NAB CUP - selection / positional experiments

[Jelly Bean]

We all know the NAB Cup will be used to try different things by the coaching staff, as Bucks has shown a greater propensity to experiment in this competition than his predecessor. This typically makes it an exciting time for fans, as we get a preview into players we otherwise wouldn't see at that level.

I'm interested to understand what people want to see out of the NAB Cup, in terms of selection or positional experiments.

Mine would be:
1) Caolan Mooney selected. With Fasolo probably going to miss the early weeks, it gives someone else a chance to make a claim for a small forward role, and Mooney showed some signs last year that were constrained by injuries. I'd like to see him on a forward flank, and play most of the game.

2) The 'new' three tall forwardline. While not an experiment, I want to see the forwardline of Cloke, Reid, and White in operation early. The success of this forwardline will be an huge driver of success for the team, so let's bed it down and get the growing pains out early. Only concern is that Cloke hasn't been in full training yet...

3) Kyle Martin selected. I am on of those that thinks this bloke has been stiff in terms of selection. I want to see him get reasonable time in the middle / forward rotation and push his chances of getting a more regular game following his dominance of the VFL.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Green Eggs]

I'd like to see the following;

Oxley - I'd like to see Oxley have a go at that sweeping role early on so we can get a preview of what's to come.

Beams - I'd like to see a game where Swanny and Pendles are rested to see how Beams copes being the number 1 mid.

Mosquito fleet - I'd like to see a game where Blair, Mooney and Steele are at the feet of our big men playing soley a crumbing role.

 

[neilk]

We know that Grundy can carry the #1 ruck based on his limited games last year so I would like to see Witts get a chance to show if he can do the same.
Would also like to see Cloke have a rest and hand his role to White to show his stuff.
MUST see Marsh just to see if all the excitement is justified-should be fun anyway.

 

[Chilli Con Incarnate]

Mosquito fleet - I'd like to see a game where Blair, Mooney and Steele are at the feet of our big men playing soley a crumbing role.

All of the above please, but especially this!

 

[DaVe86]

Really tough balance between wanting to get some experience into the younger guys, but also wanting to get conditioning into the senior guys.

Last year there were 4 games to get yourself ready, this year there are less. So probably less time to rest senior players.

I'd love to see Kennedy and Broomhead get a real crack at it. I think these are the 2 guys the club really needs to kick on this year and next. It is well and good having 6 first round selections over 2 years, but if Kennedy and Broomhead don't come on then our trading of senior players won't have netted us much.

Also keen to see Jack Frost get a crack. If Keeffe or Brown go down, then the option would be to swing Reid back. But having Frost available could allow Reid to stay forward.

The last thing I want tried is to continue experimenting with the Grundy/Witts combo. This might come at the expense of match time for Lynch or Cloke because we'd be too tall...but clearly this ruck combination could become anything and we need them to start developing a system.

I think a guy like Cloke doesn't need a lot of match practice so could be an opportunity to give White a real test. On the other hand, again there is a tough balance because I'm sure Buckley would like White and Cloke to start developing an understanding of each other.

 

[Primetime Pricey]

Just want to see Kennedy given a majority of match time around the fwd 50. Dont think some people understand how good this kid can be. Is always gonna take longer to develop with his build but he is all class.

 

[frizzle]

Agree with Kennedy & Broomhead getting valuable minutes into them.
Would also love to see Kyle Martin line up in the midfield with a few of our experienced guns by his side.
Oxley, Frost & Armstrong all given game time in the back half.

 

[jackcass]

Results of these games are irrelevant so I'd like to see:
Game 1 - bare minimum best 22. Assume these games will have extended benches and the possible rotation of players at half time so if fit, in full training, and considered up to it, give Ramsay, Yagmoor, Kennedy, Oxley, Armstrong, Mooney, Freeman, Langdon, Young, Martin, Frost etc game time.
Game 2 - based on fitness assessments, add 50% of the "best 22" who missed game 1.
Game 3 - based on fitness assessments, add remainder of the "best 22" who missed game 1 + 2. Some of the "best 22" players who did play game 1 &/or 2 may be rested.

Assume there'll be the traditional intraclub game the week before round 1 so that's the time to finalise the round 1 team.

 

[TradeDraft]

Play the New Players we got in thru Trade

 

[legendstatus]

Freeman, Marsh, Frost, Langdon, White, Adams, Ramsay, Broomhead, Oxley & Armstrong. The rest I've seen.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Really tough balance between wanting to get some experience into the younger guys, but also wanting to get conditioning into the senior guys.

Last year there were 4 games to get yourself ready, this year there are less. So probably less time to rest senior players.

I'd love to see Kennedy and Broomhead get a real crack at it. I think these are the 2 guys the club really needs to kick on this year and next. It is well and good having 6 first round selections over 2 years, but if Kennedy and Broomhead don't come on then our trading of senior players won't have netted us much.

Also keen to see Jack Frost get a crack. If Keeffe or Brown go down, then the option would be to swing Reid back. But having Frost available could allow Reid to stay forward.

The last thing I want tried is to continue experimenting with the Grundy/Witts combo. This might come at the expense of match time for Lynch or Cloke because we'd be too tall...but clearly this ruck combination could become anything and we need them to start developing a system.

I think a guy like Cloke doesn't need a lot of match practice so could be an opportunity to give White a real test. On the other hand, again there is a tough balance because I'm sure Buckley would like White and Cloke to start developing an understanding of each other.

Agree on the Witts game time suggestion - definitely something I want to see as well. And like you, I want to see him get good time across both key forward and ruck, as only in the combination of the two will he really have a value proposition.

 

[pablo disco bar]

Give the twi irishman a go...ckarke and mooney...not a huge fan of Clarke but would like too see him di well....play yagmoor obvuously they liked him in 2012 too play him round one...how about rest cloke and play witts full forward. ...see what happens....frost at full back...play Martin on the ball and gold sack back in the forwaed line

Sent from my GT-I9305T using Tapatalk

 

[half_back_flank]

Lynch on a high half forward flank/wing. It's the only way I can see him in the side and he doesn't have to be Richo-esce to take the second ruck from White if we go again with a part timer.

Love to see how a Witts/Grundy combination too. Witts or Hudson are going to have to play some football if we are going to get Grundy through a whole season.

 

[Knightmare]

From a positional change perspective: Williams as a midfielder. Fasolo down back and Elliott through the midfield for periods are some I'd like to see to get a feel for their capabilities in different positions they may have some scope to move into in the future. Clarke to a wing to see what he can do further up the field.

As selections who we haven't seen enough of/new: Broomhead and Martin as forwards I feel can establish themselves with strong performances. Langdon in as a back flanker/mid is one I want to see as he's good enough to play this season if he continues his improvement. Karnezis if training well is another you'd want to see to get a feel for where he's at.

I'm sure we'll see a number of our other new ones out there also - Adams/White/Young/Armstrong/Freeman but the others are many of the less obvious inclusions I want to see.

 

[Robroy22]

KM said: " From a positional change perspective: Williams as a midfielder. Fasolo down back and Elliott through the midfield for periods are some I'd like to see to get a feel for their capabilities in different positions they may have some scope to move into in the future."

OMG....finally someone else sees it. My vision of the future. Thanks Knight I feel much better now.

 

[Knightmare]

KM said: " From a positional change perspective: Williams as a midfielder. Fasolo down back and Elliott through the midfield for periods are some I'd like to see to get a feel for their capabilities in different positions they may have some scope to move into in the future."

OMG....finally someone else sees it. My vision of the future. Thanks Knight I feel much better now.

Williams 1v1 down back doesn't lose 1v1s and when the ball hits the ground similarly he excels and doesn't seem to lose a contest. Those traits are perfectly compatible with playing through the midfield. He's such a strong body he can practically drag the ball forward from the contest with the momentum of his body as Swan does. If and when he cleans up his footskills and further improves his endurance he does have the scope to become a midfielder just as much as he has the scope to play a role down back or forward.

Fasolo similarly has the scope to go down back. Seeing as Shaw is gone and Scharenberg unlikely to start the season I see this as Fasolo's best way back into the team with more forward options than usual presenting with Broomhead promising and K.Martin among others capable up forward. Down back he has the appropriate 1v1 ability, marking ability and footskills both from a penetration and decision making sense so it's well within his capabilities.
It's not necessarily the role he needs to play for his whole career. I prefer him as a forward but until our backline stocks are stronger than our forward half stocks he is for now, particularly with so many of our defenders limited by foot of greatest value down back for the time being.

 

[RGpies]

Williams 1v1 down back doesn't lose 1v1s and when the ball hits the ground similarly he excels and doesn't seem to lose a contest. Those traits are perfectly compatible with playing through the midfield. He's such a strong body he can practically drag the ball forward from the contest with the momentum of his body as Swan does. If and when he cleans up his footskills and further improves his endurance he does have the scope to become a midfielder just as much as he has the scope to play a role down back or forward.

Fasolo similarly has the scope to go down back. Seeing as Shaw is gone and Scharenberg unlikely to start the season I see this as Fasolo's best way back into the team with more forward options than usual presenting with Broomhead promising and K.Martin among others capable up forward. Down back he has the appropriate 1v1 ability, marking ability and footskills both from a penetration and decision making sense so it's well within his capabilities.
It's not necessarily the role he needs to play for his whole career. I prefer him as a forward but until our backline stocks are stronger than our forward half stocks he is for now, particularly with so many of our defenders limited by foot of greatest value down back for the time being.

I would also love to see williams get a run in the midfield, however i also see williams the perfect defender for the cyril riolois of the game, what other defenders do you think we could play on players like rioli? Is sinclairs 1v1 game strong enough?

 

[the mighty T]

Ideally for the first pre season game i'd like to see:

B: Sinclair, Keeffe, Williams
HB: Ramsay, Frost, Seedsman
C: Young, Thomas, Lumumba
HF: Broomhead, Reid, Adams
F: Lynch, White, Fasolo
Foll: Witts, Beams, Pendlebury

I/C: Sidebottom, Karnezis, Kennedy
Sub: Anyone of Freeman, Armstrong, Oxley, Marsh

 

[mattys123]

1. White vs Lynch; I can't see Bucks changing the game plan to the point where we play 2 genuine rucks too much so basically these two are fighting for the one spot for round 1. Let them both play forward and in the ruck at times, taking the pressure (and work load) off Witts and Grundy throughout the pre season.

2. Young midfielders; From Broomhead to Kennedy, Freeman to Thomas, we need to give them all plenty of time in the midfield in the pre season because while it's nice to lean on the stars like Pendles, Swan, Ball, Beams and co we need to extend our midfield depth if we are to be a contender anytime soon.

3. Key defenders; Who do we play in the key positions down back, Brown is a lock for full back when fit, so it then comes down to Keeffe, Reid and Frost. We don't have susbtantial depth in this area so we will need to be careful in managing their load early on.

4. The three pronged attack; Whether it be Cloke and Lynch or Cloke and White, we need to assist them more in 2013, and the obvious answer is Ben Reid. The problem is some weeks we will require Reid down back so I'd like to see Reid played sparingly up forward in the NAB Challenge and other tall options given games, even the kids.

My worry going into season 2014 is our key position depth, in all 3 areas (ruck, forward, defense) we really are lacking in depth past about 1-2 players in each position, so we need to use the pre season to get as much game time into as many options as we can.

The trip to the Gold Coast for the final game is where shit gets real, no more mucking around, pick the best 22 and play them in their round 1 positions for the majority of the match.

 

[DaVe86]

I think our Key Position depth is pretty good. Not many teams have quality key position players who can simply step into the side and dominate.

We have 5 genuine options to play key forward - Cloke, Lynch, White, Reid, Witts

We have 3 genuine ruck options, and 3 guys who can chip in if needed - Grundy, Witts, Hudson, White, Lynch, Keefe

We have 4 genuine Key defenders - Brown, Keefe, Reid, Frost

Then we have a few utility sized players like Goldsack, Maxwell, Marsh, Langdon, Scharenberg and Karnezis who can play a few different roles for the side. Goldsack and Marsh could make-shift as the 3rd tall...as could Karnezis. Whilst Maxwell and Goldsack could also play as the 3rd key back if needed or even the 2nd key back if the opponent has a shorter forward line.

I actually reckon that is pretty solid...especially with Reid able to play either end, and Lynch & White who can ruck.

I don't think it would be the end of the world if our ruck division was a White + Lynch. We'd lose hitouts but would be very mobile around the ground.

I'm also not 100% sold that we need 3 key forwards. It is my preference, but I'd be happy with a forward line of Cloke + Reid, with Grundy and Witts sharing ruck duties. If we are short of a defender, then Reid can go back and Cloke can work with White (who can also back up ruck and means we can play an extra runner)

I really like the blend.

 

[Knightmare]

I would also love to see williams get a run in the midfield, however i also see williams the perfect defender for the cyril riolois of the game, what other defenders do you think we could play on players like rioli? Is sinclairs 1v1 game strong enough?

Sinclair down back is from a shutdown standpoint capable against smalls, particularly those smaller crumbing smalls both 1v1 and for pace/agility. He's not Williams powerful 1v1 but good enough not to be a liability against opposition small forwards certainly.

 

[Baltimore Jack]

Marsh. I want to see what all the hype is about

 

[jackcass]

Agree on the Witts game time suggestion - definitely something I want to see as well. And like you, I want to see him get good time across both key forward and ruck, as only in the combination of the two will he really have a value proposition.

Witts is still in the rehab group so may not be in a position to push for selection.

 

[jackcass]

From a positional change perspective: Williams as a midfielder. Fasolo down back and Elliott through the midfield for periods are some I'd like to see to get a feel for their capabilities in different positions they may have some scope to move into in the future. Clarke to a wing to see what he can do further up the field.

As selections who we haven't seen enough of/new: Broomhead and Martin as forwards I feel can establish themselves with strong performances. Langdon in as a back flanker/mid is one I want to see as he's good enough to play this season if he continues his improvement. Karnezis if training well is another you'd want to see to get a feel for where he's at.

I'm sure we'll see a number of our other new ones out there also - Adams/White/Young/Armstrong/Freeman but the others are many of the less obvious inclusions I want to see.

Williams court case scheduled for 14 Feb so we might not see him round 1 of the NAB. Hopefully he's available for NAB Rd2 and the GC praccie match.

 

[Rusty22]

don't play, cloke, pendles, swan, reid, grundy, beams, keefe.
play, yagmoor, Armstrong,mooney, ramsay,gault