Keath is in very good condition and has been getting quite a bit of the footy. I would be surprised if he didn’t have a big season back somewhere towards his 2021 form.
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All the predictions here are great to find out who will not be picked because you know I know Bevo will flabbergast us with that 1st round team.
Everytime.
Based on all the training reports supplied by the superstars on WOOF, my preferred line up at present (based more on selecting players without an understanding of the game plan the coaches want them to execute) is:
B: Duryea, Jones, Darcy
HB: Dale, Gardner, Richards
C: Williams, Libba, Daniel
HF: McLean, Naughton, JJ
F: Jamarra, Lobb, Weightman
R: English, Bont, Macrae
I/C: Garcia, B Smith, Treloar, West + Buku
Duryea and Jones are walk up starts, while I’m increasingly keen for us to find roles for Darcy and get him playing senior footy. It may be he’s named back and spends time all over including deep forward.
Dale, Gardner and Richards offer us a great combination of defence and offence along the HB line. Gardner and Jones may both swap around a bit depending on match ups.
Williams has one wing locked down. I wanted to include Roarke but couldn’t, finding room for all is hard and I wanted Daniel more around the ball. I don’t think he plays a proper “wing” role like we’ve seen a few sides favour over recent years.
The engine room itself is fairly straight forward with Libba, Bont, Macrae, McLean, Treloar, Smith, Garcia and West, with splashes of Daniel and Weightman, has some good looks about it and plenty of depth. English is the preferred ruck with Lobb and Darcy able to provide some chop again subject to opponent / part of the field.
The forward line in some ways is easier to pick than I have found in recent years with Naughton, Lobb and Jamarra all locks, along with Weightman and we know one resting midfielder who I have chosen McLean. Final spot a little tough, if JJ is going to spend time back it opens up a spot for one more genuine forward perhaps in the 23, and no idea who that is yet. For me, JJ starts forward though as he has genuine pace we need and has done well in the role.
Buku is my man for the 23rd player. He’s very much on the fringe for selection in his own right and has the versatility we need to fill the role and help cover across all parts of the ground. Really excited to see him play more senior footy in 2023.
Finding a spot in the field to start for everyone is quite hard, but I’m confident Smith and Treloar will be right to go come round 1.
I've got Bruce as KPD depth, and only getting a game in the case of an injury to a key defender, and even then may require 2 injuries.
Wouldn't shock me if we didn't actually see Bruce at AFL level this season.
I keep hearing that this might be his last year for Duryea but finding a replacement isnt as evident yet. I think he will get another year with us. Reports about Bruce appear to indicate he isn't a natural defender so its hard to see him ahead of Jones Gards and Keath but based on previous years Bruce could still be selected. Darcy could even be ahead of him.
The younger player comment is something I dont understand with for first round projections. We made finals last year and recruited two very experienced key position players to cover weaknesses so I wouldn't be passing on players just because of their age. Displayed form should be the only consideration at the moment.
Thanks GD. This is pretty much how I see it too, as others have said perhaps Scott or Roarke S instead of Garcia. Personally I’d like Garcia and West to get more mid time as I think they are both hard at it players and would like to see them given a reasonable stint. Scott or Buku as sub makes sense as they can play multiple positions.
If Treloar is not right for round 1 who would you have instead?
My round 1 team
FB Richards Keath Duryea
HB Daniel Gardner L.Jones
CC Dale Libba Macrae
HF Hannan Lobb B.Smith
FF Weightman Naughton McLean
RR English Bont Treloar
INT Darcy Williams JJ Khamis Baker
EM JUH Crozier Scott Vandermeer
Based "mainly" on overall performance I see this as the team to tackle a potentially tall Melbourne forward line first up. I assume as usual, players changing teams get to play against their old sides so Schache will play, and thats the only reason Baker gets the nod on the bench ahead of Garcia. But if Treloar doesn't get up for round 1 then Garcia's in.
For our own forwards I leave out JUH as he still runs under the ball and drops too many marks [even in recent open training sim] and competes [gets in the way] with Naughton. Darcy gets his spot and/or as another foil for the tall Melb forward line especially if Gawn plays forward a lot due to Grundys inclusion, as our backs are still a bit on the shortish side. [of course we could always put Weightman on Gawn to take speckies on him!] .
I have Dale move to the wing to provide more precision delivery to our forwards which might entice them to lead as we tend to bomb forward way too much expecting Naughton to take the grab which puts too much pressure and emphasis on him, although Lobb may improve that and Hannan for mine is the unassuming potential multiple goal kicker. Forward ground ball pressure is provided by Weightman, McLean and Hannan not to mention Smith.
I think the bench provides manoeuvrability across all lines.
No Bruce either as he did nothing on return last year and nothing in trainings.
Good team MatJoh,
Ugle-Hagan is still not to be in it but perhaps it was a decision between Darcy and JUH for you?
I'd swap Richards and and Jones and Lobb and Naughton. Treloar needs to impress this week to be a chance for round one.