Best 22 2021

[Captain]

I did! How funny. Your version feels more balanced, and pretty smart across HB. I'm interested in how I am less upset now by Aliir's departure than I was a couple of days ago.

Make us look like we've got a bit of a team, although I would also be looking towards a level of improvement from Hayward, and to a resumption of Heeney's development. I was a bit more positive about Florent's work in 2020 than many who post here.

Yeah it's ok on paper but plenty of weak spots.

Ruck - shocking
Buddy/Heeney/Reid - injury prone or coming back from long term injury
Melican as key defender
JPK getting old

[Ralph Dawg]

I struggle to see how we can play Sinclair, Buddy and Reid in the same forward line. Too slow and won't apply enough forward pressure. Given the injury profile of the 3, especially Buddy and Reid, it's likely only 2 of the 3 will be fit at any given time. Also, still not writing of Cal to give Hickey a good run for his money as our number 1 ruck, given he played 2020 injured.

My 22 for R1 FWIW
B Cunningham Rampe Mills
HB Lloyd McCartain Dawson
C Stephens JPK Florent
HF Blakey Buddy Heeney
F Papley Reid Hayward
Foll Hickey Rowbum Parker
Res Fox McInerney Hewett 2020 Draftee

If Buddy not fit for R1, Sinclair.

[bloodspirit]

I agree with RD that I don't want us to play Sinclair, Buddy & Reid in the forward line together, even though I think Reid and Buddy apply reasonable pressure. I think we only play Sinclair as a second ruck if one of Buddy or Reid is out.

I think it remains to be seen whether Melican will start in Round 1 - hopefully he will, but his form has been up and down. Obviously the fact we have extended him for another 3 years is a big show of faith.

I'm curious about whether McCartin settles in defence or not. He has excelled in the KPD role, but is it easier for us to cover that with someone else (like Brand or Gould) and send him back forward?

One of the things I like best is that there is decent depth outside the 22. Lots of players who have shown they can come in and play a role when called upon to do so when injuries or drop offs in form hit.

[Ralph Dawg]

I agree with RD that I don't want us to play Sinclair, Buddy & Reid in the forward line together, even though I think Reid and Buddy apply reasonable pressure. I think we only play Sinclair as a second ruck if one of Buddy or Reid is out.

I think it remains to be seen whether Melican will start in Round 1 - hopefully he will, but his form has been up and down. Obviously the fact we have extended him for another 3 years is a big show of faith.

I'm curious about whether McCartin settles in defence or not. He has excelled in the KPD role, but is it easier for us to cover that with someone else (like Brand or Gould) and send him back forward?

One of the things I like best is that there is decent depth outside the 22. Lots of players who have shown they can come in and play a role when called upon to do so when injuries or drop offs in form hit.

Agree. It's in part a result of all the injuries and retirements we have had of late.
Plenty who can play and do an ok job, just need a few to take that next step forward from ok to good and good to elite.

[TheBloods]

We will be a cellar dweller for a long time if we do not get an elite young mid or KPF on the list soon.

Red flags everywhere.

[Auntie.Gerald]

2021:

B Melican Rampe Cunningham

HB Lloyd Mills Dawson

C Florent Rowbottom Blakey

HF Heeney Franklin McInerny

F Papley Reid Hayward

Foll Hickey Parker Kennedy

Interchange - T.McCartin, Stephens, Hewett, Fox

Guessing that Mills and Dawson will be alternating as cut off defenders depending on Rampe and Melicans one on one matchups

[Bay View]

B- Cunningham Rampe Melican
HB- Lloyd McCartin Mills
C- Dawson Parker Stephens
HF- Hayward Reid Heeney
F- Papley Franklin Sinclair

R- Hickey Kennedy Rowbottom

Int- Blakey McInerney Hewett Florent

Emerg- Campbell, Fox, Clark, Thurlow, L Taylor

[TheBloods]

B : Mills - Rampe - Melican
HB : Lloyd - McCartin - Cunningham
C : Dawson - Hewett - Stephens
HF : Campbell - Franklin - Heeney
F : Papley - Reid - Hayward

R - Hickey - Kennedy - Parker

IC - Florent - Blakey - Rowbottom - McInerney

Emergencies - Clarke, Fox, Sinclair, Pick 3

[MattW]

2021:

B Melican Rampe Cunningham

HB Lloyd Mills Dawson

C Florent Rowbottom Blakey

HF Heeney Franklin McInerny

F Papley Reid Hayward

Foll Hickey Parker Kennedy

Interchange - T.McCartin, Stephens, Hewett, Fox

Guessing that Mills and Dawson will be alternating as cut off defenders depending on Rampe and Melicans one on one matchups

I think this is the best 22 of the current squad, although McCartin is a starting defender.

Unlike other proposed teams, I don't think Sinclair plays in a team with Buddy and Reid.

I think spots 21 and 22 (Hewett and Fox) are up for grabs. There are not too many players in the current squad outside that 22 who are really good enough. It's too early to condemn Warner and Gould. Ling could improve if he stays fit.

But I think any improvement to that best 22 is coming from this year's draftees.

[Nico]

I expect Blakey and McInerney will start Round 1 on the wing. They played the last few games there and proved a damaging combo.

The one I think who will have to improve dramatically to get a spot is Hayward. I don't think there will be a spot for him as a negating forward, and he sure doesn't do much as a conventional half forward flanker. We have so many improving young footballers who are far more damaging than him, and if Campbell or Gulden prove up to a Round 1 pick I don't see a spot for him. By the way he is about 10th in line for a backline position.

[Captain]

Blakey and McInerney on the wings excite me!

Florent, Hayward, Blakey and Rowbottom all need big years and would be great for them to take the next step and have breakout years.

Mills and Heeeny need to realise their potential and take their game to AA level.

[707]

Pick 3, Campbell and Gulden and Gould all debut R1 after big showings in the preseason.

Could happen!

I'm seeing a fit Buddy steaming out of the goal square being hit on the chest by bullet passes from Dawson, Blakey & Campbell. The 100 goal forward returns :-)

[Ralph Dawg]

The reality is that whoever wins the midfield battle wins the game.

If (and it's a big if) Florent, Blakey, Rowbottom have breakout years, JPK and Parker maintain output, Heeney elevates his game to a Dusty / Danger / Bont level and Campbell is in contention for the rising star, we could be back in the finals.

Obviously if none of the above happens, we will be sitting at the bottom again.

[MattW]

Pick 3, Campbell and Gulden and Gould all debut R1 after big showings in the preseason.

Could happen!

I'm seeing a fit Buddy steaming out of the goal square being hit on the chest by bullet passes from Dawson, Blakey & Campbell. The 100 goal forward returns :-)

????????

Love the optimism.

[AB Swannie]

The fact is we were crueled by injuries to some of our best players. Adding Buddy, Heeney, Rampe, and Hewitt plus a ruck makes it a lot better team. We aren’t contending in 2021 but if we have a Port Adelaide like run of health, we have a good team and we are leaving some good players in our 2s.

B: Melican Rampe Cunningham
HB: Lloyd McCartin Mills
C: Stephens Rowbottom Dawson
Foll: JPK Hickey Parker
HF: Heeney Buddy Blakey
F: Papley Reid Hayward

Int: Hewitt, McInerney, Florent, Fox

It’s a good thing if we can’t automatically find a spot in the Rd 1 team for #3, Campbell, Gulden.

Depth includes:

KPD: Brand, Gould
HBF: Ling, COR, Thurlow
Mids: Clarke, Warner, Bell, Campbell, Gray
Small Fwd: Wicks, Gulden, Taylor, Foot, Ronke
Ruck/Fwd: Sinclair, McLean, Amartey

#3 pick is going to be interesting!