Mega Thread Best 22/2013 Predictions and all that

[Azul]

Not sure what you mean about Casboult not being a good mover, he was good up the ground this year and good around the ground as a ruckman. His up the ground game against Essendon was excellent. Not bad for a guy who came into the AFL after a massive lay off.

Well perhaps he was lacking match fitness but he seems more the stay at home contested-mark FF, lacking a certain agility to run and lead up the ground - like the qualities I mentioned Hendo seemed to possess.

Besides that's less important for the up the ground role you are suggesting which makes Walker a great candidate.

McInness is not a key position player, he would always be the underdog and under sized playing key position.

Well I thought Macca, from his experience as a defender, looked more of a natural in terms of knowing how to present and position his body. Walker's as a midfielder makes him rely more on his athleticism.

I don't know why you'd think Walker would be more suitable as a lead-up target than Henderson or McInness when his trademark, when not in the midfield, is as a high flying goalsneak deep in attack?

This is not to denigrate the abilities of Levi nor Walks but emphasise that Henderson and McInness can and have played successfully across half forward.

 

[Bluejob]

Talking about Levi's ability to move.



That's his highlight video from this year.

Look at 3:45.

His hands and marking ability make him without a doubt our current best FF proposition. No one else has the size and strength that he has currently. Previously Rowe did but is working on getting that back. Obvious kicking issueas but they can be corrected. I don't think anyone can deny his ability to take a mark and be a target. Best FF at CFC imo.

 

[Jeremias]

I don't know where people are getting the idea that Levi can't move, because he most certainly can. It may not be his strength which is clearly his contested marking but he absolutely can push up the ground as a forward and also as a relief ruckman - he's shown both at senior level.

I tend to think that his best position is CHF. I don't think he's suited to play the role of a traditional FF as I don't believe he's quick enough to separate on a lead. However as a CHF he can use his repeat efforts to push up the ground and provide a marking target in a position where speed is not as important as strength and repeat effort.

 

[Jeremias]

I really don't know whether Casboult showed the best of what he has or whether he has scope for growth.
It was hard to believe that to be the same player I was watching in the summer months to be honest ,which then had me questioning just how much time we actually put into the development of our second tiered players.

I don't think there is a question Levi has a serious amount of growth left in him as a footballer.

Let's not forget that what he showed at senior level was on the back of a long lay off due to injury, with only a game or so under his belt at reserve level before being thrust into senior action, primarily in a position not his forte.

There is no doubt in my mind that Levi is far more suited to a position a little further up the ground, than he is deep in the forward line. For a big bloke he actually moves pretty well and a full and hopefully injury free preseason will only help improve that aspect of his game.

 

[gbatman]

Well perhaps he was lacking match fitness but he seems more the stay at home contested-mark FF, lacking a certain agility to run and lead up the ground - like the qualities I mentioned Hendo seemed to possess.

Well I thought Macca, from his experience as a defender, looked more of a natural in terms of knowing how to present and position his body. Walker's as a midfielder makes him rely more on his athleticism.

I don't know why you'd think Walker would be more suitable as a lead-up target than Henderson or McInness when his trademark, when not in the midfield, is as a high flying goalsneak deep in attack?

This is not to denigrate the abilities of Levi nor Walks but emphasise that Henderson and McInness can and have played successfully across half forward.

McInness is a very natural footballer and will play the game well, regardless of what end he plays at but lets not make him play as a player which he is not. That's a good way to ruin him. He's a tallhalf back/back pocket type who is a good all round player.

Henderson does have the qualities to be a CHF that plays up the ground but I feel that wastes him as a player and weakens the team. I've seen Richo and Riewoldt carve up leading up to the wings and taking a heap of marks and I have seen it achieve nothing. You will struggle to find a guy who can play CHB as good as he does. Would take a good CHB over an average forward every day of the week.

I would love to see Walker operate on half forward and change his running patterns so that he covers a lot of ground and does over his opponant and really uses his midfielder and marking qualities. Using Walker up the ground in more space is a good thing. He's a classic medium forward.

Dont go changin' GB.

I never will , Glad you liked it Cosmo .

 

[Jeremias]

Not forgetting any of that but that's exactly why it had me excited yet somewhat confused.
Here's a guy that came off next to no base and really didn't show much through the pre-season come into the side after a long injury lay-off, marking over quality defenders are running down players he should not be able to run down.

Players in Casboult, Bell, McInnes and Dale looking lost through the VFL and then like veterans at the senior level.
Have to say it was a very confusing year and anyone that was at Visy on a particular cold winters day, watching our boys playing the Geelong reserves, would have been left with more questions than answers.

It should no longer be a surprise that some players who don't seem to stand out in the VFL, make the step up and perform to a solid standard at AFL level. It is puzzling, but it has been noted for quite a while and is evident for a number of our younger players.

There was little by way of similarities in the way the Northern Blues played when compared to the senior side, which may account for the discrepancy. Hopefully the appointment of a full time and fully committed senior coach will go some way to changing that for next year, as will having a more continuous lineup which goes hand in hand with less injuries.

 

[Bluejob]

Rowe is an absolute gun. I just hope he gets the opportunity to show it. I've seen him first hand, can ruck and take a mark. Loves to crash packs. Imagine a more experienced Levi. Good with the hands, good with position and has the game smarts, just needs the experience at AFL level.

Would be stoked to have Rowe get in to the 22, Given Waite has 2 years(?) remaining before his body gives up on him, That's 2 years for Levi to develop into a solid CHF and relief ruck if required, Mitchell to work on his body and fitness through VFL and AFL games. Rowe is just a bonus to our side.

I've said it plenty of times, before his AFL debut there will no doubt be a quick promo about him and his therapy and him getting back to training and playing his first AFL game, its a success story.

 

[murphbf08]

ok im gunna have a go at the best 22

duigan jamison laidler
yarran henderson scotland
robinson mclean simpson
walker waite judd
casboult rowe betts
kruzer murphy carrazzo

warnock armfield gibbs bell

emg menzel collins hampson garlett tuohy

not too much different here but judd needs to take a back seat and get some easy balland just rotate through the middle not sure about the rowe casboult mitchell spots and positions just have to wait and see hopefully rowe can come in and take a few grabs or casboult can learn to kick, warnock and hampson will be an intersting one too as i feel we warnock in the side but how does he work with kruzer and hampson was very good early last year(glad im not picking this side)garlett needs to go in more is scared imo.tuohy needs to get that hard eadge and run back into his game was easily best 22 in 2010 but went backwards a bit last year, collins is a big chance fot a hff also but just hard to fit everyone in. bell is neededi think but just see how he comes along

 

[Blues_FC]

Waite, Casboult, Kreuzer, Rowe, Warnock all in the same 22?

 

[murphbf08]

yeah i know its a bit tall, probably garlett to go into the pocket but i think malthouse wont tolerate his softness, so who else is there menzel? collins? i'm not sure, but i know that last year kicking to eddie betts one out was a shocker and we just need players that can mark, how often over the last few years have tall opposition absolutely smashed us taking marks easily against small opposition i just dont think the garlett betts team will work any more. maybe menzel is the missing piece who knows.

 

[BluesBagger]

Would anyone disagree that assuming a fully healthy list these players would be in the best 22?

?? Jamison ??
Yarran Henderson Scotland
Simpson Carrazzo Gibbs
Murphy Kruezer Judd
Walker Waite ??
Betts ?? ??

 

[gotheJUDD]

Laidler Watson Jamison
Yarran Henderson Bootsma
Simpson Murphy Gibbs
Menzel Waite Garlett
Betts Casboult Walker
Kreuzer Judd Carrazzo
Robinson McLean Bell Scotland/Curnow/Tuohy/Lucas/Graham

Very nice but I think you forgot about Armfield. Where is he? Also, imo Garlett needs to play the first 5 rounds minimum of next season in the VFL and Bootsma is not best 22 yet.

 

[Blue and Silver]

Would anyone disagree that assuming a fully healthy list these players would be in the best 22?

?? Jamison ??
Yarran Henderson Scotland
Simpson Carrazzo Gibbs
Murphy Kruezer Judd
Walker Waite ??
Betts ?? ??

Yeah that hardcore is pretty locked.

Options:

BP: Laidler, Duigan, Armfield, Bootsma, Watson, McCarthy, Joseph, Davies, Tuohy, McInnes (after recovery)

HFF: Robinson, Collins, Armfield, Menzel, Garlett, Ellard

FF: Casboult, Rowe, Mitchell, McCarthy, Hampson

FP: Same as HFF

I/C: Mclean, Bell, Warnock, Curnow, anyone mentioned above

Not putting too much pressure on first years

 

[Jeremias]

Would anyone disagree that assuming a fully healthy list these players would be in the best 22?

?? Jamison ??
Yarran Henderson Scotland
Simpson Carrazzo Gibbs
Murphy Kruezer Judd
Walker Waite ??
Betts ?? ??

Very difficult to disagree with anyone on that list.

I'd add Robinson, Laidler and Armfield to the list of certainties, but some may disagree on Armfield.

 

[BluesBagger]

imo Garlett needs to play the first 5 rounds minimum of next season in the VFL.

I disagree that any player needs to be pushed into VFL or can't get a spot in the best 22. I know that Garletts last season was not his best but we have to remember that it a new season, new coach and therefore a fresh start. If Garlett has proven himself by round 1 I'm sure he'll make the team.

Yeah that hardcore is pretty locked.

Options:

BP: Laidler, Duigan, Armfield, Bootsma, Watson, McCarthy, Joseph, Davies, Tuohy, McInnes (after recovery)

HFF: Robinson, Collins, Armfield, Menzel, Garlett, Ellard

FF: Casboult, Rowe, Mitchell, McCarthy, Hampson

FP: Same as HFF

I/C: Mclean, Bell, Warnock, Curnow, anyone mentioned above

Not putting too much pressure on first years

I agree with your lists which I guess leads to the discussion of who (based off of what we know) everyone believes will fill the last spots. I've personally found it very hard to decide

Very difficult to disagree with anyone on that list.

I'd add Robinson, Laidler and Armfield to the list of certainties, but some may disagree on Armfield.

I think there are others who you can put an argument up for being in (personally I agree with your list + McLean), but I guess I was trying to put together a list that most people would 100% agree with.

 

[Jeremias]

I think there are others who you can put an argument up for being in (personally I agree with your list + McLean), but I guess I was trying to put together a list that most people would 100% agree with.

Fair enough, but I'm not sure you'd find anyone who would disagree with Robinson, probably the case for Laidler as well.

I'd have McLean and Armfield in there for sure, but you are right, their selection wouldn't be unanimous.

 

[TOPBLUE_25]

Round 1
B: Duigan: Jamison: Watson
HB: Yarran: Henderson: Laidler
C: Simpson: Carrazzo: Robinson
HF: Gibbs: Waite: Walker
FF: Garlett: Rowe: Betts
Foll: Kreuzer: Murphy: Judd
Int: Warnock: Mclean: Menzel Sub: Bell

 

[BROWN20]

Round 1
B: Duigan: Jamison: Watson
HB: Yarran: Henderson: Laidler
C: Simpson: Carrazzo: Robinson
HF: Gibbs: Waite: Walker
FF: Garlett: Rowe: Betts
Foll: Kreuzer: Murphy: Judd
Int: Warnock: Mclean: Menzel Sub: Bell

I would not expect Rowe to be a regular, he has missed a year of footy, he is 25 and has not played at the elite level, l suspect both Casboult/Mitchell will both have more to offer short/long term.

Also would be disappointed if Lucas has not cemented a spot in this team next year.

 

[Bluejob]

I would not expect Rowe to be a regular, he has missed a year of footy, he is 25 and has not played at the elite level, l suspect both Casboult/Mitchell will both have more to offer short/long term.

Also would be disappointed if Lucas has not cemented a spot in this team next year.

Podsiadly recruited Age 28.

Mitchell is very young and while I am sure, and hope, he gets AFL experience this year, he does need time to build. Levi is the same, only 22 years old. Rowe gives 2-3 years for that to happen.

 

[Bradles21]

B: Michael Jamison, Mathew Watson, Nick Duigan

HB: Chris Yarran, Lachi Henderson, Heath Scotland

C: Kade Simpson, Andrew Carazzo, Bryce Gibbs

R: Mathew Kruezer, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy

HF: Andrew Walker, Jarred Waite, Jeff Garlett

F: Eddie Betts, Levi Casboult, Shaun Hampson

I: Brock McLean, Dennis Armfield, Mitch Robinson

S: Kane Lucas

 

[BluesBagger]

B: Michael Jamison, Mathew Watson, Nick Duigan

HB: Chris Yarran, Lachi Henderson, Heath Scotland

C: Kade Simpson, Andrew Carazzo, Bryce Gibbs

R: Mathew Kruezer, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy

HF: Andrew Walker, Jarred Waite, Jeff Garlett

F: Eddie Betts, Levi Casboult, Shaun Hampson

I: Brock McLean, Dennis Armfield, Mitch Robinson

S: Kane Lucas

I like the team but 2 questions

1) No Laidler? I'd probably have him over duigan
2) Isn't the line up a bit tall?

 

[Bradles21]

I like the team but 2 questions

1) No Laidler? I'd probably have him over duigan
2) Isn't the line up a bit tall?

I like the team but 2 questions

1) No Laidler? I'd probably have him over duigan
2) Isn't the line up a bit tall?

Didn't mean to leave Laidler out. Would have him in for the expense of Watson I think.

 

[Windhover]

Would anyone disagree that assuming a fully healthy list these players would be in the best 22?

?? Jamison ??
Yarran Henderson Scotland
Simpson Carrazzo Gibbs
Murphy Kruezer Judd
Walker Waite ??
Betts ?? ??

I think your approach of selecting our best players who are certain to play if fit makes much more sense than picking a best 22. It might be bleedingly obvious that Menzel is in our best 22 from the preseason. Or it might not. Similarly with unknowns such as Rowe and (hopeful) improvers such as Lucas, Caz or Mitchell.

Like others I agree that each of these players is a lock-in if fit. I also agree (with others) that Robbo is a lock-in. I understand why you did not select Mclean (he will get in but only if he shows the same form as at the end of last season) and Bell (he has not played enough to know whether he can reproduce consistently) and think Army would make most sides.

The best team will also depend on who we are opposed to. If we are up against ruckmen Kruezer can beat then Warnock is not necessarily worth a spot in the side. If we are up against Sandilands, West Coast, a fit Mumford then Warnock is essential.

 

[Blues_FC]

Play Menzel from round one. He's already used to playing against men in the SANFL so he'll get nothing from playing VFL, get the bloke with the elite talent up to AFL speed as quick as possible.

I get the feeling that this is a possibility. Don't think the club is too worried about his Lars-knee. If anything, it seems like they might be happy for it to go sooner rather than later so they can get it fixed properly.

 

[Blue Flame]

I get the feeling that this is a possibility. Don't think the club is too worried about his Lars-knee. If anything, it seems like they might be happy for it to go sooner rather than later so they can get it fixed properly.

There is no real reason to think that the LARS knee won't be beautiful for the next 50 years either. The less surgery he has on the knee, the more freedom of movement he will have.