Retirement replacements?

[knightwheelrqr]

28+ players are the players I will look at:

Leigh Brown - Nathan Brown (I'm not taking about how Leigh has been for the pies in terms of his versatility, but the comparison more so based on big bodied defender idea)
Leon Davis - Brad Dick (Similar type characteristics, not sure whether Dick will be as dynamic as Davis through the midfield or have the power to do that, but certainly up forward can see him developing into a very much comparable player if not better as I'm sure many would)
Josh Fraser - Ben Reid (Not saying Reid will become a ruckman and that would be the completely wrong assumption to make and not saying he will become a forward either because he is much better down back with his rebounding skills. But I will make the comparison in that they are both very mobile for their height and both very good ball users for their height)
Ben Johnson - Jaxson Barham (Neither of which great ball users, but both have similar assets with their running games. I see Barham being able to play the tagging type role as well if not better than Johnson has this season, Barham has the combination of speed and fitness that could in a few years time go with Ablett.)
Darren Jolly - Shae McNamara (I think this is the best of all these comparison ideas. Shae has athleticism, size and height to dominate in ruck and possibly even go forward and have an impact. Think he can make it as a footballer and have more of an impact on the competition than some think)
Tarkyn Lockyer – Brent Macaffer (This one will be a popular one and often comes up, but certainly see Macaffer playing the modern day Lockyer role up forward. Both dead eye shots on goal and see Macaffer at the same time still displaying similar type versatility that Lockyer has provided throughout his career)

Paul Medhurst – John McCarthy (Not an obvious one and with the midfield pretty full I wouldn't mind seeing McCarthy in a permanent forwardline role. Different body shapes and styles of play with McCarthy a more defencive type player, but I think at the same time McCarthy could set up plays and still be a tough matchup which are the two reasons I consider Medhurst to be a great forward. Many have McCarthy earmarked as a possible future tagger but another role I would like to see him in is as a forward because I can see similar qualities to Medhurst as subtle as they may be)

Shane O’Bree – Josh Thomas (Josh Thomas I would say his closest AFL comparison is Nathan Foley, but ultimately I see him being the O'Bree replacement in the midfield. Thomas has a better skill set and more athletic gifts, but I think he might also learn the inside know how that O'Bree has and become a nice upgrade with time)

Simon Prestigiacomo – Tyson Goldsack (This is probably a little thought of one, but I like it and really see the similarities. Both now listed at the same height (193cm), although previously Prestigiacomo has been listed at 195cm, but both have the same wireyness and unfashionable characteristics which naturally make them effective in blanket type roles. Goldsack isn't there yet and definitely not at this stage if ever suited to playing on KPFs but certainly see him becoming that blanket type player)



Should also receive mentions: Alan Toovey (already in best 22), Ben Sinclair (Kamikaze with super speed, light body and not the best skill set yet, but a spirited kid who while a long term prospect should not be ignored and a kid I think will make it)

 

[Quicky]

Leigh Brown >> Ben Reid (Can play back and forward - hopefully a lot better than Brown can )

Leon Davis >> Brad Dick

Josh Fraser >> Keeffe or Shae Mac

Ben Johnson >> Jarred Blight (outside player, ability to go back and middle. Could be a number of other guys too like Buckley or Rounds)

Darren Jolly >> Cameron Wood

Tarkyn Lockyer >> John McCarthy (could have been any of a number of players)

Paul Medhurst >> Brent Macaffer (Light on for younger small/medium forward options. Caffs the best fit)

Shane O'Bree >> Luke Ball

Simon Prestigiacomo >> Nathan Brown

 

[shawthing09]

+1 to Quicky

 

[TradeDraft]

Darren Jolly >>>> Cameron Wood: in 3-4 Seasons when Jolly would be getting on in Age - In his 30's Wood would be coming into his Prime and should be able to be the Number 1 Ruckman for us

 

[knightwheelrqr]

+1 to Quicky

I was thinking outside of the box with guys like Barham, Shae and J.Thomas.

Not that Quickly is wrong at all, position-wise they probably will be the replacements but mine was more a different type approach to the replacement idea giving me naturally differing results where it is based more so on style of play and characteristics to their respective games.

 

[shawthing09]

I was thinking outside of the box with guys like Barham, Shae and J.Thomas.

Not that Quickly is wrong at all, position-wise they probably will be the replacements but mine was more a different type approach to the replacement idea giving me naturally differing results where it is based more so on style of play and characteristics to their respective games.

No doubt I see what your doing and I know you tend to favour the less obvious choices, My point is more with what we are working with Quicky's list is the logical order of progression. A large amount of the players he has listed are already on the cusp of AFL ready and it would take a fair bit for guys like Thomas or Barham or Shae to leap frog them.

Barham may have a lot of playing similarties but most of us would hope for Ben Johnson's replacement to not have the same flaws as him, in fact it's one of the reasons people are optimisitic about our future they hope the next crop are significantly better.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

No doubt I see what your doing and I know you tend to favour the less obvious choices, My point is more with what we are working with Quicky's list is the logical order of progression. A large amount of the players he has listed are already on the cusp of AFL ready and it would take a fair bit for guys like Thomas or Barham or Shae to leap frog them.

Barham may have a lot of playing similarties but most of us would hope for Ben Johnson's replacement to not have the same flaws as him, in fact it's one of the reasons people are optimisitic about our future they hope the next crop are significantly better.

Interest point you bring up on Barham. The one thing I see with him is that I think he will be an upgrade on Johnson. He may have the same weaknesses, but his strengths I think can be significantly greater once fully developed. With Barham due to his speed and fitness he has greater ability to run away from his man with the footy meaning potentially more ground covered, in addition to that I also think he would have a greater ability to run with the Ablett's as his running game is very much similar. Also defensively I see him as far superior in that he brings great energy and is a tackling machine willing to give 2nd, 3rd and 4th efforts.

With Barham his concerns are his quality of disposal and his current size, but I see it progressing to a minimum of Johnson's level, which while being below average is still fair (developed over the span of his career, would say now probably quite acceptable while still not being great obviously).

With J.Thomas, he would be lucky to break into the side this year, but I see him starting to play a few games from 2011. O'Bree I see as having another year left in him after this season, so that would be around the time he would break into the side.

The current young crop coming up is very promising and far superior to that we have in previous times, I definitely agree. This has been done through great drafting over the last 4 years and a fast tracking program which has seen many of our youngsters break into the side almost straight away which has been very impressive. Certainly a bright future, that goes without saying.

 

[Quicky]

With J.Thomas, he would be lucky to break into the side this year, but I see him starting to play a few games from 2011. O'Bree I see as having another year left in him after this season, so that would be around the time he would break into the side.

After Ball I think it is fair to say the next in line for O'Bree's centre square position would be in no particular order Beams, Sidebottom, McCarthy and Wellingham. Guys like Blair, Thomas, Sinclair come afterwards and by a fair margin atm.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

After Ball I think it is fair to say the next in line for O'Bree's centre square position would be in no particular order Beams, Sidebottom, McCarthy and Wellingham. Guys like Blair, Thomas, Sinclair come afterwards and by a fair margin atm.

My train of thought was along the line of Beams and Sidebottom are already in our side anyway. Likewise Cameron Wood.

Thomas I think by 2012 might go past McCarthy and Wellingham. Not that there is any evidence or anything to support this at this point in time obviously, but I have confidence that Thomas will develop well and get ahead of these players and be capable of taking over from O'Bree in the midfield.

Blair is another great candidate, will be interesting to see whether he can make it.

And Sinclair like Thomas I have confidence in to develop. Sinclair I see as being a little different in that he is more an outside in player, who can play inside but would like to see him play mostly outside. Probably would say avoid the purely inside role, due to lack of skills or size for it.

 

[TradeDraft]

After Ball I think it is fair to say the next in line for O'Bree's centre square position would be in no particular order Beams, Sidebottom, McCarthy and Wellingham. Guys like Blair, Thomas, Sinclair come afterwards and by a fair margin atm.

I would have it on Order:

1. McCarthy
2. Beams
3. Blair
4. J Thomas
5. Sidebottom(Think he would be better used in way that pendles is used)
6. Wellingham
7. Sinclair

 

[Quicky]

I would have it on Order:

1. McCarthy
2. Beams
3. Blair
4. J Thomas
5. Sidebottom(Think he would be better used in way that pendles is used)
6. Wellingham
7. Sinclair

I don't think O'Brees replacement necessarily has to be a like for like replacement in regards to playing style. Just effective at winning clearances and preferably ok in the physical department. If I had to put an order on where I see our current players in that role (leaving out O'Bree) i'd go:

Pendlebury
Swan
Ball

Beams
McCarthy
Sidebottom
Wellingham

Macaffer

Blair
Thomas
Francis
Sinclair

Am I missing anyone??

 

[knightwheelrqr]

I don't think O'Brees replacement necessarily has to be a like for like replacement in regards to playing style. Just effective at winning clearances and preferably ok in the physical department. If I had to put an order on where I see our current players in that role (leaving out O'Bree) i'd go:

Pendlebury
Swan
Ball

Beams
McCarthy
Sidebottom
Wellingham

Macaffer

Blair
Thomas
Francis
Sinclair

Am I missing anyone??

D. Thomas (I see evolving into a real option in the midfield), Didak (likely to become near perminant mid), Davis (rotational but might play more forward later in his career with gaps there), Cook (not worth mentioning), Barham (potentially a maybe but more likely outside/ tagger).


The future combinations in the centre square I see: (2012 and onward)

Main rotation names: Ball, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Beams, D.Thomas, J.Thomas, Swan.

Wellingham I'm not so sure would be able to crack this side, atleast as an inside mid.
McCarthy while I'd rank him ahead of Wellingham still think these other young players will develop faster. Would say he would be more likely to play off a half forward flank mainly.
Sinclair will be close to there, but in 2012 might start out as more of an outside mid.
Macaffer I see as being a utility, but mainly a forward as that is where we will be struggling for depth in the future.
Barham, outside mid/ tagger most likely.

For now I won't include rookies because it remains pretty unclear as to whether they can surpass any of our current senior listed players. As midfielders would consider it unlikely at this stage.

 

[Quicky]

I consider Thomas, Davis, Didak, Blight, Buckley and Rounds all as more outside midfielder options. Certainly not as replacements for anything like the role O'Bree plays for us. Cook (and Barham kinda) were the ones I forgot.

 

[Handsofstone]

After Ball I think it is fair to say the next in line for O'Bree's centre square position would be in no particular order Beams, Sidebottom, McCarthy and Wellingham. Guys like Blair, Thomas, Sinclair come afterwards and by a fair margin atm.

I think O'Bree is done and this season will see him being phased out.

Six to eight games max.

Dare to dream

 

[Quicky]

I think O'Bree is done and this season will see him being phased out.

Six to eight games max.

Dare to dream

I wouldn't be surprised at all if this was O'Brees final year but I still think he'll play most games this season. I still think he may play an important role too. Although I tend to agree with you - next year Sidebottom and Beams will be in their third years, McCarthy and Wellingham their fourth and fifth(??) Pendlebury, Swan and Ball in their primes. Can't see O'Bree in the side once all our young mids have a better mix of experience and maturity.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

I think O'Bree is done and this season will see him being phased out.

Six to eight games max.

Dare to dream

I would doubt that.

Johnson and Lockyer certainly I think are passing their best. With Johnson's best years in the mid 00s (04-06) and Lockyer over the last 2 seasons sliding a bit.

But O'Bree I see as being an exception in that last season he was extremely consistent. He is still very durable and there is no sign yet indicating that this will be his final season.

While I would almost like to see O'Bree phased out to let in the younger talent I just don't see him dropping out of the 22 unless his form deteriorates rapidly or sustains a horrible injury.