Is Spud in your best 22?

[benno87]

A pretty simple question.

 

[Darky]

A pretty simple question.

Au contraire. I don't think it IS that simple.

In my mind, Spud's position in the 22 depends on what we're up against. If we're up against a super-quick midfield he's not much good to us, unless that team has a slow but solid HFF. Against a bigger bodied midfelder he might be one of our better bets, as he manages to get drawn to the ball by the player he's minding, and his disposal is quite good.

I really think it gets down to who he's on, because his size and physique are a bit "in-between" for him to be a specific-position player.

 

[wellsythegr8]

A pretty simple question.

In theory its simple, but still a tough one to answer. I would probably say yes, but just. Very handy tagger, and one of our toughest players. Annoys the opposition very well.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Depends. He's like Pratty, Sansbury, Chad Jones etc, the players that are on the fringes, and it usually depends on the opposition and current form.

 

[NeoBlaze]

Depends. He's like Pratty, Sansbury, Chad Jones etc, the players that are on the fringes, and it usually depends on the opposition and current form.

unequivocally yes. but my team doesn't mean much as it's not out on the park

 

[Moti]

A few extra big bodied players have been added this year while Grima is more than likely to be a regular in the midfield. Reduces the spots for him.

Pratt is a much classier and attacking player so if both were playing around the same level, I would go for Pratt.

This years midfield can start becoming hunted not the hunters as our class level should rise, meaning that apart from Rawlings and the odd M. Stevens or Pratt / Spud tag, we should be attacking.

 

[shintemaster]

This years midfield can start becoming hunted not the hunters as our class level should rise, meaning that apart from Rawlings and the odd M. Stevens or Pratt / Spud tag, we should be attacking.

I've a feeling that over the next year or so Dean will be looking at developing Rawlings away from this a bit. Looking at using him only on specific matchups or if another player is getting creamed. May still leave a place open for Spud if he keeps improving. Think he earnt a few brownie points last year. Everyon'e expecting Grima to make a quick impact, however the example that Dean's shown with Harris says he'll probably ease him in rather slower than we think.

 

[spurs]

Spud will be used in round 1 onwards as he was last year, BUT his fitness levels dropped significantly after say round 10+. If he can have a massive pre season this year and run out the whole year then he could be in our top 10.

 

[Ausgard]

he's in with a chance but whenever I do a 22 for round 1 he is never in it.

I think last year he was competing with Michael Stevens for the same sort of position. (though they are different sized players they would both take the 2nd tagging position after the Glove).

I think Michael took the next step while he trod water a bit with his fitness dropping off half way through the season.

Might have to make a name for himself other than as a stopper - or for Stevo Jnr to do it as there is no point having three tagger type players in the side.

Obviously with Kingy and Stevo retired there are a few spots open and there is no reason to think that he can't take another step but for the moment I have a few people in front of him - though I see no reason why he can not prove me wrong

 

[Event Horizon]

Apart from all the things mentioned here so far, it really depends on the preseason Spud is having as well as the others. Based on how he finished the 2004 and our recruiting (Picioane, Pratt etc) I'd say it's gonna be tough for Spud to get a game on round 1. Tough, but by no means impossible.

Apart from his speed deficiencies he ran out of legs a fair bit last season. That had to be addressed over the preseason. If he is in the best possible shape he can force his way in, but it will be more difficult than last season I'd say.

 

[whykickamoocow]

disregard last year, he had no luck with injuries and battled with fitness.
i have seen positives with his developement, showing inroads earlyu last year when he shut down a few big bodied players in riccuito and other big bodied midfielders. he has cemented his spot but i wouldnt see grima earn a spot before him.

 

[Woodson]

Au contraire. I don't think it IS that simple.

In my mind, Spud's position in the 22 depends on what we're up against. If we're up against a super-quick midfield he's not much good to us, unless that team has a slow but solid HFF. Against a bigger bodied midfelder he might be one of our better bets, as he manages to get drawn to the ball by the player he's minding, and his disposal is quite good.

I really think it gets down to who he's on, because his size and physique are a bit "in-between" for him to be a specific-position player.

yup, gotta agree with the Manowar guy on this one. As for defining 'best 22' you just have to determine whether the player gets 11-15 + games. No real defined 'best 22' as it's a horses for courses list these days and I think Archer falls in that list.

 

[Flaymin' Maurie]

Pratt is a much classier and attacking player so if both were playing around the same level, I would go for Pratt. .

Based on what????

 

[Moti]

Based on watching the guy play football for 2 years in the VFL and glimpses at the Lions.

Pratt has a lot in common with Voss in the way he plays, the size, marking ability etc. His problem at the Roos was discipline, not class. Spud is a goer, but Pratt has the class. But class doesn't make the footballer, the package does.

 

[Cororoo]

Mark Riccuito is held in pretty high regard over here.After all , he Captains the Crows and won one of those medals and all.

Rd 1 2004 saw the Brownlow medalists pants pulled down by No.24 ....

Best 22?

Probably so....Hard at the ball.Hard at the contest........Loved the dish off the Wellsy.(was that in 2003?)......

I'd hate to Coach our team.

 

[benno87]

Okay obviously it's a simply question asking weather a fringe player is in the best twenty two in a certain round against a certain team, but I am asking, is Spud in your best twenty two, all variables even, no opponents, no injuries.

 

[benno87]

And to add, a 12/12 result is fantastic, I actually had him in my best twenty two and believe people wrote him off after the back injury in 2004, but I think he will become a dynamic form of the midfield in 2005.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Okay obviously it's a simply question asking weather a fringe player is in the best twenty two in a certain round against a certain team, but I am asking, is Spud in your best twenty two, all variables even, no opponents, no injuries.

I'm not sure you can do that though, I don't think there is a set 22 from the list that would be your basic team. There are so many fringe players on the same level that I don't think that you could say with any confidence that Spud definately is in your best 22, ahead of someone like Urch, Sansbury, Chad Jones or Grima. It really does depend on the circumstances, ie; opposition match-ups. By picking him in your team with no variables, you're basically saying he's better than someone else, and that's not always the case.

 

[Gumbyroo]

Well, who do we take - Spud or Piccione? I would imagine these blokes are fighting for the same spot.

When people were noiminating their round 1 teams I don't recall all that many having Firrito in there. I am a fan of him, just not sure that as we speak he is in the best 22 (assuming we have to name the team regardless of who or where we are playing).

I think the following 19 picks itself pretty much, with the at risk players occupying spots up for grabs:

Simpson, Grant, Boomer, Wells, Harris, Rawlings (genuine midfielders)
Makepeace, Corey Jones, Daniel Morlop, Archer, Sinclair (second tier midfielders/flankers)
Hale, Watt, Petrie, Brown, Colbert, Sav, McKernan, Thompson (spine/ruckmen)
Piccione, Stevens, Harding (pockets/at risk - yes, I know there are 4 pockets on the ground)

Fringe Players - Grimma, Firrito, S Harvey, Monster, Chad Jones, Watson, Urch, Sansbury, Pratt

Late season starts if at - Jessie, Trotter, Moran, Schwarze, Baird, Shore, Perry, Le Cras (not counting rookies)

So, of the fringe players I would pick Grima (he may well prove himself to be ahead of Stevens by mid-way through the season). This would leave Urch and Firrito waiting in the wings, unless they move ahead of Piccione or Stevens. I think only S Harvey, Sansbury or maybe Watson can take Harding's spot.

Not bad depth in that squad I have to say.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Spud circa the early rounds of last season.............definitely.

Fully fit I think his bigger body and aggressive style is a major plus for our best lineup. His improved fitness is the key for me though.

T'toes

 

[Event Horizon]

I think the following 19 picks itself pretty much, with the at risk players occupying spots up for grabs:

Simpson, Grant, Boomer, Wells, Harris, Rawlings (genuine midfielders)
Makepeace, Corey Jones, Daniel Morlop, Archer, Sinclair (second tier midfielders/flankers)
Hale, Watt, Petrie, Brown, Colbert, Sav, McKernan, Thompson (spine/ruckmen)
Piccione, Stevens, Harding (pockets/at risk - yes, I know there are 4 pockets on the ground)

Fringe Players - Grimma, Firrito, S Harvey, Monster, Chad Jones, Watson, Urch, Sansbury, Pratt

I wouldn't have thought Picioane and Harding necessarily pick themselves. Even Micky Stevens who I think has plenty of upsides about him, is probably not an automatic selection either.

I'm also keen to find some room for Pratt. I think his toughness and strength is exactly what we need.

 

[shintemaster]

If people are tossing up between Spud and Lance as similar players, as far as I'm concerned, barring Wizard cup performances Spud has earned the right to be the first choice come 1st round.

 

[Gumbyroo]

I wouldn't have thought Picioane and Harding necessarily pick themselves. Even Micky Stevens who I think has plenty of upsides about him, is probably not an automatic selection either.

I'm also keen to find some room for Pratt. I think his toughness and strength is exactly what we need.

I only said that the first 19 picked themselves - the three "at risk" grabbed the last three places. I would not consider Firrito as being ahead of any of them, except maybe Harding, however Harding should be picked as the small forward (a role I can't see Spud filling).

 

[Ausgard]

I think that Sinclair could also be in the "at risk". His 2004 season was a bit of a step backward for him and the Play-making Half Back Flank with JWS, Trotter and Urch trying to get a game could really put the pressure on Sinclair

Most people seem to think that we have 4 Tall backs in Brown, Watt, Colbert and Archer - perhaps there might only be room for 3 of the 4.

 

[benno87]

I think that Sinclair could also be in the "at risk". His 2004 season was a bit of a step backward for him and the Play-making Half Back Flank with JWS, Trotter and Urch trying to get a game could really put the pressure on Sinclair

Most people seem to think that we have 4 Tall backs in Brown, Watt, Colbert and Archer - perhaps there might only be room for 3 of the 4.

I disagree with Archer being included in the group, clearly this is his last year, and I think he will really play off the bech, taking medium forwards and even play stints at forward pocket. i don't really recognize him as a key backman anymore.