List Mgmt. Round 1, 2015 Full strength team

[EskiBro]

Another thing that'll be interesting to see next season is the spare man. If, as predicted, we get a good run at the clearances opposition teams will probably put a spare man back. How we fare shutting down the rebound from defence will be crucial to our 2015 imo. It could open up Rich to play a really counter-attacking role but he'll desperately need to work on his third-man up play. Without dwelling on it too much but Patfull would've dominated such a scenario!

I think McStay is the prime candidate to play that 3rd up role, reads it really well and is a strong contested mark. The problem is, he probably also looks like our best young KPF, so he'll end up playing both ends a lot I would say.

I personally would like to see Bourke or Cutler be given Patfull's old role next year, both showed a bit from limited exposure last year, although, I've probably got Bourke marginally ahead in that role at this stage.

Also, I don't understand why so many have Martin/Berg playing forward. Neither have shown any great ability up there, however, Martin has shown great ability in a ruck rover/wing role, similar to how Geelong play Blicavs. I think that's how they'll line up again round 1 next year.

The tall forwards will be two out of Freeman/Staker/Close/Merrett with McStay swinging down there at times. If Merrett goes into defence, I think that Maguire will probably struggle to make the team next year (unfortunately).

 

[Van Nostrand]

B: Adcock, Merrett, Gardiner
HB: Rich, Clarke, Harwood
C: Hanley, Rockliff, Aish
HF: Christensen, Staker, Zorko
F: Taylor, Freeman, Leuenberger
R: Martin, Beams, Redden
I: Mayes, Bewick, Gardiner, Green, C. Beams, McStay

I would love to see Leppa experiment with putting Bewick at full forward if Freeman doesn't work out.
The guy is great on a lead and has a terrific leap.
I think Staker has to go to CHF to give us an experienced target if he gets back to full fitness.

 

[Wounded Lion]

B: Adcock, Merrett, Gardiner
HB: Rich, Clarke, Harwood
C: Hanley, Rockliff, Aish
HF: Christensen, Staker, Zorko
F: Taylor, Freeman, Leuenberger
R: Martin, Beams, Redden
I: Mayes, Bewick, Gardiner, Green, C. Beams, McStay

I would love to see Leppa experiment with putting Bewick at full forward if Freeman doesn't work out.
The guy is great on a lead and has a terrific leap.
I think Staker has to go to CHF to give us an experienced target if he gets back to full fitness.

Dizzy Gardiner had a good year, but was it enough to warrant two selections in our best 22 next year?

 

[Van Nostrand]

Lol. Not bad from the young fella. Take him off the bench

 

[Bucking Beads]

I find it encouraging that we have a good depth of players worth a game. We will have some quality players developing in the reserves this year.

 

[Clackers]

The preseason sure will be interesting this year. Players to watch out for:

Lester - if he can take a step up that will be a massive bonus to the side.

Paparone - shown a lot already but will he have a break out year?

Staker and McGuane - if one or both of these two get their bodies right and perform this will be another big bonus.

Aish - I actually think he is a fringe player as it stands. Can he force his way into a strong midfield as a 20 year old?

Mayes - should be ready to explode but will he?

ZOB - given the competition he faces with those around his own age will he make it?

Cutler - the forgotten one from last year's draft? Along with Aish, the only one not to re-sign. Will he demand a spot?

I love the unanswered questions! Off-season, what Off-season.

 

[Panthera]

The preseason sure will be interesting this year. Players to watch out for:

Lester - if he can take a step up that will be a massive bonus to the side.

Paparone - shown a lot already but will he have a break out year?

Staker and McGuane - if one or both of these two get their bodies right and perform this will be another big bonus.

Aish - I actually think he is a fringe player as it stands. Can he force his way into a strong midfield as a 20 year old?

Mayes - should be ready to explode but will he?

ZOB - given the competition he faces with those around his own age will he make it?

Cutler - the forgotten one from last year's draft? Along with Aish, the only one not to re-sign. Will he demand a spot?

I love the unanswered questions! Off-season, what Off-season.

These two could be the difference in games moving forward. They'll be so hard to match up on with 50 games under their belt.

Cutler: 192cm 85kg, but runs a 2.93 20m sprint and reads the play at an elite level.
Paparone: 194cm 90kg roaming midfielder that smashes out a 15+ beep test and is only really learning how to use what he has at his disposal.

 

[iBeng]

I really hope Cutler doesnt become the Wearden of this draft...

 

[Bombers36]

you guys are really starting to build a solid 22. Rockliff, Redden, Rich, Beams, Hanley, Zorko, Adcock - if these guys can even improve 5% collectively I'd expect you'll be pushing for a spot in the 8.

 

[Full Wingspan]

I really hope Cutler doesnt become the Wearden of this draft...

Well he's already played some senior games which I believe Wearden did not achieve.

He, along with McStay and Paparone (again) were looking very likely for rising star nominations. Were definitely in discussions.

 

[kylegee28]

Got bored, so I decided to see what AFL player ratings have our best 22 (including Beams & Christensen) as.

Our Top 22 (apparently) are

Rockliff, Zorko, Hanley, Redden,
D. Beams, Green, Adcock, Christensen, Lester, Mayes, Rich, Clarke, Harwood, Bewick, Merrett, Leuenberger, Golby, Maguire, Aish, West, Taylor, Staker

As a team, it would look a little something like this.

Adcock - Merrett - Maguire
Harwood - Clarke - Golby
Rich - Rockliff - Hanley
Mayes - Staker - Zorko
Green - West - Taylor
Leuenberger - D. Beams - Redden
Bewick - Lester - Aish - Taylor

What we learned - Player ratings ain't worth sweet sweet F.A

 

[Milux]

Here's my first attempt at the 2015 Rd1 team.

Sorry about the length of this please try and stay interested.

B: Adcock Clarke Gardiner
HB: Rich Maguire Harwood
C: Aish Beams Mayes
HF: Green Close Zorko
F: Rockliff Staker Christensen
Foll: Luey Martin Redden
Bench: Bewick, Taylor, Hanley, Paparone.

Holy fricken hell that is hard to do. And in saying that I've probably made a mess of it. Guys like Lester, Mcstay, Merret and C Beams are hard to fit in.

Backs: I feel our back line is really solid and just need time together to mould into an elite defensive group. Clarke and Maguire play the talls with gardiner as a 3rd. Rich has an elite left foot kick that can break defensive lines and set up our speedy midfield. Harwood isn't the best but I'd have him over Golby. Adcock doesn't need explaining.

Midfielders: We are now boasting some serious speed and class. Aish and Mayes are silky smooth outsiders with class that's only going to improve. Expect to see them line on up the wings Rd1. Addition of Beams is massive. Experienced midfielder to compliment Redden, Rockliff, Hanley and Zorko. Hopefully our mids can combine for some goals. I named Rockliff up front because I think we will see him rest forward a lot more if we stay healthy.

Forwards: Our biggest weakness by far. Not much to say here although if Close can have a breakout year of say 40+ goals I think we could make finals with an easier draw. Staker if fit should provide a contest and can kick them if he marks them.

Rucks: Leuy will ruck most of the time with Martin being that extra midfielder. I think we seen leppas vision of them in Rd 23 this season and I can say I like it.

Bench: This has been really difficult task and I'm sure I have stuffed it up. Hanley Bewick and Taylor is a pretty solid bench with paparone as sub.

 

[greendiesel]

If Martin has a good pre-season, I'd like to see him play on the wing and float forward and back as he deems necessary.
He would be a very difficult match up.

 

[EskiBro]

re Milux's team:

It's TOUGH isn't it, but that looks like a pretty good team. I'm pretty sure McStay and Freeman have gone past Close in the pecking order of talls at Brisbane though and I also think you're one tall short.

I'd put McStay in Bewick's spot and he can swing forward or back as the game dictates and Staker to CHF and Freeman FF.
Close misses out. Unless he was carrying an injury last year, McStay and Freeman just look so much better than him.

Love that you haven't tried to play Leuy or Martin as a forward though, just doesn't work and Martin picked up a lazy 32 poss playing that ruck rover role in round 23.

There's about six blokes fighting for the sub position I think. Lester, Robertson, Golby, Bewick, Paparone and Cutler.

I'm also looking forward to who gets the 3rd KPD position. I think you nailed it with Gardiner and Clark. That leaves Bourke/Merrett/Maguire and maybe McStay(if he's not playing forward) fighting for the last position.

The fact that everyone is finding it so hard to do their best 22s and having to leave very good players out is a very good sign. Go Lions.

 

[Milux]

re Milux's team:

It's TOUGH isn't it, but that looks like a pretty good team. I'm pretty sure McStay and Freeman have gone past Close in the pecking order of talls at Brisbane though and I also think you're one tall short.

I'd put McStay in Bewick's spot and he can swing forward or back as the game dictates and Staker to CHF and Freeman FF.
Close misses out. Unless he was carrying an injury last year, McStay and Freeman just look so much better than him.

Love that you haven't tried to play Leuy or Martin as a forward though, just doesn't work and Martin picked up a lazy 32 poss playing that ruck rover role in round 23.

There's about six blokes fighting for the sub position I think. Lester, Robertson, Golby, Bewick, Paparone and Cutler.

I'm also looking forward to who gets the 3rd KPD position. I think you nailed it with Gardiner and Clark. That leaves Bourke/Merrett/Maguire and maybe McStay(if he's not playing forward) fighting for the last position.

The fact that everyone is finding it so hard to do their best 22s and having to leave very good players out is a very good sign. Go Lions.

Cheers for the positive feed back. I like freeman and it was almost 50/50. Only way i have close ahead is because of his aggression. Freeman doesnt seem to have that (yet) IMO.

Agree with mcstay it was hard leaving him out. But bewick played the quite acheiver when he come in to the team and played realy well.

Exciting times ahead.

 

[EskiBro]

Yeah, Close seems to have it all except for footy nous. Just doesn't to enough contests for someone with his athletic ability. I'm not sure if you can teach that.

Bewick doesn't look out of place either. When I did my best 22, I had him just missing out. Certainly not gonna complain if he's in the team round 1.

 

[GumbyRules]

I think with yhe extra quality of the midfield Close is the way to go. Freeman played as a more stationary type but Close was more active on the lead. There were many times he was ignored or not seen. With the midfield next year this wont happen. Close has a big engine but Freeman doesn't as yet.

 

[EskiBro]

Yeah, but Freeman takes marks and kicks goals. Something Close doesn't do much of.

 

[lions27]

I'd be happy if Close and freeman play 10-12 games each next year- preferably only 1 of them in the team at any one time.
Still plenty of improvement in both

 

[jackess]

Yeah, but Freeman takes marks and kicks goals. Something Close doesn't do much of.

This is based off a very small sample size.

 

[POBT]

I'd have Freeman a fair way behind Close on most measures.

 

[Milux]

All I know is that if all players are fit and ready to go its gonna be one hell of a round 1 match meeting

 

[EskiBro]

First time for long time we've actually had options in the KPF area (not just JB). Freeman/Close/McStay/Staker/Merrett all don't look out of place there.
Just to make it harder to pick the best 22, looks like we're going to sign Mitch Robinson as well.

 

[Milux]

First time for long time we've actually had options in the KPF area (not just JB). Freeman/Close/McStay/Staker/Merrett all don't look out of place there.
Just to make it harder to pick the best 22, looks like we're going to sign Mitch Robinson as well.

I for one wouldn't be against robinson. Those names up forward look good. Hope freeman and close can develop into at least 2 goals a game players. Our midfield should kick a bucket load next year.

 

[EskiBro]

I for one wouldn't be against robinson. Those names up forward look good. Hope freeman and close can develop into at least 2 goals a game players. Our midfield should kick a bucket load next year.

It would be ideal to have both Freeman and Close take the next step. In a couple of years, I could easily see Close, McStay and Freeman doing well as our KPFs.

Just curious, who would you leave out of your best 22 to make way for Robinson? I think I'd have him as the sub at best, in my first draft best 22.