Selection dilemna

[thejester]

why on earth would you take wojak out of this side? geelongs been waiting for a player with a dash like this for years, he is an absolute excitement machine and loves to take on the opposition and take a few bounces....

Agree with you Mooney, the people stating to take him out of the side need to look at the rotations first. Wojak adds pace and the ability to break packs in the backline, which means they have to match him up with a similar player.

Yeah, in theory he's a great player, and as that great running goal against the Saints showed he can be very effective. But as it stands, particularly in the later half of the season, teams wised up to it and shut him down. In the end he's pretty one-dimensional - you wouldn't call him a great defender and the amount of ball he gets would suggest he's never going to be a great midfielder (worth noting that in a half-back line that gets a ton of it Woja averages four less disposals than Mackie and seven less than Enright and Milburn). He can run fast and that's it - and as Varcoe showed, being a one-trick pony isn't enough. Why you think his presence also means Milburn can play the floater eludes me - Egan's absence meant Milburn had to play tall, suggesting that if he's there one of Harley, Milburn and Mackie can float.

I still Byrnes would be tha man to drop, but unless Woja starts seeing a bit more of it or shows a bit more consistency then he could also be in the firing line.

 

[bigdroppunt]

Was thinking about this late last night, Would you rather Prismal in your best 22 or Shannon ?

 

[crosby123]

Was thinking about this late last night, Would you rather Prismal in your best 22 or Shannon ?

Neither. But if I had to choose, Shannon.

 

[The rabbi]

I am prepared to wait until the start of the season before determing who will be in the best 22. Who knows? Someone who has not played a senior game may come through this year. I will be interested in the preseason form of Djerrkura, Davenport and draftees.

 

[sarah.13]

Just watched an interview with Adam Donohue and saw Djerrkura in the background.
The guy is built like a brick shit house, he's a real pocket dynamo. Hoping he has an injury free season. IMO he's a real excitement machine I'm led to believe.

 

[madcat001]

its not that people hate shannon, it's just that theres players with more to offer with greater potential waiting in the wings. Don't expect him to see much of the seniors in 08.

 

[ripitup27]

The team I want to see next year:

B: T.Harley M.Scarlett D.Milburn
HB: D.Wojcinski M.Egan A.Mackie
C: J.Corey C.Ling C.Enright
HF: P.Chapman N.Ablett M.Rooke
F: S.Johnson C.Mooney M.Stokes
R: B.Ottens J.Bartel G.Ablett
Int: M.Blake J.Selwood N.Djerrkura J.Kelly
Emg: J.Hunt T.Hawkins T.Varcoe


Hunt is unlucky, and will probably get the nod over Jerka, but I wanna see the new kid running out of defence with Woja. Excitement machine.

Rooke can play forward, as he proved against Port in Adelaide.

Byrnes is still a fringe player in my mind.

Hawkins will go close to selection, I think it all depends on injury. Same with Varcoe, his defensive pressure in the offensive fifty could be very valuable.

 

[noclashjumpers]

The team I want to see next year:

B: T.Harley M.Scarlett D.Milburn
HB: D.Wojcinski M.Egan A.Mackie
C: J.Corey C.Ling C.Enright
HF: P.Chapman N.Ablett M.Rooke
F: S.Johnson C.Mooney M.Stokes
R: B.Ottens J.Bartel G.Ablett
Int: M.Blake J.Selwood N.Djerrkura J.Kelly
Emg: J.Hunt T.Hawkins T.Varcoe


Hunt is unlucky, and will probably get the nod over Jerka, but I wanna see the new kid running out of defence with Woja. Excitement machine.

Rooke can play forward, as he proved against Port in Adelaide.

Byrnes is still a fringe player in my mind.

Hawkins will go close to selection, I think it all depends on injury. Same with Varcoe, his defensive pressure in the offensive fifty could be very valuable.

It's hard to disagree with any of that.

However I would squeeze Hawkins in. I think its important for his development (baring a complete lack of form) that he be allowed to string a few games together next year.

Who he'd replace? Now that's tough! From the team mentioned above, probably Djerrkura? I think there are more than enough running on-baller types that could be rotated wherever needed. So his spot might be a little less critical?

I've also noticed a lack of love for Kelly? Maybe not so much in this thread, but certainly in others. Personally I think he's an integral part of our midfield rotation. Sure he doesn't accumulate like Bartel, Corey, or Ablett, but he is SILK. His decision making and execution is first class. Now if we could squeeze another 5 or so possesions per game out of him, that would be great! But when he does get it, he makes it count.

 

[trentmac21]

I've also noticed a lack of love for Kelly? Maybe not so much in this thread, but certainly in others. Personally I think he's an integral part of our midfield rotation. Sure he doesn't accumulate like Bartel, Corey, or Ablett, but he is SILK. His decision making and execution is first class. Now if we could squeeze another 5 or so possesions per game out of him, that would be great! But when he does get it, he makes it count.

Totally agree. The knock on to Chappy in the Granny was all class. Loved it.

 

[nananana catman]

why on earth would you take wojak out of this side? geelongs been waiting for a player with a dash like this for years, he is an absolute excitement machine and loves to take on the opposition and take a few bounces....

Exciting may be, but his importance shone through in the finals, he did squat in all games.

 

[Partridge]

The team I want to see next year:

B: T.Harley M.Scarlett D.Milburn
HB: D.Wojcinski M.Egan A.Mackie
C: J.Corey C.Ling C.Enright
HF: P.Chapman N.Ablett M.Rooke
F: S.Johnson C.Mooney M.Stokes
R: B.Ottens J.Bartel G.Ablett
Int: M.Blake J.Selwood N.Djerrkura J.Kelly
Emg: J.Hunt T.Hawkins T.Varcoe

Hunt is unlucky, and will probably get the nod over Jerka, but I wanna see the new kid running out of defence with Woja. Excitement machine.

Sorry I've got to point this out. There is no way Hunt should be dropped for next year if we're taking the Grand Final as recent form. He proved himself in the biggest game there is. Had a very good finals series overall. Absolutely deserves to keep his spot. Certainly ahead of someone who hasn't played a game yet.

There's only 2 changes I would make - Blake obviously in for King, and Egan in for Byrnes. Contrary to popular view, it's not anything against Byrnes, but someone has to go for Egan and you just can't drop anyone else.

 

[darren forssman]

bloody byrnes bashers at it again.

hunt is the obvious one, back for a back, not a back for a flanekr/wingman.

children, this is good enough reason to stay off the drugs.

 

[CatFan79]

Sorry I've got to point this out. There is no way Hunt should be dropped for next year if we're taking the Grand Final as recent form. He proved himself in the biggest game there is. Had a very good finals series overall. Absolutely deserves to keep his spot. Certainly ahead of someone who hasn't played a game yet.

There's only 2 changes I would make - Blake obviously in for King, and Egan in for Byrnes. Contrary to popular view, it's not anything against Byrnes, but someone has to go for Egan and you just can't drop anyone else.

I agree..

People get carried away with the idea of flashy defenders running out of defense and forget that opposition teams actually have quality small forwards that require attention. Wojcinski really faded away this season and I would not want him marking a dangerous forward like Ebert, and definately not Djukerra.

Djukerra in the backline instead of Hunt is laughable.

 

[noclashjumpers]

Just re-watched the Collingwood prelim again (Yes sad, but I'm ill and bored!).

Although I still think Byrnes is probably the first to go, the decision is NOT that easy.

In what was an intense game, he played pretty damn well; was quite disciplined; got a decent amount of the football for where he was on the ground; and didn't seem to get into many of the tangles that he's often criticized for.

I guess what I'm saying is, don't be so quick to judge (me included!). Everyone is making the assumption that Byrnes won't improve.

When you think about it, given he games he's played in the latter part of the season (particularly that prelim) and with a solid pre-season, there's no reason why he couldn't be a big improver for 2008. Experience counts for a lot.

For me, I think he's done enough to at least let the judgement wait for next year. To mention relatively unknown quantities like Djukerra ahead of him, is a little unfair, and perhaps even a little insulting?

 

[Barabbas]

I agree..

People get carried away with the idea of flashy defenders running out of defense and forget that opposition teams actually have quality small forwards that require attention. Wojcinski really faded away this season and I would not want him marking a dangerous forward like Ebert, and definately not Djukerra.

Djukerra in the backline instead of Hunt is laughable.

Have to agree with that, based on recent form, Wojinski has more reason to be worried about his spot than Hunt.

 

[BigBadCam]

Have to agree with that, based on recent form, Wojinski has more reason to be worried about his spot than Hunt.

His knee was troubling him at the end of the year. He will be back firing for the start of next year.

 

[Duskfire]

People are excited about Wojak because of his speed, but in reality his disposal is sub-par, and he doesn't get enough of the ball. Granted he isn't a horrible player, but with alot of the youngsters starting to get some talent and consistency in their games, you would have to think that Wojaks position would start getting iffy unless he improves.

I would drop Hunt and Brynes, bring in Egan and Prismall/Tomahawk (swap those two around throughout the season.) Prismall needs to get some gametime or we will lose him, and with a bit of experience he could be an awesome player (he could also be horrible, but you never know.) Same with Hawkins. We can easily prepare for the future while still winning games.

But then there is also DJ and Varcoe. Not to mention Gamble is looking mity fine, and Loneregan. Argh, so many good players.

 

[TheCattery2007]

I agree Duskfire. I'm a huge fan of Wojak but the team needs to look to future years, he can really shank the ball. Wojak out, Egan in. I can't leave any of the other back 6 out. I'm a huge Mackie fan, he'll only get better.
We need to bring in Prismall (I think he would have played in the GF were he fully match fit with a number of games behind him), that means Byrnes is out. Tomahawk is another to come into the side [in place of Nathan? - now that's controversial!!]
It would be nice to see Gamble and Djerrkura get some games... but I'm feeling guilty having just dropped 3 premiership players...