My best 22 includes Boyd and Williams in the backline and Docherty in mids

Losing Boyd and Williams puts a lot of focus on Saad to run the ball.
Opposition will put a tag of some sort on Saad.

We need Docherty back in defence full time to help out Sad unless we can find another running defender to help out.

Cottrell knows how to play the Hb role and he can run. I hope he is ready to play the praccy game against Pies, or the following praccy against Sydney.

Cowans seems next choice, but that is asking too much of a rookie who is a kid just finding his feet amongst men.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Agree. Losing Williams and Boyd changes a lot in our defence.

I hope we try names like Cottrell Honey maybe Cuningham off HB. Hollands could play the role like Daicos did last year and I reckon Cowan is as close to AFL ready as any draftee. IMO the step up won't worry him. Also, Plowman has had a great pre season and is always an option and he is rarely injured

Walsh coming back releases Doc to defence as well.

Gotta win the midfield battle, and Docherty will help there.

I was going to mention Cuningham because he's played HB before, and believe Honey can be good in that position too, but the most reliable one for me, right this minute, is Cottrell.

Walsh coming back really helps and always will add value.

You have been consistent with your praise of Cowan. I haven't heard as much praise from other TBH, but have faith you've followed him closely.

Plow's athleticism looks like an obvious choice and I feel he will be asked to look after small-medium fowards.

If Marchbank or Gov arent available come round 1, I see Plow fitting in nicely, but then again it depends on the height of the opposition forwardline who the 3rd tall is: there's always S,Durdin for cthat type of cover.

We would have the best defence if Willimas and Boyd were avaiable. Boyd may just help that happen, but 2024 it will be a clean slate for those 2 injured players.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Agree about Cottrell but will be borderline for Rd One and has he trained there?

I really like Doc in the middle. Great combo with our inside group. It's why I hope Cowan steps up

A midfield mix of Cripps Walsh Hewett Cerra Doc Kennedy is very impressive and should take us to Top 4 especially with our forward options. Surely we can still develop a very good defence from Weitering Young McGovern Durdin Saad Plowman Newman Cowan Hollands Honey Cottrell Kemp Marchbank with Boyd back by mid year

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Cuningham & Honey are playing for their careers. At least give them a fighting chance and let them play the roles they know.

Similarly, Cottrell’s benefit to the side is putting in the kms to get loose on the overlap. He’s a goer, but contested ball and intercepts aren’t strengths.

Doc, Newy, Cowan, Carroll & even Kemp will be more than adequate rotation through that role.

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

I see it as helping them. They have struggled to get anywhere near cementing a spot and a change may be making of them. So many players have saved their careers by finding a different role.

At the moment Honey (for example) is behind Motlop Durdin Owies Martin Fisher for a role up forward. A change to a positon where we have less options might be exactly what we need

Any news on this?

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#DonTheStash

1-2 weeks…?


kindest regards tommi

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

He’d be better off throwing an extra couple of plates on the bar and taking a run at Dow’s place in the pecking order.

Inside mid, tackling machine, speed to get forward from the stoppage.

It’s easy enough to look over our list & see we’re flushed with inside mids. But, where are they coming from when one or more of Cripps, Chugga or George aren’t in the side? If the replacement can’t match the power of those three, then we’re scrambling to change the entire set up.

I hear what you’re saying, but in this instance, half back will be the end of him.

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

Why not try Martin at half back? He is a strong tackler, reads the play well, good mark, is fast, beautiful delivery and has good vision?
Re Cowan, I've seen him featuring in some journo articles about our likely starters so obviously he is looking pretty good - suspect that would be coming from our coaches.
I'm not convinced by Boyd yet. I like what he brings but haven't seen it enough to warrant him being up there with Saad, Doch or Williams at this stage.

Martin played some good footy at GCS at HB. Can definietly play there.
I just think with him we see him as a dangerous forward if he can stay fit and compliments Charlie/Harry well. Can also take a mark and isn't small like Motlop or Durdin

True….

Martin can win us games in a 1/4 also…!

that needs to be off the HF area…but yeah…
he’d make a great HBF…!


kindest regards tommi

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Chris Yarran comes to mind.

The good bits.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Looking at the predicted Round 1 team in the Herald Sun today, I can see the point abns is making about injury in 2023.
I'm mindful this is an educated guess, based on current situation.

I'm not writing off Cottrell till I see he hasnt played any praccy games.

I don't know what to believe about Gov. I sure dont take the Herald Sun or SEN as gospel. They suggest Gov's preseason has been disrupted, whereas club says he's tracking well and his program has changed from previous years and is managed on an individual program, as is Martin, to avoid the injuries of the past. I've heard similar about Marchbank too. They have 5 weeks before first bounce and 10 days before first praccy game vs Collingwood, and 24 days before Swans praccy game. Who really knows?

From track watchers it sounds like Plowman is ahead of Kemp, and I would have Ed Curnow as a notable absentee too, and he hasnt missed a beat this preseason. Surely Ed is ahead of Carroll in terms of development, strength, experience, stamina......fitness?

Nevertheless, this is a good team.



https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2023-every-clubs-predicted-lineup-for-their-round-1-clash/news-story/5b8cc63a2f7058a0dfd2b85a2795f485

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

AFL website saying Cottrell is a LT injury while Boyd is more ST. I thought it was the other way around.

Either way seems the following won't be much use for a while ...

Walsh
Boyd
Cottrell

I noticed that too.

Who knows?

What I understand is that we can't rely on Cottrell short term,(spewing), but at least we have good options for the wing this year.

Good news on the Boyd front.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Rumours are swirling around that Cunningham has done his shoulder at training this morning.