Our Team For Round 1 2012

[Last of the Roys]

Seriously doubt they would be so amazingly careful with Drummond all pre-season and then suddenly rush him into the team for round 1.

I agree it is not likely, but I wouldn't be totally shocked to see Drummond in the team. Particularly with McKeever being very rusty at this stage, and an extra week in between Drummond's game in the reserves and round 1.

Must be a little bit tempting. I am almost resigned now to Drummond being constantly injured, so if he is ready to play reserves, you almost might as well play him in the seniors (as long as there is not someone in front of him that has clearly earned the right more, which isn't really the case).

 

[PTizzle]

Just on Banfield. I believe he is expendable and very tradeable, especially this year in a very strong draft. His skills have not improved in three years in the seniors. He has, probably the weakest fumbling hands in the team if not the league for a player getting regular games.

I don't think he's expendable right now. He's got the potential to be a fantastic small forward, he adds a lot of excitement (x-factor, etc). I agree he has issues but he's very young, if we traded him now I really doubt he wouldn't become a very good player in the future.

If he doesn't improve at all this year I'm somewhat with you though.

 

[3KZ is Football]

It's going to a warm day on Saturday and conditions will be perfect for football.

Black is an automatic selection and the same can be said for Merrett, Adcock, Redden, Rich, Rockliff, Polkinghorne, Leuenberger, Stiller and Raines, but after that and given the weather, we need to base selection around leg speed and endurance.

If the Lions are to have any chance of making the top eight this year, we have to become a hard running and hard tackling side. We have to develop the leg speed and endurance to present options and break the lines when we have the ball and the speed and intensity to put pressure on opponents when we don't.

Simple as that.

 

[POBT]

Rainesy is returning from injury 3KZ and won't play. Sub him out of your list for Sheldon!

 

[3KZ is Football]

Rainesy is returning from injury 3KZ and won't play. Sub him out of your list for Sheldon!

I think that the above post is a cruel piece of 3KZ Baiting POBT.

You know that last time I posted a comment about Sheldon I got a RED CARD for repetitive posting, so I am trying to avoid mentioning him at all costs, using the well worn maxim, "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing."

I really am trying to turn over a new leaf, because I realise I set my brain to EXPLODE for most of last year where the player you mention was concerned and I need your help and understanding if I am to mend my ways and make it through another season.

Thanks for letting me know about Raines, I hope he makes a quick recovery and is back in the seniors before long. With him out and given that leg speed is what we need, I think that Polec becomes an automatic selection then. It's time for Voss to throw him in at the deep end and see what he can do with the opportunity.

 

[Haso]

With him out and given that leg speed is what we need, I think that Polec becomes an automatic selection then. It's time for Voss to throw him in at the deepend and see what he can do with the opportunity.

I think that Polec starting on the wing in Rd 1 is a very real possibility.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Thanks for letting me know about Raines, I hope he makes a quick recovery and is back in the seniors before long.

Shouldn't be too far away as he has an excellent fitness base to work from, but yeah, is definitely short of a run. Would imagine it's more likely to be Round 3-ish.

 

[POBT]

I think Raines has his place in the side but I think that Adcock's move into the midfield makes it potentially tougher for him to regain his spot.

It was interesting to hear Ling talk about his changed role in the modern game. He said that with the high level of structure in modern footy, it was almost impossible to tag a player all game. He said at points of the game, you simply have to hold your position in the structure and let your opponent go, trusting that your teammates will pick him up. That makes it easier for an Adcock type to play a defensive midfield role - where it isn't just about negating your opponent (which Raines excels at).

I think Raines is an excellent defensive one on one footballer. He has taken on and beaten some very good footballers. I think he is an elite runner which our side has very few of. But Adcock is obviously the superior all-round footballer. If Adcock can give 80% of what Raines delivers in a defensive capacity, then I think Raines may have a fight on his hands for a spot in the best 22 because Adcock gives a lot more in an offensive sense.

I still have Raines in my side. He's been the best tagger on our list, probably since Bushy played on ball. It is easy to forget the roles he performed well last year. But he is absolutely a flawed footballer and that means his spot in the side will always be under the microscope. A move by Adcock in the midfield has the potential to keep him in the reserves.

 

[POBT]

I think that the above post is a cruel piece of 3KZ Baiting POBT.

You know that last time I posted a comment about Sheldon I got a RED CARD for repetitive posting, so I am trying to avoid mentioning him at all costs, using the well worn maxim, "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing."

I really am trying to turn over a new leaf, because I realise I set my brain to EXPLODE for most of last year where the player you mention was concerned and I need your help and understanding if I am to mend my ways and make it through another season.

Apologies 3KZ. I'll stop waving the red rag at the bull!

 

[whatboutbob]

Fletcher's comments on Harwood in the recent member mag:

He's really built his endurance and is running well. He's a chance to play on some of the best opposition midfielders this year and we think he'll step up to the mark. He's a very good decision maker.

Do others read that as being earmarked for a stopping role?

His comments on Raines:

Rainesy did a fantastic job last year playing on the best players in the competition and he'll continue to do that.

 

[Haso]

Fletcher's comments on Harwood in the recent member mag:



Do others read that as being earmarked for a stopping role?

His comments on Raines:

Sounds like Raines will continue to tag, while Harwood plays a slightly different defensive mid role to me.

 

[POBT]

Sounds to me like they aren't committing to a best 22 but rather identifying what broad roles certain players might taken on if selected.

 

[Haso]

Sounds to me like they aren't committing to a best 22 but rather identifying what broad roles certain players might taken on if selected.

Actually yes, yours sounds much better.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Do others read that as being earmarked for a stopping role?

Nah. I think it means more of a head to head thing rather than a stopping role. He made a similar comment about Rockliff IIRC.

 

[Quigley]

With Drummond I would not be shocked to see him there this week. He might be well suited to playing as the sub this week. He could certainly come in as an impact player off the bench. The only question for me is whether they think he needs to get the extra miles in the legs he would get playing a full game in the reserves.

I would also like to see us play Harwood this week. One because his dedication and form deserve it and two the only way that Melb are going to win this game is to dominate through the midfield. That being the case we need guys in there that can win the clearances and Harwood is a guy who can do that.

How I think it will go (with a bit of hoping on my part):

B: Golby Maguire Patfull
HB: Hanley McKeever McGrath
C: Adcock Rich Rockliff
HF: Beams Karnezis Polec
F: Banfield Merrett Lester
R: Leuenberger Black Redden
Int: Longer, Stiller, Harwood
Sub: Drummond

Emerg: Polkinghorne, O'Brien, Cornelius

It lacks a little pace through the midfield but the smalls coming out of defence and from up forward would compensate for that. Melb is not the quickest team going around either.

 

[whatboutbob]

He made a similar comment about Rockliff IIRC.

So he did. Good call.

(Rockliff) is getting fitter so he'll play on the best ball-winners each week.

 

[POBT]

How I think it will go (with a bit of hoping on my part):

Is the "no Sheldon" thing a hope or an expectation?

FWIW, I agree with a strategy of sacrificing a little pace for some hard bodies. Harwood is a good addition in that regard as he will stiffen up our onball brigade which will have the likes of Moloney, Jones, Bate etc doing some pretty tough work in the contest. This is a bit of a horses for courses approach which I'm OK with.

I think it is highly unlikely that Drummo will get a run this week. Even bringing him in as the sub is a big risk. It is worth remembering that he did not run virtually all summer. And it isn't like he had a decent aerobic base to work off from last year. I think the coaches have learned not to fast track Drummo's recovery. With his injury issues, the only way to get run into his legs is in a game situation. And that has to occur at Reserves level where his workload can be managed without sheep stations riding on the result.

 

[Quigley]

I don't mind Sheldon. He does his job which is why he gets picked. I would like him to give us more offensively but he is an honest trier.

I didn't put him in there because I like the others more and on form I think the guys I named should be the ones included. Beams should definately be ahead of Sheldon and Banfield although out of form offers things that Sheldon can't deliver. Polec also can move up and down the field and offer a bit more class than Sheldon. I am expecting Rocky to play a bit of time in the small forward role as against Carlton and so have included guys who can go into the midfield more than Sheldon can do. Another guy who can go forward is McGrath who is good up forward and Stiller and Adcock could go back to cover for him. So on balance I thought the side was better without Sheldon.

 

[Ironmonger]

This is how I think we'll line up, not how I think we should line up.

B: Golby Maguire Patfull
HB: Adcock mcKeever McGrath
C: Hanley Rockliff Rich
HF: Sheldon Lester Polkinghorne
F: Karnezis Merrett Banfield
R: Leuenberger Redden Black
Int: Longer Polec Stiller
Sub: Beams

 

[POBT]

I don't mind Sheldon. He does his job which is why he gets picked. I would like him to give us more offensively but he is an honest trier.

I didn't put him in there because I like the others more and on form I think the guys I named should be the ones included. Beams should definately be ahead of Sheldon and Banfield although out of form offers things that Sheldon can't deliver. Polec also can move up and down the field and offer a bit more class than Sheldon. I am expecting Rocky to play a bit of time in the small forward role as against Carlton and so have included guys who can go into the midfield more than Sheldon can do. Another guy who can go forward is McGrath who is good up forward and Stiller and Adcock could go back to cover for him. So on balance I thought the side was better without Sheldon.

I agree with everything you say. However, Voss will select him IMO.

 

[POBT]

This is how I think we'll line up, not how I think we should line up.

B: Golby Maguire Patfull
HB: Adcock mcKeever McGrath
C: Hanley Rockliff Rich
HF: Sheldon Lester Polkinghorne
F: Karnezis Merrett Banfield
R: Leuenberger Redden Black
Int: Longer Polec Stiller
Sub: Beams

That's my expected 22 too. I expect the sub to be either Polec or whoever is the 22nd man (Polks, Harwood, O'Brien). I think that Beams has shown an ability to run games out whereas I don't have quite the same confidence in Polec.

 

[Quigley]

I agree with everything you say. However, Voss will select him IMO.

Lol. Probably true.

 

[Ironmonger]

That's my expected 22 too. I expect the sub to be either Polec or whoever is the 22nd man (Polks, Harwood, O'Brien). I think that Beams has shown an ability to run games out whereas I don't have quite the same confidence in Polec.

I'm not sure I agree that Beams has shown the ability to run out games.

I think it'll be out of him and Polec who starts with the vest on.

I'd be disappointed if it was Polks, Harwood or O'Brien because none of them are really impact players.

Of course, that hasn't stopped Voss in the past.

 

[Nick Lions]

Very well thought out side, Quigs. Merrett in the forward line now seems inevitable. I think you are right about hardened midfielders. However, despite poor pre-season form from both, Sheldon and Polkinghorne will probably both be in the side at the expense of blokes who deserve it more in Harwood, Polec or Beams.

 

[POBT]

I'm not sure I agree that Beams has shown the ability to run out games.

Voss praised Beams' running capacity in the last couple of weeks. I think it is a strength of his.