Who will debut?

[matey]

And Dalts is ahead of both.

It's known I've got a big wrap on this kid, but I honestly (injury aside) think he's a genuine bolter for Round 0 / 1

He's super fit, has a great tank - and isn't slow off the mark like I read on here somewhere - has awesome hands and most importantly an incisive 'footy brain'.

If Watson / CMac are going to start in the middle next season, then Dalts is the obvious 'new' face to start at HHF rotating through the middle in short bursts.

The kid just soaks up footy knowledge from the coaches - and is often doing 'extras' off his own back with senior players.

Really excited to see what this guy can bring to the AFL next season.

One thing that I noticed at training other than his elite endurance, competitiveness and determination is his kicking on the run where he can nail a 50 metre kick with some penetration. Leading up to the draft there were some questions around his kicking so hoping that it’s actually up to the standard required for the role he will play for the side

 

[kazzooka]

One thing that I noticed at training other than his elite endurance, competitiveness and determination is his kicking on the run where he can nail a 50 metre kick with some penetration. Leading up to the draft there were some questions around his kicking so hoping that it’s actually up to the standard required for the role he will play for the side

Good to hear this. I've seen a bunch of his highlights and there is a lot of rushed kicks and poor kicks in it. With a few nice shots on goal included.
But i've read reports on him stating that he's a good kick but the particular highlights just didn't show it. It sounds like it's just a case of training him out of the rushed kick when under pressure and getting him to handball or try and break into space. Junior football is more territory based so winning a clearance and slamming it forward often turns out okay. At higher levels it's just a turnover and you get scored against even when kicking into the forward 50.

 

[Sprint Artisan]

When more match sim happens we will get a good idea of where Dalton, Greeves and Anderson sit leading into practice matches. It will be hard to push into midfield with newc, day, ward, nash, mackenzie, butler, maginness, hustwaite in front of them. I think only 5 or 6 of that bunch will play and watson, cmac, moore, weddle will play more midfield.

With 3x defenders playing in the SoO game we will get a good look at Bodie Ryan and Noah Mraz in the 1st practice game which Battle, Barrass and Hardwick won't play I don't think Sicily will play that game either.

So practice match 1 could be

B: Scrimshaw, Blank, Ryan
HB: Impy, Mraz, MacDonald

Why did you leave the fullback position blank? We have plenty of options to fill that role...

 

[Sprint Artisan]

Will be clearer who is knocking the door down once the first pre season games roll through.

I do think the change to the sub rule favours anyone with a massive tank or who is filling a clear role.

Mraz covers one of Sicily, Barass, Battle, Scrim. He will play this year.

Bodie Ryan covers Blake Hardwick, Jarman Impey or situations where there are 3 or 4 dangerous small forwards. Has to play this year.

Cam Nairn. Won't be as automatic a selection as 2008 Cyril. But i can't see Sam Mitchell not throwing him into the forward mix this year if he kicks bags at Box Hill.

Mids -cMac, Mckenzie, Hustlewaite Butler and Finn deservedly get the first chance to fix our midfield woes. If Dalton, Greeves or the Beast turn it on at Box Hill I can see them being brought in to give Day a game or two to load manage throughout the season.

Likewise, Josh Weddle needs to be load managed throughout the year considering his ongoing back situation. It could be McCabe or Lecray who puts their hand up to cover Josh.

Which debutant is able to force their way into the side come finals is the more pertinent question.

Unless there are structural injuries, Dalton and Nairn are the two who could have 2008 Cyril type impact at this early check point.

Is the Weddle back situation ongoing..?

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

We will see quite a few. We will be able to blood kids with our great fixture

 

[Mercy Seat]

And Dalts is ahead of both.

It's known I've got a big wrap on this kid, but I honestly (injury aside) think he's a genuine bolter for Round 0 / 1

He's super fit, has a great tank - and isn't slow off the mark like I read on here somewhere - has awesome hands and most importantly an incisive 'footy brain'.

If Watson / CMac are going to start in the middle next season, then Dalts is the obvious 'new' face to start at HHF rotating through the middle in short bursts.

The kid just soaks up footy knowledge from the coaches - and is often doing 'extras' off his own back with senior players.

Really excited to see what this guy can bring to the AFL next season.

Haven't seen anything to suggest Watson and CMac will be starting in the middle next year. If anything, rotating a little bit more through, but not starting.

 

[Sprint Artisan]

With Weds and Dear I think it’s more to do with managing their training loads. Both are still young and had some stress fracture issues this year. Both are doing contested marking drills etc ……. pre Xmas they just have modified training programs

Fair enough. I thought you were implying there had been another flare up, but it's the management that's ongoing...

 

[To the Hawk]

Mraz. At worst they will rest Barrass and Sicily across the season to play him. At best I think he's going to cause a massive headache regarding who he replaces in our best 23 (back 7).

Nairn. Wouldn't shock me if he had a Murphy Reid like impact. Has a bit of spunk and creativity.

Dalton. Might just be plug and play. Think we will see him a number of times across the year, particularly if Ginnivan, MacDonald Moore are rested or need to miss games.

Greeves. An interesting watch. I still don't think Mackenzie or Ward are going to be dominant clearance mids which we are lacking. Midfield mix suggests he might be every chance.

McCabe. Feel he's 6 or 7th in-line at either end for his height. Hasn't shown much at Box Hill.

Hill. Really like this guy, but gee, not sure how he plays with his tank unfortunately.

Anderson. No idea tbh.

Ryan. Unfortunately too slow and a long way back in the depth of utilities.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Mraz. At worst they will rest Barrass and Sicily across the season to play him. At best I think he's going to cause a massive headache regarding who he replaces in our best 23 (back 7).

Nairn. Wouldn't shock me if he had a Murphy Reid like impact. Has a bit of spunk and creativity.

Dalton. Might just be plug and play. Think we will see him a number of times across the year, particularly if Ginnivan, MacDonald Moore are rested or need to miss games.

Greeves. An interesting watch. I still don't think Mackenzie or Ward are going to be dominant clearance mids which we are lacking. Midfield mix suggests he might be every chance.

McCabe. Feel he's 6 or 7th in-line at either end for his height. Hasn't shown much at Box Hill.

Hill. Really like this guy, but gee, not sure how he plays with his tank unfortunately.

Anderson. No idea tbh.

Ryan. Unfortunately too slow and a long way back in the depth of utilities.

A good observation about Ward and Mackenzie re their lack of contested ball winning ability.

For me I’m just not sure that this is their strength and we are definitely lacking some midfield grunt with Worps moving on.

I think one of Dalton or Greeves has a decent crack at playing a few games as that inside accumulator and extractor next year (depending on VFL form of course).

 

[matey]

Fair enough. I thought you were implying there had been another flare up, but it's the management that's ongoing...

I didn’t imply that

 

[Bedi]

With a full preseason behind him i'm predicting McCabe will step up and be pressing for selection. Nairn's highlights also suggest he's a big chance to play. Hope Anderson can brush up on his kicking as he's a tough little nut and can always do with those in the side.

 

[kazzooka]

A good observation about Ward and Mackenzie re their lack of contested ball winning ability.

For me I’m just not sure that this is their strength and we are definitely lacking some midfield grunt with Worps moving on.

I think one of Dalton or Greeves has a decent crack at playing a few games as that inside accumulator and extractor next year (depending on VFL form of course).

Dalton and Greeves will still be behind Hustwaite and Anderson to start. Also Finn Maginness is so dominant at VFL level that we have to eventually give him a chance as a ball winner at AFL level.

 

[arupist]

Dalton and Greeves will still be behind Hustwaite and Anderson to start.

I highly doubt that. I am curious about why you would think that, particularly Anderson.

 

[To the Hawk]

Dalton and Greeves will still be behind Hustwaite and Anderson to start. Also Finn Maginness is so dominant at VFL level that we have to eventually give him a chance as a ball winner at AFL level.

I don't have Dalton competing with Hustwaite. Dalton I mentioned for those high half forwards... MM mentioned it was this position initially with Dalton.

It's very easy to see us bringing into the mix early a smart footballer who's already a top 4/5 endurance runner at the club. Given our style and importance on our half forwards getting up and back.

Hustwaite. I'm curious where he sits given we were happy to let him go and has had a few chances, only to be subbed at half-time.

I'm not convinced Anderson is closer. Not as a mid anyway. Personally I don't see him making it, but wish him well.

I won't be shocked at all if Greeves shows up Anderson and Huss come match Sim. Tbh, I'll be surprised if he doesn't .

Finn is going to take time yet to recover. Especially inside mid. Seems to be training forward and can see a defensive forward role. I think Butler's ahead of Finn as a defensive mid. I'd go as far to say Butler can be our Tom Atkins.

 

[kazzooka]

I highly doubt that. I am curious about why you would think that, particularly Anderson.

Because both have been at the club longer than 5 minutes.

Hustwaite has been dominant at VFL level and already got AFL experience, If we get injuries Hustwaite was already one of the first to call up last year. We wouldn't pick a first year player over him unless they really show something at the lower levels first.

No way 4 weeks of training already has them ahead of a 4th year player with good VFL form and a handful of AFL games.

Anderson was pretty good in the VFL and towards the end of the year when we didn't have as much AFL talent at VFL Level due to Day, Maginess injuries he started to do better in the midfield.

Not saying that these guys won't debut or have great careers, but a first year player starts at the back of the list and needs to prove it.

 

[To the Hawk]

No way 4 weeks of training already has them ahead of a 4th year player with good VFL form and a handful of AFL games.

In most instances a 4th year midfielder with only a handful of games and in the final year of their contract is the furtherest back of anyone.

 

[matey]

Kids coming into the AFL system often don’t have the body to handle the physicality and hits playing AFL footy. Pushing 6’ 4”, guessing 90kg …… Ollie is already a unit and wouldn’t have this problem

 

[Dewnior]

Kids coming into the AFL system often don’t have the body to handle the physicality and hits playing AFL footy. Pushing 6’ 4”, guessing 90kg …… Ollie is already a unit and wouldn’t have this problem

View attachment 2500566

1st year players are rarely played in the guts in the AFL they are normally given outside roles like wing or HB that require an elite skill or point of difference.

 

[matey]

1st year players are rarely played in the guts in the AFL, they are normally given outside roles like wing or HB that require skill, speed and/or footy nous rather than bulk.

If Ollie did get an opportunity to debut it wouldn’t be in the guts given the stage he is at with his running/tank ……… for his size his skills and decision making looks really nice

 

[Dewnior]

If Ollie did get an opportunity to debut it wouldn’t be in the guts given the stage he is at with his running/tank ……… for his size his skills and decision making looks really nice

The only other role would be HF but he'd be behind Croc, Finn, Ginni, Butler, Nairn and possibly Dalton.

 

[arupist]

Because both have been at the club longer than 5 minutes.

Hustwaite has been dominant at VFL level and already got AFL experience, If we get injuries Hustwaite was already one of the first to call up last year. We wouldn't pick a first year player over him unless they really show something at the lower levels first.

No way 4 weeks of training already has them ahead of a 4th year player with good VFL form and a handful of AFL games.

Anderson was pretty good in the VFL and towards the end of the year when we didn't have as much AFL talent at VFL Level due to Day, Maginess injuries he started to do better in the midfield.

Not saying that these guys won't debut or have great careers, but a first year player starts at the back of the list and needs to prove it.

Very simplistic view of the world. Way too early to tell where any of them are comparatively. Also, this concept of a 'pecking order' for players outside the 23 is just BS.

 

[Agent Smith]

Kids coming into the AFL system often don’t have the body to handle the physicality and hits playing AFL footy. Pushing 6’ 4”, guessing 90kg …… Ollie is already a unit and wouldn’t have this problem

View attachment 2500566

And he has great presents.








Okay, I'll see myself out.

 

[parsons nose]

And he has great presents.

Which is important, especially around Christmas time.

 

[lethalselbow]

Because both have been at the club longer than 5 minutes.

Hustwaite has been dominant at VFL level and already got AFL experience, If we get injuries Hustwaite was already one of the first to call up last year. We wouldn't pick a first year player over him unless they really show something at the lower levels first.

No way 4 weeks of training already has them ahead of a 4th year player with good VFL form and a handful of AFL games.

Anderson was pretty good in the VFL and towards the end of the year when we didn't have as much AFL talent at VFL Level due to Day, Maginess injuries he started to do better in the midfield.

Not saying that these guys won't debut or have great careers, but a first year player starts at the back of the list and needs to prove it.

If you're training better and playing better, it's immaterial whether you've been at the club for four years or four months. Select the best team.

I don't think Sammy hands out participation ribbons.