Team Mgmt. Talk about the makeup of our list - midfield balance, height profile, endurance runners

[Cold Sober]

I’m curious as to why or how Heppell works himself into the scenario here. Is he too floppy haired perhaps?

Over rated, not saying he's not a good player, but for all the hype around him he is a long way short of a Bont, Martin, Danger type of player.
He's the player I follow closest and think he will be a one Club player but as I said above, over rated for what we need.

 

[Doss]

Over rated, not saying he's not a good player, but for all the hype around him he is a long way short of a Bont, Martin, Danger type of player.
He's the player I follow closest and think he will be a one Club player but as I said above, over rated for what we need.

I don’t think anyone is really claiming he’s in their league as a player though. I think he’s generally rated as being exactly what he is; courageous, a really good player, but short of the top echelon.

 

[eth-dog]

Well, I haven't done this in a few weeks so here goes again. Of those that are left:

1 year: Mitchell Brown, Tom Jok, Trent Mynott, Will Snelling, (Michael Hartley)
Delist/retire: Ben McNiece, David Myers, Jake Long, Jordan Houlahan, Luke Lavender, Mark Baguley, Matthew Dea, Zachary Clarke

FA: Michael Hartley should go, If not, 1 more year.

Trade(s):

1. Jayden Laverde for pick 50? (Brisbane)
2. Patrick Ryder for pick 60 (Fremantle for Colyer)

Go into the draft with 7 spaces open (ND/RD: 6/1, 5/2, 4/3) in 29, 33, 47, 50, (65), (83), RD 11, (29), (47)

Pick 29: Cooper Stephens (18 year old, 188 cm/83 kg inside midfielder, Geelong Falcons)
Pick 33: Harrison Jones (18 y/o, 194/75 Key Defender/Forward, Calder Cannons)
Pick 47: Joshua Shute (18 y/o, 187/73 outside midfielder, Sturt)
Pick 50: Mitchell Hibberd (22 y/o, 190/87 inside midfielder, Williamstown)
Pick 65: Jake Riccardi (20 y/o, 195/92 key forward, Werribee)
Pick 83: nominal Sam Draper upgrade.

RD 11: Riley Bowman (19 y/o, 198/89 ruck/forward, Essendon VFL)
RD 29: Mason Fletcher (19 y/o, 200/83, Key Position Utility, Calder Cannons)

Category B: Adam Tipungwuti (23 y/o, 175/65 small forward, NT Thunder)

Leaves us with:

Defence:

Key defenders: Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker (fwd), Patrick Ambrose, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Harrison Jones (fwd). Rookie: Mason Fletcher (fwd).
Medium/Small defenders: Martin Gleeson, Aaron Francis, Jordan Ridley (mid), Mason Redman, Adam Saad, Conor McKenna. Rookie: Ross McQuillan.

Midfield:

Inside midfielders: Darcy Parish, Devon Smith (fwd), Zachary Merrett, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell (def), Matt Guelfi (fwd), Dylan Clarke, Cooper Stephens, Mitchell Hibberd. Rookies: Trent Mynott (fwd), Will Snelling (fwd).
Outside midfielders: Andrew McGrath (def), Kyle Langford (fwd), David Zaharakis (fwd), Kobe Mutch, Brayden Ham (def/fwd), Joshua Shute. Rookie: Tom Jok (def).
Ruckmen: Tom Bellchambers (fwd), Sam Draper, Patrick Ryder (fwd). Rookie: Riley Bowman (fwd).

Forward:

Key Forwards: Joe Daniher, James Stewart, Mitchell Brown (def), Noah Gown, Shaun McKernan (ruc), Jake Riccardi.
Medium/Small forwards: Orazio Fantasia (mid), Josh Begley, Irving Mosquito, Jake Stringer (mid), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Rookie: Adam Tipungwuti.

Leaves us with:

6x Key defenders
7x Small/Medium defenders

11x Inside midfielders
7x Outside midfielders
4x Ruckmen

6x Key forwards
6x Small forwards

 

[Towno78]

So three draft picks right now (one of which to use on Draper) and 3 rookie picks (McQuillan for McNeice?)

Nup. McNeice is Cat B, so doesn't count. And yes McQuillan will take his spot.

Also, Snelling will I'm sure stay on the list. So we currently have 2 main and 2 rookie list vacancies. Or 1 and 3 with a draper upgrade.

 

[ghostdog]

Well, I haven't done this in a few weeks so here goes again. Of those that are left:

1 year: Mitchell Brown, Tom Jok, Trent Mynott, Will Snelling, (Michael Hartley)
Delist/retire: Ben McNiece, David Myers, Jake Long, Jordan Houlahan, Luke Lavender, Mark Baguley, Matthew Dea, Zachary Clarke

FA: Michael Hartley should go, If not, 1 more year.

Trade(s):

1. Jayden Laverde for pick 50? (Brisbane)
2. Patrick Ryder for pick 60 (Fremantle for Colyer)

Go into the draft with 7 spaces open (ND/RD: 6/1, 5/2, 4/3) in 29, 33, 47, 50, (65), (83), RD 11, (29), (47)

Pick 29: Cooper Stephens (18 year old, 188 cm/83 kg inside midfielder, Geelong Falcons)
Pick 33: Harrison Jones (18 y/o, 194/75 Key Defender/Forward, Calder Cannons)
Pick 47: Joshua Shute (18 y/o, 187/73 outside midfielder, Sturt)
Pick 50: Mitchell Hibberd (22 y/o, 190/87 inside midfielder, Williamstown)
Pick 65: Jake Riccardi (20 y/o, 195/92 key forward, Werribee)
Pick 83: nominal Sam Draper upgrade.

RD 11: Riley Bowman (19 y/o, 198/89 ruck/forward, Essendon VFL)
RD 29: Mason Fletcher (19 y/o, 200/83, Key Position Utility, Calder Cannons)

Category B: Adam Tipungwuti (23 y/o, 175/65 small forward, NT Thunder)

Leaves us with:

Defence:

Key defenders: Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker (fwd), Patrick Ambrose, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Harrison Jones (fwd). Rookie: Mason Fletcher (fwd).
Medium/Small defenders: Martin Gleeson, Aaron Francis, Jordan Ridley (mid), Mason Redman, Adam Saad, Conor McKenna. Rookie: Ross McQuillan.

Midfield:

Inside midfielders: Darcy Parish, Devon Smith (fwd), Zachary Merrett, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell (def), Matt Guelfi (fwd), Dylan Clarke, Cooper Stephens, Mitchell Hibberd. Rookies: Trent Mynott (fwd), Will Snelling (fwd).
Outside midfielders: Andrew McGrath (def), Kyle Langford (fwd), David Zaharakis (fwd), Kobe Mutch, Brayden Ham (def/fwd), Joshua Shute. Rookie: Tom Jok (def).
Ruckmen: Tom Bellchambers (fwd), Sam Draper, Patrick Ryder (fwd). Rookie: Riley Bowman (fwd).

Forward:

Key Forwards: Joe Daniher, James Stewart, Mitchell Brown (def), Noah Gown, Shaun McKernan (ruc), Jake Riccardi.
Medium/Small forwards: Orazio Fantasia (mid), Josh Begley, Irving Mosquito, Jake Stringer (mid), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Rookie: Adam Tipungwuti.

Leaves us with:

6x Key defenders
7x Small/Medium defenders

11x Inside midfielders
7x Outside midfielders
4x Ruckmen

6x Key forwards
6x Small forwards

Thought I'd read that McQuillan played gaelic as a forward?

 

[eth-dog]

Nup. McNeice is Cat B, so doesn't count. And yes McQuillan will take his spot.

Also, Snelling will I'm sure stay on the list. So we currently have 2 main and 2 rookie list vacancies. Or 1 and 3 with a draper upgrade.

We have lost Baguley, Myers and Houlahan from the senior list.

We went into this season with a 39/5 split in terms of senior/Cat A so with 3 players going out and Draper being upgraded (plus Snelling essentially taking Dea's spot on the Cat A list now) we have:

37/4

So we currently have 2-3 senior list vacancies (have to take two plus a rookie upgrade) and 1-2 rookie upgrades without counting possibility of Long, Clarke etc. on their respective lists.

 

[Towno78]

We have lost Baguley, Myers and Houlahan from the senior list.

We went into this season with a 39/5 split in terms of senior/Cat A so with 3 players going out and Draper being upgraded (plus Snelling essentially taking Dea's spot on the Cat A list now) we have:

37/4

So we currently have 2-3 senior list vacancies (have to take two plus a rookie upgrade) and 1-2 rookie upgrades without counting possibility of Long, Clarke etc. on their respective lists.

You're assuming Snelling is on rookie list, I'm assuming main list. Not sure if that's been confirmed?

 

[eth-dog]

You're assuming Snelling is on rookie list, I'm assuming main list. Not sure if that's been confirmed?

MSD is rookie list. They do it that way so Cat A rookies can be replaced.

 

[Bjchan13]

Well, I haven't done this in a few weeks so here goes again. Of those that are left:

1 year: Mitchell Brown, Tom Jok, Trent Mynott, Will Snelling, (Michael Hartley)
Delist/retire: Ben McNiece, David Myers, Jake Long, Jordan Houlahan, Luke Lavender, Mark Baguley, Matthew Dea, Zachary Clarke

FA: Michael Hartley should go, If not, 1 more year.

Trade(s):

1. Jayden Laverde for pick 50? (Brisbane)
2. Patrick Ryder for pick 60 (Fremantle for Colyer)

Go into the draft with 7 spaces open (ND/RD: 6/1, 5/2, 4/3) in 29, 33, 47, 50, (65), (83), RD 11, (29), (47)

Pick 29: Cooper Stephens (18 year old, 188 cm/83 kg inside midfielder, Geelong Falcons)
Pick 33: Harrison Jones (18 y/o, 194/75 Key Defender/Forward, Calder Cannons)
Pick 47: Joshua Shute (18 y/o, 187/73 outside midfielder, Sturt)
Pick 50: Mitchell Hibberd (22 y/o, 190/87 inside midfielder, Williamstown)
Pick 65: Jake Riccardi (20 y/o, 195/92 key forward, Werribee)
Pick 83: nominal Sam Draper upgrade.

RD 11: Riley Bowman (19 y/o, 198/89 ruck/forward, Essendon VFL)
RD 29: Mason Fletcher (19 y/o, 200/83, Key Position Utility, Calder Cannons)

Category B: Adam Tipungwuti (23 y/o, 175/65 small forward, NT Thunder)

Leaves us with:

Defence:

Key defenders: Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker (fwd), Patrick Ambrose, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Harrison Jones (fwd). Rookie: Mason Fletcher (fwd).
Medium/Small defenders: Martin Gleeson, Aaron Francis, Jordan Ridley (mid), Mason Redman, Adam Saad, Conor McKenna. Rookie: Ross McQuillan.

Midfield:

Inside midfielders: Darcy Parish, Devon Smith (fwd), Zachary Merrett, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell (def), Matt Guelfi (fwd), Dylan Clarke, Cooper Stephens, Mitchell Hibberd. Rookies: Trent Mynott (fwd), Will Snelling (fwd).
Outside midfielders: Andrew McGrath (def), Kyle Langford (fwd), David Zaharakis (fwd), Kobe Mutch, Brayden Ham (def/fwd), Joshua Shute. Rookie: Tom Jok (def).
Ruckmen: Tom Bellchambers (fwd), Sam Draper, Patrick Ryder (fwd). Rookie: Riley Bowman (fwd).

Forward:

Key Forwards: Joe Daniher, James Stewart, Mitchell Brown (def), Noah Gown, Shaun McKernan (ruc), Jake Riccardi.
Medium/Small forwards: Orazio Fantasia (mid), Josh Begley, Irving Mosquito, Jake Stringer (mid), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Rookie: Adam Tipungwuti.

Leaves us with:

6x Key defenders
7x Small/Medium defenders

11x Inside midfielders
7x Outside midfielders
4x Ruckmen

6x Key forwards
6x Small forwards

So do we have a free hit at Bowman in the Rookie draft because he played VFL for us? Or is he fair game to anyone?

 

[eth-dog]

So do we have a free hit at Bowman in the Rookie draft because he played VFL for us? Or is he fair game to anyone?

Fair game unfortunately.

 

[Bjchan13]

Fair game unfortunately.

That is unfortunate. Also you think Hibberd at 50 is worth it? Will he be that in demand?

 

[eth-dog]

That is unfortunate. Also you think Hibberd at 50 is worth it? Will he be that in demand?

I think he's better than Cavarra who went at 45 last year, or Hannan who went at 46 in 2016, or Markov who went at 50 in 2015. If he's there at 50 we should take him. Or 47 even.

 

[blitzer]

Go into the draft with 7 spaces open (ND/RD: 6/1, 5/2, 4/3) in 29, 33, 47, 50, (65), (83), RD 11, (29), (47)

Pick 29: Cooper Stephens (18 year old, 188 cm/83 kg inside midfielder, Geelong Falcons)
Pick 33: Harrison Jones (18 y/o, 194/75 Key Defender/Forward, Calder Cannons)
Pick 47: Joshua Shute (18 y/o, 187/73 outside midfielder, Sturt)
Pick 50: Mitchell Hibberd (22 y/o, 190/87 inside midfielder, Williamstown)
Pick 65: Jake Riccardi (20 y/o, 195/92 key forward, Werribee)
Pick 83: nominal Sam Draper upgrade.

RD 11: Riley Bowman (19 y/o, 198/89 ruck/forward, Essendon VFL)
RD 29: Mason Fletcher (19 y/o, 200/83, Key Position Utility, Calder Cannons)

Category B: Adam Tipungwuti (23 y/o, 175/65 small forward, NT Thunder)

Whilst I have little clue about the quality or likelihood of these blokes being available I like the overall mix you have us going for. I also quite like the mature aged picks after 50 odd in the draft. We've actually done reasonably well in that area the last few years getting some pretty solid players.

I did see a bit of Riley Bowman in our VFL matches and although he seems to have a fair way to go, I reckon there is something there. Could be a good cheap option to develop. If we really want him we may have to snag in the national draft though.

You've clearly emphasised blokes that are taller and I agree, outside of small forwards I'd like to see guys that are 185cm+ for the most part.

 

[eth-dog]

Whilst I have little clue about the quality or likelihood of these blokes being available I like the overall mix you have us going for. I also quite like the mature aged picks after 50 odd in the draft. We've actually done reasonably well in that area the last few years getting some pretty solid players.

I did see a bit of Riley Bowman in our VFL matches and although he seems to have a fair way to go, I reckon there is something there. Could be a good cheap option to develop. If we really want him we may have to snag in the national draft though.

You've clearly emphasised blokes that are taller and I agree, outside of small forwards I'd like to see guys that are 185cm+ for the most part.

Stephens and Hibberd were deliberate, Shute was simply the best available outside midfielder at that pick.

 

[ant555]

Looking at GWS I think it is all about having a bit of quality in the midfield as well as having a few in the 185 -187 range. There best are all around 85 kg and around the 185 - 187 size range. Our best two are 180 -182 cm and around 83 kg. I think we need to not just worry about a big bull but simply draft a few more mid sized players who have genuine midfield ability. Midfielders who are in the mid 180 cm range and around 85 kg.

 

[ant555]

I think he's better than Cavarra who went at 45 last year, or Hannan who went at 46 in 2016, or Markov who went at 50 in 2015. If he's there at 50 we should take him. Or 47 even.

Have had a close look at Hibberd in recent weeks and what I like about him is he is not just a smash in see ball get ball player. He has a bit of midfield craft and he spreads from the contest well. Looks like he has developed his game from being simply a half back to a player who knows what he is doing through the middle.

 

[faible]

Looking at GWS I think it is all about having a bit of quality in the midfield as well as having a few in the 185 -187 range. There best are all around 85 kg and around the 185 - 187 size range. Our best two are 180 -182 cm and around 83 kg. I think we need to not just worry about a big bull but simply draft a few more mid sized players who have genuine midfield ability. Midfielders who are in the mid 180 cm range and around 85 kg.

GWS have good balance in the centre; Hopper, Taranto and Ward are all strong inside contested types with Coniglio, Kelly, Whitfield all good ball users with varying levels of contested work and outside strength. Add Greene as a ball-winner who kicks goals and isn't afraid of the physicality, and Zac Williams again as a strong defensive mid with elite kicking. Both regularly played out of the midfield because they've got the depth to do so.

Merrett, Shiel, McGrath, Smith are all a bit samey for me, Smith probably the most defensively minded of that group. None are prolific accumulators playing the inside role, Shiel / Merrett are best in some space.

Clarke balances our midfield better, a strong inside accumulator who blocks / tackles and has the size and strength to do it properly. When he was playing well in the first month or so of games we looked much better around the ball.

If we had Jobe at his peak dishing off the Shiel / Merrett we'd be a very different midfield group, instead we're hoping that Clarke / Mynott can make the level and release Shiel and Merrett to more space.

I do agree we probably don't need to be grabbing the Fyfe / Dangerfield 190+ types and hope they can be a mid, we're better off with your proven junior midfielders, Parish is a good example of this. Played midfield as a junior, plays on-ball at AFL level and shows plenty of ability.

If we can find a young player in that 6'1" - 6'4" region, grab Mitch Hibberd, get another preseason in the Mynott and Clarke and actually try to balance our midfield then we might be OK.

Zaharakis, Merrett, Shiel, Smith, McGrath, Parish is an imbalanced midfield group for me. We also lack true wingmen (in the sense of a Gaff / Whitfield / Hill type) who hold their shape around the ball to allow us to release in to space, and have elite ball use. Redman is the one I think would be good here, though a lot like McKenna for the same role. Heppell has the size but probably isn't a natural inside midfielder, and gets smashed trying to do it all himself.

 

[citizen-erased]

GWS have good balance in the centre; Hopper, Taranto and Ward are all strong inside contested types with Coniglio, Kelly, Whitfield all good ball users with varying levels of contested work and outside strength. Add Greene as a ball-winner who kicks goals and isn't afraid of the physicality, and Zac Williams again as a strong defensive mid with elite kicking. Both regularly played out of the midfield because they've got the depth to do so.

Merrett, Shiel, McGrath, Smith are all a bit samey for me, Smith probably the most defensively minded of that group. None are prolific accumulators playing the inside role, Shiel / Merrett are best in some space.

Clarke balances our midfield better, a strong inside accumulator who blocks / tackles and has the size and strength to do it properly. When he was playing well in the first month or so of games we looked much better around the ball.

If we had Jobe at his peak dishing off the Shiel / Merrett we'd be a very different midfield group, instead we're hoping that Clarke / Mynott can make the level and release Shiel and Merrett to more space.

I do agree we probably don't need to be grabbing the Fyfe / Dangerfield 190+ types and hope they can be a mid, we're better off with your proven junior midfielders, Parish is a good example of this. Played midfield as a junior, plays on-ball at AFL level and shows plenty of ability.

If we can find a young player in that 6'1" - 6'4" region, grab Mitch Hibberd, get another preseason in the Mynott and Clarke and actually try to balance our midfield then we might be OK.

Zaharakis, Merrett, Shiel, Smith, McGrath, Parish is an imbalanced midfield group for me. We also lack true wingmen (in the sense of a Gaff / Whitfield / Hill type) who hold their shape around the ball to allow us to release in to space, and have elite ball use. Redman is the one I think would be good here, though a lot like McKenna for the same role. Heppell has the size but probably isn't a natural inside midfielder, and gets smashed trying to do it all himself.

Certainly no accident this GWS list has made a GF
They have balanced out their 22 to almost perfection (Had Lobb stayed, i reckon they'd be there).
If Sauce has a couple of good years left, with Cogs and Ward back in this team they will continue to challenge.

Strikes me that GWS have a plan and draft/recruit to meet it.
We seem to go in for the best talent available each year, regardless of need.

 

[Vindicater]

I am slightly concerned that Jake Long is still on the list...

On SM-A530F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Yoda_]

I am slightly concerned that Jake Long is still on the list...

On SM-A530F using BigFooty.com mobile app

you and me both

why he was not named in the article thanking them for their services (Jordan Houlihan and Ben McNeice) is beyond me.. Truly terrifying stuff

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Certainly no accident this GWS list has made a GF
They have balanced out their 22 to almost perfection (Had Lobb stayed, i reckon they'd be there).
If Sauce has a couple of good years left, with Cogs and Ward back in this team they will continue to challenge.

Strikes me that GWS have a plan and draft/recruit to meet it.
We seem to go in for the best talent available each year, regardless of need.

Very easy to do when you can cherry pick talent through the academy.

 

[faible]

Very easy to do when you can cherry pick talent through the academy.

Taranto was an available option for us, would likely be our best inside mid by now too. Unfortunately of the McGrath / Taranto / McCluggage trio as top three, Taranto and McCluggage probably better fill a need for us in 2020.

Hopper was the only one that was really unavailable to anyone else so far that is a top class selection I think? Everyone else has come through the open draft. Finlayson was very gettable last year if someone had chased him.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Taranto was an available option for us, would likely be our best inside mid by now too. Unfortunately of the McGrath / Taranto / McCluggage trio as top three, Taranto and McCluggage probably better fill a need for us in 2020.

Hopper was the only one that was really unavailable to anyone else so far that is a top class selection I think? Everyone else has come through the open draft. Finlayson was very gettable last year if someone had chased him.

Williams and Perryman too.

 

[Lore]

you and me both

why he was not named in the article thanking them for their services (Jordan Houlihan and Ben McNeice) is beyond me.. Truly terrifying stuff

They’re always spread out. We’ll get another re-signing and then another delisting or two. They’ll alternate like that until they’re all done

 

[faible]

Williams and Perryman too.

Williams was a rookie when I looked, would have meant other clubs had the chance on him in the open draft first?