiming major scalps throughout the whole season.

I think LRT is indeed our best option on the larger forwards and resting ruckmen, also could not see dislodging Grundy as he is more a part of the future IMO.

I've tried to settle the spine around the next 3-4 years and while I agree Richards had a great year, he was on the outer until the injuries allowed him back in and on balance, I think thats still where he fits.

Pity as I like him, but on forward structure\balance I think its and LRT\Grundy combo down back.

Just my $0.02

 

[GoTheSwannies]

I think LRT is indeed our best option on the larger forwards and resting ruckmen, also could not see dislodging Grundy as he is more a part of the future IMO.

I've tried to settle the spine around the next 3-4 years and while I agree Richards had a great year, he was on the outer until the injuries allowed him back in and on balance, I think thats still where he fits.

Pity as I like him, but on forward structure\balance I think its and LRT\Grundy combo down back.

Just my $0.02

Everyone's entitled to an opinion, but I'd take teddy over grundy any day of the week. Teddy was a rock in defence last year. Injury didn't allow him back in the side, injury was what kept him out of the side in the first place, and he did the hard yards and earnt his spot in the side. And when he did get back in he gave absolutely no reason to doubt him. Lrt also came back from injury to earn a spot. If teddy doesn't have a spot on lock I'd be extremely surprised.

 

[SouthSwans]

Yeah agreed, Teddy's a lock.
Realistically though, the whole Grundy/LRT/AJ/Spangher thing will change from week to week I'd say.

 

[gaylordia]

i don't think anyone hates lrt i just think he will be a backup to grundy and richards. lrt's kicking is safer than both the aforementioned who seem to turn the ball over more but only because they take greater risks with their kicking (especially grundy). i think this should be encouraged and they should just work on their skills. i would personally pick aj ahead of all three of them.

 

[lock33]

"Potential" players:
16.Craig Bird - still the best 'tagger' of the remaining players and we have seen he can go forward and punish if allowed freedom..

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/128607/default.aspx


And he has been heavily involved this pre-season as he continues morphing into his new role as a tagger, which he commenced midway through the 2011 campaign.

"I've pretty much done every session so far and injury free," Bird told sydneyswans.com.au.

 

[disgruntled goat]

Throw flaming sticks at me if you wish, but I'd like to believe Rohan, A Johnson and Bird are locks in the best 22.

 

[S120]

Rohan is a lock and the other two probably deserve to be based on how they played last year (Johnson more so than Bird) but perhaps aren't due to other players on the list. They'll all play far more games in the 1's than the 2's though, I think we can all agree on that.

 

[CAS79]

Throw flaming sticks at me if you wish, but I'd like to believe Rohan, A Johnson and Bird are locks in the best 22.

I agree with you

But Im dipping my stick in petrol anyway.

 

[disgruntled goat]

I agree with you

But Im dipping my stick in petrol anyway.

Please tell me that's not a euphemism ...