2016 Team

[Scottee]

The backline is the key for me. Forward line sorts itself out.

We need three "talls". Grundy, Richards and Talia. Hopefully Talia turns out alright, and Teddy can play the 3rd tall as he transitions out.
We need 3 nuggety types: Smith, Laidler and Rampe.

And we need some rotation, which is McHack and Jones.

Jones could easily become a permanent member. Smith seemed to have a poor 2015, maybe time has caught up with him. McHacks days are numbered I'm afraid. Like any limited skilled player, there time at the top is brief.

707 -are you kidding?

[111431]

I suggest we are in the bottom four as a result of the t/o alluded to by Liz. We have many serial offenders who cannot kick and hit a target

[RogueSwan]

... Jones could easily become a permanent member. Smith seemed to have a poor 2015, maybe time has caught up with him. McHacks days are numbered I'm afraid. Like any limited skilled player, there time at the top is brief.

Time has caught up with Smooch? He will only be twenty eight in the middle of 2016. Hardly over the hill, more like a footballers prime years.
And as far a Macca having limited skills?? He can confidently be played in just about any part of the field: inside, outside, running back, forward flanker ..... He can even be quite a good FF as he still has speed of the mark (for the first dozen strides, after that well....) and has a strong upper body and can kick the "captain's" goal when the pressure is on.

[Markus26]

The backline is the key for me. Forward line sorts itself out.

We need three "talls". Grundy, Richards and Talia. Hopefully Talia turns out alright, and Teddy can play the 3rd tall as he transitions out.
We need 3 nuggety types: Smith, Laidler and Rampe.

And we need some rotation, which is McHack and Jones.

Jones could easily become a permanent member. Smith seemed to have a poor 2015, maybe time has caught up with him. McHacks days are numbered I'm afraid. Like any limited skilled player, there time at the top is brief.

I like the back six along with McVeigh and Jones, but I disagree with your estimation of McVeigh and Smith (like others I see on here). I don't think Smooch had a bad year. Didn't he end up representing Australia against Ireland? If he had a poor one, he would hardly get a call up. And McVeigh??? Have to agree with Rogueswan on this one. Play him anywhere and he'll regularly beat his opponent (except in the ruck!). Shaw was an offender with his disposal for me. But I would overlook that due to his dash and willingness to take on the opposition.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Konichiwa from the snow in Japan !!!

Sugoi !!!!! Awesome Is the powder even for a bad year to date but if i have to listen to any more BAD 80s 90s music from those speakers on the chair lifts ahhhhhhhhhh --- I had to buy some earphones for my ipod cause I forgot them !!!!! It blocks it almost out of harms way !!!

Alrighty

Ok footy....., I have let it go last 10 days but like a smoker I'm guessing it is an itch that is hard to leave not scratched !!!

Go u bloods - ps brought a few tasty Aussie wines away and just having the second glad after a hard day at the office

Ok note to self don't be a &$@"head

I think the defence had to be looked from the top down to give its stats some real relevance !

I think we play a style that works for the players we have recruited. I think this is key in determining what will work in 2016 and then hence what the backs mids and forwards might look like in our 22 best.

Let's be honest the Hawks are the triumph of the last 8 years

So they are our benchmark when assessing our team and its strengths and weaknesses but they also had a big gap between their 2008 success so rarely things happen on a upward trend until recently they killed the competition again !!

For me the the win win has been our prominence for many years in the top 8 plus finals appearances

We are there there a abouts due to strategy, recruitment execution and our bloods culture no doubt

If all our top players were available for the finals who knows in 2015 but for me we appeared a little off the pace of the top3

So back to the post of best team 2016 !!!!

the Hawks recruited it appears for a particular brand of footy and let's face it they get a 10 out of 10 for strategy, recruitment, execution

The game if played as a kick and catch high possession style like the Hawks have done (massive over simplification but let's give it a name) certainly has combatted the triathlete focus that the afl have in mind of a fast moving game

We have tried to adapt in modern times but have not Peaked the play makers gifted 22 that we needed to combat at hawthorn at its best

As I say to afl friends take the 5 best out of the Hawks come finals like suffered and west coast could have easily won with no Rioli, no hodge, no Mitchell, no Gunston, no smith etc

In my opinion our game plan leaves the gaps in our backline

What we have lacked upfront is the ability to have a small elite forward like freeo or Hawks to play in pagans paddock ie Cyril or Walters

When freeo or the Hawks do this for key parts of the game it allows there backs then to squeeze the opposition for space then the obvious is the counter attack if a Walters or Rioli doesn't score is limited space to transition back the other way

What this has meant is that our backs haven't had the luxury to push up and we have been exposed a little one on one

Ok summary

Talia and laidler will fight for a spot

Jones not sure what his pathway is

He maybe a year away from being and excellent mid option as he doesn't appear to fast enough for a shaw run and carry type player and we need one asap who can kick with accuracy !!!

[barry]

So no one is with me in resurrecting the "McHack" nickname ?

[YvonneH]

I think McVeigh has done enough over the years to put the 'McHack' name to bed.

[barry]

"McHack" name is only resting, not dead.

[royboy42]

So no one is with me in resurrecting the "McHack" nickname ?

The man is a Captain of our club.

It was always a demeaning, thoughtless, inaccurate moniker that reflected on the namer more than the name

Still applies.

[liz]

+1

[Meg]

+2

[Scottee]

+3

[Auntie.Gerald]

Barry thanks for the gee up

I enjoy the different views on this forum. For me the reason I do enjoy this forum is because in general the members provide some thought provoking ideas to consider when reviewing the game, our team and individual players

There is a healthy respect and understanding of what it takes to be a plus 10yr player

I think it is a balanced view for myself to remember Part of the reason some players look so much more exciting in open play is because of the smart quick decision making of players like Macca

I rate McVeigh
Everyone has their role and I think that he brings a dependable quality to our best 22.

He is not an outside flashy player. He is in close or drop off player that week in week out stands up in the AFL and the bloods

So he is in my 2016 best 22 for sure

Just like Cameron Ling was at the cats - integral !!!

Ps apologies for my post last night.,.. Just gibberish!!! I was hammered after snowboarding all day and two glasses of wine went straight to my head. Fell asleep straight after the post ---- getting old

Nana nap !!!! No overrated either

[707]

+4, McVeigh is quality by any measure IMO.

[sharp9]

Scott Pendlebury said that he rated Macca the most dangerous kick in the competition....so - yeah.