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Name your team for Opening Round

No polls, no votes, just name the 23 players you think will run out against the Fluffy Ducks.

While team structure is important, you don’t have to name players in positions but keep team balance in mind.

You can have 8 defenders, 8 forwards and 7 midfielders, or any other combination of 23 players.  Apart from Harry O’Farrell, assume that everyone on the list is available.  White and E Hollands aren’t on the list.

My 23 is:

Defenders - Weitering, Newman, Cowan, Florent, Haynes, Saad, Dean, L Young.

Midfielders - Cripps, Pittonet, Walsh, Hewett, Acres, Smith, Hollands

Forwards - McKay, Hayward, Williams, O’Keeffe, Kemp, Motlop, Moir

Emergencies - Lord, Cerra, Ainsworth

I thought that Lord and Cerra would be monties, but I just couldn’t fit them 🤔
"Negative waves are not helpful. Try saying something righteous and hopeful instead." Oddball

Re: Name your team for Opening Round

Reply #1 –
Quote from: DJC – on
I thought that Lord and Cerra would be monties, but I just couldn’t fit them 🤔

Depth ;)  :D
I'm going to have a think about it (but I won't be leaving Lord out :D  )
He's my guy for 2026

Re: Name your team for Opening Round

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Lods – on
Depth ;)  :D
I'm going to have a think about it (but I won't be leaving Lord out :D  )
He's my guy for 2026

I said in one of Kruddler's polls that Lord was definitely in my midfield rotations but I went for the untried Jagga Smith and the two "specialist" wingers in Acres and Hollands.  I suspect that Lord will be in the 23 more often than not.
"Negative waves are not helpful. Try saying something righteous and hopeful instead." Oddball
 

Re: Name your team for Opening Round

Reply #3 –
Newman, Weitering McGovern
Saad Haynes Florent
Cottrell Cripps Chesser
Ainsworth McKay Motlop
Hayward Kemp Williams

Reidy Hewett Walsh

Cerra, Smith, Cowan, Carroll

Side looks well balanced however it’s clear that unless one of McGovern, Haynes, Dean or Kemp stands up as a key defender we’ll be exposed.  Other concerns are our ability to defend clever/strong small forwards & the durability of Cottrell & Chesser who could provide much needed pace.

All of Cripps, Weitering, Smith, Hewett, Walsh, Kemp, McKay, Cerra, Hayward, Saad and possibly McGovern have the ability to make the AA squad so let’s hope we see at least half of them get there.

Unlucky not to make the side  - Okeefe (could swap with Kemp), Dean (could swap with Haynes or McGovern), Lord, Pittonet, Acres, Boyd, Hollands, Moir & Evans

Re: Name your team for Opening Round

Reply #4 –
I doubt OH falls behind Chesser or Cottrell in the pecking order, Carroll might struggle.

So much depends on our game plan for 2026, it must surely change but to what exactly, we have no idea as yet!

Plus, there going to be an extra bench spot for 2026 so I'm sure one of them will be a ruck or KPP?
"Extremists on either side will always meet in the Middle!"

Re: Name your team for Opening Round

Reply #5 –
Dean Weitering Florent
Saad L.Young Newman
Chesser Cripps O.Hollands
Hayward O'Keeffe Motlop
Moir McKay Ainsworth
Pittonett Cerra Walsh
Lord Smith Williams Cowan Hewitt

Re: Name your team for Opening Round

Reply #6 –
Forwards :
McKay
Motlop
Williams
Hayward
Kemp
Moir

Mids + Ruck :
Pittonet
Cripps
Hewett
Walsh
Cerra
Smith

Defenders :
Weitering
Newman
Haynes
Dean
Florent
Cowan

Interchange : Evans, Byrne, McGovern,  O Hollands, Ainsworth

You could select a few combinations and still have a decent team. I found it tougher to select a starting line up than I have in several years.

Re: Name your team for Opening Round

Reply #7 –
Quote from: JonDorotich – on
Newman, Weitering McGovern
Saad Haynes Florent
Cottrell Cripps Chesser
Ainsworth McKay Motlop
Hayward Kemp Williams

Reidy Hewett Walsh

Cerra, Smith, Cowan, Carroll

Side looks well balanced however it’s clear that unless one of McGovern, Haynes, Dean or Kemp stands up as a key defender we’ll be exposed.  Other concerns are our ability to defend clever/strong small forwards & the durability of Cottrell & Chesser who could provide much needed pace.

All of Cripps, Weitering, Smith, Hewett, Walsh, Kemp, McKay, Cerra, Hayward, Saad and possibly McGovern have the ability to make the AA squad so let’s hope we see at least half of them get there.

Unlucky not to make the side  - Okeefe (could swap with Kemp), Dean (could swap with Haynes or McGovern), Lord, Pittonet, Acres, Boyd, Hollands, Moir & Evans

Hey dorotich you're short one on the interchange
"everything you know is wrong"

Paul Hewson