Team for Round 1

[Nico]

Didn't bother watching 2008 Nico? Think you need to give a bit more credit to B1. Ablett I'd agree with you but B1 was pretty handy last year after a very ordinary 2007. His place is safe and deserved.

Sure Bolton improved but he only improved to "serviceable". He still made his interminable mistakes and turnovers, and was no better at his centre clearance work which has always been at the bottom of the scale, around a score of .5, which he gets for simply being in the centre square contests. Surely we can't continue to rely on him any longer in this capacity.

[573v30]

Careful Nico, you don't wait another angry letter directed at you.

[dimelb]

Nico, you have a bolt on the brain.

[Bleed Red Blood]

I had a dream NMW replied to this thread saying LRT's @@@@. Interpret that one!

[Captain]

Richards C Bolton Bevan
Shaw LRT Mattner
Malceski Goodes McVeigh
Moore Hall O'Keefe
Vezpremi Grundy Buchanan
Jolly Bolton Kirk
Crouch White Bird Jack
Emer: Ablett Barlow Pike

[Number 43]

Richards C Bolton Bevan
Shaw LRT Mattner
Malceski Goodes McVeigh
Moore Hall O'Keefe
Vezpremi Grundy Buchanan
Jolly Bolton Kirk
Crouch White Bird Jack
Emer: Ablett Barlow Pike

I reckon you might be pretty close there......

[Nico]

Richards C Bolton Bevan
Shaw LRT Mattner
Malceski Goodes McVeigh
Moore Hall O'Keefe
Vezpremi Grundy Buchanan
Jolly Bolton Kirk
Crouch White Bird Jack
Emer: Ablett Barlow Pike

Sorry Cappy, I can't have "wooden hands" Buchanan in the starting 18 ahead of Bird or Jack.

[Rob-bloods]

Richards C Bolton Bevan
Shaw LRT Mattner
Malceski Goodes McVeigh
Moore Hall O'Keefe
Vezpremi Grundy Buchanan
Jolly Bolton Kirk
Crouch White Bird Jack
Emer: Ablett Barlow Pike

That looks the ticket for me, perhaps as encouragement Meredith for Barlow or Pike, Roos made very encouraging noises on SEN re him.

The only other swap could be Ablett & Crouch not sure of Crouchy's pre season how did he go?

[Captain]

Sorry Cappy, I can't have "wooden hands" Buchanan in the starting 18 ahead of Bird or Jack.

Harsh on Buchanan. Happy with Bird/Jack starting ahead of him. Doesn't mean much with the millions of rotations though.

[Captain]

That looks the ticket for me, perhaps as encouragement Meredith for Barlow or Pike, Roos made very encouraging noises on SEN re him.

The only other swap could be Ablett & Crouch not sure of Crouchy's pre season how did he go?

I can't see how Pike can play ahead of White at this stage. Poles appart IMO.

Ablett is a dud, backup player at best. A tired, old Crouch will give us more.

[DST]

Here is my stab at it based on recent Roos comments:

Richards C Bolton Bevan
Shaw LRT Mattner
Malceski Goodes McVeigh
Moore Hall O'Keefe
Vezpremi White Buchanan
Jolly Bolton Kirk
Grundy Pike Bird Jack

I think both White and Pike will play with White as the FF until Magic returns and Pike as the second ruckman.

Grundy as the swingman between forward and back depending on where is needed off the bench and both Bird and Jack are in for on-ball rotations.

As long as Pike can hold his own as second ruck and White can contest and kick a couple then that team is very competitive come round 1.

DST

[Ludwig]

Here is my stab at it based on recent Roos comments:

Richards C Bolton Bevan
Shaw LRT Mattner
Malceski Goodes McVeigh
Moore Hall O'Keefe
Vezpremi White Buchanan
Jolly Bolton Kirk
Grundy Pike Bird Jack

I think both White and Pike will play with White as the FF until Magic returns and Pike as the second ruckman.

Grundy as the swingman between forward and back depending on where is needed off the bench and both Bird and Jack are in for on-ball rotations.

As long as Pike can hold his own as second ruck and White can contest and kick a couple then that team is very competitive come round 1.

DST

This omits both Ablett and Crouch, but I agree that this is the team we should have for round one. Hope Roos agrees.

[Jewels]

This omits both Ablett and Crouch, but I agree that this is the team we should have for round one. Hope Roos agrees.

As sure as the sun rises in the morning,
Ablett will be in the team(unfortunately)

[573v30]

Pike to play in Round 1? Surely Roosy wouldn't consider that (not that I have a problem if he does play in Round 1).

[Nico]

Harsh on Buchanan. Happy with Bird/Jack starting ahead of him. Doesn't mean much with the millions of rotations though.

Status and pecking order perhaps and might put pressure on Buchanan.