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Poll

Who is the best 5 bench players to go with the existing lineup below?

*** currently vacant
*****Backline group*****2 - Lachie Cowan
3 - Jesse Motlop
4 - Oliver Hollands
*****Midfield group*****5 - Adam Cerra
*****Forwards group*****6 - Zac Williams
*****Midfield group*****7 - Jagga Smith
8 - Lachie Fogarty
*****Midfield group*****9 - Patrick Cripps
*****Forwards group*****10 - Harry McKay
11 - Mitch McGovern
*****Forwards group*****12 - Ben Ainsworth
13 - Blake Acres
14 - Ollie Florent
15 - Billy Wilson
16 - Ben Camporeale
*****Forwards group*****17 - Brodie Kemp
*****Midfield group*****18 - Sam Walsh
*****Forwards group*****19 - Will Hayward
***20 - Elijah Hollands - currently not on our list
21 - Lucas Camporeale
*****Backline group*****22 - Harry O'Farrell
*****Backline group*****23 - Jacob Weitering
*****Backline group*****24 - Nick Newman
25 - Liam Reidy
*****Backline group*****26 - Nick Haynes
*****Midfield group*****27 - Marc Pittonet
28 - Harry Charleson
*****Midfield group*****29 - George Hewitt
30 - Jack Ison
31 - Campbell Chesser
32 - Matthew Carroll
33 - Lewis Young
34 - Rob Monahan
35 - Harry Dean
36 - Cooper Lord
37 - Jordan Boyd
***38 - Will White - currently not on our list
39 - Talor Byrne
40 - Hudson O'Keeffe
41 - Matt Duffy
*****Backline group*****42 - Adam Saad
*****Forwards group*****43 - Ashton Moir
44 - Francis Evans
45 - Flynn Young
46 - Matt Cottrell
Topic: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench (Read 360 times) previous topic - next topic
ElwoodBlues1 and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

So in case you are unaware, there is no sub anymore, so 5 on the bench this year.

Choose the 5 who deserve a spot on the bench that compliment our starting 18.

Assume everyone is fit

Some people choose a 7th defender
Some people choose a 7th forward
Some people choose a backup ruck
Some people choose all of the above.
Some people simply choose the best players that are not in the starting 18.

Team so far is....
FB - Cowan - Weitering - Newman
HB - Saad - O'Farrell - Haynes
C - Walsh - Cripps - Smith
HF - Ainsworth - McKay - Hayward
FF - Williams - Kemp - Moir
R - Pittonet - Hewett - Cerra

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #1 –
I've voted for the same player in multiple lines so not sure what this achieves.
"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #2 –
Can we have ten on the bench please
This vote will be all over the shop ::)  :D
Depth ;D  ;D

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Thryleon – on
I've voted for the same player in multiple lines so not sure what this achieves.
I'm not sure what you are getting at.

Im assuming you are saying you've voted for... someone like Ollie Hollands as a midfielder and as a defender and he hasn't got enough votes to get into either starting position yet. So this is the perfect chance to vote for him again and fill out the bench with players that compliment the stating 18. Ideally someone who can fill multiple roles is perfect.

I don't see why that would be an issue though.

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #4 –
It’s been an interesting exercise - and thanks Kruddler for putting the time and effort into the polls.

However, I think that the process has lost connection with reality and we’re now being asked to vote for players we’ve already voted for or have no intention of voting for.

I would prefer a simple vote for 8 defenders, 8 forwards and 7 midfielders.
"Negative waves are not helpful. Try saying something righteous and hopeful instead." Oddball

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #5 –
Quote from: DJC – on
It’s been an interesting exercise - and thanks Kruddler for putting the time and effort into the polls.

However, I think that the process has lost connection with reality and we’re now being asked to vote for players we’ve already voted for or have no intention of voting for.

I would prefer a simple vote for 8 defenders, 8 forwards and 7 midfielders.

Nothing is stopping you from creating what you want.

The logic behind doing it this way is to see a few things....
1. Where people see certain players playing.
2. This highlights some areas of need or at least areas where (to use an NFL term) positional battles are. Eg wing.
3. It's a wisdom of the masses exercise. I doubt any one person will get their best 23, and even if they do it might even be with players in different positions.

For the record, I'd much rather a team with more than 7 midfielders. We start 6 and if we want a 2nd ruck, then any rotation will come from forwards or backs.
Id prefer midfielders who can rest forward or back instead.

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #6 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: Thryleon – on
I've voted for the same player in multiple lines so not sure what this achieves.
I'm not sure what you are getting at.

Im assuming you are saying you've voted for... someone like Ollie Hollands as a midfielder and as a defender and he hasn't got enough votes to get into either starting position yet. So this is the perfect chance to vote for him again and fill out the bench with players that compliment the stating 18. Ideally someone who can fill multiple roles is perfect.

I don't see why that would be an issue though.

I went for players other than Hollands.
The way the format is structured most would have Hollands in our best 23 off the top of their heads but  can't find a spot for him on a single line ahead of others in the same position.
He's a player who plays a couple of postitions but I couldn't push anyone out of a line for him.
So ideal bench player?
Of the ones left I have five I'd rather pick (after ticking and ommitting Ollie several times.)
I guess he's my number 24...and with inevitable injuries he'll play just about every game.

The final team with this format won't be the same as many peoples own, best 23.

Folks will have a different focus as they vote
Some will pump for youth, others experience
Some will favour talls over smalls.
Some will favour the new trade-ins and draftees, others will go for the 'devils' they know.
And with different numbers voting in each poll these different preferences may change.
It's been an interesting exercise, but I'm not sure what revelations it's going to throw up.
And by the first game next year, after a couple of practice games, I suspect people will have changed their minds over a number of players.

If O'Farrell tips Dean 3 votes to 2 there are multiple reasons for that choice.
O'Farrell was starting to show something before he was injured'
Dean's a hope of what 'might' be.
O' Farrell probably won't play much this year
Dean likely will.
There's a chance both will be playing seniors by the end of the year.
There is also a chance (perish the thought) that neither will.

I think I preferred the other format which I feel gave a bit more flexibility to individual choices rather than being forced into a more ridid structure.
Cooper Lord is one of the first players I'd pick after our premium midfielders next year, but he's still there at pick "Bench"

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #7 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Quote from: Thryleon – on
I've voted for the same player in multiple lines so not sure what this achieves.
I'm not sure what you are getting at.

Im assuming you are saying you've voted for... someone like Ollie Hollands as a midfielder and as a defender and he hasn't got enough votes to get into either starting position yet. So this is the perfect chance to vote for him again and fill out the bench with players that compliment the stating 18. Ideally someone who can fill multiple roles is perfect.

I don't see why that would be an issue though.
I had selected acres, hollands, florent, lord, motlop,  dean and skull as forwards defenders or mids.

Whilst I see where you're coming from to select 5 on the bench now is tough because jagga isnt near my best 23 even though he might be talented and good enough to be in it. 

Why? I've only seen highlights of him.  On exposed form id have lord in ahead of him.
Makes it hard to vote for players here
"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #8 –
Everyone's team will be different. No point getting upset you can't fit one player in because another player has been picked.

This exercise gives some insight into potentially how the MC would pick a team. Or at least, should pick a team.

Get the blokes who are best at that position and pick guys on the bench that compliment the team you have.
Don't shoehorn 8 small forwards into the lineup because they are your favourites. Pick a team that's a team.

For mine, the bench players offer cover across a few positions.
So ollie players as he can cover HB and wing.
Motlop and Frankie plays as they can cover small forward and wing/mid
HOK plays as he can cover key forward and ruck.

And Lord plays as an extra midfielder.

I don't think we need Dean in the side when we have weiters and hof with haynes as backup already.... or young for that matter.

Id like to include carroll as well but Ollie being more versatile means he gets the spot.

There is no right/ wrong answer

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #9 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Everyone's team will be different. No point getting upset you can't fit one player in because another player has been picked.

This exercise gives some insight into potentially how the MC would pick a team. Or at least, should pick a team.

Get the blokes who are best at that position and pick guys on the bench that compliment the team you have.
Don't shoehorn 8 small forwards into the lineup because they are your favourites. Pick a team that's a team.

For mine, the bench players offer cover across a few positions.
So ollie players as he can cover HB and wing.
Motlop and Frankie plays as they can cover small forward and wing/mid
HOK plays as he can cover key forward and ruck.

And Lord plays as an extra midfielder.

I don't think we need Dean in the side when we have weiters and hof with haynes as backup already.... or young for that matter.

Id like to include carroll as well but Ollie being more versatile means he gets the spot.

There is no right/ wrong answer


That's true.
It's just a fun exercise. and we can't read a lot into the final team we pick.
Posters will go for favourites or a favourite 'type' of player.
We have no idea of the structure and game style we will play in 2026.
We have no idea of specific roles players will be asked to play.
We'll tend to judge on past form and players at their best and most effective...think Saad (will age catch up with him next year) especially with some emerging half back talent..
We'll tend to go with the familiar.
Players new to the club, or draftees, are relatively unknowns...even the Haywards, Aisnworths and Florents would only have had a passing scrutiny.

The team we end up with in this exercise may mirror the opening round side, it's very unlikely it will mirror the side for our 'wild card' match.  ;)  :D

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #10 –
I don't like this because it highlights how weak our side is.
2012 HAPPENED!!!!!!!

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #11 –
Yep
Cripps, McKay Weitering, Walsh, Hewett all duds

Moir, O'Keefe, Smith, Dean....probably won't get a game in this side.
What were we thinking drafting losers like Hayward and Ainsworth to bolster the forward line.
O'Farrell...will struggle to get back...ever!

We're screwed. :D

Thank heavens for Evans. ;)

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #12 –
Quote from: kruddler – on
Everyone's team will be different. No point getting upset you can't fit one player in because another player has been picked.

This exercise gives some insight into potentially how the MC would pick a team. Or at least, should pick a team.

Get the blokes who are best at that position and pick guys on the bench that compliment the team you have.
Don't shoehorn 8 small forwards into the lineup because they are your favourites. Pick a team that's a team.

For mine, the bench players offer cover across a few positions.
So ollie players as he can cover HB and wing.
Motlop and Frankie plays as they can cover small forward and wing/mid
HOK plays as he can cover key forward and ruck.

And Lord plays as an extra midfielder.

I don't think we need Dean in the side when we have weiters and hof with haynes as backup already.... or young for that matter.

Id like to include carroll as well but Ollie being more versatile means he gets the spot.

There is no right/ wrong answer

Im not getting upset, just highlighting an issue.
"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Lods – on
Yep
Cripps, McKay Weitering, Walsh, Hewett all duds

Moir, O'Keefe, Smith, Dean....probably won't get a game in this side.
What were we thinking drafting losers like Hayward and Ainsworth to bolster the forward line.
O'Farrell...will struggle to get back...ever!

We're screwed. :D

Thank heavens for Evans. ;)
Given TDK, Charlie and Jack were/are now classified as spuds/navy blue infidels and the players we have brought in are vastly superior you wouldnt be able to include the afore mentioned three in your best 23 for next season if they were still on the list and the new recruits were also available?

Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench

Reply #14 –
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on
Quote from: Lods – on
Yep
Cripps, McKay Weitering, Walsh, Hewett all duds

Moir, O'Keefe, Smith, Dean....probably won't get a game in this side.
What were we thinking drafting losers like Hayward and Ainsworth to bolster the forward line.
O'Farrell...will struggle to get back...ever!

We're screwed. :D

Thank heavens for Evans. ;)
Given TDK, Charlie and Jack were/are now classified as spuds/navy blue infidels and the players we have brought in are vastly superior you wouldnt be able to include the afore mentioned three in your best 23 for next season if they were still on the list and the new recruits were also available?

I don't think anyone is saying these players we lost were 'duds'
They were obviously best 23
All three would probably make most folks selctions.
They'd make mine.

But their 2025 form was sub par, except perhaps for Jack who showed some promise as a KPD....before he was injured ::)
So in determining whether we improve from 2025 to 2026 we don't look at their best, we look at what they gave us in 2025 and that gap, if it exists, isn't that large.

The whole list debate centres around the difference between 2025 and 2026
Whether we finish about the same, 11th, whether we drop...or progress.
Some think we'll slide based on the loss of the three amigos.
Some think we'll stay about the same.
Others see us progressing.

We don't know the future.
In a lot of respects the list won't be a determining factor....it will be a better run with injuries, how the new players gel, no issues like player mental health, no division, a totally committed group... and a big change in luck, which hasn't been our friend the last two years.