List Analysis

[Jeremias]

Just thought I would analyse the list as it stands. I have divided the list up into the positions (ruckmen, forwards, defenders, midfielders) that I believe they will predominantly play. Of course, there will be some changes during the season as to their positions, but most of it is clear-cut as to where they will play.

[B][U]Rucks[/U][/B] (6 total)
Cain Ackland
Dylan McLaren
Cameron Cloke
Shaun Hampson
Sam Jacobs-Rookie
Aisake O'hAilpin-Rookie

[U][B]Forwards[/B][/U] (9 total)
Brendan Fevola
Jarrad Waite
Bradley Fisher
Joshua Kennedy
Eddie Betts
Simon Wiggins
Anthony Koutoufides
Jake Edwards
Matthew Lappin

[B][U]Defenders[/U][/B] (16 total)
Bret Thornton
Paul Bower
Mark Austin
Andrew Walker
Lance Whitnall
Adam Hartlett
Setanta O'hAilpin
Jason Saddington
Michael Jamison-Rookie
Craig Flint
Anthony Raso
Jordan Russell
Jordan Bannister
Joe Anderson
Clinton Benjamin
David Teague

[B][U]Midfielders[/U][/B] (12 total) 
Marc Murphy
Bryce Gibbs
Luke Blackwell
Kade Simpson
Shaun Grigg
Nick Stevens
Heath Scotland
Ross Young-Rookie
Ryan Jackson-Rookie
Ryan Houlihan
Adam Bentick
Andrew Carrazzo

It is quite clear that we now have pretty good depth in each area. We have a very good blend of youth and experience in most, if not all, positions on the ground.

I believe that in a team, we need to have 1 from the ruck group, 5 from the forward group, 5 from the defense group, and 7 from the midfield group in the starting 18. For the interchange, we need 1 player from each group, giving us the total 22. For NAB Cup games, the final 2 interchange positions will be filled by best available. If we use this method, I think we will be very well balanced for most of our games.

I will put my team for the NAB Cup as well as round 1 in season 2007 up later in this thread, using this method. If you have other ideas as to how the team should be filled, please share, and provide the team you would put on the park.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

Just thought I would analyse the list as it stands. I have divided the list up into the positions (ruckmen, forwards, defenders, midfielders) that I believe they will predominantly play. Of course, there will be some changes during the season as to their positions, but most of it is clear-cut as to where they will play.

[B][U]Rucks[/U][/B] (6 total)
Cain Ackland
Dylan McLaren
Cameron Cloke
Shaun Hampson
Sam Jacobs-Rookie
Aisake O'hAilpin-Rookie
 
[U][B]Forwards[/B][/U] (9 total)
Brendan Fevola
Jarrad Waite
Bradley Fisher
Joshua Kennedy
Eddie Betts
Simon Wiggins
Anthony Koutoufides
Jake Edwards
Matthew Lappin
 
[B][U]Defenders[/U][/B] (16 total)
Bret Thornton
Paul Bower
Mark Austin
Andrew Walker
Lance Whitnall
Adam Hartlett
Setanta O'hAilpin
Jason Saddington
Michael Jamison-Rookie
Craig Flint
Anthony Raso
Jordan Russell
Jordan Bannister
Joe Anderson
Clinton Benjamin
David Teague
 
[B][U]Midfielders[/U][/B] (12 total) 
Marc Murphy
Bryce Gibbs
Luke Blackwell
Kade Simpson
Shaun Grigg
Nick Stevens
Heath Scotland
Ross Young-Rookie
Ryan Jackson-Rookie
Ryan Houlihan
Adam Bentick
Andrew Carrazzo

It is quite clear that we now have pretty good depth in each area. We have a very good blend of youth and experience in most, if not all, positions on the ground.

I believe that in a team, we need to have 1 from the ruck group ( i reckon we need 2 ruckman in our side for security), 5 from the forward group, 5 from the midfield group (back line you mean), and 7 from the midfield group in the starting 18. For the interchange, we need 1 player from each group, giving us the total 22. For NAB Cup games, the final 2 interchange positions will be filled by best available. If we use this method, I think we will be very well balanced for most of our games.

I will put my team for the NAB Cup as well as round 1 in season 2007 up later in this thread, using this method. If you have other ideas as to how the team should be filled, please share, and provide the team you would put on the park.

Other than that i totally agree with you. As i have mentioned before its funny how our defence has come under scrutiny over the past few years and now its is safe to say that the most depth there in all groups (forwards, Mids and Rucks). I would probably put Walker in the Midfield group and same with Russell to a lesser extent and perhaps next year Whitnall in the farward line but other than that hopefully we are in the process of getting another backline side that looks like this.

D. Rice S. Silvagni A. Mckay
A. Christou M. Sexton P. Dean

What a rock defence that was & hopefully we are grooming something like that in the near future.

Very exciting times ahead.

 

[blues4flag]

I'm hoping Walker plays midfield, been waiting to see him their permanently , although he'll probably spend some time at half back. We're getting a fair share of defenders, and although most are inexperienced and untried, it'll still allow Walker to spend more time in the middle, I would think. That's if he's ready for it, which looks like he is.

 

[roly]

if russells going to make it it will be as midfielder

 

[BlueWorld]

if russells going to make it it will be as midfielder

Pagan expects midfielders to get experience as defenders first.

 

[Jeremias]

Other than that i totally agree with you. As i have mentioned before its funny how our defence has come under scrutiny over the past few years and now its is safe to say that the most depth there in all groups (forwards, Mids and Rucks). I would probably put Walker in the Midfield group and same with Russell to a lesser extent and perhaps next year Whitnall in the farward line but other than that hopefully we are in the process of getting another backline side that looks like this.

D. Rice S. Silvagni A. Mckay
A. Christou M. Sexton P. Dean

What a rock defence that was & hopefully we are grooming something like that in the near future.

Very exciting times ahead.

No, I think going in to a game with 2 ruckmen is enough. One to start on the ground, and one coming off the bench. It's good to have a few talls in the team, but we must be careful not to become too tall.

 

[Jeremias]

I'm hoping Walker plays midfield, been waiting to see him their permanently , although he'll probably spend some time at half back. We're getting a fair share of defenders, and although most are inexperienced and untried, it'll still allow Walker to spend more time in the middle, I would think. That's if he's ready for it, which looks like he is.

I too would love Walker to make the transition to the midfield, but I think he will still spend more time running off the half back line than in the midfield. He showed us how dangerous he can be doing that in season 2006, and I hope it continues. Expect him to spend stints in the midfield, but, for 2007 at least, more time in defense.

 

[Jeremias]

if russells going to make it it will be as midfielder

Russell, like Walker, will play in both the midfield and defense. Expect Russell to spend more time in defense, running off the half back line. Russell will make it, of that I have no doubt, but we must be patient with him. He will, IMO, take over Lappin/Houla and run out of defense, allowing the other 2 to move further up the ground. Expect Russell to spend most of his time in the middle from 2008 onwards.

 

[AlecDuncan]

Expect Russell to spend most of his time in the middle from 2008 onwards.

Maybe Russell & Walker alternating with each other like Houlihan and Lappin did a while back.

 

[barnesy]

For us to seriously move forward Whitnall must now be a forward and a forward only.

We don't have the defensive headaches now.

eg

Thornton / Ohailpin / Bower / Saddington / Flint / Hartlett (when up and running)

They are all more mobile.

The list looks healthy, and you think after next season when we remove another 6 or 7.

 

[DIG]

For us to seriously move forward Whitnall must now be a forward and a forward only.

We don't have the defensive headaches now.

eg

Thornton / Ohailpin / Bower / Saddington / Flint / Hartlett (when up and running)

They are all more mobile.

The list looks healthy, and you think after next season when we remove another 6 or 7.

I hope we can play Whitnall up forward too but lets take a step back.

Hartlett, Austin and Flint are completely unproven at the top level.

O'Hailpin and also Bower look very very promising but have only a handful of games between them.

Saddington hopefully gives us something this year but has barely played for so long.

Which really only leaves thornton and Whitnall as surefire key defender options - although I am confident Setanta will go well. I think Lance will have to remain at CHB for a while yet, use Fev, JK and Waite as targets up forward until some of the younguns step up.

 

[btdg]

For a proper list analysis, you have to categorize each player as:
a) AFL Star
b) proven AFL player
c) inconsistent at AFL level but shown glimpses
d) hasn't shown anything yet

Thus our list:

Rucks (6 total)
C - Cain Ackland
C - Dylan McLaren
D - Cameron Cloke
D - Shaun Hampson
D - Sam Jacobs-Rookie
D - Aisake O'hAilpin-Rookie

Forwards (9 total)
A - Brendan Fevola
C - Jarrad Waite
C - Bradley Fisher
D - Joshua Kennedy
C - Eddie Betts
C - Simon Wiggins
B - Anthony Koutoufides (probably pushing C now, but obviously A in his prime)
D - Jake Edwards


Defenders (16 total)
B - Bret Thornton
D - Paul Bower
D - Mark Austin
B - Andrew Walker
B - Lance Whitnall
D - Adam Hartlett
C - Setanta O'hAilpin (between C and D, but showed a bit late last year)
D - Jason Saddington (at least, since he came to Carlton)
D - Michael Jamison-Rookie
D - Craig Flint
D - Anthony Raso
D - Jordan Russell
C - Jordan Bannister
D - Joe Anderson
D - Clinton Benjamin
C - David Teague
B - Matthew Lappin

Midfielders (12 total)
B - Marc Murphy
C - Bryce Gibbs (unproven, but based on track record in senior football and realistic expectations for a first year player)
C - Luke Blackwell
B - Kade Simpson
D - Shaun Grigg
B - Nick Stevens
B - Heath Scotland
D - Ross Young-Rookie
D - Ryan Jackson-Rookie
C - Ryan Houlihan
C - Adam Bentick
B - Andrew Carrazzo (some might say optimistic, but he's consistent and solid, if nothing more)

Looking at that, our biggest issues are:

- we don't have anything better than a C in the ruck department, although Ackland could push a B if he remains injury-free.

- We only have 1 A-rated player (and he's an absolute head-case who could explode at any minute)

- We have plenty of forwards, but they're all inconsistent. Unless at least 2 of those push themselves up to the 'B' category, and Fev stays sane, we're going to struggle to kick winning scores next year.

- Of the 4 defenders rated B, 3 are legitimate candidates to play in other parts of the ground (Whitnall - forward, Walker and Lappin - midfield). But even including those guys, we only have 7 defenders listed C or higher.

- We have 9 midfielders rated C or higher, but no A-graders. 9 isn't even 2 midfield combinations (3 center square + 2 wing). Additionally, 4 of those are listed as 'inconsistent'. This is our biggest problem - lack of midfield depth. We don't have enough consistent players, and when the second unit goes into the middle, that gives the other team easy possession, which exposes our lack of consistent defenders.

On the other hand, the youth of many of those players is in their favour. There's a significant number there with the potential to become A and B-grade players; a couple of years ago we had probably more C-rated players but none of those had the potential to step up. Re-doing that list in 3 years time would be a lot more positive one would hope!

 

[blues4flag]

For a proper list analysis, you have to categorize each player as:...

- We have 9 midfielders rated C or higher, but no A-graders. 9 isn't even 2 midfield combinations (3 center square + 2 wing). Additionally, 4 of those are listed as 'inconsistent'. This is our biggest problem - lack of midfield depth. We don't have enough consistent players, and when the second unit goes into the middle, that gives the other team easy possession, which exposes our lack of consistent defenders.

How can you possibly have Carazzo as a B but Houlihan as a C? Houlihan has shown much more than him, and is definitely a proven AFL player IMO.

Also, not too worried about the midfield - Murphy, Gibbs, Simpson and even Stevens are all potential A players - Stevens was probably an A or close to back at Port (depending, of course, on what you classify an A to be).

Other than that, pretty accurate, IMO, although I would have Setanta as a definite C.

 

[btdg]

How can you possibly have Carazzo as a B but Houlihan as a C? Houlihan has shown much more than him, and is definitely a proven AFL player IMO.

Also, not too worried about the midfield - Murphy, Gibbs, Simpson and even Stevens are all potential A players - Stevens was probably an A or close to back at Port (depending, of course, on what you classify an A to be).

Other than that, pretty accurate, IMO, although I would have Setanta as a definite C.

I consider Carrazzo to be a consistent and solid, but limited player. Houlihan is talented but inconsistent. Thus Carazzo gets a B for being what he is - nothing special, but a solid defensive midfielder/flanker, who does his job at AFL level. Houlihan's skills demand higher standards, and while he has shown more, it has been in bursts and not week in week out. Still, its all subjective - I'm a Carrazzo fan and I don't like Houlihan (just like I was a Simpson fan from day 1, I don't rate Betts, and I think Walker should be a permanent full-back - we all have our own pet theories!).

Setanta's borderline, probably a few games short of being considered a C in my book - his games so far have been mostly charity "we're stuffed for the year so why not" games. Definitely showed glimpses though.

 

[BlueWorld]

I consider Carrazzo to be a consistent and solid, but limited player. Houlihan is talented but inconsistent. Thus Carazzo gets a B for being what he is - nothing special, but a solid defensive midfielder/flanker, who does his job at AFL level. Houlihan's skills demand higher standards, and while he has shown more, it has been in bursts and not week in week out. Still, its all subjective - I'm a Carrazzo fan and I don't like Houlihan (just like I was a Simpson fan from day 1, I don't rate Betts, and I think Walker should be a permanent full-back - we all have our own pet theories!).

Setanta's borderline, probably a few games short of being considered a C in my book - his games so far have been mostly charity "we're stuffed for the year so why not" games. Definitely showed glimpses though.

Not making a lot of sense there. How can someone who's played 41 games be a proven AFL player while someone who's played 136 isn't? And someone who is nothing special is ahead of someone who is talented? Carazzo would be miles behind Houlihan. Lappin's just as talented but been even less consistent and was dropped so how can he be B? Gibbs has yet to play a senior game so by your definition is a D until he does.

 

[blues4flag]

I consider Carrazzo to be a consistent and solid, but limited player. Houlihan is talented but inconsistent. Thus Carazzo gets a B for being what he is - nothing special, but a solid defensive midfielder/flanker, who does his job at AFL level. Houlihan's skills demand higher standards, and while he has shown more, it has been in bursts and not week in week out. Still, its all subjective - I'm a Carrazzo fan and I don't like Houlihan (just like I was a Simpson fan from day 1, I don't rate Betts, and I think Walker should be a permanent full-back - we all have our own pet theories!).

Can't say I agree with you there. Houlihan's 2006 season was superior to his recent seasons. The only time that Houlihan was not in the best 22 was during the 2005 season, but this year he was in our starting 18 every week. Carazzo on the other hand, was not and was even dropped to the seconds.

 

[BlackGoanna]

Looking at that, our biggest issues are:

- we don't have anything better than a C in the ruck department, although Ackland could push a B if he remains injury-free.

- We only have 1 A-rated player (and he's an absolute head-case who could explode at any minute)

- We have plenty of forwards, but they're all inconsistent. Unless at least 2 of those push themselves up to the 'B' category, and Fev stays sane, we're going to struggle to kick winning scores next year.

- Of the 4 defenders rated B, 3 are legitimate candidates to play in other parts of the ground (Whitnall - forward, Walker and Lappin - midfield). But even including those guys, we only have 7 defenders listed C or higher.

- We have 9 midfielders rated C or higher, but no A-graders. 9 isn't even 2 midfield combinations (3 center square + 2 wing). Additionally, 4 of those are listed as 'inconsistent'. This is our biggest problem - lack of midfield depth. We don't have enough consistent players, and when the second unit goes into the middle, that gives the other team easy possession, which exposes our lack of consistent defenders.

On the other hand, the youth of many of those players is in their favour. There's a significant number there with the potential to become A and B-grade players; a couple of years ago we had probably more C-rated players but none of those had the potential to step up. Re-doing that list in 3 years time would be a lot more positive one would hope!

What rating's are you working from? You seem like your marking essays.

What you need to be able to do is have some sight on how the younger players are likely to develop in there roles over the pre-season coupled with the abilities of senior players.

If you have Whitnall and Fevola in the forward line you have 2 class KP forwards who both had great seasons last year. You then have Waite and Fisher who both are potentially very close. Still developing is Kennedy who may start to contribute as the season develops. This is an exciting mix of KP forwards.

The midfield you have a similar situation with Stevens, Scotland and Simpson coming off productive seasons. Next year they should receive the support they require to start winning contests more often. We have seen enough of Walker, Murphy, Blackwell, Russell and Betts to suggest that they will continue to contribute more next year. There is Houlihan, Lappin, Carazzo and Bentwick that will provide depth and experience. These guys will be be pushed along with the emergence of Gibbs and Grigg. How could you not be excited. This midfield will produce plenty of A graders.