Preseason 2018 . Where do we go ?

[GVGjr]

This poses the question whether we can afford to have TBoyd at full forward, and Jordan as the resting ruckman in the forward half ? As you say, he's probably not much more than a 2nd ruck; There appears few opposing first rucks that get bashed up physically like Jordan does.

Roughead struggled this year and it had an impact on our midfield. His injury early in the season might be a contributing factor but I'm not sure we can trust that.
There is no doubt that he is a quality guy to have at the club but he isn't quite a number one ruckman and he doesn't take enough marks in the forward line to really make an impression there.
We to either find a better ruckman which is probably doubtful or add some depth in case his form warrants him to be dropped.

I think he starts next year as the number #1 unless we do something unexpected.

[Hotdog60]

I wonder with the change in rules this year if Wilbur may have had more game time.
The one thing about Will was he was durable.

[The Doctor]

I wouldn't mind Wallis being tried in a half back role similar to how Matty Boyd played there.

[Remi Moses]

Good post BAD . The only thing I'll add is that there has to be pressure for the ball coming in to the opp forward half .To often this year that hasn't happened , and the defender has been caught out facing our opponents goal .

[LostDoggy]

I wouldn't mind Wallis being tried in a half back role similar to how Matty Boyd played there.

I like this idea. JJ, Suckling, Biggs and Williams are all a bit underdeveloped as contested players. We missed Boyd's contested toughness across half back this year. Wallis would help in this area. Like Boyd, his disposal effectiveness will probably improve a lot with that smidge more time and space.

[Happy Days]

I wouldn't mind Wallis being tried in a half back role similar to how Matty Boyd played there.

I called this 3 years ago! Do it Bevo!

His skills are pretty good when he's not at the coal-face. Probably (definitely) isn't as good marking the ball at Boyd, but I think his footy nous will be super handy organising what will be a pretty inexperienced back 6 next year, especially with the 600-odd games coming out of it.

[bornadog]

I called this 3 years ago! Do it Bevo!

His skills are pretty good when he's not at the coal-face. Probably (definitely) isn't as good marking the ball at Boyd, but I think his footy nous will be super handy organising what will be a pretty inexperienced back 6 next year, especially with the 600-odd games coming out of it.

Didn't he have a stint on the HBF under BMacc

[Happy Days]

Didn't he have a stint on the HBF under BMacc

Who's B-Mac?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

If Wallis cannot reinvent himself, I don't see how he plays regular senior footy because he isn't good enough to be playing midfield.

HBF isn't a bad suggestion but Boyd was always very sure with his hands, read the play well and took intercepting marks. There's been no evidence to suggest that Wallis has any of these traits, but it could be worth a try.

[Sedat]

Didn't he have a stint on the HBF under BMacc

Didn't everyone? BMac wanted to turn all 22 players on the ground into dirty back pocket plumbers.

[Happy Days]

Didn't everyone? BMac wanted to turn all 22 players on the ground into dirty back pocket plumbers.

Gotta give him credit though - without his help we never would have figured out that trying to turn everyone into what their floor as a player could be doesn't work.

[Mantis]

If Wallis cannot reinvent himself, I don't see how he plays regular senior footy because he isn't good enough to be playing midfield.

HBF isn't a bad suggestion but Boyd was always very sure with his hands, read the play well and took intercepting marks. There's been no evidence to suggest that Wallis has any of these traits, but it could be worth a try.

I'm in agreeance, I too don't see the skills required for this role in Mitch... but I'm not sure what other options there are for him as we have depth in his most suited role and his skill-set doesn't have him in front of any, and his limitations have him behind others.

[Happy Days]

I'm in agreeance, I too don't see the skills required for this role in Mitch... but I'm not sure what other options there are for him as we have depth in his most suited role and his skill-set doesn't have him in front of any, and his limitations have him behind others.

Not that it's super relevant, but I definitely didn't see the skills in Boyd to do it before he was moved there too. Wallis is a very clever, if not super athletic footballer. I can't see the skills currently, but I can foresee them. Wouldn't shock me at all if he was something of a revelation in that role.

[comrade]

Wally doesn't have the overhead ability or clean hands that Boyd always had. In fact, his hands were concrete like at times in the VFL on the weekend.

Not saying it couldn't work - who saw Boyd becoming an AA HBF'er - but I don't see it happening.

[WBFC4FFC]

How about Stringer on the Half-Back line? At least he will be dragged into the play, has a burst of pace and can get it moving forward quickly. (Mind you, we will have to still put up with the obligatory 2 holding the ball decisions a game, but the positives should outweigh the negatives).