Prediction 2017 Round 1 Starting 22

[Quigley]

A bit of tea leaf reading at this stage:

B: Andrews, Frost, Harwood
HB: Cutler, Hipwood, Mayes
C: Zorko, D. Beams, Rich
HF: McCluggage, Schache, Robinson
F: Christensen, Walker, McStay
FO: Martin, Rockliff, Mathieson
IN: Bastinac, Paparone, Bell, Dawson

 

[Cockliff38]

A bit of tea leaf reading at this stage:

B: Andrews, Frost, Harwood
HB: Cutler, Hipwood, Mayes
C: Zorko, D. Beams, Rich
HF: McCluggage, Schache, Robinson
F: Christensen, Walker, McStay
FO: Martin, Rockliff, Mathieson
IN: Bastinac, Paparone, Bell, Dawson

Is Hipwood in defence a personal preference or based on info you've heard?

 

[acuguy]

Hipwood is too good on the lead to be moved down back. He has the natural ability to get separation on his opponent, this is not something taught, he reads the play beautifully. I am an advocate for using Josh Walker at CHB. I like have Liam Dawson in the team, I think he will become an elite ball user coming out of the backline in the future.

 

[Nunez]

A bit of tea leaf reading at this stage:

B: Andrews, Frost, Harwood
HB: Cutler, Hipwood, Mayes
C: Zorko, D. Beams, Rich
HF: McCluggage, Schache, Robinson
F: Christensen, Walker, McStay
FO: Martin, Rockliff, Mathieson
IN: Bastinac, Paparone, Bell, Dawson

I actually think this looks very structurely sound.

 

[winged1]

They might be following Lewy in circles.

I heard lewy was dropping footy and going to nascar

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

I hear he prefers bikes

 

[ImAFreeMan]

I'd love a Jansen/Bewick/Robertson/Lester type to have a breakout year under a new coach and game plan, this is seriously there year to step up and be a part of the 22!


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[winged1]

I'd love a Jansen/Bewick/Robertson/Lester type to have a breakout year under a new coach and game plan, this is seriously there year to step up and be a part of the 22!


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of that group it will be Jansen or Robertson, hopefully both of them

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

I'd go as far as to say that Bewick and Lester might be on their last chance. They have been around long enough without cementing their position and this year, barring injury, there will be no excuses.

 

[ImAFreeMan]

I'd go as far as to say that Bewick and Lester might be on their last chance. They have been around long enough without cementing their position and this year, barring injury, there will be no excuses.

I could not agree more, see Bewick as a possibility to secure a wing spot although it'll take a lot of work!


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[a mayes ing]

I could not agree more, see Bewick as a possibility to secure a wing spot although it'll take a lot of work!


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Honestly can't see Lester cementing a spot, havent rated him for ages imo and l see the young blokes very quickly surpassing him. He just doesn't have enough weapons, in the midfield he is very slow, can't kick well and can't really play any other position to an afl standard. I was a little surprised when he got put forward for stints and grabbed a few goals but that stopped after a few games.

 

[ImAFreeMan]

Honestly can't see Lester cementing a spot, havent rated him for ages imo and l see the young blokes very quickly surpassing him. He just doesn't have enough weapons, in the midfield he is very slow, can't kick well and can't really play any other position to an afl standard. I was a little surprised when he got put forward for stints and grabbed a few goals but that stopped after a few games.

You know I said Bewick yeah?
As well as he would be a solid medium forward although lacks speed, unless magic sparks I see him as a delistee next year


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[a mayes ing]

You know I said Bewick yeah?
As well as he would be a solid medium forward although lacks speed, unless magic sparks I see him as a delistee next year


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Oh yeah, sorry l meant to quote WLF. I agree but he might be alright in the reserves to help our guys in there and show them what it takes to get to the senior level. He would be better than a skinny 18 yo.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Honestly can't see Lester cementing a spot, havent rated him for ages imo and l see the young blokes very quickly surpassing him. He just doesn't have enough weapons, in the midfield he is very slow, can't kick well and can't really play any other position to an afl standard. I was a little surprised when he got put forward for stints and grabbed a few goals but that stopped after a few games.

I agree that he probably won't cement a spot in our best 22 but one of his problems is he still doesn't have a defined role or position. At u18 level he was more forward than anything but still a bit of a utility. I probably prefer him as a third tall, not a midfielder. Has good hands but as you say he is slow and doesn't win many contested balls. On the other hand, he averages 15 possessions across his 60+ games which is something.

 

[Len S]

A bit of tea leaf reading at this stage:

B: Andrews, Frost, Harwood
HB: Cutler, Hipwood, Mayes
C: Zorko, D. Beams, Rich
HF: McCluggage, Schache, Robinson
F: Christensen, Walker, McStay
FO: Martin, Rockliff, Mathieson
IN: Bastinac, Paparone, Bell, Dawson

A big tick for omitting Bewick and Lester...Bastinac would join them for mine.I think Walker , as someone suggested, is interesting for a back half role. Hipwood could be a good try back,worth a go.I think Cox,Berry and even the rookies will be pressing also.

 

[lionshine]

Bit of an update based on some new info such as McStay and Bundy likely to play as forwards and a few other comments from Fagan.

B Cox Frost Gardiner
HB Cutler Andrews Mayes
C Bastinac Rockliff Rich
HF Zorko Schache McCluggage
F McStay Walker Christensen
R Martin DBeams Robinson
I Bell Mathieson Robertson Barrett

Depth Chart-

Ruck: Smith, McIneryney, Eagles.

Key Defender: Hammelmann, Skinner, Close?

Small/Medium Defender: Paparone, Harwood, Dawson, CBeams, William, Berry, Witherden, Hinge.

Key Forward: Hipwood, Close, Freeman.

Small/Medium Forward: Taylor, Bewick, Lester, Dawson, CBeams, Clayton.

Midfielders: Bewick, Taylor, Lester, Keays, Jansen, CBeams, Grewar, Lyons, Clayton.

First of all my best 22 isn't necessarily what I think we will see in Round 1. I have sort of just matched together guys who I think will compliment each other well, plus tried to add a bit of youth and some players who I think Fagan will like. You'd probably think it is unlikely Cox gets a go early on over guys like Paparone, Harwood and Dawson. Robertson, McCluggage and Barrett may be unlikely to get games early on over guys like Bewick, Taylor and Lester as well.

Backline: Now focusing on the players I did select. With McStay pencilled in for a role up forward(Could yet change of course) the mix of Frost and Andrews as our talls and Gardiner in that 3rd tall role looks like an effective set up in the backline. Cutler, Mayes and Cox add run and class to our defensive 50. Can any of those three play an effective shut down role? Don't underestimate Cox's ability to do so plus depending on the opposition and their forwards Gardiner can play effectively on dangerous small forwards.

Midfield: Looks pretty decent on paper. Martin, DBeams, Rockliff and Robinson will do the majority of the heavy lifting with Bastinac and Rich providing some class on the outside. Guys like Zorko, Bell and McCluggage can spend time on the forward flank and rotate through there whilst DBeams and Rockliff can spend time on the forward flank themselves. Mathieson, Robertson and Barrett add some grunt to our engine room off the bench.

Forward line: Walker and Schache to play as our key talls with McStay the dangerous 3rd option. I'd like to see Hipwood play a fair amount of games next year but I think Walker and Schache will earn the Round 1 spots. All of DBeams, Zorko, Rockliff, Bell and McCluggage can spend time in the forward 50 as goal kicking options whilst also spending significant minutes in the midfield. I'd like to see Bundy play as a permanent small forward as he can take marks on the lead and is an accurate set shot for goal and he can also be a threatening crumber.

Overall I quite like the look of my side. You could easily make a case for some of the players in my depth chart being in the side over others. Guys like Harwood, Paparone and Dawson could all stake a claim for Cedric Cox's spot, Close, Hipwood and Freeman could line up instead of Walker or McStay whilst Taylor, Keays, Lester, Bewick, Jansen, could all get a spot over the likes of Matho, Robertson and Barrett. Would we really gain that much, however, by playing Harwood over Cox, Bewick over Robertson and Taylor over McCluggage? I feel like Bewick and Harwood have had opportunities to cement a spot and Taylor has been quite poor as of late but still has time on his side. I feel like finals are an unrealistic goal in 2017 and Fagan should not be afraid to tinker with the line up a little bit and offer some opportunities to some of the talented younger guys whilst surrounding them with a good number of experienced types to ensure they aren't thrown to the wolves.

Explanations for some of the more questionable decisions:

Cedric Cox: Super talented and I just feel like he has the perfect skill set to aid us in implementing a Chris Fagan game plan which will no doubt include skills and quick ball movement as key components which Cox can provide. On top of this our side has lacked a player like Cedric for years(Fast, silky skills on both feet and a bit of x factor). May be raw and need development in the reserves but after a pre season under the coaches guidance and some pre season games he may earn a spot. I'd like to see us get as many games into this guy as possible.

Hugh McCluggage: Needs to put on some size which may see guys like Bewick and Taylor get games over him early but he is arguably the most talented player on our list now. A top 3 draft pick and no doubt a player the coaches have very high hopes for and someone they'll want to get games into quickly. With his footy smarts and skill range I think he can adapt to senior football quickly and these assets will help him overcome his lack of size.

Nick Robertson: He is my tip for a break out year. Super fit and aggressive, he plays hard, attacking football and our side can use a guy like him. He lacks composure but I felt in 2015 this aspect of his game started to improve at a massive rate after a prolonged period of senior games. Get him in the side early, let his confidence grow and give him a bit of time to back himself in and settle and he could blossom.

Jake Barrett: An extractor of the football at the coal face which is exactly what our side lacks. No shame struggling to get a game in the GWS midfield. He is a proven performer at NEAFL level so I expect him to get chances early on in the season and I believe he can make a positive impact.

 

[lionshine]

Oh and I'd like us to get games into guys like Hipwood, Keays, William, Berry and Witherden, subject to them earning it. I'd take a 6-7 goal loss with those guys in the team over a 3-4 goal loss with guys like Bewick, Lester and Claye Beams in the team. In saying that I wouldn't gift games to the youth for the sake of it. Getting games into the quality youngsters on our list is no doubt important, however, if they aren't earning it whilst a guy like Bewick is training the house down and tearing the NEAFL apart I have zero doubt Chris Fagan will be putting Bewick in the senior side and rightfully so.

 

[Dan12]

My 22...

Gardiner Frost Mayes
Bewick Andrews Paperone
Cutler Robinson Rich
Martin Rocky Beams
Zorko Scache Christensen
Bell Walker Bastinac
McCluggage Barrett Taylor Harwood

Italicised are ones I had to think about and weigh up pros and cons. I could see Mathieson, Robertson, Berry or Jansen challenging for inside midfield spots, Keays and Grewar for the forward/midfield spots and Witherden, Cox, CBeams and Dawson in defence.

I think pretty much everyone is selecting a side that is in some way too tall. Having 3 or 4 of Scache, McStay, Walker, Hipwood, Freeman and Close in the forward line- all taller players who won't offer much at ground level- is asking for trouble. We don't have any particularly good pressuring forward players, so we are really exposed when the ball is on the deck. Fagan would know how important it is to have a good pressuring forward line and has come from Hawthorn who have a fairly small,extremely nimble forward line. I think having three key forwards (hopefully they are Scache, McStay and Hipwood) would be a good aim in the future, once we have some quality defensive forwards. For that reason I'd select Bell (good pressure player, strong in a contest, can kick goals) over McStay (much more skilful but often lazy and not as athletic). I'd also select Walker over any of Freeman, Hipwood and McStay because he can pinch hit in the ruck. Close challenges Walker for that spot. I actually like that the forward line above isn't filled with teenagers.

Some people are selecting a Frost/Andrews/Hipwood combo in defence, which would be the tallest defence in the AFL. I have no idea why Hipwood would play as a defender anyway when there's so much potential there as a forward. If McStay is being stationed forward, Frost and Andrews have to be pencilled in. Gardiner as a stopper and Paperone as an intercepter who can run really well would be my preferred choice for the other taller spots. I really don't like Harwood and Bewick as our half backs, but in time maybe Witherden and Cox could take those spots.

 

[briztoon]

Bit of an update based on some new info such as McStay and Bundy likely to play as forwards and a few other comments from Fagan.

B Cox Frost Gardiner
HB Cutler Andrews Mayes
C Bastinac Rockliff Rich
HF Zorko Schache McCluggage
F McStay Walker Christensen
R Martin DBeams Robinson
I Bell Mathieson Robertson Barrett

Depth Chart-

Ruck: Smith, McIneryney, Eagles.

Key Defender: Hammelmann, Skinner, Close?

Small/Medium Defender: Paparone, Harwood, Dawson, CBeams, William, Berry, Witherden, Hinge.

Key Forward: Hipwood, Close, Freeman.

Small/Medium Forward: Taylor, Bewick, Lester, Dawson, CBeams, Clayton.

Midfielders: Bewick, Taylor, Lester, Keays, Jansen, CBeams, Grewar, Lyons, Clayton.

First of all my best 22 isn't necessarily what I think we will see in Round 1. I have sort of just matched together guys who I think will compliment each other well, plus tried to add a bit of youth and some players who I think Fagan will like. You'd probably think it is unlikely Cox gets a go early on over guys like Paparone, Harwood and Dawson. Robertson, McCluggage and Barrett may be unlikely to get games early on over guys like Bewick, Taylor and Lester as well.

Backline: Now focusing on the players I did select. With McStay pencilled in for a role up forward(Could yet change of course) the mix of Frost and Andrews as our talls and Gardiner in that 3rd tall role looks like an effective set up in the backline. Cutler, Mayes and Cox add run and class to our defensive 50. Can any of those three play an effective shut down role? Don't underestimate Cox's ability to do so plus depending on the opposition and their forwards Gardiner can play effectively on dangerous small forwards.

Midfield: Looks pretty decent on paper. Martin, DBeams, Rockliff and Robinson will do the majority of the heavy lifting with Bastinac and Rich providing some class on the outside. Guys like Zorko, Bell and McCluggage can spend time on the forward flank and rotate through there whilst DBeams and Rockliff can spend time on the forward flank themselves. Mathieson, Robertson and Barrett add some grunt to our engine room off the bench.

Forward line: Walker and Schache to play as our key talls with McStay the dangerous 3rd option. I'd like to see Hipwood play a fair amount of games next year but I think Walker and Schache will earn the Round 1 spots. All of DBeams, Zorko, Rockliff, Bell and McCluggage can spend time in the forward 50 as goal kicking options whilst also spending significant minutes in the midfield. I'd like to see Bundy play as a permanent small forward as he can take marks on the lead and is an accurate set shot for goal and he can also be a threatening crumber.

Overall I quite like the look of my side. You could easily make a case for some of the players in my depth chart being in the side over others. Guys like Harwood, Paparone and Dawson could all stake a claim for Cedric Cox's spot, Close, Hipwood and Freeman could line up instead of Walker or McStay whilst Taylor, Keays, Lester, Bewick, Jansen, could all get a spot over the likes of Matho, Robertson and Barrett. Would we really gain that much, however, by playing Harwood over Cox, Bewick over Robertson and Taylor over McCluggage? I feel like Bewick and Harwood have had opportunities to cement a spot and Taylor has been quite poor as of late but still has time on his side. I feel like finals are an unrealistic goal in 2017 and Fagan should not be afraid to tinker with the line up a little bit and offer some opportunities to some of the talented younger guys whilst surrounding them with a good number of experienced types to ensure they aren't thrown to the wolves.

Explanations for some of the more questionable decisions:

Cedric Cox: Super talented and I just feel like he has the perfect skill set to aid us in implementing a Chris Fagan game plan which will no doubt include skills and quick ball movement as key components which Cox can provide. On top of this our side has lacked a player like Cedric for years(Fast, silky skills on both feet and a bit of x factor). May be raw and need development in the reserves but after a pre season under the coaches guidance and some pre season games he may earn a spot. I'd like to see us get as many games into this guy as possible.

Hugh McCluggage: Needs to put on some size which may see guys like Bewick and Taylor get games over him early but he is arguably the most talented player on our list now. A top 3 draft pick and no doubt a player the coaches have very high hopes for and someone they'll want to get games into quickly. With his footy smarts and skill range I think he can adapt to senior football quickly and these assets will help him overcome his lack of size.

Nick Robertson: He is my tip for a break out year. Super fit and aggressive, he plays hard, attacking football and our side can use a guy like him. He lacks composure but I felt in 2015 this aspect of his game started to improve at a massive rate after a prolonged period of senior games. Get him in the side early, let his confidence grow and give him a bit of time to back himself in and settle and he could blossom.

Jake Barrett: An extractor of the football at the coal face which is exactly what our side lacks. No shame struggling to get a game in the GWS midfield. He is a proven performer at NEAFL level so I expect him to get chances early on in the season and I believe he can make a positive impact.

Isn't Barret on the rookie list?
Who is going on the long term injury list to open up a spot for Barret?

 

[scoman]

Isn't Barret on the rookie list?
Who is going on the long term injury list to open up a spot for Barret?

Skinner?

 

[Mayestro]

Isn't Barret on the rookie list?
Who is going on the long term injury list to open up a spot for Barret?

Skinner will miss a fair bit of next year with his ACL, so could be an option.

 

[acuguy]

Freeman is the very interesting one for us, could end up being our number 1 forward by the end of the season or trade bait/delisted. Best looks like he could dominate and his worst looks like he should be running around for the Wynnum Vikings.

 

[jjami15]

Freeman is the very interesting one for us, could end up being our number 1 forward by the end of the season or trade bait/delisted. Best looks like he could dominate and his worst looks like he should be running around for the Wynnum Vikings.

I think the latter frankly, he just seems to show some glimpses and even though they're good that's all they are.

 

[winged1]

I think the latter frankly, he just seems to show some glimpses and even though they're good that's all they are.

Freeman has something but needs to find some belief and some mongrel

 

[Shaq attack]

A bit of tea leaf reading at this stage:

B: Andrews, Frost, Harwood
HB: Cutler, Hipwood, Mayes
C: Zorko, D. Beams, Rich
HF: McCluggage, Schache, Robinson
F: Christensen, Walker, McStay
FO: Martin, Rockliff, Mathieson
IN: Bastinac, Paparone, Bell, Dawson

Pretty good effort! I would move Hipwood to the bench and replace either of Paparone or Dawson with Dizzy replacing Hipwood in the backline.