Opinion Best 22 for 2022

[gbatman]

Some real delusion going on here. I've pointed out your errors line by line as follows:

Teague's coaching had flaws, but one of the flaws was not the inability to give forwards shots. We played a very attacking gameplan and there were certainly opportunities for forwards. Injuries played a part sure, but he hasn't contributed in 3 years, injury or no.

One of the key components of defence is no lapses. You lapse as a forward and the team can still be ok once in awhile. Every time you lapse as a backman there will be a score against you or the team as your teammates have to cover. The only way he makes it as a defender if is he's able to give consistent effort throughout the game and let the play come to him. He certainly hasn't demonstrated anything to show he has that sort of depseration that say Jones/Weiters have.

Second fastest speed at our club means what. Top sprint speed? This is nice, but he'd be much more valuable if he was able to up the amount of sprints per game, even if he didn't have the same top level speed. As it is, there are way too few sprint efforts for his speed to mean anything.

Best shot on goal? What is this based on?

Part of a poorly coached team? Yes true, but it hasn't affected the forwards.

Waste of talent IF he failed to make it? He's been the biggest waste on our list to date. High salary, high draft capital, low output.

TL;DR: I, like everyone else hope he turns it around. But it's time we left the excuses at the door. He needs to get fit, stay healthy but more importantly give the 100% effort guys like JSOS bring to every game.

I think you will see how good he can be if he gets fit and plays enough consecutive games to get match fit.

I don't think he plays with lack of effort or concentration and have no idea where this theory comes from.

I see a guy playing a ridiculous role which was pretty much to get out of the way of the other forwards, a decoy role. Our forward line tactics were deplorable. Another theory that we should throw out the window was that Teague had us playing attacking and high scoring football, we weren't, we couldn't produce scores and we couldn't produce repeat entries. We set a few individuals up to score but not all of them, Teague's system failed to utilise all forwards, it was a disaster. Thinking Teague had our forward line going well is totally delusional, tactically it was a basketcase.

McGovern looked like someone playing a role he had no idea how to play, that's what it looked like to me. We talk about of out of position but being played in a role he couldn't play is up there. Like Setterfield on a wing McGovern can't play the third tall decoy role, that role should not exist.

He's played small portions of defence and did not look out of place. He has every tool in the book to be a terrific defender however he needs to stay fit and injury free. He's a tallish player with lightning speed and a big leap and strength, he's the ideal third tall who should be able to play smaller or taller.

He is one of the best kicks for goal in our side, based on the fact he misses less often than the rest. He's a great kick.

He's someone who came from Adelaide to a club with no high performance program, hasn't ever been fully fit, has been made to work harder and get fit under Andrew Russell and has since been injured regularly. Has only played after a month or two off and hasn't played much more than 3 or 4 games in a row for the last 4 years. It's not that he can't play or that he's lazy or that he lapses, it's that he's injured consistent. Same with a few others on the list. If he gets fit and gets a run of form he's going to be in the team in some capacity.

Teague did him no favours and neither has his body but he can play and I hope we get to see that. Same with a few others on our list.

 

[therubbernub]

He’s a beautiful kick of the footy and a lovely mark, so third tall up forward as a starting point.

I’ve always wondered if he could possibly be deployed as a loose man in defence though, allowing Jones and Weitering a bit of freedom. Dunno.

I just want to see him fit and gaining continuity in the ones.

I am hoping that Mitch , along with a few other players- kennedy, fisher, for example, will have their roles really firmed up by our new coaching team. The casting of new eyes over a playing group can pay off handsomely. Sometimes.
A coaching merry-go-round is also disruptive with continual game plan changes etc. But for the first time in a long while , I feel that the changes are much more thought out with seemingly excellent assistants coming in as support.

 

[Doro]

The best spot for Gov seems to be forward, though with the constant niggles he might get a better run at it playing back. Less collisions.

 

[bluekidjoe]

Stocker, Jones, Kemp
Williams, Weitering, Saad

DeKoning, Hewett, Cerra
Walsh, Cripps, Dow

Fisher, C. Curnow, Martin
Honey, McKay, Silvagni


Kennedy, Durdin, Williamson, McGovern

 

[Blue By Blood]

Stocker, Jones, Kemp
Williams, Weitering, Saad

DeKoning, Hewett, Cerra
Walsh, Cripps, Dow

Fisher, C. Curnow, Martin
Honey, McKay, Silvagni


Kennedy, Durdin, Williamson, McGovern

This is about 98% of how we'll line up in my opinion- a really good best 22 here bluekidjoe. My thoughts:

Who chops out in the ruck here? Silvagni? Think this is exactly why we brought in Young, so I'd have him on the bench (maybe instead of Gov) so he can provide ruck relief for TDK as well as provide another tall option down back (or even forward if needed).

In your lineup Dow and Walsh would need to switch with Hewett and Cerra as Dow can't play wing and Walsh is far too good at this point not to start in the guts. Cripps, Walsh, and Dow starting on-ball with Cerra and Hewett on the wings. I agree with that 5 combo. Maybe we'll even see Hewett in the guts, Dow starting on the bench, and Philp (or O'Brien) taking the other wing. Will be interesting what combo Voss prefers.

Forward-line looks bang on. Although it does show we lack a genuine small crumbing forward- hoping Durdin can be exactly this.

Like the faith in Williamson, but I'm just not sold personally. Every time he gets the ball he takes off, runs himself into trouble looking to get onto his left, and then gets caught. It's painful to watch. Think Newman gets a gig ahead of him at this point. That last bench spot is going to be competitive though, think I'd like to see Cuningham there! Kid is just pure class and makes things happen.

 

[Juddernaut08]

Stocker, Jones, Kemp
Williams, Weitering, Saad

DeKoning, Hewett, Cerra
Walsh, Cripps, Dow

Fisher, C. Curnow, Martin
Honey, McKay, Silvagni


Kennedy, Durdin, Williamson, McGovern

Lots to like. I think as much as people don't like Plowman - I can't see him not being in the 22 when he's been a perennial top 3-10 in our B&F every year.

Think Kemp starts as our utility on the bench, Plow takes that 3rd tall role. Williamson probably makes way.

 

[Accidental genius]

Is plow at risk of losing his spot in seniors next season?

 

[Jeremias]

Is plow at risk of losing his spot in seniors next season?

A new senior coach will always throw a curve ball or two in there, but no, I don't think he is.

He's a fair way ahead of others who could play the role he does.

 

[Pablito]

Not sure how Kemp can be in anyone's best 22 just yet.

2 relative quiet games and we're pencilling him in already? Maybe by the end of 22 but not right now. Plowman/Parks/Young would all be ahead of him for me in the 2nd/3rd tall/utility role down back based on this year.

 

[Arr0w]

Not sure how Kemp can be in anyone's best 22 just yet.

2 relative quiet games and we're pencilling him in already? Maybe by the end of 22 but not right now. Plowman/Parks/Young would all be ahead of him for me in the 2nd/3rd tall/utility role down back based on this year.

Unless they have him penciled in on a wing?

 

[Magruder]

Not sure how Kemp can be in anyone's best 22 just yet.

2 relative quiet games and we're pencilling him in already? Maybe by the end of 22 but not right now. Plowman/Parks/Young would all be ahead of him for me in the 2nd/3rd tall/utility role down back based on this year.

If he's selected, it's likely to fast track development.

but yeah, he's being picked by most on potential and eye check.

I love how much time and poise he has, but also how he seems to almost instantly pick out the next option and execute. But for me he starts next year in the twos unless his form is irresistible...

 

[Accidental genius]

If he's selected, it's likely to fast track development.

but yeah, he's being picked by most on potential and eye check.

I love how much time and poise he has, but also how he seems to almost instantly pick out the next option and execute. But for me he starts next year in the twos unless his form is irresistible...

Also, this preseason will do him a world of good. Could go close for selection in season opener.

 

[iAsbestos]

Is plow at risk of losing his spot in seniors next season?

Doubt it. our lockdown small defender depth is nonexistent.

 

[Heres Waite]

B. Plow. Jones. Young

HB. Saad. Weitering. Williams

R. DeKoning. Hewitt. Stocker

C. Cerra. Cripps. Walsh.

HF. Martin. JSOS. Fisher

F. Honey. McKay. C.Curnow

IC. Newman (7th defender) Fogarty (7th Forward) Kennedy (mid rotation) Dow (mid rotation)

Assuming Docherty, Cuningham, and Marchbank are unavailable.

Young and JSOS to give TDK a chop out in the ruck.

Plenty of run and pace between the halfbacks, wings and half forwards.

I really want to see Stocker in the middle! I think we have something special in Stocker! He reminds me of Fraser Brown with a bit of Sam Mitchell thrown in.

 

[4flagsin5yrs]

B. Plow. Jones. Young

HB. Saad. Weitering. Williams

R. DeKoning. Hewitt. Stocker

C. Cerra. Cripps. Walsh.

HF. Martin. JSOS. Fisher

F. Honey. McKay. C.Curnow

IC. Newman (7th defender) Fogarty (7th Forward) Kennedy (mid rotation) Dow (mid rotation)

Assuming Docherty, Cuningham, and Marchbank are unavailable.

Young and JSOS to give TDK a chop out in the ruck.

Plenty of run and pace between the halfbacks, wings and half forwards.

I really want to see Stocker in the middle! I think we have something special in Stocker! He reminds me of Fraser Brown with a bit of Sam Mitchell thrown in.

I'm a Fisher fan but does he (or Honey for that matter) have enough runs on the board to be ahead of Owies and/or Durdin?

Line ball to me, though Fisher can go through the midfield too....

Should Fish be unlucky with injuries this year, he will be on very shaky ground.

Will Young be played as a KPP and Weiters used as the intercept guy?

Personally, Pitto gets the first ruck gong at the start, unless TDK really shows clear superiority.

We don't need to rush the young King.

 

[Arr0w]

I'm a Fisher fan but does he (or Honey for that matter) have enough runs on the board to be ahead of Owies and/or Durdin?

Line ball to me, though Fisher can go through the midfield too....

Should Fish be unlucky with injuries this year, he will be on very shaky ground.

Will Young be played as a KPP and Weiters used as the intercept guy?

Personally, Pitto gets the first ruck gong at the start, unless TDK really shows clear superiority.

We don't need to rush the young King.

Fish is ahead of Owies and Honey ahead of Durdin for runs on the board.

 

[Donnini]

Fish has been injured alot past two years like Cripps, Charlie, Marchbank, Newman, list goes on really.

 

[Heres Waite]

I'm a Fisher fan but does he (or Honey for that matter) have enough runs on the board to be ahead of Owies and/or Durdin?

Line ball to me, though Fisher can go through the midfield too....

Should Fish be unlucky with injuries this year, he will be on very shaky ground.

Will Young be played as a KPP and Weiters used as the intercept guy?

Personally, Pitto gets the first ruck gong at the start, unless TDK really shows clear superiority.

We don't need to rush the young King.

Pitto vs TDK is a tough one, and I’d be happy if either start the season off to be honest. I don’t think we can play both at the same time. I like TDK and think he has a high ceiling. It’s a long season for a young ruck playing mostly solo in a game though, so I’m all for Voss and the coaches to rotate TDK and Pitto at the selection table depending on the matchup that week. I don’t know how this would affect our midfield brigade if there was this constant change though. You would think that they would train the same drills etc. It’s one the coaches can work on.

I’d take Fisher over both Owies and Durdin without any hesitation. Owies is a project player, and Durdin is still young and has plenty of time to break into the team. I think it should be their challenge to try to grab a spot off Fisher, Fogerty, or Honey.

 

[Accidental genius]

Owies is a very reliable shot on goals. He also works hard. Scored at least one goal just about every game from memory. However is limited with his kicking distance and doesn’t have the zip of a typical small forward.

I would still keep owies in the team until another forces him out. I don’t think anyone forces him out just yet.

 

[gbatman]

I think we need to focus on our weaknesses this season in regards to changes to our best 22. Those weaknesses are areas we need to take chances with and make changes. We need to be quicker, harder and more skilful over the board but there are some positions and roles in the team that will require new players to come in.

Backline

Our two key position players are a real strength. Our smaller defenders are solid. There are a lot of calls for a small defender however I don't think we need one. I think it's good instruction and leadership that we need. Our small defenders are quite capable of defending when they are made to. Jones and Weitering are top shelf KPP. Williams, Docherty and Saad are also top shelf small defenders. Williamson is improving and finished off playing quite well, Newman is quite reasonable and Stocker was good back there this year.

Our weakest area down back is the third tall defender. Plowman has tried hard in this role but he's not up to being a top level third tall. To be good in this role you need to be able to play tall, you need to be able to cover one of the key defenders if they go down to an adequate level, you need to be able to defend against the smalls, you need to be able to drop off and intercept mark and cover a key forward when the moment comes. We badly lack this. The good teams are very well equipped with a good third tall defender who has a bit of dash, courage, can play tall and small and attack and defend. We haven't had that so we need to find someone.

We have recruited Young but I see him as more of a key position defender. Jones is unable to defend against smaller opponents and I am not sure whether Weitering can either. We recruited Parks last year and he did some good things. We were certainly a better side defensively/structurally when he played though he didn't play to a really high level. There is talk of McGovern playing there, he has all the tools to be very good but is an unknown quantity and has struggled to remain fit. Marchbank has proven that he can play this role really well although he has struggled to remain fit as well. His last run of games was very good.

Priority one is getting someone in who can play the third tall role at an elite level.

I would love to see Kemp released to a wing however we may have to persist with him in defence if McGovern and Marchbank can't get up.

B: (Marchbank/McGovern) Weitering Docherty
HB: Williams (Jones/Young) Saad
IC: Newman/Williamson


Onballers

We're too slow in there. We fall a step behind the better sides all the time. If we add the quicker players in there we become too soft. So we add the harder players in there and we become too slow again. This has been the story with our midfield for the last 20 years. We can't get that balance right. Our ability to get to contests, our ability to cover ground quickly (closing speed) is severely limited, our ability to play at a high intensity and apply pressure is very low. Midfield defence is achieved in modern footy not by tagging, playing defensive midfielders and defensive tactic so much as it is by playing a high speed, high physicality, high attacking brand of footy. If you move up in grades in footy you will find it gets quicker. We play at half a grade in speed below the top sides in regards to how quick we play the game and how quick we move and in the end that's enough for teams to get the jump on us.

Cripps is lacking pace and agility but he's good enough to make up for it. Having Dow and Kennedy with him who don't apply that heat and an aging Curnow hurt our ability to apply pressure and compete with the stronger sides.

Hewett and Cerra will make a big difference. We need one or two others to step up who have pace, agility and an appetite for the contest. Dow needs to get his intensity, second efforts and pressure acts to the top level. Stocker could step in there and make a difference. Carroll could start to come on early. It's hard to say. Put three hard at it, skilled high intensity mids in our team and we are a completely different side.

Priority one for our onball group is improving our intensity, closing speed and efforts along side being hard at the contest.

As for rucks I think DeKoning is the standout for number one ruckman. Pittonet is a great backup ruck but TDK will go past him.

Wingmen

A huge weakness for us! When was the last time we had a good wingman? Campo? Lots of maybes and not anyone who has bobbed up as elite apart from Walsh and he will play on the ball.

O'Brien I think is bordering on making it. He was good at the end of last year. His game against the saints was as good a wingman's game as you will see. It's his consistency and his ability to impact and compete when the game gets ugly that has been questionable, but he could get there. If he could get good enough then a player with his kicking is going to be super valuable to us. I think that the coach will want to see him in there because of this and if he's playing well enough he will play.

Kemp. He's a huge talent, the speed and height is rare. He's got football ability pouring out of him, he's a super talent but can he do the running? If he could he would make a hell of a winger. Burst speed, evasiveness, good skills, overhead and good in a contest he has a lot of wingman qualities.

Philp is the other. To me he just looks like a winger. Good size, has speed, he's hard at it and willing to work and compete. IMO he's a player who has something special, he's a good athlete who loves to compete and play hard.

Cuningham. He was starting to show signs of making it there. He looks like a wingman as well but a bad injury has set him back. Hope he can make it but it could be a slow comeback.

Carroll is a talented youngster but I feel we will develop him in the VFL early days on the ball but he should push for senior games.

Martin is one who should be able to be a very good wingman however if he hasn't done it now he probably isn't going to do it.

Wings: Kemp/Cuningham/Philp/O'Brien/Martin
OB: DeKoning Cripps Walsh Cerra
IC: Stocker Hewett


Forward line

It's been a bad forward line for a number of years that I think we will find is coming good.

Curnow and McKay are potentially the best tall forward combo in the game and will be for some time.

We have had no good small forwards for a long time but that is starting to change. Lack of pace has meant lack of pressure. That's going to begin to change as well.

Durdin was a breath of fresh air last season, he just attacked the contest, repeated his efforts and put himself in the right spot for the team over and over again and he has elite speed. Honey has elite speed and really has a go. Owies isn't super quick but he applied pressure well and kicked goals.

We might be one elite small forward short however we may emend that if we are lucky at the draft.

I think Silvagni makes a good foil for the other talls and provides versatility as a relief ruck and tall who can work at ground level. His footy IQ is very high and very underrated. He times his leads and gets to the right spots at the right time very well.

HF: Honey Curnow Martin
F: Durdin McKay Silvagni
IC: Owies


Best 22

B: McGovern Weitering Docherty
HB: Williams Jones Saad
C: Philp Cripps O'Brien
HF: Honey Curnow Martin
F: Durdin McKay Silvagni
OB: DeKoning Walsh Cerra
IC: Newman Hewett Stocker Owies

Alternative best 22

B: Marchbank Weitering Docherty
HB: Williams Jones Saad
C: Philp Cripps Kemp
HF: Honey Curnow Martin
F: Durdin McKay Silvagni
OB: DeKoning Walsh Cerra
IC: Newman Hewett Stocker Cuningham

I've put two teams down because I don't think there is a lot in it. The second one may be more applicable for the end of the season and there will be a few things we will need to find out as there is a fair bit of trying players in new spots and playing new players going on there.

Things we need to find out:

McGovern - what can he do? Need to give him a good run as a defender. We need to find if he can play on the taller players and on the smaller players. He has elite speed. If that translates to him being able to play on small forwards then that opens the door for us to play Marchbank and McGovern back there and play a tall and fast backline which many teams have done over the last 20 years to win premierships.

Who can play wing? Kemp, Philp, Cuningham and Martin need to be given good opportunities to see what ability they have on a wing. We desperately need to find wingmen who can play the role to a high level. O'Brien needs to be given a good go under Voss' system.

Who can play on the ball? Stocker, we really need to push the case to see whether we can turn him into a strong bodied AFL onballer. Watching Petracca in the grand final really got me excited about Stocker who is similarly built and a powerful runner. Both hit bodies hard and both have good skills. Good coaching here could be important. The other one is Carroll. A talented young player who could really take off there for us.

Who can play second ruck? We might find that Silvagni as second ruck is no good. IMO it will be fine however if not then who else can play there? Do we go back to trying McGovern? Do we try Young?

Can Young hold down a key defensive spot? If Jones or Weitering go down, how well can Young hold down a key defensive spot and will he be good enough to replace Jones? I'd like to think he will do well however we really need to know the answer to this question. Best case scenario he is going that well we are saying he should replace Jones now, worst case we are looking for a key back next year. IMO he will be pretty good. That ability to mark and his size suggest that he can play and will be a good player with a good bunch of games under his belt.

Where can Kemp play? ok if not wing where? A 193cm, skills tall explosive and competitive beast with evasive skills? Surely we find a spot for him, anywhere! But where can he play? 3rd tall forward? wing? Onball? 3rd tall defender?

 

[Ninja Worrier]

Good analysis batman, I like team 2

 

[choo]

Great post


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[Justnetime]

Is plow at risk of losing his spot in seniors next season?

Im interested in this. Plowman has like a bubbly little boy smiling personality. When we lose a game he is all smiles and happy and congratulating the opposition on how well they smashed him (in some games at least).

This seemed acceptable for Bolton and Teague who are two politically correct teacher types if I can very loosely categorise them. Voss is a beast competitor personality type. He hasn’t gone through Buckley’s full transformation so won’t like smiley smiley Plowman As much as a Bolton/Teague type. Add to that a crap 21 season. Will Voss connect with him at all or prefer the more competitive spirit players (at least on the surface) in Marchbank and Kemp.

And right behind Voss is Hamill who is cut from the same cloth. Come preseason training Plowman is going to be desparelty looking for his nice guy teacher support. Is there someone there he can identify with and smile/giggle at.

 

[BluStreak]

What are your thoughts on Fisher playing the wing role?

 

[Justnetime]

What are your thoughts on Fisher playing the wing role?

Not sure if you are asking me but like everyone else here I have an opinion .

I think a number of things come to mind with Fisher and the wing:

• Does he have the running capacity that this role involves (I don’t know the answer to this so not being negative). Elite running is required As a trait for the role.
• Fisher is becoming injury prone which is frustrating
• I really like Fisher as a footballer And want him in our 22. I do see him as easily best 22 when in form.
• I like his left foot going inside 50. I think he has special evasivenes.
• I don’t mind him trying wing if he is in the best 6-8 runners at the club
• I like him up forward if he can’t get his preferred midfield role. I like him hitting late in the midfield in last 5 minutes of a qtr.
• If he did get a wing role, and had the running, I like the option quite a bit.

what are your thoughts?