Preview 2024 Best 22 Discussion

[poshman]

Chapman on a wing with 18 games minimum this year will do a lot for the future of the team. Marking and contested beast.

If we can transition Alex 'Tristan Thompson' Pearce out of the team in 2025 will be in a stronger position.

Hopefully he isn't captain and one of AB or CS is as of 2024.

Young permanent midfield. Then all eyes are on Jackson growth and Amiss, Johnson and Ras should further push our improvement from there.

Chappy on a wing for 18 games is enough to make me excited about next season.

 

[theGav56]

It'd be an amazing transformation for Sharp to go from not being able to crack a game with the Suns this year, delisted (ie not even on our list), to then not only be best 23 here, but starting 18 in a pivotal role (even more so round 1). The heights of his exposed form at AFL level has only risen to meh standard so far. Tempered expectations might be best.

Chapman is a much more appetising prospect on the wing for me. I've seen him at Colts level (as a bottom-ager) take charge, sweep across the middle of the ground, aggressively win contests and drive the ball forward in brilliant fashion. It was a pretty good indication he had the attributes. For me he could execute the role in a similar vein to Acres, only with greater promise to do it for a longer duration and at a higher level.

Yeah we have multiple wing options, none of them massively convincing. Aish would be the closest we have to being a locked in winger, but I wouldn't bet on it being where he plays given that our defense is in flux with the roles of Young and Chapman in discussion.

The idea that O'Driscoll or anyone else needs to push past Sharp is amusing.

 

[bone2468]

Chapman on a wing with 18 games minimum this year will do a lot for the future of the team. Marking and contested beast.

If we can transition Alex 'Tristan Thompson' Pearce out of the team in 2025 will be in a stronger position.

Hopefully he isn't captain and one of AB or CS is as of 2024.

Young permanent midfield. Then all eyes are on Jackson growth and Amiss, Johnson and Ras should further push our improvement from there.

Chappy on a wing for 18 games is enough to make me excited about next season.

Alex “bambi” Pearce

 

[ubiquitous226]

Chapman on a wing with 18 games minimum this year will do a lot for the future of the team. Marking and contested beast.

If we can transition Alex 'Tristan Thompson' Pearce out of the team in 2025 will be in a stronger position.

Hopefully he isn't captain and one of AB or CS is as of 2024.

Young permanent midfield. Then all eyes are on Jackson growth and Amiss, Johnson and Ras should further push our improvement from there.

Chappy on a wing for 18 games is enough to make me excited about next season.

You're nuts if you think we're transitioning Alex Pearce out short of some serious injuries.

Pearce has limitations but he's still a solid player, some people seem to latch onto the few very obvious mistakes and write off a player because of it.
Playing last line defence means those errors are amplified, both in impact and in supporters' minds, but it's about the big picture.

I hope Alex can remain fit and get back to the form he's capable of, his 2023 was pretty mixed but he adds a lot to the team when he gets a good run at it.

 

[ignoramus]

You're nuts if you think we're transitioning Alex Pearce out short of some serious injuries.

Pearce has limitations but he's still a solid player, some people seem to latch onto the few very obvious mistakes and write off a player because of it.
Playing last line defence means those errors are amplified, both in impact and in supporters' minds, but it's about the big picture.

I hope Alex can remain fit and get back to the form he's capable of, his 2023 was pretty mixed but he adds a lot to the team when he gets a good run at it.

It's the same thing with the "can't kick" line. He's been running out without any feeling in his right foot half the time. Of course that's going to affect his kicking. But once that truth is set in place, any subsequent miskick becomes confirmation that Alex Pearce cannot kick as such (with the unstated implication that any kicks that happen to hit a target are more or less a fluke).

 

[poshman]

It's the same thing with the "can't kick" line. He's been running out without any feeling in his right foot half the time. Of course that's going to affect his kicking. But once that truth is set in place, any subsequent miskick becomes confirmation that Alex Pearce cannot kick as such (with the unstated implication that any kicks that happen to hit a target are more or less a fluke).

What do you mean?

Are you saying his kicking should be excused because he has an injury or that because he has an injury everyone blames his kicking good or bad on the injury?

 

[poshman]

You're nuts if you think we're transitioning Alex Pearce out short of some serious injuries.

Pearce has limitations but he's still a solid player, some people seem to latch onto the few very obvious mistakes and write off a player because of it.
Playing last line defence means those errors are amplified, both in impact and in supporters' minds, but it's about the big picture.

I hope Alex can remain fit and get back to the form he's capable of, his 2023 was pretty mixed but he adds a lot to the team when he gets a good run at it.

Saying we should transition away from a player more than a season removed is hardly writing someone off. Tell me what is this big picture specifically? Then tell me specifically which of my critiques of him was inaccurate. Otherwise, you are using the equivalent of 'but the vibes' as an argument.

I think we have to start transitioning from Sonny this season. Is that writing him off?

His form was 'mixed' in 23. Please tell me, how many ! level games he played last season?

 

[ignoramus]

What do you mean?

Are you saying his kicking should be excused because he has an injury or that because he has an injury everyone blames his kicking good or bad on the injury?

I am saying neither. I am saying that it is common enough for people to take a contingent occurrence (Pearce had some shocking kicks) and claim it as an essence (Pearce is a bad kicker).

If taken as contingent, a whole range of factors can be understood to come into play. Some will want to claim that considering those factors is “making excuses”. They’re welcome to do so, but I myself have little time for that kind of moral discourse. I’m more interested in understanding what is going on.

I half suspect that part of what happens is that the line that X is a bad kicker can become so prevalent and unavoidable by the player/team in question that it becomes a reality by undermining confidence. But that’s by the by.

 

[poshman]

I am saying neither. I am saying that it is common enough for people to take a contingent occurrence (Pearce had some shocking kicks) and claim it as an essence (Pearce is a bad kicker).

If taken as contingent, a whole range of factors can be understood to come into play. Some will want to claim that considering those factors is “making excuses”. They’re welcome to do so, but I myself have little time for that kind of moral discourse. I’m more interested in understanding what is going on.

I half suspect that part of what happens is that the line that X is a bad kicker can become so prevalent and unavoidable by the player/team in question that it becomes a reality by undermining confidence. But that’s by the by.

Sure, I understand that. There are far simpler ways of saying it, but sure.

Do you think Pearce is a good kick of the football?

Of our backline, who do you think the opposition would most like to have the football (pick 2) and who would they least like to have it?

How many stopper KPD would you trade in a direct swap for AP? How many clubs supporters do you think would happily do the trade if emotion wasn't part of the calculation?

 

[ubiquitous226]

Saying we should transition away from a player more than a season removed is hardly writing someone off. Tell me what is this big picture specifically? Then tell me specifically which of my critiques of him was inaccurate. Otherwise, you are using the equivalent of 'but the vibes' as an argument.

I think we have to start transitioning from Sonny this season. Is that writing him off?

His form was 'mixed' in 23. Please tell me, how many ! level games he played last season?

What have you got against the vibes?
have you seen Alex's hair...

Anyways the big picture I was referring to is what role does Pearce play in the team, what are our internal options to replace him and what were the external replacements available during trade period/draft (inc. opportunity cost of upgrading Pearce vs addressing another need).
On a broader level the club made him the captain, he still finished in the top 10 of the B&F in what was a mixed year (referring to my opinion he had multiple poor games at the beginning of the season, some very solid ones in the middle and then a mixture in the later part) and given his combination of height and ability isn't an easily replaceable player in my opinion.

As to what critiques were inaccurate, I didn't actually see any specifics from you, just a random reference to Tristan Thompson and that we'd be in a better position if we transitioned him out.
I don't even know who Tristan Thompson is, and from a quick Google and Wikipedia review it's not immediately clear to me what the reference was alluding to.

You didn't explain why you think we should transition away from Alex Pearce - is it because he's a 'bad kick' and you see a better (and gettable) trade option, you think Draper or Davies will overtake him by 2025, or something else?

That's a solid strawman with Walters, but I'd agree we need to be bringing in replacements given his age and likely inability to continue to deliver at the same level.

 

[poshman]

What have you got against the vibes?
have you seen Alex's hair...

Anyways the big picture I was referring to is what role does Pearce play in the team, what are our internal options to replace him and what were the external replacements available during trade period/draft (inc. opportunity cost of upgrading Pearce vs addressing another need).
On a broader level the club made him the captain, he still finished in the top 10 of the B&F in what was a mixed year (referring to my opinion he had multiple poor games at the beginning of the season, some very solid ones in the middle and then a mixture in the later part) and given his combination of height and ability isn't an easily replaceable player in my opinion.

As to what critiques were inaccurate, I didn't actually see any specifics from you, just a random reference to Tristan Thompson and that we'd be in a better position if we transitioned him out.
I don't even know who Tristan Thompson is, and from a quick Google and Wikipedia review it's not immediately clear to me what the reference was alluding to.

You didn't explain why you think we should transition away from Alex Pearce - is it because he's a 'bad kick' and you see a better (and gettable) trade option, you think Draper or Davies will overtake him by 2025, or something else?

That's a solid strawman with Walters, but I'd agree we need to be bringing in replacements given his age and likely inability to continue to deliver at the same level.

You said I was writing him off - I asked if wanting to transition away from a player in the 2025 season could be considered writing someone off. You are still refusing to answer how talk of transitioning is writing someone off.

To answer your question about someone on the list able to play his position - From a list management pov just due to his injury history I would hope we have a plan. Draper and Davies being on the list would suggest the management agrees with me.

Walters is not a strawman as he is a player we will transition from this season or next.

If you don't know who the player comparison is then ask. Plus I have mentioned it a couple of times prior. Thompson is good or serviceable in a couple of areas. Defence and rebounding. In attack when they have the ball, due to his shooting the opposing team can sag off him and put pressure on other player because they want him to have the ball.

Which is why I think you didn't answer my questions. In our back six who are the two players you want to have the ball least? Who are the players opposition would most want to have the ball? Pearce features in that list. does he not?

Pearce being top ten in the B&F is an indicator of both our poor season and that the system is dubious. How was Amiss not top ten in the count? No way ten players had better seasons than Jye. That is another debate.

Pearce over the course of the season had two very good games, three average ones and the remainder were between poor to very poor.

His disposal by hand and foot is shaky and unreliable. He makes mistakes with short 20-30m lateral kicks that ruin transition and lead to turnovers. Under pressure his handball is shaky. He is a notoriously nervy starter in games, something the team seems to have caught from him. And that is something I have been saying for years and was saying prior to last season, no hindsight hero here.

For the sake of the team I hope he regains form and overcomes his nervy starts. His best, consistent form was that of a B+ player, which would be phenomenal to have back in the team. What are the chances of that coming back if his foot isn't improving long term? At his age the answer is slim, but not impossible. More so, improbable. Would love to see it though.

 

[Silencer83]

Unless he gets a long term injury that allows someone to establish themselves in front of him or he retires, I can not see the club transitioning from Pearce until Tasmania arrives.

 

[Taylor]

Alex Pearce

25

Alex Pearce

Age

29

Ht

201cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.8

4star

MG

106.3

2star

No current season stats available

D

11.0

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.0

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

0.8

3star

MG

103.2

2star

will be 30 when his current contract ends in 2025. Projections are that Tasmania will be a VFL side in 2025 - so I expect there will be dispensation for players taken by the VFL Tasmanian side for 2026 and 2027 before they enter the AFL.

I would hope for Alex that he can sign a four year deal with Tasmania end of 2025 where he will be their captain in the VFL and at least the first season in the AFL before moving into full time coaching.

 

[ubiquitous226]

You said I was writing him off - I asked if wanting to transition away from a player in the 2025 season could be considered writing someone off. You are still refusing to answer how talk of transitioning is writing someone off.

To answer your question about someone on the list able to play his position - From a list management pov just due to his injury history I would hope we have a plan. Draper and Davies being on the list would suggest the management agrees with me.

Walters is not a strawman as he is a player we will transition from this season or next.

If you don't know who the player comparison is then ask. Plus I have mentioned it a couple of times prior. Thompson is good or serviceable in a couple of areas. Defence and rebounding. In attack when they have the ball, due to his shooting the opposing team can sag off him and put pressure on other player because they want him to have the ball.

Which is why I think you didn't answer my questions. In our back six who are the two players you want to have the ball least? Who are the players opposition would most want to have the ball? Pearce features in that list. does he not?

Pearce being top ten in the B&F is an indicator of both our poor season and that the system is dubious. How was Amiss not top ten in the count? No way ten players had better seasons than Jye. That is another debate.

Pearce over the course of the season had two very good games, three average ones and the remainder were between poor to very poor.

His disposal by hand and foot is shaky and unreliable. He makes mistakes with short 20-30m lateral kicks that ruin transition and lead to turnovers. Under pressure his handball is shaky. He is a notoriously nervy starter in games, something the team seems to have caught from him. And that is something I have been saying for years and was saying prior to last season, no hindsight hero here.

For the sake of the team I hope he regains form and overcomes his nervy starts. His best, consistent form was that of a B+ player, which would be phenomenal to have back in the team. What are the chances of that coming back if his foot isn't improving long term? At his age the answer is slim, but not impossible. More so, improbable. Would love to see it though.

I'd be very pleasantly surprised if Draper or Davies could overtake Pearce by 2025, unless it is due to injury.
I'm not privy to his medical info so I don't know how chronic or on-going problems are but his 2022 was strong.

I think a key difference with the B&F asides from it being heavily based on availability is what the coaches value versus what a supporter values/assesses of an individual player.
Pearce's disposal is a weakness, and very obvious clangers stick out, but he adds other things to the team
I'm inclined to agree about Amiss, from the outside it appears he played his role well and obviously hit the scoreboard well too.

I didn't answer your questions because a) they weren't in reply to me, b) I'm not a big fan of 2 posters taking over a board with back and forth that isn't constructive and c) I was still trying to work out what the hell a basketball guy had to do with Freo

 

[poshman]

I'd be very pleasantly surprised if Draper or Davies could overtake Pearce by 2025, unless it is due to injury.
I'm not privy to his medical info so I don't know how chronic or on-going problems are but his 2022 was strong.

I think a key difference with the B&F asides from it being heavily based on availability is what the coaches value versus what a supporter values/assesses of an individual player.
Pearce's disposal is a weakness, and very obvious clangers stick out, but he adds other things to the team
I'm inclined to agree about Amiss, from the outside it appears he played his role well and obviously hit the scoreboard well too.

I didn't answer your questions because a) they weren't in reply to me, b) I'm not a big fan of 2 posters taking over a board with back and forth that isn't constructive and c) I was still trying to work out what the hell a basketball guy had to do with Freo

So you continue to not answer those questions but you answer others... I wonder if that could be because you would need to admit his disposal is the weakest in our backline?

The basketball analogy was given because they have the same strengths and weaknesses.

I also note you have now backed off your claim that I was 'writing him off'. Thank you.

 

[poshman]

Alex Pearce will be 30 when his current contract ends in 2025. Projections are that Tasmania will be a VFL side in 2025 - so I expect there will be dispensation for players taken by the VFL Tasmanian side for 2026 and 2027 before they enter the AFL.

I would hope for Alex that he can sign a four year deal with Tasmania end of 2025 where he will be their captain in the VFL and at least the first season in the AFL before moving into full time coaching.

I hope for our sake he is not the captain next season or past next season. Hopefully we get something for him if he goes to tassie.

Four year deal at 30 with his injury history would be a risk. But it would be a nice storyline.

 

[ubiquitous226]

So you continue to not answer those questions but you answer others... I wonder if that could be because you would need to admit his disposal is the weakest in our backline?

The basketball analogy was given because they have the same strengths and weaknesses.

I also note you have now backed off your claim that I was 'writing him off'. Thank you.

 

[go_the_dockers]

I really hope we can build up our midfield rotations, and not just play Brayshaw, Serong there 90% of the game. Both Brayshaw and Serong could play the skinny side wing quiet well.

I wonder how this will impact our best 22, hopefully it means our bench if full of players that can play forward or back, plus run through the midfield.


One of the big things we need to work on this year is our midfield rotation. I think we need 8 to 10 players regularly going through the midfield, plus 3 or 4 more options for small stints.

Obviously, not all these play each week.
Midfield time, not including wings.

50 - 70% mid time. Serong, Brayshaw
10-30% Young, Chapman, O'meara, Aish, Switta, Johnson, Erasmus, Fyfe
Can play 10% Stanley, Frederick, <New draftee>

 

[DQ 4EVER]

Fyfe + 21 mortals.

On SM-G960F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Shadow Man]

I'd like to see Brodie feeding it out by hand from the centre bounce to a mobile JOM who laces it out to a leading Amiss.....

I think a fit and switched on Brodie is essential to us starting 2024 well.

 

[theGav56]

I'd like to see Brodie feeding it out by hand from the centre bounce to a mobile JOM who laces it out to a leading Amiss.....

I think a fit and switched on Brodie is essential to us starting 2024 well.

All good. Is Fyfe and "in" also?

With the emergence of Johnson and Erasmus in the pipeline, and the transition of Young to the midfield there isn't a lot of midfield spots.

 

[Shadow Man]

All good. Is Fyfe and "in" also?

With the emergence of Johnson and Erasmus in the pipeline, and the transition of Young to the midfield there isn't a lot of midfield spots.

It'd be a nice problem to have, a lot of midfielders in form and demanding a spot

 

[theGav56]

It'd be a nice problem to have, a lot of midfielders in form and demanding a spot

It sure would be.

In that list of names I put up, Brodie stands out; he stands out as the only one who has no second position.

 

[Shadow Man]

It sure would be.

In that list of names I put up, Brodie stands out; he stands out as the only one who has no second position.

You may well be right but I remember from his draft year he was rated for going forward and kicking a snag or two. He was, in those days a good grab and reasonable set shot.

 

[theGav56]

You may well be right but I remember from his draft year he was rated for going forward and kicking a snag or two. He was, in those days a good grab and reasonable set shot.

We are desperate for a mid who does that. Brodie's not a rookie player. He is an established, mature player, with a history behind him, but I don't see goal kicking as a feature in that history. Many 17 year olds get played in other positions in their draft years to increase their exposure and versatility.

I think he has found his position at AFL as an inside bull, and if he had the running power to stay on the field for long enough, he'd get games. He actually has a unique opportunity with us because we carry a couple of other limited inside bulls (Fyfe, JOM, Erasmus) who could rotate with him if he had a realistic 2nd position, but it clearly didn't get support this year.