Prediction St.Kilda Best 22

[aussierulesrules]

Can’t see that team losing a game!

We haven’t been particularly close to full strength the whole time under Ross, this time around (and for much of the time we’ve been miles off it, especially in the early rounds of both seasons), so if we were actually able to field this team we’d be bloody hard to beat.

The midfield in particular would be light years better than the one we fielded most weeks in the first half of this year, which was simply not of AFL standard.

No surprise that once we were able to field a half decent one in the 2nd half of the year, the wins started flowing again.

Imagine adding a fitter and vastly better Pou, Macrae, a hopefully fitter Clark (or Carroll), hopefully fitter Windy, and Dow, to that midfield from the first half of the year! Would be an insane upgrade.

 

[LuckyBounce!]

We haven’t been particularly close to full strength the whole time under Ross, this time around (and for much of the time we’ve been miles off it, especially in the early rounds of both seasons), so if we were actually able to field this team we’d be bloody hard to beat.

The midfield in particular would be light years better than the one we fielded most weeks in the first half of this year, which was simply not of AFL standard.

No surprise that once we were able to field a half decent one in the 2nd half of the year, the wins started flowing again.

Agree people underestimate or maybe are just ignorant to our injuries over the last couple of years whilst making allowances for other clubs.
Touch wood surely we are due for some better luck at some stage and when we get that we could surprise!

 

[aussierulesrules]

I notice everyone bar me that has named Hill in the team in the last dozen or so teams that have been named has him on the wing, but that would be a fair surprise move, given he’s hardly played there since his first 18 months at the club.

After that he was moved to defence, with a few games forward, but then under Ross he’s played almost exclusively as a high half-forward.

Last year for instance it was mainly Wood, Wilson and Byrnes who played wing, Hastie a bit early, and then Jones at the very end.

Both Hill and Henry played the vast majority of their on-field time running up and back from the forward line this year and I doubt that will change next year.

 

[Speck]

Owens has to be on notice after last year. It seems the coaches love him given his B&F polling, but I'd love for him to have more impact (be it forward or midfield).

 

[Sippa]

Owens has to be on notice after last year. It seems the coaches love him given his B&F polling, but I'd love for him to have more impact (be it forward or midfield).

I mean you’ve corrected your own statement here but how can he be on notice after a top 10 bnf finish …

Clearly playing a role and not going to be that mid the fans wanted

Can he improve yes, will he be on notice .. obviously not

 

[jonosmatesheep]

I mean you’ve corrected your own statement here but how can he be on notice after a top 10 bnf finish …

Clearly playing a role and not going to be that mid the fans wanted

Can he improve yes, will he be on notice .. obviously not

I don’t think he’ll ever be on notice. Would be a top 10 pick if they held that draft again. His second year was that exceptional that it made this year look a bit underwhelming, but as you said, clearly playing a role and doing it well.

 

[BrutThough]

I notice everyone bar me that has named Hill in the team in the last dozen or so teams that have been named has him on the wing, but that would be a fair surprise move, given he’s hardly played there since his first 18 months at the club.

After that he was moved to defence, with a few games forward, but then under Ross he’s played almost exclusively as a high half-forward.

Last year for instance it was mainly Wood, Wilson and Byrnes who played wing, Hastie a bit early, and then Jones at the very end.

Both Hill and Henry played the vast majority of their on-field time running up and back from the forward line this year and I doubt that will change next year.

I always name him on a wing out of habit.

 

[saintmike65]

I always name him on a wing out of habit.

Byrnes and Wood likely wingers

 

[Saintos The ITK]

If everyone was fit, in form and available, I think this would be our best available team if we had to play for our lives.

B: Wilkie Howard Webster

HB: Wangmil Caminiti Sinclair

C: Wood Steele Wilson

HF: Hill Sharman Henry

F: Higgins King Owens

R: Marshall Phillipou Macrae

I: Clark Butler Windy Dow Garcia

E: Carroll Stocker Jones Byrnes Schoenmaker Travaglia Tauru

Sounds like Carrol might push out Dow.

 

[saintmike65]

I notice everyone bar me that has named Hill in the team in the last dozen or so teams that have been named has him on the wing, but that would be a fair surprise move, given he’s hardly played there since his first 18 months at the club.

After that he was moved to defence, with a few games forward, but then under Ross he’s played almost exclusively as a high half-forward.

Last year for instance it was mainly Wood, Wilson and Byrnes who played wing, Hastie a bit early, and then Jones at the very end.

Both Hill and Henry played the vast majority of their on-field time running up and back from the forward line this year and I doubt that will change next year.

The high half forward role in footy today is vital…fortunately we’ve got 3 of them in Hill, Henry & Wilson

 

[aussierulesrules]

Byrnes and Wood likely wingers

If we’re at full strength or at least in that area, I imagine it will be Wood and Wilson, and that Byrnes might struggle to get a game.

If we’re going to be looking to get games into Hugo and Trav in particular, someone will have to make way, and unless he has a breakout type step-up, Ronnie looks one of the most vulnerable from recent years.

He gets games mostly because of his excellent running abilty, but with more talented guys coming in who can also seriously run, he’s going to have to step it up, or be left behind, IMO.

 

[aussierulesrules]

The high half forward role in footy today is vital…fortunately we’ve got 3 of them in Hill, Henry & Wilson

Yeah everyone raves about the crews they have playing those roles at teams like GWS and Hawthorn, but our batch are probably about as good as any of them, yet hardly get a mention in that regard.

Berry would have topped them off nicely had we managed to land him.

 

[Saint Watto]

Can’t see that team losing a game!

Thanks for that "Mickey Milkshake"

 

[aussierulesrules]

Sounds like Carrol might push out Dow.

Will be very interesting to see which ones we go with if we happen to be at full strength.

I think Dow will get a bit of a free pass if he’s going remotely decently, as he’s the one that has that explosiveness from stoppage that most of the others lack.

They prioritised him over Jones in there at the end of the year, even though Zak was going better than him, and also has that explosiveness.

Might be the slower Clark fighting with Carroll for a spot.

I think you can lock in Steele, Macrae and Pou, and possibly Windy, if he’s fit and firing, then you might have Clark, Dow, Carroll and Hugo fighting for a maximum of two spots.

Jones a bit of a wildcard if he happens to continue his injury-free run and he finally gets a full preseason in. Even then, they may still prioritise the younger guys.

What a difference that midfield could be to the one we were fielding in the first half of the year in particular! That was putrid.

 

[saintmike65]

It’s very early but here goes:

Travaglia Howard Shoenmaker

Sinclair Wilkie Wanganeen-Milera

Wood Steele Byrnes

Henry Sharman Hill

Higgins King Owens

Marshall Phillipou Macrae

Int: Windhager Clark Butler Garcia

** sub Max Hall or Hastie

 

[saintmike65]

Yeah everyone raves about the crews they have playing those roles at teams like GWS and Hawthorn, but our batch are probably about as good as any of them, yet hardly get a mention in that regard.

Berry would have topped them off nicely had we managed to land him.

Can’t get everyone…we’ve done extremely well with the draft haul we got..

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Will be very interesting to see which ones we go with if we happen to be at full strength.

I think Dow will get a bit of a free pass if he’s going remotely decently, as he’s the one that has that explosiveness from stoppage that most of the others lack.

They prioritised him over Jones in there at the end of the year, even though Zak was going better than him, and also has that explosiveness.

Might be the slower Clark fighting with Carroll for a spot.

I think you can lock in Steele, Macrae and Pou, and possibly Windy, if he’s fit and firing, then you might have Clark, Dow, Carroll and Hugo fighting for a maximum of two spots.

Jones a bit of a wildcard if he happens to continue his injury-free run and he finally gets a full preseason in. Even then, they may still prioritise the younger guys.

What a difference that midfield could be to the one we were fielding in the first half of the year in particular! That was putrid.

Paddy showed some real glimpses at times. Get his confidence right and could be a beauty.

 

[Yabadoo22]

First crack at it looks like this

B: Webster, Howard, Wilkie
Hb: Sinclair, caminiti, NAS
C: wood, macrae, Wilson
Hf: Henry, king, Garcia
F: Higgins, Sharman, Owens
Foll: Marshall, Steele, phillipou
Int: windhager, Hill, Butler, clark
Sub: Byrnes

Emer: stocker, Dow, caroll, schoenmaker,

Biggest questions for me

Unsure if caminiti plays down back, but we definitely need 2 talls plus Wilkie. Whether barrat is right to play straight away, or there go with cordy (puke) will be interesting.

I don't mind the mobile forward set up of king, then two mediums in Sharman and Owens, plus Higgins who plays as a full forward, the issue is still with who second rucks. If caminiti plays forward he is the obvious option, but don't want to see Owens or Sharman in there.

Midfield looks pretty pedestrian with all of Steele, macrae and poo in there, but doubt we ever roll out that combo. Would either be a windhager, Henry, Garcia or Sinclair in there to inject some pace. Maybe Dow starts ahead of Clark to negate this.

Butler will hopefully have a few young bucks vying for his spot, hoping collard, said, and Garcia get plenty of opportunity.

Only room for 1 of Webster, stocker, McLennan in the team to lock down the best small, and personally think stocker isn't quick enough for this.

You would think they will give tauru and trav plenty of opportunities to play games. Boxshall looks like he may be more of a project along with Dodson in the twos.

 

[SaintKing23]

My crack at the 23 for round 1 (assuming a fully fit list)

Barrat Howard JWeb

Sincs Wilkie Nas

Wood Steele Wilson

Henry King Hill

Higgins Sharman Owens

R: Marshall Pou and Macrae

I: Windhager, Byrnes, Garcia, Travaglia + Butler

Clark to miss, but I love him. We are bound to have injuries and I'm sure he'll play most weeks.
Jones was grouse in the last month and a half but I think he's more of a wildcard,

Also, yes I know my bench is midfielder heavy haha. But we have a ton of them

 

[saintmike65]

It’s very early but here goes:

Travaglia Howard Shoenmaker

Sinclair Wilkie Wanganeen-Milera

Wood Steele Byrnes

Henry Sharman Hill

Higgins King Owens

Marshall Phillipou Macrae

Int: Windhager Clark Butler Garcia

** sub Max Hall or Hastie

Bloody hell I forgot Wilson..sacrilege!
Swap him with Butler

 

[Mighty_sainter]

The Viking will play very early for us wether it’s back or forward given his versatility and how good he is in the air if he has a good pre season he will be ahead of shoenmaker for the battle replacement.

 

[DougalHoward]

The Viking will play very early for us wether it’s back or forward given his versatility and how good he is in the air if he has a good pre season he will be ahead of shoenmaker for the battle replacement.

In one of his interviews he said he has stress fractures in his back. Doubt he'll be playing in the first half of the season.

 

[Saintbloke]

The midfield needs more first use and more breakaway speed, so it will be interesting to see how things go over the pre-season, and we need more gut-running out off the middle. I would like to see Steele drift into the forward half a bit more next season and see a bit more scoreboard action from the mids. I think Caminiti's future is at CHF and I hope he takes a step up. There's a few guys probably pressuring each other for certain positions, and it would be pretty important to be get their bodies right and be injury-free leading into the season proper obviously

 

[Mighty_sainter]

In one of his interviews he said he has stress fractures in his back. Doubt he'll be playing in the first half of the season.

Must be recent? He completed the combine didn’t he

 

[RWB4life]

Ignoring any health issues, surely tauru could play battles role with Wilkie playing the second stopper role when needed. Bring in cordy this season if you need 2 stoppers and rest the viewing or play him forward.