The Wizard Cup

[Bleed Red Blood]

Who should we play IMO it should be all the young kids and fringe players for at least the first two matches and then the last ones should be what were going to play like in the H&A season.
So the players can mould as a team.

[Charlie]

I'm hoping to see the likes of Thewlis, Malceski, McVeigh, Dempster, Willoughby and Schmidt - these guys are the ones that could potentially play senior footy in 2004.

Also, of course, Buchanan, Powell, Sundqvist, Ablett, James and Meiklejohn need some senior exposure.

Hopefully we go a fair way so that all of the kids can get a taste. it's 24 a side in the Wiz right?

[Ryan Bomford]

Of course the chance to see the full squad of 38, plus the rookies minus those injured is at North Sydney Oval vs the Bombers in mid-Feb. They take most of the first team off at half time so you get a good look at the youngsters. From memory Schneider kicked the winning goal in the last minute to win last year's event - a sign of things to come!

[robbieando]

All the rookies must play as it will give the club a better understanding of where they are at.

[Plugger46]

Just play the kids, want to have a look at them.

[BAM_BAM]

Originally posted by Ryan Bomford
From memory Schneider kicked the winning goal in the last minute to win last year's event - a sign of things to come!

I thought it was Malceski?

But it was great to see the young guys out there. Even if it was wet and miserable. This year should be sunny, first year it rained, next was sunny, last year it rained, so this year I'm looking forward to driving home dry again.

I agree it's most important to let the kids have a run, but I feel, for those people teetering on membership a poor showing in the Wizard Cup may discourage them. Yes Sydney people can be fickle.

[Ryan Bomford]

I knew someone would catch me out! I just couldn't make an interesting story out of Malceski kicking the winning score.

[penga]

Originally posted by BAM_BAM
[B]I thought it was Malceski?/B]

actually, i thought it was thewlis...

[BAM_BAM]

I don't think it was Josh. I first saw him that day and had a very watchfull on him

[stellation]

Originally posted by BAM_BAM
I agree it's most important to let the kids have a run, but I feel, for those people teetering on membership a poor showing in the Wizard Cup may discourage them. Yes Sydney people can be fickle.

that's a very good point, on top of last year's performance a good showing in the wizard cup would (you would think) lead to healthy attendances from the first game next year

[penga]

attendances, schmattendances... if people are relying on wizard cup form to tell if theyll turn up during the season, we dont want them!

our future is in the rookies and we need to give em a run... thats all there is to it...

[Bear]

A player like Willoughby is not ready for senior AFL football. This should be obvious, but if you don't think so, I spoke to the sports doctor who went on the tour to Ireland with him and this is his opinion.

We need to be realistic about new draftees.

[NMWBloods]

Yep - I'm not sure if you want too many of the fragile 17-18 year olds out on the park with the senior AFL players too early. It may not be the real season, but players still tackle hard and you don't want some of the lighter players picking up serious injury for minimal benefit.

I'm sure they'll play a number of the younger guys who have played in the reserves over the past year or two, but I'm not sure how many of the new rookies.

[Charlie]

Of course, I agree with the club's policy of not playing clubs in their first year. However, the possibility remains that, with injuries, we may need to play a couple... and Willougby and Schmidt would probably be the two most likely.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Yep - I'm not sure if you want too many of the fragile 17-18 year olds out on the park with the senior AFL players too early. It may not be the real season, but players still tackle hard and you don't want some of the lighter players picking up serious injury for minimal benefit.

I'm sure they'll play a number of the younger guys who have played in the reserves over the past year or two, but I'm not sure how many of the new rookies.

McVeigh, Thewlis and Malceski, all played in the Wizard Cup and Practice Matches last season, so I think all our drafties will be a good chance to play during the pre season. Of course its likely that they will play in Canberra for the Home and Away season.