Thought long and hard about Carrazzo and whilst I think he'll still be included, I'm over his 'over-possession of the footy' and lack of using the first option when it presents itself. Seeing as McLean isn't in that team, Ellard does his fair share of the grunt work and tackling, of which he is renowned.

Laidler will still have to prove himself over the summer in some practice matches, however I am very confident he'll be a part of the back 7. Duigan is the one with the bigger

I can see where the Doc is coming from re Carrots, but on the flipside I think Carrots knoes how to hold the ball and control play...poise..something the inexperienced wouldn't know how to do. Comparing Ellard with Carrots is a personal thing. IMO when comparing the total package Carrots wins hands down............................imo

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I have a lot admiration for what Ellard has achieved in the last 12 months, but I can't see him being selected ahead of Carrots at this stage. In fact, I think Ellard, AJ & Davies will struggle to get regular games unless Scotland, Houlihan or Carrots decline sharply and/or we have a nightmare run with injuries.

I haven't seen enough of Laidler yet to have an opinion on him. Looking forward to seeing him in action

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

getting harder and harder which is a good thing,

-can austin step up?
-can watson play more than a few games?
-will gibbs go into the middle?
-how tall do we go?
-will mitchell play games in the second half?
-will pat mac play many games?
-how many taggers do we play?
-who gets the other half back role?

looking forward to next year all ready,

Very tough picking a team nowadays. Going thru the list, it is now evident that we have a lot of KP Defenders on the list now, and if Watson & McCarthy develop how we would like, its going to be a great battle for those positions.

First Team:
FB) D Armfield M Jamison P Bower
HB) J Russell S White K Lucas
C) K Simpson B Mclean J Garlett
HF) M Murphy L Henderson M Robinson
FF) E Betts J Waite C Yarran

Ru) R Warnock C Judd B Gibbs

Int) A Walker A Carrazzo M Kruezer
Sub) H Scotland


Second Team:
FB) N Duigan P McCarthy Z Tuohy
HB) J Laidler M Watson B Thornton
C) R O'keefe J Cachia M Davies
HF) A Collins M Austin R Houlihan
FF) R Kerr S O'hAilpin L Mitchell

Ru) S Hampson D Ellard A Joseph

Int) L Casboult E Curnow A McCinnes
Sub) J Dare


The depth in defenders is evidenced by O'Keefe & Davies being on the wing in 2's, while i think Austin is a CHB rather than a CHF, but would prefer to give Watson the experience there.

If i'm being honest, it now looks like we should be adding quality mids over the next couple of drafts. Depth in this area doesn't seem as strong as it previously has been.

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@cecil_anderson

I agree with these sides however would like to see Ellard in the best 22...maybe ahead of Scotland who turns 31 next year.
Really hope either White or Austin can step up next year and become reliable key defenders.

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There is no footy god

I am pleased that this has become such a difficult selection process.

For Round 1 2011, absent injury, Scotland will be in the first team. He will play a directing and ball distribution role from the defensive 50 arc. Whether he plays all 22 H 9 A games will depend on his fitness and form. This is what he is doing in practice routines now.

The objective of the careful selection of new players and development of the existing players is to achieve the following outcome

--- For almost every position in the 1st 22, the good news is that there are players that can slot into the role that needs to be replaced with not much downside ---

Despite the great potential of the new additions from the 2010 drafts, we are not quite there yet but will probably be there this time next year.

The last new 18 year old to play most of the H + A season was Matt Kreuzer and as good as the new kids look in December they are not in the same league as he is. it is unusual and should not be expected that young kids can take the place of and keep replacing mature players in the 1st 22.

Therefore the emphasis at Round 1 is to select mature bodies who can play to the new team rules.

My best guess is

FB Armfield, Jamieson, White
HB Russell, Austin, Scotland
C Simpson, Gibbs, Walker
HF Garlett, Henderson, Robinson
FF Hampson, Waite, Betts
R Warnock Judd, Mclean
Bench Carrazzo, Duigan, O'Hailpan, Houlihan

This only 1 new body but over time more new players will get into the 1st 22 as declines in form and fitness take their toll.

No Murphy or Bower?
If O'Hailpin is a regular next year that means we aren't progressing.

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There is no footy god

not sure what the team will look 100% like, but at a guess sam i believe murphy, bower, lucas and yarran will all start in our first 22.

Boy it really is a hard best 22 to pick if all players are available. This is just as a snapshot, not necessarily my best 22 but just to highlight who potentially gets left out

FB - Dennis Armfield, Michael Jamison, Simon White
HB - Jordan Russell, Paul Bower, Nick Duigan
C - Kane Lucas, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson
HF - Christopher Yarran, Lachlan Henderson, Andrew Walker
FF - Jeffrey Garlett, Jarrad Waite, Eddie Betts
R - Robert Warnock, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy
Inter - Shaun Hampson, Mitch Robinson, Brock McLean
Sub - Matthew Kreuzer

As a result, the likes of Anderw Carrazzo, Heath Scotland, Jeremy Laidler, Aaron Joseph, David Ellard, Andrew Collins, Ryan Houlihan, all miss out.

Its hard to decide what the effect of the sub rule will be in terms of adding an extra tall to the side or an extra runner. I think the above side is probably too tall with Warnock, Hammer and Krooz (sub) and maybe the extra runner as sub will prove more beneficial.

Also, maybe sides will roll the dice and only carry 2 KP's both up front and back for extra run. Then a player like Simon White would probably make way for a Carrazzo or Scotland I suppose. It is always an interesting exercise...

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C'mon Blueboys!

A few teams around here have no Carrots.

Perspective - top 5 in B&F last year and in the leadership group. He and Juddy nearly pulled the Swans final out of the fire in the 3rd quarter. Short, short, memories.

Will be in our best 22. Robbo and the likes ahead of him, purrlease.

Anyway, here's my crack at it:

B- Army, Jamo, White
HB- Laidler, Bower, Russell
C- Simpson, Gibbs, Lucas
HF- Garlett, Hendo, Walker
F - Kruezer, Waite, Betts

R - Warnock, Murphy, Judd

Inter - Carrazzo, Ellard, Yarran


Sub - Scotland/Duigan/McLean

B- armfield jamison lucas HB- bower waite russell c- simpson gibbs kruezer HF- yarran henderson murphy FF- betts warnock collins/gartlett R- hampson judd mclean INT- walker scotland carazzo SUB- houlihan/laidler if other teams want to go small by all means let them i say we play our 3 talls and use the new rule to exploit the competition we have arguably the most mobile talls in the league use them.. kruezer on a wing is a weapon he can drift forward and cause havoc and also be used as a marking target in the midfield eg when play is stagnant in backline. not sure why white is in a lot of teams still think he's a fair way off, there is better options, jamison must improve significantly on last year his spoiling is great but his decision making and kicking are diabolical, watson and mcarthy to breakthru hopefully in 12 to 18 months maybe sooner.. i think mclean is ready for a big year

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"Then joked and said he (Jack himself) probably wouldn't even need to play until round 2 against Collingwood."

Had a slow day at work today so put some thought into this. I won't say its harder than ever, its all relative really, but there is some genuine depth, some change and importantly opportunity for players to develop with the Bullants rather than being thrown to the wolves.

B: Armfield, Jamieson, Laidler
HB: Russell, Bower, Scotland
C: Lucas, Gibbs, Simpson
HF: Walker, Henderson, Garlett
F: Betts, Waite, Robinson
R: Kreuzer, Judd, Murphy
I/C: Warnock, Carrazzo, McLean
Sub: O'hAilpin

Armfield - Was tempted to try to move him into the midfield to inject some pace, but the way football is played now he's not stuck in the back pocket away from the play. He can start his run from defence, carry the ball, break lines and hopefully won't be exposed trying to pinpoint passes deep forward. Joseph would be the obvious back up here, but I see Armfield offering more.

Jamieson - Still our best option at Full Back. Struggled at times last year, but as I thought about that last year and think it was about getting 22 games and staying injury free. He may have been learning to play a different style of game where his shoulders won't be exposed.

Laidler - I have a Geelong supporting mate who thinks he's a big loss. Would have been close at Geelong even with Milburn staying on so I doubt he would have moved without being confident of getting a regular game. I see him playing that third tall, supporting Bower and Jamieson and providing good disposal coming out of defence.

Russell - Came of age in a big way last season finishing 2nd to Judd in the B&F. There's been talk of moving him to the midfield but I dont see the benefit given the way he played last season. Laidler and Duigan will provide support and play similar roles.

Bower - I really believe his momentum was ruined last season with the injuries and having to come back a couple of times. I'm a big Bower fan and believe he can be AA at CHB. I don't see him as a flanker at all. His strength will be an ability to play on the gun mobile CHF's and then run off them and hurt them going the other way. His form is there playing on Franklin and Reiwoldt and was earmarked to play on Brown last season before injury. You may not agree with me, but that shows where Ratten sees him as a player....at CHB.

Scotland - I struggled with this position more than any other. Scotland moved into the midfield last season and his position in defence might be the one who follows a forward into the rotation. Initially I had Yarran here and also considered Duigan or Lucas.

Lucas - Provides the run we need and while I wasn't sure about him playing off a wing or HBF, I was certain about him being in our best 22.

Gibbs - All indications are that he'll move more into the midfield this season and the recruitment of Laidler and Duigan make it possible. Can't question his usage or ability to get the ball, but he'll need to play two ways and not be exposed when we don't have the ball.

Simpson - Mr Reliable, Simmo will do what he does. Maybe he's come as far as he can as a player, I'm hoping he can step it up as a leader this season and be the little voice inside everyone's head that keeps them playing honest, accountable football.

Walker - Forward, back or midfield. Many see him as a lead up forward, I'm not sure you want to put that kind of pressure on his arms/shoulders each week by expecting him to take contested marks. I think he'll play as a half forward but push further up the ground and play as an extra midfielder or maybe the defensive forward at times.

Henderson - A given, whether he or Waite play closer to goal or further up will change from week to week. I don't expect match winning performances from Lachie, just further improvement and for him to hold onto more marks. Hopefully he's working on his upper body strength while out with a hip injury.

Garlett - Just about my favourite player now. Pace to burn and importantly he knows where the goals are. Will come under more attention this season so pushing him further up field at times will help keep him in the play and make it more difficult for an opponant to sit on him.

Betts - Has been our most important forward, as a goal kicker, a CHF, crumber and putting pressure to keep the ball in at the same time. We need to get the balance better and Eddie will cope better than that. From all reports he's settled better off field which can only help his football and fitness. Will also push into the midfield at times as he's one of our better clearance players, his fitness just hasn't allowed him to so. Will still only be used there in bursts though.

Waite - Has to play forward. He should only be used in defence as a last resport or push down there late in quarters if needed. This is an important season for Waite. He's not a young player anymore, has a full season back from his knee injury and if we're to take the next step he has to be one of the players dragging us there.

Robinson - The second hardest position to fill. This should ideally be the defensive forward spot for the oppositions most creative and 'go to' backman. Houlihan is the other contender, as well as Yarran with Walker taking the defensive side. Mitch has all the potential, the big advantage he has over the others is his aggressiveness at the ball and the man. He also has the ability to kick clever goals, not quite like Houlihan, but he offers the kind of hardness our coaching staff are looking for this season.

Kreuzer - I don't expect him to play #1 ruck first up, but this is our best 22. With a reduced interchange he'll spend time up forward as well, and everyone is impressed with his work around the ground and at stoppages, but he is firstly a ruckman and our best one at that.

Judd - Hopefully with the change in coaching staff there's a bigger focus on our midfielders spreading from stoppages because apart from seeing him kick more goals that the only weakness in his game. As we improve I can only see Judd getting better and becoming more vaulable as a game breaker and a weapon to hurt the opposition rather than being the workhorse at stoppages he is now.

Murphy - See my first point on Judd. I really hope Murph is encouraged to focus more on playing both ways. I'd also like to see him hit the scoreboard more like he did in 2009. I think we'll all come to realise how much the interuption to his pre-season last year really hurt Murphy.

Warnock - Will obviously battle Hampson to partner Kreuzer as our ruckman. We saw signs last year of what drew our attention to him. I was particularly impressed with his ability to go forward and take a mark. That will be ever valuable with the reduced interchange.

Carrazzo - His place in the side is his until someone takes it from him. The knock is on his collecting possession without hurting the opposition. He's one of our leaders so hopefully with the new focus on accountability he'll become more aware of his opponant as well.

McLean - I see him as being very important in releasing Judd and Murphy. With the expected reduction in rotations the game should slow down and allow him to keep up. If he can get to his best we'll be a much better side. Ellard will be in waiting if he doesn't make it.

Subs

O'hAilpin - I picked Santy as the next tall although I'm not really sure we'll go with an extra tall. I think we're covered with Waite or Henderson going back and a ruckman forward if injury strikes during a game. This is more about direction than whether he really is in our best side.

Duigan - Mature age recruit, has to be ready to step straight in. He'll be interesting to watch and see if he's up to it or not.

Yarran - Initially I had him in the side as a HBF, but maybe Scotland keeps him out and allows Yarran to develop that side in the Bullants for a little longer

Ellard - His player thread initially got me wondering if he'd make our best 22. To make it he has to push McLean out.

Joseph - Played the last 2 seasons and now I can't find a place for him. I think we need to become more rounded as a side and not have a guy just to play defensive. Our midfielders need to be able to shut the opposition down as well as win the ball themselves.

Hampson - I see him behind Krezuer and Warnock. He could really throw his name up if he can show some form drifting forward and kicking goals and maybe more importantly holding some of those marks.

Collins - Needs to push Walker out to get a start for mine. Has a decent dip at it so hopefully he can become a Hickmott type player. Will become a crowd favourite if he can. A good depth player.

Well, that gives us a core of 28 players to pick from. I've ignored the rookies for this, I really only see ROK getting a good look on that other HBF Scotland is on now.

One thing I remember one of TC's old friends saying was we'll be a good side with Houlihan, Scotland and Carrazzo are no longer automatic selections. Carrazzo is the only auto for mine at the moment so I think we're getting there.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

A good team, I would be worried about Bower at CHB, seems to be monstored by the power forawrds - I'd prefer him as a HBF

Agree about Garlett, I would love to see him on a wing, he would be Michael Long-esque with his pace to burn

Agree 100% with the carrots call, was at the game and his 3rd quarter and clearance work was as good as you will see, it wasnt just Judd that got us back in that game.

Good post TBB. Enjoyable read.

On paper, our backline still looks vulnerable. Let's face it, we don't have English Southby Doull Harmes Hunter SOS - so we need to be better at TEAM defence...disciplined/quick defensive transitions, hard tackling, applying pressure all over the ground, smart body positioning - what Ted Hopkins might call "disconnecting" opposition systems (he refers to "Disruptive Pattern Theory"). This takes fit, tough, committed players...and SMART well-drilled players. I'm hoping that with experience - and new Assistant Coaches - our players will get to the level that Collingwood, Geelong & St Kilda have in recent times....

But in terms of personnel, it would be a huge bonus if Jamo & Bower rediscovered their best form in defence. They are due for some luck with injury. JR and, to a lesser degree, Armfield are established, and no doubt we'll see any number of other players rotated through the backline from the midfield like Scotland, Gibbs, Yarran and Lucas.

And hopefully at least one of Laidler, Austin, Watson, McCarthy, McInnes and Duigan will jump up and hold down a spot back there. Who knows, maybe even T-Bird can turn back the clock?

But gone are the days when we could rely on a impenetrable back six. The whole team has to take responsibility for defence and attack now.

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Agree completely about Team Defence ABNS. I think Laidler will make a big difference in being that third tall, third man up in contests and helping out. I also made mention of the need for Gibbs, Judd, Murphy and Carrazzo to play both ways.

If those things happen Jamo and Bower will be much more able to cover the gun forwards and Bower can exploit his man with his run and attack.

Its possible to turn our weakness into a strength quickly.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Interested in the view on Simon White - thought he looked good at the start of last year before getting injured and a level above Davies. Sounded like he had some surgery to free up his running and should be quicker than last year. Does break lines and goes for a run and can take a mark.

I would have him in before Laidler as the 3rd up, but don't know much about Laidler.

As neither ABNS or TBB considered White wondering if this was an oversight or you just don't believe he is good enough?

Thoughts?

I think he's borderline.

The problem is we have a lot of that third tall type at the club and I think Laidler will definitely play.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

I think Houlihan will play round 1.

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You heard it here first!