2008 player rankings

[KING-JAMES]

we have plenty of youth that will be put through the midfield, with pace and talent yet player like watson although was not fantastic was important with the centre clearances, and stanton, Lovett-Murray running of half back will be a key also, if he can put a season together it will be important to us, I think that he is underrated, yes there is more important players yet he is tough. Patty Ryder needs a postion and to be left there I like him in the back line yet in the ruck he seems a little exposed, Hille and Laycock are a good team especially laycock's ablitity to go forward and kick goals as he does. I love Mcphee yet I don't like him in the middle turns it over too much, better running of the back line.

I dont think Laycock and Hille are a good team like you say. At the moment there better individual ruckman who shine when they get to play full games. They are players who work themselves into games, especially Laycock. He builds confidence as he is out there. Hopefully they learn to work in tandem, otherwise things will need to change. We cant afford to have 1 player who is pretty much doing nothing for us, when the game at the moment is full of runners.

Ryder I think we be predominately played in the Back line, but to further his development will be given roles else where if needed. His tap work is wonderful, and he also knows how to kick a goal when playing forward line. I would develop him in the back line for now though, as its where he looks most comfortable and most benefit to our current and future side.

If your worried about McPhee having bad disposal then playing him off of half back is one of the last things you would do. Its become almost the quarter back role of the AFL, having your best running creative kicker playing there. Playing him on a wing or as a half forward is where his disposal would be at less risk of damaging us. I personally have never thought he was a bad kick or anything, he just hasn't been at his best when coming out of defense. Releasing him further up the ground could be answer. His kicking for goal has been solid in the past, and his generally a nice kick when looking to pass inside 50. I think giving him a crack up the ground couldn't hurt at all, and could be what makes us get the best out of him.

 

[gossipgirl]

I dont think Laycock and Hille are a good team like you say. At the moment there better individual ruckman who shine when they get to play full games. They are players who work themselves into games, especially Laycock. He builds confidence as he is out there. Hopefully they learn to work in tandem, otherwise things will need to change. We cant afford to have 1 player who is pretty much doing nothing for us, when the game at the moment is full of runners.

Ryder I think we be predominately played in the Back line, but to further his development will be given roles else where if needed. His tap work is wonderful, and he also knows how to kick a goal when playing forward line. I would develop him in the back line for now though, as its where he looks most comfortable and most benefit to our current and future side.

If your worried about McPhee having bad disposal then playing him off of half back is one of the last things you would do. Its become almost the quarter back role of the AFL, having your best running creative kicker playing there. Playing him on a wing or as a half forward is where his disposal would be at less risk of damaging us. I personally have never thought he was a bad kick or anything, he just hasn't been at his best when coming out of defense. Releasing him further up the ground could be answer. His kicking for goal has been solid in the past, and his generally a nice kick when looking to pass inside 50. I think giving him a crack up the ground couldn't hurt at all, and could be what makes us get the best out of him.

Bit harsh to say that about Hille and Laycock seeing they really haven't really had a season together, I don't think that Mcphee's disposals in the middle are any good because he seems to sh#t himself unlike in the backline where he seem more confident, and Ryder in his junior day was a forward and has played there all junior until Sheeds put him in the backline, we have a good foward line and like you said he has a great tap yet it never seems to go to our players, I know he just needs practice that's just my opinion that's all

 

[Blueinblood]

looking at these posts and your list i have changed my mind. Essendon will not come last unless key players like fletcher and lucas get injured. Melbournes list isnt in great shape so i think them and adeliade will struggle and of course bitchmond

 

[Red Black and Blue]

1. Lucas -shown great leadership and stands up when we need him
2. Fletcher
3. Lloyd
4. Mcveigh -just above Stants because i think his role is more important atm
5. Stanton
6. Davey
7. Ryder
8. Mcphee - good preseason so far and he got married so the boys are saying he has 'a extra spring in his step'
9. Micheal - could be higher as he offers the team so much in freeing up fletch
10. Winderlich - great signs 07 expecting elite bracket of midfielders 08
11. Laycock
12. Watson
13. Lovett
14. Monfries
15. Welsh
16. Slattery
17. Lovett- Murray
18. Hille
19. Nash
20. JJ
21. Dempsey - Superstar of tomorrow
22. Gumbleton
23. Hislop
24. Jetta - could even be a starter as his head seems in the right direction and impressive pressure along side davey
25. Riemers- could go higher because of impressive test results



From my current knowledge of how everyones preseason is going i would say that this would be the order of selection with the right mix of youth and experience

 

[GoDons]

Bit harsh to say that about Hille and Laycock seeing they really haven't really had a season together, I don't think that Mcphee's disposals in the middle are any good because he seems to sh#t himself unlike in the backline where he seem more confident, and Ryder in his junior day was a forward and has played there all junior until Sheeds put him in the backline, we have a good foward line and like you said he has a great tap yet it never seems to go to our players, I know he just needs practice that's just my opinion that's all

Hille and Laycock played enough together to show that they've got a lot of work to do if they're going to each play well in tandem. Both like the responsibility of being number 1, and struggle with less game time.

As for McPhee, I feel that his discomfort in the middle could well be put down to the coach. Sheedy seemed to move guys around without giving them much of a focus. The backline had a much clearer game plan that McPhee was more accustomed to.

And you'll find that Ryder was a ruckman throughout his junior days. It's only natural that the direction of his tapwork will be a bit wayward at times. AFL ruckmen leap higher and are bigger frames, it takes time for developing ruckman to develop timing and positioning against those guys having been up against smaller and inferior opponents in their junior days.

 

[gossipgirl]

Ryder played as a key forward in his junior days also, it was in an interview in the Bomber magizine he said that is where he played and it is the postion that he found more comfortable in over the others

 

[GoDons]

Ryder played as a key forward in his junior days also, it was in an interview in the Bomber magizine he said that is where he played and it is the postion that he found more comfortable in over the others

Interesting.

I only really remember him as a ruckman at the Champs and that was the notable position that he was drafted as.

 

[gossipgirl]

Interesting.

I only really remember him as a ruckman at the Champs and that was the notable position that he was drafted as.

Yeah I understand because when we pick up they called him a ruckman, I was suprised myself when I read the article. I think that he is great, love the way he plays, it is like he doesn't even try, do you think he will be Fletchers replacement when he retires?

 

[GoDons]

Yeah I understand because when we pick up they called him a ruckman, I was suprised myself when I read the article. I think that he is great, love the way he plays, it is like he doesn't even try, do you think he will be Fletchers replacement when he retires?

I hadn't seen any of the WAFL Colts so I guess I just assumed.


Like all players, Ryder is different and that's why he won't be Fletcher's direct replacement.

I think he'll be a more versatile player than Fletcher in that he's more adept at playing up the ground and as such, he won't spend nearly the amount of time Fletch did at Full Back.

The other thing that could well prevent Paddy from spending a career down back is that we may not need him there. We've drafted Darcy Daniher and Tayte Pears now to go with other possible future tall defenders in Andrew Lee, Jay Neagle and Courtney Johns.

Things will pan out the way they pan out, but if there's one thing I'm confident of, it's thast Paddy will be a bloody useful footballer.

 

[gossipgirl]

I am in totally agreement with Patty will be good, can't wait to see if Knight sticks with his youth policy and play these kids, Houli needs more time on the ground I like the look of him needs some more devopling which is expected as a kid, I just so want the season to start.