Opinion Best side 2018

[Pure_Ownage]

I haven’t seen any of Tim Kelly aside from his highlight reel, and read a couple of articles about him.

Seems in the WAFL he was a clearance machine. So can someone explain why so many thing he’ll replace Motlop? Mots (at his best) provided run and carry and linking play. From my limited knowledge of Kelly it seems he’ll be a more skilled version of Menegola or S Selwood - no?

Because his WAFL team may not have had the luxury of being able to use him in a more outside role lest the mids get dominated. It appears he can win contested ball for sure but he has quick long strides and can hit a forward lace out really well. We don't struggle to win the ball even when we lose finals we struggle to deliver to the advantage of our forwards and convert. Let guys like danger both selwoods menegola etc win the phone box ball (which they are very good at) we need a player coming off the back of the square or wing who can take a handball receive from them at speed and then hit our forwards lace out. And when the ball is in our back half gut to provide handball receive options so our transition isn't slow. Currenty only duncan does this but you need more than one player doing it or it's predictable to the opposition. Motlop at his best used to provide lots of gut running and delivery to advantage in this role, i would use kelly in the same way providing his fitness is at the AFL standard required for it.

 

[dazbroncos]

I haven’t seen any of Tim Kelly aside from his highlight reel, and read a couple of articles about him.

Seems in the WAFL he was a clearance machine. So can someone explain why so many thing he’ll replace Motlop? Mots (at his best) provided run and carry and linking play. From my limited knowledge of Kelly it seems he’ll be a more skilled version of Menegola or S Selwood - no?

My one permanent criticism of Mots was not so much that he didnt do well inside - not his gig - but on the few occasions when it was his turn to go and compete 1 on 1, he chose to back out of the contest. That happened several times last year to our detriment.

With Kelly, he has that line breaking run and carry speed ability like Mots, but also seems to have a nose for the ball and getting his own.

I hope the club does not discourage his ball seeking traits, but he will also have to lean that with blokes like Sel, PFD, Scooter, Menegola et al over it, his need to be THAT guy has lessened to a degree and his focus on being that 70 m bloke ( run 20 and kick it 50) is his bread and butter.

The encouraging part is that when his time comes to be THAT guy in the contest, his first thought and reaction seems to be get it and then be the 70 m guy and not disengage from the contest.

Time will tell of course.

GO Catters

 

[DanA]

FB: Bews Henderson Kolodjashnij
HB: Touhy Taylor Stewart
C: Kelly Duncan S.Selwood
HF: Ablett Hawkins Cockatoo
FF: Fogarty Menzel Parfitt
R: Smith Dangerfield J.Selwood
IC: Blicavs, C.Guthrie, Menegola, Thurlow

I think this is the 1st year in a decade that we can say we have a really good mix and aren't hamstrung by a poor structure. KPF is the one glaring weakness but smaller forwardlines seem to work really well in the current footy climate and we've got two superstars capable of kicking bags playing out of the goals square in Ablett and Dangerfield that mitigate that problem. And looking at each position group:

Backline:
I's pretty settled defensively and should be comfortable playing together. For the first time in ages we should have to shoehorn a defender into the side as a KPF or oversized player on a small defender. It's still a pretty experienced group. Kolo and Bews are edging 50 games, Stewart is coming of a great 1st season as a mature body and Hedo, Touhy and Taylor are AA candidates when in form. As competition I'm still quite bullish on Thurlow despite a bad season in his first year back from ACL, and I was very impressed with Z.Guthrie despite being a twig. Hopefully with a bit more time post ACL for Thurlow and more weight those two can fight for a starting spot and provide real competition. But if not, we know that Cam Guthrie can do a job down back as well. The backup talls (House & Gardiner) I'm less bullish on and it's doubtful they will push Taylor or Henderson but at least they're now mature bodies that look ready to be eased into the 1st team.

Midfield:
I think it's easily the best midfield in the league. Danger, Selwood, Duncan and Ablett are IMO top 10 midfielders in the league. Zac Smith is a solid and improving ruck and there's a solid supporting cast of more defensive midfield options in Blicavs. S.Selwood, Menegola and Guthrie. Some young exciting options in Cockatoo, Parfitt and Kelly should make solid contributions in cameo appearances out of the center square or on the wings. I really like the look of Kelly and think he can offer the sort of contribution we got from Menegola and Stewart in their first seasons but in the style of Duncan or Shaun Burgoyne as an inside/outside midfielder that uses the ball well. I'd play Blicavs as a 2nd ruck and defensive mid option and between Scooter, Cam Guthrie and Blicavs should have the right defensive matchup for anybody. I thought we found a nice wrinkle last season with Blicavs creating mismatches pushes forward. Hopefully he can build on that and kick a few more than his 12 goals in 2017. I wouldn't have a 2nd genuine ruck, Stanley can come in as a solid no.1 ruck if Smith doesn't play. With all the small forwards we have I'd push Parsons up the field into more of a wing role competing with Murdoch but I think they get beaten out by Kelly with a tagger on the opposite wing.

Forward:
It's a massive change from previous years and still our weakness IMO with KPF a bit of a headache. I haven't selected Stanley or Buzza going with the general league trend of a smaller forward-line, and that make sense with our draft and free agency. But likely things will be pretty fluid with Chris Scott spending the year tinkering. And even with this team selection we'll see a lot of different looks having Hawkins, Ablett, Dangerfield or Menzel all potentially playing out of the goal square at any given time. We've now got a whole host of small forward options that is exciting, that should translate into improved forward pressure. I'm very high on Miers and Fogarty in these roles but there's 5-6 guys competing for these roles so whoever wins out should be producing. I've gone with Parfitt and Fogarty, it could easily be Miers and McCarthy.

 

[sherrif]

Bews Henderson Stewart
Touhy Taylor Cockatoo
Duncan Menegola S Selwood
Parfitt Hawkins Kelly
Dangerfield Menzel Ablett
Smith C Guthrie J Selwood
Blicavs Crameri
Z Guthrie Miers

I watched Kelly a fair bit over the last few season. He will offer a lot to your team,. Is quick and skillfull, but what hasnt been advertised is that he is an absolute gun at clearances as well. For what it is worth I think Stewart could easily play full back if required as he is fiercly determined in the marking contest even though he is touch undersized.
An outsiders best 22.
B: Bews Stewart Henderson
HB: Touhy Taylor Kolo
C: C.Guthrie J.Selwood Duncan
R: Smith Kelly Dangerfield
HF: Cockatoo Stanley Menegola
FF; Ablett Hawkins Menzel

I/C Partiff, Foggarty, S.Selwood, Blicavs

 

[DanA]

I watched Kelly a fair bit over the last few season. He will offer a lot to your team,. Is quick and skillfull, but what hasnt been advertised is that he is an absolute gun at clearances as well. For what it is worth I think Stewart could easily play full back if required as he is fiercly determined in the marking contest even though he is touch undersized.
An outsiders best 22.
B: Bews Stewart Henderson
HB: Touhy Taylor Kolo
C: C.Guthrie J.Selwood Duncan
R: Smith Kelly Dangerfield
HF: Cockatoo Stanley Menegola
FF; Ablett Hawkins Menzel

I/C Partiff, Foggarty, S.Selwood, Blicavs

I don't see how Kelly pushes out Duncan from the starting midfield position. He's a dead set gun, I could see him coming in off the wing though.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

B: Bews - Henderson - Stewart
HB: Thurlow - Taylor - Guthrie
C: Tuohy - Duncan - Cockatoo
HF: Parfitt - Hawkins - Kelly
F: McCarthy - Menzel - Ablett
R: Smith - Dangerfield - Selwood
IC: S. Selwood, Menegola, Kolodjashnij, Parsons

I typically wouldn't have a fresh draftee in a predicted best 22, but given the fragility of Gregson and McCarthy and Kelly's age, I think it's reasonable to expect he could find a spot in the side. It is fairly optimistic to expect McCarthy and Gregson to be available, but hopefully at least one is at any given time (I've listed McCarthy for the sake of the exercise).

Tuohy moves into more of an outside mid role due to his line-breaking ability and to provide drive into the forward 50 and the occasional goal. He is also suspect defensively so we probably can't afford him spending too much time in the backline. A year removed form his ACL recovery, Thurlow will hopefully form into the half back flanker we were hopeful for, providing skillful execution and quick ball movement out of the backline. Guthrie shifts into the backline for similar reasons and due to proving a liability in the midfield. Taylor, Henderson and Stewart should suffice against most sides as the tall backs, but Kolo can be used to free Taylor up or used further up the ground depending on what the situation dictates.

Parfitt, Cockatoo, Kelly, and Ablett can be rotated through midfield and the forward line frequently, with Dangerfield fulfilling brief stints up forward.

Blicavs can't be left in the side. He contributes too little at the expense of stifling quick ball movement whenever he is involved. The side is also covered for defensive mids with Selwood and Guthrie (if needed though not ideal). Blicavs wasn't particularly effective at this role regardless. The midfield would also become far too one-paced with him playing there along with S. Selwood and Menegola. Menegola's spot will also hopefully be threatened by Constable soon.

This leaves us without a dedicated second ruck, but Smith continued to improve last year and I think can be relied upon now to perform the vast majority of the ruck work solo as Nankervis did at the Tigers this year. Other talls can pinch hit for very brief periods while he rests. It is far too cumbersome having to carry Stanley or Blicavs for that purpose.

Depth in order of selection preference:
KPD: Gardner, House
General Defenders: Zach Guthrie, O'Connor
Inside Mids: GHS, Constable
Outside mids: Cunico, Simpson, Henry
Rucks: Stanley, Blicavs, Abbott
KPF: Crameri, Black, Buzza, Ratugolea
Small forwards: Gregson, Murdoch, Jones, Miers

 

[Turbocat]

B: Bews - Henderson - Stewart
HB: Thurlow - Taylor - Guthrie
C: Tuohy - Duncan - Cockatoo
HF: Parfitt - Hawkins - Kelly
F: McCarthy - Menzel - Ablett
R: Smith - Dangerfield - Selwood
IC: S. Selwood, Menegola, Kolodjashnij, Parsons

I typically wouldn't have a fresh draftee in a predicted best 22, but given the fragility of Gregson and McCarthy and Kelly's age, I think it's reasonable to expect he could find a spot in the side. It is fairly optimistic to expect McCarthy and Gregson to be available, but hopefully at least one is at any given time (I've listed McCarthy for the sake of the exercise).

Tuohy moves into more of an outside mid role due to his line-breaking ability and to provide drive into the forward 50 and the occasional goal. He is also suspect defensively so we probably can't afford him spending too much time in the backline. A year removed form his ACL recovery, Thurlow will hopefully form into the half back flanker we were hopeful for, providing skillful execution and quick ball movement out of the backline. Guthrie shifts into the backline for similar reasons and due to proving a liability in the midfield. Taylor, Henderson and Stewart should suffice against most sides as the tall backs, but Kolo can be used to free Taylor up or used further up the ground depending on what the situation dictates.

Parfitt, Cockatoo, Kelly, and Ablett can be rotated through midfield and the forward line frequently, with Dangerfield fulfilling brief stints up forward.

Blicavs can't be left in the side. He contributes too little and the expense of stifling quick ball movement whenever he is involved. The side is also covered for defensive mids with Selwood and Guthrie (if needed though not ideal). Blicavs wasn't particularly effective at this role regardless. The midfield would also become far too one-paced with him playing there along with S. Selwood and Menegola. Menegola's spot will also hopefully be threatened by Constable soon.

This leaves us without a dedicated second ruck, but Smith continued to improve last year and I think can be relied upon now to perform the vast majority of the ruck work solo as Nankervis did at the Tigers did this year. Other talls can pinch hit for very brief periods while he rests. It is far too cumbersome having to carry Stanley or Blicavs for that purpose.

Depth in order of selection preference:
KPD: Gardner, House
General Defenders: Zach Guthrie, O'Connor
Inside Mids: GHS, Constable
Outside mids: Cunico, Simpson, Henry
Rucks: Stanley, Blicavs, Abbott
KPF: Black, Buzza, Ratugolea
Small forwards: Gregson, Murdoch, Jones, Miers

Thats not a bad side ..I think Id try Blitz as ruck and leave Smith out and see if we really could get our mobility up. And depending on Preseason training .. it would not surprise me to see Fogerty get a go in the Preseason games..and then who knows. He adds a sort energy we need.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Dr.. I think we underestimate how much harder it is a step up. On talent , he would be like Menegola and will be pushing for a spot immedietly ..but I have no idea how much work he does in a game. On the vids he bursts a lot.. the same as Motlop. ..but Motlop also used to run and run. If Kelly can handle the pre-season then yes he will push for games before many that got games this year.I doubt we will pick him to be in the twos for a couple of years , he was picked to add real depth now , in fact all 4 players have been picked with a bias for now .but until they all hit the track etc we really don know. where they will be in the running etc.

Murdoch at times looked like he was about to turn the corner but in the end got pushed out. He will be under more pressure in 18 as his pace will be less likely to earn him games. Of your list Gregson amd Linc have shown they can play if fit. Parsons may well slip. Cunico suddenly finds that he is no longer the new guys at its time or he will be like GHS. ZG will still be selected , has a big future and I dont see any of tonights affecting him

You’ve had a really weird year. Hard to get a read on your thought patterns at times.
Fair to say I am disagree here. He’ll play and play early.

 

[Turbocat]

You’ve had a really weird year. Hard to get a read on your thought patterns at times.
Fair to say I am disagree here. He’ll play and play early.

OK

 

[supahoops]

Stewart Taylor Bews
Zuthrie Hendo Tuohy
Duncan Selwood Cockatoo
Parfitt Blicavs Menegola
Ablett Hawkins Cuthrie
Smith Dangerfield SSelwood

Kolo Menzel McCarthy Gregson

Blicavs back to his best as a hard running push up to the wings, defence type forward when we go tall, making space, while on hand to ruck, tag or key defend when required. Menegola quasi-chf otherwise.

Genuine small forward threats. I like Cuthrie there and to tag when required, Gregson, McCarthy, Kelly and Ablett give us a whole new dimension if fit.

Parfitt and Cockatoo can give us that midfield depth and class if these guys step up.

Quietly confident if we can get the buy-in and game plan right..

 

[Seeds]

Thats not a bad side ..I think Id try Blitz as ruck and leave Smith out and see if we really could get our mobility up. And depending on Preseason training .. it would not surprise me to see Fogerty get a go in the Preseason games..and then who knows. He adds a sort energy we need.

Blitz as sole ruck gurantees the opposition ruck is best on ground

 

[jnrburger]

B: Bews Henderson Kolodjashnij
HB: Stewart Taylor Tuohy
C: CGuthrie SSelwood Menegola
HF: Duncan Crameri Cockatoo
F: Ablett Hawkins Menzel

Foll: Smith Dangerfield JSelwood

Int: Blicavs Thurlow Parfitt Kelly

Emer: Stanley Murdoch and the fittest one out of McCarthy / Gregson

Given the absence of viable goal-kicking big men, we have little choice but to pick Crameri up in the rookie draft tomorrow. It remains our key structural weakness if we don't.

 

[Turbocat]

Blitz as sole ruck gurantees the opposition ruck is best on ground

Smith out of the side means we have extra run.. and plenty of games were won without the winning ruck ..when you have so many around the ball it seems to nullify the relevance of a ruckman these days.

 

[CatRiot]

Smith out of the side means we have extra run.. and plenty of game were won without the ruck ..when you have so many around the ball it seems to nullify the relevance of a ruckman.

I quite like Smith, I think he has improved since joining us. He has been our best Ruck since Otto IMO.

I'd keep Smith in the ruck, then look at dropping Stanley and Blicavs, but persevere with Buzza at CHF and pinch hitting in the ruck. Not sure we have explored that setup enough yet.

 

[Turbocat]

I quite like Smith, I think he has improved since joining us. He has been our best Ruck since Otto IMO.

I'd keep Smith in the ruck, then look at dropping Stanley and Blicavs, but persevere with Buzza at CHF and pinch hitting in the ruck. Not sure we have explored that setup enough yet.

Its more a matter of seeing we can rebalance our side . Against certain sides he will be more important but to start id try running more mobility.
I shouldn't worry though , my guess is GA will be a strong advocate for Smith playing.

 

[CatRiot]

Its more a matter of seeing we can rebalance our side . Against certain sides he will be more important but to start id try running more mobility.
I shouldn't worry though , my guess is GA will be a strong advocate for Smith playing.

Yeah.

I think if Buzza can have a breakout year, it will go a long way for us making the next step, ceteris paribus and assuming GAJ and Kelly are fit, and we get some improvement from the next gen group.

Buzza and SavRat seem like big unknowns to me.

 

[Turbocat]

Yeah.

I think if Buzza can have a breakout year, it will go a long way for us making the next step, ceteris paribus and assuming GAJ and Kelly are fit, and we get some improvement from the next gen group.

Buzza and SavRat seem like big unknowns to me.

And I suspect they will stay unknowns...

 

[DanA]

The way the list is set up, small ball is ideal.

 

[Warhorse]

Biggy just about nails it. For me:

B: Bews - Henderson - Zuthrie
HB: Thurlow - Taylor - Steward
C: Tuohy - Duncan - Kelly
HF: Parfitt - Hawkins - Cockatoo
F: Fogerty - Menzel - Ablett
R: Smith - Dangerfield - Selwood
IC: S. Selwood, Guthrie, Kolodjashnij, Parsons

Blitz and menegola both out of the team due to finals non performance. Zuthrie was excellent in final against Richmond. Not sure about menzel.. we lack a little marking power in the forward line is the main concern

 

[sherrif]

HF: Menegola Blicavs Cokatoo
FF: Ablett Hawkins Partiff
Foggarty

Stewart Taylor Bews
Zuthrie Hendo Tuohy
Duncan Selwood Cockatoo
Parfitt Blicavs Menegola
Ablett Hawkins Cuthrie
Smith Dangerfield SSelwood

Kolo Menzel McCarthy Gregson

Blicavs back to his best as a hard running push up to the wings, defence type forward when we go tall, making space, while on hand to ruck, tag or key defend when required. Menegola quasi-chf otherwise.

Genuine small forward threats. I like Cuthrie there and to tag when required, Gregson, McCarthy, Kelly and Ablett give us a whole new dimension if fit.

Parfitt and Cockatoo can give us that midfield depth and class if these guys step up.

Quietly confident if we can get the buy-in and game plan right..

Menegola actually played as a centre half forward in his junior years. If both Stanley and Buzza are not in form I could see him playing a lead-up forward role. Kelly and Ablett improve your midfield depth obviously so repositioning Sam as a permanent forward makes sense. Crameri might yet be an astute pick if he gets over his injuries as he could play a similar role.

 

[DanA]

I wouldn’t mind Blicavs training as a forward this summer. Not that I want to play him there but I wouldn’t mind him improving his forward craft.

 

[Landgraft]

I wouldn’t mind Blicavs training as a forward this summer. Not that I want to play him there but I wouldn’t mind him improving his forward craft.

I thought his work up forward helped make him an improved player this season, he contributed some handy goals and looked fairly comfortable.

 

[DanA]

I thought his work up forward helped make him an improved player this season, he contributed some handy goals and looked fairly comfortable.

As a midfielder he’s able to get good mismatches and definitely gave us an outlet, I just think he can improve his forward craft and offer a bit more.

 

[fpm84]

Big call: Crameri will be in our senior team come round 1.

 

[strauchnyy]

FB: Bews - Taylor - Stewart
HB: Tuohy - Henderson - Kolo
C: Menegola - J.Selwood - Duncan
HF: Kelly - Menzel - Crameri
FF: Fogarty - Hawkins - Cockatoo
Fol: Smith - Dangerfield - Ablett
Int: Blicavs - Guthrie - S.Selwood - Parfitt

Emerg: Thurlow - Buzza - Murdoch

Notes:
- Smaller orward kine with more mobile forwards (Crameri, Menzel at chf, Kelly to play high half forward and through the mid)
- assumes McCarthy and Gregson are not fit, in which case Fogarty can come straight in to play that manic tackling pressure fp.
- Cockatoo to play 50/50 forward and through the middle as an inside mid
- Parfitt to play 70/30 as a mid.
- Danger resting forward 30% of the time... Ablett 25% of the time. Leaving most of the mid grunt work to the selwoods, Menegola, Duncan.
- Guthrie 30% in defense
- Crameri and Kelly up the field.
- Hawkins goes to CHF when Danger or Ablett are deep
- If Gregson/McCarthy are fit they come in for Fogarty but I want to see Gregson playing as a linkman in the middle as this is his position.
- Blitz to be 2nd ruck, spending time in defense as that quarterback marking role so he can learn the caper and slowly develop next year onwards as a key defender.