Opinion Best side 2018

[Art Vandelay_]

The club clearly has some sort of problem with him in spite of his goal output. Dropping him for the first final and giving him every opportunity to leave before signing him for what is likely a low-value contract aren't indicators to me that he's someone they perceive as an automatic best 22 selection. Crameri's drafting would also put pressure on him.

I would have Menzel in my best 22, but I'm not so sure that's the route the club will take. There's very good reason to doubt it.

Well let's see in June or May or whenever. He'll play a key role in our forward line.

 

[DanA]

I believe you'll end up wrong. A) We don't have the luxury of dropping prolific goal kickers B) his only missed games will be rests and injuries.

Why? Best tackler in the league. By a mile too.

Regarding point B
That wasn't the case last year. He was dropped for the QF final against Richmond and evidently healthy because he was listed as a senior emergency.

Regarding point A
Menzel over his career has averaged 1.8 goals, Crameri has averaged 1.7 goals. It's not an insurmountable difference should Crameri have a good pre-season and recapture his form, while Menzel maybe has a slump, particularly when you consider that Crameri aerobic capacity and tackling dwarfs Menzel's. If we are trying to build an identity as a fierce pressing mobile forward-line then I could see us sacrificing a bit of goal scoring prolificacy to accommodate that.

At this stage, I have Menzel ahead of Crameri by a margin but I don't think Menzel should rest on his laurels. I expect Crameri to be a chop out if Menzel needs to be rested and if he does recapture his best form, he could outright replace Menzel in the line-up. And the most likely reason for that IMO is an attempt to create more forward line pressure.

 

[Mahlepi]

Regarding point B
That wasn't the case last year. He was dropped for the QF final against Richmond and evidently healthy because he was listed as a senior emergency.

Regarding point A
Menzel over his career has averaged 1.8 goals, Crameri has averaged 1.7 goals. It's not an insurmountable difference should Crameri have a good pre-season and recapture his form, while Menzel maybe has a slump, particularly when you consider that Crameri aerobic capacity and tackling dwarfs Menzel's. If we are trying to build an identity as a fierce pressing mobile forward-line then I could see us sacrificing a bit of goal scoring prolificacy to accommodate that.

At this stage, I have Menzel ahead of Crameri by a margin but I don't think Menzel should rest on his laurels. I expect Crameri to be a chop out if Menzel needs to be rested and if he does recapture his best form, he could outright replace Menzel in the line-up. And the most likely reason for that IMO is an attempt to create more forward line pressure.

crameri will release hawkins more, if fit will play more than some on here want to believe
tough year coming for menzel, as he cant just kick goals and give nothing else, as less than 2 goals is not enough when his direct opponent runs off

 

[witsend]

FB: Tuohy Taylor Bews
HB: Kolo Hendo Stewart
C: C. Guthrie J. Selwood Duncan
HF: Menzel Hawkins Cockatoo
FF: McCarthy Dangerfield Parfitt
R: Smith Ablett S. Selwood
I/C: Menegola, Kelly, Blicavs, Crameri
Em: Thurlow, Buzza, Murdoch

 

[ShaunWDT]

B: Bews, Taylor, Stewart
HB: Tuohy, Henderson, Kolodjashnij
C: Kelly, J Selwood, Duncan
HF: Ablett, Crameri, Cockatoo
F: Parfitt, Hawkins, Menzel
Fol: Smith, Dangerfield, S Selwood
Int: Menegola, Blicavs, Guthrie, McCarthy

 

[you pick one]

Here are 4 players who will play plenty of footy next season, but I never picked in my side earlier and why.
Kolo:Not composed enough down back and is prone to turning the ball over in dangerous positions with silly kicks backwards or across goal,was far better up the ground where mistakes don't cost so dearly but overall didn't step up at all to another level this year.

Cam Guthrie:Never got going this year,his body looked to lack power,continuously got pinged holding the ball or just handed it off to some other poor bugger to take the tackle,will need to rebuild his game.

Blitz:Like Blake as a ruck who had his niche in the game taken away from him with a change to the game and now struggles to make a spot his own,not talented enough to be a a genuine utility and a bit sixties with his stop start style of play.

Stanley:Best position ruck but Smith has a mortgage on that and despite the need for a competitive second ruck and CHF he hasn't been good/desperate enough to make a spot his own even with little opposition.

Those 4 players at their very best would no doubt increase our finals chances but if it's to be more of the same I'd be happy to give more chances to others.

 

[ChookNorris]

I believe you'll end up wrong. A) We don't have the luxury of dropping prolific goal kickers B) his only missed games will be rests and injuries.

Why? Best tackler in the league. By a mile too.

You’re probably right, Dan does have incredible mental strength. If he applies that to two way running he’s a walk up. I just don’t know where the club sees him these days.

 

[Seeds]

Does it really matter where he names them?

In this case yes cos a bench spot doesnt need to be taken by another specialist forward pocket. If he already has two specialist forward pockets in the team why is a third needed?

 

[Seeds]

Here are 4 players who will play plenty of footy next season, but I never picked in my side earlier and why.
Kolo:Not composed enough down back and is prone to turning the ball over in dangerous positions with silly kicks backwards or across goal,was far better up the ground where mistakes don't cost so dearly but overall didn't step up at all to another level this year.

Cam Guthrie:Never got going this year,his body looked to lack power,continuously got pinged holding the ball or just handed it off to some other poor bugger to take the tackle,will need to rebuild his game.

Blitz:Like Blake as a ruck who had his niche in the game taken away from him with a change to the game and now struggles to make a spot his own,not talented enough to be a a genuine utility and a bit sixties with his stop start style of play.

Stanley:Best position ruck but Smith has a mortgage on that and despite the need for a competitive second ruck and CHF he hasn't been good/desperate enough to make a spot his own even with little opposition.

Those 4 players at their very best would no doubt increase our finals chances but if it's to be more of the same I'd be happy to give more chances to others.

Cam guthrie did get his game going again by the end of last year as a mid until he injured himself in the first final. When fit is clearly in the starting team.

 

[you pick one]

In this case yes cos a bench spot doesnt need to be taken by another specialist forward pocket. If he already has two specialist forward pockets in the team why is a third needed?

Who's the three specialist forward pockets that won't go through the midfield?

 

[MotleyLemon]

Who's the three specialist forward pockets that won't go through the midfield?

I had 1 by my count...

 

[you pick one]

I had 1 by my count...

Me too.

 

[Seeds]

Regarding point B
That wasn't the case last year. He was dropped for the QF final against Richmond and evidently healthy because he was listed as a senior emergency.

Regarding point A
Menzel over his career has averaged 1.8 goals, Crameri has averaged 1.7 goals. It's not an insurmountable difference should Crameri have a good pre-season and recapture his form, while Menzel maybe has a slump, particularly when you consider that Crameri aerobic capacity and tackling dwarfs Menzel's. If we are trying to build an identity as a fierce pressing mobile forward-line then I could see us sacrificing a bit of goal scoring prolificacy to accommodate that.

At this stage, I have Menzel ahead of Crameri by a margin but I don't think Menzel should rest on his laurels. I expect Crameri to be a chop out if Menzel needs to be rested and if he does recapture his best form, he could outright replace Menzel in the line-up. And the most likely reason for that IMO is an attempt to create more forward line pressure.

Play both. Why we think its one or the other is bizarre.

 

[cynical]

I'd play 3 of Taylor, Henderson, Stewart, Kolo, Gardner.

1 of S Selwood, Menegola, Blicavs
1 of Smith, Stanley

probably Buzza as a developing tall forward/ruck chop out. I like the pressure he provides.

1 of Menzel/Crameri (if he isnt injured)/Black

I'd mainly be looking at developing some good small forwards/outside players at the expense of plodders who cant kick, make good decisions or perform under pressure/finals.

 

[DanA]

Play both. Why we think its one or the other is bizarre.

Because pressure is a priority and these two aren't the best in the side at creating that pressure.

 

[ShaunWDT]

Hawkins,Menzel,Crameri and smalls is the most obvious forward line we will see all year for mine.

 

[Daniel McL]

Hawkins,Menzel,Crameri and smalls is the most obvious forward line we will see all year for mine.

Next minute Hawkins, Stanley, Buzza, Crameri, Menzel, Black

 

[candiehappy]

1 of Menzel/Crameri (if he isnt injured)/Black

I am very surprised that in a discussion relating to the best 22 that Blacks name would get a mention. I'd still be surprised even if we were talking best 30.

 

[Seeds]

I had 1 by my count...

cockatoo and kelly.

 

[Seeds]

Because pressure is a priority and these two aren't the best in the side at creating that pressure.

the overemphasis on pressure for forwards is a dumb fad. if you win the ball and kick the goal you have no need for defensive pressure. If you have good defensive pressure you still need the skills to do something with the ball once you win it. Having 4 defensive forwards and only two attacking forwards is utterly stupid. By that argument we should only ever have played one of SJ and Chapman in the team and probably wouldnt have any flags as a result.

 

[MotleyLemon]

cockatoo and kelly.

Kelly is a half forward/outside mid.

Cockatoo needs to be as well.

 

[MotleyLemon]

the overemphasis on pressure for forwards is a dumb fad. if you win the ball and kick the goal you have no need for defensive pressure. If you have good defensive pressure you still need the skills to do something with the ball once you win it. Having 4 defensive forwards and only two attacking forwards is utterly stupid. By that argument we should only ever have played one of SJ and Chapman in the team and probably wouldnt have any flags as a result.

They both went through the midfield...

 

[ShaunWDT]

the overemphasis on pressure for forwards is a dumb fad. if you win the ball and kick the goal you have no need for defensive pressure. If you have good defensive pressure you still need the skills to do something with the ball once you win it. Having 4 defensive forwards and only two attacking forwards is utterly stupid. By that argument we should only ever have played one of SJ and Chapman in the team and probably wouldnt have any flags as a result.

Pressure creates goals, in a close game it's the difference between a win and a loss.

 

[Johanpetro]

Kelly is a half forward/outside mid.

Cockatoo needs to be as well.

There's nothing outside about Cockatoo's game.

I'm really hoping Guthrie can take the same leap Duncan took this season. They were both probly on par on 2016 and now there is daylight between them. Hopefully 2018 will be Guthries year. Wishful thinking?

 

[candiehappy]

Having 4 defensive forwards and only two attacking forwards is utterly stupid.

in this day and age doesn't a forward need to both? Surely they aren't mutually exclusive traits? Cockatoo does both.