2016 Team

[Markus26]

I really hope we don't go after another ruckman. Watching Pyke labour around the field looking lost was too much to take the other night. I believe we have to open the door for Naismith and the Nank. They can't be much worse than anyone else we have fielded in that area lately (besides Tippo who has been solid lately).

I would like to draft some youngsters in, a fringe player or two from other clubs. We have superb drafting staff and I hope they can weave some magic once again. I would take Hampton over Bennell, Smith and Leuenberger, trade out Bird and Jetta and give some opportunities to some of our guys who have been in the system for 2 - 3 years e.g. Hewett, Newman etc. I think the other key is to keep giving some of these youngsters a spot so they a) grow in confidence; and b) not stress about making mistakes (which they all will). You don't want a player thinking I'm going to be dropped if I spray the ball or turn it over.

Whatever happens it's going to be an interesting trading period and a great year in 2016. Looking forward to seeing Goodsey round 1 and renewing my membership for next year.

[Mug Punter]

I really hope we don't go after another ruckman. Watching Pyke labour around the field looking lost was too much to take the other night. I believe we have to open the door for Naismith and the Nank. They can't be much worse than anyone else we have fielded in that area lately (besides Tippo who has been solid lately).

I would like to draft some youngsters in, a fringe player or two from other clubs. We have superb drafting staff and I hope they can weave some magic once again. I would take Hampton over Bennell, Smith and Leuenberger, trade out Bird and Jetta and give some opportunities to some of our guys who have been in the system for 2 - 3 years e.g. Hewett, Newman etc. I think the other key is to keep giving some of these youngsters a spot so they a) grow in confidence; and b) not stress about making mistakes (which they all will). You don't want a player thinking I'm going to be dropped if I spray the ball or turn it over.

Whatever happens it's going to be an interesting trading period and a great year in 2016. Looking forward to seeing Goodsey round 1 and renewing my membership for next year.

If we are to go for a ruckman I'd prefer it be a Zak Smith who has real upside and can potentially be a 200 gamer for us, he's a good style of a lad too.

I can see with interchanges going down and the sub rule out that we'll need to two top line rucks next year and we need another one. Neither Nanka or Sam are ready yet and Pyke is on his last legs, I can see him being nothing but depth next year.

But I'm happy with these teams I see predicted for 2016 - I like the idea of growing our own again and we have quite a crop who will be in their third year in our programme - Hewett, Jones, Nanka, Marsh, Alliir, X etc. It's a big year for these kids and if we get 3-4 of them cementing their spot then we'll be looking good

[S.S. Bleeder]

I really hope we don't go after another ruckman. Watching Pyke labour around the field looking lost was too much to take the other night. Looking forward to seeing Goodsey round 1 and renewing my membership for next year.

Isn't that a reason to be looking for a ruckman? Neither Naismith nor Nanka will be ready next year, Pyke is struggling and it would appear that we will be more inclined to play two rucks now that the sub is going to be removed. BTW Goodsey has retired.

[stevoswan]

If we are to go for a ruckman I'd prefer it be a Zak Smith who has real upside and can potentially be a 200 gamer for us, he's a good style of a lad too.

Agree, Smith is younger, probably better, a much better chance of staying on the park.

[S.S. Bleeder]

If we are to go for a ruckman I'd prefer it be a Zak Smith who has real upside and can potentially be a 200 gamer for us, he's a good style of a lad too.

Me too but Leuenberger is free.

[Markus26]

Isn't that a reason to be looking for a ruckman? Neither Naismith nor Nanka will be ready next year, Pyke is struggling and it would appear that we will be more inclined to play two rucks now that the sub is going to be removed. BTW Goodsey has retired.

In my humble opinion I think that unless you have a ruckman who is damaging in some way: the calabre of Nic Nat, Goldstein, Mummy or Sandilands type then you might as well blood a youngster or two in the hope they become a significant ruckman or at least give them a consistent opportunity. I don't view our older ruck stocks as having much impact at all for the rest of their careers, nor would I waste resources on a ruckman like Leuenberger who is now 27 years old and hasn't exactly set the Gabba on fire.

I think the mix of Tippett, Reid, a younger body like Naismith or Nanks + someone who can pinch-hit like Towers is enough.

But if you are correct in saying that Naismith and Nanks are underdeveloped, then surely Pyke and Derickx are past it. I would delist the last two to make room for another ruckman, but not hold onto them all.

[dimelb]

My impression of Pyke's situation is that much of the problem is his knees. Can he do what Adam did and try stem cell therapy? In every other respect Pykey has the strength and the skills to do the job. What he needs more than anything else is to recapture his mobility.

[Scottee]

My impression of Pyke's situation is that much of the problem is his knees. Can he do what Adam did and try stem cell therapy? In every other respect Pykey has the strength and the skills to do the job. What he needs more than anything else is to recapture his mobility.

He's already onto the stem cell treatment. Saved him from a 2013 knee injury that looked set to end his career. We've seen how valuable he is when his knees are right. We just don't know as supporters what the real knee problem is.

[Levii3]

...What about Callum Mills surely he's in the 22 and takes Benny McGlynn spot. If we get Paul Seedsman he'll likely play on the hb line. Teddy may play reserves next year like Pebbles did in 2014

[bloodsbigot]

Sorry, I've always liked Pyke, but we gotta drop him. He's cooked. Need a better ruckman who actually does something.

Also, I hate to say it, but our team would look a lot better without McGlynn. He tries his guts out and is a fighter, but he just lacks the physical attributes to influence a game. I'm not very confident going into a game when he gets selected. Someone who tries his guts out and can influence a game is Rohan. If McGlynn takes a massive paycut it would be worth keeping him.

[111431]

Benny needs to be cut a bit of slack and not judged on his last couple of games. If he can have a full preseason and stay clear of injuries he will be back to his previous form

[WauchopeAnalyst]

I will call before the game. The Swans game was a fair team losing to a fair team. Home and away games sets up the ladder but finals are totally different. The 2 defence teams, us and Freo, will get thrashed by WC and the Hawks.

The game is changing and attack is taking over.

And next year more attacking teams will beat us. 5th for I50 but 10th for goals. The coaching crew still make our players bomb it in to the forwards. The better teams using the ball will found us out.

[Mug Punter]

Sorry, I've always liked Pyke, but we gotta drop him. He's cooked. Need a better ruckman who actually does something.

Also, I hate to say it, but our team would look a lot better without McGlynn. He tries his guts out and is a fighter, but he just lacks the physical attributes to influence a game. I'm not very confident going into a game when he gets selected. Someone who tries his guts out and can influence a game is Rohan. If McGlynn takes a massive paycut it would be worth keeping him.

Pyke is close to the end of a marvellous career - he'll provide good back up as our third ruckman which really means we do need to bring one in.

Benny was cruelled by injuries this year but it is hard to see him going beyond the end of his contract next year when he will be 31

[ernie koala]

Certainly don't agree with cutting Ben McGlynn....Especially having just lost Goodes and Shaw.

With a good pre season, McGlynn will be in our best 22...You can't manufacture his experience and hardness.

He'll probably play more forward than midfield, which IMO is his best role anyway....

This won't be popular, but Rohan is a player I'd be looking closely at...Like most, I love watching him play but...

He's sporadically dynamic, often goes missing, and plays with a recklessness that often leaves him incapacitated.

He needs to be more consistent and play with more awareness/intelligence in terms of his own health.....Just look at his ridiculous collision with Petrie last week.

[Mug Punter]

Certainly don't agree with cutting Ben McGlynn....Especially having just lost Goodes and Shaw.

With a good pre season, McGlynn will be in our best 22...You can't manufacture his experience and hardness.

He'll probably play more forward than midfield, which IMO is his best role anyway....

He's under contract, we'll be honouring that contract I am sure as no-one would trade for him at this stage.

So, Benny, Ted and Pykey to retire in 2016

Imagine Jarred won't play on after the year after when his contract finishes and possibly Reg too

Overall the ageing of our list doesn't seem an issue to me