Best 22 2021

[stevoswan]

Rowbottom who is what 21 years old yet to show any proof that he can be a dominant player is going to have a big impact, but you think Mills who is one of our leaders a big bodied player who has starred for us will just be a 'cog in the wheel' ?? Please explain your logic. Flip those two around - Mills will be the big impact player, Rowbottom will be a role player.

I like Rowbottom but we are getting ahead of ourselves if we believe he will be ahead of Joey, Parker or Mills who are proven stars for us (even if Mills was in a different role)

At the moment they are both just cogs in the wheel. Mills definitely has the pedigree to be a midfield star but Rowbottom has shown the sort of potential that says he will also be a gun for years to come. Did you even watch that highlights reel? He's as hard as nails, very clever, just keeps going with repeat efforts and he's an extractor. His highlights are super impressive. While Mills extended apprenticeship at half back was largely out of necessity, Rowbottom was earmarked by the club for midfield duties from day dot. They've obviously seen something you haven't.....just watch that vid.

[Markwebbos]

I’m totally on the Rowbottom bandwagon too. Think he could have a genuine break out year in 2021.

[TheBloods]

At the moment they are both just cogs in the wheel. Mills definitely has the pedigree to be a midfield star but Rowbottom has shown the sort of potential that says he will also be a gun for years to come. Did you even watch that highlights reel? He's as hard as nails, very clever, just keeps going with repeat efforts and he's an extractor. His highlights are super impressive. While Mills extended apprenticeship at half back was largely out of necessity, Rowbottom was earmarked by the club for midfield duties from day dot. They've obviously seen something you haven't.....just watch that vid.

I watched it. A very smart and tough mid. That was 8 minutes out of a 17 game season , takes his best bits as all highlights vids do, but ignores the lowlights. Like the quarters where he might as well've not been playing his impact was so low.

I'm confident he'll be a very good player. But not the dominant mid we need. Mills was a junior beast , the best midfielder in his age group, had huge numbers and dominated games. He was doing this at 15, 16 years of age. I did a google search and found these numbers for RB as a junior:

averaged 21.9 disposals in the NAB League Boys , 18.3 disposals in the Under 18s Championship. 1 goal kicked across all competitions.

Hardly numbers that suggest he was dominating games as a junior. He hasnt shown an inclination to dominate games so far in his AFL career. What makes you think he is going to suddenly begin amassing big numbers and tearing games apart now ?

[stevoswan]

I watched it. A very smart and tough mid. That was 8 minutes out of a 17 game season , takes his best bits as all highlights vids do, but ignores the lowlights. Like the quarters where he might as well've not been playing his impact was so low.

I'm confident he'll be a very good player. But not the dominant mid we need. Mills was a junior beast , the best midfielder in his age group, had huge numbers and dominated games. He was doing this at 15, 16 years of age. I did a google search and found these numbers for RB as a junior:

averaged 21.9 disposals in the NAB League Boys , 18.3 disposals in the Under 18s Championship. 1 goal kicked across all competitions.

Hardly numbers that suggest he was dominating games as a junior. He hasnt shown an inclination to dominate games so far in his AFL career. What makes you think he is going to suddenly begin amassing big numbers and tearing games apart now ?

Because he can only get better at this level.... a level which he hasn't been in that long. I am confident anyway. Time will tell.....and it will tell.

[TheBloods]

Because he can only get better at this level.... a level which he hasn't been in that long. I am confident anyway. Time will tell.....and it will tell.

Will he get better? Or will he just get more of the ball? I dont think he is going to suddenly become a player who is explosive and does things that make you go wow. If that were in his arsenal he would've had those moments already, even if they were just glimpses. He hasnt, so i dont think he will. Doesnt seem to possess any of those talents that suggest he could be a freak.

There is nothing wrong with that. Still think he will be a quality mid for us, reminds me of Macrae. But while a Macrae is a good thing to have, what we need is a Bont.

[Nico]

I watched it. A very smart and tough mid. That was 8 minutes out of a 17 game season , takes his best bits as all highlights vids do, but ignores the lowlights. Like the quarters where he might as well've not been playing his impact was so low.

I'm confident he'll be a very good player. But not the dominant mid we need. Mills was a junior beast , the best midfielder in his age group, had huge numbers and dominated games. He was doing this at 15, 16 years of age. I did a google search and found these numbers for RB as a junior:

averaged 21.9 disposals in the NAB League Boys , 18.3 disposals in the Under 18s Championship. 1 goal kicked across all competitions.

Hardly numbers that suggest he was dominating games as a junior. He hasnt shown an inclination to dominate games so far in his AFL career. What makes you think he is going to suddenly begin amassing big numbers and tearing games apart now ?

He has just finished his second season fpr goodness sake. Luke Parker hardly played a game in his 1st season. Early on he played as a forward. Who would have known he would turn out the player he is. Rowbottom has gone straight into the guts. Bit early to say either way but he has shown a hell of a lot in his first 2 years to suggest he is going to be an integral part of our side in future years.

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Will he get better? Or will he just get more of the ball? I dont think he is going to suddenly become a player who is explosive and does things that make you go wow. If that were in his arsenal he would've had those moments already, even if they were just glimpses. He hasnt, so i dont think he will. Doesnt seem to possess any of those talents that suggest he could be a freak.

There is nothing wrong with that. Still think he will be a quality mid for us, reminds me of Macrae. But while a Macrae is a good thing to have, what we need is a Bont.

Disagree, he has already had those moments.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Horse has a tendancy to use only 4 players for 90% of the centre square bounces. I don't see how he'll be able to do that in the coming season, I believe we have at least 7 players with extremely strong claims to a run at the middle. In any case it'd be good if he allows a greater rotation this year.

So I thought I'd try to list our followers (excluding ruckmen) in order of the amount of centre square bounces they will attend in the forthcoming season.

JPK, Mills, Rowbottom, Florent, Hewett, Parker, Heeney

Other possible visitors Clarke (if tagging) and Stephens (for the experience).

Don't disagree with much here, though Blakey attended some last year and think they like his explosiveness in there, so make that list eight.

The main thing for me is the mix. We have some hard heads - JPK, Parker, Hewett, Mills - and some more dynamic players - Rowbottom, Florent, Heeney, Blakey.

I'd never want us to go back to have more than two of the former in there. We become too stodgy. Horse started it last year by having a better combo of 'coalface' and 'spread' players and hope it continues. Between the lower rotations, and capacity to use someone like Parker forward at times, it should be doable. Add the runners with footskills on the wings and flanks (McInerney, Stephens, Dawson, Campbell and Blakey) and we become a faster side capable of shifting and using the ball well.

[graemed]

Horse has a tendancy to use only 4 players for 90% of the centre square bounces. I don't see how he'll be able to do that in the coming season, I believe we have at least 7 players with extremely strong claims to a run at the middle. In any case it'd be good if he allows a greater rotation this year.

So I thought I'd try to list our followers (excluding ruckmen) in order of the amount of centre square bounces they will attend in the forthcoming season.

JPK, Mills, Rowbottom, Florent, Hewett, Parker, Heeney

Other possible visitors Clarke (if tagging) and Stephens (for the experience).

Papley has been used for centre clearances and with some success. Not that I'm advocating any broader role merely that he also may have a role, certainly as an impact player

[graemed]

Isn't it great that we are able to argue about who won't be able to break into our midfield; who will be likely miss out on a position in the backs; the relative futures of such players; whether they'll be stars or not.

I am so excited seeing this wonderful club emerging again. Sure we've had some ordinary seasons the past two years but I've always felt that we were on the right track. COVID and injuries played a huge role last year but there was so much that came out of those circumstances.

What a year to look forward:

- No EM!!!!
- Franklin fit (Hmmmm)
- Mills in the mid-field
- Heeney dominating
- Rampe able to be the general in the backline instead of taking on their gorillas.
- The next big thing....

I can't wait

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Isn't it great that we are able to argue about who won't be able to break into our midfield;

Yes, although I feel obliged to argue who won't be in our following division instead of using a foreign encrustation (in this case Soccer) for another month at least.

[graemed]

Yes, although I feel obliged to argue who won't be in our following division instead of using a foreign encrustation (in this case Soccer) for another month at least.

Point taken

[TheBloods]

He has just finished his second season fpr goodness sake. Luke Parker hardly played a game in his 1st season. Early on he played as a forward. Who would have known he would turn out the player he is. Rowbottom has gone straight into the guts. Bit early to say either way but he has shown a hell of a lot in his first 2 years to suggest he is going to be an integral part of our side in future years.

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Disagree, he has already had those moments.

I wouldnt consider Parker to be a dominant mid either. He has exceeded expectations as a pick 40 and is possibly our best player with Rampe. But he is not a top 10 player in the comp. to reach that level you have to be a pretty special player. Dont see this in Rowbottom, he will be regularly making the list of the top 30-40 players in the comp, and that in itself is an achievement.

Mills has this potential. Was the best mid in his draft as a junior which also included Oliver and Dunkley. Theres potential for him to once again be the best mid of his age group.

[The Runner]

Rowbottom has outperformed everyone from his draft class except for Bailey Smith and probably Sam Walsh.
He has the potential to be one of the best mids in the comp.

[bloodspirit]

I'm sorry but you MUST be kidding. RB has to be one of our most exciting talents right now. Finally we have a potential contested beast, who is faster and a better kick version of LP at the same age. I have been a fan since he joined, and he relished the time when JPK was out.

Have faith: James Rowbottom 2020 HIGHLIGHTS - YouTube

I have long since reserved my place on the bandwagon. But watching these highlights was really cheering anyway!

I think Beirut has suffered enough.

Warning: nothing to do with football.

Speaking of Beirut, the wonderful Azam Ali, recently put out a YouTube clip, called, Give Me The Flute And Sing, which is dedicated to the people of Beirut. In my opinion, she's one of the great singers, in peak form. Very much worth checking out.

Thank you. Beautiful. I know it's not footy related but I appreciated it and wouldn't have encountered it otherwise.

[dejavoodoo44]

I have long since reserved my place on the bandwagon. But watching these highlights was really cheering anyway!



Thank you. Beautiful. I know it's not footy related but I appreciated it and wouldn't have encountered it otherwise.

Yes, I'm also keen to see what Rowbottom will do. He has flair, pace away from the contest and toughness.

Glad you enjoyed the Azam Ali. She also records under the band name, Niyaz. Their most recent album, The Fourth Light, is stunning.