Team in three years (Premiership Team)

[Statistician]

I'm expecting Carlton to possibly make the eight this year, most likely next year and be a serious flag contender the year after. Assuming Koutoufides has retired here is what I think the Premiership team will look like. I have not included draftees as they can't be judged yet.

B: Wiggins -- ?????? -- ??????
Wiggins is one of Denis' favourites and this year he stepped up another level and when fit he is definetely in our best 22. Full back is a worry. Hopefully Livingston can come good to release Thornton to CHB. The other pocket could be taken by Carrazzo, Bowyer or Simpson but I don't believe an of these players deserve to be named there yet. Carrazzo showed if he can play like he did in his two senior games he is capable and Simpson has shown on odd occasions he may be able to fill this position once he bulks up. I doubt Bowyer will be around then if he can't improve his disposal.

HB: Teague -- Thornton -- Norman
If Livingston or someone else can come in and take fullback then I believe we can have an awesome half back line. It is packed with courage. Teague can play the role he did last year while Thornton and Norman can use their good attacking and neat disposal. Norman might play deeper in the backline depending on the opponent and if we want more run we could bring Houlihan, Lappin or Sporn there.

C: Trent Sporn -- Andrew Walker -- Ryan Houlihan
I believe Sporn has the ability to play off a wing. He has good disposal and a very good brain. He may lack a bit of pace for the wing which might force him to play of the half back flank. Walker in the centre is a big call but in three years he would have bulked up and I believe he could play centre. I feel Houlihan is wasted in the backline. Playing him off a wing allows Fevola and co to benefit from his precise kicking. Like Sporn he may lack a bit of pace and it ould be a risk playing both him and Sporn on a wing at the same time.

HF: Fisher -- ?????? -- De Luca
Fisher's contested marking ability sees him play on a half forward flank. He needs to work on his disposal to guarantee himself a place in the side. I don't think De Luca is a great ruckman and he looks more natural in the forward line or in the backline. If e want to stretch the defence he could play off a forward flank. We need a centre half forward as I don't believe Whitnall will be able to hold it down. Waite or S.O'hAilpin could play there if they continue their improvement.

F: Whitnall -- Fevola -- ??????
I think Whhitnall is suited playing deep in the forward line. He can use his footy brain to free up Fevola. Unless something major happens I can't see Fevola not playing FF. We need a goal sneak at Fevola's feet so hopefully Eddie Betts can play there or Justin Davies.

R: ?????? -- Waite -- Stevens
Although French showed a bit in the ruck this season he needs to back it up this season. I don't think he will ever be a Premiership ruckman. Waite could use his size and pace in the midfield and cause a few mis matches. If he doesn't play there then I'd put him at CHF or HFF. Like Fevola, Stevens speaks for himself.


I/C: Lappin -- Camporeale -- Scotland -- ??????
Lappin and Camporeale will be getting old and will make great impact players. However they are both extremely fit and it wouldn't suprise me if they spent most of the time on the ground. I think Camporele will be a great goal kicker off the HFF with Lappin playing whereever he is needed. Scotland is apart of a midfield rotation but like Camporeale and Lappin he could easily start on the ground.

Player that might be able to fill the ?????? that have played one or more seasons:
Chambers
T.Longmuir
Morrell
McGrath
Simpson
Bentick
Carrazzo
Bowyer
Davies
French
Bannister
Johnson
Prendergast

What are your opinions and what do you think our side will look like in three years?

 

[blue boy]

i think in 3 years we will be a top class team but not near the premiership we need to work on all our yuongsters and bulking them up

 

[Blues_Man]

A nice thought but a bit ambitious you need to crawl before you walk, while Denis is assembling a very good side i for one am not getting carried away with any thoughts of premierships in the next few years, just to be competetive with the top 3 or 4 sides will do me , oh and to keep trouncing the bombers and pies every time we meet them

 

[Teagueeee15]

That 22 is one that could win a premiership in a couple of years, but week in week out with injuries that team won't take the field every week and their wouldn't be enough depth.

 

[tayls]

that team would be no good there is only one player on the full back line. cant win a flag that way. at least put someone in there. defeats the purpose of the thread, should have read here is 3/4 of a team that could win a flag.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

that team would be no good there is only one player on the full back line. cant win a flag that way. at least put someone in there. defeats the purpose of the thread, should have read here is 3/4 of a team that could win a flag.

Are you stupid or just not very good at sarcasm?

 

[tara]

Have to agree. 3/4 team at best. It will get smashed. Not including those whom we have not drafted is right but leaving Setanta out is wrong. Whitnall will be only 27-28 then and if he remain injury free between now and then which he must if we a to really challenge playing him in a pocket is lunacy - footballers are at there physical peak between 26-28 years old. Eddie Betts will be there without a doubt - the kid is special. Chambers will make it we need his pace and he WANTS to prove himself. Look at the midfield where he has come from. Campo will not be a bench player too much class and if thats all he is worth at the time he will be gone. Also given you are saying 3 years then I doubt Kouta would be willing to play the next 2 with the dream so close.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Statistician has the right idea IMO. We're kidding ourselves if we think that we can name a winning side for 3 years time out of the current crop of players. He has named the key players and given options as to who can fill the vacant spots.

This is a conversation starter, not a cause for ridicule.

Note that nobody has done their own side yet.

 

[OllieGrieve]

You're dreaming and 2-3 years too early if you think we're going to have a flag in 3 years. Kouta, Campo, French,Lappin are hardly young and won't be around for the next flag.