Changes for round 1 - Syd vs Port

[Ludwig]

I can't see us taking 3 ruckmen into Round 1, so Cameron will have to go out. Ryder is too strong in the ruck not to play Naismith, who was somewhat disappointing in the JLT game, but I'm sure he will improve.

For the moment, Towers is the backup for Rohan. The criticism of Towers is valid for the most part, but Rohan has had plenty of brain fades as well, getting caught holding the ball, but we are much more forgiving of those. Dawson and Edwards are possibilities to backup Rohan and could sneak ahead of Towers this year. Rose could also be a chance if fit enough and could also play in place of Cunningham.

I think Aliir will play. The question is whether he replaces Melican or they both play. There is some concern they can both play out the match if things get hairy in the 4th qtr., but hopefully the game will be done and dusted by then. Laidler or Edwards could fill one of those spots, but feel that Melican has done more than enough to earn a sport against Port. Mature aged rookie Eddy will play for PA and would be a good matchup for Melican. The following week coming up against someone like Cremari or Stringer will be a different story.

I think Harry C will play Round 1, but he has to start making some substantial progress if he wants to be more than just a depth player. He's actually not all that bad a player, and has had a reasonable JLT series, doing some good things. It would be nice if he could get more of the ball and run the lines. He has the speed, generally makes good decisions and his disposal is good as well.

If KJ plays, then I would think that Foote will be dropped. He's taken some criticism here, but I thought he's played well enough. I think he was given a role in defence to shore up that part of his game which is certainly deficient. He's played mostly through the midfield in the NEAFL and hasn't done much as a 1 on 1 small defender.

We can't judge everyone against Zak Jones, who only seems to have one gear: HIGH. The rest of the side played with a bit more deliberation and will jack it up once the regular season starts. With Florent looking ready to play round 1 and Heeney and KJ coming back into the side, our midfield depth looks great.

[Mug Punter]

One thing we are seemingly all in agreement on here is the absolutely phenomenal improvement in Zak Jones.

Last year we had Rampe, and Lloyd to a lesser extent. step up along with all the debutants. You are always looking for improvement from within the list and Jones is looking like a huge win. Just got to resign him asap but I imagine he is loving it here, perhaps a four year deal and then as a free agent he has one more deal to set himself up well.

Looking at where the other big movers are on our list I think Heeney still has big upside as does Mills. Hewett I can see showing marginal improvement to date . Aliir arrived with such a blaze I'd just be happy for him to maintain what he showed at the end of last season. I'd also like to see Naismith clunking a few more marks and providing a marking target as he is most definitely still a work in progress.

[Nico]

Rd 1 team, based on fitness and JLT:

KJ, Tippett, Florent
Robinson, Franklin, Reid

Naismith
Kennedy (C)
Jones
Parker
Hannebery
Mills

Rampe, Melican, Lloyd
AA, Grundy, Smith

19. Marsh
20. Cameron
21. Cunningham/Towers
22. Hewett

Emergencies :

Foote
Newman
Laidler
Rose/BJ

I'd have Newman before both Cunningham and Towers. He seems quite versatile and is a much better defender than Cunningham who plays behind the ball a bit, and much surer with ball in hand than Towers. I reckon he could play as a defensive forward. Cunningham and Towers have been found wanting on numerous occasions so why not inject something different and more reliable and solid.

[shaun..]

I'd have Newman before both Cunningham and Towers. He seems quite versatile and is a much better defender than Cunningham who plays behind the ball a bit, and much surer with ball in hand than Towers. I reckon he could play as a defensive forward. Cunningham and Towers have been found wanting on numerous occasions so why not inject something different and more reliable and solid.

I've been wanting them to blood Newman for a while but with this squad it makes us a bit slow in that department so hence the need for Harry or Dean. It would then mean Hewett/Newman/Marsh fighting for the final bench spot.
Alternatively if it's a wet game we can get rid of Cameron and Newman can take his place

[Aprilbr]

Naismith v Nankervis? I wonder whether later this year we will be debating whether we kept the wrong guy? Toby has been looking good for the Tigers.


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[Mug Punter]

Naismith v Nankervis? I wonder whether later this year we will be debating whether we kept the wrong guy? Toby has been looking good for the Tigers.


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I really really rated Nankervis and was sorry to see him go. I think he will go on to have a very good AFL career

Not sure we'll be disappointed with Sam's progress over the next few years and I actually like to look of Cameron too.

Overall pretty happy with our rucking stocks at the moment, ruckmen for mine don't win you games but they can lose them and in our rucks are more than good enough to hold their own I believe

[mcs]

Naismith v Nankervis? I wonder whether later this year we will be debating whether we kept the wrong guy? Toby has been looking good for the Tigers.

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Give it time April - it took Naismith a little while last year to really get going and find some form, and I believe he missed a fair chunk of pre-season did he not with his injuries?

Nankervis is of course a very decent player, but lets see how he goes against the better quality ruckmen of the competition if he ends up being #1 ruck at the Tigers.

[mcs]

I can't see us taking 3 ruckmen into Round 1, so Cameron will have to go out. Ryder is too strong in the ruck not to play Naismith, who was somewhat disappointing in the JLT game, but I'm sure he will improve.

For the moment, Towers is the backup for Rohan. The criticism of Towers is valid for the most part, but Rohan has had plenty of brain fades as well, getting caught holding the ball, but we are much more forgiving of those. Dawson and Edwards are possibilities to backup Rohan and could sneak ahead of Towers this year. Rose could also be a chance if fit enough and could also play in place of Cunningham.

I can't see us playing 3 rucks either. Naismith and Tippett to share duties to begin with. If cameron does well in reserves as a forward, we may seek to utilise him as an extra big man on occasion to really stretch some defences though.

As for Towers vs Rohan - that is a really interesting comparison you make Ludwig in terms of 'brain fades' and the like. In so many ways they have had been similar - lots of tantalising glimpses of it all finally clicking into place, mixed with some terrible brain fades and poor games, and occasionally a really decent game here and there. In an objective view of the world, many probably would put both at a similar stage in their career - i.e. really needing to make it click and work sooner rather then later. But we know the club has a lot of faith in Rohan, despite his ongoing injury concerns - so that is clearly not quite the case.

[mcs]

One thing we are seemingly all in agreement on here is the absolutely phenomenal improvement in Zak Jones.

The very good performances of Jones in the Prelim and Grand Final (where I thought he was clearly amongst our best) seem to be flowing on into the pre-season - he has a certain swagger and confidence about his play that was not quite there before. I've always rated him highly, I like the bit of mongrel in his game, and his decision making is continuing to improve significantly as well. Looking forward to seeing what he can do this year.

[Mountain Man]

Amongst all the twaddle the commentators sprouted on Sunday, one comment cut through - Lloyd is Sam Mitchell like in popping up and calmly distributing

[barry]

With McVeigh's calf injury should the club be looking at doing the same as they did with Ryan O'Keefe's last year by playing him in the reserves in a mentor/coaching capacity? Should the club let him get to his 300 games? Is he still a valuable member to the firsts?

Lets hope so.

[swansrob]

Here's AFL.com.au's side

B: Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe
HB: Callum Mills, Aliir Aliir, Jake Lloyd
C: Dan Robinson, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery
HF: George Hewett, Sam Reid, Dean Towers
F: Kurt Tippett, Lance Franklin, Kieren Jack
Foll: Sam Naismith, Luke Parker, Zak Jones
I/C: Jeremy Laidler, Darcy Cameron, Harrison Marsh, Oliver Florent

Who plays for your club in round one? - AFL.com.au

[ugg]

So from the 24 that played on the weekend

In: Aliir, K.Jack, Laidler
Out: Cunningham, Foote, Fox, Hayward, Melican

[graemed]

Naismith v Nankervis? I wonder whether later this year we will be debating whether we kept the wrong guy? Toby has been looking good for the Tigers.


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I remember raising this issue last year leading into the prelim and gf. At the time I was of the belief that while clearly Naismith was a better tap ruckman, he could not compete with the aggression that Nankervis brought to the contest both on the ground and in the air.

I love Naismith but really believe that Nankervis will be the next Mumford. He was lethal when attacking the ball who can forget the way he cleared a path through Sam Fisher to make a goal for Franklin v St Kilda.

[Jimitron5000]

I remember raising this issue last year leading into the prelim and gf. At the time I was of the belief that while clearly Naismith was a better tap ruckman, he could not compete with the aggression that Nankervis brought to the contest both on the ground and in the air.

I love Naismith but really believe that Nankervis will be the next Mumford. He was lethal when attacking the ball who can forget the way he cleared a path through Sam Fisher to make a goal for Franklin v St Kilda.

He is from George Town...he needs that aggression just to get into the local supermarket!