Updated Side for round 1

[Knowitall]

I know that is only one game into the pre-season. However there where a few good signs on weekend i thought in particular Buckly and Valenti. I was just wondering after the weekend what people thought our round one side would be?

I have come up with something like this

FF: David Neitz Russell Robertson Colin Sylvia
HF: Mathew Bate, Michael Newton, Adem Yze
C: Cameron Bruce, Nathan Jones, Aaron Davey
HB: Jarred Rivers, Brad Miller, Brad Green
FB: Daniel Bell, Nathan Carroll, Mathew Whealan
Foll:Jeff White, Brock Mclean, James McDonald

Int:
John Meesen
James Frawley
Shane Valenti (if not promoted)/Ricky Pettard
Simon Buckley

Didn’t play on weekend

So we bring in 10 to the side that played on weekend to look ok. What does everyone think?

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Not only does that look utterly ridiculous, Valenti can't play as he is on the rookie list.

 

[Knowitall]

Yeah i didn't preview and it stuffed up but fixed it now. Round one is a little bit away and you never know there could be a long term injury between now and then?

 

[master bate]

If you look at your team and take out Miller, Newton, Yze and the guys on the bench you have 15 players who are walk up starts in our team. From there it leaves 7 more spots to fill of which 3 should be a ruckmen, a tall forward and a tall defender. So far Newton, Meesen, Buckley, Yze and Valenti (if he can play) have put their hands up for one of those seven spots. Garland and Martin might be a way off but they also showed promise. The challenge now is for others including guys that played like Weetra, Jamar and McNamara and others that didn't like Chris Johnson, Wheatley, Frawley, Miller, Bartram and Morton to try and take one of those seven spots. So for the rest of the NAB cup I want to see our best 15 given some time to get in form without getting injured (guys like Sylvia, Green, White, Bell and Robbo have started this process, Jones is already there) but mainly I want to see some more follow Valenti and Buckley's lead and put the score on the board.

 

[dutchy12]

I don't think the performance on the weekend has changed my opinion much at all what our best 22 is perhaps the performance of Buckley but that's it.

Personally I don't see the use of putting a player in a certain position cause that is how football is noy played. Anyway some players will double up depending on what specific role they will play for that game

Tall Defenders: Carrol, Miller, Holland(Ghergig and the Rocca likes)
Medium Defenders: Rivers, Bell, Frawley
Small Defenders: Whelan, Petterd, Bartram, Bell, Green, Cheney

Obviously at this stage Carroll unfortunately will get the No1 key forward each week. I think he is ok but was exposed last year by havign a rediculous amount of inside 50s from the opposition. Miller depending on match ups will probably be swung from either end whilst Holland will still be brought into to play on the Gorrila's only, hopefully. Rivers is probably not a key defender being more comforatble in the role of 2nd or 3rd tall. He has great poise, courage and is a seriously good player. Contrary to my categorization before I believe Bell will perhaps eventually sometimes take on the oppistion's No1 forward. I liken him to Firrito from the roos who is a very good player. Last year Bell played on Fevola and Lucas giving away a few cm but making up for it with speed and grit. Frawely if given the oppurtunity should be playing on the 2nd or 3rd tall. He can even play small as he has the atheltism to do so. I don't like Green in the back line. I think he is suited better to the wing playing a sweepign role across their. I say this after wtaching the Roos match where we were narrowly beaten, Shagger Grant made Brad look stupid down there, mind you though there was that macth against Adelaide. I wouldn't be suprised also if later in the season Morton was given the oppurutnity to be a play maker across half back but for mine right now that job belongs to Petterd, Bell and Rivers.

Midfielders:

Inside: Jones, Brock, Sylvia, McDonald, Grimes, Valenti, Bate
Outside: Bruce, Green, Petterd, Davey, Dunn, Morton, Buckley

Clearly Im being a little general here categorizig players here cause I expect that many of them can acheive both roles eitherly well but this is on prelimnary glance how i see it. Jones, McLean and McDonald are clearance kings and should be our starting 3 our ball ups. Jones and Junior just know how to find it and are always putting up a contest. McLean is a little bit more polished than those 2 but it will be interesting to see how he handles a more severe tag this year. See round 13-20 last year. I can see Bate pinch hitting in the middle this year. He has a strong body and could prove to be a difficult match up playing a linking role through the middle of the ground. Sylvia is an interesting one. I rate him very highly and hope to god that he is recovering from his OP as well as possible. He played bout 50% of game time on the weekend and looked promising.Our 3rd quarter rush he was solely responsible for. Valenti was impressive on the weekend but be wary there are reasons why he is only a rookie. Green and Bruce can both play good football when things are going our way. I think Bruce's best days are behind him and were not ever going to see a return to his early 2004 form. Nether the less he is important to our team. Green is very much in the same mould. I see both of them as goal kicking midfielders if they can both score 20 goals for the year I will be very happy. With TJ gone Davey needs to provide dash and accurate kicking through the middle. Green is a good kicking whislt Bruce can butcher it frequently. Davey is like a surgeon with his kicks. I personally see him as the key this year if he brings his game to another level then I reckon we make top 8. Big call I know but I think he is the best player on our list. Petterd will play in the middle this year and show some class. Im not sold on Dunn yet but I don't think he will make it as a forward.

I will do forwards later

 

[MicksterD]

Not only does that look utterly ridiculous, Valenti can't play as he is on the rookie list.

Thats just rude mate - no need for it

 

[melbourne150]

Here's My team for Round 1

FF Davey Neitz Robertson
HF Bate Miller Sylvia
C Bruce McDonald Buckley
HB Green Rivers Bell
FB Whelan Carroll Frawley
Foll White McLean Jones

INT Meesen Yze Newton Moloney Bartram Dunn Petterd

13 of the players listed didn't play on the weekend

Inclusions(didn't play on weekend)

Competing for spots. If Buckley can continue his good form in the rest of the practice matches he should play in Rd1...

Bartram is defienitly in our best 22 when fully fit. But i think he has to play atleast 1 practice match before Rd1. If not we should play him at Sandringham and bring him in in Rd2.

Dunn is a good player but what is his position?? is he a forward or is he a Utility? I'm gunna wait and see what Bailey does with him before i put him in my best 22...But if it was up to me i would have him playing in the forward line..He played well there when he first came into the team and looks like a natural forward....

Petterd is an interesting one....there is no doubt he has alot of talent but where do we fit him in?? I think he will be pushing for selection each week and if somebody isn't performing he will take there spot...

 

[Number32]

Team:This is what i belive the side should look like regardless of what bailey says, if everyone is 100% fit

FF- Neitz Newton Yze
HF- Robbo Bate Sylvia
C- Bruce Mclean Davey
HB- Bell Rivers Green
FB- Whelan Miller(carroll if miller fails) Frawley
R- White Mcdonald Jones

I- Meeson Bartram Petterd Moloney

EM- Buckley Wheatley Dunn

Few points:

Newton to take FF rains off Neitz because this is davids last year and i think someone should be given the chance to get familar with the spot now and nieta alongside him to help out

Miller cannot kick, and at CHF you have to be able to kick properly, FB is his last option, his big strong atheltic and doesnt have to kick that well to be able to hold that posi down

Carrol his ok but lacks height for a FB spot

We need a proper CHF but bate will have to do for now

Would like dunn to play in the forward line, could he hold down a spot at CHF? is he big enough?

 

[MicksterD]

My Round 1 Team

FF Davey Neitz Robertson
HF Garland Bate Sylvia
C Bruce McDonald Buckley
HB Bell Rivers Petterd
FB Whelan Carroll Bartram
Foll White McLean Jones

INT Meesen Holland Green Maloney

EMER Frawley Weetra

Our midfield is the key to this game because Crawford, Hodge and Lewis will all miss as they are suspended and McLean, Junior, Jones, Green, Sylvia (alternating) and Maloney are all going to have to be at their best to take advantage of the Hawks forced absences. I really hope Valenti gets a crack at the seniors early on (although unfortunately this means someone will have to be on the long term injury list and I hope its not one of our guns).

Id like to see Davey alternate with Buckley on the wing to use both Buckley and Davey's dash.

There is no doubt that this year the Hawthorn forward line is going to be very difficult to match up on. Petterd, Rivers, Bartram and Whelan are all absolute class and we need these players to be up and running at their absolute best to have any chance. Petterd can provide a heap of run off the half back line particulary with Davey and Buckley alternating on that wing. One of these players is going to have to control Williams and I may give Petterd a crack initially. I would include Holland in the side but only to go onto Buddy if all other options fail.

The Hawks backline is not as strong as their forward line and the senior players in our forward line are going to have to step up and lead by example. Accurate delivery to Neitz, Robbo and co will be paramount and this will be made even more difficult without TJ in the side. Garland will slip under the radar and hopefully he will get his hands on the ball and slot a few home.

Finally we need run. If any of the listed players are not 100% fit then they shouldn't play.

 

[saj_21]

I know that is only one game into the pre-season. However there where a few good signs on weekend i thought in particular Buckly and Valenti. I was just wondering after the weekend what people thought our round one side would be?

I have come up with something like this

FF: David Neitz Russell Robertson Colin Sylvia
HF: Mathew Bate, Michael Newton, Adem Yze
C: Cameron Bruce, Nathan Jones, Aaron Davey
HB: Jarred Rivers, Brad Miller, Brad Green
FB: Daniel Bell, Nathan Carroll, Mathew Whealan
Foll:Jeff White, Brock Mclean, James McDonald

Int:
John Meesen
James Frawley
Shane Valenti (if not promoted)/Ricky Pettard
Simon Buckley

Didn’t play on weekend

So we bring in 10 to the side that played on weekend to look ok. What does everyone think?

Moloney, Dunn, Wheatley, Bartram all are infront of the players on your bench excluding Meesen. Petterd is in the best 18.

 

[melbournemartin]

What's the chance of Valenti being promoted before round 1?

 

[The Dr]

The most exciting thing about all this debate is the fact that people are selecting their best 22 and players like Dunn, Petterd, Bartram, Frawley etc aren't automatic inclusions.

To me, that shows we have a really strong top 25 or 28 players.

What showed us up against Geelong most, I reckon, is they have such fantastic depth right through their list. Last year we were found out when we had that shocking run of injuries. Barring a repeat of that, our best 22 is strong enough to challenge for the 8 - and maybe even higher

 

[master bate]

The most exciting thing about all this debate is the fact that people are selecting their best 22 and players like Dunn, Petterd, Bartram, Frawley etc aren't automatic inclusions.

To me, that shows we have a really strong top 25 or 28 players.

What showed us up against Geelong most, I reckon, is they have such fantastic depth right through their list. Last year we were found out when we had that shocking run of injuries. Barring a repeat of that, our best 22 is strong enough to challenge for the 8 - and maybe even higher

I think we had plenty of depth last year, but it was like we had 10 good players and then 20 who were all ok, what brought us down was that we just had way too many good players injured so we were fielding a team of average players. Now some of the average players like Brown, Ward and Godfrey are gone but we still have our 10 good players and we have 15-20 who will be fighting for a spot, most of which are young and improving. Hopefully in the next few years we will have 20 good players all out there at once playing with determination and with a good game plan.

 

[MicksterD]

I think we had plenty of depth last year, but it was like we had 10 good players and then 20 who were all ok, what brought us down was that we just had way too many good players injured so we were fielding a team of average players. Now some of the average players like Brown, Ward and Godfrey are gone but we still have our 10 good players and we have 15-20 who will be fighting for a spot, most of which are young and improving. Hopefully in the next few years we will have 20 good players all out there at once playing with determination and with a good game plan.

Good post - I agree and hope that Bailey weeds out the average fellas and improves the skills of the talented ones

 

[Deestroy]

What's the chance of Valenti being promoted before round 1?

He can't be unless someone is put on the long-term injury list.

 

[Pjkimber]

Round 1 team IMO is as follows

FF Davey Neitz Robertson
HF Garland Bate Sylvia
C Bruce McDonald Maloney
HB Bell Rivers Petterd
FB Whelan Carroll Bartram
Foll White McLean Jones

INT Meesen Frawley Green Buckley

EMER Holland Weetra

It would be really great to see the likes Mclean,Bruce,Davey, Wheelan,Maloney.Bartram and Rivers 100% come round one.

Rivers on Buddy and Whelan on Williams.

 

[malodeez]

should just throw neitz in the backline to help out in his last year. give others experience up forward. those jumpers looked crap. only good for marketing. we sould be playin our clash matches in those 70's and 80's strips with the royal blue. also keeps the tradition of the melbournefc jumper alive instead of those red things with the stupid M lookin things.

 

[Number32]

im suprised people are not putting yze and miller into their round 1 sides, i dont rate either of them highly, however as they are in our leadership group wouldnt u guys think they would be automatic selections for at least round 1

 

[2 Dogs]

im suprised people are not putting yze and miller into their round 1 sides, i dont rate either of them highly, however as they are in our leadership group wouldnt u guys think they would be automatic selections for at least round 1

I would think they would be there too, Yze at least. Bails has gone on record as saying that Ooze won't be playing forward, but rather half back/wing to utilise his footskills. Fair enough I say to at least give them the opportunity to prove themselves. If not, they make way for the younger brigade we have coming through.

FB: Whelan Carroll Bell
HB Wheatley Rivers Miller
W Sylvia Mclean Moloney
HF Bruce Newton Bate
FF Robbo Neitz Davey
R White Jones McDonald
Int Green P Johnson Dunn Yze

Probably gonna get called on PJ, but I didn't see alot of Meesens ruick work, and I refuse to name the Russian.

 

[Big Beny Reid]

How is James Frawley going? Is he set for a big year?

 

[On the bench]

Why people think Brad Green is a backman has me well & truly stuffed,his best spot is on a Half Forward Flank,his kicking is his best asset & it should be utilised in the forward line where you find the goals are!

 

[Bartram_Class]

He can't be unless someone is put on the long-term injury list.

Whelan or Wheatley would have to be getting close at this rate.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Why people think Brad Green is a backman has me well & truly stuffed,his best spot is on a Half Forward Flank,his kicking is his best asset & it should be utilised in the forward line where you find the goals are!

And how do you expect to get the ball down forward if we don't have some decent ball-users down back?

 

[dizwah]

[

quote=MicksterD;10119820]My Round 1 Team

FF Davey Neitz Robertson
HF Garland Bate Sylvia
C Bruce McDonald Buckley
HB Bell Rivers Petterd
FB Whelan Carroll Bartram
Foll White McLean Jones

INT Meesen Holland Green Maloney

Why does everone keep writing the team back to front??? bloody frustarting! Start with FB then HB, C, HF, FF then FOLL

 

[MicksterD]

[

Why does everone keep writing the team back to front??? bloody frustarting! Start with FB then HB, C, HF, FF then FOLL

My apologies - I was standing on my head when I wrote that