jenny61_99
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Bigman’s Training Reports
- Thread starter bigman
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- Jul 22, 2012
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The preference of Milera over Nank to me feels like one of these bizarre obsessions with having a certain quota of “experience” out on the field.
In reality, the only things Milera has experience in are losing, and getting injured.
Nankervis is better at literally every football skill (in 2025) when played in the same position. Everything.
As for Draper, I would prefer him in the 22, but wouldn’t actually hate him starting as the sub in his first game, as he is the type that could clearly thrive in that particular role (once blokes get tired, his speed will be unstoppable). If he’s somehow outside the 23 for Rd 1 in favour of someone like Berry or Pedlar, it’s pretty nonsensical.
I suppose it’s possible that Milera, Curtin or Sholl could be used in a sub role in Rd 1 also.
Then there’s the big question mark on whether or not Bond will get a gig.
Based on all of the available evidence, I suspect Nicks might go with the following lineup:
B: Worrell - N Murray - Michalanney *
HB: Laird - Keane ** - Hinge
C: Cumming - Peatling - Soligo
HF: Keays - Fogarty - Neal-Bullen
F: Rachele - Thilthorpe - Walker
R: O’Brien - Dawson - Rankine
Int: Sholl - Milera - Crouch - Curtin
Sub: Draper
Emg (from): Butts **, Bond *, Nankervis, Berry, Taylor, Murphy, Pedlar, Dowling, Schoenberg, T Murray
* If Max doesn’t get up, Bond comes in
** If Keane doesn’t get up, Butts comes in
Certainly a chance that Draper comes into the 22, relegating one of Curtin, Milera or Sholl to the sub role.
Also a chance that Draper drops out because we historically prefer not to debut players in the sub role, which would elevate any of about 5 guys into sub contention.
There’s also an outside chance that Curtin has played himself out of the side completely with his poor performances against Brisbane and in the match sim the other day.
In reality, the only things Milera has experience in are losing, and getting injured.
Nankervis is better at literally every football skill (in 2025) when played in the same position. Everything.
As for Draper, I would prefer him in the 22, but wouldn’t actually hate him starting as the sub in his first game, as he is the type that could clearly thrive in that particular role (once blokes get tired, his speed will be unstoppable). If he’s somehow outside the 23 for Rd 1 in favour of someone like Berry or Pedlar, it’s pretty nonsensical.
I suppose it’s possible that Milera, Curtin or Sholl could be used in a sub role in Rd 1 also.
Then there’s the big question mark on whether or not Bond will get a gig.
Based on all of the available evidence, I suspect Nicks might go with the following lineup:
B: Worrell - N Murray - Michalanney *
HB: Laird - Keane ** - Hinge
C: Cumming - Peatling - Soligo
HF: Keays - Fogarty - Neal-Bullen
F: Rachele - Thilthorpe - Walker
R: O’Brien - Dawson - Rankine
Int: Sholl - Milera - Crouch - Curtin
Sub: Draper
Emg (from): Butts **, Bond *, Nankervis, Berry, Taylor, Murphy, Pedlar, Dowling, Schoenberg, T Murray
* If Max doesn’t get up, Bond comes in
** If Keane doesn’t get up, Butts comes in
Certainly a chance that Draper comes into the 22, relegating one of Curtin, Milera or Sholl to the sub role.
Also a chance that Draper drops out because we historically prefer not to debut players in the sub role, which would elevate any of about 5 guys into sub contention.
There’s also an outside chance that Curtin has played himself out of the side completely with his poor performances against Brisbane and in the match sim the other day.
As much as I would prefer to see Draper start the match, rather than as a sub, one benefit he does have if he is the sub is that he would come straight on in the guts, right into the action. He can make an immediate impact on the game in whatever minutes we give him.
Nothing worse than someone sitting on the pine for three quarters, and then coming on into a dead role where the ball barely goes near them.
I think they've shown that they see him in that "fringe player" range, along with the likes of Draper, Nankervis, Murphy, Taylor, Bond, etc. Players that they would be happy to play in the AFL side but may get squeezed out, or brought in when injuries occur etc. Hopefully they also view Milera in that group, although it's hard to be sure.
Nothing worse than someone sitting on the pine for three quarters, and then coming on into a dead role where the ball barely goes near them.
I think they've shown that they see him in that "fringe player" range, along with the likes of Draper, Nankervis, Murphy, Taylor, Bond, etc. Players that they would be happy to play in the AFL side but may get squeezed out, or brought in when injuries occur etc. Hopefully they also view Milera in that group, although it's hard to be sure.
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Golumless
A bigger deal out west.
If they're putting Milera in the 1s match sim now, it's unlikely he's seen in this group at this point in time seeing we're likely past the time to trial/experiment. Might take a rough couple of weeks for the needle to move.
I'm not that against giving Milera first crack at locking down the half back slot. He did have a pretty excellent 2023, and gives another high end interceptor and creator off the half back line when going well. Considering all options (minus moving Dawson back to half back with some small inside minutes), Wayne finding form and locking that spot down is probably the best case scenario for any finals aspirations this year.
Shifty Crow
All Australian
- Jul 30, 2024
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Milera having an excellent 2023 - wow that’s adding some mayo
Milera has not earned the right for first crack at HB - he’s always a slower starter when returning from injury and his trial form against Port was horrible
If there is any selection integrity at all - Nank deserves to hold his spot from 2024
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Will very likely be sub which I do agree isn’t ideal for a first gamer. Dawson even hinted at such with words used when chatting on SEN last Friday. High impact player when coming on in the second half (see Lions PS game) and alleviates full game injury/body concerns.
Agree with this. Not sure how Milera has become such a whipping boy. I suppose people need someone..
When not injured - see last 10-15 games 2023, he is an excellent player. Absolutely first team in terms of quality and performance. Mileras best> Nani’s best re hbf but Nank offers more positional flexibility
I also like Nank but we can’t fit everyone in, we need a few trades end of this year to offload some quality players that can’t get a gig and keep bringing in top end talent, look at GWS list management. Just magnificent despite losing so much talent over the year (another 3-4 top 22 from 2024 and then missing 5 from their best 2025 team and still looked like they could win the flag yesterday). We need to keep raiding them and do have an advantage now after already stealing 2 of them
- Aug 21, 2008
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This is wrong.
Punchy Bassett
Brownlow Medallist
Play Milera sure, but drop Laird then.
- Oct 2, 2022
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I've said I'd prefer they started with Nank over Milera - but I can see why someone would prefer Milera.
Full strength and in form, Milera is a real weapon. Hard to see him starting at that level after a layoff though.
We are very harsh in Milera on this board. His fellow players and coaching staff are pretty open about the respect he's held in.
- Oct 2, 2022
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Went at 20 possessions a game and came 8th in the B+F. He did have a very good 2023.
We arent harsh at all.
Weve rarely seen this mythical weapon that some people seem to think is a given.
Yep and then what
FR0GGY
From a cartel villa in Tuscany
That would be because most fans only care about on field performance.
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- Aug 21, 2008
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Stop telling us what the club thinks.
There are other avenues for club mouthpieces to speak and that's via press conferences and club released articles.
This place is about the FANS' opinions. When will that sink in?
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Totally agree. That is the problem with the AFC.
Just because a player is senior, they step back into the side.
Well run clubs make them earn their spot back.
Brenton Davy
Premium Gold
Let’s be honest. Most “opinions” in this forum are presented as undeniable fact and anyone who disagrees is a happy clapping numpty.
I think this forum has been more right than Nicks has been. Hence the results.
jenny61_99
Premium Platinum
I’m not all that against the thought of him being sub and coming on in second half. I just want him to play! The threat of course, is if we lose a player early, which means we lose that high impact late in the game option.
