Analysis Depth Chart/Best 22

[Tomnat Tigers]

I think everyone has forgotten how good Conca was.

He will light it up in 2016

If he can get through preseason (big if) he will have a big year. Was watching our game against GWS last year and Conca was very good in it, also was good in his two games this season, considering the intensity of them and the fact he has little or no fazing in period.

He will be our version of Liam Shiels or Stephen Coniglio should he have a full preseason.

 

[t_bond_legend]

FB: J. Batchelor - A. Rance - D. Grimes
HB: C. Yarran - D. Astbury - B. Houli
C: B. Ellis - A. Miles - S. Grigg
HF: B. Deledio - J. Riewoldt - B. Lennon
FF: S. Edwards - T. Vickery - B. Griffiths
R: S. Hampson - T. Cotchin - D. Martin
INT: N. Vlastuin - C. Ellis - R. Conca - J. Townsend
EMG: I. Maric - T. Hunt - K. McIntosh

I think this is our best 22 for 2016 and going forward. Really hope Astbury has a big pre-season. Fingers crossed as I really rate him. Also think Maric is gonna slow down a hell of a lot and Hampson will thrive if fit.

 

[RunningBounce]

On a slightly unrelated note, anyone know if that Ivan Soldo has done anything in the VFL at all ?

Will he get a game this year or still a 'work in progress ' ?

I liked the look of him in the few bits and pieces I saw at VFL level, but he is at least another season off. Probably more like 2 or 3 seasons off.

His already got the size, but needs to work on his tank and around-the-ground work. If he learns to knock blokes over as well as The Senior Ivan and figures out how to read the game, he'll be a keeper.

 

[ReaperX]

On a slightly unrelated note, anyone know if that Ivan Soldo has done anything in the VFL at all ?

Will he get a game this year or still a 'work in progress ' ?

It's funny you bring Soldo up, because for some reason I keep assuming he's like 22/23 years old, and might be ready soon, but he's actually only 19 years old would you believe.

He may not debut with us for another 2 or 3 years, given how long it can take for a ruckman to really start nailing their position.

Shane Mumford for example, only broke out at around age 24.

 

[This Is Anfield]

Defence from: Rance, Astbury, Chaplin, Elton talls. Grimes, Batchelor smalls/talls. Houli, Yarran, Vlaustin, Hunt, Deledio, Dea, Morris smalls/runners.
Midfield from: Cotchin, Martin, Miles, McIntosh, B Ellis, C Ellis, Edwards, Deledio, Townsend, Yarran, Grigg, Vlaustin, Conca, Thomas, Lambert, Gordon, Menadue, Drummond, Hunt.
Forwards: Reiwoldt, Griffiths, Vickery, McBean, McKenzie talls. Deledio, Martin, Lennon, Cotchin, Edwards, Yarran, Lloyd, Gordon, Butler medium/small.
Rucks: Maric, Hampson, Griffiths, Vickery.
Rookies: Castagna, Short, Soldo.

Depth and versatility improving by the year.

 

[RunningBounce]

FB: Grimes - Chaplin* - Astbury
HB: Houli - Rance - Vlastuin
C: BEllis - Cotchin - McIntosh
HF: Lennon - Griffiths - Deledio
FF: Vickery - Riewoldt - Yarran
Fol. Maric - Martin - Miles
Int. Edwards - Grigg - CEllis - Conca

Backline depth:

• Dea first cab off the rank to come in to rotate through the backline if Conca isn't fit, followed by Hunt.
  
• Batchelor to come in if a KPD is injured, or for Astbury or Chaplin when the opposition don't have three tall forwards.
  
• Morris to come in when we play Eddie Betts or Ballantyne.
  
• Castagna should get rewarded if he is doing what is required consistently at VFL level.

Midfield depth:

• Hunt first cab off the rank, or coming in as a tagger, occasionally.
  
• Need a look at Townsend. Could easily go past Hunt.
  
• Menadue and Drummond need a few games each, possibly on a wing.
  
• Hampson must play at least half a dozen games. Ivan needs to be looked after, and the club needs to find out if Hampson really is the next #1 ruckman, when everyone's favourite mullet says a sad farewell.
• Matt Thomas might be handy for wet conditions

Forwardline depth:

• Lambert first cab off the rank, or to come in for Griffiths when we want to go smaller up forward. Lloyd next.
  
• McBean, Butler and Short should all get a trot, at some point, if they are playing well at VFL
• Gordon can do a job, but probably wouldn't get a game in my team.

* Troy Chaplin would not get picked in my team if Robin Nahas is on the opposition. It was worse than Jayden Post letting ******** McLean's mongrel bounce through on the siren, Rnd 18, 2012. Worse than losing to Geelong by 157 in 2007. Worse than Robbie Nahas falling over in the middle of the MCG in Dreamtime, 2013. That makes it pretty bad.

 

[CoggaRules]

IMO this is our depth charge

 

[Dr Tigris]

Pretty good quality and depth across the board now.
KPFs lots of good ones, and youngsters coming through
KPDs good group now, got to replace Chaplin (Astbury if fit is good)
Ruck OK. Hampster's got a year to get good.
Inside mids, good, but need increased depth. Possibly instant results if Conca is fit, CEllis comes on and Vlas can move to the middle, and Townsend is good.
Outside mids, Good now with Yarran coming in. Depth as well, including youngsters coming on
Medium forward, Good Lids/DustyLennon plus McBean, JR can do that role
Small forward, rotate guys through, but no specialist like Rioli
Medium backs, pretty good depth
Small backs pretty good depth
Utilities, OK.

Overall, we seem to have it all covered to some extent - minus quality small forward and future top quality ruck. So pretty good I would say. And it should keep improving over the next few years. Lot to like

 

[pebblestone]

Gone are the days of our best 22 varying by a dozen players according to various opinions...

Feels good to be settled.

FB: Griffiths Cotchin Dea
HB: Drummond McKenzie Maric
C: Morris McBean Hunt
HF: Castagna Astbury Townsend
FF: Grimes Hampson Chaplin
FOLL: Grigg Rance Batchelor

INT: Deledio Martin Riewoldt Butler

Quoted for funnyness. I had already read this post and liked it but when I read it the second time I still laughed.



But on a serious note, I reckon Steve Morris still has a role to play.

 

[_RT_]

Current Depth Chart prior to list lodgement next Friday.

34 Senior List Players
4 Rookie List Players
1 Category B Rookie
Means 4-6 Draft picks depending on whether we want to go with 38-6, 39-5 or 40-4.

I'm expecting us to make no more changes to the list in terms of delistings and to upgrade Lambert and Castagna with pick 12 on a kid and either get a delisted player during delisted free agency i.e. Moore/Young/Colledge or take a best available kid at 52.

 

[bananatigz]

View attachment 187858
Current Depth Chart prior to list lodgement next Friday.

34 Senior List Players
4 Rookie List Players
1 Category B Rookie
Means 4-6 Draft picks depending on whether we want to go with 38-6, 39-5 or 40-4.

I'm expecting us to make no more changes to the list in terms of delistings and to upgrade Lambert and Castagna with pick 12 on a kid and either get a delisted player during delisted free agency i.e. Moore/Young/Colledge or take a best available kid at 52.

I'd imagine we would take Moore as a DFA, meaning we take 3 in the draft, 1 of which will be upgrading Lambert. Use picks 12 and 52 and then a handful of rookies.

 

[fleabitten]

Do we have the youngest oldest player in the league (Chaplin, 29)?

 

[_RT_]

Best 22/VFL Side
AFL
Backs: Dylan Grimes Troy Chaplin Jake Batchelor
HB: Bachar Houli Alex Rance Chris Yarran
C: Brandon Ellis Shaun Grigg Kamdyn McIntosh
HF: Brett Deledio Jack Riewoldt Dustin Martin
F: Ben Lennon Ty Vickery Shane Edwards
R: Ivan Maric Trent Cotchin Anthony Miles
INT: Nick Vlastuin Reece Conca Corey Ellis Ben Griffiths

Backs
With Richardson confirming that Yarran was recruited to play down back I've slotted him into the HBF opposite Houli to give us avenues from the back line on either side of the ground. As much as we struggled in the final against the Roos with their 3 taller forwards I still like the idea of playing Rance & Chaplin in the key posts and using the more mobile Grimes & Batchelor on the 3rd tall forward. The addition of Yarran also paves the way for Vlastuin to make the transition into the midfield.

Midfield
Not much changes from the 2015 season with Lambert making way for Corey Ellis to become a full time mid, while Taylor Hunt makes way from the 22 for Conca to return to the line up. Brandon and McIntosh take up the roles on the wings to provide us run and carry. Grigg to start in the middle with Cotchin & Miles, despite temptation in switching to Hampson I've stuck with Maric as first ruck to start the season, but won't be shocked to see a change made if Maric continues to get beaten in the ruck.

Forwards
Load up the forward line and make the opposition worried about stopping us. Riewoldt and Vickery in the key posts, Deledio & Martin at HF Lennon & Edwards in the pockets. Those 6 are more than capable of kicking 20+ goals each for the season and if they can do that we'll win as many games as we did this season.

Interchange
As mentioned Vlastuin starts the transition into the midfield by coming off the pine as part of the rotation along with Conca and Corey, while Maric and Griffiths can rotate on and off the bench and if needed be used to stretch opposition defenses.

VFL
Backs: Matt Dea David Astbury Steven Morris
HB: Jason Castagna Todd Elton Nathan Drummond
C: Connor Menadue Kane Lambert Nathan Gordon
HF: Daniel Butler Reece McKenzie Jake Townsend
F: Sam Lloyd Liam McBean Jayden Short
R: Shaun Hampson Matt Thomas Taylor Hunt
INT: Ivan Soldo Pick 12 Pick 52 Pick 88 Pick 106

With the VFL side I'd like to see us try and line up with the same structure as we do in the AFL side. 2 KPD, 2 KPF and plenty of run through the midfield. I'd like to train Castagna & Drummond up to play the same rebounding HB role that Houli & Yarran will be playing. Dea & Morris as the defensive backs with Elton & Astbury to settle in the KPD roles instead of floating back and forward. Menadue gets a wing opposite Gordon as arguably 2 of best runners. Butler Short Townsend & Lloyd up forward supporting McBean & McKenzie. Hampson Thomas Lambert & Hunt give us an experienced starting centre square to get us going.

Overall 2 very solid sides on paper. Naturally these sides wouldn't be in play every week, but I think we need to take a role out of the Hawks playbook where the players in the VFL play roles they woud be expected to play in the senior side so that when they are called upon they come in and don't throw out the chemistry of the side. So feel free to rip into my sides, no doubt there will be some who strongly disagree while others will like the look of them. That is what I wanted this thread for to actually generate discussion about the players rather than it often taking over other threads.

 

[Stylo]

Do we have the youngest oldest player in the league (Chaplin, 29)?

Until we get Richo out of retirement, maybe.

 

[Dr Awkward]

Must get games into McBean this year!

 

[TigerImposter]

FB: J. Batchelor - A. Rance - D. Grimes
HB: C. Yarran - D. Astbury - B. Houli
C: B. Ellis - A. Miles - S. Grigg
HF: B. Deledio - J. Riewoldt - B. Lennon
FF: S. Edwards - T. Vickery - B. Griffiths
R: S. Hampson - T. Cotchin - D. Martin
INT: N. Vlastuin - C. Ellis - R. Conca - J. Townsend
EMG: I. Maric - T. Hunt - K. McIntosh

I think this is our best 22 for 2016 and going forward. Really hope Astbury has a big pre-season. Fingers crossed as I really rate him. Also think Maric is gonna slow down a hell of a lot and Hampson will thrive if fit.

Hahaha Hampson. FMD lol

 

[t_bond_legend]

Hahaha Hampson. FMD lol

Let's not write him off yet, think he has still a bit to offer and ruckmen generally take quite a while to come good. I actually think ruckmen's prime years are between 26-30. IIRC, Maric didn't exactly set the world on fire either before joining us (he was 26 when we recruited him and he had a few above average seasons)

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Rucks: Maric, Hampson, Griffiths, Vickery.

Griffiths is not a Ruck; he does not have the urgency to get to contests let alone compete in them.

 

[This Is Anfield]

Griffiths is not a Ruck; he does not have the urgency to get to contests let alone compete in them.

Option only, he has played in the ruck therefore he is an option.
Never said he was a good ruck.

 

[TigerImposter]

Let's not write him off yet, think he has still a bit to offer and ruckmen generally take quite a while to come good. I actually think ruckmen's prime years are between 26-30. IIRC, Maric didn't exactly set the world on fire either before joining us (he was 26 when we recruited him and he had a few above average seasons)

I don't know how much of Hampson you've seen at VFL level , but I can assure you if he gets a game we are doomed. He really should have done the right thing by the club and retired.
Age is irrelevant with this bloke. He just has no ground sense or football brain or awareness on the field,coupled with his pea heart makes him a factor poorer than a liability. Eight years on a list and it's more than ability with this guy. RFC have no intention of investing in this guy beyond 2016 so mark it down he is a goner.

 

[Gosha]

A lot of love for Griffiths in here...

 

[THE THIN MAN]

A lot of love for Griffiths in here...

 

[mopsy]

As one who has thought we have been nothing but middling with our good moments, my focus is not so much about best 22 but what probably needs to happen to give us the best chance to become a top 4 side.
I know we have some players who will give a little more right now but if they play regular footy we wont make the transition to top 4 side.
So i am all for getting games into as many of the kids who can handle the pace of afl.I am all for balancing out the side with better structures.
Anyway here goes, people aren't going to agree.

FB: Grimes - Elton/Astbury - Vlastuin.
HB: Yarran - Rance - McIntosh

MID: C Ellis - Martin - Menadue/Drummond
FOLL: Maric - Townsend - Cotchin

HF: Lennon - Riewoldt - Butler
FF: Edwards - McKenzie - Deledio

INT: Houli - B Ellis - Miles - Vickery/Griffiths.

VFL

FB: Batchelor - Elton/Astbury - Castagna
HB: Morris - Chaplin - Dea.

MID: Grigg - Thomas - Menadue/Drummond
FOLL: Hampson - Conca - Lambert

HF: Gordon - McBean - Lloyd
FF: Short - Vickery/Griffiths - Hunt

INT: Soldo - ???? - ???? - ????

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

<<<In Stiches.LoL

 

[mopsy]

Pretty good quality and depth across the board now.
1/ KPFs lots of good ones, and youngsters coming through
2/ KPDs good group now, got to replace Chaplin (Astbury if fit is good)
3/ Ruck OK. Hampster's got a year to get good.
4/ Inside mids, good, but need increased depth. Possibly instant results if Conca is fit, CEllis comes on and Vlas can move to the middle, and Townsend is good.
5/ Outside mids, Good now with Yarran coming in. Depth as well, including youngsters coming on
6/ Medium forward, Good Lids/DustyLennon plus McBean, JR can do that role
7/ Small forward, rotate guys through, but no specialist like Rioli
8/ Medium backs, pretty good depth
9/ Small backs pretty good depth
10/ Utilities, OK.

Overall, we seem to have it all covered to some extent - minus quality small forward and future top quality ruck. So pretty good I would say. And it should keep improving over the next few years. Lot to like

1/ We have one good one Riewoldt. McKenzie is the only other pure kpf we have.Lose Riewoldt lose the season
2/ We have one good one Rance. Again lose him and the season is shot. Astbury is slow and injury prone. Elton is struggling to get a kick in the reserves.Chaplin will play most games and that has to be a worry.
3/ Only Maric is afl standard and he has his issues.He is more of a work horse than an elite ruck.
4/ Cotchin, Miles, Townsend, Thomas, Edwards Lambert and possibly C Ellis are inside players. There's martin and deledio who can win a bit of ball when needed.
Only Thomas and Townsend are big bodied. One is a reserves player and the other is a 22 year old who is yet show he really play at the level.If the club are to be listened to Vlastuin will be in the backline where he belongs.
5/ Grigg, Deledio, Martin, Conca, Hunt, Drummond, Menadue, Martin, Gordon, B ellis, McIntosh, Yarran are all much more outside than inside.
6/ If we take out mids who we are forced to play through the fwd half because there are no pure med fwds then there is only really Lennon.Mcbean is 200cm third tall come ruckman.JR is a key forward no ifs or buts.
7/ Butler, Lloyd, Short, Edwards i would classify as sml fwds. We really need to quickly identify if any of them can play and get games into them.
8/ Vlastuin, Batchelor, Dea, Morris, Hunt. Enough numbers but only one worth keeping imo.
9/ Houli, Yarran, Neither are shut down players or defend well.
10/ Griffiths, Vickery,McBean, Deledio, Martin, Edwards, could be classified as utilities.
Theres no genuine tall swingman just mids who can play fwd and three 200cm blokes who perform both ruck and fwd roles to an okay level..