Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Reply #16 –
My approach is to have at least three players capable of playing on the wing among my seven or eight midfielders. They should have plenty of stamina, the ability to nullify their opponent, be able to break the lines, and hit targets inside 50.
On paper at least, we have plenty of candidates; Acres, the Camporeales, Chesser, Cottrell, O Hollands, and Smith, and Cerra, Haynes, Lord and Walsh all played on the wing last season as did Docherty and Binns.
Acres was hampered by a bulging disc last season and was way below his best. He looks to be moving freely again and, if he can regain his previous form, should be a monty on one wing.
The Camporeales have potential and I expect both to play in 2026. They will need things to go their way if they get the nod over those ahead of them in the pecking order.
Chesser comes into our squad in place of Docherty/Binns and his injury history means that he’s a bit of an unknown quantity. He was a very highly regarded junior and was taken as a first round draft pick despite suffering meniscus damage in his draft year. His first pre-season crashed when he smashed his ankle and ongoing ankle issues, and another knee injury, restricted him to just 32 games in his first three seasons. He had ankle surgery in the 2025 pre-season and missed the first half of the season before earning a place in the Eagles’ side for the last four games. His form in those games was the best of his career and finally revealed his ability. The point of difference with our other candidates for a role on the wing is his genuine foot speed. However, that’s not going to get him a game by itself, and I’d have him just ahead of the Camporeales in the pecking order, unless he can show the form that demolished Ed Langdon in round 21.
Matty Cottrell really cemented his place in the team as a link up high half forward but there’s a lot more competition for spots in the forward line now and I suspect that his best chance of a senior recall will be on the wing. Of course, there’s plenty of competition for winger roles too and Matty has to overcome his stress fracture issues.
The arrival of Ollie Florent probably means that Ollie Hollands won’t be required in defence this season and wing is probably his best position. Ollie rarely loses a one on one contest and he has an ability to create contests when the opposition seems likely to break away. Ollie’s not quick though and his kicking can lack penetration and accuracy.
I’m not sure where Jagga Smith will play in 2026, but he could line up on the wing. He is fast, elusive, reads the play well, makes good decisions and is a good user of the ball. I don’t know about his defensive work but, if he’s the one with the pill, he doesn’t need to defend.
My pecking order for a spot on the wing in Opening Round is Acres (subject to fitness), O Hollands, Smith, Cottrell (subject to fitness), Chesser, L Camporeale and B Camporeale. Walsh, Cerra and Lord could be in the mix too, if required.
Then there’s Nick Haynes. The experiment of playing him on the wing in the last two rounds was a success and he could provide us with a different look and more marking power in our midfield. McGovern has been training with the defenders and I don’t think we’d necessarily go with both him and Haynes in defence. If Haynes is training with the midfielders, I won’t be surprised if he’s on the wing in Opening Round.
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