With a few new chums on the list, and the structure of the competition, I can see quite a few youngsters getting a game. But who deserves it?
[1] Dale Thomas: a certainty to play at least 1 game, even if he starts on the bench. Needs the run.
[2] Sam Docherty: as a guy with some senior experience, I'd expect him to be pushing for a game.
[3] Andrejs Everitt: a certainty. He needs to start jelling with his team mates on the field.
[4] Cameron Wood: this will give me nightmares, but I am sure he will get game time.
[5] Patrick Cripps: would not mind seeing the future running around and getting some handballs.
With a few new chums on the list, and the structure of the competition, I can see quite a few youngsters getting a game. But who deserves it?
[1] Dale Thomas: a certainty to play at least 1 game, even if he starts on the bench. Needs the run.
[2] Sam Docherty: as a guy with some senior experience, I'd expect him to be pushing for a game.
[3] Andrejs Everitt: a certainty. He needs to start jelling with his team mates on the field.
[4] Cameron Wood: this will give me nightmares, but I am sure he will get game time.
[5] Patrick Cripps: would not mind seeing the future running around and getting some handballs.
Thomas and Everitt to play rnd1 and with Judd injured I think Cripps will also play.
re: Wood...initially I was not impressed with recruiting Wood but if you look at his form with Willy then you can see he is a bigger unit now and a better player than he was at Collingwood where he spent more time clowning around than playing.....
I think he will get promoted, get game time and has every chance of displacing Warnock if the latter cant offer more than just good tap work...Wood can take a mark, kick goal...yet to be convinced he has the ruck nous required but I think he will get a chance to prove it and the big 206 needs to watch his back as the 204 will be hunting his position in the seniors...
Thomas and Cripps to play R1 and the majority of the season. The others to play bit parts at best, but offer much needed depth and versatility.
Happy for Thomas to get a light run in the second game and play more of the last game before the season start.
Hope he makes it, imagine going in with Thomas down as well!
Cripps, Thomas and Everitt to see plenty of action you would think. Docherty might get more action in the second half of the season, if he can show his worth in the seconds first. Mick didn't pick these players to be non starters this season as we have lacked run in the past. Its all guessing games at the moment.
All of Thomas, Everitt, Dochery and cripps should play in the NAB Callenge along with Nick Graham. Wldnt mind seeing Giles and Holman but may be too soon. Im backing Reynolds to get a gig too. Johnson not far behind. Reckon they are good rookie gets, both slightly different types and reckon Lukey Reynolds may surprise!
All of them !!
The'll be contributing, there's a good mix of talent and experience in that group.
They should be keen to impress and ready to go , otherwise we've made some poor choices.
Ciao
The'll be contributing, there's a good mix of talent and experience in that group.
They should be keen to impress and ready to go , otherwise we've made some poor choices.
Ciao
If Everitt was getting a regular gig with Sydney, he clearly has what it takes..... and some.
Docherty? Early days for the kid but hopefully the next Scoto?
Cripps - big lad, ready to go Round 1 (the tank can be nurtured?)
Thomas - A grade gun - even on an ordinary day - his efforts alone will lift the Gibbs, Murphs, Special K to greater heights imo.
Go Blues!
Everitt hands down, this guy has gears people have not seen yet!
[2] Sam Docherty: as a guy with some senior experience, I'd expect him to be pushing for a game.
[3] Andrejs Everitt: a certainty. He needs to start jelling with his team mates on the field.
I'd be very surprised and a little disappointed if these two aren't automatic starters for us this year.
Thomas and Cripps to play R1 and the majority of the season. The others to play bit parts at best, but offer much needed depth and versatility.
We don't typically get alot from our first drafted kids from the get go. Since Campo drafted 20 yrs ago to the year, apart from Gibbs Murphy and Walker, we have got FA out of them. Now I am talking regular season here obviously. NAB cup? I say play em all FFS.
Menzel 7 games
Bootsma 5 games
Watson 3 games
Lucas 8 games
Yarran 6 games
Kruze 6 games
Gibbs 21 games
Murphy 13 games
Russell 1 games
Walker 15 games
Simpson 3 games
Davies 6 games
Livingston 0 games
Kelly 0 games
Vance (oh dear lord) 0 games
Massie 9 games
Smart 1 game (zero stats, not a single disposal)
Burdon 0 games
Campo 24 and a premiership
Everitt hands down, this guy has gears people have not seen yet!
Settle ..... !!
Let's hope he is a serviceable player for us first of, not an instant superstar.
The mood of the meeting seems to be that Cripps has gone past Graham, yet Graham looked like he belonged at times last year, ripped them in the twos, and now has a full preseason behind him. So far, we've seen nothing on Cripps (except U18 video clips) on half a preseason.
I'd be backing Graham at the moment for the first half of the year at least unless Cripps does the remarkable in his NAB appearances.
Everitt hands down, this guy has gears people have not seen yet!
Settle ..... !!
Let's hope he is a serviceable player for us first of, not an instant superstar.
With Eddie gone we may struggle to kick goals, if Reynolds or Johnson could show something in the NAB cup they might get promoted ahead of Wood into Duigans now vacant spot.
I really like the look of Reynolds.....raking left foot kick and kicks them from a long way, we need his type of player for variety and accuracy in front of goal.
Menzel is similar and I have high hopes he can stand up and cement a place this year but I reckon Reynolds could be a weapon along the lines of Brad Pearce..
Everitt hands down, this guy has gears people have not seen yet!
Settle ..... !!
Let's hope he is a serviceable player for us first of, not an instant superstar.
With Eddie gone we may struggle to kick goals, if Reynolds or Johnson could show something in the NAB cup they might get promoted ahead of Wood into Duigans now vacant spot.
I really like the look of Reynolds.....raking left foot kick and kicks them from a long way, we need his type of player for variety and accuracy in front of goal.
Menzel is similar and I have high hopes he can stand up and cement a place this year but I reckon Reynolds could be a weapon along the lines of Brad Pearce..
I agree. Like Reynolds and Johnson. Reynolds could go far.
I reckon with Eddie leaving this opens up a spot for more of a multi-position type of small/medium, or a group of, with guys squarely in the frame to partner Garlett including - Graham, Yarran, Murphy, Gibbs, Judd and Lucas. Buckley might get a go and also Reynolds and/or Johnson but like Menzel they are forwards only at this stage. The man I think that might get a gig as a forward is Kane Lucas. Nick Graham will push hard and even Pat Cripps might spend some time forward. Sam Docherty I wouldn't be surprised to see there at some point with his nice skills and good kicking.
I think as good as Eddie is both he and Garlett were small forwards only. I really think we missed an opportunity a few years back to make Eddie a forward/mid and not just a permanent forward. Nevertheless, more flexibility is MM's mantra. Yarran can go back, forward and even into the middle or a wing with good effect. Multi-positional players are the go and the likes of permanent small forwards, or too many together, might not be by the sounds of it.
Resting rucks up forward (MK, Rowe, Cas) and mids (Murphy, Judd, Gibbs, Graham, Cripps, Thomas, McLean, etc) along with 'switch-hitters' or impact types (Walker, Everitt, Henderson, Yarran, White, Watson, Rowe, Waite, Giles) up forward will be our go.
Settle ..... !!
Let's hope he is a serviceable player for us first of, not an instant superstar.
Nah, Everett can go straight to the mantle in the Billiard room. He is going to be the real deal provided he settles in, and will be a Superstar in the likeness of a Peter Dean / Hyphen love child.
Thomas and Cripps to play R1 and the majority of the season. The others to play bit parts at best, but offer much needed depth and versatility.
We don't typically get alot from our first drafted kids from the get go.
True, but i think Cripps is different. He has a mans body already and a love of the contest. Typically, they are 2 things that most kids need to develop once drafted.
Everitt surely a walk up start given what he offers to the team as a swingman?
We are lucky to have new players like Thomas, Dockerty and Everett. They should walk into the team.
One could expect Casboult, Ellard, Graham and Menzel to be influential this year.
The list is much better in 2014, better balance and we can expect the team mix to evolve to be quite different to 2013.
MickM's second year. It i will be a good year for the Blues !
The mood of the meeting seems to be that Cripps has gone past Graham, yet Graham looked like he belonged at times last year, ripped them in the twos, and now has a full preseason behind him. So far, we've seen nothing on Cripps (except U18 video clips) on half a preseason.
I'd be backing Graham at the moment for the first half of the year at least unless Cripps does the remarkable in his NAB appearances.
Cripps is bigger and bigger is the flavour of the season in mids....Graham is a good ball winner but needs to do more with his disposals and lacks a yard of pace.
Doesnt have much depth by foot and tends to go short too often...I'd like to see him use his hands more and maybe look at Sam Mitchell who initially was a poor kick and relied on handball but then worked on his kicking and is now one of the best players on his no preferred in the comp. Mitchells use of the ball by hand also overcame his lack of pace, slow in the legs but fast in the brain.
Graham has a good footy brain and will make the grade with some hard work.
Everitt surely a walk up start given what he offers to the team as a swingman?
I agree after all why else would MM have flown up to secure him. He has a role to play for sure.
Johnathon Giles
I am expecting us to finally have recruited a key position player that will be the pick of the bunch in this draft largely because the expectations are small, and no one has rated him that highly.
He is a good size already and fairly athletic so I dont see why he cant be the surprise packet.
Everitt surely a walk up start given what he offers to the team as a swingman?
I agree after all why else would MM have flown up to secure him. He has a role to play for sure.
Not to mention he's even 1cm taller than Jamo!
Everitt surely a walk up start given what he offers to the team as a swingman?
I agree after all why else would MM have flown up to secure him. He has a role to play for sure.
The role Mick didn't like Laidler or Duigan playing?
Bit of a difference between Everitt and Duigan and Laidler.
Everitt stands tallest. Everitt also has leg speed.
Just as a point of reference, Everitt and Jarrad Waite are the same height, whilst Everitt is more Andrew Walker than key position player.
If Everitt can play body on body with his man it will get Walker the defensive liability out of our defensive 50m and allow him to play to his strengths up forward.
If Everitt can play body on body with his man it will get Walker the defensive liability out of our defensive 50m and allow him to play to his strengths up forward.
True. Or Everitt and Walker will play the HBF/HFF/wing roles with the help of (hopefully) guys like White and McInnes for example who might be more favoured to play deep in defence (ala Rampe at the Swans allowing Everitt to move across half-back more often and not be dragged too deep). Dunno but might happen.
Really don't like White or McInnes. Prefer McInnes though as he has more upside and was coming back from a knee but I wasn't impressed with either TBH.
Really don't like White or McInnes. Prefer McInnes though as he has more upside and was coming back from a knee but I wasn't impressed with either TBH.
Don't be surprised to find a fit White in the forward line ahead of Casboult or Rowe, especially if both SpecialK and 206 play.
I cannot see SpecialK, 206, Casboult, Jamison, Hendo and Everitt all in the same side.
Would prefer White up forward if anywhere but yeah, would rather him not be there full stop. Great backup but that's where it ends.
Really don't like White or McInnes. Prefer McInnes though as he has more upside and was coming back from a knee but I wasn't impressed with either TBH.
Don't be surprised to find a fit White in the forward line ahead of Casboult or Rowe, especially if both SpecialK and 206 play.
Mick seemed to like White in that long leading forward role that Tarrant used to play. Not sure why when we have a far superior player in 1AW who can do it.
Really don't like White or McInnes. Prefer McInnes though as he has more upside and was coming back from a knee but I wasn't impressed with either TBH.
Don't be surprised to find a fit White in the forward line ahead of Casboult or Rowe, especially if both SpecialK and 206 play.
Mick seemed to like White in that long leading forward role that Tarrant used to play. Not sure why when we have a far superior player in 1AW who can do it.
Mick logic.
Mick seemed to like White in that long leading forward role that Tarrant used to play. Not sure why when we have a far superior player in 1AW who can do it.
Mick logic.
I don't believe 1AW is strong enough body on body, which is why he also seems vulnerable deep in defense. When you are the forward target you have to find a way when things are not in your favor, you just can't let the defense win or your team will lose.
White looks to be able to compete both ways, although I concede he is nowhere near as impressive as 1AW on the run or in a marking situation.
Last time Walker played a full season up forward, he booted 56 goals. That's elite from a guy who wasn't even the main target (and wouldn't be again) no matter which way you look at it. Why he then went back to defense is a bit of a mystery, despite the fact that he had an excellent year in 2013. With additional runners and quality ball users added to the squad this year, I'd love to see 1AW back up forward where, IMO, he plays his best football and belongs. He's an incredibly tough match up for any opposing team.
Back on topic, though, the NAB Challenge should give opportunity to all of our new players to push for a spot in the Round 1 side. We, Mick, and everyone else knows what the rest of our squad can do when they play together, so this is really the only bonafide opportunity to test out new blood without any risk of losing Premiership points.
If every single draftee, FA and Trade acquisition doesn't get a run over the next few weeks, I'll be extremely disappointed.
I think MM put 1AW back into defence because he felt Laidler and Duigan did not provide enough run. Be interesting to see what he does with him this year now we have both Doherty and Everitt.
I think MM put 1AW back into defence because he felt Laidler and Duigan did not provide enough run.
But he took the very best runner in Yarran out of defence as well.
I think MM put 1AW back into defence because he felt Laidler and Duigan did not provide enough run.
But he took the very best runner in Yarran out of defence as well.
As you so eloquently put things on occasions PI2C - he's not a defender's asshole! ;)
I wanna see our Irish guys all get a gig.
remember Zach's first bounce......it bounced back over his head !!! ;D ;D
I think MM put 1AW back into defence because he felt Laidler and Duigan did not provide enough run.
But he took the very best runner in Yarran out of defence as well.
As you so eloquently put things on occasions PI2C - he's not a defender's asshole! ;)
I think he held his own more often than not. I think he really needs to be thrown into the pressure situations where he'll either sink or swim to get the best out of him. That's why defence suits him so well. There's nowhere to hide and if he gets the ball there's plenty of space to run into.