Opinion Team Structure 2026

[bringbackbucky]

In Hinkley's gameplan, the wing was where players went to die. All defensive running, and used as decoys rather than an attacking part of the ball movement. No coincidence that some of the most talented players to leave during Hinkley's reign were wingmen. Assuming this might change under Josh' gameplan....

 

[jac147]

I reckon part of the reason for bringing in Watkins and Wehr, and for developing Moraes, is that Carr has identified the need for more elite long-distance runners, especially after losing Amon.

With a young list, some of the “bomb it on Charlie’s head” tactics and forward presses were probably just a way to hide the fact we can’t run out a full game yet.

Endurance improves with age, so players like Burgoyne, Jones, JHF, and maybe Sinn should keep getting better each year.

Being able to run harder and longer means getting to more contests and creating more space, which is key for transition footy.

If you could see other clubs’ running numbers, I reckon ours would look pretty modest in comparison.

I’m not sure how Stephenson would go on the wing, but having faster players with better kicking and endurance—rather than slower ones like Drew, Wines, and Boak—would make a huge difference to a more modern game plan.

A perhaps forgotten man, Mackinlay, can actually go very fast!

 

[MrChow]

In Hinkley's gameplan, the wing was where players went to die. All defensive running, and used as decoys rather than an attacking part of the ball movement. No coincidence that some of the most talented players to leave during Hinkley's reign were wingmen. Assuming this might change under Josh' gameplan....

Yeah the wings and half forward.

Was at the SCG final, when the swans just put Heeney on the wing, one on one, with everyone else on the other side of the ground, and he just outmarked whoever he was on, and setup multiple attacks.

Also remember watching Mitch Robinson at the Gabba rag doll any of the youngsters we put out there. It’s been happening for a while.

I can see why Stinkley was putting Wines/Drew or Boak out there, but ultimately, you want someone out there who has a weapon, and is actually suited to the role.

Speed/endurance/kicking or even strong above head. Good wingers, are pretty important in the bruise free footy transition styles that the AFL have created with their rule changes.

I’d actually like to see someone like Lukosius on the wing on occasions, and maybe when Georgi, Whitlock, Dougie and Pilot are carving it up, we might see this…

 

[FishingRick04]

Fills a massive void for us, and the possibility of bringing in top end talent for nothing, is exciting as a fan.

We aren't looking at getting the 18-20 immature young man that was Jaidyn. We are getting the 25-26yo version of a man that has worked through some pretty harsh reality checks and has had a serious taste of life in the real world as an adult. He is now at the crossroads of his life as a professional athlete - where the realisation upon him is that he is pretty well a wasted talent unless things change quickly.

His misdemeanours were pretty bloody silly, but stuff you can come back from with a bit of maturity, experience and guidance. We have no reason at this minute to doubt the decision by the club to offer him the opportunity at that list spot, and if he gets it, we trust that he has earned it. So far, it is trending in that direction.

We considered machette Lovett for crying out loud

 

[Doctor Feel]

We considered machette Lovett for crying out loud

You mean machete Jurrah?

 

[Doctor Feel]

Id consider danny trejo machete

 

[JimmyBC]

Andrew Lovett's issues are more in the Tom Silvagni realm.

 

[Doctor Feel]

Combine all three and you will get channel ivan. Gods own prototype.

 

[FishingRick04]

You mean machete Jurrah?

Close enough

 

[The Hobo]

In Hinkley's gameplan, the wing was where players went to die. All defensive running, and used as decoys rather than an attacking part of the ball movement. No coincidence that some of the most talented players to leave during Hinkley's reign were wingmen. Assuming this might change under Josh' gameplan....

I mean Amon was AA squad under Ken, and has not done that at the Hawks
Polec was very very good for us and absolute pants at the Roos after that
Duursma was probably about as good for us as he has been for the Dons - particularly when factoring in growth

We just haven't drafted many capable wingers in the first place.

 

[The Hobo]

Yeah the wings and half forward.

Was at the SCG final, when the swans just put Heeney on the wing, one on one, with everyone else on the other side of the ground, and he just outmarked whoever he was on, and setup multiple attacks.

Also remember watching Mitch Robinson at the Gabba rag doll any of the youngsters we put out there. It’s been happening for a while.

I can see why Stinkley was putting Wines/Drew or Boak out there, but ultimately, you want someone out there who has a weapon, and is actually suited to the role.

Speed/endurance/kicking or even strong above head. Good wingers, are pretty important in the bruise free footy transition styles that the AFL have created with their rule changes.

I’d actually like to see someone like Lukosius on the wing on occasions, and maybe when Georgi, Whitlock, Dougie and Pilot are carving it up, we might see this…

I think Bergman is ideal if we are going to play through the wing, problem is that we need him in midfield and in defence as well.
Beyond that, there isn't much available that isn't a liability. Jase got exposed badly in a number of games when on the wing, particularly remember Dempsey destroying him (but luckily he kept missing every chance he got)

 

[MrChow]

I think Bergman is ideal if we are going to play through the wing, problem is that we need him in midfield and in defence as well.
Beyond that, there isn't much available that isn't a liability. Jase got exposed badly in a number of games when on the wing, particularly remember Dempsey destroying him (but luckily he kept missing every chance he got)

It’s easy to get caught out by playing certain players in purely defensive, matchup-based roles depending on the opposition — Bergman is a good example. He can do a job on players like Jeremy Cameron down back, the Crows’ captain through the middle, or even run with someone like Josh Kelly or Dempsey on the wing.

But teams that win more than they lose tend to back their best players in their best positions and let them take the initiative (even if Bergman does kick backwards sometimes, lol).

Given his disposal isn’t his biggest strength, I think he’s better suited to replacing one of Wines or Drew in the midfield. On the wing, you really need speed, endurance and elite kicking, and that’s something we’re currently lacking. Maybe Wehr and Richards might be the go, but then at the same time, they can kick goals, so maybe they are more your running creative half forward types.

 

[The Hobo]

It’s easy to get caught out by playing certain players in purely defensive, matchup-based roles depending on the opposition — Bergman is a good example. He can do a job on players like Jeremy Cameron down back, the Crows’ captain through the middle, or even run with someone like Josh Kelly or Dempsey on the wing.

But teams that win more than they lose tend to back their best players in their best positions and let them take the initiative (even if Bergman does kick backwards sometimes, lol).

Given his disposal isn’t his biggest strength, I think he’s better suited to replacing one of Wines or Drew in the midfield. On the wing, you really need speed, endurance and elite kicking, and that’s something we’re currently lacking. Maybe Wehr and Richards might be the go, but then at the same time, they can kick goals, so maybe they are more your running creative half forward types.

Whilst I do agree mostly, I think in the modern day, one of the most important attributes for a winger is to win one on ones. You get more one on ones on the wing than most other positions, and that could be ground level or aerial. Winning or at least halving those is paramount.

Bergman has enough pace and is a good long kick at goal, which could be a valuable weapon on the wing IF we're going to use it. I know we used him on the wing previously, but we don't play through the wing often, and he was wasted there.

 

[Scodges]

Whilst I do agree mostly, I think in the modern day, one of the most important attributes for a winger is to win one on ones. You get more one on ones on the wing than most other positions, and that could be ground level or aerial. Winning or at least halving those is paramount.

Bergman has enough pace and is a good long kick at goal, which could be a valuable weapon on the wing IF we're going to use it. I know we used him on the wing previously, but we don't play through the wing often, and he was wasted there.

I’m putting Bergman in the guts and leave him there. I love the way he tags too.

 

[StueyDaDew]

I’m putting Bergman in the guts and leave him there. I love the way he tags too.

Sounds like you’re consuming a Roadhouse Brekkie roll.

 

[Tibbs]

I’m putting Bergman in the guts and leave him there. I love the way he tags too.

Sounds like you’re consuming a Roadhouse Brekkie roll.

And "leave it there"? ... Gonna need some medicine to clear that!