Opinion 2013 preseason best 22

[Claude Balls]

I like having Smedts in the forward line as a defensive forward. I thought he turned the season around when he was given the role late last season. He's probably wasn't best 22 on ability but his speed, agility and size (190cm) pressuring opposition inside our attacking 50 was a real asset in the run to the finals. Hoping he plays a similar role in 2013. With a bit more muscle, fitness and intensity at the contest hec ould be a real weapon for the team.

I think the side is too light on inside midfielders to line up the way suggested. Personel seems fine it's just I think you'd want another inside midfielder on the ball.

Yeah Smedts seemed right at home in the forwardline when moved their this year from the backline.

Re inside midfielders, my team essentially is the same as this year's team with Caddy brought in at the expense of Corey. The only way to have more, would be to include Corey, and perhaps also GHS.

 

[smackdog]

Good side. I think you'll find Taylor Hunt is a non-negotiable too. He's the only tagger we've got, and he's coming along nicely. He'll be better next year again. The unfortunate reality is that some of the older guys will be worse.

And that's the sad reality, the likes of Corey, J Hunt, Chapman have been servicemen of the club so we can't just drop them without a significant decrease in performance, and even then it's a hard thing to do. I thought JC's decline this year and decrease in pace was more obvious but maybe I'm wrong as others haven't seen this?! I thought it'd be opportune for him to bow out with Scarlo. Unfortunately, I can't see him having a better year but I hope he does.

I think T Hunt is non-negotiable also and I personally noticed a huge improvement this year but when push comes to shove it may be him, especially if the game isn't going to be free-flowing where he thrives with a run-with role.

I think 2013 will be a great year for the Cats and I'm super excited to see our new structure with Rivers, personally (and I'll know I'll be blasted for this) but I think he's more accountable and energetic than Scarlo and will result in a far tighter back 6. I'm expecting a coming of age year for Duncan (I highly rate), T Hunt and Christensen if they stay fit. Watch them all push for the leadership group in 2014, in place of some retirees.

 

[JunkyardDog33]

FB: Rivers, Lonergan, Kelly
HB: Murdoch, Taylor, Enright
C: Mackie, Johnson, Duncan
HF: Varcoe, Podsiadly, Bartel
FF: Motlop, Hawkins, Chapman
1R: McIntosh, Selwood, Christensen
INT: Vardy, Menzel, Caddy, Stokes

IMO Rivers is certainly in our best 22 and will be a very important player. I believe Mackie played his best footy on the wing this year and with the Rivers inclusion it will free Mackie up for that role. I'd also like to see Kelly move back to a back pocket as he had his career-best season in that spot a few years ago. With Murdoch's pace very handy off the half-back line.

I think Bartel will play mainly up forward due to his marking skills and Varcoe and Motlop will be starters for their pace and forward pressure.

McIntosh to take 1st ruck with Vardy 2nd ruck, edging out West due to his ability up forward. Wouldn't be surprised in Vardy ends up permanent forward and pushes out Pods.

 

[captainCOOL]

Rivers Lonergan JHunt
Enright Taylor Mackie
Varcoe Selwood Bartel
Johnson Vardy Menzel
Christensen Hawkins Chapman

McIntosh Kelly Duncan

Inter: THunt West Guthrie Motlop (sub)

Probably forgetting someone, but I can't find room for Corey or Stokes. Both will play a lot this year, but ultimately I can see them being slowly forced out.

Anyone who doesn't have JHunt lining up on the field didn't watch enough Geelong games last season.

The back line basically picks itself, with the exception of Rivers. If he doesn't show much replace him with Guthrie and fill the bench spot with Corey.

I want to see Caddy have a good NAB and preseason before including him at the expense of one of our other younger players.

If Menzel's knee still isn't right, replace him with Smedts, or possibly Motlop off the bench.

Vardy to play CHF, Hawkins at FF with McIntosh and West providing ruckwork around the ground.

 

[smackdog]

IMO Rivers is certainly in our best 22 and will be a very important player. I believe Mackie played his best footy on the wing this year and with the Rivers inclusion it will free Mackie up for that role. I'd also like to see Kelly move back to a back pocket as he had his career-best season in that spot a few years ago. With Murdoch's pace very handy off the half-back line.

I think Bartel will play mainly up forward due to his marking skills and Varcoe and Motlop will be starters for their pace and forward pressure.

McIntosh to take 1st ruck with Vardy 2nd ruck, edging out West due to his ability up forward. Wouldn't be surprised in Vardy ends up permanent forward and pushes out Pods.

Why is everyone so keen to drop West below Vardy all of a sudden. West did a stellar job shouldering the ruck all year and I would fall off my chair if geelong did a 180 and put him in the two's behind Vards. Vardy still needs half a year pinch-hitting in the ones and playing solid two's footy, to make up for his time missed due to injury.

I don't like the idea of Kelly back, it just adds more bulk and not enough pace down there, he's a clearance specialist along with Duncan and Selwood so chuck him in the guts as per usual. I like Murdoch off the backline he's a born and bred utility/wingman - similar to Clinton Young, Embley, etc

 

[STC]

I'm finding this extremely difficult. I'm assuming everyone will be fit for round 1 except Menzel, who I expect won't be quite ready.
B: Rivers, Lonergan, J Hunt
HB: Mackie, Taylor, Enright
C: Christensen, Kelly, T Hunt
HF: Bartel, Pods, Duncan
F: Chapman, Hawkins, Motlop
R: McIntosh, Selwood, Johnson
I: Vardy, Varcoe, Guthrie, Caddy (sub)
Em: Corey, Smedts, Stringer

All things considered I just can't find a place for Corey - I'd rather see the kids come through. Taylor Hunt will play, there's absolutely no question. Josh Hunt too. Whatever we think of them there's no chance they miss out. Caddy will be fighting hard probably with Corey & Stringer for the last spot in that team. Guthrie is ready to go and needs to be playing - he impressed me more than Murdoch this year in defence and even Smedts. Stokes looks to be this year's Byrnes in a way - although Stokesy is a better footballer - I just think if all our forward options are fit he's the guy who has to make way.

As for West, the best role I can think for him is ruck/back - he played a bit of CHB in the VFL from memory but the acquisition of Rivers suggests that won't work. Vardy is a much more natural forward than West and that's why he gets in as the backup. You need versatility in your backup. West is good to have and he'll play games but I don't think he's in our best 22.

 

[winty]

Here's my attempt at the meat tray.

B: Rivers Lonergan Enright
HB: Murdoch Taylor Mackie
C: Christensen Duncan Varcoe
HF: Motlop Podsiadly Johnson
F: Chapman Hawkins Menzel
Foll: McIntosh Selwood Bartel
Int: West Kelly T.Hunt Caddy

Back-up: McCarthy, J.Hunt, Corey, Schroder, Simpson, Cowan, Stokes, Guthrie, Vardy, Stringer, Kersten, Horlin-Smith

Might be a bit top heavy in the backline, but Enright, Mackie and Murdoch can play tall or small. Tried to add someone with pace to as many lines as possible, hence Murdoch, Varcoe and Motlop all getting a game, while Christensen and Duncan aren't slouches in the pace department. Added Chapman to the forward pocket as I think it'll be his best position going forward.

I've named Pods at CHF as at the minute he's our best option at that position. It is possible that Vardy does improve enough to take his spot, but time will tell on that. The only way we'll improve as a side is when youngsters step up to overtake more seasoned players.

Average age of that side is 25 years, 115 days, which is over a year younger than the team that ran out on elimination final night.

 

[DanA]

Yeah Smedts seemed right at home in the forwardline when moved their this year from the backline.

Re inside midfielders, my team essentially is the same as this year's team with Caddy brought in at the expense of Corey. The only way to have more, would be to include Corey, and perhaps also GHS.

As I said personell is fine I just think we need another inside mid on the ball which means one of Christenson or Bartel out of the forwardline

 

[David the Cat]

Yes Dan...I like Bundy in amongst it...but its a tough job picking just 22.

I liked junkyarddog's (post 253) team, but then I saw no Smedts, no West, no Guthrie, no JHunt or THunt...

Such a difficult choice...great position to be in!

 

[DanA]

We had 38 players play first team football last year and the players coming in (Rivers, Mcintosh, Caddy) would be expecting to play more games than those they replace; Scarlett (16), Stephenson (8), Wojak(4). That makes it very tough to work out what's going to happen.

If we're going to continue to develop our young list it looks to me like we'll have a few choices.

1) Have 26-30 players playing 10 games meaning some completely miss out. We had 22 players play 10+ games this season with significantly more than usually playing less than 10.

2) Have some experienced played miss significant parts of the season. The likes of Corey, Stokes, Hunt playing less than 15 games.

3) Have a hell of a lot of "general soreness" requiring us to heavily rotate the squad. Having almost no-one playing more than 19-20 H&A games.


It's a tough spot we are in.

 

[David the Cat]

Heavy rotation is inevitable...particularly early on given the six day breaks and early season travel. That's the way they will go.....injuries and form will do the rest when it counts at the closing stages of the H&A games.

At least thats the way I see it.

 

[Partridge]

Here's my attempt at the meat tray.

B: Rivers Lonergan Enright
HB: Murdoch Taylor Mackie
C: Christensen Duncan Varcoe
HF: Motlop Podsiadly Johnson
F: Chapman Hawkins Menzel
Foll: McIntosh Selwood Bartel
Int: West Kelly T.Hunt Caddy

Back-up: McCarthy, J.Hunt, Corey, Schroder, Simpson, Cowan, Stokes, Guthrie, Vardy, Stringer, Kersten, Horlin-Smith

Might be a bit top heavy in the backline, but Enright, Mackie and Murdoch can play tall or small. Tried to add someone with pace to as many lines as possible, hence Murdoch, Varcoe and Motlop all getting a game, while Christensen and Duncan aren't slouches in the pace department. Added Chapman to the forward pocket as I think it'll be his best position going forward

Sorry I must have missed something, but Murdoch has given absolutely zero indication that he's capable of minding ANY kind of forward, whether tall or small. He was extremely fortunate to be getting selected towards the end of the season. I'm also bemused as to why people think he will ever become a defender. He's a winger, play him there instead.

You want another young defender? Here's one - CAMERON GUTHRIE. Is about 50 times the defender Murdoch is, has actually played there all his career and is already good at it. He must be in our best 22 next year. I'm all for adding pace, but the inclusions have to make sense; Murdoch ahead of Guthrie doesn't make any.

 

[CF]

FB: Guthrie/J Hunt, Lonergan, Rivers
HF: Enright, Taylor, Mackie
C: Caddy/Murdoch, Kelly, Duncan
HF: Johnson, PODs/Vardy, Bartel
FB: Chapman, Hawkins, Menzel

R: McIntosh, Selwood, T Hunt (as a tagger)

I/C: West, Christensen/Kersten, Varcoe, SUB: Motlop/Corey

 

[froggy32]

Sorry I must have missed something, but Murdoch has given absolutely zero indication that he's capable of minding ANY kind of forward, whether tall or small. He was extremely fortunate to be getting selected towards the end of the season. I'm also bemused as to why people think he will ever become a defender. He's a winger, play him there instead.

You want another young defender? Here's one - CAMERON GUTHRIE. Is about 50 times the defender Murdoch is, has actually played there all his career and is already good at it. He must be in our best 22 next year. I'm all for adding pace, but the inclusions have to make sense; Murdoch ahead of Guthrie doesn't make any.

Really??? Zero indication? The games I watched he stuck to his man like glue and ran to others that other defenders had left free ... Go back and watch him carefully - he's totally accountable. Made a few errors but he's learning quickly considerable where he's come from. Last game, he was both very ill AND injured. Give him a break!!!!!

 

[strauchnyy]

Something I would like to see is Guthrie and Taylor hunt to swap positions.

Hunt is a natural rebounding back pocket and Guthrie is a natural defensive mid.

Hunt's time spent as a tagger will hold him in good sted for nullifying the dangerous quick small fwds while rebounding with pace.

Guthrie is the ideal team orientated tagger/defensive mid. Guthrie makes smart decisions and has superb endurance. Would like to see him in more contests up the ground.

I'm surprised this isn't talked about more on these boards..

Anyone else agree?

 

[footscore]

Guthrie played as midfielder in his junior footy majority of the time but I think he's being mentored in the backline so it helps with his game in later years...as you say, he's got excellent endurance and does seem to make the right decisions.
Good size as well being 186cm/80 odd and takes a very good overhead grab.

 

[domsy30]

Really??? Zero indication? The games I watched he stuck to his man like glue and ran to others that other defenders had left free ... Go back and watch him carefully - he's totally accountable. Made a few errors but he's learning quickly considerable where he's come from. Last game, he was both very ill AND injured. Give him a break!!!!!

Injured or ill your still expected to perform if your picked in the 22. There was no real mention after the game of this?? His a true winger. Against freo he got caught in no mans land so many times leaving his opponent at the wrong time to push up and cover a man in front only to have the ball go over him. Taylor hunt and Guthrie have shown they are way ahead of him as a defender.

 

[David the Cat]

That's the price you pay playing kids.....they will make mistakes. It's how quickly they learn and cut them out of their game that really counts. I am a Guthrie fan and hope he plays plenty of games this year...

Murdoch is a special....beautiful kick ( usually ),.... good hands... and real pace. He will be better for the run in 2013.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Really??? Zero indication? The games I watched he stuck to his man like glue and ran to others that other defenders had left free ... Go back and watch him carefully - he's totally accountable. Made a few errors but he's learning quickly considerable where he's come from. Last game, he was both very ill AND injured. Give him a break!!!!!

His 2nd-last game was even worse than his last.

 

[Partridge]

Really??? Zero indication? The games I watched he stuck to his man like glue and ran to others that other defenders had left free ... Go back and watch him carefully - he's totally accountable. Made a few errors but he's learning quickly considerable where he's come from. Last game, he was both very ill AND injured. Give him a break!!!!!

He had 2 possessions in the final against Fremantle. If he was injured or ill he shouldn't have played.

I'm all for Murdoch getting game time to develop, and I think he'll be a ripper in due course. But right now, there is no way he deserves a spot as a defender ahead of Guthrie. On the wing by all means.

 

[FredLeDeux]

He had 2 possessions in the final against Fremantle. If he was injured or ill he shouldn't have played.

I'm all for Murdoch getting game time to develop, and I think he'll be a ripper in due course. But right now, there is no way he deserves a spot as a defender ahead of Guthrie. On the wing by all means.

He doesn't yet deserve a game on the wing either, in our best 22.
But he's got undeniable talent and will probably get there in time.

 

[Moggy]

I think this is pretty close to our very best 22 for round 1.

FB Rivers Lonergan J.Hunt
HB Enright Taylor T.Hunt
C Duncan Bartel Mackie
HF Johnson Podsiadly Menzel
FF Christensen HawkinsChapman
Foll MacIntosh, Selwood, Kelly

I/C:West, Corey, Varcoe, Smedts(sub)

Of course, there are a host of players waiting in the wings for an opportunity, many of whom would be starters at other clubs:
Vardy, Caddy, GHS, Motlop, Stringer, Guthrie, Brown, Murdoch, Simpson, and so on, and so on

I am sitting on the lid, but it's rocking around like mad!

 

[Partridge]

I think this is pretty close to our very best 22 for round 1.

FB Rivers Lonergan J.Hunt
HB Enright Taylor T.Hunt
C Duncan Bartel Mackie
HF Johnson Podsiadly Menzel
FF Christensen HawkinsChapman
Foll MacIntosh, Selwood, Kelly

I/C:West, Corey, Varcoe, Smedts(sub)

That's a pretty useful side. I'd make only one change - Corey our for Guthrie. Taylor Hunt will play on the ball most likely anyway.

 

[FredLeDeux]

That's a pretty useful side. I'd make only one change - Corey our for Guthrie. Taylor Hunt will play on the ball most likely anyway.

Agree.
Also I think the AFL might go crook if we try to sneak Kelly on to the ground.

 

[Turbocat]

Does anyone have Mitch Brown in their best22?