List Mgmt. Round 1, 2015 Full strength team

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Yep and don't forget Gardiner. It is very special circumstances this season though with the exodus and injuries we've had. What i am saying it's a bit crazy to speculate these guys will be in our team next year when we don't even know if they will be on our list.
I agree that we don't know who these players are, but l would like to think that he will be close, if not already, to the best 22, even if it is just to give him experience. It obiously depends tho.
 
I am of the opinion that Leppa has a pretty good idea of the capabilities of our list now and any new kids will have to force their way into his plans from round 1. Putting kids we haven't drafted yet into our best 22 is about as realistic as putting in the names of star players from other sides because hypothetically we *might* be able to trade them in.

A lot of water to go under the bridge until then so maybe we focus on players that are already here and then we can work out our deficiencies from there.
 
B: Adcock Maguire Patfull
HB: Gardiner Clarke Harwood
C: Hanley Rockliff Mayes
HF: Zorko Staker Taylor
FF: Green Merrett McGuane
Ruck: Leuenberger Redden Rich
Bench: West, Aish, Beams, Paparone

Maybes: Close, Golby, Martin, Moloney (if fit would be in my 22), Bewick, Lester
 

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Whats pleasing to see is the almost uniformity the backlines listed here. The backline had been a strength of ours over the past 5-6 seasons despite our woes, and after a shaky start to the season its really good to see it firming up again. A good solid backline group can limit the damage in periods where we may get dominated in the middle, as it has shown in the last few weeks.
 
B: Patfull, Maguire, Gardiner
HB: Adcock, Clarke, Hanley
C: Rich, Rockliff, Redden
HF: Mayes, Close, Paparone
F: Green, Merrett, Taylor
Fol: Leuenberger, Zorko, Aish
Inter: Lester, Beams, Harwood
Sub: Cutler

I reckon this is pretty close, but I'm skeptical about Staker playing much next year.

I get the feeling Leppitsch is of the mindset that you play your first round draft pick early and often. That said, since it seems a lock we will draft a big KPF, I think that could be the slight exception to the rule--though thinking about it he has played Close a lot in his second year, so who knows.
 
I reckon this is pretty close, but I'm skeptical about Staker playing much next year.

I get the feeling Leppitsch is of the mindset that you play your first round draft pick early and often. That said, since it seems a lock we will draft a big KPF, I think that could be the slight exception to the rule--though thinking about it he has played Close a lot in his second year, so who knows.
Ditto on Stakes. I'd love to see him come back but he just seems a little to broken now.
 
Not sure about the specifics in terms of a 22 but here are the things that I'd like to see:

- Merrett forward
- Rich and Hanley in the midfield
- Paparone on a wing or part of the midfield rotations (ie not the third tall forward)
- Mayes as a half forward, wing type
- 50/50 ruck split between Leuenberger and Martin
- 3 marking targets up front

Also, just quietly, after more than half a season of bemoaning Leppa selecting 4 tallish defenders, I am slowly starting to come around to the idea. I still think we lack penetration off the back half but I reckon we're starting to see the advantage of having 4 guys who may be capable of taking an intercept mark down back. I'm not totally convinced but I reckon we have seen he upside, particularly in the way Patfull has performed over the past month or so.
 
I kind of like the idea of Hanley playing in the middle like he has been, IMO Rich should only go into the centre square if we need a big bodied guy in there, he can be his most dangerous by just playing on a wing and sweeping around the pack getting easy kicks or getting into space in the middle and hitting up forward, etc. But now I think we have a large number of guys who can go into the centre bounce and be effective for us, we are starting to get the depth of teams like Hawthorn where they have guys who can go small forward or midfield, I'd be happy with any of Rich (^), Rockliff, Redden, Hanley, Aish, Mayes, Zorko, Green, Taylor, Lester or Beams out of the team I selected, given that the match ups were all okay...
 
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In the absence of picking up a gun forward over the summer, I wouldn't mind seeing Leuy stationed at FF. Happy to keep Martin in the ruck on current form.

Note the change of captain. I wouldn't be surprised to see both McStay and Cutler as regulars next year, may not be too long before they start pushing Adcock for his spot.

B- Gardiner Clarke Patfull
HB – Hanley Maguire Adcock
C – Mayes Rich Paparone
HF – Zorko Merrett Taylor
F – Green Leuenberger Close
R – Martin Rockliff(c) Redden
Inter – Aish Lester Cutler
Sub – Beams
Emerg - McGuane McStay Robertson
 
In the absence of picking up a gun forward over the summer, I wouldn't mind seeing Leuy stationed at FF. Happy to keep Martin in the ruck on current form.

Note the change of captain. I wouldn't be surprised to see both McStay and Cutler as regulars next year, may not be too long before they start pushing Adcock for his spot.

B- Gardiner Clarke Patfull
HB – Hanley Maguire Adcock
C – Mayes Rich Paparone
HF – Zorko Merrett Taylor
F – Green Leuenberger Close
R – Martin Rockliff(c) Redden
Inter – Aish Lester Cutler
Sub – Beams
Emerg - McGuane McStay Robertson
I like Leuy at FF, IMO wouldn't start him there, but he is very versatile and a good rover once the ball goes to ground directly from his marking contest, especially in a one on one against another tall/ ruckman, he is also a decent kick.
 

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It occurs to me now that I didn't find a spot for Martin, which is crazy given the form he's in. That is a good problem to have.

After the last couple of weeks, I'm feeling bullish about our medium-term prospects.
 
FB: adcock patfull gardiner
HB: harwood clarke hanley
C: rich redden beams
HF: zorko close taylor
FF: green merett mcguane
R: leunberger rockliff aish
bench: martin, paparone, mayes, cutler
 
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I kind of like the idea of Hanley playing in the middle like he has been, IMO Rich should only go into the centre square if we need a big bodied guy in there, he can be his most dangerous by just playing on a wing and sweeping around the pack getting easy kicks or getting into space in the middle and hitting up forward, etc. But now I think we have a large number of guys who can go into the centre bounce and be effective for us, we are starting to get the depth of teams like Hawthorn where they have guys who can go small forward or midfield, I'd be happy with any of Rich (^), Rockliff, Redden, Hanley, Aish, Mayes, Zorko, Green, Taylor, Lester or Beams out of the team I selected, given that the match ups were all okay...

I still like the idea of Rich playing the true centreman role. There is no greater sight in football in my opinion of him taking the ball off a clean tap in the centre bounce and kicking it 60m straight down the throat of a leading forward. He doesn't have to set up inside at the boundary throw ins or around the ground stoppages outside of his area, he can set up behind/in front as needs be to be a second receiver... but I really do love it when we can have a quick entry off his boot from a centre bounce.
 
Gardiner, Clarke, Adcock
Patfull, Merritt, Harwood
Redden, Rich, Rockliff
Mayes, Close, Bewick
Green, Leuenberger, Zorko
Martin, Aish, Hanley
Taylor, Lester, Paparone, Beams

Small Depth: Robertson, Cutler, Golby, Zac O'Brien (upgraded), Raines, Round 2 and Round 3 Picks,
KP depth: Wright/McCartin, Maguire, McGuane, Staker, McStay, Freeman, Paine , Hammelman
Ruck: West

2 other players (mature age free agent/delisted recruits, late draftees, academy, father son picks etc) to match the 7 lost below

Off List: Brown, Crisp, McGrath, Lisle, Polkinghorne, Maloney, Weardon,

some comments
- Raines survives (out of best 22) to be a 'mature' smaller player body on the sidelines just in case
- I just think Merritt is at his best as a defender and struggles to average a goal a game as a forward so prefer him in defence.
- Bewick and Mayes are both good marks for their size so could be hit up players up the ground and Close and Leuie stay a bit closer to goal to create contests and opportunities for Mozzies.
- Can't put McGuane or Staker in game 1 given injuries in recent years and McGuane playing 2 games for us (compared to say Naming Rich)
- Paine/Freeman/Wright/Hammelman would just be speculation based on exposed form
- didn't bother much with positioning of 'running players' although I think Harwood and Adcock are our best 'small defenders' and Mayes is better forward
- Lester and Paparone on the bench gives some 'faux height' flexibility to cover for injuries (as does Martin in the ruck)
- I think O'Brien will be upgraded. To have played 3-4 games after his first AFL pre-season straight out of local footy suggests there should be further improvement wiht a second pre-season. He'd jump at a 1 year contract which would be worth it compared to whoever else pick 100 in the draft would be.
 
FB: Patfull, Merrett, Adcock
HB: Mayes, Clarke, Rich
C: Aish, Hanley, Beams
HF: Zorko, Close, Paparone
FF: Green, Leuenberger, Taylor
Foll: Martin, Rockliff, Redden
Int: Lester, Robertson, Cutler
Sub: 1st rounder / or McGrath

- Toss up between Goose and Rog for FB. Rog ahead at present.
- Defence currently lacks penetration. Mayes, Rich and Adcock will add that to complement Clarke, Patfull and Merrett excellent stopping skills. Gardiner unlucky but Patfull/Merrett are getting on now so he won't wait long before he overtakes one of those.
- Beams is too good at kicking into the forward 50 to have him wasted in the f50. Having him on the wing allows him to play an attacking role and will be the last kick into f50 from a switch.
- Good speed and tackling pressure from the mozzies inside f50. NEED to have Berger succeed as the power forward or at least bring ball to ground.
- Hanley a must to play permanent centre from next year. Adds class, speed and a great kick. Complements Redden and Rocky insane tackling and pressure.

I know people are going to disagree with Mayes and Rich on the backline but we need good users of the footy and those two are imo our best when on song. Will also get them more involved as it is easier to get uncontested ball from the HBF compared to HFF. I think the midfield is fairly strong with Hanley, Redden, Rockliff, Beams and Aish as starting with Zorko, Green, Rich, Mayes, Lester and Robbo as rotations.
 
I created this thread to start a discussion regarding what everyone thinks our 2015 team might look like if at full strength in round one next season.
Thought it would be interesting to see opinions on who would be in that team and what positions players would be in if the entire list was available. For example, would rich be in the midfield or play off half back? Where would players such as Brent Staker play and where would Luke McGuane play IF he is even able to make our best 22. Would Martin stay in the team with Leunberger and West available, which ruckman plays better in the forward line, which one of west and Martin doesn't make the team? They're all just the possibilities that would be great to discuss in my opinion. Post full team if you wish to.
Do you have a team to share ?
 
I know I picked him at full forward myself but has anyone seen Leuenberger take a contested mark? when playing forward he generally marks on the lead. he might bring hte ball to ground but he isn't a panacea for 'clunking' it in the goalsquare.
 
Do you have a team to share ?
FB: Clarke Patful Gardiner
HB: Harwood Adcock Maguire
C: rich redden rockliff
HF: zorko close Bewick
FF: green Merrett Mayes
R: leunberger beams aish
bench: martin, paparone, Taylor, Hanley

jordan lisle and Jackson Paine as the replacements for any injuries in forward line, but of course by next year round one we will be full strength!;) Had to fit bewick in, so I did so in the fwd line but ideally he'd still play the role he has since the bye. I don't know where Lester can fit in which is pretty sad but I have no doubt he will be best 22
 
Leuenberger for mine is in the most danger of losing a spot on the list. He was elite on the spread last season when he was a ruck which is his strongest point imo but at the start of this year really struggled with not only the spread but also the contested ball work (remember his infamous handballs up into the air when he was under pressure?)

This year has really thrown a spanner in the works for the Berger with each of our other ruckman showing great skills in different spots on the field. For instance, West is a better contested mark and throws his weight around better than the Berger, and Martin is possibly a better athlete and is also elite for clearances and finding a target out of a contested situation. Where does that leave Leuey with Martin a better ruckman and West a better FF? I believe Berger is the 'overall' package that is good at both the ruck and forward roles whereas Martin is the (possibly) better ruck and West as the pure forward.
 
Funny that a lot of people on this forum thought Martin was gone for sure at the end of the year & now he's the leagues best ruckman and we have too many rucks. Short memories it seems.

and Martin is possibly a better athlete and is also elite for clearances and finding a target out of a contested situation.

Woah woah woah, I enjoy watching Martin but let's not go overboard! His handballing is better than Leuey's and I'd suggest Leuey is a better kick, but come on, elite clearances?? I still worry about some of his possessions if their isn't a clear target to pass to within a short distance.
 
I figured I would select both a Senior side and a Reserves side, based on where our list will be positioned early next year.

Senior:

B Gardiner Maguire Patfull
H Harwood Clarke Adcock
C Mayes Rich Hanley
H Zorko Close Taylor
F Green Leuey Merrett
R Martin Rockliff Redden
I Aish Beams Paparone
S Lester

Reserves:

B McStay Lisle McGuane
H Cutler Bourke Golby
C Crisp Conway Bewick
H Hayes Freeman McGrath
F West Draft# Paine
R Smith O'Brien Robertson
I Draft# Draft# Draft#
S Draft#

Retire:

Brown: He will be an assistant coach for us next year. Looking forward to a coaching panel of Leppa, Black, Brown...
Staker: Similar to Josh Drummond, his body will not be able to complete another pre season. Use his vacant spot for a key forward. Give him a development coaching role for the remainder of his contract.

De-list:

Polkinghorne: Had this year to prove his worth and has failed to do so.
Raines: Considering our injury list, the fact he is unable to consolidate a place in our best 22 will make him a casualty.
Moloney: It seems as if his body has failed him. Very unfortunate, could possibly be used as trade bait.
Wearden: Unfortunate circumstances with injury this year, but have not seen enough to suggest he is a future senior player.
Michael: Reaches the 3 year rookie list limit, unless he can break into the senior side this year and get elevated, he will be de-listed.

What we need from this draft?

Key Forward
Medium Forward
Outside Midfielder
Inside Midfielder
Running Defender
 

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List Mgmt. Round 1, 2015 Full strength team

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