I’m really hoping prior is the kicking weapon we’ve been crying out for at half back
3 Likes
Based on age/physicality…
I expect Prior (24yo) to initially be favoured over Roberts (19yo)…and potentially ahead of El-Hawli too (23yo).
Arguable.
If Prior is favoured over Roberts it’s a ■■■■■■■ joke.
3 Likes
The team BS plays, and the best 23 team are mutually exclusive concepts
3 Likes
I got money on El’Hawli playing VFL for the first 8 weeks.
I’d put money on Jye Menzie playing the first 8 weeks.
Here’s my stab - having moved to Brissy now (I kinda feel better that Im not in the daily soup of heartache with footy - happy watching from a distance now)
A bit controversial, but if there is a time to test out some options and take small risks - it is now…
The thinking behind this is given that we need to start injecting (youth and pace) as we’ve played too tall on many occasions in the past. Its time to test this (and hope that Cox can improve to become that Unicorn Utility we can hopefully get ROI on our investment in the long run)
b: McGrath McKay Reid
hb: Redman Ridley Shiel [review post 3-5 games/replace with Prior if it doesn’t work]
c: Martin Parish Duursma
hf: El-Hawli Caddy Merrett
f: Draper Langford Kako
r: Bryan Durham Caldwell
Bench: Perkins, Tsatas, Roberts, Gresham[or Jones - depending on the venue/opponent]
SUB: Guelfi / Hobbs / Cox
Emg: Cox / Jones
Unfortunately I couldn’t find a place for these guys - and if I was Brad - I’d be asking them to challenge me by putting on a good show in VFL and force my hand to bring them in.
2MP, Cox, Hobbs, Jones
If shiel doesnt work as a defender you wanna replace with Prior
Meanwhile prior cant even get an emergency gig if shiel plays?
To this end I posted my BS23 a few weeks ago and it wasn’t pretty
Even Hepp made an appearance!!
1 Like
FB McGrath Hayes Ridley
HB Redman Reid Roberts
C Martin Durham SEH
HF Gresham 2MP Jones
FF Kako Caddy Davey
Fol Draper Tsatas Merrett
Int- Caldwell (if fit) Prior Perkins Langford
Sub- Menzie
McKay has barely trained, so if he comes up for rd1 he swaps with Hayes.
I love Bryan, but the block before christmas Draper was huge, so I have him in at the moment with 2mp his chop out.
Alwyn has been better than Menzie so gets the nod to start in my team. I think it’s crucial to have 3 smalls on the field for pressure, Perkins needs apply more as he has speed within.
Menzie didn’t look out of place down back last season, he has a nice field kick, I dont mind him as a sub as I think this is his ceiling. Stunting another players growth would frustrate me greatly.
3 Likes
Shield to HBF is not the worst idea. I also like Merrett on a HFF, will help stretch his career.
Mcgrath McKay Reid
Redman Ridley Roberts
Duursma Caldwell Martin
Merrett Caddy Perkins
Kako Langford Geulfi
Draper, Durham, Parish
Tsatas, Bryan, Prior, Gresham
- Id like to see a bit of flexibility in the wing/HB positions allowing for Martin to go where he feels he can best impact the game.
- opting for Prior as we need to improve our kicking
- going with two rucks over Wright, as I don’t trust his competitiveness. Draper and Bryan give us a more dynamic look.
- with Tsatas and the options across the flanks it gives us plenty of midfield rotations
2 Likes
B: Ridley McKay McGrath
HB: Redman Reid El-Hawli
C: Duursma Merrett Martin
HF: Perkins Caddy Gresham
F: Kako Wright Langford
R: Draper Parish Durham
I/C: Jones Caldwell Tsatas Prior
Sub: Roberts
Emg from: Bryan Guelfi Hobbs Shiel Cox
(Laverde Setterfield Goldstein depth only)
The positions I’m still 50/50 on are:
- Wright or Bryan (with Draper fwd)
- Prior or Roberts in the starting side (if Roberts gets the nod, Guelfi/Hobbs/Shiel sub)
- Jones or a smaller fwd like Guelfi (Davey?) as the 7th fwd off the bench
7 Likes
No parish or duursma because you’re assuming they’re not going to be ready for Rd 1?
He might yet change my mind but Jones is depth for caddy Langford and maybe a wing imo.
To be fair his pressure is actually pretty good but I don’t think his ground ball game is strong enough to hold down a wing.
As a forward I see him and caddy as having pretty similar styles but caddy has a genuine ground ball game which makes him more versatile
1 Like
Correct.
Duursma is my favourite bomber and one of the better wings in the league for mine.
Darcy, I’m not so hot on. His kicking, defensive running, and general attitude frustrate me. But I know Brad will select him
5 Likes
Yeah I don’t love him on a wing either, it’s more so that the key targets aren’t just Langford & Caddy when one of Draper/Wright are off.
Jones is pretty mobile and applies decent pressure for a tall, so the balance may work better now with Stringer gone & Kako in with more pace at ground level.
1 Like