Best Team For 09

[greatwhiteshark]

Exactly why McKinlay wont be FF next year (or possibly ever if he doesnt get allot fitter), Imagine a taller fitter defender on him with the same speed he would get a shalacking. I dont agree with Hunter as a FF though, Hunter does not bring any new dimension, we require a taller fitter timber down there to take that defender I am talking about eg Brown/Hansen.. Tall, strong, good runner if Brown can take half a pack mark he will be there all season. This will give Ben the space he needs to kick those 60+ goals a year.

Yep I agree Badazoka, we certainly do need a Lance Franklin or the like to play on Scarlett, rutten etc etc. Oh shit we don't have one.

The bottom line is that Mckinley can play FF, FP or where ever but those star full backs will be playing on him. They aint going to play on Hansen a dud will play on Hansen. The Opposition coaches will go Mitch who???????? so they won't worry about him.

This is how you build a forward line, the oppositions best backman playing on our best forward a bit like Glass goes to the best forward every week.

BM is simply our best forward, he will attract the best backman. so play him FF and get on with things. We are not good enough for decoys.

But the bottom line is all this means shit really unless Woosha wants a forward line, for all we know BM could line up at CHB.

 

[Streaker]

Wirra and Hunter will both play forward this year. Kennedy has shown that he can lead and mark as well as take a pack mark whilst also applying defensive pressure.

For me the forward line should look like this

FF: Wirra -- Kennedy -- Hunter
HF: McKinley -- Lynch -- LeCras

Wirra provides the crumbing forward option whilst Hunter can either lead and mark or be the third man up. Hunter shouldn't be the key forward. We need a CHF who is capable of being a goalkicker, not a wingman. Hansen is generally too far out to score when he gets the ball while Lynch is mobile enough to do the same job as Hansen yet can dob them from 60 out. McKinley and LeCras can both kick goals as well as being crumbing options and adding defensive pressure.

HB: Jones -- Wilkes -- Hurn
FB: S. Selwood -- Glass -- Embley

Defensively Embley filled a void that was missing once Jones was injured. I'd still like to see him play the role along with Jones. Wilkes efficiency with Jones playing was 100% but went out the window after Jones' injury. I think that with both Jones and Embley down back it gives us more run and carry options as well as a third tallish type marking/spoiling option. We always seem to have a problem playing against small forwards but Scott Selwood seemed to fill this void rather admirably. Hurn provides the X-factor with his dash and booming kick.

Midfield can be basically filled with players such as Ebert, Selwood, Priddis, Kerr, Masten, Butler, Rosa, Staker etc.

I didn't include Brown as I don't think he'll make a major contribution after just coming back from a knee reconstruction.

 

[bodazoka]

Yep I agree Badazoka, we certainly do need a Lance Franklin or the like to play on Scarlett, rutten etc etc. Oh shit we don't have one.

The bottom line is that Mckinley can play FF, FP or where ever but those star full backs will be playing on him. They aint going to play on Hansen a dud will play on Hansen. The Opposition coaches will go Mitch who???????? so they won't worry about him.

This is how you build a forward line, the oppositions best backman playing on our best forward a bit like Glass goes to the best forward every week.

BM is simply our best forward, he will attract the best backman. so play him FF and get on with things. We are not good enough for decoys.

But the bottom line is all this means shit really unless Woosha wants a forward line, for all we know BM could line up at CHB.

I understand that but the height is still an issue, Kennedy wont be in the goal square and neither will Lynch on a permanent basis. We need a tall bloke down there because we kick it long into the forward line likes its going out of fashion. My concern is with McKinley becoming our main target up forward when he wont be able to handle an athletic tall defender. Weather he is named in a FP or at FF isnt going to mean squat because he will still play the same way, its just that we need an athletic tall up forward.

If opposition coaches say Brown who and not pay him respect than it just gives Brown the space in the 50 that McKinley would usually have. But if we put Hunter and McKinley as the main targets and come up against two tall defenders we are at a major disadvantage.

By the way I never stated anything about Franklin or us needing a Franklin up forward.

 

[bodazoka]

FF: Wirra -- Kennedy -- Hunter
HF: McKinley -- Lynch -- LeCras

Wirra provides the crumbing forward option whilst Hunter can either lead and mark or be the third man up. Hunter shouldn't be the key forward. We need a CHF who is capable of being a goalkicker, not a wingman. Hansen is generally too far out to score when he gets the ball while Lynch is mobile enough to do the same job as Hansen yet can dob them from 60 out. McKinley and LeCras can both kick goals as well as being crumbing options and adding defensive pressure.

Never seen Kennedy playing predominately FF but it seems like a waste to throw away his hard running link play between mid and FF. Lynch I can see at HF but im sure swapping them around would yield a better outcome. Leca deffinately needs to crumb more with Wirra but McKinley and Leccas strengths are on the lead rather than pure crumming. Id say long bomb = tall bloke and or McKinley goes up Lecca and Wirra crumb, Pin point passes = McKinley and Lecca on the lead everyone else creating space for them.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

I understand that but the height is still an issue, Kennedy wont be in the goal square and neither will Lynch on a permanent basis. We need a tall bloke down there because we kick it long into the forward line likes its going out of fashion. My concern is with McKinley becoming our main target up forward when he wont be able to handle an athletic tall defender. Weather he is named in a FP or at FF isnt going to mean squat because he will still play the same way, its just that we need an athletic tall up forward.

If opposition coaches say Brown who and not pay him respect than it just gives Brown the space in the 50 that McKinley would usually have. But if we put Hunter and McKinley as the main targets and come up against two tall defenders we are at a major disadvantage.

By the way I never stated anything about Franklin or us needing a Franklin up forward.

I understand that mate and somehwat agree but Mckinlay deserves the opportunity to start their in my view. If he doesn't then I am convinced forwards are not of any interest to Woosha. Here's hoping.

Go Eagles 2009

 

[beatlesmith]

i think a forward setup in the future with brown as the stay at home gorilla FF, kennedy as the lead up CHF, and mckinley as the the forward who leads in to the space between brown (near goals) and kennedy (outside he 50). Lecras drifting in from the flank, a mid like waters, ebert, nicoski or hurn resting forward and a crumber.

Next year, i doubt brown will be ready to play FF from round one so i think hunter wll be FF. Him and Mckinley swapping between FF and 3rd tall. Mackenzie at CHB, wilkes as the third tall down back.

From Round 1:
Waters--Glass--Wilkes
Bones--Mackenzie--A.Selwood
Hurn---Priddis----staker
Ebert---Kennedy---Lecras
Mckinley--Hunter--Wirra/drafted crumber

R: Cox, Kerr, Masten
INT: Lynch, butler, nicoski/stenglein/embley (whichever 2 have the best pre-season form)

 

[EaglesRock777]

i think a forward setup in the future with brown as the stay at home gorilla FF, kennedy as the lead up CHF, and mckinley as the the forward who leads in to the space between brown (near goals) and kennedy (outside he 50). Lecras drifting in from the flank, a mid like waters, ebert, nicoski or hurn resting forward and a crumber.

Next year, i doubt brown will be ready to play FF from round one so i think hunter wll be FF. Him and Mckinley swapping between FF and 3rd tall. Mackenzie at CHB, wilkes as the third tall down back.

From Round 1:
Waters--Glass--Wilkes
Bones--Mackenzie--A.Selwood
Hurn---Priddis----staker
Ebert---Kennedy---Lecras
Mckinley--Hunter--Wirra/drafted crumber

R: Cox, Kerr, Masten
INT: Lynch, butler, nicoski/stenglein/embley (whichever 2 have the best pre-season form)

Not a bad line up but would play either Wilkes or Mckenzie as CHB with either Embley or Nicoski in a BP. Be a bit more experienced backline in my opinion.
I also think that Priddis should have to earn his spot by having a sound pre-season. Should definately not be in the starting 22 based on riding the coat-tails of Judd, Cousins, and Kerr in '07. Without the stars, I think we recieved a more accurate assessment of Priddis in '08.
Would likely prefer Ebert in the centre rather than Priddis anyway

 

[sTeeL]

Its hard to choose who to play where. I dont think the draftees will be in very early. None of them are really dominating WAFL so no need to rush them in. Injuries will again play a part in how early they make their debut.

Forwards
FF: Wirrpunda -- Lynch -- Le Cras
HF: McKinley -- Kennedy -- Brown

Basically the only unknown of this group would be Brown. The rest pick themselves. Wirra is such a class but slowing down a bit, slightly less accountable so playing some forward pocket magic is ideal. McKinely was smashing last year so leave him there and Lecca to get some pre-injury form back crumbing the packs again.

Midfield
C: Butler -- Priddis -- Ebert
R: Cox -- Kerr -- Masten

Midfield is harder to pick. Cox, Kerr and Priddis pick themselves obviously. Ebert with an decent first year effort, a few games experience and being a year older will step up on the other wing. Masten who is hopefully over his OP, will be ready to step into the midfield alongside Kerr. We need someone to get that ball out with Kerr and Masten can do it for us. Hopefully, Butler can get a good pre-season and a good run of games because he needs to get some form back to hold his spot.

Defenders
HB: Jones -- Wilkes -- Hurn
FB: A. Selwood -- Glass -- Waters

With the emergence last year of several defenders in Spangher, MacKenzie and Wilkes, its a shame I can only find room for one of them. Unfortunately, 5 of them pick themselves. Nothing like watching a booming kick from Hurn, a pack split apart when Waters runs head first in or any of the good running Jones/Selwood can do. Wilkes was easily the best of those on the outer and is a good size to take on a CHF

Interchange & Emergencies
Int: Stenglien -- Staker -- Embley -- Hunter
Em: Rosa, Schofield, MacNamara

Went with a line of experience. Hunter and Stenglien are still required players and I believe Embley in 08 re-asserted himself to be still needed. Either way, Staker and Embley need to watch their form as they could easily lose their spot .Fletcher and Hansen wont get much game time i would think.

Would have been good to have Davis in their for Rosa as I believe they are similar players except Davis has more upside. Thoguh since he is only a rookie its my understanding he cannot play until an upgrade through LTI???

Anyway after looking through the group I cant wait for next year. Hopefully, God's Wrath has been fully extinguished and he can stop taking it out on our players and they mostly have a injury free run....

Finally, hopefully Notte has spent the entire summer in the gym, so he can spend the entire Winter in there too. That boy needs to bulk up. Still... Alot...

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Are any of our draftees likely to be best 22 by the middle of 2009?

Who is the most AFL-ready?

 

[worsfold]

Are any of our draftees likely to be best 22 by the middle of 2009?

Who is the most AFL-ready?

I would say they would be played for experience and a max of 6-10 games.

But their all 18 and over 80kg so if their are a lot of injuries again they will not be too out of place.

Nick Nat, Swift, Shuey I think will play some games for sure.

Smith and Jones would play less but who knows would never of guessed Ebert would of played 13 last year or Notte 2.

If we start winning their less likely to play.

 

[Obeanie1]

Are any of our draftees likely to be best 22 by the middle of 2009?

Who is the most AFL-ready?

IMO only NicNat could become a best 22 player this year playing in the similar positions / role Rioli did.

We play him in a forward pocket to see what he can do and he kicks a couple each week, gets 2 or 3 goal assists and his defensive pressure forward is a highlight.

I can image him going on the ball for short periods but as the second player up in the ruck. Cox comes off, Lynch takes the ruck but NicNat plays as a pinch hit ruck/rover for short spells and weaves some magic.

Basically play the X factor from a forward pocket.

We can dream

 

[keviewiggle]

Put this team on the park for the next 2 seasons.


B. S.Selwood McKenzie Spangher
Hb. Hurn Brown Waters
C Butler Masten Ash Smith
Hf Ebert Kennedy Lecras
F Shoey Notte McKinlay

RR: Naitanui Swift Kerr

Int: Cox Macnamara Rosa Schofield

Emergency Glass , Hunter, Emberly

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Put this team on the park for the next 2 seasons.

Gonna be hard to field the same team every week for two years running.

And why would we drop Glass, Lynch and Selwood?

Bizarre.

 

[keviewiggle]

Just joking Gunnar!!!

 

[Eagle Ant]

Heres My Best Team For The Start Of 09, With The New Draft Picks And Every1 Is Fit

Full Backs- Selwood Glass Waters

Centre Half Backs- Hurn Hunter Bones

Centres- Embly Priddis BUTLER

Half Fowards- Staker Lynch Le Cras

Full Fowards- Wirrpanda Hansen Mckinly

Mids- Cox Kerr Rich

Interchange- Nicko Mackenzie ROSA Wilkes


What Do U Guys Reckon??

What do I reckon, I reckon you should be looking at picking the bulldogs best side as you know nothing about WCE.

Our best side is a super hard one to pick as our depth is very good.
My best side would be this.

FB: Waters, Glass, Nicoski
HB: B.Jones, Hunter, A.Selwood
C: Embley, Priddis, Hurn
HF: LeCras, Hansen, Kennedy
FF: McKinley, Brown, Wirrapanda
RR: Cox, Kerr, Butler
INT: Stenglein, Lynch, Rosa, Staker

EMG: Masten, Ebert, Wilkes

 

[BENROXS]

My best side would be this.

FB: Waters, Glass, Nicoski
HB: B.Jones, Hunter, A.Selwood
C: Embley, Priddis, Hurn
HF: LeCras, Hansen, Kennedy
FF: McKinley, Brown, Wirrapanda
RR: Cox, Kerr, Butler
INT: Stenglein, Lynch, Rosa, Staker

EMG: Masten, Ebert, Wilkes

I will be very dissapointed if Nicoski is in the team before Ebert.

 

[fryzie]

What do I reckon, I reckon you should be looking at picking the bulldogs best side as you know nothing about WCE.

Our best side is a super hard one to pick as our depth is very good.
My best side would be this.

FB: Waters, Glass, Nicoski
HB: B.Jones, Hunter, A.Selwood
C: Embley, Priddis, Hurn
HF: LeCras, Hansen, Kennedy
FF: McKinley, Brown, Wirrapanda
RR: Cox, Kerr, Butler
INT: Stenglein, Lynch, Rosa, Staker

EMG: Masten, Ebert, Wilkes

Close EA, but with players like Kennedy and Brown, players past their prime like Hansen are as good as gone. I'm not sure Hunter is our best option at CHB either, I'd rather see Lynch go back there or continue grooming Wilkes or McKenzie.

FB: Waters, Glass, Nicoski
HB: B.Jones, Lynch, A.Selwood
C: Embley, Priddis, Hurn
HF: LeCras, Kennedy, Ebert
FF: McKinley, Brown, Wirrapanda
RR: Cox, Kerr, Stenglein
INT: J.Mac, Hunter, Masten, Staker

EMG: Butler, Wilkes, Naitanui/Seaby

If this is the Best Team for 09 thread, we should not be entertaining the idea of playing Hansen and Rosa ahead of players who showed as much as players like J-Mac, Masten and Ebert did and the potential of Brown and Kennedy teaming up in the forward line is too good to hold back for sentimental reasons.

 

[beatlesmith]

B: Waters, Glass, Mackenzie
HB: Bones, Hunter, Stenglein
C: Hurn, Butler, Lynch
HF: Lecras, Kennedy, Nicoski
F: Wirrapanda, Brown, Mckinley

R: Cox, Kerr, Selwood

INT: Staker, Priddis, Embley, Seaby
EMG: Wilkes, Rosa, Ebert

That's the best IMO, the one that will be most likely to result in wins, regardless of developing and blooding players. I reckon Stinger should stay in the back line, i like the way he plays there. Give waters and selwood more midfield roles, while stinger stays back. Priddis on the bench with butler in the middle because butler is more refined and is classier, with kerr and selwood both more than capable extracters.
Then again, I can't really put brown at FF, as he hasn't proven himself there, but i'm not a fan of hansen at FF, lynch and kennedy look better up the ground, and Notte isn't ready, so Brown gets the nod.
Mackenzie over wilkes because he is bigger and stronger, so will take the bigger CHF's when hunter is too small (like against roughead or lucas). Height will also help when he has to play against resting ruckmen.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Close EA, but with players like Kennedy and Brown, players past their prime like Hansen are as good as gone. I'm not sure Hunter is our best option at CHB either, I'd rather see Lynch go back there or continue grooming Wilkes or McKenzie.

FB: Waters, Glass, Nicoski
HB: B.Jones, Lynch, A.Selwood
C: Embley, Priddis, Hurn
HF: LeCras, Kennedy, Ebert
FF: McKinley, Brown, Wirrapanda
RR: Cox, Kerr, Stenglein
INT: J.Mac, Hunter, Masten, Staker

EMG: Butler, Wilkes, Naitanui/Seaby

Lynch at CHB is a bad move.

We've moved him away from goals so he can play as a big-bodied utility between the arcs.

Moving him from one KP to another is counter-productive.

CHB will be filled by either Hunter, or one of the young guys.

 

[Marlin01]

Waters is going to have to improve his disposal to find a way into the midfield. I think I prefer him in a forward pocket.

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

B: Hunter Glass Waters

HB: Hurn Wilkies B Jones

C: Embley A Selwood Lynch

HF: Lecras Kennedy Ebert

F: Wirra M Brown Mckinley

R: Cox, Kerr, Priddis
INT: Staker, Butler, Masten, Seaby

EMG: Shuey, Rosa, Fletcher, Sphanger, Nicoski, J Mac, Stinga

The ones i'm not sure about are in bold

I think that's a bloody good team

 

[Big Cox]

FB: Nicoski Glass Waters
HB: B.Jones Hunter Embley
C: Staker Kerr Selwood
HF: Rosa Kennedy Wirra
FF: M.Brown McKinley LeCras
R: Cox Priddis Stenglein
I/C: Masten Butler Hurn Lynch
EMG: Ebert Shuey Natanui

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

FB: Nicoski Glass Waters
HB: B.Jones Hunter Embley

I've seen a few suggested backlines like this.

How many of these guys are actually quality defenders?

Would you back either of Nicoski or Waters to do a job on any of the best FPs in the league?

I wouldn't.

I think we're going far too tall in these set-ups.

You've basically got Glass and then five mid-sized defenders, none of which are genuine stoppers.

I'm not having a dip at this line-up in particular. It's just an example of some of the back sixes that seem to be cropping up.

 

[Big Cox]

I've seen a few suggested backlines like this.

How many of these guys are actually quality defenders?

Would you back either of Nicoski or Waters to do a job on any of the best FPs in the league?

I wouldn't.

I think we're going far too tall in these set-ups.

You've basically got Glass and then five mid-sized defenders, none of which are genuine stoppers.

I'm not having a dip at this line-up in particular. It's just an example of some of the back sixes that seem to be cropping up.

Nicoski is a geniune stopper as is Glass and Bones. Look at Hawks defence and even Geelongs. Who apart from Harley is a geniune stopper in the Cats defence. Scarlett Mackie Hunt Wocjinski and Milburn all run off and create

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Nicoski is a geniune stopper as is Glass and Bones.

Nicoski?

Come on.

He's there in the hope that he becomes our Gilbee.

He's one of the least defensive defenders we have.

I acknowledged Glass as a stopper. He is a FB after all - you'd want him to be committed to restricting his opponent.

I'm not convinced about Bones. He's tough and works hard, but is still suspect when dragged deep towards goals. I think there are quite a few forwards, who are the same height as Bones, who are able to beat him regularly in the air.

For example, I wouldn't back Bones against O'Loughlin or Robertson playing out of the square. If he can't take these guys, how good a stopper is he really?

Look at Hawks defence and even Geelongs. Who apart from Harley is a geniune stopper in the Cats defence. Scarlett Mackie Hunt Wocjinski and Milburn all run off and create

The Cats defenders run off and create, but they're still genuine stoppers.

They still do that job week-in, week-out.

Just because they're not one-dimensional, it doesn't mean they're not genuine stoppers.

Scarlett and Milburn would be two of the best spoilers in the league.

And Hunt is one of the best small defenders around.