Preview Round 1 team

[kanyewest]

We come from different perspectives I guess. I'm of the opinion we can't win the flag this year and therefore think we need to be preparing for our next serious attempt at silverware. That means tweaking our game plan and blooding new players in a blended way and using some of the players who have served us well as back-up players. Um! As Collingwood have.

I like your blandness (edit: I meant directness!) But I am wondering...is the above essentially saying we should tank? I'm pretty sure that's what the Pies did post 03/04.

 

[Partridge]

Sorry, this makes no sense. You say we can't persist with these older sides yet you want either Lonergan or Taylor to be dropped for Scarlett? I'm sure you are aware that by automatically including Scarlett it will make us an older side.

He never said anything about Taylor, he said Lonergan. And he's right.

If we play all three, we are once again playing three tall defenders instead of two, and Lonergan is the slowest of the three. Scarlett does NOT get more of the ball playing off a flank, that is a total and utter myth.

It seems to be true, no one has learnt anything from the train wreck of the 2010 finals series.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Sorry, this makes no sense. You say we can't persist with these older sides yet you want either Lonergan or Taylor to be dropped for Scarlett? I'm sure you are aware that by automatically including Scarlett it will make us an older side.

You miss the point, it's not about players being old, it's about older players in decline (i.e. not performing). This is why we are all discussing whether Otto should be replaced etc. Scarlett may be old but he is still performing, and he plays until this changes. When it changes he goes, but not until then.

This isn't true either. I clearly remember people talking about how the Pies had the luxury of playing three big guys forward - Brown, Dawes, and Cloke. It didn't happen all the time but there were parts of the game where they used this strategy. That is why we wanted to play three big defenders.

Brown also happens to be the backup ruck. So they are still not playing 5 talls between the ruck and forward line, they are playing four. We must do the same, and therefore that means you must play one of Ottens/Blake/Simpson plus one of West/Vardy/Hawkins plus two of Pods/Mooney/Hawkins. Any more than that is asking for trouble.
[/quote]

 

[year of the cat]

Kanyewest - you appear to not have learnt anything from our finals series last year. If we keep the same old 22 in this year we will NO DOUBT drop further down the ladder. Missing finals may be a bit extreme but it could happen.

We have to inject youth into the team NOW. That doesn't mean we have to play our VFL team, just that we need to be picking the likes of Duncan, Menzel, T.Hunt at the very least over the likes of J.Hunt, Stokes, Milburn and Mackie. If we don't play them not only will this next group not develop as quickly as they should but they may fail to reach their potential at any time in their career/s.

Picking them in my mind will have a positive effect on the team immediately anyway. It will add some speed, enthusiasm and vitality.

We may well have only lost 5 games last year - are you happy to just make the prelim final? I'm not. I want to improve the team and that comes from introducing some new faces. Milburn has been a great player for Geelong but if I see him being lead a merry dance by his opponent come September on the bigger grounds I will vomit. Similarly if Josh Hunt fumbles or chokes under big match conditions again it will piss me off because it shows we haven't learnt one bloody thing from last year. If Stokes hasn't changed his attitude and just lets his defender run off him without chasing or providing a contest then that will just about be it.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Kanyewest - you appear to not have learnt anything from our finals series last year. If we keep the same old 22 in this year we will NO DOUBT drop further down the ladder. Missing finals may be a bit extreme but it could happen.

We have to inject youth into the team NOW. That doesn't mean we have to play our VFL team, just that we need to be picking the likes of Duncan, Menzel, T.Hunt at the very least over the likes of J.Hunt, Stokes, Milburn and Mackie. If we don't play them not only will this next group not develop as quickly as they should but they may fail to reach their potential at any time in their career/s.

Picking them in my mind will have a positive effect on the team immediately anyway. It will add some speed, enthusiasm and vitality.

We may well have only lost 5 games last year - are you happy to just make the prelim final? I'm not. I want to improve the team and that comes from introducing some new faces. Milburn has been a great player for Geelong but if I see him being lead a merry dance by his opponent come September on the bigger grounds I will vomit. Similarly if Josh Hunt fumbles or chokes under big match conditions again it will piss me off because it shows we haven't learnt one bloody thing from last year. If Stokes hasn't changed his attitude and just lets his defender run off him without chasing or providing a contest then that will just about be it.

Agree with all of this, particularly the last paragraph.

It has gone undiscussed but even Ling seems to understand it:

One of the major talking points down at Geelong centres around Scott's challenge to inject some youth into the team, as the process is sure to bruise a few egos. But the veterans realise they can't keep talented lads like Mitch Duncan, Daniel Menzel and Steven Motlop out of the team forever.

"If one of the older players gets tipped out of the side because these guys have improved so much, then it's great," Ling admitted.

"If that happens, we're more likely to achieve what we want to achieve at the end of this year, which is winning a premiership."

 

[thejester]

He never said anything about Taylor, he said Lonergan. And he's right.

If we play all three, we are once again playing three tall defenders instead of two, and Lonergan is the slowest of the three. Scarlett does NOT get more of the ball playing off a flank, that is a total and utter myth.

It seems to be true, no one has learnt anything from the train wreck of the 2010 finals series.

Do you honestly think we lost those two finals because we played Lonergan, Taylor and Scarlett in the same side?

 

[cynical]

Still worrying that people want to persist with the same aging backline.

The difference between fletcher and scarlett playing on the 3rd tall is fletcher is surrounded by young quick players, scarlett is not.

Milburn, Enright, Kelly, J Hunt, Scarlett, Taylor and Lonners all have one thing in common, they are all slow players.

3-4 years we could get away with it because these guys were a bit younger and faster but now they are all slow.

Only way to make the backline fast enough is to have 2 fast guys in wojo and t hunt

see round 20 vs the bulldogs last year, thats the future

 

[kanyewest]

He never said anything about Taylor, he said Lonergan. And he's right.

If we play all three, we are once again playing three tall defenders instead of two, and Lonergan is the slowest of the three. Scarlett does NOT get more of the ball playing off a flank, that is a total and utter myth.

Actually, if you take some time and read his post, he did say if people were worried about Taylor being beaten then he should be dropped. And I never said Scarlett gets more of the ball playing off a flank, and agree that this is a myth. The point was merely that if Scarlett plays we are older. Thus, don't equate an older side with a weaker side.

You miss the point, it's not about players being old, it's about older players in decline (i.e. not performing). This is why we are all discussing whether Otto should be replaced etc. Scarlett may be old but he is still performing, and he plays until this changes. When it changes he goes, but not until then.

Then this is fine, but that is not what he said. As for who is in decline or rather not performing, I don't think Lonergan or Taylor fall into this category.

Brown also happens to be the backup ruck. So they are still not playing 5 talls between the ruck and forward line, they are playing four. We must do the same, and therefore that means you must play one of Ottens/Blake/Simpson plus one of West/Vardy/Hawkins plus two of Pods/Mooney/Hawkins. Any more than that is asking for trouble.

Indeed. I was merely pointing out that the Pies did at some stage play three big forwards, which means three defends is not necessarily a bad idea. If people want to be complaining about top-heavy, I think you rightly point out we should be more worried about playing five talls between the ruck and forward line.

Kanyewest - you appear to not have learnt anything from our finals series last year. If we keep the same old 22 in this year we will NO DOUBT drop further down the ladder. Missing finals may be a bit extreme but it could happen.

We have to inject youth into the team NOW. That doesn't mean we have to play our VFL team, just that we need to be picking the likes of Duncan, Menzel, T.Hunt at the very least over the likes of J.Hunt, Stokes, Milburn and Mackie. If we don't play them not only will this next group not develop as quickly as they should but they may fail to reach their potential at any time in their career/s.

You will notice I didn't say we should play the same old 22. And I would agree with playing more youth. My post was simply to make clear that this nonsense about Lonergan, Taylor and Scarlett is really a non-issue. As Jester rightly asks, do you really think that is why we lost last year?

 

[Partridge]

Dramatic much? How can we suddenly go from a group with a number of AA players who only lost 5 games last year and finished with the highest percentage to a team that would be lucky to make finals? Your negativity and lack of faith in the team is shameful. Then again, you do mention that we struggled in a practice match at Visy Park in the middle of March, so maybe I should be worried.

Yeah, you're right. I should say everything is sunshine and moonbeams. Hawkins looked the best he ever has. Milburn actually went within 20 metres of his direct opponent and wasn't lapped all day by Garlett. Scarlett was at full back instead of languishing on a flank. Mackie was playing the percentages instead of trying lazy torpedo punts from kick-ins.

The reason some of us - a small heretical minority - are calling this out is because in September last year we were slaughtered by a far superior Collingwood outfit. It's now 6 months later, and still people don't want to accept changes have to be made. It may be harsh, but if you think the same personnel who were clearly not up to it last year are going to magically make up the ground this year, well I admire your faith.

We have players in the side who, for reasons of either age or accumulated injuries, have question marks over their durability and effectiveness. This list to me would include Ottens, Milburn, Mooney, Corey, and possibly Ling and Chapman. Then you have the inbalance on the field itself last year - three key defenders instead of two, and three key forwards instead of two. You tell me, do you think that makes us faster or slower? We've got the best full back I've ever seen in Matthew Scarlett, and apparently no one including our new coach wants him to actually play there, even though that alone has been an enormous factor in our success over the last few years.

No one has suggested every player over 26 getting immediately demoted never to return. But some players - established, senior players - will be exposed on the field this year. That is a fact. It's natural sporting attrition. Failure to acknowledge that this will happen is simply not accepting reality. It's embracing meekly finishing 7th, instead of taking harsh steps now that may result in us (rightfully) again finishing 1st.

The thing is, look at who our standout performers have been this pre-season - young players. Selwood starred on the weekend, Brown looked very promising, Varcoe looked easily the best I've ever seen, and Duncan has clearly improved. There is significant cause for optimism right there. But it won't translate to anything if they never get a chance.

 

[Partridge]

Absolute rubbish. If that's true name me the half a dozen games where Scarlett had 25 + disposals and was damaging in the enright mould. You can't, because it didn't happen. Scarlett wasn't rubbish on a flank, but he simply didn't dominate in the way you are suggesting. This is a mental myth created by people who are desperate to move our best full back because they want Lonergan in the side. By contrast when Scarlett as actually put at full back, he dominated many a full forward this year. Now yes Lonergan did serviceably well at full back most of the time, but the simple fact people like you ignore is unless Scarlett actually becomes a super damaging rebound, then we get no benefit out of the swap, and he isn't, so we aren't. If Lonergan's good enough to play on a flank or somewhere else fine, otherwise he plays 2's. Scarlett is a freaking full back until someone actually provides some credible evidence to the contrary.

Covers it all really. Unfortunately it's only you and me that believe it.

 

[SJ]

Covers it all really. Unfortunately it's only you and me that believe it.

And one or two others.

 

[Partridge]

Do you honestly think we lost those two finals because we played Lonergan, Taylor and Scarlett in the same side?

Of course not. You never lose finals because of one thing. But I honestly think operating with that setup we're starting at a massive disadvantage. It makes an already slowish backline slower. You get away with it most of the time, but not against the best. Exactly what happened to us.

I'll say it again, Round 20 versus the Dogs. Taylor Hunt and Wocjinski were in defence, Lonergan missed through injury. Look how fast we were that night, it wasn't a coincidence.

 

[kanyewest]

The reason some of us - a small heretical minority - are calling this out is because in September last year we were slaughtered by a far superior Collingwood outfit. It's now 6 months later, and still people don't want to accept changes have to be made. It may be harsh, but if you think the same personnel who were clearly not up to it last year are going to magically make up the ground this year, well I admire your faith.

I am not against change. I am just against the kind of panic statements people like you make when you say we would struggle to make this finals this year if we played the same 22. And then you back it up by pointing to some meaningless practice match.

I am also against you thinking you exist in the heretical minority that has some special access to the truth. Everyone saw that we were beaten comprehensively by the Pies in the finals. But some also recognise you don't plan a season based on one game. So far Chris Scott has given pretty much all are younger guys games in the preseason and has made clear there will be new faces. So just relax and stop thinking it's you against the world.

 

[AM]

I like your blandness (edit: I meant directness!) But I am wondering...is the above essentially saying we should tank? I'm pretty sure that's what the Pies did post 03/04.

I wouldn't have said Collingwood tanked.

My reading of Collingwoods approach was they:

- built up their list over a relatively short time through astute recruiting;

- improved on the Saints zonal pressure by having players no more than a kick and a half from the play;

- tweaked their game plan by going wide into the forward half as the better teams effectively closed-off the corridor and lifted the intensity at the ball and the player with the ball to new levels;

- made the decision to go for youth and leg speed and consequently players like Fraser, Lockyer, Medhurst, Anthony and a few others went to the VFL and were used as back-up players.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Actually, if you take some time and read his post, he did say if people were worried about Taylor being beaten then he should be dropped. And I never said Scarlett gets more of the ball playing off a flank, and agree that this is a myth. The point was merely that if Scarlett plays we are older. Thus, don't equate an older side with a weaker side.

With regards to what I said about our defense and fwd lines KP players I was more talking about us playing too big rather than too old. Am aware Scarlet coming in makes us older but he is still our best full back and most likely our best key position player since ablett snr. And yes I did say lonergan could come in for Taylor. Is more a response to the 'oh but what if Taylor starts getting beaten etc.' argument some like to use for playing all 3.

As for who is in decline or rather not performing, I don't think Lonergan or Taylor fall into this category.

Not calling for his head here but Taylor was pretty poor over the last third of last year. Lonergan's performances ranged from serviceable to ordinary. Either way simple question is do u prefer Lon to Taylor or Scarlett? No? Then he doesn't play. If he does we are too big.

Indeed. I was merely pointing out that the Pies did at some stage play three big forwards, which means three defends is not necessarily a bad idea. If people want to be complaining about top-heavy, I think you rightly point out we should be more worried about playing five talls between the ruck and forward line.

Is pretty much what i meant. I can handle Hawking floating down playing as 2nd ruck. But he seemed to be playing soley fwd this pre season which has me worried we could see him play alongside Moons, Pods and two rucks which again would have us unbalanced.

As Jester rightly asks, do you really think that is why we lost last year?

It was not the only reason but it certainly did not help and won't help us improve this year either.

 

[Partridge]

I am not against change. I am just against the kind of panic statements people like you make when you say we would struggle to make this finals this year if we played the same 22. And then you back it up by pointing to some meaningless practice match.

I am also against you thinking you exist in the heretical minority that has some special access to the truth. Everyone saw that we were beaten comprehensively by the Pies in the finals. But some also recognise you don't plan a season based on one game. So far Chris Scott has given pretty much all are younger guys games in the preseason and has made clear there will be new faces. So just relax and stop thinking it's you against the world.

Panic statements? Why, because I dared state we didn't play at our absolute best on Saturday?

For a start, there was an awful lot to like - Varcoe, Selwood, Duncan (especially in the last quarter), Brown, Dawson Simpson off the top of my head. Stokes was working harder than I've seen in ages. Christensen and Menzel are getting caught now, but are trying to make things happen and I think both will make it. Johnson was good all game I thought and brilliant in the final quarter. There's nothing I see there but absolute positives.

But, the defence as they lined up for large chunks of Saturday is still slow. I don't see the value of playing three key defenders, nor of playing Scarlett away from full back. I don't believe Mackie is automatically entitled to a game because he seems to still make poor and lazy decisions. I don't like Milburn zoning off opponents as quick and elusive as Garlett.

That isn't "special access to the truth" as you kindly put it, it's opinion. Which last I checked, I'm fully entitled to just as much as you.

You're right, if it was just due to one game, perhaps you wouldn't need to change much at all. But I'd say it was more than one. It was two games against St.Kilda and the last two encounters against Collingwood. We lost all four. That would indicate that just maybe, something isn't working against the best sides.

 

[Mark25Jackson]

Kanyewest - you appear to not have learnt anything from our finals series last year. If we keep the same old 22 in this year we will NO DOUBT drop further down the ladder. Missing finals may be a bit extreme but it could happen.

We have to inject youth into the team NOW. That doesn't mean we have to play our VFL team, just that we need to be picking the likes of Duncan, Menzel, T.Hunt at the very least over the likes of J.Hunt, Stokes, Milburn and Mackie. If we don't play them not only will this next group not develop as quickly as they should but they may fail to reach their potential at any time in their career/s.

Picking them in my mind will have a positive effect on the team immediately anyway. It will add some speed, enthusiasm and vitality.

We may well have only lost 5 games last year - are you happy to just make the prelim final? I'm not. I want to improve the team and that comes from introducing some new faces. Milburn has been a great player for Geelong but if I see him being lead a merry dance by his opponent come September on the bigger grounds I will vomit. Similarly if Josh Hunt fumbles or chokes under big match conditions again it will piss me off because it shows we haven't learnt one bloody thing from last year. If Stokes hasn't changed his attitude and just lets his defender run off him without chasing or providing a contest then that will just about be it.

Possibly one of the dumbest things ever written on bigfooty. ever. We didnt get smashed by the pies cos we were too slow. No.We were flogged because we played a game style plan and style the Pies had spent 4 years planning and teaching their players to beat. We essentially lost in the coaches box. Players don't go from being allaustralian stars to "too slow hacks that need to be retired in the space of 6 weeks. So seriously calm the *&^% down and have a zanax. We will be fine. mackie is a gun. will have a huge year. Bookmark it. Milburn looks good as ever. Scarlo is still awesome. Lonners is highly respected on the inner sanctum and will play 1's all year. Bookmark that also. Taylor Hunt will play senior footy this year, but he needs to earn it, and not be given games because he has pace.

Miss the finals.... bloody hell. School hols arent on yet are they?

 

[year of the cat]

Possibly one of the dumbest things ever written on bigfooty. ever. We didnt get smashed by the pies cos we were too slow. No.We were flogged because we played a game style plan and style the Pies had spent 4 years planning and teaching their players to beat. We essentially lost in the coaches box. Players don't go from being allaustralian stars to "too slow hacks that need to be retired in the space of 6 weeks. So seriously calm the *&^% down and have a zanax. We will be fine. mackie is a gun. will have a huge year. Bookmark it. Milburn looks good as ever. Scarlo is still awesome. Lonners is highly respected on the inner sanctum and will play 1's all year. Bookmark that also. Taylor Hunt will play senior footy this year, but he needs to earn it, and not be given games because he has pace.

Miss the finals.... bloody hell. School hols arent on yet are they?

Given you have only been on this site a month that's a big call. I have said far dumber things anyway...You should have been here in 2006 when I suggested Walls as coach.

No you're right. Everything will be just be fine. Shit lets offer Milburn a 2 year extention he's going that well. We lost last year in the coaches box apparently. I didn't see Bomber or Sando get a kick so you just may be right. Having said that Malthouse was a bit quiet on the night as well so now I'm not so sure...

We'll just teach them all a new game plan and in 4 years (that's how long it took the pies you said?) Milburn,Otto and Moons should have it down to a fine art. Great!!! Can't wait until 2015.

Oh and it's Xanax not Zanax.

 

[BIGANT]

Possibly one of the dumbest things ever written on bigfooty. ever. We didnt get smashed by the pies cos we were too slow. No.We were flogged because we played a game style plan and style the Pies had spent 4 years planning and teaching their players to beat. We essentially lost in the coaches box. Players don't go from being allaustralian stars to "too slow hacks that need to be retired in the space of 6 weeks. So seriously calm the *&^% down and have a zanax. We will be fine. mackie is a gun. will have a huge year. Bookmark it. Milburn looks good as ever. Scarlo is still awesome. Lonners is highly respected on the inner sanctum and will play 1's all year. Bookmark that also. Taylor Hunt will play senior footy this year, but he needs to earn it, and not be given games because he has pace.

Miss the finals.... bloody hell. School hols arent on yet are they?

F__k off Mackie's a gun !!!

 

[Mark25Jackson]

Given you have only been on this site a month that's a big call. I have said far dumber things anyway...You should have been here in 2006 when I suggested Walls as coach.

No you're right. Everything will be just be fine. Shit lets offer Milburn a 2 year extention he's going that well. We lost last year in the coaches box apparently. I didn't see Bomber or Sando get a kick so you just may be right. Having said that Malthouse was a bit quiet on the night as well so now I'm not so sure...

We'll just teach them all a new game plan and in 4 years (that's how long it took the pies you said?) Milburn,Otto and Moons should have it down to a fine art. Great!!! Can't wait until 2015.

Oh and it's Xanax not Zanax.

lol. Been on here more than a month champ... under MANY guises... Thanks for picking up my spelling by the way, your year 11 assessments will be graded beautifully. Go back and do some homework, and you'll see malthouse quoted as saying their whole game plan was devised to beat Geelong. It is common knowledge that we had plan a and that is it under Bomber. So before you comment back with idiotic sarcasm and cracks about spelling, go learn a thing or two about footy, maybe just maybe even go have a kick with a local side, and you'll realise that champion players dont just get shit overnight. FFS Mackie (who you seem to have in your sights) has had 6 or 7 awesome years until last year. He is mid 20's and not close to winding down. Same as Stokes (age wise) yet you have these boys off to the knackery. Shit. You have a hard on for youngsters who very well may be gold, but you just dont know as yet. They may also be duds. Remember David Clarke? David Spriggs? Mark Mcgough? AFL clubs are littered with youngsters we fall in love with after 5 games who turn out to be duds. And you want to sell half the farm to play kids who may or may not make it, all the while NOT playing proven, ALL AUSTRALIAN, PREMIERSHIP winning heroes alot of who are not even showing signs of slowing down or dropping in form (Milburn)

Yep. Dumbest thing Ive read on bigfooty.

 

[archilino]

I'll keep it short & sweet. To quote Assistant coach Lappin on SEN last week: "If we don't play kids sooner or later we will fall in a huge heap in a couple of years"

 

[year of the cat]

lol. Been on here more than a month champ... under MANY guises... Thanks for picking up my spelling by the way, your year 11 assessments will be graded beautifully. Go back and do some homework, and you'll see malthouse quoted as saying their whole game plan was devised to beat Geelong. It is common knowledge that we had plan a and that is it under Bomber. So before you comment back with idiotic sarcasm and cracks about spelling, go learn a thing or two about footy, maybe just maybe even go have a kick with a local side, and you'll realise that champion players dont just get shit overnight. FFS Mackie (who you seem to have in your sights) has had 6 or 7 awesome years until last year. He is mid 20's and not close to winding down. Same as Stokes (age wise) yet you have these boys off to the knackery. Shit. You have a hard on for youngsters who very well may be gold, but you just dont know as yet. They may also be duds. Remember David Clarke? David Spriggs? Mark Mcgough? AFL clubs are littered with youngsters we fall in love with after 5 games who turn out to be duds. And you want to sell half the farm to play kids who may or may not make it, all the while NOT playing proven, ALL AUSTRALIAN, PREMIERSHIP winning heroes alot of who are not even showing signs of slowing down or dropping in form (Milburn)

Yep. Dumbest thing Ive read on bigfooty.

So just because we have a difference in opinion I am either in year 11 or no nothing about football? Or both.

Well I'm not in year 11 so that must mean I know nothing about football. Just because we may have a difference in opinion.

Can't remember mentioning Mackie to be honest. Infact I had him IN my team for round one if you want to scroll back a few pages. And if you can point out where I wanted to sell out half the team that would be good as well.

If you are going to rant and rave at least get a few of your facts in order.

 

[AM]

lol Been on here more than a month champ... under MANY guises...

Geez, to think I took you as being a half reasonable contributor. Turns out you're just a troll.

 

[AM]

I'll keep it short & sweet. To quote Assistant coach Lappin on SEN last week: "If we don't play kids sooner or later we will fall in a huge heap in a couple of years"

Could have been phrased better but the underlying sentiment is spot on.

 

[Mark25Jackson]

So just because we have a difference in opinion I am either in year 11 or no nothing about football? Or both.

Well I'm not in year 11 so that must mean I know nothing about football. Just because we may have a difference in opinion.

Can't remember mentioning Mackie to be honest. Infact I had him IN my team for round one if you want to scroll back a few pages. And if you can point out where I wanted to sell out half the team that would be good as well.

If you are going to rant and rave at least get a few of your facts in order.

no worries about a difference of opinion. But your previous reply was personal and petty in attacking things like spelling. I hope we do play players like Menzel and Hunt.I just dont want to see us throw away true champions to embrace youth that may or not may make it. And honestly, maybe im a super optimist,but I really believe we can win the flag this year. I seriously do.

reason being. Scarlett is arguably still the most damaging key defender in the league. His ability to create and set up attack from the back half is better than anyone else in the AFL. Enright was amazing last year. AA. Taylor is the reigning AA CHB and came to Geelong as a mature age,I actually expect him to improve this year. Milburn is still getting 30 touches and getting them as a 200+ player - you cant buy that experience. Yes injuries will bob up and thats when guys like Hunt will come in.

We still have the best midfield (arguably) in the AFL. If Corey has indeed gotten over his knee and had a full preseason as the club are suggesting, he is somewhat of a recruit this year. Add to that Varcoe who will make the move into the midfield this year. he has genuine pace and is a jet.Selwood is still young and will unbelievably improve this year. Kelly will come into the midfield for bursts, and Duncan looks like being a beauty.

Our forward half is also still amazing. Chapman still a genuine matchwinner. As is Steve Johnson. I honestly believe hawkins will step up this year and impose himself on the competition. Add to that the fact that Pods has only had one real AFL season. So even though he is older, he will actually improve imo.

Rucks. Everyone has written off Ottens, but for a ruckman, 30 isnt old. Is it possible he is on a staggered program? And he will improve each week? So by round 6 he will be back to his best. I have a feeling we will see him back to his best. And this new sub rule will imo see the making of West.

So. In conclusion. I dont want to see youngsters given charity games at the expense of seasoned,still in their 20's,proven premiership winning starswhen our windo for winning a flag is still open.

We'll see improvement from Hawkins. Varcoe, Selwood, Duncan Pods and Taylor. If they all improve even 5% we will win a flag.