Best 22 Round 1 2022

[i'm-uninformed2]

Blakey is an interesting cat physically. He could put on some more weight but suspect he’ll always be tall and lean. The biggest issue for me is his fearlessness and the awkward way he approaches contests. This is not a knock on him. He wants to impact. But sometimes he just throws himself recklessly into contests awkwardly in a desire to make a dent on it.

He gets himself into a strange and exposed position accordingly.

[Bangalore Swans]

Blakey is an interesting cat physically. He could put on some more weight but suspect he’ll always be tall and lean. The biggest issue for me is his fearlessness and the awkward way he approaches contests. This is not a knock on him. He wants to impact. But sometimes he just throws himself recklessly into contests awkwardly in a desire to make a dent on it.

He gets himself into a strange and exposed position accordingly.

I cannot wait until the three headed monster of Blakey, J-Mac and Campbell is unleashed off half back. Their combination of speed, kicking skills and drive has the potential to make the Swans counter attack the best in the competition.

It won’t happen because the coaching staff and Red and White love Cunningham and Lloyd.

Is Cunningham on borrowed time before the Swans unleash the three headed monster?

People will say that the three headed monster does not have the defensive skills of Cunningham. That’s true, but how is a small forward going to have attacking energy once they have repeatedly chased J-Mac, Blakey and Lloyd.

[Goal Sneak]

I cannot wait until the three headed monster of Blakey, J-Mac and Campbell is unleashed off half back. Their combination of speed, kicking skills and drive has the potential to make the Swans counter attack the best in the competition.

It won’t happen because the coaching staff and Red and White love Cunningham and Lloyd.

Is Cunningham on borrowed time before the Swans unleash the three headed monster?

People will say that the three headed monster does not have the defensive skills of Cunningham. That’s true, but how is a small forward going to have attacking energy once they have repeatedly chased J-Mac, Blakey and Lloyd.

The coaching staff love Harry and Jake because they're fantastic players and fulfil the roles they've been assigned very well. The match committee pick the side they see works best.

I'd love to see those three killing it off half back, but only if their form warrants it. Both Cunningham and Lloyd have been amongst our most consistent players over the last few seasons. Harry would need to have a huge drop in form to be considered replaceable or on "borrowed time"

[bloodspirit]

It's still too early to call R1 but it sounds like right now Stephens is in front of Rowbottom: Sydney young guns Ollie Florent, James Rowbottom struck down by injury, co-captain Callum Mills still on modified duties (afl.com.au).

[mcs]

Hardly did Mills any harm playing out of his natural position for the first chunk of his career however - even though for some part of that early period he wasn't exactly smashing the door down in the position. I'll be intrigued to see how Campbell can go this year - he had an interrupted first season and I think some people may be underplaying his potential quality. He wasn't taken and bid on where he was for nothing.

But only time will tell as with many young players.

[i'm-uninformed2]

It's still too early to call R1 but it sounds like right now Stephens is in front of Rowbottom: Sydney young guns Ollie Florent, James Rowbottom struck down by injury, co-captain Callum Mills still on modified duties (afl.com.au).

That can be a nasty injury for Rowbottom. History suggests it can be anywhere from two to eight weeks recovery. Hope he’s all good soon.

[dejavoodoo44]

Hardly did Mills any harm playing out of his natural position for the first chunk of his career however - even though for some part of that early period he wasn't exactly smashing the door down in the position. I'll be intrigued to see how Campbell can go this year - he had an interrupted first season and I think some people may be underplaying his potential quality. He wasn't taken and bid on where he was for nothing.

But only time will tell as with many young players.

I looked at the Rising Star odds a few days ago and Campbell is at $13. Which seems a better bet than most.* Logan McDonald is actually a bit shorter at $10. The favourite is Daicos at around $4.50 with Horne-Francis just a little bit longer.

*Warning: last year I thought that Stephens was a good bet.

[TheBloods]

Mills better be ok

Stephens

[Goal Sneak]

That can be a nasty injury for Rowbottom. History suggests it can be anywhere from two to eight weeks recovery. Hope he’s all good soon.

At least it's not related to his bone bruising from last season and he'll be able to keep his fitness up while recovering.

Mills better be ok

It's concerning that the injury that kept him out of the team last season is still keeping him from match practice. I know it's a tricky issue, but it seemed like they almost had him right to play in the final last year. Hopefully the coaches are just being over cautious.

[TheBloods]

This probably stuffs up my call of Sheather debuting rd 1 too . Oh well ,

Good that Florent isnt serious , needs a big pre season

[graemed]

Disagree , you dont need all 6 doing that . You can have 5 scoring and 1 making it easier for them . Thats Wicks job . I havent rated him much in the past and if his pressure drops he has little to offer but as long as he keeps his pressure up he has more of a purpose than a few others who made AB 's team

Besides the pressure aspect of his game which you correctly identify as elite in our forward line, he is an excellent mark (one on one), selfless with the footy in hand, tough in the clinches (taking no prisoners), a great tackler (just look at his tackle on Taylor in last year’s EF), a fantastic team mate, (first in if someone is taking liberties) and executes the team plan perfectly.
Exactly the type of player you love beside you on the field.

[Auntie.Gerald]

unless the team mate has more score involvements and equal elsewhere ?

Gulden did that in his first year at 18yrs of age vs 21yrs of age

and with a royal flush !

it is just so tricky to predict some our emerging juniors right now

[TheBloods]

unless the team mate has more score involvements and equal elsewhere ?

Gulden did that in his first year at 18yrs of age vs 21yrs of age

and with a royal flush !

it is just so tricky to predict some our emerging juniors right now

Sorry Gulden cant do what Wicks can do , just like Wicks cant do what Gulden can do . They are different but both have a role and serve a purpose . i prefer Gulden , reminds me of my grandson , little fella but all heart and skill . But wouldnt have one without the other .

[graemed]

Best 22 Round 1 2022

Easy to criticise others making predictions, but this year it is seriously difficult.
Returning to the final games from 2021 and comparing our team lists is the way I believe our selectors may go. Obviously we had some injuries at the time and others have left and others have become available. Enough said:

FB. Cunningham Rampe Fox/Melican

HB. Blakey McCartin T. Lloyd

C. Florent Mills Heeney

HF. Hayward McLean Gulden

F. Wicks Franklin Papley

Foll. Hickey Parker Kennedy

Interchange: Bell Reid Warner Rowbottom/Stephens/Campbell/O’Riordan

I know that makes 26 players and that’s a lot more than 22 but I want to have some slack to allow for match-ups and pre-season form.

I realise there is some unpopular selections like Bell and Reid but I believe that Bell like Wicks was in the team for some very good reasons. I also believe he deserved his spot last year and it will be up to others to win it off him. As for Reid I have stated elsewhere that he is still more valuable than many give him credit for and like Bell will need to lose his place to someone performing better before I’m prepared to let him go.

I am looking forward to watching the reserves go around nearly as much as I am to the seniors as I see such much to be excited by in this squad. The likelihood that there will be severe disruptions to lists as a result of COVID protocols means that depth in a squad will be of paramount importance going forward towards finals.

[Roadrunner]

Easy to criticise others making predictions, but this year it is seriously difficult.
Returning to the final games from 2021 and comparing our team lists is the way I believe our selectors may go. Obviously we had some injuries at the time and others have left and others have become available. Enough said:

FB. Cunningham Rampe Fox/Melican

HB. Blakey McCartin T. Lloyd

C. Florent Mills Heeney

HF. Hayward McLean Gulden

F. Wicks Franklin Papley

Foll. Hickey Parker Kennedy

Interchange: Bell Reid Warner Rowbottom/Stephens/Campbell/O’Riordan

I know that makes 26 players and that’s a lot more than 22 but I want to have some slack to allow for match-ups and pre-season form.

I realise there is some unpopular selections like Bell and Reid but I believe that Bell like Wicks was in the team for some very good reasons. I also believe he deserved his spot last year and it will be up to others to win it off him. As for Reid I have stated elsewhere that he is still more valuable than many give him credit for and like Bell will need to lose his place to someone performing better before I’m prepared to let him go.

I am looking forward to watching the reserves go around nearly as much as I am to the seniors as I see such much to be excited by in this squad. The likelihood that there will be severe disruptions to lists as a result of COVID protocols means that depth in a squad will be of paramount importance going forward towards finals.

Agreed re Sammy as I think he can still contribute if he can stay fit. Not keen on Bell as he was given chances last year, which he deserved, but couldn’t really deliver. He may get chances again if we have injuries but on form he doesn’t deserve a place. I think our youngsters should be given a go now before James.