Full Strength 22?

[1990crow]

Well. Who would have though it would take 14 rounds of the 2010 AFL season for us fans to see what our faithful have come to expect from this proud and passionate club. Just by seeing the reaction of the crowd on saturday night made me remember what it was like to be a fan of our football club, to feel like you have a greater than 50% chance of winning the match, priceless
Now, to my current topic. At the start of the year our coach, Neil Craig quite confidently said that this group should be aiming for a top four position come the end of the season. Most of our fans, albeit a little concerned of our pre-season, still believed that we were a good shot for that honour. But, obviously things turned sour within the first six rounds and even I thought Neil had to go, it just seemed the logical thing to do at the time . But, to his credit, with all the tools at this disposal Craigy has managed to get our club back up to 10th spot and heading in the right direction. Direction being the key to our future. Winning every game in the season isnt always the main objective for any club. No club goes into the season with winning every game as their goal. However, making an improvement on your current predicament is on the other hand, essential. Players will succumb to the negative vibe that supporters feel when their club has disappointed their hopes for the season and in turn, themselves. That is why when the team eventually strings two games together for two wins, the players start to believe that they are a team that can go places. With it in mind that making the eight is a highly unlikely proposition for this team, it must all be about gaining momentum for 2011. If for example, our team was to win just two matches of the remaining eight matches (i think), our momentum and hence confidence, would be far less than if we won say, five or six matches. With confidence our preseason (touch wood no injuries ) our team will gain confidence in each other and start to trust the abilities of their team-mates. So, even if we dont make the eight, our next premiership may not be as far away as we may have thought about eight rounds ago. Maybe Craigy is still the right man to relinquish our far too long premiership drought haha. But, as to what set of players Neil and our coaching staff choose to take to the park will ultimately determine what chance we have of winning in September (the result of this year aside). Will our kids develop quickly and fill the holes left by Edwards, Goodwin and co... or will they need two, three years perhaps to reach the lofty standards set by former champions. Here is what side I think we need going forward. Adelaide and neutral obsevers thoughts welcomed .

Porplyzia Tippett Dangerfield

Knights Walker Henderson

Mackay Thompson Douglas

Symes Bock McLeod

Otten Rutten Johncock

Maric Van Berlo Vince

Davis Armstrong Sloane Jaensch

Gunston Griffin Reilly??

At first look of this side, already i can see that our depth is greater than it was about six weeks ago. I could easily swap players like Doughty, Petrenko, the emergencies, Cook, a post injury Moran, McKernan, Sellar ect into that side.
The first argument would be whether McLeod plays on next year. Many of you will say that his legs are shot and another season isnt going to help him or his side. After seeing his first six to eight weeks however, i am confident that he can go one more season and with a full list to choose from will excel in a GOOD to VERY good side. Make no mistakes, our performance last year was no fluke, we WERE playing some very good football last year if our supporter base can remember what that feeling felt like , hopefully that feeling is returning for some but, jokes aside, our best twenty two could match it with the top four, i am confident in that.

 

[jenny61_99]

No Martin?

 

[BunjiMac]

No Martin?

I think Martin, unlike Otten, still needs to prove that he can play at the highest level consistently, especialyy after his major injury.

 

[NTRabbit]

No Martin?

Brodie Martin was halfway through his second ever game of AFL football when he snapped his ACL.

I liked the look of the lad, but come on, he needs more than a game and a half in an already strong and winning team to determine whether or not he's in the best 22.

 

[1990crow]

No Martin?

Yeah i did consider him but for mine, he is a player we cant make a judgement on right at the moment. He's coming back from a very serious injury and whilst his body may be willing, we dont know if he'll be the same player he was pre-injury. In my own life I know the kind of thoughts that go through your head when injury cuts you down, you dont know if you'll ever be able to do the things you were doing pre-injury and that will be the one thing stopping Martin from becoming a high quality AFL midfielder. From what i saw last year i was very impressed, his pace and agility, skills and overall package was very promising and I think if he can show that kind of form there is no reason why he can't replace an Armstrong, Jaensch or an out of form player (obviously not all players will be in form). But, with a good preseason he might be a first choice 22 player? We'll have to wait to find out .

 

[jenny61_99]

Both Otten and Martin have suffered the same injury. No guarantees with either. You are right though, Martin hasn't got the runs on the board. It's amazing that he has only played 2 games for us because his imprint (averaging 17 possessions in those two games) certainly has stayed in my mind!

 

[1990crow]

I think Martin, unlike Otten, still needs to prove that he can play at the highest level consistently, especialyy after his major injury.

I think it has really showed how much we've missed Otten this year. His ability to spoil like Davis has been lately... like Bassett before him, and his rebound run from the backline is a major reason why our structure as a team fell down so badly. If we can get him back to his best form come round one next year our side will be far better than without him.

 

[danger_to_walker]

If the last few weeks have told us anything, it's surely that we need two ruckmen in the side so Tippett can park himself in the goalsquare. I really think that two ruckmen is a must. Going on recent form, Griff looks as though he may well finally develop into a lead ruckman, to work in tandem with Maric.

 

[1990crow]

If the last few weeks have told us anything, it's surely that we need two ruckmen in the side so Tippett can park himself in the goalsquare. I really think that two ruckmen is a must. Going on recent form, Griff looks as though he may well finally develop into a lead ruckman, to work in tandem with Maric.

Yeah i do agree but im not sure as to who our lead ruck will be going forward and as to who the two ruckmen replace? Ill leave that up to the AFC board to decide because i found it a tough thing to fit the players i had into that 22.

 

[birdmanptr]

Both Otten and Martin have suffered the same injury. No guarantees with either. You are right though, Martin hasn't got the runs on the board. It's amazing that he has only played 2 games for us because his imprint (averaging 17 possessions in those two games) certainly has stayed in my mind!

I agree I saw enough in him that he is in our best 22

I had the same argument with some one about Sloane

 

[Vader]

It's an incredibly tough exercise, particularly given the way the kids are performing and the quality of the players we currently have on the sidelines.

Taking the team you have named as a basis:

Porplyzia Tippett Dangerfield

Knights Walker Henderson

Mackay Thompson Douglas

Symes Bock McLeod

Otten Rutten Johncock

Maric Van Berlo Vince

Davis Armstrong Sloane Jaensch

Gunston Griffin Reilly??

McLeod is currently in our best 22, but would be about 0.1% likely to be playing in 2011. If you're looking for a best 22 in 2011, which appears to be the case given Goodwin's absence, then you can drop him from the list.

Armstrong and Jaensch have yet to prove that they are in the best 22 either.

Into the team comes Griffin or Sellar (depending upon pre-season form), Doughty and Reilly.

Emergencies would be Griffin or Sellar (whoever misses out on the 22), Armstrong and Jaensch.

Martin may well be in our best 22 by the end of 2011, but he certainly isn't there yet. He's played just 2 games before suffering a major injury. Give the kid time to prove what he's capable of, without heaping unfair expectations on his young shoulders.

 

[Coopers]

We absolutely need 2 ruckmen in the team.

So Griff comes in, assuming it's "current Griff" not "former Griff". Otherwise, carbon Rod replaces him.

 

[absolutezero]

How's Griff's ankle injury?

 

[sydney_crow]

On the basis that this is for Rd1 2011 and all are fit and in form here's my full-strength 22.

F: Henderson Tippett Jaensch

HF: Knights Walker Vince

C: Mackay Dangerfield Otten

HB: Armstrong Bock van Berlo

B: Davis Rutten Johncock

1st: Griffin Thompson Douglas

Int: Sloane Porplyzia Maric Reilly

Emer: Symes Gunston Sellar

Backup: Stevens Moran Martin Young Talia Stevens Doughty McKernan Cook

 

[thebirdman 24]

On the basis that this is for Rd1 2011 and all are fit and in form here's my full-strength 22.

F: Henderson Tippett Jaensch

HF: Knights Walker Vince

C: Mackay Dangerfield Otten

HB: Armstrong Bock van Berlo

B: Davis Rutten Johncock

1st: Griffin Thompson Douglas

Int: Sloane Porplyzia Maric Reilly

Emer: Symes Gunston Sellar

Backup: Stevens Moran Martin Young Talia Stevens Doughty McKernan Cook

Good team, hopefully we don't get riddled with injuries again so we can actually play our best 22. I would replace one of Maric/Griffin with McKernan/Sellar as i think ideally we want one pure ruckman (whoever is performing out of Maric/Griffin) and one backup who can play KP.

 

[Dangarman]

McLeod is currently in our best 22, but would be about 0.1% likely to be playing in 2011.

So Vader, you've gone from 100% certain to 0.1% uncertain? Or were you rounding when you said 100%?

 

[Vader]

So Vader, you've gone from 100% certain to 0.1% uncertain? Or were you rounding when you said 100%?

Slight rounding. I had to give you some small glimmer of hope.

 

[Heafy83]

i'm glad you included Henderson into the 22. Seems to me if he is an immediate replacement for Birdman. has that certain X factor about him and doesn't mind trying the unthinkable. Would be great on the wing or on the HF line. Maybe a midfield rotation or two when his body builds up. If he keeps going the way he is he will def be in our best 22.