Best 22 Round 1 2022

[Ludwig]

A small forward can be elite both offensively and defensively. In fact, that's what makes a truly elite small forward. Think Cyril Rioli.

Papley has a great pressure game to go with his scoring prowess, which is why he is rated near the top of the best small forwards in the league.

Wicks has the pressure part of the game down pat, but he also likes to score, and is quite capable in that regard. He's at a good point in his development. He can also play in the midfield, which he did in the reserves.

[stevoswan]

Watch Papley , Heeney or Hayward , these guys , they work into the right positions on the outside / end of a chain to receive the ball , go back and watch how many of Paps goals this yr were him on the end of a chain of handballs and tackles and chasing ,. They have that luxury because you have guys like Wicks and Bell who dont have much else to offer , no offence to them , but they are good at their role and stick to it . Its discipline and hard work and constant pressure , things that Buddy , Papley , Heeney etc aren 't used to doing because they are the talented ones who finish with their skill and execution . If you tried to get them to do the stuff Wicks does , it would only take away from their strengths . You forgotten how Jetta went when we tried to add a defensive side to his game ?

Its not complicated . If they have a chance to tackle or chase then they should , they aren 't lazy pricks , but otherwise it is best left to the guys like Wicks , that is what they are in the team to do so that the rest can worry about building us a solid score !

You keep talking about when we are in possession going forward. I am talking about when we lose possession in our forward line....where it then becomes every forwards job to turn defender to try to regain possession and keep the ball in our forward line. Would you not agree?

[Velour&Ruffles]

A small forward can be elite both offensively and defensively. In fact, that's what makes a truly elite small forward. Think Cyril Rioli.

Papley has a great pressure game to go with his scoring prowess, which is why he is rated near the top of the best small forwards in the league.

Wicks has the pressure part of the game down pat, but he also likes to score, and is quite capable in that regard. He's at a good point in his development. He can also play in the midfield, which he did in the reserves.

Yep. Spot on.

[Ralph Dawg]

B Cunningham Rampe ^
HB Blakey TMac Lloyd
C JMac Mills Florent
HF Papley LMac Heeney
F Hayward Franklin *
Foll Hickey Parker JPK
Int Gulden Warner Rowbottom ?

In my opinion, there are 3 open spots in our team. These spots can be filled by any combination of Melican, Reid, PMac, Gould, Fox, COR, Campbell, Stephens, Bell, Wicks, Ladhams, Amartey and McLean. Later in the season, I'd expect Sheldrick and Roberts to be pushing for a spot.

Good selection headache for the club to have!

[liz]

McLean

Surely you mean HMac?

[Ralph Dawg]

Surely you mean HMac?

I wonder if we will have TMac, PMac, JMac, LMac and HMac in the same team at any stage of 2022?

[liz]

I wonder if we will have TMac, PMac, JMac, LMac and HMac in the same team at any stage of 2022?

It's not inconceivable. TMac is one of the first picked, and JMac isn't far behind. You could certainly see a functioning tall defensive unit that contains PMac as well.

The LMac/HMac combination probably depends on the availability of others. But if either Hickey or Ladhams is injured, and Franklin injured or rested, I could see both of them in the team too. Just depends on whether that occurs while the two McCartins are also in the one team.

[KSAS]

Don't forget we have another JMac in the coaches box!

[dejavoodoo44]

It's not inconceivable. TMac is one of the first picked, and JMac isn't far behind. You could certainly see a functioning tall defensive unit that contains PMac as well.

The LMac/HMac combination probably depends on the availability of others. But if either Hickey or Ladhams is injured, and Franklin injured or rested, I could see both of them in the team too. Just depends on whether that occurs while the two McCartins are also in the one team.

As long as nobody ends up being called, The Big Mac, I'll be happy.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Anyway, back to the Wicks debate, for mine - he's a no brainer to start in that role again all things being equal. He does a stellar job off the ball, defensively, and showed he's got a strong, emerging offensive game - albeit, his conversion could improve a bit. The fact is, the coaches want someone selfless to play that role. It's structural. And while he's doing it well, it's his till he's not performing.

The other intriguing one for me is Hayward. He really had a superb year in 2021, particularly after missing selection in the first few rounds. He had a strong defensive impact, but really reminded us of what a smart and skilled player he is, and his goal kicking accuracy returned. The timing of his leap and body positioning in marking contests is first rate.

And with Heeney pegged for more midfield time this year, there's a chance for him to go to another level again as our mid-sized forward.

[wolftone57]

Last year Wicks had the highest number of points scored from turnovers he forced across the competition

Wicks, in the reserves, was very accurate in front of goal. Last year he was not.?I think if he was he would have scored well over 25 goals.

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[NeonBible]

Some expectations for Wicksy might need adjusting .. he is in the team first and foremost for his defensive pressure that he brings .. yes he could've been more accurate .. but he kicked 17 goals still! That's only 2 less than Tommy McCartin kicked in his first two years combined!! And he was playing as a key forward! Did anyone dare suggest he be dropped?? I doubt it! In fact he was talked about as one of our brightest prospects at the time!

So it is high time Wicks gets some credit for what he was able to do for us last year - he isn't flashy like Gulden or "The Chad", but he is a team player and one of many great contributors to our success!

I can think of a few who would contribute less!

[Auntie.Gerald]

Could Campbell score 35 goals if a goal sneak?

That kid is one of the best kicks in general play and kicks for goals at the same age as Sam Wicks were nuts (when Campbell was in the all stars at 18yrs of age ie 4yrs ago !!!)

Imagine Campbo and Errol huting around that HFF line together.........30 plus goals each me thinks.......Nightmare !!!!

Classy pressure machines hunting the turnovers

Braeden Campbell joins the first goal club

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfZLVBdVmvA

I am struggling to find a spot for Campbo in the backline and or mids but I can see his incredible skill and dexterity in the forward line in 2022

[Aprilbr]

It's not inconceivable. TMac is one of the first picked, and JMac isn't far behind. You could certainly see a functioning tall defensive unit that contains PMac as well.

The LMac/HMac combination probably depends on the availability of others. But if either Hickey or Ladhams is injured, and Franklin injured or rested, I could see both of them in the team too. Just depends on whether that occurs while the two McCartins are also in the one team.

More Macs than a Scottish Premier League team! I think we need to recruit some more O's to balance our team with the Irish. Barry O'Connor is not enough!

[wolftone57]

Could Campbell score 35 goals if a goal sneak?

That kid is one of the best kicks in general play and kicks for goals at the same age as Sam Wicks were nuts (when Campbell was in the all stars at 18yrs of age ie 4yrs ago !!!)

Imagine Campbo and Errol huting around that HFF line together.........30 plus goals each me thinks.......Nightmare !!!!

Classy pressure machines hunting the turnovers

Braeden Campbell joins the first goal club

PICK 5: Braeden Campbell - YouTube

I am struggling to find a spot for Campbo in the backline and or mids but I can see his incredible skill and dexterity in the forward line in 2022

Add Paps, Wicks and Hayward. Man that is going to be really hot

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