Best 22 2021

[TheBloods]

This article has Rowbottom and McInerney as the two players who will go to the next level: https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl/...3qlpmr9kw81a/5

But I would not rule out

Dawson - aged 23 now and coming into his prime years of output
Mills - if he is moved into the midfield

And even Parker who could go to an even higher level with a competitive ruck cohort.

[The Runner]

Cunningham is the kind of player who fills a gap admirably, but he's not in our next premiership 22. Better off using him as a second option to Ling and Gould by mid season

[Blood Fever]

Cunningham is the kind of player who fills a gap admirably, but he's not in our next premiership 22. Better off using him as a second option to Ling and Gould by mid season

Disagree. Only 27 and a proven player. Hope I'm wrong, but Ling and Gould no guarantee to make the grade.

[Aprilbr]

This article has Rowbottom and McInerney as the two players who will go to the next level: https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl/...3qlpmr9kw81a/5

But I would not rule out

Dawson - aged 23 now and coming into his prime years of output
Mills - if he is moved into the midfield

And even Parker who could go to an even higher level with a competitive ruck cohort.

I would add McCartin and the Lizard in there.

[Aprilbr]

Disagree. Only 27 and a proven player. Hope I'm wrong, but Ling and Gould no guarantee to make the grade.

I'm also a Cunningham fan. Quick and energetic. I agree his disposal is not the best but its not terrible either. I'm still to be convinced about Ling. Gould has yet to play seniors so who knows?

[Ralph Dawg]

Disagree. Only 27 and a proven player. Hope I'm wrong, but Ling and Gould no guarantee to make the grade.

I think Runner's point (and mine) is that if the best we can do are our existing best 22, and guys like Ling, Gould, Campbell, Gulden etc don't make the grade coupled with minimal improvement from our existing 22, then clearly we're going nowhere fast.

[dejavoodoo44]

I would add McCartin and the Lizard in there.

I'd add Stephens, as well. Elite athlete, highly skilled and apparently has an excellent attitude. An extra preseason should increase his ability to stick a tackle and his contested ball skills.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I'm also a Cunningham fan. Quick and energetic. I agree his disposal is not the best but its not terrible either. I'm still to be convinced about Ling. Gould has yet to play seniors so who knows?

He's one of the longer kicks in the side, which is always a good thing. Unfortunately he also has a high and possibly the most ungainly ball drop I've ever seen. It's amazing he's as accurate as he is.

[111431]

He's one of the longer kicks in the side, which is always a good thing. Unfortunately he also has a high and possibly the most ungainly ball drop I've ever seen. It's amazing he's as accurate as he is.

he is always reliable by foot which is a good thing for someone generally coming out of the backline with the ball. we have many others you wouldn't have that confidence with

[Mark26]

he is always reliable by foot which is a good thing for someone generally coming out of the backline with the ball. we have many others you wouldn't have that confidence with

I'd say that Mills, Ramps, Lloyd and even Ling when he played had pretty good disposal by foot.

[111431]

I'd say that Mills, Ramps, Lloyd and even Ling when he played had pretty good disposal by foot.

Ramps definitely - i'm not so sure on the rest. Lloyd will rarely kick long - 25 mtr kicks to guys in marginally better positions / Mills can be a bit hit or miss / Ling too early to say

[The Runner]

The fact Lloyd was one of the 3 leading possession winners for 2020 and never really got tagged highlights how impactful opposition coaches viewed him on a games outcome.
He provides some good run and can break a line. But without a really penetrating kick and not being amazing 1 on 1, he's maybe not as secure longer term in the 22 as we can sometimes presume.

[Mountain Man]

Lloyd's greatest strength (IMHO) has been his ability to get into space to receive a kick/handball. He does this with elite running and awareness.

By making himself available, he relieves someone else of a 'kick in hope' and possible turnover.

Lloyd's further disposal may be questioned, but his role is clear and is recognised by the coaches as important to the team performance.

[Auntie.Gerald]

To answer the idea that Lloyd is not tagged due to lack of impact?

I dont agree with this idea.

Most players in Lloyds role are zoned against rather than hard tag. Lloyds role and positioning can move the ball on so fast to so many moving options that a hard tag would have minimal impact. The tag would be metres behind Lloyd all day long and hurting the opposition defence when Lloyd makes a spare in attack.

Good teams will set their defence in areas they feel they can trap the ball and force a turnover more than not.

You rarely see a hard tag in soccer on the play makers either because they can move the ball on say fast with so many options.

Most teams would prefer to have a spare roll off to the sides and or centre back to play high pressure defence where required.

[Blood Fever]

Lloyd's greatest strength (IMHO) has been his ability to get into space to receive a kick/handball. He does this with elite running and awareness.

By making himself available, he relieves someone else of a 'kick in hope' and possible turnover.

Lloyd's further disposal may be questioned, but his role is clear and is recognised by the coaches as important to the team performance.

Clearly highly rated in his role down back because he was a very useful mid fielder in his early days and could have had a decent career as such.