Our Best 22

[Metallica_Man]

What do you think is our best 22 now that the draft and all that is over?
Here is mine

B: M Egan, M Scarlett, J Hunt
HB: M Rooke, T Harley ,D Milburn
C: C Ling, G Ablett, C Enright
HF: P Chapman, C Mooney, T Hawkins
F: N Ablett, B Ottens, S Johnson
R: S King, J Bartel, J Corey
I: J Kelly, D Johnson, B Prismall, M Stokes


RES: M Blake, S Byrnes, T Callan, N Djerrkura, R Gamble, C Gardiner, T Grima, S Hogan, S Hunt, T Lonergan, A Mackie, S Owen, H Playfair, J Selwood, M Spencer, K Tenace, T Varcoe, T West, D Wojcinski and 3 other rookies.
Pretty good VFL line up there too.

 

[Asty]

What do you think is our best 22 now that the draft and all that is over?
Here is mine

B: M Egan, M Scarlett, J Hunt
HB: M Rooke, T Harley ,D Milburn
C: C Ling, G Ablett, C Enright
HF: P Chapman, C Mooney, T Hawkins
F: N Ablett, B Ottens, S Johnson
R: S King, J Bartel, J Corey
I: J Kelly, D Johnson, B Prismall, M Stokes


RES: M Blake, S Byrnes, T Callan, N Djerrkura, R Gamble, C Gardiner, T Grima, S Hogan, S Hunt, T Lonergan, A Mackie, S Owen, H Playfair, J Selwood, M Spencer, K Tenace, T Varcoe, T West, D Wojcinski and 3 other rookies.
Pretty good VFL line up there too.

I would swap hawkins and n.ablett around ablett has been playing his best at CHF (more room) and hawkins plays more as a FF (not sure he has the same endurance as nathan). Actually I would have it ....

B: M Egan, M Scarlett, D Johnson
HB: J Hunt, T Harley ,D Milburn
C: A Mackie, J Bartel, C Enright
HF: P Chapman, N Ablett, R Gamble
F: T Hawkins, C Mooney, S Johnson
R: B Ottens, G Ablett, J Corey

I: S King, M Rooke, B Prismall, M Stokes

EMG: J Kelly, C Ling, J Selwood, T Varcoe

Basically I think Rooke has more value as a tagger and inside midfielder than Ling so he takes over that role and Kelly has been over taken by Enright as an outside wingman and Johnson nudges him as a forward. So the onball rotation would be g.ablett,corey, bartel, rooke, prismall, stokes, chapman and maybe hunt in spurts. then you have ottens changing with king off the bench in the ruck with mooney pinch hitting at times. Mooney also rucks up forward. Hawkins can do some forward ruck work aswell (boundry only I would say). Backline is pretty much same as last few years and we haven't had a problem there most of the time. Forwards look dangerous with the 3 talls and also gamble who can take a contested mark and then our smalls who have been good for a few years now as well. Selwood and Varcoe (maybe Djerrkura) should be given games aswell wether through another player losing form or through rotation for a few games with prismal,stokes and gamble. Hawkins shouldn't be overloaded and may require some time in the seconds through out the year in which case ottens can start forward and bring in blake or west or in a straight swap with playfair? If mackie, enright, bartel, corey, johnson or any of the experienced onballers lose form or get injured then kelly and ling are the replacements with their experience.

 

[catempire]

That looks about right but I would say too tall in the forward line and back line and too slow through the midfield.

I think one think we learnt in 2006 was that the game has changed to the extent that you must have runners in all areas of the ground. For that reason, players like Wojcinski, Byrnes, Tenace and Stokes need to be injected.

So I agree with having Ablett on the ball although I doubt they will do it. Mackie should also go on the wing.

I would have Wojcinski off half back because he is our best option running off there. Alternatively, try Tenace there.

And I would have Stokes or Byrnes rotating through the forward line.

Of course, it depends too on the team we're playing. When it's a team like the Dogs you really need even more pace in there.

 

[CF]

It's actually quite hard to work out how they may be selected. The backline will probably be unchanged but we seem to have many possible variations from the Center to Forward which all have a legitimate case for selection.

C: C Ling, G Ablett, C Enright
HF: P Chapman, C Mooney, T Hawkins
F: N Ablett, B Ottens, S Johnson
R: S King, J Bartel, J Corey

C: A Mackie, J Bartel, C Enright
HF: P Chapman, C Mooney, G Ablett
F: N Ablett, B Ottens, S Johnson
R: S King, J Kelly, J Corey

C: A Mackie, J Selwood, C Enright
HF: G Ablett, N Ablett, Grima
F: M Stokes, C Mooney, S Johnson
R: B Ottens, J Bartel, J Corey

it goes on and on....looks like the club will have some pretty tough to beat rotations next year and I haven't included players like Blake, Hawkins, Stokes, Varcoe, and others who may press for senior selection

interesting year ahead

 

[SirRooke]

B: Wojcinski Scarlett Egan
HB: J Hunt Harley Mackie
C: Enright Bartel Milburn
HF: G Ablett Mooney Corey
F: Hawkins N Ablett S Johnson
R: Ottens Rooke Chapman
Int: Ling, Stokes, Kelly*, Selwood
Emg: Callan, Prismall, D. Johnson
Next Best: S Byrnes, Gamble, West, Djerrka, King*, Gardner*, Tenace*, Playfair*, Hogan**
The Rest: (duds waiting for the chop at the end of '07) Spencer, Owen, Blake, S Hunt, Varcoe

I think that if he finally puts some weight on Mackie should move to half-back. I imagine he could be quite a creative player from there. I think Selwood is probably worth a punt on the bench.

From the looks of our list, knowing that if we don't make rapid improvement in our performance that a change of coach and cull will be required, it looks as if our delistings at the end of '07 could be high already. (and that's assuming Playfair, Kelly and Byrnes can avoid the noose.)

I'd also like to see Corey move forward and use his height and endurance to advantage. Not sure it would work but surely at his size and with his mobility he could exploit a lot of opposition backlines.

The amount of actual or pending duds here is a concern. Kelly has been selected in the team based on the fact that if he gets his mind right he is a first 18 player.

* denotes likely dud but capable of getting a regular game next year if the team experiences injuries. Highly likely to move into dud category if the team has a bad '07
** too early to decide if likely to be a dud

 

[Asty]

B: Wojcinski Scarlett Egan
HB: J Hunt Harley Mackie
C: Enright Bartel Milburn
HF: G Ablett Mooney Corey
F: Hawkins N Ablett S Johnson
R: Ottens Rooke Chapman
Int: Ling, Stokes, Kelly*, Selwood
Emg: Callan, Prismall, D. Johnson
Next Best: S Byrnes, Gamble, West, Djerrka, King*, Gardner*, Tenace*, Playfair*, Hogan**
The Rest: (duds waiting for the chop at the end of '07) Spencer, Owen, Blake, S Hunt, Varcoe

I think you still need king or blake on the bench to give ottens a break. Mooney can pinch hit but I wouldn't rely on him as a 2nd ruck.

 

[Belly]

B: Wojcinski Scarlett Egan
HB: J Hunt Harley Mackie
C: Enright Bartel Milburn
HF: G Ablett Mooney Corey
F: Hawkins N Ablett S Johnson
R: Ottens Rooke Chapman
Int: Ling, Stokes, Kelly*, Selwood
Emg: Callan, Prismall, D. Johnson
Next Best: S Byrnes, Gamble, West, Djerrka, King*, Gardner*, Tenace*, Playfair*, Hogan**
The Rest: (duds waiting for the chop at the end of '07) Spencer, Owen, Blake, S Hunt, Varcoe

I think that if he finally puts some weight on Mackie should move to half-back. I imagine he could be quite a creative player from there. I think Selwood is probably worth a punt on the bench.

From the looks of our list, knowing that if we don't make rapid improvement in our performance that a change of coach and cull will be required, it looks as if our delistings at the end of '07 could be high already. (and that's assuming Playfair, Kelly and Byrnes can avoid the noose.)

I'd also like to see Corey move forward and use his height and endurance to advantage. Not sure it would work but surely at his size and with his mobility he could exploit a lot of opposition backlines.

The amount of actual or pending duds here is a concern. Kelly has been selected in the team based on the fact that if he gets his mind right he is a first 18 player.

* denotes likely dud but capable of getting a regular game next year if the team experiences injuries. Highly likely to move into dud category if the team has a bad '07
** too early to decide if likely to be a dud

Varcoe and Blake as duds?

and Why did you put 2 stars next to Hogan? He looks like he can play, and is athletically freakish, he should have got no stars.

 

[finrod]

I seriously don't know how anybody can be fitting Hawkins into our BEST 22 at the moment...

 

[burto]

FB: D Johnson Scarlett Harley
HB: Hunt Egan Milburn
C: Mackie Bartel Prismall
HF: Ling N. Ablett G. Ablett
FF: S. Johnson Mooney Chapman

FOL: Ottens Corey Max
INT: Kelly (still rate him very highly, remember 2004), King, Wojcinski, Enright

EM: Byrnes, Varcoe, Tenace, Blake

- no need to rush hawkins
- no need to rush selwood
- try ling on the HF line, strong overhead and a reasonable kick
- ottens can be rotated through the forward line

 

[geelong_boy]

SirRooke, I don't know how you can call Varcoe a dud at this early stage.

 

[Reg Hickey]

FFS. A bloke being labeled a potential dud the day after he is drafted.

Clearly some of you people know nothing about football.

 

[WE Are Geelong]

I seriously don't know how anybody can be fitting Hawkins into our BEST 22 at the moment...

but why?...

Hawkins turns 19 in July 2007. Jonathan Brown played very well at CHF in a premiership in 2001 aged 19....nobody and certainly not me is expecting Hawkins to emulate anything like that....honestly I want to remain realistic also...but..

I am expecting him to be better than Gardiner and Playfair in our forward rotations...is that really too much to ask from such an elite football athlete/talent...even at his age?

Just asking your thoughts?

 

[Rhombus]

Blake a dud? I don't think so.

Will be one of the league's better Tap Ruckman in 2-3 years.

 

[Reg Hickey]

I am expecting him to be better than Gardiner and Playfair in our forward rotations...is that really too much to ask from such an elite football athlete/talent...even at his age?

YES! Absolutely.

The kis is 18 years old, and is trying to step up from school footy straight into the AFL, whereas Playfair and Gardiner are both mature, hardened bodies who have been in the system for years. History shows that it takes everyone time to step up to the level. In the long run I hope he will be 10 times better than both of those blokes put together, but expecting him to do it next year is lunacy.

As for J Brown, he was a complete physical freak who played a solid role in a premiership side in his second year. So why would we expect Hawkins to have that sort of impact in his first??

If Hawkins gets half a dozen games and kicks a single bag of 3 or 4 in 2007 we should be stoked.

 

[WE Are Geelong]

YES! Absolutely.

The kis is 18 years old, and is trying to step up from school footy straight into the AFL, whereas Playfair and Gardiner are both mature, hardened bodies who have been in the system for years. History shows that it takes everyone time to step up to the level. In the long run I hope he will be 10 times better than both of those blokes put together, but expecting him to do it next year is lunacy.

As for J Brown, he was a complete physical freak who played a solid role in a premiership side in his second year. So why would we expect Hawkins to have that sort of impact in his first??

If Hawkins gets half a dozen games and kicks a single bag of 3 or 4 in 2007 we should be stoked.

I guess you are one of these guys who likes to read someone's comments in a way that suits you and quote them accordingly ...rather than what the person actually wrote. Go back and read the full comment....I categorically stated I DONT expect Hawkins to have that same impact as Brown....so why bring it up? When I am agreeing with you already.

Jonathan Brown played more than a solid role in the 2001 GF @ CHF....in the second quarter he took two pack marks and goaled from both set shots keeping the Lions in it when the Bombers were on top in that first half. He was one of a handful of guys on the day who won the game for the Lions when it counted...solid my ****.

Hawkins is not exactly physically normal? I think he can contribute serviceably. Nathan was miles behind where Tom is now and he played 4 games at the end of his first season. Hawkins did win the Larke medal playing against his 'super draft' peers. I dont expect him to star in the AFL at all in 2007....he can contribute in 10-12 games next season given his body shape...

I wouldn't pick Gardiner and Playfair in my best 22 at any stage of the season next year if it means playing them in the forward line. What recent form is there to suggest we should? Those two had little impact in a recent VFL grand Final...the AFL is light years ahead of that...

I dont expect Tom to play 22 games, nor do I expect Selwood to either nowhere near it in fact...does that mean they aren't in our best 22? I dont think King can play 22 games, nor do I expect Harley to either for different reasons of course...I am picking it on talent for the younger guys and for different reasons for the older ones...

 

[baywatch5]

Heres my best 22 with reasons, and the rest:

B: D Milburn, M Scarlett, J Hunt
Ever reliable FB line. AA FB enough said. mr consistant dasher, veteran of our side, and one of the most penatrating kicks in the league in Hunt.

HB: J Corey, M Egan T Harley
Gone with corey here, will provide plenty of run, good user of the ball and has height. Egan will continue to improve, great overhead, and the general of our back line and our club Tommy Harley.

C: C Mooney, G Ablett, B Prismall
Cam to be given a little freedom, bit like Goodes role at syd. Loved his final series in 05, crashing packs running through the centre and resting up forward. G.Ablett has the best hands in the league. Doesn't fumble, little champ... and I'm expecting big things from Prismall. Has footy smarts and great deliver of the ball. He'll hold his spot in our best 22.

HF: P Chapman, N Ablett, C Ling
B&F Chappy, best pos for him and changing onball. N.Ablett shone at CHF in the VFL finals and with another pre season under his belt will make this spot his in 07! Ling adds another option here, great overhead, good height, huge engine and can kick a goal. Will also be rotated through the middle.

F: M Stokes, B Ottens, S Johnson
Matty's forward line pressure is so valuable. He's a real little goer and deserves this spot. Otto's height and marking power will always give opposition coaches a headache. Ready to step up. Will play 1/2 in the ruck also. And the freak SJ, can create oppotunities out of nothing, must be on the field if fit.

R: S King, J Bartel, M Rooke
Expect a big year from King. Handed over the captaincy, will enter 07 injury free and be back to his AA best. Jimmy will win our B&F this year IMO. keeps getting better and better, Champion. And Max! loved some of his run with roles this year so have him starting onball. Is hard at it, has good disposal and a huge engine.

I: J Kelly, A Mackie, C Enright, T Hawkins
Finishing up with the interchange, Kelly had a forgetable 06, was given a wake up call in trade week. Expect him to respond. Mackie played his best footy in the last 6/7 rounds, hope he starts to fill out a bit. Enright is very underated IMO. provides great run and can play anywhere. Tomahawk will be in our best 22. To play a limited role up forward, expect up to 12 games this year. Can't wait to see him in the hoops

EMG: D Johnson, D Wojcinski, R Gamble
D.Johnson and monica just miss out, but depending on match ups could have quite easily been included. R.Gamble is exciting. will play 10-12 games in 07.


OTHERS:
J Selwood (Huge talent. Rapt to have him at geelong. will be eased into AFL footy. Expect 5 - 8 games)
N Djerrkura (As above, is small but has a strong body. Has played senior footy in darwin. will see him in 07)
T Varcoe (From all reports is training well, may see bit of him in 07. but think he will make his mark in 08!)
K Tenace(Needs to improve disposal, Has pace to burn. will be pushing for selection.)
H Playfair(Back up tall, will need some luck to crack top 22)
S Byrnes(Same as Tenace)
M Blake(Back up ruck, will push for selection)
T Callan(Make or Break year for timmy. Heard he has signed a new deal, a one year i imagine. Love his courage and attack on the ball)
T West(4th ruck on list. Expect another developing year)
S Hunt(Elevated so has impressed. back up tall)
S Hogan(Developing year or two ahead)
C Gardiner(I think with lonners going down saved his spot. Must grab any opportunity)
M Spencer(4th year on list, back up tall. make or break year)
S Owen(2nd year on list, will continue to develop)
T Grima(r) (retained rookie, talented kid, will push for spot if given the chance, expect to be elevated next year)
T Lonergan(r) (Great story, will be given this year to get his health and body right. All the best Lonners)

x 3 Rookies to come

 

[SirRooke]

Varcoe and Blake as duds?

and Why did you put 2 stars next to Hogan? He looks like he can play, and is athletically freakish, he should have got no stars.

Blake is a dud. Good tap ruckman I admit but he has a phobia about kicking, which is understandable because the most appropriate word for it would be dreadful. His average possessions per game are woeful and I can't see him coming on at all. I'd rather give West a chance or pinch hit with Mooney. Teams cannot afford to carry ruckman whos only purpose it winning hitouts. Ruckman like Cox will hurt you too much. I think Geelong should play Ottens as first ruck, with King getting the odd game coming off the bench as thats all his body is capable of. In '07 Geelong should pursue a developing ruckman perhaps by trade with Adelaide or Brisbane who have too many on their lists now and will need to offload.

Varcoe is a dud. I have seen him play in the VFL and he is timid, sits outside packs waiting for the ball to be given to him, doesn't make second efforts, can't read the play and doesnt get much of the ball... He is skillful and a good kick, but I can't see much changing because the rest of his game has so much downside.

I didn't suggest Hogan is a dud, simply that it was too early to determine. Though there is consensus that his kicking skills are poor, which is a concern. Spriggs was a gun at draft camp and I thought he was a good footballer but he had the same problem which ultimately cost him his career.

SirRooke, I don't know how you can call Varcoe a dud at this early stage.

I'd suggest you go along to a couple of VFL games next year.

 

[cat_fanatic]

SR, you are being very skeptical. i will not defend some of the guys you have dismissed as being duds; im sure they will do that in many games in 07.

 

[Asty]

I'd suggest you go along to a couple of VFL games next year.

I would suggest you watch some of his games from before his injury as you are seem to making a judgement on his ability based on his performances in a year when he had no preseason and played with some muscle injuries. I would give him next year at least before calling him a dud or your comments could come back to bite you.

 

[DanA]

I would suggest you watch some of his games from before his injury as you are seem to making a judgement on his ability based on his performances in a year when he had no preseason and played with some muscle injuries. I would give him next year at least before calling him a dud or your comments could come back to bite you.

Spot on.

I saw his VFL games and there were glimpses but he played a poor finals campaign which I am guessing is what Sir Rooke is basing it on. From reports he also played poorly in London.

How good can he possibly have played? He missed the entire preseason with his foot injury, did not even step on the track. Consequently when he got on the track his body wasn't up to it and had some shin, hip and quad problems which costs him another 4-5 weeks of training.

After not playing for a year and a half and with absolutly no fitness he is expected to perform in the VFL? It is still a quality league.

Sir Rooke wrote: Varcoe is a dud. I have seen him play in the VFL and he is timid, sits outside packs waiting for the ball to be given to him, doesn't make second efforts, can't read the play and doesnt get much of the ball... He is skillful and a good kick, but I can't see much changing because the rest of his game has so much downside.


Can't read the play?
I disagree but remember he hasn't played for over a year.

Doesn't make second effort?
He is not fit enough

Doesn't get much of the ball?
Probably because he doesn't make second efforts and can't do the hard running (not fit enough)

Is timid?
He is a slightly built and extremely young rookie coming in under done with a 1 1/2 year layoff. Fans would be best served as to treat him like he was taken pick 15 in this years draft. After all he did played less VFL games than Jack Reiwoldt and is younger than Joel Selwood!

 

[Jack-Packenham]

Milburn Scarlett Harley
G Ablett Egan Chapman
Kelly Corey Rooke
J Hunt Mooney N Ablett
Stokes Ottens S Johnson
King Ling Bartel
Gamble Prismall Enright Mackie

Would like to see G Ablett and Chapman become our version of McLeod and Johncock. We desperately need run and creativity from half back and this could be the answer. With Stokes being able to be the small forward and our hopes once again rest on "a fit" Steve Johnson.

 

[DanA]

Milburn Scarlett Harley
G Ablett Egan Chapman
Kelly Corey Rooke
J Hunt Mooney N Ablett
Stokes Ottens S Johnson
King Ling Bartel
Gamble Prismall Enright Mackie

Would like to see G Ablett and Chapman become our version of McLeod and Johncock. We desperately need run and creativity from half back and this could be the answer. With Stokes being able to be the small forward and our hopes once again rest on "a fit" Steve Johnson.

Certainly different, I am sure many will scream and yell. Moving both seems a bit much to me.

My pick would be:

FB: Selwood/Tenace, Scarlett, Milburn
HB: Corey, Harley, Egan
C: Mackie, Ablett, Hunt
HF: Ling, Mooney, N.Ablett/Gamble
FF: Chapman, Ottens, S.Johnson
R: King, Bartel, Rooke
I: Enright, Prismall, Hawkins, Kelly
Emg: Stokes, Blake, D.Johnson, S.Hunt

Same idea in that I certainly think we need a shuffle of the backline because it doesn't offer enough counterplay. Tenace needs to step up, seemed like he would at the start of year but it never eventuated.

Corey moves out of midfeild for Rooke and Ling moves out for G.Ablett.

Where Ottens plays is largely dependent on King, N.ABlett and Hawkins.

 

[year of the cat]

Milburn Scarlett Harley
G Ablett Egan Chapman
Kelly Corey Rooke
J Hunt Mooney N Ablett
Stokes Ottens S Johnson
King Ling Bartel
Gamble Prismall Enright Mackie

Would like to see G Ablett and Chapman become our version of McLeod and Johncock. We desperately need run and creativity from half back and this could be the answer. With Stokes being able to be the small forward and our hopes once again rest on "a fit" Steve Johnson.

Certainly a creative way of increasing run from the backline! Assuming that Varcoe comes on a bit I reckon he may be a possible option as well. It would give him an opportunity to adjust to AFL footy by being responsible for a man. His tackling is a good part of his game as well.

A possible 22 is:

B: Varcoe Scarlett Egan
HB: Enright Harley Milburn
C: Tenace Bartel Rooke
HF: Chapman N.Ablett Kelly
F: Stokes Mooney Hawkins


Foll: Ottens Corey G.Ablett



Int: King Ling Prismall Mackie


I am still concerned about the lack of run off the bench I have. Wojcinski, Djekurra, Gamble, Callan, Byrnes are all options to come in based on form. Selwood to hopefully play 6 or more games and may come in for Kelly, Prismall or Ling. If Hawkins needs a break then Gamble or Playfair are options depending on whether you want to go tall or short.

Blake and West to start to show they can replace King as well. If not they should be moved on.

 

[Partridge]

Milburn Scarlett Harley
G Ablett Egan Chapman
Kelly Corey Rooke
J Hunt Mooney N Ablett
Stokes Ottens S Johnson
King Ling Bartel
Gamble Prismall Enright Mackie

Would like to see G Ablett and Chapman become our version of McLeod and Johncock. We desperately need run and creativity from half back and this could be the answer. With Stokes being able to be the small forward and our hopes once again rest on "a fit" Steve Johnson.

I like the imagination there Jack, it's more creative than anything Thompson has ever done. But it won't happen. Personally I wouldn't change it, as Chapman and Ablett are two of our very rare consistent performers. I'll go for:

B: Milburn Scarlett Harley
HB: Wocjinski Egan Hunt
C: Tenace Rooke Mackie
HF: Chapman Mooney S.Johnson
F: Stokes N.Ablett G.Ablett
R: Ottens Corey Bartel
I/C: Enright Prismall Byrnes King

No Ling. No Kelly. And a lot more pace. Having Rooke, Stokes and Chapman there increases commitment, workrate and desperation. I'd love to see Hawkins, Gamble and Selwood earn a spot, but they have to do exactly that - earn it. You can't assume they'll be walkup starts.

 

[Sttew]

Good point. Talk about heaping pressure and expectations on a kid before he steps foot in the club.