Our Team In 2012???

[dima17]

I'd just like to get everyone's thoughts on whether it is good enough to win us a flag, and if not, where people see our defficiencies???

*** Keep in mind some players roles will change in 2-3 years time, this is where i have them penciled in 2012 (if they are still around):

RETIRED (32+):
T.Lockyer
S.O'bree
S.Prestigiacomo
A.Rocca
C.Bryan (30)
--------------------------
BACKS (TALLS)
N.Brown
B.Reid
S.Reed
T.Thoolan
L. Brown (30's)
BACKS (MIDS)
N.Maxwell
H.Obrien
T.Goldsack
H.Shaw
S.Cox
J.Blight
BACKS (SMALLS)
M.Clarke
B.Johnson (30's)
A.Toovey
K.Dyas
--------------------------
'A' GRADE MIDFIELDERS
D.Swan
S.Pendlebury
D.Beams
S.Sidebottom
D.Thomas
'B' GRADE MIDFIELDERS
S.Wellingham
J.McCarthy
L.Rounds
D.Stanley
J.Blair
T.Francis
'C' GRADE MIDFIELDERS
J.Barham
R.Cook
--------------------------
RUCKS
J.Fraser (30)
C.Wood
L.Keefe
--------------------------
FORWARDS (TALLS)
T.Cloke
C.Dawes
J.Anthony
FORWARDS (MIDS)
B.Macaffer
S.Rusling
P.Medhurst (30)
A.Corrie
FORWARDS (SMALLS)
A.Didak
L.Davis
B.Dick
J.Bennell

who will still be there?
what position is our most vulnerable?
who will step up?
your thoughts?

 

[pongo_3931]

I recon you might find Leon and Medders are done by then. I just have a feeling that age won't be kind to Paul.

There's a few others in there I wouldn't have on that list. Thoolen from what I've heard about his performance and Dyas too.

With that said this is a good reminder of how good our young guns are, we definitely have a good foundation.

 

[mattys123]

Our major weakness is obviously our ruck position, especially when you have to put a virtual experiment player like Keefe in as our 3rd ruck in 2 years.

We need to address the ruck situation this year, not in the future, and trading for a 24-27 year old is an option.

Apart from that we have a strong base, our midfield and backline will be our strength, with small to medium forwards still making up the majority of our forward line.

It is an impressive list when you look at it like that.

 

[dima17]

There's a few others in there I wouldn't have on that list. Thoolen from what I've heard about his performance and Dyas too.

agreed. i also think that guys who will be pushing 30 (didak, medders, davis, johnson, fraser) will not be half the players they are now. this could be of some concern

 

[Zahki]

I think a lot hinges on how much Cloke/Anthony improve. Anthony did alright and Cloke had the season from hell, but by finals time it was clear our forwards were struggling. Cloke really needs to find his touch again, that should help Anthony out a lot who had been struggling with double teams.

Beams and Sidebottom have shown enough that I'm not worried about our midfield at all, and with Presti being the only likely loss in our back 6 over the next 2-3 years our defense looks solid.

 

[Histrionics]

agreed. i also think that guys who will be pushing 30 (didak, medders, davis, johnson, fraser) will not be half the players they are now. this could be of some concern

You have to keep in mind not all players drop off when they reach 30.

Buckley played some of his best footy when he was 30.

 

[Quicky]

Thats a great way to break up the team. I think the other thing to consider is will our younger mids have enough experience and physical maturity to really be dominant in 2012 - for instance Sidebottom and Beams will only be 20-21. I'd also add in Witts a potential ruck option as its almost certain we will recruit him next year. Shae McNamara seems a good possibility too. Scott Reed is probably a mid sized defensive option rather than a tall - he plays more like a midfielder for mine. Just being picky but I think McCarthy is probably an A-grade mid prospect with Stanley a C-grade prospect. Alot depends on how Cloke, Reid, Anthony, Brown and Dawes progress as KPP's. I think it shows we need to draft talls. And like Matty said a mature aged ruck wouldn't go astray - someone like Seaby or Charman.