I don't think SPS should be playing HB either. But like you said, its an area that doesn't have much depth.

Marchbank is in my first 18, anyday of the week, if fit.

The only reason I had Wiliamson at HB in my Best 18 for 2021 and beyond was because

a: He was 3rd quickest in some metrics amongst the measured draftees and there's not a lot of options

b: felt I was missing something when TC and BF posters were crazy about him for a few of his runs and long kicks for us in 2017. I saw minor glimpses, but saw shortfalls too.

Williamson was the best of what we had. We were the bottom of the ladder. Move forward to 2020 and I see the same issues with his over reliance on his left peg which as a weapon I hardly see. He also loved for taking on the game. Yes its nice to have that sort of courage, but still reminds me of the same antics of one Paul Bower.

Another thing some posters love about him is the aggression he shows, which is usually after his opponent has kicked a goal on him. I'd rather see it in play, at the ball.

He ball watches when he should have touch on his opponent's body. I know he's still developing, but the way he is defended by some posters he's either the next Messiah or they are living in hope he becomes more consistent.

I don't think his back injury has any impact on him in 2020 and he looks like the same as he did in 2017. So I don't understand why is given so much slack because of that.

I have a feeling if we get Williams, he will recruited to play midfield but may play HB at times, if some kids step up next year, they may take that spot from Williamson, and I am expecting Kemp or Ramsay to have eyes for that position, but for mine I would give Williamson's spot to Plowman and put Marchbank in the BP as the intercept mark, when Weiters isn't.

Remember that Williamson only came into the team when Newman went down and I am grateful we hade him. Bird in the hand.

The old gen of simpson, murph, betts, kreuzer and curnow had one last crack to make finals and unfortunately we fell short. Its time to clear the deck and let the new generation step up, take the reins and create a winning culture. There are enough players with leader qualities to drive this. Doc, Cripps, Weitering and Walsh.

I fear keeping Murph and Curnow will make Teague start them at the centre bounces which will send us backyards. Keep one of them at best, preferably curnow who will pinch hit for midfield depth or play the odd tagging role. Let the players like SPS, Cunningham, Fisher, Dow, Stocker play their natural positions as their development has stalled playing out of position. Look at the year Weitering has had playing back all season.

This trade period should target key holes in our list. I would start with a genuine midfielder (preferably 25-28yrs) followed by a small pressure forward.

Newman is not a “metres gained running defender” - Williamson has him covered there.

However neither Newman or Williamson are lock down defenders capable of playing on a small forward.

Be that as it may I still prefer Williamson, he missed a lot of football (40 odd games) in the past two years - I think he’ll kick on with another good pre-season and this years experience under his belt.

On Gibbons get your facts straight BV
Bugg was SOs S first choice from GWS surprise surprise surprise as Gomer Pyle used to say
So SOs kind of got that right

What fact didn't I get straight Keogh?
Did we not pick up Michael Gibbons the same year Adelaide picked up McAdam?
Is he not a state league pick up? Has he been not better a better contributor than Shane McAdam?
Just because we picked up other players first doesn't make it a lesser pick.I have no idea what point you're trying to make.

Come on boys.

Behind the sheds.

Must be a dick size contest.

Interesting debate though.
Might check it myself

What fact didn't I get straight Keogh?
Did we not pick up Michael Gibbons the same year Adelaide picked up McAdam?
Is he not a state league pick up? Has he been not better a better contributor than Shane McAdam?
You're just deflecting bringing Bugg into the debate.

He picked Bugg first
If it wasn’t for Bugg going this is too hard Gibbons wouldn’t have gone to Carlton that year

I don’t agree that Levi has been in that bad form, his work around the ground and value to the team as second ruck is underrated. As a forward he takes a lot of attention away from Harry as he almost always gets the best defender. In addition he’s been playing so well that the opposition are putting a lot of time into making sure he is blocked, double teamed and kept away from the ball. He needs to work through this and showing his frustration is not a good look, but I’d argue that the real issue is the lack of any team play to help him in the fwd line, our lack of structure and teaming in the forward line has been pointed out many times by many posters. The coaches need to come up with a system to help Harry and Levi be able to compete 1:1.

In summary, Levi is not in bad form, our forward line coach is in bad form.

Edit - Levi was ranked third in our team on the weekend for dream team points, it maybe a questionable ranking system but he can’t be that bad to be ranked so highly.

Yes and no.

Bugg was the last selection in the 2018 rookie draft, however, we had retained one spot on the list (passed on final ND selection)... then Docherty went down with an ACL and the LTI opened up a second spot.

Cottrell and Gibbons were signed as supplemental selections after that.

100% correct that Bugg was selected before Gibbons. Also correct that Bugg retired before Gibbons was added to the list.

EDIT: The truth most likely lies in the granular details of the list rules as applied to rookie listed players.

Welcome aboard blue5.
Do you like SPS? Hence #5?

You have a lot of friends here at TC who agree with you.
Curnow would be my pick too for a role player, but its time for a new recruit in the midfield (promising one for 3 years) and for the kids to stack on more muscle to play midfield and for Teague to be more ruthless with his magnet board and those favourites not in form.'

Weiters turned 23yo and is in the AA disussions.

Same age is McKay and Curnow, Cuningham and Silvagni. Harry was OK but still needs a lot more muscle and a kicking routine.
They must show huge improvement next year.

Then theres this year's 22yo who turn 23yo next year: SPS, Fisher, Macreadie Williamson and I don't know about Polson.

If 8 of the above step up whilst Dow and OBrien have another development year, we should play finals.

Teague needs to improve too.

What fact didn't I get straight Keogh?
Did we not pick up Michael Gibbons the same year Adelaide picked up McAdam?
Is he not a state league pick up? Has he been not better a better contributor than Shane McAdam?
You're just deflecting bringing Bugg into the debate.

Every team appears to run a core group of 4-6 midfielders who attend the bulk of centre bounces (e.g. 5 or more centre bounces in a game).

What is the core we want to see in 2021?

Cripps
Setterfield
Walsh
?
?
?

He picked Bugg first
If it wasn’t for Bugg going this is too hard Gibbons wouldn’t have gone to Carlton that year

You're right of course. We should let posters bag the club with zero accountability and no expectation of accuracy.
What was I thinking.

Dow
Kennedy
Fisher
SPS
Stocker
JSoS
Gibbons

..there's plenty to run through the middle without using Murphy or Curnow, although I think Curnow will rotate through the middle next year still..

..edit - names listed in no particular order..