2013 Best XXII

[Triple B]

Have I missed something with Mitchell? I know he had some injuries during the season but is there are bigger problem?

He has had a sheetload of different injuries since he was starring in underage footy. It's obvious he is no Luke Parker in his ability to get the body right at this stage and I agree with LK that there is absolutely no rush. He is a 200 gamer in the making, so let's just go softly softly now while we can certainly afford to while ROK is winding down his career.

He may get a taste of it next year, let's hope he has an injury free pre-season and gets a taste, but I won't be pulling any hair out if he hasn't debuted by mid season.

[Captain]

Mitchell is a 10+ year player for us and it's imperative that we get games into him in 2013.

So what. He has to earn them first with form, not reputation.

[Captain]

LRT and Maceski were big parts in us winning the premiership. It is hillarious that posters are now having them in the reserves!

[Captain]

I'd have it the other way around. The arrival of Tippett, if he comes, is going to push LRT out of the position he occupied for most of 2012. That doesn't mean he's not still a very handy player, just that there may not be a spot for him.

He could easily play the 3rd tall role that Goodes was playing. Thus enabling Goodes to push into the midfield and float around as he pleases, generally playing as a 'small'.

[Doctor]

1. This is tough, but what a fantastic position to be in. I'm glad the coaching staff have to decide and not me.
2. Anyone leaving Pyke out has an incredibly short memory.
3. Anyone who puts their team together without spelling Hannebery's name correctly ('Hanners' is acceptable) will be immediately discounted by me. He's been with us long enough now folks. If you don't know how to spell his name, look it up. It's not hard to find.

[Melbourne_Blood]

2013 Best XXII

LRT and Maceski were big parts in us winning the premiership. It is hillarious that posters are now having them in the reserves!

Malceski had a fantastic finals series, and his GF performance will go down in history, but In saying that inconsistency has become a part of his game In recent years. He's been dropped more than once in the past two seasons purely for poor form, and just because he had an epic finals series does not mean he will be immune to the axe if that inconsistency surfaces again next season.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Agree with this, though if Tippett does arrive, you'd think he'd be in the side, at the expense of either LRT or Pyke (with LRT a chance to push someone else out of the backline).

I'd like to add Cunningham and Heath as two more players pressing and getting a few games.

Liz I struggle a little with Heath..........I really like his style of play but do you think he is to short to play a third tall type role and not nimble or as good on counter attack as Shaw, Mal etc?

I think Campbell is approx 188cm ?

just a little shorter then Marty Mattner but Marty still has a couple more years of being that mr fix it in the backline me thinks

Cunningham will with out doubt start to cause some headache decisions.........he is a seriously dangerous player and his speed, endurance, quality of kick on the run will command attention in 2013 and 2014

Imagine another full pre season !

[liz]

Liz I struggle a little with Heath..........I really like his style of play but do you think he is to short to play a third tall type role and not nimble or as good on counter attack as Shaw, Mal etc?

I think Campbell is approx 188cm ?

just a little shorter then Marty Mattner but Marty still has a couple more years of being that mr fix it in the backline me thinks

He's very similar in style to Craig Bolton, who regularly played on and beat players much bigger than he was. He's probably not quite got Bolton's closing speed, admittedly but he's not treacle slow, either. And he's clearly been learning a lot from Ted in the way he knows when to stay on his man, and when to zone off to help a team mate, and in the way he directs traffic in and from the backline.

I am not about to pronounce that he can become a good as Bolton did. And it will partly hinge on whether he gets an opportunity as much as anything else, and that means being in form and not injured when a spot opens up. But I definitely think he's got senior AFL attributes if he's over his injury woes.

[jono2707]

I think Heath would have gotten a game to replace Grundy when suspended if it wasn't a final. He seems to be next cab off the rank for a spot down back if Teddy or Grundy or AJ miss any games in 2013....

[liz]

The fact that they promoted him to the senior list just ahead of the finals certainly indicates he was in the mix, and they wanted to be able to call on him if needed.

(Mind you, it is fair to say he didn't have much competition for the number one back-up defender spot!)

[Wazza]

Cunningham will with out doubt start to cause some headache decisions.........he is a seriously dangerous player and his speed, endurance, quality of kick on the run will command attention in 2013 and 2014

Imagine another full pre season !

I think Armstrong may be ahead of him - with another pre season I wouldnt be suprised at some stage to see Armstrong in MF rotation. I would prefer to see Armstrong replace Nick Smith in defence and have Smith work his away into our MF rotations... but Nick is so good in his role probably wont happen.

Cheers

waz

[Captain]

Malceski had a fantastic finals series, and his GF performance will go down in history, but In saying that inconsistency has become a part of his game In recent years. He's been dropped more than once in the past two seasons purely for poor form, and just because he had an epic finals series does not mean he will be immune to the axe if that inconsistency surfaces again next season.

Obviously not. However he SHOULDN'T be given the axe for round 1!!!!

[Ajn]

I think there is a chance that the sub may be the solution to giving experience to players on the edge of selection. Given the GF performance, I would suggest bolton out retired and parker dropping for Tippett and McGlynn. Injury will be the only way in to other spots not in question until at least three rounds in.

Cunningham, Mitchell, Rohan, Walsh(as a backman), Armstrong, Lamb need at least 4-5 consistantly good games to get in.

[Velour&Ruffles]

LRT and Maceski were big parts in us winning the premiership. It is hillarious that posters are now having them in the reserves!

Yep.
And I think a lot of posters don't understand how important Bird is.

[jono2707]

Yep.
And I think a lot of posters don't understand how important Bird is.

Too true - watching replays of games on Fox Footy, it's amazing how often Bird would pop up in the right place at the right time. Also still an excellent run-with option. It's easy to miss what he does as it's not flashy but his 2012 was great. Undroppable if he keeps that up.....