How will our best side look when we are once again in the top bracket?

[Gunnar Longshanks]

We're aiming for another deep midfield rotation.

I can't remember the exact stat, but there was a period in the 2005-06 days when we were unbeaten in x amount of games when our full eight-man midfield was available. We've loaded up on midfielders in recent drafts; hopefully we're on track to again having the best, deepest midfield in the comp.

Ideally, we're back up there while Kerr and Cox are still useful.

 

[Quinz]

I haven't read the whole thread through in a while but I'm sure it's been mentioned- we look like building a very even team.

We have some very promising youngsters in most positions, from key position to ruckmen, to midfielders obviously, rebounding defenders. We are still lacking a genuine forward pocket, if we do need it. I can't see a problem with Lecca and McKinley working alongside JK though in the forward line.

I think most would agree we have the nucleus of a team that will content for premierships if the players develop the way we expect; obviously a premiership is not a given, it needs a lot of luck and good player management.

What we need now is experience in the young guys, and you can't rush that obviously. Making the top 8 would be a pretty successful season, but I could be OK with missing it if the signs are there that we are creating a genuine contending team.

When you consider that players like Swift, Naitanui, SSelwood, MacKenzie, Brown, Masten, Ebert and McKinley would all be considered best 22 without playing 40 games, we are going to have inconsistancy while these players build up experience. And that's not including possible best 22 players like Schofield, Spangher, McGinnity, Houlihan, Shuey, [strike]Wilkes[/strike].

Hurn and LeCras started season 2009 with 36 games each, and had real breakout years, in their forth and fifth seasons respectively. While not every player will improve like this, you can often see real improvement or consistency after a few seasons, especially for players who have injuries early in their career.

 

[NYJetsfor2029]

Hurn and LeCras started season 2009 with 36 games each, and had real breakout years, in their forth and fifth seasons respectively. While not every player will improve like this, you can often see real improvement or consistency after a few seasons, especially for players who have injuries early in their career.

Yep, the season were a player crosses that 50 game mark is usually the coming-of-age year for them.

So on that model 2010 could be the year of JK (45), McKinley (36), Ebert (32) and Masto (28).

Geez if just a couple of them lift to Le Cras, Hurn level, we could be in for a very good year.

 

[Prem87]

Yep, the season were a player crosses that 50 game mark is usually the coming-of-age year for them.

So on that model 2010 could be the year of JK (45), McKinley (36), Ebert (32) and Masto (28).

Geez if just a couple of them lift to Le Cras, Hurn level, we could be in for a very good year.

Definitely. Then wait till the next lot in Natinui, Shuey & Swift reach 50 games. Then we will start to be peaking as a team.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Definitely. Then wait till the next lot in Natinui, Shuey & Swift reach 50 games. Then we will start to be peaking as a team.

Dont forget.

Weedon 20 games. Stevens and Sheppard on 30.














JON on 40.....

 

[krisholio14]

I backed you lot to make the 8 at 3.20.

I was talking to a mate about it and he asked what I thought of your depth and I said it reminded me of how we built our success over the last few years. Bringing a talented group of kids through together at the same time.

What I like about where you're at is that you still have a core of experienced guns, with some good honest battlers, and at least a dozen youngsters with genuine talent who have all shown something at this level. Add to that those guys like Le Cras and Hurn who have 50 or so games under their belts now and have emerged as AFL quality players and I think not only do you have a very balanced side, but also that, like my mate, a lot of teams are going to underestimate your depth.

All this and the fact that it never takes you guys long to rebuild after an implosion, your definitive home ground advantage, and your form in the second half of last year (bar the Melbourne game) and I reckon it all adds up to a finals appearance.

 

[happy_eagle]

I reckon Geelong will make the finals aswell

 

[Eastern Rangers]

I reckon Geelong will make the finals aswell

Very Big Call.

 

[NIS BOTT MK 2]

Its hard to imagine what our team make up will look like but im guessing guys like glass, cox and embley will either be just missing out or just squeezing in considering their age but rather than that i made a team list for all our players younger than Priddis [dont know why I chose that as an arbitrary benchmark]

This is more a list of what I would like to see rather than a reflection of current form also those in blue have shown enough to make me feel confident that they'll be in our future best 22 and the guys in gray either haven't played a game yet or shown enough yet although I may be a bit harsh on Rosa but I think there's a chance he might get squeezed out
I did initially try to list the bench in order of preference as well but its too hard especially when you try to rank talls and mids so disregard the order there

 

[Lynch takes a mark]

I think depth is over-rated, if you lose your gun players to injury then good luck trying to replace them with WAFL players for a significant amount of time.

I am absolutely rapt with the core of our team, I can comfortably name about 10 players who will be long term AFL quality from what I have seen that are under 23 or so.

LeCras, Mckinley & Kennedy in the forward line

Masten, Ebert, Shuey & Swift in the midfield

Naitnaui in the ruck

Hurn, Brown and Butler out of the back line

There are a few players who have been on the list that could go either way, Waters may never get back into the late 2006 utility role where he was clearly one of out best across the 4 finals. Rosa also, 2007 finals were a very very strong showing for petal power.

 

[Shuey]

Everyone has Swift and Naitanui in the side. I dont get it, they are spuds and will be delisted buy 2012 anyway. Wilkes is dangerously under-rated and will replace Glass when he retires as FB and captain.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

I think depth is over-rated, if you lose your gun players to injury then good luck trying to replace them with WAFL players for a significant amount of time.

Depth isn't just about replacing your guns without missing a beat. You're right - not many clubs can do that. Depth is also about having enough quality outside your 22 to ensure your worst players are still pretty handy. That's something you see with the best sides and is a pretty telling indicator of a squad's overall strength.

 

[Marlin01]

Depth isn't just about replacing your guns without missing a beat. You're right - not many clubs can do that. Depth is also about having enough quality outside your 22 to ensure your worst players are still pretty handy. That's something you see with the best sides and is a pretty telling indicator of a squad's overall strength.

Also, it's about having guys in the 22, that aren't necessarily stars, but who can play a role.

 

[joeyavalanche]

Also, it's about having guys in the 22, that aren't necessarily stars, but who can play a role.

enter matt rosa.

fans on BF think players are failures unless they become elite superstars.

 

[Marlin01]

Time to pull this out again, I reckon. I've gone for players under 25 years of age.

B: Butler Mackenzie Waters
HB: Hurn Schofield Stevenson
C: Rosa Ebert Sheppard
HF: LeCras Kennedy McKinley
F: XXX XXX Shuey

NN Masten Swift
Houlihan XXX XXX XXX

So that leaves us with 5 openings:

Forward pocket: Fast crumber, great tackler, snaps goals from anywhere. We've added a few potential candidates to our list, but they're still a fair way off cementing their spot.

Full forward: Brown or Notte. Maybe Wilson will surprise me, but I think his lack of agility will prevent him from getting the job.

Bench 1: Ruckman: Sullivan will need to improve enormously, if he is to fill this position. I think we will need to add another ruckman to our list in the next couple of years. Ideally, one that can contribute in the forwardline.

Bench 2: Inside mid: Stevens

Bench 3: Tagger: S. Selwood, McGinnity

 

[JA56]

2012 Premiership Team

Butler Mackenzie Waters
Hurn Schofield Stevenson
Rosa Swift Sheppard
Ebert Kennedy Lecras
Mckinley Brown Weedon

Ruck: Natanui Shuey Masten

Int: Cox Kerr Stevens Selwood

 

[Carbine Chaos]

The problem with these predictions is that they don't and can't take into account players that come into and out of our squad through drafting and trading over, at a guess, the next 4 years.

Darling for FF, if he slips, and it seems he may?

 

[sTeeL]

Drafting for the next 4 years should have minimal impact seeing as our numbers that we have brought in in the last 5.

 

[SwiftforPM]

Everyone has Swift and Naitanui in the side. I dont get it, they are spuds and will be delisted buy 2012 anyway. Wilkes is dangerously under-rated and will replace Glass when he retires as FB and captain.

please explain

 

[bigburger]

please explain

Easier to just ignore them.

 

[SwiftforPM]

Easier to just ignore them.

You're right.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

The Geelong match was good because we got to see our next-gen forward line and back line in action. No Lynch, Hansen or Glass, and they performed quite well. I don't know if this team will take us to premiership contention, but based on a mixture of prior performance, potential and wishful thinking, I'd like to see how this side goes:

B: Waters (c) Mackenzie Wilkes/Brown
HB: Butler Schofield Hurn

A defence without Glass. Disposal skills and dash from defence are what I tried to emphasise here. Waters has improved immensely in terms of disposal skills, and, along with Mackenzie, plays the more defensive defender, if you know what I mean. I have Wilkes ahead of Spangher. I also expect Sheppard to play in defence as a rebounding defender.

C: Rosa Masten Houlihan

A midfield without Kerr, something we've gotten used to over the last couple of years. Rosa is one of our most improved players, I want to see Masten given time in the midfield to prove himself (HFF? C'mon Woosh!) and I really liked the look of Houlihan late last year.

HF: Weedon Kennedy LeCras
FF: Broome Brown McKinley

Now that looks good I've put Brown in twice, I'm still not sure where his best position is. LeCras to play a Cousins-in-2005 type role

R: Cox Priddis Swift

I think Cox still has a few years left in him. You have to have Priddis in the middle, an absolute clearance machine. I like Swft's confidence in himself, hopefully another year or two in the gym will help him break those tackles.

I/C: Naitanui Sheppard A Selwood Stevenson

Speed, toughness and a dose of freakish talent.

Unlucky: Ebert (needs to improve his kicking skills), S. Selwood, McGinnty (will replace A. Selwood one of these days), Notte (I haven't seen enough of him so can't really put him anywhere) and that goes with guys like Smith, Stevens and J Jones who have yet to debut too.

 

[Bluey_McKenna]

In 2012:

Butler [Stevenson if Butler breaks down] McKenzie Waters
Sheppard Schofield Hurn
Rosa/Houlihan Swift Outside runner X [our top pick from 2010 or 2011 draft or a player we trade in]
Weedon Kennedy LeCras
McKinley M. Brown Small forward X

NicNat Shuey Masten

Int: S. Selwood Ebert [competing with A. Selwood] Cox Kerr (cameo role through the middle -7 minute bursts will be extremely effective)

M. Brown can swing back as the third tall as required, Cox can go deep FP and LeCras and McKinley becomes the leading FF.

 

[Prem87]

FB: Waters MacKenzie Schofield
CHB: Smith Brown Hurn
C: Sheppard Swift Steveson
CHF: Weedon Kennedy Lecras
FF: Broome Notte McKinley
Foll: Naitinui Shuey Masten

Ebert Stevens Butler Rosa/SSelwood/Houlihan

 

[scooter22]

heres the players i think will definately be in the 22 in 2012/13
FB: McGinnity, Mackenzie, Butler/Wilkes (depending on match-ups)
HB: Waters, Schofield, Hurn
Mid: Rosa, Priddis, Houlihan
HF: Sheppard, Kennedy, Kerr
FF: LeCras, Brown, McKinley
Foll:Cox, Masten, Swift
INT:Natanui, Ebert, Shuey, Scott Selwood/Wilkes/butler (depending on match-ups),

So yes i have picked i pretty simliar side to what our best 22 is this year, but it makes sense becuase these players will be at their peak in 2012/2013. Having a midfield full of 22-26 year olds is what wins many sides premierships, having players in the right age bracket at the same time.

Our forward line in gelling well already, if mitch brown can improve then we will have a very potent forward line. there is no need to move LeCras to a hff, he is already ripping it up in a pocket. I think kerr can play the cousins role of 05 that everyone has been talking about, with short bursts in th middle. Sheppard will also has bursts in the middle, but will play predominately on a HFF.

Our backline is already very strong, no need to add anyone. Maybe if ash smith can come up we may get rid of waters (to a HFF). our key defensive talls are already very good, Wilkes or butler depending on match ups. mcGinnity to take the dangerous small forward, a much underrated role on this board, even though recently we have been carved up by every small forward that plays us. hurn and Waters to rack up plenty of the ball and use it well. Schofield to take the lead up forward and McKenzie to the work from the goal square forward.

With a bit of developement and gametime to this midfield, it will return to its former glory. Rosa and houlihan running hard and using it well (hopefully) on either wing. Priddis doing his thing in the middle, he has a very important role in this side. Masten and swift on the ball is a great prospect, and with ebert and shuey off the bench its an impresive line-up. Add sheppard and kerr having stints in the middle and it looks very dangerous. Natanui and Cox getting the taps will make our midfield one of the best in the comp.