Changes for round 1 - Syd vs Port

[Ludwig]

I haven't seen a lot in Foote that excites me but he does seem to be one of Horse's pets, all coaches have them. (Mug Punter)

The reason he would be a favourite is simply this; He might not have the talent of some others but he works twice as hard. He is 100% dedicated, he learns because he is willing to listen. Coaches love that.

As to the make up of the side at this stage these players are doubtful for round 1; Parksie, Aliir, Buddy, Rohan, Papley, Laidler & Naismith. Add the retired McGlinn (Teddy did not play toward the end of the season) & Turncoat Mitchell. There could be up to 9 players missing from the best 2016 side. If this occurs I think we need to rethink the forward-line, more than any other area. I'd bring in Dawson & Reid. Play Reid at CHF & Dawson in the pocket w Tip, Casey or Sinkas at FF. Shift Hayward to the other pocket. Florent to HF.

Foote has made some real progress in his 2 years at the club. He is quick and has good endurance. His skills are okay and he plays a good contested brand of footy. So there's a lot to like about him without being the coach's pet. I don't think he's that far outside the best 22 and should get some senior chances this season.

I think it's a bit pessimistic on your doubtful calls on the the injury front. We know Papley is out and Ladler is unlikely, but rest are more likely available for round 1 than not, if they don't suffer any setbacks. Buddy and Parker should be ready and it's not great shakes if the others are delayed a couple of rounds.

I wouldn't call Mitchell a turncoat. He was forced out. Although I rate him highly, I think it was a good move that benefits both clubs. We effectively traded Mitchell for Florent, which eases the salary cap somewhat and shifts the mix of players in a direction which suits our need, i.e. speed and flare.

[dejavoodoo44]

Foote has made some real progress in his 2 years at the club. He is quick and has good endurance. His skills are okay and he plays a good contested brand of footy. So there's a lot to like about him without being the coach's pet. I don't think he's that far outside the best 22 and should get some senior chances this season.

I think it's a bit pessimistic on your doubtful calls on the the injury front. We know Papley is out and Ladler is unlikely, but rest are more likely available for round 1 than not, if they don't suffer any setbacks. Buddy and Parker should be ready and it's not great shakes if the others are delayed a couple of rounds.

I wouldn't call Mitchell a turncoat. He was forced out. Although I rate him highly, I think it was a good move that benefits both clubs. We effectively traded Mitchell for Florent, which eases the salary cap somewhat and shifts the mix of players in a direction which suits our need, i.e. speed and flare.

I don't know, I tend to favour turncoat Mitchell. Not for any real logical reason. It's more the fact that it's such an easy flow, from hating Sam Mitchell of Hawthorn, to hating Tom Mitchell of Hawthorn.

[Nico]

Ludwig, oh wise one, how many sizes do you think Foote is ahead of Cunningham.

[RogueSwan]

... I wouldn't call Mitchell a turncoat. He was forced out...

Nah, he could have taken the contract offered to him but he wanted, and if we are being honest, probably deserved more money.
It is just annoying that we developed him into the more rounded footballer he is now but the Poos and Wees are the ones to benefit from it. It wouldn't have been so bad if he went to a team that doesn't look likely to play finals for a while. North? :-)

[caj23]

Nah, he could have taken the contract offered to him but he wanted, and if we are being honest, probably deserved more money.
It is just annoying that we developed him into the more rounded footballer he is now but the Poos and Wees are the ones to benefit from it. It wouldn't have been so bad if he went to a team that doesn't look likely to play finals for a while. North? :-)

I doubt the Hawks are going to be much of a finals threat in the next couple of years, they are light years behind GWS and Bulldogs

[Ludwig]

I have long stated that I thought we purposely low-balled our offer to Tom Mitchell to give him little choice but to leave. And I think it was a good strategic move on the part of our list management group. The players we really want to keep manage to get the contracts they want. I think the trade has worked out well for us. There's no reason to label Tom a turncoat. He's a real pro who gave his all every game he played for us.

Ludwig, oh wise one, how many sizes do you think Foote is ahead of Cunningham.

I'm not sure anyone is ahead of Cunningham. I just suggested that Foote might be ahead of Robinson.

You wouldn't believe the odds I got on a Cunningham-Robinson Brownlow Quinella. I'll be loaded up for a big celebration of our premiership victory.

[707]

OK, so we are getting into the preseason matches and things are becoming a little clearer.

Already missing for R1 and probably further into the season are Papley, Rohan & of corse AJ. Hoping for everyone else to be fit including Naismith, Laidler, Aliir etc.

My team assuming everyone with niggles is available and without using fringe players shows we need at least three possibly four players for R1. So who are these 3-4 players? That's what is interesting about these preseason games, will anyone step up because we desperately need them to fill the depth in our best 22.

Laidler will get one fringe spot, need Cunningham, Foote, Robinson, Newman, O'Riordan, Florent etc to really show something this preseason.

[Mug Punter]

Rampe Aliir Smith
Mills Reg McVeigh
Heeney Hanners Lloyd
Parker Reid Hewett
Jack Buddy Tippo

Naismith JPK Jones

Inter: Towers, Foote, Florent, Cunningham

Injured/Fringe - Rose, Laidler, Robinson, Rohan, Marsh, Talia, Newman, Papley

[Nico]

If Allir doesn't come up, Marsh comes in. I thought Marsh looked good today. Put Rampe and Grundy back in and he fits the structure perfectly. Reads the play well and plays with poise; I don't see him panicking at all and is hard at it.

[aguy]

Just going back to my way of outs and ins ( helps me organise my thoughts ). I'm currently thinking as follows with the assumption that Naismith, buddy and Laidler are fit for round one.

OUT: Mitchell (traded), Rohan (injured), Mcglynn (retired), Papley (injured), Richards (delisted), Laidler (dropped)

INS: Foote, Cunningham, Florrent, Aliir, Marsh, Reid

Close to selection Robinson, Laidler, Towers, Newman, Talia, Edwards, Rose

[Auntie.Gerald]

Ive added in swampy because of his ability to man mark and run forward with smaller to medium forwards ( if given the role) but he is also there to allow Edwards to play lose and back deeper on the flanks ......yet have someone who can pick up an opposition mid dropping into our backline ......I think they compliment the rotation better then Newman being in the backline or Laidler

Parker looks under done returning from injury so round one he will get a good 30% of time up front and heeney more in the mids

I think Robinson is ahead of foote for Rd 1

I think get Florent in there from the get go.......he is classy no doubt


SNRS:

Parker Reid, Florent
Kizza, Bud, Hewett

Tippo
Kennedy (C)
Jones
Hannes
Heeney
Lloyd

Smithy, AA, Mills
Rampe, Grundy, Swampy

19. Macca
20. Naismith
21. Robinson
22. Edwards

[ernie koala]

My Round1 team... at this stage....Lots of assumptions, Re fitness...or lack there of.

B: Smith, Grundy, Marsh
HB: Jones, Rampe, Mills
C: Lloyd, Kennedy, Hannebery
HF: Heeney, Reid, Hewett
FF: McVeigh, Franklin, Cunningham
FOL: Tippett , Jack, Parker

INTER: Cameron, Talia , Robinson, Edwards

EMG: Florent, Newman, Foote

[RogueSwan]

My Round1 team... at this stage....Lots of assumptions, Re fitness...or lack there of.

...
HB: Jones, Rampe, Mills
...

After seeing yesterdays game it doesn't look like Jones will be a back anymore. He looked a natural midfielder.

[bloodspirit]

I have to say I much prefer MP's and AG's team to yours, ernie. Sorry! Generally, I take what you have to say very seriously. You were outstanding at tipping selections 12 months ago.

I think Kizza will go forward and Parker, as noted, may need to spend more time forward also, which creates space for Jones to enter the midfield where he will thrive. And did you decide Aliir is too injured to play R1 or overlook him? There is a tight battle between Florent and Cunningham for a spot in the forward line. I would be more excited to see Florent, because he seems the classier player and the better longer term prospect, but Harry may be the smarter choice because he has the experience, maturity (which leads to better consistency) and form.

I note you (ernie & AG) both have Tippo as number 1 ruck. I get that Tippo is perhaps our best ruck but not by much and, conversely, he is very significantly better playing in the forward line than the others. So, I think if Naismith is the other ruckman in the team Naismith should be primarily in the ruck and resting forward while Tippo plays deep and relieves in the ruck. If it's one of the other rucks partnering Tip, then maybe I'd keep Tippo on the ball.

The hardest part is selecting the bench. Foote or Robinson? I probably lean to Robbo because he is more versatile and Foote is not going to be selected to play as an inside mid, which is what he's best at. Also, my impression is that Robbo is faster (and Foote harder) but I think they will play forward if selected and the speed is vital to applying pressure when playing forward. I haven't seen Edwards play yet so can't judge whether he deserves a spot but I think he'll have to have more than one alright JLT game to earn it.

[707]

We need 3-4 new/fringe players for R1, just can't see from yesterday's game who is really putting their hand up strongly. It wasn't as if we were playing a full strength AFL side, Norf had half a team of kids and nobodies as well.

For me, Cunningham was his usual self, just fringish. Robbo & Foote really needed to do a lot more. Florent looks ok but he is very young and slight. In that context Newman was by far the best of an ordinary bunch of players hoping for a R1 berth and IMO has more upside. I think he would look even better when he is surrounded by Reg, Smith, Rampe, Macca, Lloyd, Aliir, he then just has to play a role not take centre stage as he had to yesterday.

I'm really worried about our depth after seeing that yesterday, I'm thinking compare our last six with say GWS last six - scary!