2021 - Best 22

[sthmelb_dimmies]

Rampe mccartin Cunningham
Fox melican Loyd
Stephens Hewett Mills
Heeney Reid Dawson
Papley Franklin Hayward

Hickey Parker jpk

Florent Rowbottom McInerney Blakely

Feels good that's there's a big later of young players like Gould Ling McDonald and Campbell who I want to fit in and can't and some experienced heads like Sinclair Gray and Clarke you'd also expect to play.

We say it every year but we have some real depth. Come mid season we bemoan our lack of it but we look like we can carry a dozen injuries at any given moment.

I reckon this looks pretty good. I'd probably have Blakey start on the wing and Stephens on the pine, but I like the overall 22.

The reality of the forwards situation is we're likely to only see max 2 of Franklin, Reid and McDonald on the park at any given time. So for the games we wheel Buddy out, one of those other guys is in the seconds. We're likely to not see Bud on the field for all that many more games however.

 

[Bonz]

I reckon this looks pretty good. I'd probably have Blakey start on the wing and Stephens on the pine, but I like the overall 22.

The reality of the forwards situation is we're likely to only see max 2 of Franklin, Reid and McDonald on the park at any given time. So for the games we wheel Buddy out, one of those other guys is in the seconds. We're likely to not see Bud on the field for all that many more games however.

Sadly I think if Reid misses Sinclair will come in as we won't want McDonald rucking.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Sadly I think if Reid misses Sinclair will come in as we won't want McDonald rucking.

Can't we just not play Reid! I'd back Sinclair over him!

 

[Bonz]

Can't we just not play Reid! I'd back Sinclair over him!

Feel Reid is still more mobile I'd the ball hits the deck in our forward line (he can put in pressure efforts).

Will be interesting to see which way we go next year

 

[melbournehammer]

Can't we just not play Reid! I'd back Sinclair over him!

honestly. the off season really is the time for the same post written 250 times as though it brings something new.

we get it you dont like reid. can you stop posting it 50 times a week ? the monotony is killing me and it must be killing you posting the same things

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Feel Reid is still more mobile I'd the ball hits the deck in our forward line (he can put in pressure efforts).

Will be interesting to see which way we go next year

I'm just over Reid, every year it's the fools gold with him. I'd personally just play Logan and Bud and be done with it, Hickey can solo ruck. If he needs a rest, Sinkers comes in to solo ruck that game.

 

[Bonz]

I'm just over Reid, every year it's the fools gold with him. I'd personally just play Logan and Bud and be done with it, Hickey can solo ruck. If he needs a rest, Sinkers comes in to solo ruck that game.

Hickey will eventually need a break.

Who would you then have contesting the spare centre bounces?

Don't get me wrong I am not the biggest fan of Reid, but he still offers a fair bit to our structure and has this versatility.

 

[Jack Lord]

When are they announcing the fixtures?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Hickey will eventually need a break.

Who would you then have contesting the spare centre bounces?

Don't get me wrong I am not the biggest fan of Reid, but he still offers a fair bit to our structure and has this versatility.

Fox can do it, among others, McCartin could too. I don't see the point in playing inferior players just so they can chop out in the ruck. This versatility thing is weird though, so we play a 3 or 4 out of 10 players (and that's on a good day) because he's just as average in a number of positions. Do not get it one single bit. I expect the coaching staff to pick Reid, doesn't mean that I get it one single bit...can't wait for his almost possessions.

 

[RUNVS]

When are they announcing the fixtures?

I think in 2021. The AFL still doesn't know what is happening with Covid.

 

[Bonz]

Fox can do it, among others, McCartin could too. I don't see the point in playing inferior players just so they can chop out in the ruck. This versatility thing is weird though, so we play a 3 or 4 out of 10 players (and that's on a good day) because he's just as average in a number of positions. Do not get it one single bit. I expect the coaching staff to pick Reid, doesn't mean that I get it one single bit...can't wait for his almost possessions.

He provides a contest around the ground, gives pressure at ground level and can help out in the ruck. That's enough in the coaches books to start him.

Don't get me wrong, I would love a better second tall that can help in the ruck. Unfortunately they don't grow on trees so in the meantime he has an important role in our side to play.

It's debatable whether Fox is in our starting 22 round 1 next year, especially as his currently on our rookie list. Plus with Melican, Rampe and McCartin in defence we don't need a 4th Key Defender.

I would also rather let McCartin focus on his role in defence rather than going into the ruck (also have no memory of him at a centre bounce).

As for Sinclair, a forward line consisting of him, Franklin and McDonald would leak rebound 50's if we miss the mark. Sinclair is very immobile and Franklin isn't able to do the repeat efforts he was once able to do.

We could potentially run McLean instead of Reid, but he needs to work on his agility first.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

He provides a contest around the ground, gives pressure at ground level and can help out in the ruck. That's enough in the coaches books to start him.

Don't get me wrong, I would love a better second tall that can help in the ruck. Unfortunately they don't grow on trees so in the meantime he has an important role in our side to play.

It's debatable whether Fox is in our starting 22 round 1 next year, especially as his currently on our rookie list. Plus with Melican, Rampe and McCartin in defence we don't need a 4th Key Defender.

I would also rather let McCartin focus on his role in defence rather than going into the ruck (also have no memory of him at a centre bounce).

As for Sinclair, a forward line consisting of him, Franklin and McDonald would leak rebound 50's if we miss the mark. Sinclair is very immobile and Franklin isn't able to do the repeat efforts he was once able to do.

We could potentially run McLean instead of Reid, but he needs to work on his agility first.

I'd take McLean to be honest, worth a try, least he MIGHT be a good player. We know what Reid is, and average is putting it nicely. As I said I expect Longmire to pick Reid but he's very risk averse in general. I'd like McDonald and Bud to play, don't mind who else plays really. The amount Logan would learn from Bud playing in the same side is immense, lets make the most of it while he's fit.

 

[Bonz]

I'd take McLean to be honest, worth a try, least he MIGHT be a good player. We know what Reid is, and average is putting it nicely. As I said I expect Longmire to pick Reid but he's very risk averse in general. I'd like McDonald and Bud to play, don't mind who else plays really. The amount Logan would learn from Bud playing in the same side is immense, lets make the most of it while he's fit.

I think if McLean can get his mobility/ agility up then the role is his to lose. Until then though it sits with Reid.

Logan will likely play most of our games next year to get experience.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I think if McLean can get his mobility/ agility up then the role is his to lose. Until then though it sits with Reid.

Logan will likely play most of our games next year to get experience.

I expect that's the way the coaching staff go, not saying I'm going to agree on it though. It's a bit like the Mills in the backline permanently thing, I'd have liked to see him get a bunch of games as a mid.

Yep play Logan with Bud. He's played WAFL seniors, can play relatively early.

 

[Punts]

Still think our young guys are overrated on here

A lot went backwards last year

Potential yes but still needs to be seen

If we had depth last year Hayward , florent and Blakey would of not got games imo , they were shocking

Ports kids are better imo but playing in a better side

We need a huge improvement from a lot

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Still think our young guys are overrated on here

A lot went backwards last year

Potential yes but still needs to be seen

If we had depth last year Hayward , florent and Blakey would of not got games imo , they were shocking

Ports kids are better imo but playing in a better side

We need a huge improvement from a lot

100% agreed, probably 20-30% of our side was lucky to get games last season and I'm probably being generous there.

 

[Bloods86]

Still think our young guys are overrated on here

A lot went backwards last year

Potential yes but still needs to be seen

If we had depth last year Hayward , florent and Blakey would of not got games imo , they were shocking

Ports kids are better imo but playing in a better side

We need a huge improvement from a lot

Not comparing us to Port's stage in the flag window lifecycle, but they had a dream run with injuries, we certainly did not. There's a difference in kids performing well in a team that's settled and where they aren't expected to be the key players week in, week out (even though the lack of pressure allows them to crop up and do this).

Blakey seemed to find his preferred position later on. Hayward keeps getting flak, some deserved, some not (horrible injuries in 2019, position gymnastics in 2020), Florent probably a difficult year not seeing family (hopefully a good break and he returns to improve again). Rowbottom, McCartin, McInerney, Stephens certainly promising.

If anything I was more disappointed we gave games to Gray, L Taylor etc.

 

[BloodySwan]

Still think our young guys are overrated on here

A lot went backwards last year

Potential yes but still needs to be seen

If we had depth last year Hayward , florent and Blakey would of not got games imo , they were shocking

Ports kids are better imo but playing in a better side

We need a huge improvement from a lot

I mean is that really an argument? If the kids were better we would have been higher up in the ladder. Most of the lists posted here are built of mainly senior players with shade thrown at Reid. But otherwise it's our most senior players being selected

Florent is best 22, he might not be in most teams but in ours - the 3rd worst for 2020 - he is

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Best u/22 lists in recent years:

2018-2020: Gold Coast
2015-2017: Carlton
2012-2014: GWS

Proof that talented young lists don't automatically translate to success.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Best u/22 lists in recent years:

2018-2020: Gold Coast
2015-2017: Carlton
2012-2014: GWS

Proof that talented young lists don't automatically translate to success.

Not without mature aged talent around them.

 

[sataris]

Tried to come up with a best 22, but now actually having choices for positions make this difficult

Reid/McCartin/McDonald/Sinclair to partner with Buddy up front?

Melican/Brand/Gould down back?

Cunningham/Lloyd/Mills/Fox/Dawson are all vying for the same kind of role in defence

Florent/Cunningham/Lloyd/Dawson can all play on the wing?

Stephens/Rowbottom/Parker/Kennedy/Hewitt in the middle?

Hickey/Sinclair/Reid for ruck duties

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone goes over pre-season.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Still think our young guys are overrated on here

A lot went backwards last year

Potential yes but still needs to be seen

If we had depth last year Hayward , florent and Blakey would of not got games imo , they were shocking

Ports kids are better imo but playing in a better side

We need a huge improvement from a lot

Port veterans had very good seasons and carried a majority of the load they really should of beaten Richmond.

Yer its hard to pinpoint how our trajectory will go we had a awful first half of the season never getting above the bottom 3 but finished off the season more promising i still think its a long build.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Tried to come up with a best 22, but now actually having choices for positions make this difficult

Reid/McCartin/McDonald/Sinclair to partner with Buddy up front?

Melican/Brand/Gould down back?

Cunningham/Lloyd/Mills/Fox/Dawson are all vying for the same kind of role in defence

Florent/Cunningham/Lloyd/Dawson can all play on the wing?

Stephens/Rowbottom/Parker/Kennedy/Hewitt in the middle?

Hickey/Sinclair/Reid for ruck duties

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone goes over pre-season.

We will have injuries especially to the forward line really curious to see how Blakey will be used with McDonald coming into the side.

We need another dynamic in the middle other than just Kennedy/Parker maybe Blakey if he can put on a bit of mass?

 

[RUNVS]

This could change with a couple of our young players but right now what we are lacking with our under 24 brigade is a real star, someone who will likely become a top 10 or top 20 player in the competition. We have a lot of pretty good young players but we lack that star factor so far.

 

[caesar88]

I'm not sure what else we can do but try and put together the best list possible to give ourselves the best chance at having future success as we wait for them to develop.

We have a number of kids with the potential to be elite. They could all live up to that potential, or none could.