2011 Rd. 1 Lineup

[Eastern Rangers]

Why's that?

Exposed for pace agianst genuine smalls. Little flexibility should Butler and Waters struggle against a player like Eddie Betts.

Can't see those two starting over Butler/Waters, tbh.

No doubt Waters and Butler will play round 1 together if fit. I think if Smith improves his defensive game then he is going to be more capable against a livewire forward. It could be that Brennan could be our best prospect against a genuine small forward.

Probably true.

If we go after two KPD's then two of Brown, Schofield and McKenzie won't make the cut.
I don't mind Brown or Schofield as a rebounding third tall and would be happy to see Waters locking down a forward and sacrifice his rather ineffective offensive game, we could then rotate someone more damaging out of the back pocket like Smith, Strijk or Hams with one of Brown and Schofield and then have Sheppard/ Stevenson and Hurn rebounding of the flanks.

Smith, Strijk and Hams can all play forward of centre or through the middle and so could others like Sheppard and Hurn.

 

[sTeeL]

I see Sheppard and Hurn possibly moving to a wing anyway.

 

[Crimson King]

Exposed for pace agianst genuine smalls. Little flexibility should Butler and Waters struggle against a player like Eddie Betts.

I don't expect Waters to be playing on small forwards, tbh. Just not his game. Also, it won't be a popular choice amongst us but I can see Woosha bringing McGinnity in to play on a player like Betts. Either him or Smith.

If we go after two KPD's then two of Brown, Schofield and McKenzie won't make the cut.
I don't mind Brown or Schofield as a rebounding third tall and would be happy to see Waters locking down a forward and sacrifice his rather ineffective offensive game, we could then rotate someone more damaging out of the back pocket like Smith, Strijk or Hams with one of Brown and Schofield and then have Sheppard/ Stevenson and Hurn rebounding of the flanks.

Smith, Strijk and Hams can all play forward of centre or through the middle and so could others like Sheppard and Hurn.

I think Schofield would be the best choice for the rebounding third tall role as he is pretty versatile. Brown is probably best suited to KPPs. Though, I think we all would definitely like to see more of Hurn and Sheppard in the middle. We will need to have other players with good kicking skills to rebound effectively from the defence for that to happen, though.

 

[kane249]

I see Sheppard and Hurn possibly moving to a wing anyway.

hurn doesn't have the tank for it

 

[bodazoka]

Can't have Butler and Waters in the same defensive six if we intend to play Hurn and Sheppard. Less we forget the fact that we have more damaging prospects in Stevenson and Smith who could improve dramatically. Lets hope we do see some players push up the ground and test out Rosa's form.

I don't see a settled defense in 2011.

They played Sheppard up the ground allot and Butler is most likely to get injured so you could probably count those two out of the back 6.

Hurn is a lock so theres 1 spot on the opposite flank for Smith or Stevenson.

 

[CursoryMercenary]

I'm still very concerned about our dud defence, it's in worst shape than the midfield i reckon. You've got Glass who has lost a yard of pace at Full-Back, no set CHB, lack of pace of the HB line.

Hurn, Glass, Brennan
Butler, Schofield, Sheppard
Rosa, Kerr, Embley
Strijk, Kennedy, Waters
LeCras, C.Wilson, Hams

Natianui, Priddis, Shuey

Int: Cox, Gaff, S.Selwood, A. Selwood

Emg: Mackenzie, B.Wilson, Swift, Masten


- Naitnaui will start as he did towards the end of last year.
- I'm hoping we blood some youngster like Brennan and Gaff in the opening rounds with Blayne Wilson and Lycett being given oppurtunites too.
- Waters to play forward more in 2011


Great to see us finally play our first game of the season at home and not against Brisbane!

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I'm still very concerned about our dud defence, it's in worst shape than the midfield i reckon. You've got Glass who has lost a yard of pace at Full-Back, no set CHB, lack of pace of the HB line.

I tend to disagree with this, I think we have a very promising young defensive unit.

Brown should look to cement himself at CHB over the next couple of years, with Mackenzie locking down full back when Glass retires, which I feel will be sooner rather than later with his body letting him down. Schofield will be a more than capable third tall who offers some rebound. Depth may be a problem in the tall defender area, something we should look at rectifying.

Lack of pace off the half back line will be solved by the likes of Ash Smith, Brad Sheppard (who I hope in time will play more up-field), and Jacob Brennan, who is pretty quick. As someone else stated, guys like Butler don't need to be that quick as long as they are elite readers of the play.

Our medium/long term defence is...

B: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Will Schofield
HB: Ash Smith/Brad Sheppard, Mitch Brown, Shannon Hurn

Which looks pretty sound to me.

 

[CursoryMercenary]

I tend to disagree with this, I think we have a very promising young defensive unit.

Brown should look to cement himself at CHB over the next couple of years, with Mackenzie locking down full back when Glass retires, which I feel will be sooner rather than later with his body letting him down. Schofield will be a more than capable third tall who offers some rebound. Depth may be a problem in the tall defender area, something we should look at rectifying.

Lack of pace off the half back line will be solved by the likes of Ash Smith, Brad Sheppard (who I hope in time will play more up-field), and Jacob Brennan, who is pretty quick. As someone else stated, guys like Butler don't need to be that quick as long as they are elite readers of the play.

Our medium/long term defence is...

B: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Will Schofield
HB: Ash Smith/Brad Sheppard, Mitch Brown, Shannon Hurn

Which looks pretty sound to me.

Hopefully but no doubt Worsfold will play Adam Selwood, Waters and Butler all down there. Even though they are decent players they are not what we need coming out of the backline.

 

[mattyc75]

I tend to disagree with this, I think we have a very promising young defensive unit.

Brown should look to cement himself at CHB over the next couple of years, with Mackenzie locking down full back when Glass retires, which I feel will be sooner rather than later with his body letting him down. Schofield will be a more than capable third tall who offers some rebound. Depth may be a problem in the tall defender area, something we should look at rectifying.

Our medium/long term defence is...

B: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Will Schofield
HB: Ash Smith/Brad Sheppard, Mitch Brown, Shannon Hurn

Which looks pretty sound to me.

i think our long term backline looks ok,think next season along with pace we really need to draft a full back to take over from glass,Mackenzie isnt the long term solution,but hurn sheppard,waters,butler and smith is an awesome starting point

 

[Coledinho]

I'm still very concerned about our dud defence, it's in worst shape than the midfield i reckon. You've got Glass who has lost a yard of pace at Full-Back, no set CHB, lack of pace of the HB line.

Hurn, Glass, Brennan
Butler, Schofield, Sheppard
Rosa, Kerr, Embley
Strijk, Kennedy, Waters
LeCras, C.Wilson, Hams

Natianui, Priddis, Shuey

Int: Cox, Gaff, S.Selwood, A. Selwood

Emg: Mackenzie, B.Wilson, Swift, Masten

That is the worst attempt at a Eagles 22 I have seen so far. No offense. Dean Cox on the bench is just cringeworthy

 

[Obeanie1]

Exposed for pace agianst genuine smalls. Little flexibility should Butler and Waters struggle against a player like Eddie Betts.

No doubt Waters and Butler will play round 1 together if fit. I think if Smith improves his defensive game then he is going to be more capable against a livewire forward. It could be that Brennan could be our best prospect against a genuine small forward.


If we go after two KPD's then two of Brown, Schofield and McKenzie won't make the cut.
I don't mind Brown or Schofield as a rebounding third tall and would be happy to see Waters locking down a forward and sacrifice his rather ineffective offensive game, we could then rotate someone more damaging out of the back pocket like Smith, Strijk or Hams with one of Brown and Schofield and then have Sheppard/ Stevenson and Hurn rebounding of the flanks.

Smith, Strijk and Hams can all play forward of centre or through the middle and so could others like Sheppard and Hurn.

Butler and Waters lack flexibility?

When both can play HBF, wing, on ball as well as HFF?

Sumich was quoted that Butler back in the midfield was an attractive option but it was up to him to get fit enough.

Waters as a defensive HFF is my preference on how to use him.

Smith, Sheppard, McGinnity and hopefully Brennan our our best choices against the Eddie Betts small forward types.

I can see us developing small backs in a similar fashion to our 1992 and 1994 premiership sides, solid on ball payers who can play back ala Hart, Lamb and Pike.

Brown is our CHB, MacKenzie our FB ans Schofield the third tall / depth KPD.

Stevenson, Sheppard and Smith are better playing up the field than in defense, all have good pace and above average kicking skills.

 

[Coledinho]

Andrew Strjik is the defensive HFF. Playing with two defensive HFF is just plain stupid. Waters is a defender pure and simple.

With Waters people forget the injuries hes overcome when judging him. Hes lucky to still be playing never mind playing at the high level he is. Will get huge benefit out of a full pre season this time around.

 

[Obeanie1]

Andrew Strjik is the defensive HFF. Playing with two defensive HFF is just plain stupid. Waters is a defender pure and simple.

With Waters people forget the injuries hes overcome when judging him. Hes lucky to still be playing never mind playing at the high level he is. Will get huge benefit out of a full pre season this time around.

What? Defensive HFF?

From what I saw Strijk was a pretty decent lead up HFFer with a good kick on goal and foot passing skills. He was a HBFer in the WAFL and even had a trot through the midfield late in 2010. With a full preseason under his belt Strijk could be another midfield rotation option.

Sure he may have a decent defensive game but no way would I consider him as a defensive HFF, more of a Porplezia

 

[Coledinho]

What? Defensive HFF?

From what I saw Strijk was a pretty decent lead up HFFer with a good kick on goal and foot passing skills. He was a HBFer in the WAFL and even had a trot through the midfield late in 2010. With a full preseason under his belt Strijk could be another midfield rotation option.

Sure he may have a decent defensive game but no way would I consider him as a defensive HFF, more of a Porplesia

Not a good enough mark or pacey enough to be a Porplyzia. He a pure bred defensive HFF if ive ever seen one IMO. Hope the club are prepping him for that role

 

[Prem87]

Strijk is a great mark overhead, really holds himself strongly due to being solid nugget.

 

[Coledinho]

Strijk is a great mark overhead, really holds himself strongly due to being solid nugget.

For a midfielder he is. For a forward he aint

 

[Carbine Chaos]

For a midfielder he is. For a forward he aint

Strijk's overhead marking was one of his strengths last season, and one of his best assets overall. Easily good enough for a full time medium forward/HFF'er.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Not a good enough mark or pacey enough to be a Porplyzia. He a pure bred defensive HFF if ive ever seen one IMO. Hope the club are prepping him for that role

This word and Strijk should never be mentioned in the same sentence again. Strijk is the epitomy of the modern attacking half forward flanker! He is fast, great skills, a good mark with courage and flair.

Using him in a defensive role, even in the forward line, would be a great waste of offensive talent, which is very light on in our squad.

 

[kane249]

i think our long term backline looks ok,think next season along with pace we really need to draft a full back to take over from glass,Mackenzie isnt the long term solution,but hurn sheppard,waters,butler and smith is an awesome starting point

What's wrong with McKenzie?

 

[placebo]

Not a good enough mark or pacey enough to be a Porplyzia. He a pure bred defensive HFF if ive ever seen one IMO. Hope the club are prepping him for that role

What the hell are you talking about?

I hope for your sake, you only saw 1 game this year or something, because what you said is total nonsense.

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Not a good enough mark or pacey enough to be a Porplyzia. He a pure bred defensive HFF if ive ever seen one IMO. Hope the club are prepping him for that role

Your speaking alot of crap there.

Porplyzia has never been quick while Strijk is one of the quickest at our club.

Porp's is a better overhead mark, but no means is this a weakness for Strijk.

As for field kicking ability Strijk is way ahead, while Porps may be a slightly better set shot for goal.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Strijk might very well end up as part of our midfield rotations. The fact he was playing forward of centre is because he can if Coledinho had watched his form through the WAFL he would have seen him dominate through the middle and across half back.

Not bad for a guy who had OP in the offseason.

 

[spEKTre]

Strijk showed he belongs in our best 22 from last years form, half forward for mine but if he has a decent tank ( which people are alluding ) then a strong mid with a decent frame won't hurt us when we have the likes of Masten and Scooter in there getting knocked around.

 

[Coledinho]

Strijk might very well end up as part of our midfield rotations. The fact he was playing forward of centre is because he can if Coledinho had watched his form through the WAFL he would have seen him dominate through the middle and across half back.

Not bad for a guy who had OP in the offseason.

I more or less want him at HFF because unlike most defensive minded forwards he can kick a football damn well. No point having Waters in that role when his disposal is a weak point in his game. Im sick of seeing crap disposal inside our 50 and think that putting Strjik down back would only see that continuing.

 

[Coledinho]

Your speaking alot of crap there.

Porplyzia has never been quick while Strijk is one of the quickest at our club.

Porp's is a better overhead mark, but no means is this a weakness for Strijk.

As for field kicking ability Strijk is way ahead, while Porps may be a slightly better set shot for goal.

Strjik aint slow, I know that. He just doesnt have that burst of pace the smaller sized forwards have. Porps is a FANTASTIC overhead mark. Strjik would want to improve that position in his game while he stays up forward I think