Depth

[lamaros]

Dempsey, Winderlich, Gumby, Prismall, Myers, NLM, Carlisle, Reimers, McVeigh, Colyer, Hille.

Just sayin'.

 

[Macca18]

We've been ridiculed by the opposition about our depth for some time. Just shows they have little idea what they're talking about.

Carlton, in my opinion, had only Andrew Walker missing from their best 22 yesterday. Enough said.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

depth: we has it

 

[Rack Watts]

Injuries, long term aren't the worst thing, gets games into players outside the 22 which is great for depth

 

[Lord Nicholson]

Might get stretched on Wednesday, though.

It's good to know that the stocks will be reasonably strong going into the next phase of the season (y'know... some home games finally.)

 

[Fin ice Smuggler]

A lot of those players injured (not all) are not really key players though, they are decent role players that can be covered (which is what depth is all about)

However if we lost a Watson or Fletch i'd say we'd be in trouble whilst losing Hurley is going to hurt our forward line structure, hopefully Carlisle can fill that void.

We need another A grade midfielder that can carry the team when and if Jobe gets injured. Whilst Fletch could never be replaced.

I guess our injury situation over the past few years by force of nature has been a positive as it has created a depth chart for us.

 

[grugsticles]

We need another A grade midfielder that can carry the team when and if Jobe gets injured. Whilst Fletch could never be replaced.

Perhaps we should have a serious look at getting one then?

It seems that Sir Jim and his band of merry kings would prefer to recruit young players, which is normally fine by me, but if we are to have a serious crack at a premiership in the next couple of years then we need that 'backup' for Jobe.
It doesnt have to be someone with long left, but someone coming towards the end of their career looking for a flag. Chappy maybe?
I have enough faith in our emerging recruits to say that after a couple of years they will be ready to cement their spot in the side.

I know its not as though the avenue hasnt been explored, but its just a thought...

 

[lamaros]

A lot of those players injured (not all) are not really key players though, they are decent role players that can be covered (which is what depth is all about)

However if we lost a Watson or Fletch i'd say we'd be in trouble whilst losing Hurley is going to hurt our forward line structure, hopefully Carlisle can fill that void.

We need another A grade midfielder that can carry the team when and if Jobe gets injured. Whilst Fletch could never be replaced.

I guess our injury situation over the past few years by force of nature has been a positive as it has created a depth chart for us.

Key injuries to key players can't be covered, by any team in the league. By definition.

 

[quotemokc]

Maybe add Warnock as well

 

[Synth]

Jumping the gun waaaaaaay too early on this topic!

Bump it after the Wednesday result because THAT will be a true test of depth.

 

[The Dustbin]

Maybe add Warnock as well

and Aaron Joseph.

 

[Zacka11]

Jumping the gun waaaaaaay too early on this topic!

Bump it after the Wednesday result because THAT will be a true test of depth.

The same can be said about Collingwood

 

[yaco55]

Interesting that Champion Data rated Essendon and Sydney as having the most even lists in the AFL - And both are 4-0.

Think we have good depth up to about 30-32 on the list.

It's a matter of getting the players inside the 22 continuing their improvement.

 

[Childish Gambino]

Always thought we had one of the best bottom 4 players in the AFL it was our top end that was very light on. Now with Stanton potentially becoming an A grader along with Jobe it is onwards and upwards from here.

 

[Essendonia]

Squad could use more KPP depth.

Midfield is fine so far, developing players like Zaka and Melksham, even Heppell, would have to cover for Watson. As Lama says, can't replace Watson. But when these younger guys come through, we will have that top-end depth through the midfield. (Hopefully!)

Now that Hurley is down, we might get another test of depth for forwards - not sure if Carlisle will be ready for Anzac Day...?

Anyway, great signs on Saturday to beat Carlton who were missing just Walker, whilst we were missing probably 4-5 players who would play regularly in 22. Great for confidence.

 

[Zacka11]

Just listened to a Carlton fan whinge about how could a 'Spud' like Hocking be allowed to tag their 'Captain Cardboard' out of the game on SEN

I would rather a team of 22 'spud' Budhas, than their team of mashed potatoes any day

 

[The Dustbin]

The last 9 weeks is going to be very competitive for spots, something we haven't seen since 2000.

We have managed to cover Hurley, Myers, Hille, Hibberd in the early rounds, and now we are seeing the same with Pears, Monfries, Davey and Zaka out, but Reimers, Ronny, Myers etc stepping up.

If Licker (and Prismall to a lesser degree) can come good it will add further pressure.

With Browne, T Bell, Ross, Colyer, Gumby (as well as Lee and Bags) all showing good form and signs in the scooby doos, we are in a fairly good position with our list heading into the business end of the season.

Such a good feeling.

 

[Schopp]

The last 9 weeks is going to be very competitive for spots, something we haven't seen since 2000.
quote]

Agreed, there will be some unlucky guys come second part of the year - this is usually the case with top end teams. You wouldn't want to put in a couple of quiet ones in a row.

I will be very interested to see the battle of who out of the small forwards manage to keep their spots/stay in the team. Didnt see last nights game but in the highlights saw Dell take a very nice mark full tilt, and at another point gave off an awesome handball that set up another goal.

The beauty is even within the team we have a number of players that can play multiple positions so there is also versatility and flexibility depending upon injuries, matchups etc.

 

[Bombers36]

We have more depth than I can remember for years.

14 guys on the list who didnt play last night and have all played senior footy, and half a dozen of them arguably best 22;-


Zaka Davey Winderlich Monfries
T.Bell Dyson Colyer Prismall
McVeigh Pears Ross Browne
Slattery Gumby

5 young developing guys on the list, a couple (Kav & Davis) have already shown they probably have what it takes to make it at AFL level


Kavanagh Davis Steinberg Merrett
O'Brien

and all our rookies (with the exception of Long who can never get on the park) seem to be going pretty well. In particular Baguley & Lee who may get a call up if we have injuries later in the year.

Serious depth at the club now....

 

[TheDon35]

The last 9 weeks is going to be very competitive for spots, something we haven't seen since 2000.

We have managed to cover Hurley, Myers, Hille, Hibberd in the early rounds, and now we are seeing the same with Pears, Monfries, Davey and Zaka out, but Reimers, Ronny, Myers etc stepping up.

If Licker (and Prismall to a lesser degree) can come good it will add further pressure.

With Browne, T Bell, Ross, Colyer, Gumby (as well as Lee and Bags) all showing good form and signs in the scooby doos, we are in a fairly good position with our list heading into the business end of the season.

Such a good feeling.

I think the difference between this year and 2000 is that this year, there is probably only 13 Guys that are genuine certainties.

Ryder, Watson, Howlett, Stanton, Crameri, Fletcher, Hooker, Dempsey, Heppell, Hocking, Zaka, Hurley. Probably missed 1 or 2 but the point is, their is a large chunk of our list that are only 2 or 3 games away from loosing their spot in the team if there's people performing behind them.

I think this showed in the Melbourne loss in particular when we seemed to be a bit more comfortable with ourselves and subsequently dropped off a couple of percent. The desperation of Hibberd, Jetta, Davey, Myers etc all are showing at the moment is a key reason to why we're a good side.