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Based on what we have now I believe our best 22 next year will look like this:
B: Touhy Bower Russell
HB: Yarran Austin O'Keefe
C: Gibbs Grigg Simpson
HF: Walker Henderson Garlett
F: Betts Kruezer Waite
Foll: Warnock Judd Murphy
Int: Lucas Ellard Carrazzo Armfield
That leaves guys like Scotland, Robinson, Houlihan, McLean, Jamison, White, Hampson, Casboult, Kerr putting pressure on for spots which is always good.
Others like Dare, Donaldson, Cachia are probably another year away.
We need a key defender with size and if we don't recruit one Austin has to stand up. Setanta is an option as he is not a key forward.
A lot of our hopes next year will depend upon the improvement of Warnock, Yarran, O'Keefe, White, Robinson, Lucas, Austin, Bower & McLean. We know what Judd, Murphy, Gibbs, Simpson, Carrots etc can do. The improvement needs to come for the next level.
We need to recruit a large bodied defender and we need more consistent on ballers who use the ball well and can play 4 qtrs. I still believe we fall away badly in our bottom six each week.
Warnock and Kruezer need to add some muscle. Casboult is a wildcard, a full pre season and he could be the perfect big forward with time in the ruck.
Yarran needs to spend the year in defence. He has class, skill and poise but needs to be in the game more and learn consistency. A year in defence will do him wonders. It is very hard to play consistent football in the forward pocket. For the same reason Betts needs to work harder and spend more time on the ball. He is the best reader of balls of the pack and his use on the run is excellent. Something we lack.
A fit Lucas will add a lot with his run and ball use and he already has the engine to add to the midfield.
I have been impressed by Tuohy all year and his improvement has been enormous. I expect him to play seniors next year where his ball use and hard body work will be a major benefit.
Walker up forward with the talls and smalls we have could be a major headache for opposition clubs. He along with Waite, White, Casboult, Hendo and Kruezer will cause some headaches. Kerr, Garlett and Hoops will be pressing for the same spot where their defensive efforts will be the key.
On paper our forward line is every bit as talented as Geelong's or Collingwood's. The difference is structure and our use into our forward 50. Improve that and we could be a very attacking side.
Unfortunately it looks like Jacobs will be traded out of necessity and Thornton and Walker may be trade options as well. Guys like Wiggins, Fisher, Tiller, Johnson, Browne and even Hadley may struggle to be around in 2011.
O'Keefe is a wildcard. The guy has a big body, is tough and is a fantastic left foot kick that is long and accurate. The fact is though he hasn't got on the park and has played limited game time in the last two years. Fingers crossed he stands up.
The other change we need is in the coaching box. Ratten has got another year and fair enough but he needs help. The positions of guys like Riley, Monty, Harvey, Lappin, Teague, Bradley need serious consideration. A game day coach like Laidley in the box with Ratten on the bench surrounded by the next wave of young coaches like Scott, West, Waters, Cameron etc would add a freshness to the group. Maybe it's time for Harris or Harvey to coach the Bullants?
A little bit of luck, some smart trading (ala a big bodied key defender and some more mids with vision and skill) will have my expectations very high for a top 4-6 spot in 2011.
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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015
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