Best 22 in 2015

[Giant Pete]

Lamb is in our best 22. Addison was purely a cheap big body for the lost in 2014, proved his worth, and is now merely depth cover.

Disagree. Lamb is not in our best 22.

 

[Gigantor]

Is anyone else excited about Jarrod Pickett ? I think he is going to be a star. And for some reason I think he will play in 2015. However it's a shame it may be at the expense of Lamb or Addisson. Those guys must be spewing coming across as experienced players and I can't see them getting out of the 2's

Edit : Apart from Andre read that after my post

He got a bit of a write up in the HS on the weekend.

 

[Determinant]

Any other news from that session?

The guys were working their butts off in very hot and humid conditions for about 2.5 hours.. Were doing a mix of drills and then practice match that was played without most of our fwds, appeared to be more of a session on drills around running the ball out of defence and down field than a genuine practice game. The assistant coaches played as fwd targets for the backline to run off. Leon was pissed at the effort and execution and let them know, I thought he was taking the mickey as the skills looked awesome to me... Must have been real though, as Heath came around in front of me from running some sprints he said "not happy the big guy, not happy at all!"

Not training with the main group but still onfield doing running or ball skills were, Cameron, Lobb, Whitfield, Shaw, Williams, Addison and possibly a couple of others I missed..

I didn't see any of the rehab guys at all, but tbh I was a bit in awe at the start and probably just missed some..

The guys are certainly training hard, at one point after they had been out there over 2 hours Leon stopped the "match" & had them all do 10 reps of drop to pushup, do one, jump to star jump and then repeat, then kicked on with the practice match again..

I was there to meet a couple of the guys and as they came off they looked like they could do the same again, though Callan did say words to the effect that he wouldn't mind it if they air-conditioned the gym

On that, I met Callan, Lachie W and Will, seriously great guys who genuinely made me feel comfortable, we can be very proud of the men who are the players that represent us.

Was he looking good?

He looked dominant tbh, but it looked as though the drill was designed with him as pivot, and the coaches didn't really block him or attempt to outmark him. In terms of what he did with the ball though, both decision making and execution were very very good..

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Great report. Thanx for that.

 

[gee whiz giant]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-12-06/your-clubs-best-22?utm_medium=RSS
Greater Western Sydney
B: Heath Shaw, Joel Patfull, Nick Haynes
HB: Lachie Plowman, Phil Davis, Curtly Hampton
C: Adam Treloar, Ryan Griffen, Tom Scully
HF: Jarrod Pickett, Jeremy Cameron, Lachie Whitfield
F: Devon Smith, Adam Tomlinson, Dylan Shiel
R: Shane Mumford, Toby Greene, Callan Ward
I/C: Stephen Coniglio, Rhys Palmer, Josh Kelly
Sub: Will Hoskin-Elliott

That team is close. Remember it's only a selection for the first round.
Full back line looks settled. Half back line has 2 rebounding flankers. Adam Kennedy has missed out here, but he's primarily a lock-down defender, not an attacking rebounder, so he's more likely to compete with Bugg/ Williams for a spot against teams with small elusive forwards. We are getting real depth in the back line, with Buntine getting closer and Golds and Wilson also looking for a way in. Selection may depend on disposal efficiency.

Adam Tomlinson is not a full forward. I can't recall him taking too many pack marks. WHE has to start forward, so if Cameron holds down CHF, there is still a spot open at FF. Could leave a 'smokey' for full forward, maybe Lobb with McCarthy will also be pressing. But more likely it will be Tommo CHF and Jezza FF.

Midfield with Griffen is seriously better than last years.

In summary, real competition for spots. Patton & Mohr will be missed, because no-one else has their height or body strength. But overall, we're good for 7-9 wins, with no blow-outs in Perth and Adelaide. Excellent.

 

[gee whiz giant]

Disagree. Lamb is not in our best 22.

Lamb reminds me of Chris Knights (Crows, now Richmond). They are not quite quick enough for speedy flank work, not robust enough for midfield.
Perhaps Jed's value will increase if he becomes a super-accurate kick for goal.

I have often felt the first quarter momentum slip when we kick points instead of goals. That must be improved.

 

[Danny88]

That team is close. Remember it's only a selection for the first round.
Full back line looks settled. Half back line has 2 rebounding flankers. Adam Kennedy has missed out here, but he's primarily a lock-down defender, not an attacking rebounder, so he's more likely to compete with Bugg/ Williams for a spot against teams with small elusive forwards. We are getting real depth in the back line, with Buntine getting closer and Golds and Wilson also looking for a way in. Selection may depend on disposal efficiency.

Adam Tomlinson is not a full forward. I can't recall him taking too many pack marks. WHE has to start forward, so if Cameron holds down CHF, there is still a spot open at FF. Could leave a 'smokey' for full forward, maybe Lobb with McCarthy will also be pressing. But more likely it will be Tommo CHF and Jezza FF.

Midfield with Griffen is seriously better than last years.

In summary, real competition for spots. Patton & Mohr will be missed, because no-one else has their height or body strength. But overall, we're good for 7-9 wins, with no blow-outs in Perth and Adelaide. Excellent.

I just can't see the reliable Kennedy missing out for the unreliable combination of Hampton and plowman... A more realistic option is to play one with shaw as rebounding backmen, and kennedy takes the small forward in the pocket.

In regards to the forward line I think Cameron will play full forward and tomlinson will play a high half forward role with someone like Mccarthy or stewart (unlikely now as he has been ill) chopping into a more traditional CHF. The real pressure for spots IMO will be the small forward role to support WHE and DS with defensive pressure being the number 1 factor in regards to selection...there is enough goal kicking there, we just need to keep the ball in

 

[inamedthegiants]

Lamb reminds me of Chris Knights (Crows, now Richmond). They are not quite quick enough for speedy flank work, not robust enough for midfield.
Perhaps Jed's value will increase if he becomes a super-accurate kick for goal.

I have often felt the first quarter momentum slip when we kick points instead of goals. That must be improved.

I know if we're going to win after our first shot at goal.

Disagree. Lamb is not in our best 22.

Time will tell mate.

 

[Danny88]

I know if we're going to win after our first shot at goal.

Time will tell mate.

I think if he couldn't make the best 22 at the end of last season (yes i know he was injured at the very end of it) when we had a million injuries i think its safe to say he isn't best 22 at the moment. No doubt i rate him but he isn't performing atm to warrant a best 22 tag yet

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Kennedy is a must. He has quietly amassed 54 games for us, only behind Ward, Smith, Treloar and Scully in number of games played. Can anyone remember a really bad one? He is Mr Consistency. So he's not as flashy as some, but he turns up every week and does a job.

Battle for the backline, for the first time, is looking really healthy - but for mine, Kennedy is one of the first picked.

 

[Andre the Giant]

I agree Kennedy is a gun, he has real composure and has athleticism.

I think we are better with him in

 

[Bogan Juniors]

I agree that Lamb is not best 22 but he has the potential and indeed the ability to get plenty of game time. I must admit I like him up forward

 

[Simmofreo]

He got a bit of a write up in the HS on the weekend.

Do you have a link mate ?

 

[Gigantor]

Do you have a link mate ?

No, sorry, I had a hard copy. From memory, it was a two page spread on the 10 draftees they are expecting to make an immediate splash next season.

 

[billy fragos]

Shaw - Patful - Plowman
Haynes - Davis - Hampton
Griffen - Ward - Treloar
Pickett - Mcarthy - Scully
Hoskin-Elliot - Cameron - smith
Mumford - Greene - Shiel
Bugg - Kelly - Whitfield
Tomlinson

Pretty good side, people seemingly are underrating your midfield

 

[Bogan Juniors]

and yet everyone wants to buy them......go figure

 

[sven_inc]

Hey guys, pardon the intrusion.

With Boyd gone, how do you see your 2nd ruck situation panning out? I feel he'll be a decent loss for you guys in the short term with his ability to give Mumford a chop out during the game without losing anything up forward.

Are Phillips and Lobb good enough up forward to get picked in their own right? Or does someone like a Stewart (who I think is injured/sick atm??) have that capacity?

Personally I can't see Cameron, McCarthy or Tomlinson being that 2nd ruck for different reasons with an outsiders perspective.

Interested to hear you thoughts.

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Hey guys, pardon the intrusion.

With Boyd gone, how do you see your 2nd ruck situation panning out? I feel he'll be a decent loss for you guys in the short term with his ability to give Mumford a chop out during the game without losing anything up forward.

Are Phillips and Lobb good enough up forward to get picked in their own right? Or does someone like a Stewart (who I think is injured/sick atm??) have that capacity?

Personally I can't see Cameron, McCarthy or Tomlinson being that 2nd ruck for different reasons with an outsiders perspective.

Interested to hear you thoughts.

Tomlinson has played that role in the past, though I don't think he's a regular option. Phillips is more a pure ruck, though he might surprise a few. Lobb is more likely to play that resting forward/2nd ruck role. Not really sure where Downie is at the moment, but he could also be an option - though like Phillips is probably closer to pure ruck and he's definitely behind Phillips in that role.

It all really depends on whether they want a forward who can ruck or a ruckman who can go forward.

I'm an unabashed fan of big Sauce so I'd like to see him get more of a run this year if he stays uninjured. Leon has also mentioned him in a couple of press conferences as someone on the improve.

 

[Thrashor]

With no Patton or Boyd, I would love to see Mummy play forward/ruck and play Sauce as ruck rotating through the bench I think having Griffin in the middle lessens significantly the need to have Mummy play like a ruck rover.

 

[sven_inc]

With no Patton or Boyd, I would love to see Mummy play forward/ruck and play Sauce as ruck rotating through the bench I think having Griffin in the middle lessens significantly the need to have Mummy play like a ruck rover.

I think thats a great idea. I hadn't even thought of that as an option as Mumford generally just screams dominant first ruck. He is a beast up forward so it may work. I guess Lobb would be the next best as an agile Ruck who can play forward a little, but I see Phillips as that next in line for first ruck only at this stage. Like him as a prospect!

Interesting little sideshow to the preseason for you guys I reckon.

 

[DeeWong6996]

Is Stewart going to make the cut? Who do you see playing alongside Cameron next year?

 

[Giant Pete]

Is Stewart going to make the cut? Who do you see playing alongside Cameron next year?

I know this is a big call, but Stewart could potentially be our best forward. I think he's 2m tall.. Was a top ten in vertical leap at combine, Leon stated he's the best dual sided kick in the team and he has put on a lot of bulk recently. I'm interested to see how he goes this year.. Have a look at his goals in the last game against the doggies as a guide.

 

[Determinant]

I know this is a big call, but Stewart could potentially be our best forward. I think he's 2m tall.. Was a top ten in vertical leap at combine, Leon stated he's the best dual sided kick in the team and he has put on a lot of bulk recently. I'm interested to see how he goes this year.. Have a look at his goals in the last game against the doggies as a guide.

I loved that game of his, best fwd may be a big call given our fwds, but I do believe he is best 22 quality for sure

 

[_GT_]

Is Stewart going to make the cut? Who do you see playing alongside Cameron next year?

With Stewart currently down with Glandular Fever, McCarthy possibly gets a look in up forward. He is proving durable for a young fella, so if form is up in the lead up to rd 1 he gets the nod I think. Lobb looked ok up forward before being drafted. If he can put in a good series of pre-season games, then he may also get a run early as a forward. I like the possibility of Philips and Mummy rotating forward and ruck. If Stewart comes good in enough time to impact pre-season games, he might come into contention. Right now though, I would put early money on Sunshine along side Jezza. Funny how many were scratching their heads when we took Sunshine in the draft. Appears a masterstroke in hindsight

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Stewart was actually up in Noosa with the rest of the guys and by the looks of things did most of the training so would seem that he got lucky and only had a mild dose of glandular fever