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Even though we're still a few weeks away from Finals football, I thought it'd be interesting to begin making predictions on who our 'wild card' will be for the Finals. It doesn't have to be somebody from left field - it could be Cooney, Griffen etc. I suppose a little run down on how & why you think the player will be the wild card would be insightful too.
Personally, I'm going with Tommy Williams. I questioned him prior to his first few games this year, he didn't appear match ready at all, but he came in and did a fantastic job. He really did well on Franklin who was in absolutely red hot form and from that week onwards, he really started to settle into AFL Football. His skills were good, his decision making was good & he was getting the defending/attacking spot on. Just started to take some strong grabs too, and then he went down to an injury.
For mine, he settles the backline. It gives us the perfect flexibility with him, Lake & Everitt. All three are mobile defenders who are particularly good at spoiling the ball. They all provide good defense & run off the backline - Lake is one of the best FB's in the comp whilst Everitt has fantastic skills. Additionally, it releases Morris & in particular Hargrave to oppose players their own height/weight. Both Morris & Hargrave have been in career best form lately. Having Lake, Williams & Everitt is handy too - means we're able to switch the matchups around and even throw one of them up forward, or in Everitt's case, on the wing. IMHO it cuts Lake some slack as well because too often he felt the need to help out one of the other defenders, often resulting in a direct goal to his opponent. Having Williams back down there really helps Lake, and we seem to function much, much better.
Due to Tommy not playing too many games, it's also still a bit of the 'unknown' with sides - they don't really know what to expect, and to a degree - neither do we. If he's able to keep improving and play quality football, that can only be a bit of a bonus - especially up against Geelong & Hawthorn who regularly have three talls up forward. Tommy has plenty of ability - he can mark, kick & run - all he needs is game time. If we're able to get some into him prior to Finals, he should be cherry ripe, and because of that 'unknown' factor it gives a 'secret weapon' of some sorts. Premierships are generally won by a good defense and with Williams in there, we're pretty solid.
Welsh & Hahn would be my next choices in terms of 'looking a little deeper' than the obvious ones, too. Welsh played a very good game v Hawthorn last year and is crucial to our set-up (as shown by his absence on sunday), whilst Hahn's game style is exactly what Finals footy's all about.
Personally, I'm going with Tommy Williams. I questioned him prior to his first few games this year, he didn't appear match ready at all, but he came in and did a fantastic job. He really did well on Franklin who was in absolutely red hot form and from that week onwards, he really started to settle into AFL Football. His skills were good, his decision making was good & he was getting the defending/attacking spot on. Just started to take some strong grabs too, and then he went down to an injury.
For mine, he settles the backline. It gives us the perfect flexibility with him, Lake & Everitt. All three are mobile defenders who are particularly good at spoiling the ball. They all provide good defense & run off the backline - Lake is one of the best FB's in the comp whilst Everitt has fantastic skills. Additionally, it releases Morris & in particular Hargrave to oppose players their own height/weight. Both Morris & Hargrave have been in career best form lately. Having Lake, Williams & Everitt is handy too - means we're able to switch the matchups around and even throw one of them up forward, or in Everitt's case, on the wing. IMHO it cuts Lake some slack as well because too often he felt the need to help out one of the other defenders, often resulting in a direct goal to his opponent. Having Williams back down there really helps Lake, and we seem to function much, much better.
Due to Tommy not playing too many games, it's also still a bit of the 'unknown' with sides - they don't really know what to expect, and to a degree - neither do we. If he's able to keep improving and play quality football, that can only be a bit of a bonus - especially up against Geelong & Hawthorn who regularly have three talls up forward. Tommy has plenty of ability - he can mark, kick & run - all he needs is game time. If we're able to get some into him prior to Finals, he should be cherry ripe, and because of that 'unknown' factor it gives a 'secret weapon' of some sorts. Premierships are generally won by a good defense and with Williams in there, we're pretty solid.
Welsh & Hahn would be my next choices in terms of 'looking a little deeper' than the obvious ones, too. Welsh played a very good game v Hawthorn last year and is crucial to our set-up (as shown by his absence on sunday), whilst Hahn's game style is exactly what Finals footy's all about.
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