Essendon's best 22 of 2003

[mongrelpunt]

Lets get a bit of discussion happening here about the greatest club in the league.

Post your best 22 for the year, given no injuries, suspensions or form drops.

Show the team in the positions you would play the team, and give a small explanation on your "possibles".

My team:

B: Solomon - Fletcher - Bolton
HB: Jacobs - Wellman - Rioli
C: M.Johnson - Misiti - Ramanauskas
HF: Mercuri - Lucas - Hird
F: Cupido - Lloyd - Barnard
RUCK: Hille - J.Johnson - Peverill
INT: Alessio - Bullen - McVeigh - Welsh

EMERG: Henneman - Watson - McGrath
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- I'd start Lucas up forward - he has the most forward experience of he, Danny & Bolts.
- Barnard would start in the forward pocket, just to give another tall forward option for the opening bounce.
- Rioli would get the half-back role - Hirdy's needed more up forward.
- Start Hille in the ruck - he needs the most time in that spot than Alessio.
- The bench is a bit tough. Bullen gets in ahead of McGrath as he is more of a ball magnet than Cory.
- Henneman a bit unlucky to be emergency. Toss up between he and McVeigh - Spike got in because he has played a few more games than Henno.

Feel free to nit-pick over that.

 

[SilverBomber]

good team there Mongrelpunt, and my best team is quite simmilar, esp for the 1st half of the season.

B: Solomon - Fletcher - Welsh
HB: Jacobs - Lucas - Rioli
C: M.Johnson - Misiti - Wellman
HF: Hird - Bolton - Ramma
F: Cupido - Lloyd - Barnard
R: Hille - JJ - Pev

INT: Ses, McVeigh, Mercs, Reynolds

Solomon should take it easy(ish) for the first part of the season, before really crashing into the second half of the season, freeing up lucas + Jacobs for more forward play. I like the look of bolton, and with barny, hird and lloyd around should be able to hold down a pos in the HF line. Rioli and hird to interchange around depending on form and fitness. Wellman in the middle, his reading of the play is nearly the best in the club, and the best finisher, Ramma, somewhere in the forward line. ATM im not too impressed with mercs, but if he proves me wrong (hopefully) throw him in the HF or midfield depending on who needs a break (maybe rama in the midfield and merc on HF etc if wellman needs a rest etc). Hille needs to be given the full rucking job, and throw in ses if he needs a rest. INT, i like the look of McVeigh, esp if he keeps his head down and really tries, and i think that reynolds will be a future superstar for essendon.

Unlucky, McGrath and Henno.

 

[dodgey]

This great topic was also on Bombertalk last month, so I went and grabbed the team I put down over there...


B: M Johnson Fletcher Solomon
HB: Jacobs Lucas Wellman
C: Ramanaskas Misiti McVeigh
HF: Hird Bolton Cupido
F: Mercuri Lloyd Rioli

Ruck: Hille J Johnson Peverill

INT: McPhee Alessio Barnard and I'll throw the weight straight onto the Boy's shoulders and put Jobe Watson into my 22

 

[Anton Grbac]

Am i the only one with serious doubts on Mercs' worth to the side these days?

Playing on reputation only, over the last 3 seasons. Injuries aside, he's far too inconsistent these days.......when he's actually on the park that is.........and certainly not worth the money he's supposedly earning.




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EFC: We Hate You Too

 

[Stealth bomber]

No Wally, I also feel that way somewhat about Mercs. I can't remember the last really good game he has played; maybe very early last year?

To be fair, his injuries have gotten the best of him, but there seems to be this notion of just having him on the ground means that he'll be dominant.

If the guy's kicking doesn't back to 100% of what it was before all his groin troubles, then he probably won't ever be the player he was.

I just hope for our sake that the old Mark Mercuri comes back, because Essendon is a very different club when this guy is on song.

 

[mongrelpunt]

I reckon Mercs has a lot more to offer.

He was getting right back into form in that game against Melbourne, but torn his groin.

He has a lot left in him, and just 1 injury free year will see him give some of that.

Here's hoping anyway.

 

[feedme]

I'm going to play it safe....

B: Solomon - Fletcher - Welsh
HB: Jacobs - Lucas - Bolton
C: M.Johnson - Misiti - Wellman
HF: Hird - Rioli - Ramma
F: Cupido - Lloyd - Barnard
R: Hille - JJ - Pev

INT: Ses, McVeigh, Mercs, Watson

Feedback? Complaints? Questions?

All welcomed.

 

[SilverBomber]

Hope ur right about mercs mongrelpunt, but i have a feeling that all we are gonna get from him is a few good games here and there. I think his body is hitting the age where he can still pull off good games, but he wont be able to do it week after week.

BTW what are peoples thoughts about rioli this year, havnt seen him train, could he have a permanent role in the forward line? From what i have seen, either put him at HB somewhere, or use him as a pinch hitter in the forward line when we need a lift, since he can pull off some really team lifting goals.

ps Looks like we have the goods with Cupido, cant wait to see him, lloyd and hird working the same forward line!

 

[mongrelpunt]

Originally posted by SilverBomber
Hope ur right about mercs mongrelpunt, but i have a feeling that all we are gonna get from him is a few good games here and there. I think his body is hitting the age where he can still pull off good games, but he wont be able to do it week after week.

That's true, but I think anything we can get will be worth it. Its now 10 years since he and some others played in the 93 premiership, so I reckon an impact player off the bench is his role, maybe in the forward pocket when Jim goes into the midfield?

Originally posted by SilverBomber
BTW what are peoples thoughts about rioli this year, havnt seen him train, could he have a permanent role in the forward line? From what i have seen, either put him at HB somewhere, or use him as a pinch hitter in the forward line when we need a lift, since he can pull off some really team lifting goals.

Strained his hammy at training, so he missed the ATSIC All stars flogging on the Blues. His skills say he should be a forward, but I reckon he's more suited as the loose man in defence. Let Lucas play more key position, and Rioli can clean up the crumbs (no pun intended )

Originally posted by SilverBomber
ps Looks like we have the goods with Cupido, cant wait to see him, lloyd and hird working the same forward line!

Like I said on the Brisbane board, somewhat soothes the pain of losing Caracella to the Lions. But I'm waiting till the actual season to put my faith in him - he is kind of injury prone.

 

[Anton Grbac]

Originally posted by SilverBomber
Hope ur right about mercs mongrelpunt, but i have a feeling that all we are gonna get from him is a few good games here and there. I think his body is hitting the age where he can still pull off good games, but he wont be able to do it week after week.

BTW what are peoples thoughts about rioli this year, havnt seen him train, could he have a permanent role in the forward line? From what i have seen, either put him at HB somewhere, or use him as a pinch hitter in the forward line when we need a lift, since he can pull off some really team lifting goals.

ps Looks like we have the goods with Cupido, cant wait to see him, lloyd and hird working the same forward line!

Rioli?

Good as he was when thrown down back last year, i'd still prefer to have him in the forward line with Cupido as the crumbers. I'm also looking forward to seeing Cupido in action. Haven't really seen what Cupido is capable of, but from all reports, he sounds like an exciting prospect.

Getting back to Rioli,
I'll admit i've been one of his biggest critics, but, it's high time he stepped up and performed on a more consistent basis. He's been at the club for 5 years now, no more excuses. While i'm at it, i'll put McVeigh in the same boat.




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EFC: We Hate You Too

 

[Anton Grbac]

Originally posted by Stealth bomber

I just hope for our sake that the old Mark Mercuri comes back, because Essendon is a very different club when this guy is on song.

Mate, so do i,

I love the little fella, but his groin and/or hammys are f*cked.
It just seems everytime he falls over these days, he breaks.

Maybe mongrelpunt has it right when he says we could use him as an impact player off the bench (if he's fit).

Much the same as we did with Boris in '99/00.



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EFC: We Hate You Too

 

[M29]

Originally posted by dodgey
This great topic was also on Bombertalk last month

How long before it turned into a "Hottest Team" thread?

 

[M29]

Nothing suprising about this:

B: Solomon - Fletcher - Welsh
HB: Jacobs - Wellman - Rioli
C: M.Johnson - Misiti - Ramanauskas
HF: Mercuri - Lucas - Hird
F: Cupido - Lloyd - Barnard
RUCK: Hille - J.Johnson - Peverill
INT: Alessio - Bullen - C.McGrath- Bolton

EMERG: Henneman - Hunt - Richards

Alternating that, I'd have Rioli up forward and Lucas down back.
I'm still not convinced about Bolton either.

 

[SilverBomber]

Yeah wally, boris in 99 + 00 was what i was thinking of when i put mercs on the bench for my team. When he is hot, mercs can be one the best footballers to watch play (kinda like MWaugh in his prime, just makes it look so easy)

Cupido has had, what? 2 shoulder recos(??not too sure about this)... not a good sign, but i remember watching a game 1-2 years ago, and he looked like a real trier with some exciting skills, so lets hope his run of injuries is over.

What makes this pre-season so stressing for the dons, is the ammount of question marks over players. We could be top 2 if everything works, but miss the eight entirly if mercs(legs), hird(head), fletch (how is he going with those stress fractures??), lloyd(fingers), cupido(shoulder) etc re-injure themselves.

PS M29 I dont know if i can make a hottest team thread, but if u really want i can my ask my sis. The team will prolly have 22 matty lappins in it though (please dont ask! i think she was adopted)....

 

[Stealth bomber]

It is hard to come up with just one lineup. I think that the nature of this list probably doesn't allow for such limitations. Sheeds himself may not know where to put everyone.

I'm looking forward to this preseason comp for no other reason than to really get a feel for who will do what where.

B: Welsh Fletcher Solomon
HB: Jacobs Lucas Wellman
C: M. Johnson Misiti Ramanauskas
HF: Rioli Hird Bolton
F: Cupido Lloyd Mercuri
R: Hille J.Johnson Peverill

INT: Alessio Barnard Watson McPhee
EM: Reynolds, Hunt, C. McGrath

If Mercuri's groin problems have really hampered his kicking, he may be better suited playing as a crumbing forward. On 2000 form I'd unquestionably put him at HF.

 

[MJ_RULES]

Originally posted by feedme
I'm going to play it safe....

B: Solomon - Fletcher - Welsh
HB: Jacobs - Lucas - Bolton
C: M.Johnson - Misiti - Wellman
HF: Hird - Rioli - Ramma
F: Cupido - Lloyd - Barnard
R: Hille - JJ - Pev

INT: Ses, McVeigh, Mercs, Watson

Feedback? Complaints? Questions?

All welcomed.

Looks good to me...
We have so many flexible players this year it is hard to pencil in certain players to a set position.
I like Lucas down back…our back line looks great with Solly back in the team which then frees up MJ for the midfield...

 

[MJ_RULES]

Originally posted by feedme
I'm going to play it safe....

B: Solomon - Fletcher - Welsh
HB: Jacobs - Lucas - Bolton
C: M.Johnson - Misiti - Wellman
HF: Hird - Rioli - Ramma
F: Cupido - Lloyd - Barnard
R: Hille - JJ - Pev

INT: Ses, McVeigh, Mercs, Watson

Feedback? Complaints? Questions?

All welcomed.

Looks good to me...
We have so many flexible players this year it is hard to pencil in certain players to a set position.
I like Lucas down back…our back line looks great with Solly back in the team which then frees up MJ for the midfield...

 

[MJ_RULES]

Woops sorry about the double post......

 

[Pornstar]

I'm surprised that so many have omitted McPhee from their best side. I'd put him in for Welsh. I like Welsh, but feel that he is a lot like Forster-Knight; reliable but nothing too flash and fairly one dimensional. McPhee is taller, stronger, more talented and more versatile.

 

[poncho]

B- WELSH FLETCH SOLOMON
HB- WELLY LUCAS RIOLI
C- MJ JOEY RAMA
HF- HIRD BOLTS MERCS
F- CUPIDO LLOYD JACOBS
R- ALESSIO JJ PEV
I/C- HILLE BARNEY MCVEIGH MCGRATH

EMG-MCPHEE REYNOLDS HARVEY HUNT BULLEN