Based on this, the rumour, which I am just now starting, is, Nguyen was hitting targets, in another group, on the back of their heads while they were standing on the other oval.
Exactly. This guy find the big sticks, play him half forward
That’s the thing isn’t it? The ultimate aim to win a game is to work out how to get the highest score on the scoreboard.
Does playing El-Hawli at HBF to move the ball out do that… because the players up the field and forward will hit the scoreboard? And he makes our halfback line better by playing there.
Or do we have to play him forward because we don’t have the forwards to hit the scoreboard as effectively as him? And in doing so the halfback line is weaker.
That’s what the coaches need to work out.
We have been lacking scoreboard pressure for a while and if El-Hawli gives us that, along with Kako, then we should play him forward. There are other options to move the ball out of the backline. Rotating El-Hawli and Martin between forward and back could work.
It seems we were lucky to have SEH injured last year. His unavailability allowed a Roberts to get a sniff and show his worth, now we can measure both for spots
Seems like Brad has some riches at his disposal. Up to him to use them.
And thanks to the guys do the training reports. Much appreciated.
I disagree. Have always wanted Shiel to try half back. If he can make it could get another year out of him. We have one of the youngest lists as it is. El-Hawli HFF.
Gresham was our leading assist player last year, started well then faded like our side. maybe teams out more time into him. Kako in will revitalise our small forward component El-Hawli in is a given too.
b: McGrath McKay Reid
hb: Shiel Ridley Redman
c: Martin Durham Duursma
hf: El-Hawli Caddy Gresham
f: Kako Langford Wright
r: Draper Parish Merrett
int: Caldwell Perkins, Tsatas, Roberts
Sub: Guelfi
Emg: Bryan, Hobbs, Prior, Davey
Arguments would be Bryan play instead of Wright and Draper fwd/ruck
Tsatas v Hobbs v Setterfield IMO only 1 plays
Shiel v Prior - whoever is better in preseason nabs this HBF spot
El-Hawli v Cox v Jones HFF/Wing rotation
lets just put a line through LAV and Goldy as backups only.
VFL
b: Nguyen Laverde Cox
hb: Prior Hayes Lual
c: Davey Setterfield Clarke
hf: Unwin Jones Day-Wicks
f: Menzie Gerryn Vissentini
R: Bryan Hobbs Hatley
int: Johnson, O’Neill, Foley, Peris, Taha
Can he throw down a mad kick flip?
dear god no
Hmm, I can actually kind of understand the logic behind trying that with Shiel.
You’d get next to no defensive input, but he can tuck the ball under the arm and break a line, and he’s got a penetrating (albeit sometimes wayward) hoof.
He’s someone who if the ball is trapped in the defensive half could use a couple of different means to get it out.
I don’t think it will be done anywhere but at training, though.
If we weekend at bernie’s shiel off half-back at the expense of roberts/SEH i will be NONE TOO PLEASED
I think theres room for all of them.
Roberts is almost a given and SEH barring injury.
I have Jones, Cox, Hobbs, Prior, Menzie, Bryan & Lav as the senior guys missing out. plus you likely need to allow for a couple of injuries pre round 1.
Prior v Shiel
Prior long kicking, more experience defending.
Shiel - faster, can run and carry ball form defence,
whoever has the best practice match likely makes it. Can see Brad giving Shiel every chance though, and makign Prior work hard for his chance given newbie.
Significantly prior seems to have some ability and willingness to impact in the air. Shiel has zero ability or willingness to impact in the air.
But my concern is your assessment of Scott’s approach to the problem is spot on
Why though?
We now have other, younger players with far better disposal that can play that position.
If Shiel plays more than 5 games next season its already a fail for me. Unless we win the premiership 
The same could be said about Kelly last year, but he was the utmost professional off field. Like Shiel, Scott will reward that and try and find a spot for him if he is fit.
Shiel as a half back is up there with the worst positional moves you could come up with. Please no.
I’m a little uncomfortable with Sheil off half-back, not sure he has a good defensive or overhead game.
Prior or Roberts for mine.
i’m certain he doesn’t have a good defensive or overhead game
I’m all good with playing one short on the field instead of Shiel in the backline.
At 32 years of age next season that will all change I’m sure.