I know its early to be doing this but, since our list is pretty much in place for 2007, here it is. Constructive comments would be appreciated!
B: MJ Fletch Nash
HB: NLM Michael Dyson
C: Lovett Jobe McPhee
HF: Gus Scotty McVeigh
F: Johns Lloydy Davey
FOLL: Hille JJ Stants
INT: Laycock Bradley Slattery Dempsey
A Few Points:
*I have deliberately left out Hird and Campo, both whom will be in our best 22 at the beginning of the year. Hird should be strictly an icing on the cake type player in his last year- will be great when he plays but need to be planning for life without him. Obviously when he is fit, he plays! Camporeale is also in the last year or 2 of his career and I am hoping that some of our younger players supercede (sp?) him by the end of the year.
*Have left out all the new draftees, with the exception of Davey, as he is mature aged and 'ready to go' Would be hoping that by the end of the year, at least Gumbleton and Hislop will be ready to slot into the best 22 for the following year.
BACKLINE
Key Backs- Fletcher and Michael are no brainers- will swap positions according to best matchups. Lee, Bradley, as developing backup players in these positions.
Tall/Small Back- NLM. Earnt his position here last year. Provides dash and rebound from the half back line. Can play tall or small. Could also go forward if required.
Small Backs- MJ, Nash Dyson. Was a toss up between MJ and McVeigh in this position and they could alternate but in the end I like McVeighs foot skills delivering to our forwards on the half forward line so went for MJ as our small 'shut down' player. Proven in this position.
Nash and Dyson I chose ahead of players like Welsh and Cole. Both have much bigger upside than Welsh in my opinion- better foot skills, pace and decision making. Cole I would love to have in my best 22 for his agression and attack on the ball but he still has to prove to me that he wants it badly enough. Nash is going to be a very good footballer imo. Dyson I see in a Lindsee Gilbee type role- could be an excellent kick out option for us. Think this is where he might find his position in our team.
MIDS
Watson Stanton Both stepped up big time last year (and the year before in Stanton's case) and I see no reason why both can't be fixtures in our team for many years to come. Watson as the extractor, Stants as the gut busting runner.
JJ Great of our club- will prove it in 2007.
Hille Stepped up last year and IS our number 1 ruck.
Lovett McPhee Both had disappointing seasons last year. McPhee provides a tall, agressive runner that will be hard for opposition teams to match up with on the wing. The recruitment of Davey has a permanent small forward releases Lovett to give the Bombers genuine pace in the midfield. Exciting.
FORWARDS
Lloyd Lucas No brainers- originally had Lucas at centre half back but with the recruitment of Michael, won't be needed there.
Johns Gets the nod ahead of Gumby for now. Will eventually be our full forward with Gumby playing at centre half forward. Will be a nightmare matchup for the oppositions 3rd best defender. Gives us serious marking ability in our forward line.
Monfries Want to see him play a lot more time in midfield this year, perhaps rotating with JJ. Will be ready to play permanent mid in 2008. By then Hislop will be ready to take over his spot on the hf flank.
McVeigh Rate him as a forward. Great disposal to Lloyd and co, good overhead mark for his size, accurate kick for goal, good defensive pressure. Could swap with MJ to the back pocket if matchups dictate so.
Davey Recruited as a permanent forward. Thats where he will play.
INTERCHANGE
Laycock Back up ruckman. Needs to stay injury free. Ryder will overtake him here if he isn't. His ruck combination with Hille should be a strength of ours next year.
Bradley Couldn't find a place for him on the ground- have no idea where his best position is. Versatility is a strength but also a weakness. Needs to step up this year and I think he can.
Slattery, Dempsey Very difficult choice for last 2 spots. Rate Slattery for his hardness. Think he will be our number 1 tagger for many years to come if he can stay injury free. Dempsey I think could be anything- very exciting to think about players like him and Jetta running amock in our midfield for years to come. He is my player to watch next year.
*Winderlich, Cole, would like to have in there too but ran out of spots for them. Think we are getting some really good depth back at the club.
* Heff, Pev, Bolts, Welsh are depth players only imo- can't see any of them playing in a future premiership team. The players I have picked in my team all could, in my opinion.
* Gumbleton, Lee, Ryder, Neagle, Jetta, Hislop, Houli, Reimers all have potential but will benefit from time in the 2s. Gumbleton, Ryder, Lee, Hislop and Lee will all get games this year and should hopefully be pushing hard for permanent spots by the end of the year, I hope, again, indicitive of our new found depth.
Sorry I've ranted a bit. Hope you've enjoyed the read. Think we will be very competitive next year and am confident about making the 8 (with a little help from the injury gods of course!)
Go Bombers!
B: MJ Fletch Nash
HB: NLM Michael Dyson
C: Lovett Jobe McPhee
HF: Gus Scotty McVeigh
F: Johns Lloydy Davey
FOLL: Hille JJ Stants
INT: Laycock Bradley Slattery Dempsey
A Few Points:
*I have deliberately left out Hird and Campo, both whom will be in our best 22 at the beginning of the year. Hird should be strictly an icing on the cake type player in his last year- will be great when he plays but need to be planning for life without him. Obviously when he is fit, he plays! Camporeale is also in the last year or 2 of his career and I am hoping that some of our younger players supercede (sp?) him by the end of the year.
*Have left out all the new draftees, with the exception of Davey, as he is mature aged and 'ready to go' Would be hoping that by the end of the year, at least Gumbleton and Hislop will be ready to slot into the best 22 for the following year.
BACKLINE
Key Backs- Fletcher and Michael are no brainers- will swap positions according to best matchups. Lee, Bradley, as developing backup players in these positions.
Tall/Small Back- NLM. Earnt his position here last year. Provides dash and rebound from the half back line. Can play tall or small. Could also go forward if required.
Small Backs- MJ, Nash Dyson. Was a toss up between MJ and McVeigh in this position and they could alternate but in the end I like McVeighs foot skills delivering to our forwards on the half forward line so went for MJ as our small 'shut down' player. Proven in this position.
Nash and Dyson I chose ahead of players like Welsh and Cole. Both have much bigger upside than Welsh in my opinion- better foot skills, pace and decision making. Cole I would love to have in my best 22 for his agression and attack on the ball but he still has to prove to me that he wants it badly enough. Nash is going to be a very good footballer imo. Dyson I see in a Lindsee Gilbee type role- could be an excellent kick out option for us. Think this is where he might find his position in our team.
MIDS
Watson Stanton Both stepped up big time last year (and the year before in Stanton's case) and I see no reason why both can't be fixtures in our team for many years to come. Watson as the extractor, Stants as the gut busting runner.
JJ Great of our club- will prove it in 2007.
Hille Stepped up last year and IS our number 1 ruck.
Lovett McPhee Both had disappointing seasons last year. McPhee provides a tall, agressive runner that will be hard for opposition teams to match up with on the wing. The recruitment of Davey has a permanent small forward releases Lovett to give the Bombers genuine pace in the midfield. Exciting.
FORWARDS
Lloyd Lucas No brainers- originally had Lucas at centre half back but with the recruitment of Michael, won't be needed there.
Johns Gets the nod ahead of Gumby for now. Will eventually be our full forward with Gumby playing at centre half forward. Will be a nightmare matchup for the oppositions 3rd best defender. Gives us serious marking ability in our forward line.
Monfries Want to see him play a lot more time in midfield this year, perhaps rotating with JJ. Will be ready to play permanent mid in 2008. By then Hislop will be ready to take over his spot on the hf flank.
McVeigh Rate him as a forward. Great disposal to Lloyd and co, good overhead mark for his size, accurate kick for goal, good defensive pressure. Could swap with MJ to the back pocket if matchups dictate so.
Davey Recruited as a permanent forward. Thats where he will play.
INTERCHANGE
Laycock Back up ruckman. Needs to stay injury free. Ryder will overtake him here if he isn't. His ruck combination with Hille should be a strength of ours next year.
Bradley Couldn't find a place for him on the ground- have no idea where his best position is. Versatility is a strength but also a weakness. Needs to step up this year and I think he can.
Slattery, Dempsey Very difficult choice for last 2 spots. Rate Slattery for his hardness. Think he will be our number 1 tagger for many years to come if he can stay injury free. Dempsey I think could be anything- very exciting to think about players like him and Jetta running amock in our midfield for years to come. He is my player to watch next year.
*Winderlich, Cole, would like to have in there too but ran out of spots for them. Think we are getting some really good depth back at the club.
* Heff, Pev, Bolts, Welsh are depth players only imo- can't see any of them playing in a future premiership team. The players I have picked in my team all could, in my opinion.
* Gumbleton, Lee, Ryder, Neagle, Jetta, Hislop, Houli, Reimers all have potential but will benefit from time in the 2s. Gumbleton, Ryder, Lee, Hislop and Lee will all get games this year and should hopefully be pushing hard for permanent spots by the end of the year, I hope, again, indicitive of our new found depth.
Sorry I've ranted a bit. Hope you've enjoyed the read. Think we will be very competitive next year and am confident about making the 8 (with a little help from the injury gods of course!)
Go Bombers!