How we best approach an ideal structure from what we actually have is more of a worry than what that ideal structure is.
2 big blokes forward, 3 back and one in the middle is not exactly revolutionary.
I just don’t think we can afford to pick a top heavy lineup - and in the past Worsfold has generally gone with 2 rucks & 3 big forwards. We were miles too slow this year and need to work on that next year.
If we’re set on having 2 rucks in the 22 we’re better off TBell starting as a forward, and Leunie or SMack (not both) ruck. I see Jobe or Langford slotting in forward as well.
Guess it then depends on whether you try and build a list around a game plan, or a game plan around a list!
Do we redraft the whole list every year? Or do we live in the real world. It’s a tricky one…
We’ve got some choices, and this year and next more than most, but you’re stuck with at least 80% of the list every year. Club’s already hinted they’re not doing a big rebuild.
I’d ideally work towards:
Edwards Hooker Watson
[x] JD Langford
R: SMack [x] [x]
As a forward/ruck setup. That keeps our best performed forward forward, our best performed ruck in the ruck and gives us a mix of marking, leading and quick options forward.
But it looks more likely they’ll revert to Hooker in the backline, JD forward all the time and probably a ruckman forward too.
That’s a pretty handy looking top 28-30 (provided developments continue on the same trajectory and our early picks come up trumps). Obvious gaps are lack of key depth, lock down defender depth and obvious clearance specialist depth. Hopefully we somehow snag Brown.
I'll upset people here but such is life. Jobe is a great player but his dad was way better. Like the best bomber I've seen better, like way better than Hird type better. He had everything, speed, heart, skill, explosiveness, you name it. When he got the ball the crowd's collective heart rate went through the roof. Think Fyfe, but more explosive and better. And 3 premierships helps too.
Never won Charlie, but the best never really did back then, ask Matthews and Bartlett(yep the same peanut you all hate from SEN-but boy he could play.)
When the Dawks beat us in 83 the key play was knocking out Tim early on, they knew!
Tim played in his twilight years in 93 because Sheeds asked him to, a shadow of himself but he still managed to kick the sealer in the semi against Adelaide, which was the real grand final because either was going to thrash the Scum.
And I can remember him starting at 15. Can you imagine a 15 year old playing today? An absolute freak!
Anyway I'm rattling on but it beats reading another 150 pointless pontificating posts about the ■■■■■■■ Carlisle trade.
From talking to my grandfather (a Collingwood supporter) Coleman is the best bar none. He could do everything, take hangers, bust packs, dance around player, tough as nails, had a bomb of a kick, clean overhead and on the ground, quick - he had everything. I can only go on his word, but even to this day he said Ablett was the only guy who even go close to being as good as him.
Yeah, not exactly what I wanted from a reputational/impact on players point of view, but from a development point of view (and draft picks) the sanctions will actually achieve a lot of what I wanted. We’ll see who stands up and who doesn’t. A few guys with careers on the line - Hams, Ashby, Kommer, Fantasia?, Ambrose and Edwards. If they can’t get into the team and show a bit this year, they’re not going to.
Yeah, not exactly what I wanted from a reputational/impact on players point of view, but from a development point of view (and draft picks) the sanctions will actually achieve a lot of what I wanted. We'll see who stands up and who doesn't. A few guys with careers on the line - Hams, Ashby, Kommer, Fantasia?, Ambrose and Edwards. If they can't get into the team and show a bit this year, they're not going to.
Not necessarily. That will very much depends as to what point in their development the club believes they are at, and to what point the clubs expects them to grow this season. It will be no different to any other year in that respect.
And just because you think someones career is on the line doesn’t mean it is.
Yeah, not exactly what I wanted from a reputational/impact on players point of view, but from a development point of view (and draft picks) the sanctions will actually achieve a lot of what I wanted. We'll see who stands up and who doesn't. A few guys with careers on the line - Hams, Ashby, Kommer, Fantasia?, Ambrose and Edwards. If they can't get into the team and show a bit this year, they're not going to.
Not necessarily. That will very much depends as to what point in their development the club believes they are at, and to what point the clubs expects them to grow this season. It will be no different to any other year in that respect.
And just because you think someones career is on the line doesn’t mean it is.
Ok, let me re-phrase. In my opinion, all those players except Fantasia (plus Cooney) had their careers on the line before hand, and they still are.
Fantasia had probably shown enough that a good development year would have got a new contract - he may need to show more than that now as he’ll probably get more AFL opportunities than he would have (unless he gunned it, then he’d have got opportunities anyway but his career would have been safe anyway).
Not bad. That’s a good top 32. Brown and Goddard will play in multiple positions. Francis and Stringer almost uncertainties. 4 outs so far and looks like 3 ins so far. Howlett amd Bird will probably get another season due to shallow draft. Morgan, Redman and Clarke deserve more time. Dea still contracted. Jackson Merrett? If one of these guys go that’s two spots to fill from the rookie list or really deep in the draft which doesn’t seem likely. Unless there’s some kid from left field Jackets has lined up.
I reckon we’re still a blue chip mid and a developing genuine tall away from a brilliant list.
BBB was emerging towards the end there. Reckon all 30 or so (including the very extended emergency list) will be involved next season plus probably guys like Mutch and hopefully McNiece. Pretty exciting and pretty decent depth.
I think Bags will get a fair few games too. It’s just interesting to put names down and see where they end up in my completely imaginary form and development prognosis without injuries. Bags, Gleeson, Ambrose, McKenna and Saad don’t all fit unless McKenna or Saad are pushed up to the midfield.