Bestest 22

[fronkalicious]

Im going to make this thread semi-redundant straight up, by saying that I do think the notion of an idyllic "best 22" is a bit, well, silly to be honest. But its an interesting idea to tackle nonetheless. So if everyone on the list was fit and healthy, and given what we've seen so far through the NAB and the first 2 rounds, what do we think would be our genuine best 22???

 

[Dogsman16]

Im going to make this thread semi-redundant straight up, by saying that I do think the notion of an idyllic "best 22" is a bit, well, silly to be honest. But its an interesting idea to tackle nonetheless. So if everyone on the list was fit and healthy, and given what we've seen so far through the NAB and the first 2 rounds, what do we think would be our genuine best 22???

FB: Wood, Roughead, Morris
HB: Murphy, Talia, Boyd
C: Jong, Wallis, Macrae
HF: Crameri, Stringer, Dickson
FF: Dahlhaus, T.Boyd, Honeychurch
R: Minson, Liberatore, Bontempelli
Int: JJ, Hrovat, Hunter
Sub: Grant
Emg: Smith, Biggs, Campbell

As always team balance is the most important element of my sides hence why I haven't gone with a genuine second ruck as I think 2 rucks makes our forward pressure almost redundant. Also gone with Grant and Hrovat over Picken with their better ball use and speed and Honeychurch who's speed and goal sense gives him the nod.

T.Boyd and Roughead share the 2nd ruck role. Redpath's NAB challenge form should have warranted him a couple of consecutive games at the highest level, but have gone with extra speed and dash.

 

[TedDougChris]

FB: Wood, Roughead, Morris
HB: Murphy, Talia, Boyd
C: Jong, Wallis, Macrae
HF: Crameri, Redpath, Dickson
FF: Honeychurch, T.Boyd, Stringer
R: Minson, Dahlhaus, Bontempelli
Int: JJ, Hrovat, Picken
Sub: Grant

Left out Libba.... If everyone was fit was the original concept.... Assuming I have interpreted correctly fronkalicious

 

[Dogsman16]

Left out Libba.... If everyone was fit was the original concept.... Assuming I have interpreted correctly fronkalicious

True, will edit.

 

[fronkalicious]

Left out Libba.... If everyone was fit was the original concept.... Assuming I have interpreted correctly fronkalicious

Yep. Full list to choose from. Who you got?

 

[Super Hans]

Wood - Roughead - Morris
Murphy - Talia - Boyd
Macrae - Wallis - JJ
Dahl - Redpath - Crameri
Stringer - Boyd - Dickson
Minson - Bontempelli - Libba

Biggs, Hrovat, Picken
(Smith)

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

Was pondering this myself earlier today. Obviously Libba and Clay play, and a fit Hrovat is best 22 every day of the week for mine (yes, I'm aware he's fit now but he's had an interrupted start to the year).

The wildcard for me might be Zaine Cordy. He's highly rated and expected to progress through a variety of roles, so I don't think it's crazy (inzaine?) to suggest he could've featured early.

Wood - Roughead - Morris
M Boyd - Talia - Murphy
Macrae - Wallis - Jong
Dahlhaus - Stringer - Honeychurch
Dickson - T Boyd - Crameri
Minson - Liberatore - Bontempelli

Hrovat - Picken - Clay
Shanks

In a perfect world Ayce would be competent and Campbell could stop and swivel on a 20 cent piece, but perfect world it ain't, so just Will for now. I'd like to see more of Hunter at VFL level - really make him earn it.

I can't justify picking Redpath or a token resting ruck, so Stringer has the floor. Frees up a bit of space for the smalls that bring the pressure and collect the ball when Boyd brings it to ground.

 

[Yojimbo]

I think we have eighteen best twenty two players including
Tom Liberatore and Clay Smith at the moment the rest are
still works in progress or don't have enough exposure at the
level to be fully assessed. Saying that i am bullish about the
future for the bulk of the list well into the mid thirties.

 

[TimlinOfficial]

B: Morris Roughead Boyd


HB: Murphy Talia Wood


C: Macrae Libba Hrovat


HF: Stringer Crameri Honeychurch


F: Dickson Boyd Wallis


R: Minson Bont Dahl


I/C: Johannisen Smith Jong Hunter

EMG: Campbell Biggs Stevens


It might be a bit off in terms of structure (some might want another tall or resting ruck in the forward line - I'd go with Campbell if so), but at the moment these are the best 25 players on our list I'd say.

The forward pressure and spread of potential goal kickers that this team would have would arguably be even better than what we've seen so far this season.

That midfield mix is not just good for a young team, it's seriously good for the AFL - top class inside grunt mixed with efficient and talented disposers, brilliant tacklers, a few speedsters and a fair bit of goal kicking/creating x-factor.

The back six remains unchanged from the experienced, calm, organised, rebounding unit that we've been treated to so far this year.

I also find it quite exciting to think about how many guys there are who are (or seem to be) capable of holding their own at AFL level: Stevens, Campbell, Biggs, Picken, Grant, Darley, Roberts and Hamling spring to mind.

Then there's also the draftees, who knows what they're capable of, but with Webb and Daniel showing signs early, you could arguably add these two to the above list.

Of those I took out, I can't see Goodes getting a game when the blokes in bold are fit/ready to go. Grant is probably the same story, unfortunately. Cordy is just a concerning prospect after last weekend, and Picken is probably the most stiff to be dropped.

 

[TedDougChris]

Yep. Full list to choose from. Who you got?

Other than the token silly answer (see below), I'll need some thinking time and music...

Silly answer:

FB: Morris Bonts Bonts
HB: Murphy Bonts Murphy
C: Macrae Wallis Bonts
HF: Stringer C Grant Crameri
FF: Dahl T Boyd Bonts

R: Minson, Libba, Bonts
I: Bonts Bonts Bonts
S: Me (cause with that many Bont's you could afford to have me as the sub and still win....)

Edit: decided to bring the great man out of retirement so I could play a game with him.....

See, I told you it was silly..

 

[maddog37]

Wood - Roughead - Morris
Murphy - Talia - Boyd
Macrae - Wallis - JJ
Dahl - Redpath - Crameri
Stringer - Boyd - Dickson
Minson - Bontempelli - Libba

Biggs, Hrovat, Picken
(Smith)

I like this but I would leave out Redpath and play Cramers at chf. I would bring Clay onto a flank and Honey into the bench.

 

[TedDougChris]

Ok, slightly more sensible answer:

FB: Morris, Roughie, Wood
HB: Murphy, Talia, M Boyd
C: Macrae, Wallis, Jong
HF: Stringer, Roberts, Crameri
FF: Dickson, T Boyd, Dahl

R: Minson, Libba, Bontempelli

I: Hrovat, Honeychurch, Smith
S: JJ

I think Roberts has the tools necessary for a CHF, he just needs the continuity in his game. Assuming he is fit (as was stated in the OP), I'd be giving him a serious shot. Longer term, that would also give some flexibilty mid-match, should an injury occur to one of our KPD's, and in the interim, he and T Boyd can give Minno a chop out for a few minutes. JJ as sub gives us either speed through the middle or additional defensive pressure if needed.

Longer term I think you're looking at a Webb/Biggs/Darley to replace M Boyd in the next 12 - 18 months. Someone needs to step up to replace Minson in a similar timeframe.

Interestingly, no spot for either Grant (not my personal favourite) or Picken in this lineup.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I tried this the other day and I just found that there were too many question marks. Do guys like Webb, Dale and Biggs stand up at AFL level? Does Smith get back to his best? There are spots there for a couple of these guys to take in my opinion, it's just tough. Additionally we haven't seen enough to know who our best CHF is, nor have we seen what the best structure is up there. It's just too early, with too many question marks, for me. Need to see a bit more.

 

[Bont2Bruce]

Im going to make this thread semi-redundant straight up, by saying that I do think the notion of an idyllic "best 22" is a bit, well, silly to be honest. But its an interesting idea to tackle nonetheless. So if everyone on the list was fit and healthy, and given what we've seen so far through the NAB and the first 2 rounds, what do we think would be our genuine best 22???

Assume that this doesn't allow for future development of players at all and is judged as at April 2015 - is that correct?

Morris Roughead Wood
Murphy Talia MBoyd
Macrae Wallis Jong
Dahlhaus Stringer Crameri
Redpath TBoyd Dickson
Minson Bontempelli Liberatore
Picken Johannisen Honeychurch Grant

EMG: Webb, Campbell, Hamling

Clay Smith and Honeychurch are fighting for the same spot. Honeychurch just in front based on a great performance last week, including decent disposal efficiency.

 

[Dogsman16]

BUMP!!!

So we are 12 games into the season and much better placed than expected with a 7 - 5 win loss ratio.

How do you see the best 22 shaping until seasons end.

Beside 2 key injuries in Libba and Smith we have close to a full list available (particularly those close to selection or in the best 22)

You can pick players that have shown glimpes of stardom or others who you think might be consistent better 22 players. Also can select players who are playing VFL this weekend but who are undoubted best 22 players (Crameri).

My side for the last 10 rounds.

FB: Wood, Hamling, Morris
HB: JJ, Roberts, Murphy
C: Dahlhaus, Bontempelli, Grant
HF: McLean, T.Boyd, Crameri
FF: Dickson, Stringer, Honeychurch
R: Roughead, Wallis, Picken

Macrae, M.Boyd, Stevens,
Sub: Jong
Emg: Talia, Webb, Hrovat

Surprise inclusion: Jong - Certainly a barometer in the first 5 weeks for us and we need his speed to play on the wing and more importantly to split through the corridor.
Big Omission: Minson - Only to be used in case of Monster opposition ruckman which we don't really face until NM. Roughead as main ruck with Boyd and on occasion Roberts in support.
Needs a big 10 weeks to get back into best 22: Talia and Hunter
50/50 call: Whether to play Honeychurch or a 2nd ruckman

 

[Mattdougie]

ive selected from only those available now


FB: Wood, Hamling, Morris
HB: Moyd, Roberts, Murphy
C: McRae, Bontempelli, JJ
HF: Grant, Roughhead, Crameri
FF: Stringer, Toyd, Dahl
R: Minson, Wallis, Picken

Webb, Stevens, Talia
Sub: Dale
Emg: Campbell, McLean

Fairly balanced with size and speed, rough at CHF changing with Mino

I have concerns about our depth because I don't see many blokes outside this team becoming regular fixtures and yes there is some bias in there but that's my prerogative and honest opinion.

I don't think we can use Toyd as a ruck option, he needs all the time he can forward to learn as much as possible.

We need to keep the poor ball users out of the team and not bring them back in for another asset they have, doesn't matter how fast you are if you turn the ball over constantly.

We should be cycling the kids thru one or two at a time to give them a taste but the majority of the team is pretty easy to pick now.

We should also keep an eye on 2 years down the road when we should be competing for finals which is why I continue to say get games into other blokes other than Dickson(unless injury dictates) as I fully expect several kids to go past him quite easily by then(que abuse

 

[Bazza Bulldog]

ive selected from only those available now


FB: Wood, Hamling, Morris
HB: Moyd, Roberts, Murphy
C: McRae, Bontempelli, JJ
HF: Grant, Roughhead, Crameri
FF: Stringer, Toyd, Dahl
R: Minson, Wallis, Picken

Webb, Stevens, Talia
Sub: Dale
Emg: Campbell, McLean

Fairly balanced with size and speed, rough at CHF changing with Mino

I have concerns about our depth because I don't see many blokes outside this team becoming regular fixtures and yes there is some bias in there but that's my prerogative and honest opinion.

I don't think we can use Toyd as a ruck option, he needs all the time he can forward to learn as much as possible.

We need to keep the poor ball users out of the team and not bring them back in for another asset they have, doesn't matter how fast you are if you turn the ball over constantly.

We should be cycling the kids thru one or two at a time to give them a taste but the majority of the team is pretty easy to pick now.

We should also keep an eye on 2 years down the road when we should be competing for finals which is why I continue to say get games into other blokes other than Dickson(unless injury dictates) as I fully expect several kids to go past him quite easily by then(que abuse

I can see all of the flaws you've highlighted in Jong and Hrovat. re: Dickson, surely he is having a better season than you predicted? If we asked all of the coaches for their best 22, I'm confident he'd be starting in all of their sides. 20 goals + excellent forward pressure. He's not perfect, but in the starting line-up for mine and I predict he still will be at age 30.

 

[Mattdougie]

I can see all of the flaws you've highlighted in Jong and Hrovat. re: Dickson, surely he is having a better season than you predicted? If we asked all of the coaches for their best 22, I'm confident he'd be starting in all of their sides. 20 goals + excellent forward pressure. He's not perfect, but in the starting line-up for mine and I predict he still will be at age 30.

Absolutely having a better year than I predicted but I still see the same issues and think he will simply flop in finals.

Bev had coached him brilliantly and he has lifted just isn't someone I ever think will be good enough and I think one of the youngsters will go past him anyway

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I tried this the other day and I just found that there were too many question marks. Do guys like Webb, Dale and Biggs stand up at AFL level? Does Smith get back to his best? There are spots there for a couple of these guys to take in my opinion, it's just tough. Additionally we haven't seen enough to know who our best CHF is, nor have we seen what the best structure is up there. It's just too early, with too many question marks, for me. Need to see a bit more.

My cop out answer actually ended up being pretty spot on. Not many foresaw McLean and Webb's impact; Grant's improvement; Redpath's almost immediate demise from preseason; Johannisen's weaknesses being hidden by an "attack at all costs" mantra; Boyd's phenomenal form; Talia's struggles; Hamling and Roberts' rise; Roughead's move to the ruck...we're witnessing this team transform before our eyes. I'm still not totally certain what our "best 22" looks like as the guys on the fringes have all demonstrated different strengths and weaknesses. Interesting to see how the year progresses.