Team Mgmt. 2018 Best 22

[Bombers_95]

POST TRADE 22.
B: Gleeson Hooker McKenna
HB:Saad Hurley Goddard
C: Parish Heppell McGrath
HF: Fantasia Stewart Stringer
F: McDonald-Tipunwungi Daniher Francis
Foll: Bellchambers Zaharakis Merrett
Bench: Langford, Laverde, Smith, Begley/Colyer

Bloody hard to do. Would love Baugley in but I reckon Saad takes his spot and we should have an extra midfielder in the 22 instead of him on the bench as McGrath can drop in defence at times. Francis up forward is controversial but his marking ability and power will see him be a tough match up and I reckon the two games he played this year up forward he actually showed a bit but wasn't able to sustain it enough, watch for a big pre season. Can't make up my mind with Begley and Colyer, would love Fridge but the thought of Colyer in this team also makes me excited with the amount of speed we would have.

 

[Bomberbuzz1]

Gleeson Hartley Saad
McKenna Hurley Francis
Zaka Merrett McGrath
Smith Daniher Stewart
Fantasia hooker Walla
TBC Heppell Stringer
Goddard Parish [Myers Langford]*

* depending on form and or if we require another defender
If we need mid/fwd or on form - laverde, begley, colyer, mutch, howlett, green, bird, Clarke
If we need a ruck - Luey, Draper
If we need another back - Baguely then Ridley, Redman
If we need another key back - Ambrose then Brown. Also the possibility of just dropping Hooker back.
If a key tall was out I think we'd go in one less and add a mid/back.

Wishful thinking:
I think Francis' inclusion would makes our team so much more dynamic as the third key back or *the 7th defender. Loved hearing Dodoro say he has the personal trainer.
As for Stringer play him as a mid purely. If he can't influence the game or doesn't have the endurance simply don't play him. He has the ability, strength and power to focus a midfield around him. Our forward line shouldn't have to change, it functioned incredible without Stringer and will only get better.

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

My ideal team would look like this mid-season, if not by round 1.

FB: Gleeson, Ambrose, Francis
HB: Saad, Hurley, Goddard
C: Smith, Heppell, Zaharakis
HF: Laverde, Daniher, Stringer
FF: Fantasia, Hooker, Stewart
Foll: Bellchambers, Merrett, Parish
INT: MTW, McKenna, Langford, McGrath

22-25, Myers, Mutch, Begley

Bottom tier, Redman, Colyer, Ridley, Brown, Hartley, Baguley, Green, Bird, Clarke, Luey, Draper etc.

Think there'll be some rotation through the year between the current team and the 22-25 team. Myers may play out of necessity, Mutch and Begley might force somebody out of the team.

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Further, Hooker kicked 40 goals last year as a forward and freed up a lot of space for Daniher and Stewart to work in. Nobody on our list is going to replace his physical presence in attack so he must be kept forward and we need to come to terms that he's our full forward from 2017 onwards, not a full back.

 

[Mootsy]

Further, Hooker kicked 40 goals last year as a forward and freed up a lot of space for Daniher and Stewart to work in. Nobody on our list is going to replace his physical presence in attack so he must be kept forward and we need to come to terms that he's our full forward from 2017 onwards, not a full back.

Then where does Stringer, Stewart and Green play?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

B Gleeson - Hurley - Hooker
HB Saad - Hartley - McKenna
C McGrath - Parish - Zaharakis
HF Stringer - Daniher - Tipungwuti
F Fantasia - Stewart - Begley
R Bellchambers - Heppell - Merrett
I Goddard - Smith - Laverde - Langford

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Further, Hooker kicked 40 goals last year as a forward and freed up a lot of space for Daniher and Stewart to work in. Nobody on our list is going to replace his physical presence in attack so he must be kept forward and we need to come to terms that he's our full forward from 2017 onwards, not a full back.

That’s fine, but I just think some people are underestimating how tall Stringer makes our forward line. Personally think this talk of midfield for him is off the mark - the club will discover quickly that they have a forward.

Our small forwards offer a lot in terms of speed and pressure. I wouldn’t be kicking one out of the forward line for Stringer. So who does he replace?

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Then where does Stringer, Stewart and Green play?

Stringer at half forward, Stewart in the pocket and Green in the forward pocket of the Essendon VFL squad

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

Great trade period !

For me - This is what I would like to see ..

BOLD = 25 and under.

B: Saad Hurley McKenna
HB: Gleeson Hooker Francis
C: McGrath Heppell Parish
Foll: Bchambers ZMerret Zaka
HF: Tippa Daniher Laverde
F: Stewart Stringer Fantasia
B: Langford Goddard Smith Myers

Emg: Begley Colyer Ambrose

Reserves

B: McNiece Ambrose Baguely
HB: Morgan Hartley Ridley
C: Colyer Howlett JMerrett
Foll: Lberger Clark Mutch
HF: Begley Brown Redman
F: Green Lavender Draper
Int: Dea, Long, draft pick #48, draft pick#67

Delist : Bird , McKernman

- Would love to see Francis have a big pre season and plays some games!
- Hooker back for me - I just don't like Hartley (sorry)

 

[bomberman500]

B Baguley Hartley Gleeson
HB McKenna Hurley Saad
C Zaharakis Heppell McGrath
HF Stringer Daniher Stewart
FF McDonald-Tip Hooker Fantasia
R Bellchambers Merret Smith
INT Goddard Parish Myers Laverde
EMERG Langford Colyer Green Francis

- Stringer and Smith rotate
- Parish, McGrath and Fantasia chop in for Heppell and Zerrett
- If we need to go tall down back Ambrose or Francis come in for Gleeson
- If Hooker needs to go back Stewart goes to CHF and Daniher to FF with Laverde to HFF
- Dont know a thing about the likes of Ridley, Mutch and Clarke so haven't considered them



On that last point, can someone with an eye on the VFL tell me how Ridley, Mutch and Clarke went this year??

 

[Red Black and Blue]

On that last point, can someone with an eye on the VFL tell me how Ridley, Mutch and Clarke went this year??

Excellent, probably our three most consistent kids. Mutch and Clarke finished top 5 in the B & F. Ridley didn't place top 10 but missed a fair bit at the start of the year. Clarke still a bit off with his kicking but wouldn't be surprised to see any of them earn a debut sometime next year. Redman the other youngster of note.

 

[Snarls Barkley]

2018 Team - Age at 31/12/17

B: Martin Gleeson (23, 69) Michael Hurley (27, 140) Mark Baguley (30, 104)
HB: Andrew McGrath (19, 21) Cale Hooker (29, 153) Adam Saad (23, 48)

R: Tom Bellchambers (28, 93) Dyson Heppell (25, 129) Zach Merrett (22, 81)
C: David Zaharakis (27, 170) Brendon Goddard (32, 312) Darcy Parish (20, 40)

HF: Jake Stringer (23, 89) James Stewart (23, 34) Devon Smith (24, 109)
F: Orazio Fantasia (22, 47) Joe Daniher (23, 93) A. McDonald-Tipungwuti (24, 44)

I: Aaron Francis (20, 5) Conor McKenna (21, 33) David Myers (28, 100) Travis Colyer (26, 79)

Most of the team picked itself. I think Hooker needs to play back with the addition of Stringer otherwise the forward line looks very tall.

Picked Francis over Ambrose and Hartley as the third tall down back. I think with his marking ability he would be very good at playing that Easton Wood type role as the third tall/interceptor.

Good looking side, a lot of pace and will be a very high scoring team again. Only real issue looking at that team is the lack of big bodied midfielders.

 

[Phat Toni]

2018 Team - Age at 31/12/17

B: Martin Gleeson (23, 69) Michael Hurley (27, 140) Mark Baguley (30, 104)
HB: Andrew McGrath (19, 21) Cale Hooker (29, 153) Adam Saad (23, 48)

R: Tom Bellchambers (28, 93) Dyson Heppell (25, 129) Zach Merrett (22, 81)
C: David Zaharakis (27, 170) Brendon Goddard (32, 312) Darcy Parish (20, 40)

HF: Jake Stringer (23, 89) James Stewart (23, 34) Devon Smith (24, 109)
F: Orazio Fantasia (22, 47) Joe Daniher (23, 93) A. McDonald-Tipungwuti (24, 44)

I: Aaron Francis (20, 5) Conor McKenna (21, 33) David Myers (28, 100) Travis Colyer (26, 79)

Most of the team picked itself. I think Hooker needs to play back with the addition of Stringer otherwise the forward line looks very tall.

Picked Francis over Ambrose and Hartley as the third tall down back. I think with his marking ability he would be very good at playing that Easton Wood type role as the third tall/interceptor.

Good looking side, a lot of pace and will be a very high scoring team again. Only real issue looking at that team is the lack of big bodied midfielders.

Pint sized midfield - maybe a Lav or Lang need a gig otherwise it’s time for Myers to repay the faith!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Dons4days]

best 22 for me:
B: Ambrose - Hooker - M.Baguley
HB: Saad - Hurley - McKenna
C: McGrath - Goddard - Zaharakis
R: Bellchambers - Heppell - Z.Merrett
HF: Smith - Daniher - Walla
F: Fantasia - Stewart - J. Begley
I/C: Coyler - Parish - Langford - Laverde

EMG: Gleeson - Mutch - Myers

also Francis, Hartley, Green, Luenburger and Dea can come in and do a role.

Brown is also back up and possibly Draper might get a game or 2 next year.

i still feel Gleeson and McKenna are liabilities to the team and get shown up against other sides. they both did improve but hopefully they can be rotated out of the side.

hopefully Myers and Coyler have better years as well Coyler makes a lot of errors but play him in the forward line and put Fantasia on ball may solve that a bit.

also probably Goddard's last year so need to find someone to come and and play his role. hopefully Kobe comes in and plays the game.

Both Larverde and Langford need to step up as they were both horrid this year but maybe they both come back fit in the off season and will help them.

You want McKenna out of the side? & Gleeson? They're quickly becoming two of our most important players, McKenna especially as he's arguably one of the teams best kicks.

 

[bomberman500]

Excellent, probably our three most consistent kids. Mutch and Clarke finished top 5 in the B & F. Ridley didn't place top 10 but missed a fair bit at the start of the year. Clarke still a bit off with his kicking but wouldn't be surprised to see any of them earn a debut sometime next year. Redman the other youngster of note.

Cheers,

From what I've read on their individual threads Clarke is an inside bull who can't kick (Tom Mitchell)
Ridley is an elite kick and Mutch can play inside an out...
lets fasttrack those inside bulls!!

 

[Dons4days]

2018 Team - Age at 31/12/17

B: Martin Gleeson (23, 69) Michael Hurley (27, 140) Mark Baguley (30, 104)
HB: Andrew McGrath (19, 21) Cale Hooker (29, 153) Adam Saad (23, 48)

R: Tom Bellchambers (28, 93) Dyson Heppell (25, 129) Zach Merrett (22, 81)
C: David Zaharakis (27, 170) Brendon Goddard (32, 312) Darcy Parish (20, 40)

HF: Jake Stringer (23, 89) James Stewart (23, 34) Devon Smith (24, 109)
F: Orazio Fantasia (22, 47) Joe Daniher (23, 93) A. McDonald-Tipungwuti (24, 44)

I: Aaron Francis (20, 5) Conor McKenna (21, 33) David Myers (28, 100) Travis Colyer (26, 79)

Most of the team picked itself. I think Hooker needs to play back with the addition of Stringer otherwise the forward line looks very tall.

Picked Francis over Ambrose and Hartley as the third tall down back. I think with his marking ability he would be very good at playing that Easton Wood type role as the third tall/interceptor.

Good looking side, a lot of pace and will be a very high scoring team again. Only real issue looking at that team is the lack of big bodied midfielders.

Good team for the most part however I'd have Langford & Laverde in for Colyer & Myers. Adds a bit of size & now that we've got Smith & Saad we don't really need Colyers pace anymore - I tend to think the end may be near for him.

On a side note, it's hard to believe that Zerrett will be playing his 100th game next year! That's flown by.

 

[EckersDevs]

2018 Team - Age at 31/12/17

Like the inclusion of age as a factor looking to the future.
- Hoping the Stringer puts in the work in the offseason and sets himself for a midfield role.
- Backing in Hartley to be one of our key defenders long-term (even after disappointing 2017) so want to keep Hooker as a forward.
- Praying that Kyle steps up as an inside midfielder and think Laverde is actually the most in-doubt for a spot given his positioning as a forward (potential to train with the mids pre-season).
- Myers, Baguley, Ambrose, Colyer and Begley all knocking on the door.
-For the draft we probably need to look at a development key fwd/back and more inside-midfield depth but we are generally pretty sweet for the next couple of years.


Backs: Gleeson(23) Hartley(24) Francis(20)

HBak: SAAD(23) Hurley(27) McKenna(21)

Centr: Parish(20) Heppell(25) Goddard(32)

HFwd: Orazio(22) Daniher(23) SMITH(24)

Forwa: Stewy(23) Hooker(29) Walla(24)

Rucks: T.Bell(28) Zerrett(22) Zaharakis(27)

Inter: STRINGER(23) McGrath(19) Langers(20) Laverde(21)

(E. Begley, Myers, Baguley, Colyer, Ambrose, Mutch, McNiece, Ridley, Green, Luenberg, M.Brown, Redman)

 

[Fridge16]

Imagine Stringer and Francis in the same team at full flight.

Our highlights packages of wins will be out of this world next year. I thought they were good this year with Daniher, Fantasia, Walla and McKenna. Add Stringer, Saad and a fitter Francis and it showtime!

 

[Bombers36]

I think we need Stringer on the ball a bit - yes he's a goal kicker but our forward line is good anyway and its classy mids we need.
Maybe he can start on ball and rotate with the likes of BJ, Zakka or even Laverde to spend some time in there.
We should really be pushing for top 4 with this team in 2018;-

Francis Hurley McGrath
Gleeson Hooker Saad
Zakka Heppell Parish
Smith Stewart Tippa
Begley Daniher Fantasia

Bellcho Stringer Z.Merrett

Bench from: Goddard Laverde McKenna Baguley

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

Baguley is in our best 22.

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

That’s fine, but I just think some people are underestimating how tall Stringer makes our forward line. Personally think this talk of midfield for him is off the mark - the club will discover quickly that they have a forward.

Our small forwards offer a lot in terms of speed and pressure. I wouldn’t be kicking one out of the forward line for Stringer. So who does he replace?

I think that's our difference; you see him as a forward and I see him as a high half forward. If the former is the case, surely Stewart would be displaced before Hooker as his game play is more similar.

However, if the latter is the case, guys like Laverde and Begley will find it no easier to secure their spot in the team and Green will only play if MTW or Fantasia are unavailable.

 

[hurlygurdy]

That’s fine, but I just think some people are underestimating how tall Stringer makes our forward line. Personally think this talk of midfield for him is off the mark - the club will discover quickly that they have a forward.

Our small forwards offer a lot in terms of speed and pressure. I wouldn’t be kicking one out of the forward line for Stringer. So who does he replace?

Check the club site for Stringers numbers playing more midfield at the start of the year. Those contested possession stats are encouraging!
I don't think he can be allowed to sit on his hands as a deep forward. The Bulldogs supporters biggest criticism of him is work ethic, and that just plays into the problem if he is not up the ground. When you look at his highlights, it's his power and speed that stand out along with exquisite ball control. This guy just has to be given every chance to turn into a midfielder. Can you imagine the final product? (or package?). He is a huge unit who explodes away from the contest and kicks the ball a mile. I'm thinking Voss+?

On the Hooker issue, i don't want Stringer played deep and i don't think Stewart is a full forward. Essentially nothing has changed so Hooker stays where he is. If it were possible to set up the forward line differently, i do love the idea of Hooker going back particularly because our midfield is our weakest link. If we can rebound out of defense strongly, then we can play a defensive style midfield that gets overlapped. Obviously this is what we will be aiming for regardless of where Hooker plays, but we will leak more goals without him there.
What about this forward setup?

Stewart Fantasia resting mid
Walla JD Stringer

Fantasia plays a beautiful game when he is given some space deep forward... It would essentially rule out bombs to the goal square, but i can live with that. JD and Stringer can roam, Stewart loiters with intent as he usually does, Walla locks the ball in. It's tempting.

 

[Godzke]

Should be one of the favourites to win the VFL next season.
Not many VIC clubs would have our depth.

 

[eth-dog]

Should be one of the favourites to win the VFL next season.
Not many VIC clubs would have our depth.

I doubt we'll have a VFL list as good as the one we had this year.

 

[akiva]

Check the club site for Stringers numbers playing more midfield at the start of the year. Those contested possession stats are encouraging!
I don't think he can be allowed to sit on his hands as a deep forward. The Bulldogs supporters biggest criticism of him is work ethic, and that just plays into the problem if he is not up the ground. When you look at his highlights, it's his power and speed that stand out along with exquisite ball control. This guy just has to be given every chance to turn into a midfielder. Can you imagine the final product? (or package?). He is a huge unit who explodes away from the contest and kicks the ball a mile. I'm thinking Voss+?

My concern with Stringer playing as a mid is his two way running. He has a very attacking mindset.

Our team as whole needs to be much more discipline with defense & pressure when ball is not in hand. Especially the midfield.

We need to be able to lock the ball at our HF. This year games were played out to much at our HB.