First 22 in 2023

[p4p1]

The big question that will need to be answered this year is how do we handle a transition for some of our older players like Rich and Zorko, who have been great for the club, if they aren't in our best 22 come finals time? I'm not saying they won't be, but stranger things have happened.

 

[M Malice]

Hurry up already.

 

[M Malice]

The big question that will need to be answered this year is how do we handle a transition for some of our older players like Rich and Zorko, who have been great for the club, if they aren't in our best 22 come finals time? I'm not saying they won't be, but stranger things have happened.

Barring injury I can't see it happening but if it does I think we have them covered.

Daniel Rich- Coleman can play his role now and we have enormous depth in that position of the ground even though some of it has not been fully tested if at all yet eg. Wilmot, McKenna, Prior, Fletcher, Michael, Madden, Answerth.

Dayne Zorko- Hard to replace the inform version of Zorks, Bailey can play a similar style, Ashcroft has that burst of space out of stoppages and Zork like intensity.

 

[KissKiss]

Its weird to hear Lohman getting a round 1 spot but it also wouldnt be the first time someone has got locked in without being seen much externally. I hesitate to say it but it does suggest to me (on the outside) that the coaches play favourites from the training track rather than whats delivered on field.

On the wing I will still maintain that the balance was better with Clugg out there more. I also thought Prior has done better there than many others and I personally think his size and shape would be an asset there

 

[knaf]

I am not a subscriber to the coaches play favorites theory.

surely the coaches pick the side they believe most likely to beat the opposition. I guess they would consider selecting players who might strengthen the side in the short or longer term if they are exposed to AFL level rather than VFL level. For example giving weight to players who have delivered in the past and who are coming back from injury; or to a developing player who needs the experience.

Of course supporters, commentators, players not selected etc will disagree with decisions and with hindsight point to mistakes.

Coaches won’t get it right every time, but to me playing favourites is the strategy of a coach who won’t be around for long.

 

[p4p1]

I am not a subscriber to the coaches play favorites theory.

surely the coaches pick the side they believe most likely to beat the opposition. I guess they would consider selecting players who might strengthen the side in the short or longer term if they are exposed to AFL level rather than VFL level. For example giving weight to players who have delivered in the past and who are coming back from injury; or to a developing player who needs the experience.

Of course supporters, commentators, players not selected etc will disagree with decisions and with hindsight point to mistakes.

Coaches won’t get it right every time, but to me playing favourites is the strategy of a coach who won’t be around for long.

It's human nature that coaches will play favourites. I doubt they set out to play favourites but there will be a weak justification for choosing a player over another player that may offer more.

Need we forget Ross Lyons adoration for Zac Dawson?

 

[M Malice]

The coaches play their favourites narrative is a falsehood, although I do think they give credits to proven players who have a down period, which is fair enough IMO. If a newbie has 2-3 down games on the trot they are much more likely to be dropped than a 150+ game player.

 

[Mighty Lions]

Its weird to hear Lohman getting a round 1 spot but it also wouldnt be the first time someone has got locked in without being seen much externally. I hesitate to say it but it does suggest to me (on the outside) that the coaches play favourites from the training track rather than whats delivered on field.

On the wing I will still maintain that the balance was better with Clugg out there more. I also thought Prior has done better there than many others and I personally think his size and shape would be an asset there

Doubt right now that Kai would be best 22 come Round 1 but the club highly rates the young lad and would not be surprised come an injury or poor form from one of our smalls in the forward line and he gets his chance to come in again. He was unlucky with injury last year otherwise he would have played more games 100%.

 

[dlanod]

It's human nature that coaches will play favourites. I doubt they set out to play favourites but there will be a weak justification for choosing a player over another player that may offer more.

Need we forget Ross Lyons adoration for Zac Dawson?

From the outside: coaches play their favourites.

From the inside: coaches pick the players that tick some internal boxes which we don't have access to.

Given how well Lyons rates defensive effort and reliability and did not care about attacking, it's not really a surprise that Dawson ticked his boxes and continued to do so.

 

[Viceregal]

From the outside: coaches play their favourites.

From the inside: coaches pick the players that tick some internal boxes which we don't have access to.

Given how well Lyons rates defensive effort and reliability and did not care about attacking, it's not really a surprise that Dawson ticked his boxes and continued to do so.

And sometimes they pick them not for what they bring now but for what they perceive they will bring in the future (eg early Rayner) or because they provide a structural purpose (eg McStay) or because they need someone to play in that position and player x can hear thunder and see lightning (eg some of the teams we picked during the most recent iteration of the dark days).

The frustration from the fan persective comes when we see a player through one prism but the coaches through a different one (eg Linc based on the B&F results) and it is a lot easier to blame it on 'playing favourites' rather than either understanding the coaches persepective or having to trust that they are at least doing it accoring to some kind of plan (even if that plan is being driven by corporate needs (need to be exciting/competative/entertaining in a fickle market) or Board directives (you will play in finals within x years or the coach sacked) or self preservation (perception they will sack me if my win-loss records goes too low so playing for wins now not more strategic wins later))

That being said there will be coaches who totally have their favourties and have no idea what they are doing but they will be as rare as an actual AFL player really being a spud.

 

[Sanchez365]

From the outside: coaches play their favourites.

From the inside: coaches pick the players that tick some internal boxes which we don't have access to.

Given how well Lyons rates defensive effort and reliability and did not care about attacking, it's not really a surprise that Dawson ticked his boxes and continued to do so.

Reading the line "given how well Lyons rates defensive efforts" too quick almost had me questioning your sanity on poor Jarrod.

 

[martinson]

Obviously coaches will pick the team they believe has the best chance of winning any particular game but it doesn't mean they don't get it wrong from time to time like anyone in any sporting field or business.

Here's one I'm sure had you scratching your head for a couple of years if you're around 3KZ..Noel Mugavin.

 

[Sproj]

Is it Berry’s shoulder keeping him out today? That’s very, very concerning if so.

 

[vic_LION]

Good that Neale is back out after last week, was wondering if that'd rest him just to be sure, but a good sign

Know it's only a practice game, but very pumped for tonight's match! Haha

 

[twhowler]

Well with the side named v Geelong and the next game a real one we can turf out our fantasy teams and go with a realistic one for round one! I can at least.

Our depth getting a little bit of an early test with 3 best 22s from last year out (4 if Zorko doesn't get up), and another 3 borderline needing to get some games under their belts. Not the walking wounded but a few more than you would like to start the year with.

McKenna was the one i have least faith in just because he looked very rusty, possible they go with Tunstill instead.

FB: Starcevich Andrews Rayner
HB: Coleman Payne Rich
C: Robertson Dunkley Bailey
HF: Cameron Daniher Hipwood
FF: McCarthy Gunston Zorko
Foll McInerney Neale McCluggage
Interchange: Ashcroft Wilmot McKenna Prior
Sub Tunstill
Emergencies Fort Sharp Madden Joyce

Unavailable: Berry, Gardiner, Ah Chee
Need fitness to be considered: Lohman, Answerth, Lyons, Fletcher

 

[Section 5]

Out of all the off-season shoulder surgery guys Joe is the only one that looks ready for round 1.
Assuming he gets through the Cats game unscathed.
The others may be available in time, but it is a little concerning at present.

Need to get through tonight's game and up to round 1 without further injuries/suspension and things may not appear as bad.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I'd go with Fort as the sub for round 1 or play Joyce. Need a bit of height against Port

 

[Dalions]

I'd go with Fort as the sub for round 1 or play Joyce. Need a bit of height against Port

As long as Joyce plays ok tonight, I think he will get a gig in round 1 with Gardiner likely still unavailable.

 

[Section 5]

As long as Joyce plays ok tonight, I think he will get a gig in round 1 with Gardiner likely still unavailable.

I have only watched Joyce play 1 VFL game v us Lions. So, a very small sample size.
This was intentional as i wanted to see what he can produce. So, i was paying attention to his game.
Fullarton easily out marked him on 2 occasions, and it was a 50/50 contest.
Joyce picked up 16 disposals that day, 4 from kick ins.
He was basically unsighted so did nothing special in a VFL game.

Having said all of the above he has been given another chance and most likely his last.
He knows this, so Joyce should be trying his guts out to show the club something.
Whatever he can produced tonight will be his best so it will be interesting to see how he goes.
Assuming he is given much time on the field in the first place.

We desperately need depth in defense this year so i hope he can fill a role when and if called upon.
He is 26 in April, been in the AFL system for some time so he should be at his best or close to it now.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I'd go for round 1

B: Starcevich Andrews Joyce/Fullarton
HB: Coleman Payne/Joyce Rich
C: Prior Dunkley Berry/Tunstill
HF: Hipwood Daniher Bailey
FF: Cameron Gunston McCarthy
Ruck: Fort McCluggage Neale
Bench: McInerney, Ashcroft, Rayner and Wilmott

 

[pulpdriver]

I'd go for round 1

B: Starcevich Andrews Joyce/Fullarton
HB: Coleman Payne/Joyce Rich
C: Prior Dunkley Berry/Tunstill
HF: Hipwood Daniher Bailey
FF: Cameron Daniher McCarthy
Ruck: Fort McCluggage Neale
Bench: McInerney, Ashcroft, Rayner and Wilmott

Tall team with two Danihers, Fort and McInerney on the bench.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Tall team with two Danihers, Fort and McInerney on the bench.

You didn’t hear about Gunston changing his name?

 

[Balony_pony16]

B: Starc, Andrews, Rayner
HB: Coleman, Payne, Rich
C: Tunstill, Luggage, Berry
HF: CC, Daniher, Bailey
F: McCarthy, Hipwood, Gunstan
Foll: Omac, Dunks, Neale
Bench: Ashcroft, Zorko, McKenna, Dev
Sub: Wilmot

Key thoughts

• Not sure about the Rayner down back thing. But worth leaving him there until Gardiner gets his body right. Perhaps give him some kickouts to get into the game. He looks lost where ever he plays still
• Wilmot looks completely lost, but is versatile to play forward, back and wing as a sub against tiring opposition.
• Tunstill looks Miles ahead of the next gen fringe. Pure footy brain that needs more games to be a little better on execution. He was so close to starting sublime attacking plays
• Dev is a foot soldier who often has no intent and fumbles. But competes well enough if he watches his loopy handballs. Stop gap until Fletcher plays imo

 

[twhowler]

As long as Joyce plays ok tonight, I think he will get a gig in round 1 with Gardiner likely still unavailable.

Hmm wouldn’t be my choice, especially with Finlayson unlikely to play

B: Starc, Andrews, Rayner
HB: Coleman, Payne, Rich
C: Tunstill, Luggage, Berry
HF: CC, Daniher, Bailey
F: McCarthy, Hipwood, Gunstan
Foll: Omac, Dunks, Neale
Bench: Ashcroft, Zorko, McKenna, Dev
Sub: Wilmot

Key thoughts

• Not sure about the Rayner down back thing. But worth leaving him there until Gardiner gets his body right. Perhaps give him some kickouts to get into the game. He looks lost where ever he plays still
• Wilmot looks completely lost, but is versatile to play forward, back and wing as a sub against tiring opposition.
• Tunstill looks Miles ahead of the next gen fringe. Pure footy brain that needs more games to be a little better on execution. He was so close to starting sublime attacking plays
• Dev is a foot soldier who often has no intent and fumbles. But competes well enough if he watches his loopy handballs. Stop gap until Fletcher plays imo

PRetty much what the side will look like.

I would have a big question mark next to Berry. Without knowing what was wrong, he looked very rusty v swans then didn't play. He is not crucial so i'd be letting him play 2s in round 1.

It does make Wing tricky. No Ah Chee, possibly no Berry. I thought Wilmot did some nice things but he didn't have much of it. Perhaps because he was moved around a bit? With no Berry i'd have one of Wilmot or McKenna on the wing and use their pace as a weapon.

So main wings for round 1 as Wilmot OR McKenna / Robertson / Tunstill. Berry can come in for the weakest link once fit.

Incidentally that is the most i have ever seen Daniher run and chase. Gunston set a good example too, never gives up or blows up if there is a poor kick, just sees what pressure he can put on.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

It does make Wing tricky. No Ah Chee, possibly no Berry. I thought Wilmot did some nice things but he didn't have much of it. Perhaps because he was moved around a bit? With no Berry i'd have one of Wilmot or McKenna on the wing and use their pace as a weapon.

Wing is a tricky spot to play. Depending on the game, you can get a heap of it. Others, the ball seems to ping back and froth over your head. Wouldn't read too much into possession counts - the selectors will have a good idea who's playing the role right.