My 22 for round 1 next year

[bigbuddyboy]

FB: Muston, Shoe, Murphy

Muston; has done good jobs on tagging out pacey opposition defender, I think we use this skill where it really counts; the backline + he has pace, a good hoof.

HB: Stratton, Gibbo, Mundy

Mundy; trade for this guy. Can play the "nick maxwell" role (but with more talent and isn't a goose) as being third man up/rebounding player. Can also play pretty darn well in the midfield.

C: Young, Burgoyne, Birch

Burgoyne; should always be there at the centre bounce when he can be. Not on the wings

HF: Knights/ellis (if we don't get knights), Rough, rioli

Knights: Wouldn't mind him at all. Pace, can kick a goal. His currency is down ATM as well.

FF: peterson, Buddy, Hooper

Carlos; play the Mark williams role.

F: Renouf, Hodge mitch

Hodge: People saying he shouldn't play in the guts? He came second in the AFL MVP this year, and he's been at his most damaging playing on ball. Think back to rounds 1-16 and tell me Hodge shouldn't play in the middle.

Int: lewis/Breust, Sewell, Bailey/lowden, Savage/shiels

Out;
Laddo, goo, bateman, ozzy, brown, taylor, morton. Trade a few of these blokes for picks and mundy/knights. Keep a few others for depth (such as collingwood with a few experienced blokes in the VFL)

Pushing for selection;
Gilham,
WhiteX (back flank if no Mundy, or in for T. Murph)
Bailey/lowden/skipper
Any other of the remaining blokes we don't trade for picks and/or mundy/knights
Lisle - third tall option
Curnow (draft the sucker!)

Do not get: Tarrant, fraser, Robbie cambell

Do get; Several picks in this years draft. It's deep, and despite GC having a lot of high picks, we'll get some gems.

My team contains a lot of changes. Obviously all of them won't happen, and not all them do need to happen.
Our team as is should be good enough to push top 4. It's just a matter of getting it to "click"

 

[maxsmart]

I wouldnt think we are any chance of getting Mundy, he is worth a top 10 draft pick or pick 19 plus a very good player

 

[Lethal44]

Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Ben Stratton
Josh Gibson, Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Hodge
Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Jordan Lewis
Micheal Osborne, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli
Jordan Lisle, Jarryd Roughead, Rhan Hooper
Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Sam Mitchell
Carl Peterson, Brent Renouf, Xavier Ellis, Clinton Young
​

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

I'm going for NAB Cup Round 1.

I'd like to see all those with 3 years or left to go and all those with a history of knee, groin and ankle problems, rested.

That would make my team:

Not available: Bateman, Rioli, Burgers, Hodge, Mitchell, Guerra, Ladson, Bailey, Taylor...

FB: Whitecross - Gilham - Stratton
HB: Gibson - Schoenmakers - Birchall
Ce: Young - Ellis - Savage
HF: Hooper - Buddy - Peterson
FF: Lisle - Roughead - Bruest

Ru: Renouf
RR: Sewell
Ro: Shiels

I/C: Skipper, Lowden, Muston, Stubbs, JKT, Mahoney.

The team's slow, but I am hoping we pick up some speed in the draft and trade period, to substitute a few.

 

[WillowSF]

I've seen some strange, strange things going on in this thread, but I won't criticize or judge as I feel everyone is entitled to opinions.

Back Line

Thomas Murphy: A genuine back pocket who has definitely done enough to earn a spot playing on mid/small forwards. These days it seems every team has a Johnson/Le Cras/Betts in their side, so I feel he's pivotal to the back six as I can't see anyone on our list who does a better lock down job.

Stephen Gilham: Remains the best option as a KPD, and did some really good jobs in 2010. Remains maligned, but I remember reading someone asking how many better full backs there are. I can think of Glass, Scarlett and Lake, but throw a blanket over the rest.

Josh Gibson: Here's hoping he can get released to play the creative backman role that garnered so much interest in him in 2009. Its amazing that Murphy plays on tall guys, goes poorly and gets crucified, whilst Gibson does it, gets killed and gets told he's out of position. He was out of position, and hopefully 2011 has more creativity from Gibbo.

Half Back Line

Ben Stratton: The ideal backman who plays a couple of inches taller than they are. The ideal match ups for the O'Keefe's, J Riewoldts, and Dangerfields of this world. No doubt he sealed his spot for 2011 in the starting 18.

Ryan Schoenmakers: Its a lot harder to give a backman the treatment Clarko gave Buddy and Roughie at his age (just play 'em), and what Ratten is doing with Henderson atm, but there should be enough contingency plans with Gilham, Gibson and Stratton that you can get away with playing him on the first/second forward and educating him that way. If Hawthorn really do love him as much as we all think they do, they will do this in 2011.

Brent Guerra: Adds some much needed grunt and strength to this backline. His ball use makes him ideal as someone to stay behind the ball, and his strength will undoubtedly intimidate the small forwards of this world. Remains a required player.

Backline notes: I know everyone is crying out for Tarrant, but do we really need him? There is enough height down there to handle the majority of monsters, Schoenmakers should be our CHB for the next 10 years and I feel like Wayde Skipper could offer something in defence on the real monsters if need be.

Midfield

Clinton Young: A huge, huge, HUGEly important part of this side. His kicking has to be up there with the best in the game, and his run makes him so dangerous. The tag he received in the final is evidence of this. Remains very much a required player.

Sam Mitchell: I really don't mind if he goes under the radar now that Burgoyne and Hodge are firing in the centre. I'll happily watch his 30 touches and 6 clearances every single week. He may have gone down the pecking order from a league perspective but he is still undoubtedly our leader.

Cyril Rioli: Time to show that you are more than a small forward. Has Hooper-hammies, so Pre-season will be pivotal, but he could add so much to an already burgeoning midfield if he stays up the ground. Hooper and Peterson are surely in the side to release him.

On-ball

Brent Renouf: The Senior ruckman at the club, undoubtedly. Bailey may have more age, but its time for him to develop now with some secondary ruck duties in the 1s. I doubt Renouf will ever be a Cox/Naitanui or even a Jamar/Mumford, but he'll compete all game every game. He will be surpassed eventually, but until then, he's our man.

Shaun Burgoyne: Far too much poise and far too good in close to not start in the middle. Has definitely justified his worth with the tail end of his season, and the thought of a full pre-season is just too good to resist. Whaddaplaya!

Brad Sewell: Still vital in clearances and our best tagging option. Should start in the guts for sure, whether it be as a tagger or winning the ball himself.

Midfield notes: Can Hodge serve us better elsewhere? Seems to be struggling of late with the number one tag, and if he is keen, he should float where he wants. With guys like Birchall, Bateman, Ellis and Lewis to come, the midfield looks like our strength yet again.

Half-Forward

Luke Hodge: I saw this from someone else and really loved the idea. We all know he can kick goals, and to see him pinch hit through the middle would be exciting.

Jordan Lisle: Seems to be the best third tall option at the club up forward, and it could be his year to strike. If we were to trade for anything, a young key forward wouldn't hurt.

Xavier Ellis: Youth alone wins him a spot. He still has a few flaws in his game that he needs to iron out, but his best silences any doubts of whether he should be there or not. Looked good in this role as the season progressed, definitely seems to be a future there for him.

Full Forward line

Jarryd Roughead: Is there a stat for most goals ever kicked whilst people still think you're a backman? Keep him close to goal, get him crashing packs and giving us a chance.

Lance Franklin: Had a genuinely superb year, but I can't help but feel like he needs to spend the majority of his time deep. I thought 2010 was really not far off his 2008.

Rhan Hooper: Looked so dangerous during his few games. Another one who will need a few things to go his way in the Pre-Season, but this spot is his for the taking.

Forward notes: Can't squeeze Peterson in regardless of how hard I try. Three special things a game is not really worth squeezing anyone who is in that side out. Buddy and Rough to play deep together for the majority of the year and cause a world of headaches, Lisle to lead up.

Bench

Wayde Skipper: It will become increasingly harder to play two ruckmen, especially if the interchange cap comes in, so Skipper's value rises again. Can play literally any tall position on the ground.

Jordan Lewis: Whilst an increasingly strong midfield sees his squeezed out of the starting 18, he adds a flexibility to the side that could be important.

Chance Bateman: He will never stop trying, nor running, but it is hard to see Changa getting back to 07-08 form. I think 2011 will be the start of his decline as he begins to age. Still a spot for him if he can maintain his pace and endurance.

Grant Birchall: Offers some sort of flexibility to the side, but you can see him gradually becoming surplus. With the elite running and genuine midfield options of Savage and Shiels nipping at his heels, his days at Hawthorn could be numbered.

The fringe
Max Bailey: Make or break - if he can get it together in the VFL, he will undoubtedly pass Renouf. If not, you would have to think it was end of career, if it isn't already.

Brendan Whitecross: Is yet to nail down a spot, which is both keeping him on the fringe and keeping him out of the side. I can't help but rate him, but next year looms as vital.

Carl Peterson: A distant third choice as small forward; miles behind second and miles ahead of fourth. I don't think he does enough, but I love watching him play all the same.

Liam Shiels/Shane Savage: Should be pushing themselves up into the realms of midfield depth.

Michael Osborne: May have a role to play in 2011, but like Ladson of 2010, he's starting to become obsolete.



With regards to trades, this is the way I see our current list.

Ruckmen: 6
Inside Mids: 7
Outside Mids: 7
Small/Medium Forwards: 8
Tall Forwards: 5
Small/Medium Defenders: 10
Key Position Defenders: 5

One of those forwards (Dowler) needs to go (apparently), so if anything we need some depth in the key forwards. If Buddy or Rough go down we look shaky.

Thoughts? Would have no qualms in swapping Rioli with Ellis. Am I forgetting anyone?

Great detailed analysis and I generally agree with all your selections and reasoning. (Is anyone else tired of seeing a short undersized backline for the past two years? Also, someone who realizes that Gilham is our best and only key defender. I'm staggered by the amount of people who don't have him in the team!)
A few areas where we diverge however.
- If Shoenmakers plays CHB (which I think he should), I'd like Hodge at HBF providing him guidance and support. After one fantastic season I'm also looking to Stratton to emerge in 2011 as the leader of our defence.
- I think Rioli is a genuine HFF and not an onballer. (Sure he can rotate through the midfield periodically but I'd rather have him get 15-20 quality positions, kick 2-3 goals and setup a few others, rather than getting possessions down back.) Lewis to take his spot on the wing or even Gibson/Birchall.
- Peterson in my mind has shown a lot more potential this year and should get the nod ahead of Hooper. I see him as a Mark Williams replacement. It may be harsh but Hooper plays with a lot of bravado and hasn't delivered.
- Roughead in my assessment should be at CHF particularly if Shoenmakers is persisted with at CHB. There's no reason why he can't be as good as Riewoldt for St.Kilda. If after 5-6 rounds next year he's still strugging I would swap Jarryd and Ryan. (I want to see Buddy at FF. A Hawthorn team with Franklin kicking bags of goals is going to be very hard to beat.)
- Kudos on Lisle. He may make sense as an extra tall either down back or forward since it appears Dowler will unfortunately be heading the same way as Thorp. Players like Lisle, Shiels and Whitecross are going to have to improve if we are to make Top 4. Guerra, Bateman, Brown and Osborne, while still AFL level players, are clearly on the decline.
- I'd like Mitchell to relinquish the captaincy. Not that he has done a bad job. In fact the opposite. While he has been very consistent this year I'd like him to go back to focusing on his game without this added responsibility and again be the clearance machine he was in 2007/2008.

 

[buddylg]

Why are people insisting on using all of our current players? With the current core group of 25-30 players we cannot make top 4, and no hope of premiership.

The team has to change, we have to insert 1-4 new players (or improved players eg Savage/Shiels/Schoe)

 

[WWSD]

INS M.Bailey R.Hooper
OUT C.Brown W.Skipper

B T.Murphy S.Gilham B.Guerra
HB B.Stratton J.Gibson X.Ellis
C J.Lewis S.Mitchell C.Young
HF S.Burgoyne L.Franklin C.Rioli
F R.Hooper J.Roughead M.Osborne
R B.Renouf L.Hodge B.Sewell

INT R.Ladson M.Bailey C.Bateman G.Birchall

EMG B.Muston W.Skipper J.Kayler-Thomson

Still a very good 22, fingers crossed for Max Bailey!

 

[Great 2008]

Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Ben Stratton
Josh Gibson, Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Hodge
Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Jordan Lewis
Chris Knights, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli
Jordan Lisle, Jarryd Roughead, Rhan Hooper
Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Sam Mitchell
Carl Peterson, Brent Renouf, Xavier Ellis, Clinton Young​

New- Chris Knights ( Adelaide )​

This side sure looks dangerous with Chris Knights in the mix Lethal44. He is the one we should be serioulsly be looking at imo. Need a fit and free running Bateman in your side though. Perhaps swap Peterson with Bateman?

 

[Northhawker]

(Without trades, and if Browny goes to GC )

B: Murphy-Gilham-Gibson

HB: Stratts-Shoenmakers-Lewis

C: Burgoyne-Mitchell-Young

HF: Ellis-Buddy-Osborne

F: Peterson-Roughead-Hooper

R: Renouf-Hodge-Rioli

Int: Skipper/Bailey-Birchall-Sewell-WhiteX

Fringe: Guerra (yes, uses the ball well, but gets done in fair too many one on ones and lacks pace. Not getting any younger.)

Bateman (had an absolute shocker of a year, and unless he proves me wrong I cant see him getting any better at his age, because he really needs to improve.)

Ladson (Thought this guy was a lock for half back for at least 5-6 years after 08, but really don't know what has happened. Would love for him to get back up and about though.)

JKT (Was reasonably impressed by this bloke in the games he played, but seemed to fall off the face of the Earth in the second half of the year. Think he has a fair bit to offer.)

Muston (He's not bad for depth, but will need to improve to crack the starting 22 reguarly.)

Goodbye: Taylor, Morton, Stokes, Croady.

If a Knights or Mundy is available, get, but I'd rather see us use draft picks.

 

[Adebisi]

Do u all u people writing your best 22 for next year expect Hawthorn to be a serious contender for the premiership with those teams?

 

[Dollars Inc]

Regrettably I fear we are a year or two off really having the consistant season to push for serious contender again. Too much reliance on too few when we match it with the best.

It will play on a few but here is my ideal 22 for next year with ideal trades and pick ups


Guerra Gilham Gibson
Stratton Roughead Murphy
Young Lewis Birchall
Walker Franklin Hodge
Schoey Lisle Rioli
Renouf Burgoyne Mitchell

Shiels
Bateman
Ellis
Bailey/Campbell/Skipper or Lisle as a relief ruck

Sewell
Dowler
Osborne
Brown
Taylor
Stokes
Seirkowski
Morton
Muston all gone either to lure Walker and draft picks

Lure Walker.
If we secure Campbell we are fine.
Need small defender although Murphy plays small.
Move needs to be made for Rough to head back and have a three pronged attack. Rough I think is one of those who can play either and we will not be robbing peter to pay paul as I believe his greatest value is back. Schoey and Lisle just not strong enough I think. I think Ruff could become a Brian Lake

 

[bigbuddyboy]

It's going to be such an anti climax come round 1 next year.

Clarko hasn't changed his favourites in 2-3 years. I don't see why over this summer it's going to be any different.

 

[Jiggystoon]

My Round 1 team for 2011.

B: Guerra - Gilham - Stratton
HB: Gibson - Tarrant? - Hodge
C: Bateman - Mitchell - Young
HF: Lewis - Franklin - Osbourne
FF: Hooper - Roughead - Josh Hill?
FOLL: Bailey - Sewell - Rioli - Burgoyne
INT FROM: Ellis - Shoenmakers - Renouf - Birchall - Shiels - Ladson

Trade Beau Dowler to Bulldogs for Josh Hill and shuffle our second round picks.
Campbell Brown to Gold Coast - Compo pick and Garry Moss to Freo for Tarrant.

Sewell tags, Hodge goes back, Bateman breaks lines and changes with Burgoyne on ball and rotates with Ellis and Hodge on ball.

Why would the dogs be interested in a trade for Dowler? He couldnt even get a game in Box Hills ones by the end of the year, plus the dogs have a few more options in there forward line compared to previous years, Hall will go around for at least another 2 years maybe more, the boy Grant is coming around and they have big Roughies cousin who looks decent as well

 

[HeHateMe]

Now mine inst one i would wont for round one but we could try it in the nab cup.

FB: Tom Murphy, Stephen Gilham, Josh Gibson (O'Brian Role 3rd tall)
HB: Michael Osborne, Ben Stratton, Shaun Burgoyne
C: Grant Birchall, Clinton Young, Xavier Ellis
HF:Jordan Lewis, Lance Franklin,Luke Hodge
FF:Brent Guerra, Jarryd Roughead, Rhan Hooper
FOLL: Brent Renouf, Cyril Rioli, Sam Mitchell
INT: Max Bailey, Carl Peterson, Chance Bateman, Liam Shiels
Have Sam the extractor in the middle with young and rioli sharking taps.

Burgoyne would get freed up to play his game where we most need a clear head like his.

Hodge would help structure the forward half and is always dangerous.

Forward half full of strong body's though the hips and they all have a defensive mindset to keep it in the forward half.
Ellis& Rioli's creativity could make them goal kicking mid/forward.
Young and bitch can roost the ball in there quick and kick goals as well.

Gibson can play a creative role, Osborne the same though the back half.

 

[hermit hawk]

cant believe some of the trade options discussed on this site ie Osbourne and Sewell .....they are automatic top 22 selections
particularly Sewell who is in our top 6 ie Hodge Rioli,Franklin,Mitchell,Burgoyne and SEWELL
How many of you guys out there have actually played the game and know anything about it?

 

[Brant]

cant believe some of the trade options discussed on this site ie Osbourne and Sewell .....they are automatic top 22 selections
particularly Sewell who is in our top 6 ie Hodge Rioli,Franklin,Mitchell,Burgoyne and SEWELL
How many of you guys out there have actually played the game and know anything about it?

Hermit I think that is part of the problem.

We have about 19 guys that are, as you say: "automatic, top 22 selections".

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to matter if their form is down; if there is or isn't a match-up for them; whether the conditions have changed... and so on.

Our best 22 this year got us 7th... We can keep our 'top 22 selections' the same and hope for 6th next year; or we can make some changes & hope to really improve.

And, as you cared to ask, I have played the game (hundreds of times, from 9yrs of age onward) - but that has very little to do with my analysis of what we produced this year (2010) & how I think we can improve.

 

[hermit hawk]

well Brant all the football you played didnt give you the ability to recognise class when you see it
Lets stick to the point which was Brad Sewell
Brad Sewells name has unbelievably been thrown up in trade talk
His record speaks for itself
2005...most improved
2006...3rd best and fairest
2007...ist best and fairest
2008...8th best and fairest and one of our best in grand final 27 disposals
2009...4th best and fairest, his most prolific season averaging 25.8 disposals,lead the hawks in hard ball gets (13th in afl) and tackles (more than 10 in 6 games) Named in initial All Australian 40 squad and a club equalling 13 Brownlow votes
2010...our top Supercoach rated player 130 in our disappointing finals game
His hardness,stats and effiency in our last 5 finals are unmatched by whom?
Jason Dunstall is qouted as saying that Sewell was made to play finals.
He also said that there tends to be more inside ball in September and Sewelly just thrives on it .Also said that his hardness and competitive instinct is exactly what you need going into a finals campaign
The inner sanctum at Hawthorn would scoff at the ridiculous suggestion of trading him
Brad Sewell didnt have his best year like many others but he is still in my top 6 at the hawks

 

[Hawksgirl4eva]

well Brant all the football you played didnt give you the ability to recognise class when you see it
Lets stick to the point which was Brad Sewell
Brad Sewells name has unbelievably been thrown up in trade talk
His record speaks for itself
2005...most improved
2006...3rd best and fairest
2007...ist best and fairest
2008...8th best and fairest and one of our best in grand final 27 disposals
2009...4th best and fairest, his most prolific season averaging 25.8 disposals,lead the hawks in hard ball gets (13th in afl) and tackles (more than 10 in 6 games) Named in initial All Australian 40 squad and a club equalling 13 Brownlow votes
2010...our top Supercoach rated player 130 in our disappointing finals game
His hardness,stats and effiency in our last 5 finals are unmatched by whom?
Jason Dunstall is qouted as saying that Sewell was made to play finals.
He also said that there tends to be more inside ball in September and Sewelly just thrives on it .Also said that his hardness and competitive instinct is exactly what you need going into a finals campaign
The inner sanctum at Hawthorn would scoff at the ridiculous suggestion of trading him
Brad Sewell didnt have his best year like many others but he is still in my top 6 at the hawks

If we were on Facebook I would "Like" this comment.
Sewlle's name being thrown around Is a disgrace I am sorry but the guy has one OK seson, Not bad but Ok season that was cripled by Injury and he is trade bait

 

[hermit hawk]

Also Brant.....please dont misqoute me. I consider Osborne and Sewell automatic selections in the top 22
I wouldnt consider that we have 19 players who are in the class of the above 2

 

[dipper86]

well Brant all the football you played didnt give you the ability to recognise class when you see it
Lets stick to the point which was Brad Sewell
Brad Sewells name has unbelievably been thrown up in trade talk
His record speaks for itself
2005...most improved
2006...3rd best and fairest
2007...ist best and fairest
2008...8th best and fairest and one of our best in grand final 27 disposals
2009...4th best and fairest, his most prolific season averaging 25.8 disposals,lead the hawks in hard ball gets (13th in afl) and tackles (more than 10 in 6 games) Named in initial All Australian 40 squad and a club equalling 13 Brownlow votes
2010...our top Supercoach rated player 130 in our disappointing finals game
His hardness,stats and effiency in our last 5 finals are unmatched by whom?
Jason Dunstall is qouted as saying that Sewell was made to play finals.
He also said that there tends to be more inside ball in September and Sewelly just thrives on it .Also said that his hardness and competitive instinct is exactly what you need going into a finals campaign
The inner sanctum at Hawthorn would scoff at the ridiculous suggestion of trading him
Brad Sewell didnt have his best year like many others but he is still in my top 6 at the hawks

I don't think anyone here is doubting how good Sewell is, but our best even with our current midfield isn't good enough, we have holes throughout our list and we have a surplus of certain types of players, we have inside clearance players in Hodge Mitchell Sewell Lewis (who is good enough to play consistently inside midfield but is wasted in other positions he is not suited to) and we also have Shiels waiting to get a go and is a step above BOX Hill. Our midfield is slow, thats a fact, we lack ball carrying and line breaking ability and when the opposition has the ball we get spread open and run of our feet like no other team. Sewelll no longer tags hasn't tagged properly in 2 years, he is a head to head midfielder who has lost a bit of his zip and is now 28, We have four Midfielders that can all play his role through rotations.

Apart from Young we have no one else in the midfield that consistently provides run and carry and line breaking ability, Once Young is tagged out of the game, our run turns to sh*t. Now if a very good players is available such as Mundy or who ever else is out there of the same quality and value we would be crazy not to explore this option, for the pure fact that our team has holes and we need to improve our side with the right team balance.
Now Sewell still holds currency and is the least versatile out of our current group of midfielders, thats the only reason why I think he can be expendable with the right trade.

To bring quality in we may have to part with someone of quality.

 

[Brant]

Also Brant.....please dont misqoute me. I consider Osborne and Sewell automatic selections in the top 22
I wouldnt consider that we have 19 players who are in the class of the above 2

Have a re-read Hermit.

50% of the names you mentioned in your post were not Sewell - yet that is the name you take issue with. Also, I think you drag a fairly wide net if you class Osborne in the same class as Sewell; by the stats you quoted alone.

Secondly, I didn't for a second blame you for what I see as a problem within our team - I took a sentence which you wrote, that made me think, and then provided my thoughts. I didn't suggest that you named 19 'automatic selections' - that was my input; being, that in my mind, we select guys on past performances, rather than what we need both at the present, or in the future. (I could possibly have been clearer with the quote function - but your defensive traits would have gone a long way to winning us games through Rounds 2-7 this year).

Love your passion dude, but take a deep one.

 

[Hawkthorn33]

Fb: Gibson , Gillham , Sewell -

Hb: Ellis +, Tarrant , Stratton

C: Young, Hodge -, Birchall

Hf: Guerra, Roughead, Rioli *

Ff: Lewis +, Franklin, Hooper

R: Renouf, Burgoyne *, Mitchell +

I/C: Bailey, Schoenmakers, Bateman, Peterson

Emgncy: Shiels, Osbourne, Whitecross

Unlucky: Skipper- (Will keep our talls honest anyone not delivering will be dropped), Muston- this will be his year to prove wether he is a depth player or a ones player), Ladson - (has become a depth player), Murphy -(Just dont rate him), Taylor- (Is a battler but will fight hard for a spot just like skipper)

Midfield Rotations:

• Burgoyne swaps with Rioli (Peterson could also be used in this rotation)
• Hodge swaps with Sewell to the backline and bateman also used in this rotation (Stratton pushes to back pocket when hodge is in backline)
• 3 way rotation between Mitchell, Ellis and Lewis

Other notes:

If Baileys body is right then we need to play him, even if he is in poor form to start off with, he needs the games under his belt to get confidence back in his body!

Schoey can be used as our swingman Either as a 3rd tall in our forward line or used down back to suite match ups!

And yes I do think we will pick Tarrant up for a first rounder and Moss (WA juniors captain) even though freo will probably ask for Shiels.

We have the cattle all we need is that confidence and belief back and one big bodied defender! Those midfield rotations will not expose any pace issues people say we have and The inclusion of a tap ruckman will help us out dramatically.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Crawfomination, I actually don't believe we have the cattle any more.

The game has changed and our best 22 can't play week-in week-out at the level required to continually win with today's gameplans.

We don't have enough athletes in our midfield and those that are there have to spend so much energy running back to help out our run-of-the-mill backline, they don't have the tank left to create options up forward and make and kick goals.

 

[amos]

Crawfomination, I actually don't believe we have the cattle any more.

The game has changed and our best 22 can't play week-in week-out at the level required to continually win with today's gameplans.

We don't have enough athletes in our midfield and those that are there have to spend so much energy running back to help out our run-of-the-mill backline, they don't have the tank left to create options up forward and make and kick goals.

First off, I've been meaning to say this for years, but everytime I see your username, Collins-Langford-Ayres, then Maginness-Mew-Jenke rolls straight through my head. I swear, every single time!

The above side looks nice, but we certainly need more guys capable of running the lines and adding some more pace around the wings. I cringe every time Wojinski get the ball against us because I know we've got no one who can get near him, and he's not the sexiest of players either in the least either. I'd love nothing more than to see a couple of kids capable of run and carry get right in amongst it to help out Changa, Youngy and Cyril.

 

[hermit hawk]

people have gone off our "slow" in and under midfielders and want to use some of them for trades
If we had Cyril(injured early) ,Carl Peterson and Hooper available for the Freo game the balance would have been much better with a lot more run and anything could have happened
Instead the solution is to start trading?