Unofficial Preview Round 1, 2024: Bombers v Hawks, MCG 1:10pm Sat 16th March

[parsons nose]

At the end of the 2023 season, Nash is our third best player. At the beginning of the 2024 season, MacKenzie has gone past him and he can't even get a spot on the bench, How did you figure that out? You also have Bailey McDonald leapfrogging Seaumus. Have you seen something at training that the rest of us have missed?

Mitchell wasn’t in the conversation for round 1 this time last year and surprised everyone- kudos to him. I’m predicting BMac to be that player this year- the bolter. Nash is stiff, however MacKenzie would have been stiff too, had he been the one chosen as sub. And that’s assuming Day doesn’t get up for round 1. Going to be some unlucky blokes round 1 any way you paint it.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Nash ain’t missing out on being in the side.
That’s like having Worpel as sub.

 

[Manila_Hawk]

In theory, we could have a 'W' bench.

Weddle. Ward. Watson. Worpel.

 

[HedgeFund]

Mitchell wasn’t in the conversation for round 1 this time last year and surprised everyone- kudos to him. I’m predicting BMac to be that player this year- the bolter. Nash is stiff, however MacKenzie would have been stiff too, had he been the one chosen as sub. And that’s assuming Day doesn’t get up for round 1. Going to be some unlucky blokes round 1 any way you paint it.

Our top 4 in the 2023 PCM were Day, Newcombe, Nash & Worpel.

Whilst I said when the results came out, it showed how little impact we had at each end, no club in their right mind would omit any of their top 4 in the previous B&F (if fit) unless they were under a club suspension.

Nash won’t be stiff.

He will be starting mid against Essendon unless injured.

 

[Dewnior]

In theory, we could have a 'W' bench.

Weddle. Ward. Watson. Worpel.

Add in Wingard and the two Will's and that's 7 players with 'W'.

SSSSSS you may just need to change your name..

 

[TylerDurden]

Nash will be in there for the first bounce.

 

[Dewnior]

At the end of the 2023 season, Nash is our third best player.

I love Nash, but he ain't our 3rd best player.

 

[Slainte]

I love Nash, but he ain't our 3rd best player.

You seem awfully sure about that. Do you not see the PCM votes as a fair indicator of player work or do you think Sicily would have overtaken him had he played the same number of games?

I have to say that I rate the collective judgement of the coaching panel over the opinion of a Bigfooty poster. You could make the case that Sicily would have finished higher but that is speculation. The reality is that he didn't and I don't think anyone else could have.

So you can quibble as to whether he was third or fourth best, but that has no bearing on whether he should be sub for Round 1.

 

[barbster]

You seem awfully sure about that. Do you not see the PCM votes as a fair indicator of player work or do you think Sicily would have overtaken him had he played the same number of games?

I have to say that I rate the collective judgement of the coaching panel over the opinion of a Bigfooty poster. You could make the case that Sicily would have finished higher but that is speculation. The reality is that he didn't and I don't think anyone else could have.

So you can quibble as to whether he was third or fourth best, but that has no bearing on whether he should be sub for Round 1.

Nash will continue to improve, Sicily is currently at his peak.

 

[Sixpence]

You seem awfully sure about that. Do you not see the PCM votes as a fair indicator of player work or do you think Sicily would have overtaken him had he played the same number of games?

I have to say that I rate the collective judgement of the coaching panel over the opinion of a Bigfooty poster. You could make the case that Sicily would have finished higher but that is speculation. The reality is that he didn't and I don't think anyone else could have.

So you can quibble as to whether he was third or fourth best, but that has no bearing on whether he should be sub for Round 1.

Come on man, Nash had a great season and deserved the PCM placing he got, but you can't use that to say he's our third or even fourth best player.

Newcombe, Day and Sicily are comfortably our top 3. Following that, you'd have Worpel, Hardwick, Breust, Lewis and possibly Moore before Nash.

Definitely should not be a sub for Round 1 though.

 

[peetoo]

Come on man, Nash had a great season and deserved the PCM placing he got, but you can't use that to say he's our third or even fourth best player.

Newcombe, Day and Sicily are comfortably our top 3. Following that, you'd have Worpel, Hardwick, Breust, Lewis and possibly Moore before Nash.

Definitely should not be a sub for Round 1 though.

Worpel and Nash not being locks is so pre season 2023

 

[Yardie]

Come on man, Nash had a great season and deserved the PCM placing he got, but you can't use that to say he's our third or even fourth best player.

Newcombe, Day and Sicily are comfortably our top 3. Following that, you'd have Worpel, Hardwick, Breust, Lewis and possibly Moore before Nash.

Definitely should not be a sub for Round 1 though.

Nash was sub round 1 last year. Now, how did that turn out again......

 

[parsons nose]

Our top 4 in the 2023 PCM were Day, Newcombe, Nash & Worpel.

Whilst I said when the results came out, it showed how little impact we had at each end, no club in their right mind would omit any of their top 4 in the previous B&F (if fit) unless they were under a club suspension.

Nash won’t be stiff.

He will be starting mid against Essendon unless injured.

When we cast our potential round 1 teams, we do so with two things in mind. 1) The capabilities of the player we are considering for selection and 2) The capabilities of the personnel vying for that particular spot. In this instance it’s point number that reflects my decision to select Nash as sub.

Nash, more so than the other trio that comprise our starting midfield, is in peril of holding out the group of youngsters that are pushing hard for selection. None of MacKenzie, Ward, Hustwaite or Connor MacDonald are going to recede into obscurity this season. And each of them are more footballer than athlete. Expect some shake ups at the selection table early this year.

 

[peetoo]

When we cast our potential round 1 teams, we do so with two things in mind. 1) The capabilities of the player we are considering for selection and 2) The capabilities of the personnel vying for that particular spot. In this instance it’s point number that reflects my decision to select Nash as sub.

Nash, more so than the other trio that comprise our starting midfield, is in peril of holding out the group of youngsters that are pushing hard for selection. None of MacKenzie, Ward, Hustwaite or Connor MacDonald are going to recede into obscurity this season. And each of them are more footballer than athlete. Expect some shake ups at the selection table early this year.

Yet we are told players really need to earn their spot this year?

 

[Slainte]

Come on man, Nash had a great season and deserved the PCM placing he got, but you can't use that to say he's our third or even fourth best player.

Newcombe, Day and Sicily are comfortably our top 3. Following that, you'd have Worpel, Hardwick, Breust, Lewis and possibly Moore before Nash.

Definitely should not be a sub for Round 1 though.

I said that he was our third best player at the end of the 2003 season. It was not a career assessment. Players have better and worse seasons and, in the end you make a more global assessment based on their whole of career contribution. However, normally when considering who would be in the starting 22 at the beginning of the following season you look at their contribution over the course of the previous season, unless there is good reason to do otherwise. Demotion to sub seemed a very odd response to his excellent 2023.

 

[HedgeFund]

When we cast our potential round 1 teams, we do so with two things in mind. 1) The capabilities of the player we are considering for selection and 2) The capabilities of the personnel vying for that particular spot. In this instance it’s point number that reflects my decision to select Nash as sub.

Nash, more so than the other trio that comprise our starting midfield, is in peril of holding out the group of youngsters that are pushing hard for selection. None of MacKenzie, Ward, Hustwaite or Connor MacDonald are going to recede into obscurity this season. And each of them are more footballer than athlete. Expect some shake ups at the selection table early this year.

It’s a matter for those younger players to push the established ones out through ….. performance during the actual season.

Not based on potential or “training the house down” in December / January.

Conor Nash brings something to the midfield that others don’t (yet). An excellent physical defensive mindset that doesn’t involve tagging. He does the little 1% ers that make the others look better.

Every decent midfield needs one.

I don’t see any of these younger players challenging him for that role in the next 6 months, let alone 6 weeks.

If you do - which one is 197cm, as strong as any opposition mid, hard as nails and willing to roll their sleeves up?

 

[cs61]

IMO Nash has another level he can get to still. It isn't the same as other players perhaps peaking at a certain age, as Nash has barely played the sport in comparison. It is not just AFL games experience he is getting each game, but still learning the game of Aussie Rules. On top of that the move to midfield has been relatively new as well, and he seems to be relishing it. He is finding out still how to use his strength and play within his limitations, and finding out that his mix of height, pace and strength can be a massive asset in the role Sam has him playing. Last year it started to click in a big way but think he isn't finished yet on how good he can be. Newcombe, Nash and Worpel (who is much stronger than he looks) is a pretty intimidating group of enforcers in there to complement our power running.

 

[Slainte]

When we cast our potential round 1 teams, we do so with two things in mind. 1) The capabilities of the player we are considering for selection and 2) The capabilities of the personnel vying for that particular spot. In this instance it’s point number that reflects my decision to select Nash as sub.

Nash, more so than the other trio that comprise our starting midfield, is in peril of holding out the group of youngsters that are pushing hard for selection. None of MacKenzie, Ward, Hustwaite or Connor MacDonald are going to recede into obscurity this season. And each of them are more footballer than athlete. Expect some shake ups at the selection table early this year.

Thanks PN - good to have an explanation of your reasoning.

I agree we have an abundance of midfield options. However, none with the brutality of Nash's tacking or speed of his hands. Worpel may be the more vulnerable but he also had a very good 2023. Ward will probably do most of his work on the outside, Croc will probably contribute to the rotations but spend a fair bit of time in the forward half. MacKenzie and Hustwaite both look like they could be utilities who contribute in the midfield but they will have to be outstanding in the intra and scratch matches to earn a place in the starting 22, IMO

 

[H00t]

One thing that I think will decide are early round fortunes is how clean we are around the contests.

Last year when we weren’t fumbling and hitting our handballs we were running out of congestion and looking incredibly dangerous. When there was a fumble or the handball was slightly off it invited pressure and led to a rushed kick at best.

It’s a small thing but makes a mountain of difference for how easy our forwards will have it.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

All our mids in interviews have said that the one player they love having in there is Nashy. That's all there is to it tbh.

 

[burner1]

If Nash is not in best 22 as Mackenzie, HH, croc, Ward have genuinely gone past him then so be it. But with Nash in his prime, fully fit and coming off 3rd in b&f it seems highly unlikely for round 1 - would require a quantum improvement from the younger guys. Round 1, 2025 might be a different story though.

 

[Tony3163]

When we cast our potential round 1 teams, we do so with two things in mind. 1) The capabilities of the player we are considering for selection and 2) The capabilities of the personnel vying for that particular spot. In this instance it’s point number that reflects my decision to select Nash as sub.

Nash, more so than the other trio that comprise our starting midfield, is in peril of holding out the group of youngsters that are pushing hard for selection. None of MacKenzie, Ward, Hustwaite or Connor MacDonald are going to recede into obscurity this season. And each of them are more footballer than athlete. Expect some shake ups at the selection table early this year.

Nash WILL NOT BE SUB. Neither should he be.

 

[rei154]

All our mids in interviews have said that the one player they love having in there is Nashy. That's all there is to it tbh.

I think Nash has another couple levels to climb over the coming years.
Hasn't been playing the game for more than a decade, is an anomaly in his position and is a very intelligent man.

I imagine Nash doesn't miss a game unless he needs a rest for all his crash and bash.

Low key smokey for a captaincy at some point.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Day will most likely not be playing, barring a miracle. That kind of injury is very delicate and tricky to rehab/manage, so I hope we are conservative and don't rush him back.

With that in mind we are one quarter of our midfield core four down, so there's no way Nash will miss out.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I think Nash has another couple levels to climb over the coming years.
Hasn't been playing the game for more than a decade, is an anomaly in his position and is a very intelligent man.

I imagine Nash doesn't miss a game unless he needs a rest for all his crash and bash.

Low key smokey for a captaincy at some point.

He needs to improve on his ability to mark and hit the scoreboard. If he could be effective when resting forward he would prove to be a nightmare matchup, given his size. That's the next level for him.