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If he is that rarest of beasts - a tall(ish) who can defend smalls - it will be huge for us from a structural perspective as it would release McGrath.Ridley might come into consideration for that spot?
Maybe, Ridley I imagine will be fighting with Gleeson or Francis for that third tall spot. Woosha seems to err on the side of undersized defences from what this years seems to show.Ridley might come into consideration for that spot?
Purely out of curiosity who would you drop for Redman and Mutch?Grizz is on the money with his selected time - I fully expect Mutch, Francis, Begley and Redman to play round 1 in 2018 - Francis' fitness is slowly getting to AFL standard, Mutch has shown enough in the VFL as has Begley, while Redman has been a slow burn in 2018 - I expect Begley and Mutch to debut this week.
Redman would be my choice. If Ridley plays it will be competing for Gleeson's spot.Ridley might come into consideration for that spot?
I can't argue with that team, I think that side shows we need another big inside mid. Idealy we would leave Langford or Myers out.If we're speculating on a best 22 that includes some kids forcing their way into the side, and based on what we currently have, I think that round 1 could look like:
Redman Hartley Ambrose
McKenna Hurley Gleeson
Bellchambers Merrett Heppell
Parish Zaharakis McGrath
Laverde Daniher Stewart
Walla Hooker Fantasia
Langford Begley Goddard Myers
The gap between what Hartley has done and where he needs to get to is not that big. Guy McKenna summed it up on BTV yesterday when he said that Hartley is only at the start of his career. He's every chance of taking his game to another level so I wouldn't be writing him off. The advantage he has over everyone else is his height.
I would get Redman into the team ASAP but I accept that it won't necessarily occur. However, if someone is going to replace Baguley, and McGrath is going to move into the middle, it shouldn't and probably won't be one of the third talls like Ridley or Francis who don't have the speed and/or agility to genuinely play small. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to play McKenna as the small defender given that he'd be even more important at half back if McGrath was to graduate into the midfield. We also start to get too top heavy without anyone other than McGrath to go back and play that role. An advantage Redman has is that he is versatile - he's spent his VFL time split forward and back almost evenly and he's played stints on the wing.
I expect that Gleeson will continue to improve as he gets stronger and fitter. He's not as fashionable as the competition who were higher profile draftees but he's well in front at this stage and there is no reason to assume that he reached his ceiling.
The midfield is light but I don't see Parish and Merrett not being our two best midfielders by round 1 next year. That a third year player could be that high in the hierarchy is an indictment on our midfield. I thought that Merrett had established himself as our best midfielder by the end of his second second and Parish has had a better first two years so I don't think it is much of a stretch. I'd also say that our midfield hasn't really changed since 2015 though, so it's not like there is better competition, though it would be foolish to place any limitations on McGrath and I still think that Laverde is the second biggest talent on our list (behind Daniher) or he is at least equal second with McGrath.
The forwardline speaks for itself.
I didn't mean to have most of the grunt on the bench and for it to be 'one paced', it's more that Langford is not starting 18 as a mid or forward and neither is Begley and I always think of Goddard and Myers on the bench because to me they're utilities filling holes as the need arises (and it skews the starting 18 when I look at it and they are on the ground). Myers' strength would be essential for a midfield that light and in-experienced.
The thing that Langford and Begley have to their advantage in competition with Mutch is the ability to play forward. As good as Mutch has been in the VFL his season has been matched by Langford and Begley. While I'd continue to develop Laverde, Langford and Begley as midfielders these guys give us the flexibility to shuffle the team to get Walla and Fantasia up the ground if we need/want to (and the mids will need a rest) and give us the balance of bigger bodies to compliment the small midfield group. Goddard and Myers give us a similar flexibility with the defenders though the defence is a tad slow. It would be nice to find a Stewart for the backline and another quick utility who can be rotated between midfield and defence.
As an interesting exercise, I though it would be interesting to pick a preferred lineup for r1 2018 using the players only on our list now and who we expect to stay (not taking into account draft and trades. Didnt know where else to put it.
B McKenna Ambrose Francis
HB Goddard Hurley Gleeson
C Zaharakis Heppell McGrath
HF Laverde Daniher Stewart
F: Fantasia Hooker Walla
Foll T-Bell Zerrett Parish
Int Green Langford Begley Myers
Emg Mutch Colyer Ridley
The players in bold have played under 50 games (however McGrath, Parish, Walla and Fanta sort of play like they have anyway).
I really like the look of this lineup, its quite well balanced and I like the midfield now with Parish and McGrath surely offering more than Watson and Howlett have this year (love em both though). Myers gets a shot to establish himself with year under his belt after a long layoff. Mutch is waiting eagerly for his shot.
Hartley, and Bird are unlucky, while Ridley and Mutch havent played at all yet so maybe not straight away. I have lost patience with Colyer.
Phased out /retired
Watson
Kelly
Baguley
Howlett
I can't argue with that team, I think that side shows we need another big inside mid. Idealy if we get a Hopper type it would leave Langford or Myers out.
As an interesting exercise, I though it would be interesting to pick a preferred lineup for r1 2018 using the players only on our list now and who we expect to stay (not taking into account draft and trades. Didnt know where else to put it.
B McKenna Ambrose Francis
HB Goddard Hurley Gleeson
C Zaharakis Heppell McGrath
HF Laverde Daniher Stewart
F: Fantasia Hooker Walla
Foll T-Bell Zerrett Parish
Int Green Langford Begley Myers
Emg Mutch Colyer Ridley
The players in bold have played under 50 games (however McGrath, Parish, Walla and Fanta sort of play like they have anyway).
I really like the look of this lineup, its quite well balanced and I like the midfield now with Parish and McGrath surely offering more than Watson and Howlett have this year (love em both though). Myers gets a shot to establish himself with year under his belt after a long layoff. Mutch is waiting eagerly for his shot.
Hartley, and Bird are unlucky, while Ridley and Mutch havent played at all yet so maybe not straight away. I have lost patience with Colyer.
Phased out /retired
Watson
Kelly
Baguley
Howlett
How sure are you Ridley can't play small?If we're speculating on a best 22 that includes some kids forcing their way into the side, and based on what we currently have, I think that round 1 could look like:
Redman Hartley Ambrose
McKenna Hurley Gleeson
Bellchambers Merrett Heppell
Parish Zaharakis McGrath
Laverde Daniher Stewart
Walla Hooker Fantasia
Langford Begley Goddard Myers
The gap between what Hartley has done and where he needs to get to is not that big. Guy McKenna summed it up on BTV yesterday when he said that Hartley is only at the start of his career. He's every chance of taking his game to another level so I wouldn't be writing him off. The advantage he has over everyone else is his height.
I would get Redman into the team ASAP but I accept that it won't necessarily occur. However, if someone is going to replace Baguley, and McGrath is going to move into the middle, it shouldn't and probably won't be one of the third talls like Ridley or Francis who don't have the speed and/or agility to genuinely play small. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to play McKenna as the small defender given that he'd be even more important at half back if McGrath was to graduate into the midfield. We also start to get too top heavy without anyone other than McGrath to go back and play that role. An advantage Redman has is that he is versatile - he's spent his VFL time split forward and back almost evenly and he's played stints on the wing.
I expect that Gleeson will continue to improve as he gets stronger and fitter. He's not as fashionable as the competition who were higher profile draftees but he's well in front at this stage and there is no reason to assume that he reached his ceiling.
The midfield is light but I don't see Parish and Merrett not being our two best midfielders by round 1 next year. That a third year player could be that high in the hierarchy is an indictment on our midfield. I thought that Merrett had established himself as our best midfielder by the end of his second second and Parish has had a better first two years so I don't think it is much of a stretch. I'd also say that our midfield hasn't really changed since 2015 though, so it's not like there is better competition, though it would be foolish to place any limitations on McGrath and I still think that Laverde is the second biggest talent on our list (behind Daniher) or he is at least equal second with McGrath.
The forwardline speaks for itself.
I didn't mean to have most of the grunt on the bench and for it to be 'one paced', it's more that Langford is not starting 18 as a mid or forward and neither is Begley and I always think of Goddard and Myers on the bench because to me they're utilities filling holes as the need arises (and it skews the starting 18 when I look at it and they are on the ground). Myers' strength would be essential for a midfield that light and in-experienced.
The thing that Langford and Begley have to their advantage in competition with Mutch is the ability to play forward. As good as Mutch has been in the VFL his season has been matched by Langford and Begley. While I'd continue to develop Laverde, Langford and Begley as midfielders these guys give us the flexibility to shuffle the team to get Walla and Fantasia up the ground if we need/want to (and the mids will need a rest) and give us the balance of bigger bodies to compliment the small midfield group. Goddard and Myers give us a similar flexibility with the defenders though the defence is a tad slow. It would be nice to find a Stewart for the backline and another quick utility who can be rotated between midfield and defence.
If we're speculating on a best 22 that includes some kids forcing their way into the side, and based on what we currently have, I think that round 1 could look like:
Redman Hartley Ambrose
McKenna Hurley Gleeson
Bellchambers Merrett Heppell
Parish Zaharakis McGrath
Laverde Daniher Stewart
Walla Hooker Fantasia
Langford Begley Goddard Myers
How sure are you Ridley can't play small?
I've never watched him with that in mind so don't have a view, but the concept is very attractive. He's a very smooth mover.
Purely out of curiosity who would you drop for Redman and Mutch?
I completely forgot about Redman, I really like his aggression at the ball and his first instinct with ball in hand is straight ahead. Prototypical Wingman for today's AFL i reckon, but with Zaka and McGrath there its hard to slot him in.
Not sure Bags will be there but otherwise it looks strong.B McGrath Ambrose Baguley
HB McKenna Hurley Francis
C Zaharakis Langford Heppell
HF Stewart Daniher Green
F Walla Hooker Fantasia
F Bellchambers Merrett Parish
B Goddard Begley Myers Laverde
With Kelly now gone I would be surprised if he's not. He's met his trigger clause and all the feedback from the club is they are happy with him.Not sure Bags will be there but otherwise it looks strong.