Opinion The Fringe Dwellers

[This Is Anfield]

We had 19 premiership players playing yesterday and 7 others, of varying experience, who are hoping to break into a strong side... the fringe dwellers, if you will.
Will any of them be the next Dustin Martin or the next Chris Pym?

Corey Ellis - The forgotten man. Not much said about him this pre-season but he will be in the frame for round 1. Hands were clean and looked to have improved his physicality but still has to impose himself a bit more. Make or break year.
Shai Bolton - Looks ready made to step up and take Dan Rioli's spot for round one. Will ramp up the pressure on the small forward incumbents that's for sure.
Ryan Garthwaite - Looks ok does Ryan, good hands and mobility. Could play tall or in the Dylan Grimes mould, IMO. Will have to wait for an opportunity though, also IMO. Really promising.
Reece Conca - The unlucky one! Showed all the good Reece, ball winning ability and ability to find space and all the bad Reece, the "Concabomb" I like it. Big chance for round one with his big body and experience.
Jayden Short - The pick of them yesterday in my eyes. Quick and an amazing kick on him. He is my choice to take Broad's place in round one.
Maribor Chol - Still a long term project but worth persevering with, very athletic and a very nice goal.
Jack Higgins - To little seen of him to tell but from all reports he's a good chance to make it.

We'll know a bit more when some of the other fringe dwellers get a go against Norf.
From yesterday.
1. Short
2. Bolton
3. C Ellis
4. Garthwaite
5. Conca
6. Chol
7. Higgins

 

[WATiger86]

Garth could well take Broads spot for the first 3 weeks if they want height - looked very composed yesterday

 

[Crumpet_avenger]

Depends on matchups. McIntosh could play Broads role if we wanted height. Could then bring in a mid.
Maybe lloyd is a sneaky chance also to fill a forward/mid role.
Bit early for guessing yet though

 

[Gosha]

Markov and Menadue are currently better than everyone on that list IMO.

 

[This Is Anfield]

Depends on matchups. McIntosh could play Broads role if we wanted height. Could then bring in a mid.
Maybe lloyd is a sneaky chance also to fill a forward/mid role.
Bit early for guessing yet though

Correct but that's what we mostly do on here.
Reckon we've got tremendous depth at the moment.

 

[This Is Anfield]

Markov and Menadue are currently better than everyone on that list IMO.

Possibly. They didn't play yesterday though.
Plus Bolton is more likely than them to take Rioli's spot.

 

[Muddiemoose]

Markov and Menadue are currently better than everyone on that list IMO.

Going to be interesting seeing our line up for the next JLT if we play a few less of GF team to give the others or chance or play similar to how we will line up round one

 

[Gosha]

Possibly. They didn't play yesterday though.
Plus Bolton is more likely than them to take Rioli's spot.

I think Menadue is injured. Not sure what the go is with Markov.

Agree with Bolton but someone still needs to take Broad’s spot.

 

[This Is Anfield]

I think Menadue is injured. Not sure what the go is with Markov.

Agree with Bolton but someone still needs to take Broad’s spot.

McIntosh back, Markov, Short, Conca, Garthwaite and Menadue if fit would all be in the frame.

 

[GastevsBeard]

Still think Conca has a lot of upside with a full pre-season behind him

 

[Goldust]

Think this a bit disingenuous to Chris Pym, who was a fine Wycheproof lad!

 

[spinynorman]

I thought Short and Menadue were both unlucky to have been dropped last season. Of course it worked out well in the end, but I think Broad in particular joined the team at a lucky time - I haven't rated him aside the Grand Final, but we did so well for those last five games that nobody was being dropped.

I would love for both Short and Menadue to become team regulars, although it's going to be increasingly difficult for the less experienced players to push into the side.

We have too much talent - when did this become a thing?!

 

[Goldust]

I thought Short and Menadue were both unlucky to have been dropped last season. Of course it worked out well in the end, but I think Broad in particular joined the team at a lucky time - I haven't rated him aside the Grand Final, but we did so well for those last five games that nobody was being dropped.

I would love for both Short and Menadue to become team regulars, although it's going to be increasingly difficult for the less experienced players to push into the side.

We have too much talent - when did this become a thing?!

Had a chat to Shorty in Bendigo the other week mate, think you'll see he's pretty determined to be part of it this year if indeed we get to the grand fina. He didn't exactly say it - and almost brushed it off - but could tell deep down he was pretty miffed at missing out and was arguably one of the standouts at the training session, albeit more skills and fun based. A teammate told me he would be one of the players to look out for this year, along with Mendaue and obviously Graham.. Shorty was pretty good coming out of defence on Saturday, breaking the line and launching some penetrating kicks.

 

[Cevap_Roll]

Menadue still a bit off. Griggs long term replacement would be awesome. Kid can run and has skills needs some more muscle still.
Bolton from the list for me. Has the skills but needs to do it for 4 qtrs. Yesterday he looked like he had 4qtrs in him. Only problem is that game lacked the intesity of a real AFL match. He will only het fitter as the season goes on.

 

[biaseddustyfan]

Reckon Conca should come in. Yeah he had a few turnovers yesterday but they'll come better with gametime. They were only a metre or two off something good. His side step and ability to get through traffic in broad's position is delicious

 

[guruisatiger]

Me thinks bolton will come in for daniels spot( until daniel is fully fit)
And c,ellis into the midfield and kmac in defense, ( for broad )

 

[RunningBounce]

i thought all the above showed something. Great to see 'em slotting in, albeit against lesser opposition.

 

[Bojangles17]

Garth could well take Broads spot for the first 3 weeks if they want height - looked very composed yesterday

Good call , although i reckon the coaches like conca , mops up winning loose ball contests in back half , personally I’d go shorty . Rance, grimes and astbury is decent height , Garth has put himself first in line for next tall spot req to be filled

 

[Bojangles17]

I think Menadue is injured. Not sure what the go is with Markov.

Agree with Bolton but someone still needs to take Broad’s spot.

Think markov had shoulder surgery , just getting back into full training

 

[tony__montana]

Bolton for Rioli and it's pretty clear dimma rates conca highly, will be surprised if he doesn't play round 1

 

[Dr Tigris]

We have a lot of AFL quality fringe players. Some are more proven depth quality players that genuine AFL long term talent. But, the fact that we could stick a number of guys on the park that didn't play the GF, and I'd be comfortable with them is fantastic! We actually have really solid depth now, and getting better for a few years.

 

[THE_GUN]

I would rest Cotchin , Rance, Riewoldt , Martin , Caddy & Nankervis for JLT2

#lolnorf dont have any good players and i hate to risk any guns playing against a donkey team in a practice game

 

[Crumpet_avenger]

Menadue still a bit off. Griggs long term replacement would be awesome. Kid can run and has skills needs some more muscle still.
Bolton from the list for me. Has the skills but needs to do it for 4 qtrs. Yesterday he looked like he had 4qtrs in him. Only problem is that game lacked the intesity of a real AFL match. He will only het fitter as the season goes on.

Gee thats a big ask for Menadue to be our second ruck. .. whats his leap like?

 

[Gosha]

I would rest Cotchin , Rance, Riewoldt , Martin , Caddy & Nankervis for JLT2

#lolnorf dont have any good players and i hate to risk any guns playing against a donkey team in a practice game

I’ve been told Cunnington is better than Dusty.

 

[THE_GUN]

I’ve been told Cunnington is better than Dusty.

Yeah heard that , Whats he like have you ever seen him play ?