LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
I just don’t trust Horse to drop the ego and change the structure. Drop a tall otherwise we know how the season is going r1 whether we win or lose, we play 3 talls we aren’t winning it
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AFLW 2024 - Round 9 - Indigenous Round - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
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I just don’t trust Horse to drop the ego and change the structure. Drop a tall otherwise we know how the season is going r1 whether we win or lose, we play 3 talls we aren’t winning it
- Apr 26, 2016
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I don't believe it's too late either, but it's gonna require Horse actually eating a slice of humble pie and realising that what he's been doing isn't working and we need to correct course.
As others have mentioned, Sheldrick and Cleary are only young. If they are even in the midfield at all, they are not going to be the solution to all the problems, nor able to go toe-to-toe with the best in the comp for three or four straight games in September if needed.
So we have no choice but to back the mids we've invested years into now: Heeney, Rowbottom, Warner & Mills. We have to turn that group into a ball-winning, clearance-winning group, and to do so will require Horse making adjustments before day one of pre-season has even begun.
Get Rowbottom spending his whole pre-season focusing on ball-hunting, not defending. Get Warner watching vision of Dangerfield for a blueprint on how to be a hard, contested player but still use that explosive pace. Get Mills in and around those two plus Heeney and Grundy, so he can learn how they work and play in there. And as for Sheldrick and to a lesser extent Cleary (he may be needed to fill a pressure forward role), let them learn off all of the above and it be a case of monkey see, monkey do.
If none of these things happen then our season will end the same as every previous season for the last six or seven years.
Callipygian
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I don't think that personnel is the biggest issue. I think we have the cattle (more or less) - players and coaches.
In terms of the playing group, for people who are crying out for a stronger presence at the contest (I'm one of them), there are a lot of good contested players outside the GF team that we have the option to bring in: Mills, Adams, Sheldrick, Cleary. Mills will obviously come in for Parker but who else, and at whose expense? If we see a future for Sheldrick at the Swans then we have to find a way to get him games, potentially in front of Adams. Cleary also needs (and probably merits) games but can afford to be a little bit patient if he gets limited opportunity.
I agree with caesar88 that we may need to rejig the team balance (although it's hard to nominate which outside player is omitted out of, say, McInerney, Florent, Lloyd, Gulden, Jordon - they're all best 10 or close - but I'm happy for the coaches to decide and do it) and also the roles that are assigned to players.
I do agree that some significant adjustments need to be made to the game plan and to increase our competitiveness. I have not much idea what those adjustments are specifically.
I don't agree with sheeting all the blame home to Horse. If, as people say, he and the other coaches have had this weakness in their game plans and coaching for so long, then it's up to people like the head of football (currently Cameron) and Tom Harley to step in and do something about it (and even the Board if they lose faith in the ability of Harley and Cameron to sort it out). Harley and Cameron have the seniority and the football chops to do it, and they both sit in match committee meetings every week. This is not just about Horse, by any means.
[While we're on this topic, the guys that others have at times dubbed the messiahs who should be taking over from Horse have been just as responsible: Cox has been a senior assistant for years now and has special responsibility for our midfield; and Pyke has since departed but was raved about despite being part of the coaching team behind our 22 GF. I don't think we can credibly say that if one of them replaced Horse we'd be any better off. We have all the benefit of their footy nous and ideas already.]
So, yes, something needs to change (with the game plan and coaching strategies), but, no, that doesn't necessarily mean our coaches are not good enough. Can the coaching cattle we have come up with the ideas that will lead to another premiership? I don't know but if Fagan and his team at the Lions can, why not? Fagan is similar to Longmire in that he is acknowledged as sure, astute tactically, but primarily for being a great man manager. He has also been around the game an awfully long time. He's not a Sam Mitchell who is next-gen and potentially has more new ideas. It's more about having the energy and the passion, and then the leadership within the playing group. Which leads to my main offering.
One specific thing that I would like to see improve is: leadership from within the players. Last season it didn't help that our solo captain was injured and didn't play most of the season. Nor did Parker. Rampe helped a lot but he is at the end of his career and there's only so much he can do. Many of our other more senior players are not great leaders: Lloyd, Cunningham, even Grundy (IMO). I think that Papley may not quite be a club captain but he does offer a bit in the leadership space, even if only with his actions on the field. I think Taylor Adams offers great leadership too but in terms of being a club captain he is unfortunately too late in his career and is hampered by being a recent import from another club.
The next generation of our playing group need to really step up. I think Gulden has tried to, but possibly prematurely or maybe he just lost the balance with his individual game. I'm not sure that Florent and Hayward and Heeney and McCartin are great leaders (although Heeney, in 2024, was absolutely leading by example). Heeney could be that player but it doesn't appear he wants it. It's a heavy burden. One day it will be Gulden, I have little doubt, but in the meantime, who can move into that space with Mills?
I would like to see the likes of Rowbottom and Blakey given more responsibility. Warner has the competitiveness but perhaps can't demand the discipline and sacrifice of others when he isn't yet able reliably to lead by example in that domain. Maybe he'll be a leader one day when he has matured more. McInerney seems a long way off being a leader - great to have around, lots of fun, cracks in, but not screaming leadership. JJ is new to our environment and I don't have a good read on yet. Blakey isn't there yet either but I can see him being a leader in future. Rowbottom is already 'the adult in the room' who has demonstrated his willingess to do the hard, tough work week-in, week-out. He has earned the respect of the team.
We need players who are willing to take on the responsibility of leading the team and for the team's performance and who will say the buck stops with them. Right now, this is the biggest problem I'm perceiving with our talented list. Parker was such a player but he is gone and, in 2024, he was a bit emasculated (by his injury, suspension and non-selection). So, apart from Rampe and Mills, who on our list have that ability to look around at their teammates and feel they have earned the right to demand more of them?
I want to see some development in that space this season, with a well-chosen leadership group and an emphasis on the leadership roles and the mentoring and grooming of the next club captains.
At the end of this, I am reminded, that last season the leadership group was never announced and no vice-captains were ever named. Could that have been either an indicator or contributor to the problem? Let's not make that same choice again.
In terms of the playing group, for people who are crying out for a stronger presence at the contest (I'm one of them), there are a lot of good contested players outside the GF team that we have the option to bring in: Mills, Adams, Sheldrick, Cleary. Mills will obviously come in for Parker but who else, and at whose expense? If we see a future for Sheldrick at the Swans then we have to find a way to get him games, potentially in front of Adams. Cleary also needs (and probably merits) games but can afford to be a little bit patient if he gets limited opportunity.
I agree with caesar88 that we may need to rejig the team balance (although it's hard to nominate which outside player is omitted out of, say, McInerney, Florent, Lloyd, Gulden, Jordon - they're all best 10 or close - but I'm happy for the coaches to decide and do it) and also the roles that are assigned to players.
I do agree that some significant adjustments need to be made to the game plan and to increase our competitiveness. I have not much idea what those adjustments are specifically.
I don't agree with sheeting all the blame home to Horse. If, as people say, he and the other coaches have had this weakness in their game plans and coaching for so long, then it's up to people like the head of football (currently Cameron) and Tom Harley to step in and do something about it (and even the Board if they lose faith in the ability of Harley and Cameron to sort it out). Harley and Cameron have the seniority and the football chops to do it, and they both sit in match committee meetings every week. This is not just about Horse, by any means.
[While we're on this topic, the guys that others have at times dubbed the messiahs who should be taking over from Horse have been just as responsible: Cox has been a senior assistant for years now and has special responsibility for our midfield; and Pyke has since departed but was raved about despite being part of the coaching team behind our 22 GF. I don't think we can credibly say that if one of them replaced Horse we'd be any better off. We have all the benefit of their footy nous and ideas already.]
So, yes, something needs to change (with the game plan and coaching strategies), but, no, that doesn't necessarily mean our coaches are not good enough. Can the coaching cattle we have come up with the ideas that will lead to another premiership? I don't know but if Fagan and his team at the Lions can, why not? Fagan is similar to Longmire in that he is acknowledged as sure, astute tactically, but primarily for being a great man manager. He has also been around the game an awfully long time. He's not a Sam Mitchell who is next-gen and potentially has more new ideas. It's more about having the energy and the passion, and then the leadership within the playing group. Which leads to my main offering.
One specific thing that I would like to see improve is: leadership from within the players. Last season it didn't help that our solo captain was injured and didn't play most of the season. Nor did Parker. Rampe helped a lot but he is at the end of his career and there's only so much he can do. Many of our other more senior players are not great leaders: Lloyd, Cunningham, even Grundy (IMO). I think that Papley may not quite be a club captain but he does offer a bit in the leadership space, even if only with his actions on the field. I think Taylor Adams offers great leadership too but in terms of being a club captain he is unfortunately too late in his career and is hampered by being a recent import from another club.
The next generation of our playing group need to really step up. I think Gulden has tried to, but possibly prematurely or maybe he just lost the balance with his individual game. I'm not sure that Florent and Hayward and Heeney and McCartin are great leaders (although Heeney, in 2024, was absolutely leading by example). Heeney could be that player but it doesn't appear he wants it. It's a heavy burden. One day it will be Gulden, I have little doubt, but in the meantime, who can move into that space with Mills?
I would like to see the likes of Rowbottom and Blakey given more responsibility. Warner has the competitiveness but perhaps can't demand the discipline and sacrifice of others when he isn't yet able reliably to lead by example in that domain. Maybe he'll be a leader one day when he has matured more. McInerney seems a long way off being a leader - great to have around, lots of fun, cracks in, but not screaming leadership. JJ is new to our environment and I don't have a good read on yet. Blakey isn't there yet either but I can see him being a leader in future. Rowbottom is already 'the adult in the room' who has demonstrated his willingess to do the hard, tough work week-in, week-out. He has earned the respect of the team.
We need players who are willing to take on the responsibility of leading the team and for the team's performance and who will say the buck stops with them. Right now, this is the biggest problem I'm perceiving with our talented list. Parker was such a player but he is gone and, in 2024, he was a bit emasculated (by his injury, suspension and non-selection). So, apart from Rampe and Mills, who on our list have that ability to look around at their teammates and feel they have earned the right to demand more of them?
I want to see some development in that space this season, with a well-chosen leadership group and an emphasis on the leadership roles and the mentoring and grooming of the next club captains.
At the end of this, I am reminded, that last season the leadership group was never announced and no vice-captains were ever named. Could that have been either an indicator or contributor to the problem? Let's not make that same choice again.
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Great post Calli, particularly on leadership. Earlier in the season Horse mentioned leadership a few times but to me it seemed noticeably absent during our slump and of course in the GF. I think your comments on individual players are spot on. At times McLean has shown some but was quieter this season. Fox is actually pretty good but doesn't have the cred. I see some sparks in Cleary.
I fear that Mills is the only game on town for now. The reason I fear it is that I perceive him as more a behind the scenes man than an on-field leader and organiser like Rampe and I don't see it changing.
I think the club needs to pick the 3-5 best and organise leadership training for them.
Wheresbuddy
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I agree with this. Horse seems to be very reluctant to give on ball time to young players and prefers to shuffle magnets in the event of injury and play our youngsters off HB or HF. Would love to see what Sheldrick and Cleary could do with a run of games on ball in the firsts.
I would prefer to see Sheldrick have bigger minutes and maybe lower TOG at maximum effort. Cleary I would prefer to see him build his midfield craft in the VFL this year except for emergency. He is a first-hands player, a rarity on our list.
Tomorrow
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Make Rowbottom captain....he's the closest to Maxfield, Kirk or Kennedy as far as hunting the contest.the kid should be rewarded for his battle ram approach..I like mills but from the outside it just seems so clicky at the top...and doing a shoulder by wrestling has to be a low emotional iq givaway..
I like horse, the best h & a coach in the last 30 years imo but he always seems to compound his mistakes at crucial moments like GFs. Eg he didn't pick McDonald in 22 but he did in 24 when was injured - he shouldn't have played in this years but longmires hands were tied once the kid said he was right to go.
Anyway looking forward I cannot see a lack of a injury run like this year so not expecting that much 6 ro 15..coach might have to get creative with the 2nd stringers and bonus he can sell the "injury excuse." for another year. Clean out the hangers on in the office would be a start.
I like horse, the best h & a coach in the last 30 years imo but he always seems to compound his mistakes at crucial moments like GFs. Eg he didn't pick McDonald in 22 but he did in 24 when was injured - he shouldn't have played in this years but longmires hands were tied once the kid said he was right to go.
Anyway looking forward I cannot see a lack of a injury run like this year so not expecting that much 6 ro 15..coach might have to get creative with the 2nd stringers and bonus he can sell the "injury excuse." for another year. Clean out the hangers on in the office would be a start.
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RedBloodBlackSwan
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I hate to disappoint you, but I agree with both of your unpopular opinions.
The way I view Mills, is that if you were a neutral and Swans won the grand final, you would be underwhelmed to see Mills as the premiership winning captain. To me, he just lacks a bit of substance. Doesn’t seem sure of himself to me. Hopefully he can prove me wrong.
I would support co-captains next year though…
As threatened, here are my thoughts on team make-up. I doubt there will be big changes to start off in 2025. Assuming all fit:
FB: Cunningham McCartin Rampe
HB: Roberts Melican Blakey
C: Gulden Mills McInerney
HF: Jordon McDonald Warner
FF: Papley Amartey Hayward
R: Grundy Heeney Rowbottom
I/C McLean Fox Lloyd Sheldrick Wicks
Notes
Assuming 5 man interchange no sub.
Rampe final year
Fox possibly final year
Defence 2 talls, still not tall enough IMO
Wing rotation Gulden McInerney Lloyd. No room for Campbell in the 23.
Forwards 90+% 2 talls 1+ med 2+ smalls
Mids more focused on clearance and contested possession (worthy of PhD thesis)
Wicks and Sheldrick replacing Campbell and Parker is not a big change but a step in the right direction.
We've talked a lot about emphasis on intensity and accountability.
Perhaps almost as important is what happens from there. To illustrate, here is my team for the start of 2026:
FB: Cunningham McCartin Edwards*
HB: Roberts Melican Blakey
C: Gulden Mills McInerney
HF: Jordon McDonald Hayward
FF: Papley Buller* Hanily*
I/C McLean Snell* Lloyd Sheldrick Wicks
Notes
Cunningham and Lloyd possibly final year
Warner leaves (safest assumption for planning purposes)
Edwards coming in to replace Rampe numerically to give us three genuine talls in defence. If he isn't ready perhaps Snell.
Buller replacing Amartey (who knows but no-one else will be ready)
Hanily (or a 2024 draftee) replaces Warner in the forward line. I hope we will have drafted a ready to go forward/mid.
Snell replacing Fox as the 7th defender.
Mills stays in the midfield
If we need more midfield power we have a few choices:
Change Jordon's role
Bring in Cleary to replace Wicks or Hanily*
Some will say that I must find a spot for Campbell. I don't think so. Time to harden up.
Have at it and tell me why I'm wrong.
FB: Cunningham McCartin Rampe
HB: Roberts Melican Blakey
C: Gulden Mills McInerney
HF: Jordon McDonald Warner
FF: Papley Amartey Hayward
R: Grundy Heeney Rowbottom
I/C McLean Fox Lloyd Sheldrick Wicks
Notes
Assuming 5 man interchange no sub.
Rampe final year
Fox possibly final year
Defence 2 talls, still not tall enough IMO
Wing rotation Gulden McInerney Lloyd. No room for Campbell in the 23.
Forwards 90+% 2 talls 1+ med 2+ smalls
Mids more focused on clearance and contested possession (worthy of PhD thesis)
Wicks and Sheldrick replacing Campbell and Parker is not a big change but a step in the right direction.
We've talked a lot about emphasis on intensity and accountability.
Perhaps almost as important is what happens from there. To illustrate, here is my team for the start of 2026:
FB: Cunningham McCartin Edwards*
HB: Roberts Melican Blakey
C: Gulden Mills McInerney
HF: Jordon McDonald Hayward
FF: Papley Buller* Hanily*
I/C McLean Snell* Lloyd Sheldrick Wicks
Notes
Cunningham and Lloyd possibly final year
Warner leaves (safest assumption for planning purposes)
Edwards coming in to replace Rampe numerically to give us three genuine talls in defence. If he isn't ready perhaps Snell.
Buller replacing Amartey (who knows but no-one else will be ready)
Hanily (or a 2024 draftee) replaces Warner in the forward line. I hope we will have drafted a ready to go forward/mid.
Snell replacing Fox as the 7th defender.
Mills stays in the midfield
If we need more midfield power we have a few choices:
Change Jordon's role
Bring in Cleary to replace Wicks or Hanily*
Some will say that I must find a spot for Campbell. I don't think so. Time to harden up.
Have at it and tell me why I'm wrong.
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Don’t disagree with much, other than seeing which draftees might make it into either team.
The Warner discussion, and how/who replaces him if it eventuates, will be the key question coming into 2026
Jewelsbon
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Brilliant and very apt analogy.
I thought I'd go a little deeper and hypothesize on injury cover for the 2025 team above:
Cunningham - there is no one-to-one replacement in his role so he would just be replaced as a medium (we have no small unless you count Campbell).
Roberts, Fox - no wonder we are trying Syd as a defender! Florent comes up from VFL. You hadn't noticed that had you? Fell right off my radar.
McCartin, Melican, Blakey - Francis or Hamling
Rampe - Florent or Francis depending on the opponent.
Gulden, McInerney, Lloyd - Florent or Campbell
Mills, Heeney, Rowbottom, Sheldrick, Warner - Cleary or Adams
Jordon - Cleary
McDonald, Amartey, McLean - Buller or Hamling or Ladhams
Hayward, Papley, Wicks - Campbell
Grundy - Ladhams
To go back to the original team this raises the question of whether Florent should be in it. Fair question too! I wouldn't replace Wicks with him as I see their roles as too different. Lloyd? McInerney? I'm comfortable they are both better wingers. Defence? Roberts is sounder. Jordon? Can't see Ollie effectively doing that role.
It could only be replacing Fox IMO and that would weaken the team defensively. Nope, VFL with Campbell. Yeah, right, that'll happen. Sorry Foxy.
So our AFL- ready cover would be Florent (Fox), Campbell, Francis, Cleary, Buller and Ladhams plus Adams, Corey and Syd.
But not immediately as Buller will need games to get match fit again.
Not disastrous but less than we'd like I'm sure.
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
Still one too many talls, if McLean is on the bench see ya, play VFL. Not fussed who we go from Amartey/McLean but can we not pick both? It's too tall and both are next to useless defensively. I want another small in there of some sort whether it be a Hanily or even our draftee this year if we take a small forward. This 3 tall thing does not work when it matters so why on earth are we doing it?
- Apr 26, 2016
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I still don't mind the three talls. Most teams are running with three, because at the end of the day you still need marking targets or at least guys who can make aerial contests and keep opposition defenders accountable.
But I think we need to be more flexible with it.
If we come up against an opponent that is undersized or not particularly strong in defence, or it's a wet weather game, just take a tall out and go smaller.
If one of the talls is in a form slump - as all three were at various stages of this season - and a Hamling or a Buller is performing well in the VFL, give them a go instead.
And FFS, if we are gonna go with three talls, we need smalls at ground level and LOTS of them, not just Tom Papley.
But I think we need to be more flexible with it.
If we come up against an opponent that is undersized or not particularly strong in defence, or it's a wet weather game, just take a tall out and go smaller.
If one of the talls is in a form slump - as all three were at various stages of this season - and a Hamling or a Buller is performing well in the VFL, give them a go instead.
And FFS, if we are gonna go with three talls, we need smalls at ground level and LOTS of them, not just Tom Papley.
That's why my team contains Papley, Wicks, Warner, Hayward and Jordon in the forward half. When the Oppo has the ball Wicks, Hayward and Jordon bring a lot of pressure and Papley and Warner some. When we have the ball all these guys plus the wingers moving up should create havoc. Tactically run McLean a kick BEHIND the ball on one side and McDonald closer to goal with only Amartey directly out of the square. Papley and Hayward are both good marks too.
Heeney rotates with Warner - bonus!
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I like it KC, though I could see Cleary also challenging for a spot in the forward line if he has a good pre-season.
He could for sure. He's disciplined enough. I've suggested him as first up cover in the mids and Campbell in the forwards but he could do both while continuing to work on his craft in the VFL.
His role in the Allies was getting first hands on and dishing out to Sanders, McKercher et al and he was incredibly effective. He's also a terrific 2 way runner. We lack a mid who is good at getting first hands on and that's where I would like to see his development focus.
Callipygian
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I like your thinking Kiama Chris as far as 2025 but it is incredibly tough figuring out who to omit. Fortunately we don't have to decide now because they can see what happens over pre-season and also injuries. If there aren't injuries, it's going to be like with Parker this year: good players with no way into the side.
But let me have a go anyway:
Rampe McCartin Cunningham
Blakey Melican Roberts
Gulden Mills McInerney
Florent McDonald Warner
Papley Amartey Hayward
Grundy Heeney Rowbottom
Fox, Hayward, Cleary, Sheldrick, Lloyd
Emergencies: McLean, Campbell, Adams, Wicks
My team lacks a bit of size up front but has plenty of contested ability and plenty of speed and class. Papley, Hayward and Florent will love playing together up forward. They're all pretty quick. Hayward gets more opportunity to play the lead up marking target with one less tall. Heeney will also fizz through the forward line here and there. I've decided to take Cleary ahead of Wicks based on form - so that could change. The team also has lots of flexibility - plenty of players who can run through the midfield, Mills can go back, Heeney can go forward, Florent and Fox can go forward or back. Lloyd can go wing or back.
I simply can't see the club dropping Florent after his 5th consecutive top 10 B&F finish, in the prime of his career. I don't know whether I would do it either. And it's really hard to decide who else it should be. Possibly Roberts gets dropped first and Fox can slot into Roberts role? But that doesn't feel right either. Hence I've decided to try Florent as the small forward - has the speed, can apply pressure and win ground balls, can kick goals - why not? That would actually solve quite a few problems if it works. Has it been tried already? - my memory is fuzzy.
I don't think our backline is too small and it's a bit of a furphy to say we have only 2 tall defenders. Rampe plays tall and Blakey is the tallest of all of them.
I'm undecided about tall forwards. I'm much more willing to drop McLean if we know that Amartey can fill the 2nd ruck role and run out the game but McLean has worked very well rucking in tandem with Grundy. Happy to chop and change the structure depending on match ups.
I'm not counting on Hamling or Buller getting (m)any games. Hamling is break glass in case of emergency. And Buller will need to develop after a year of injury. Has yet to prove himself, still a long way off it.
I think Snell may get games sooner than Edwards despite Edwards' year head start. Snell is also the best replacement for Rampe or Fox. Edwards will be competing with Francis to replace McCartin/Melican in case of injury I reckon.
Wicks inclusion will be form based but, if it's not him, it has to be another small who can apply pressure. I've gone with Cleary but it could be Campbell, Hanily, or maybe even a draftee. Preferably not a player like Adams. I'm undecided about whether Sheldrick should be picked in this role but not ruling it out.
But let me have a go anyway:
Rampe McCartin Cunningham
Blakey Melican Roberts
Gulden Mills McInerney
Florent McDonald Warner
Papley Amartey Hayward
Grundy Heeney Rowbottom
Fox, Hayward, Cleary, Sheldrick, Lloyd
Emergencies: McLean, Campbell, Adams, Wicks
My team lacks a bit of size up front but has plenty of contested ability and plenty of speed and class. Papley, Hayward and Florent will love playing together up forward. They're all pretty quick. Hayward gets more opportunity to play the lead up marking target with one less tall. Heeney will also fizz through the forward line here and there. I've decided to take Cleary ahead of Wicks based on form - so that could change. The team also has lots of flexibility - plenty of players who can run through the midfield, Mills can go back, Heeney can go forward, Florent and Fox can go forward or back. Lloyd can go wing or back.
I simply can't see the club dropping Florent after his 5th consecutive top 10 B&F finish, in the prime of his career. I don't know whether I would do it either. And it's really hard to decide who else it should be. Possibly Roberts gets dropped first and Fox can slot into Roberts role? But that doesn't feel right either. Hence I've decided to try Florent as the small forward - has the speed, can apply pressure and win ground balls, can kick goals - why not? That would actually solve quite a few problems if it works. Has it been tried already? - my memory is fuzzy.
I don't think our backline is too small and it's a bit of a furphy to say we have only 2 tall defenders. Rampe plays tall and Blakey is the tallest of all of them.
I'm undecided about tall forwards. I'm much more willing to drop McLean if we know that Amartey can fill the 2nd ruck role and run out the game but McLean has worked very well rucking in tandem with Grundy. Happy to chop and change the structure depending on match ups.
I'm not counting on Hamling or Buller getting (m)any games. Hamling is break glass in case of emergency. And Buller will need to develop after a year of injury. Has yet to prove himself, still a long way off it.
I think Snell may get games sooner than Edwards despite Edwards' year head start. Snell is also the best replacement for Rampe or Fox. Edwards will be competing with Francis to replace McCartin/Melican in case of injury I reckon.
Wicks inclusion will be form based but, if it's not him, it has to be another small who can apply pressure. I've gone with Cleary but it could be Campbell, Hanily, or maybe even a draftee. Preferably not a player like Adams. I'm undecided about whether Sheldrick should be picked in this role but not ruling it out.
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