In the past we do look a better team when he plays. Who knows what the future holds? I like his character so would love to see him do well in our best team under Malthouse.

There are only two new recruits in that list. Who are the players you rate him ahead of? I struggle to find more than 2-3 max.

Do a best 22 and see who misses out for Armfield. Not easy.

Here's my best 25, who should he replace?

B: Tuohy Jamison Laidler
HB: Scotland Watson O'Keefe
C: Gibbs Carrazzo Simpson
HF: Robinson Henderson Waite
F: Betts Casboult Walker
Foll: Warnock Judd Murphy
Int: Yarran Lucas McLean Bell
plus: Ellard Duigan White

close: Graham, Bootsma, Curnow, Menzel, Kruezer, Hampson, Garlett

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

That defence is way too slow, way too slow for the structure of most forward lines these days.

Sure Armfield's 2012 was upfield and to get a game he may have to play back in defence but his pace is absolutely required despite weaknesses elsewhere.

Don't get too worried about positions and there is a lot of speed in that side. However, the key to speed is ball movement. The ability to get the ball to foot or hand quickly and the ability to get the ball over distance quickly.

The ability of Laidler, OKeefe, Watson, Tuohy to kick the ball 50m with penetration to space and over zones and to other players advantage will be a huge advantage. Also, mids like Gibbs, Simpson, Yarran etc will always drop back to create an extra man and some run.

Match that line up to Sydney & Hawthorn and I believe we can match them with both leg speed and ball penetration.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

i would be very surprised if watson is in best 22, sure he is a long kick but takes too long to get ball to boot and has turning circle of a truck. then again ya never know.

Interested in your view on Watson Springsteen, seems to be fresh and in contrast to all reports from summer track watchers. In particular, it's been reported that he's been in the best for the 2 intra clubs.

Have you been to recent training? Certainly, all signs re that MM has him n the best 22 at this point.

..Army is a better BP than Touhy, so that's already one player he can replace, on field.. ..O'Keefe?, really don't see it [yet] and can't see him displacing Army.. ..Snotland is better, but rapidly approaching expiry date.. ..Lucas ought to be better, but has yet to turn potential into reality, so is currently behind Army.. ..ditto Bell, for all his pack bursting midfield grunt, with a full compliment of mids i doubt he can get a look in, and seems more a mid and just a mid at this stage.. ..Army is better than Ellard, Graham has yet to play, Bootsma is a different sort, and regardless is not as good as Army is yet, Menzel likewise has yet to play, so all that potential remains potential [good odds to become reality], i would have Army ahead of Curnow as well..

..in all seriousness i think Army is under-rated on here.. ..he has improved every season he's been at our club, and in a crappy last season was the one player that improved and could be proud of his effort [without being 100% too].. ..his kicking has improved markedly, and isn't as suspect as it once was.. ..he can play 4 roles on the field, so he's very versatile, he can play both attacking instinctive footy, and a controlled game according to coaching.. ..he runs all day, plays hard and fair, never drops his head.. ..he's the exact sort of "foot soldier" that every side has, and that we need.. ..Army is better than the sum of his 'parts', and we've yet in my opinion seen the best he has to offer..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Id take Lucas out for armfield. Armfield is a better player. Character-wise he is a far better option.

It would be nice to think Army would keep his place. He has come a long way and still has qualities that seem lacking in others. Primarily courage, strength, speed and durability.

Played some very good football last year .

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Some fair points. I may not agree with some of them but they have merit.

Armfield may the match up we need for a Milne or LeCras. It is the one position I believe we struggle.

The way I look at it if he gets a role in this side he will deserve it as will anyone else. Depth is a huge part of modern football and the more players we have pushing for a spot the better.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

As long as we don't keep trying to play Joseph on Milne, I'm not all that fussed!

I'm a real fan of Armfield. Although a change of coach always helps some players and hinders others.

Currently

Armfield > O'Keefe
Armfield > Tuohy
Armfield > Lucas

This might change in the future.

I also think Army is more adaptable and add extra pace to the side.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

We keep saying that player A is better than player B, but that's not as important as it is to have our backs playing as a unit.
Malthouse will want strict adherence to plan and especially so in our back-line, as otherwise structures fall down elsewhere.

From what I understand there are no guarantees for players 17 and thereabouts, onwards.
Positions are open and Malthouse is still keeping his cards close to his chest although he hasn't held back in announcing his liking for Watson and O'Keeffe.

At this stage only Jamison, Laidler, Henderson (if fit) and Yarran could be tabled as certainties.

Tuohy, Watson, Duigan, O'Keeffe and Armfield would be in the running, match-up dependent

nope havent been to any training or praccy matches and i would love to be wrong in what i said. i am basing my statement on what i have seen over last couple years.

what he said

I'd be tipping the new MC will be prioritising disposal efficiency and decision making when selecting the teams.
Not sure thats previously been the case.

Today maybe. Given his form in the practice matches and his undoubted talent I am more confident in Lucas's future than Armfields.

Under MM and with 3 years under him I expect Lucas to step up and become a vital part of our side.

I also would not rate Armfield ahead of Tuohy. IMO not even close.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I'd rather play Armfield on Rioli or Milne than have Tuohy mind them.
Army has the necessasry explosive pace to keep up with those types and Tuohy has been inclined to be a bit loose on those pesty types with a bit of pace.

I think its going to be horses for courses, especially if and when we have a healthy list.

IMO the likes of Lucas and O'Keefe have to take the position away from Armfield or Tuohy....of course on the flipside, Army and Zac can lose their spots.

Armfield is a proven performer under Ratts, He has the pace to clear and steady his disposal. He has to because MM will not be playing those who can't keep the ball in play along the boundary, although I did notice how Pies players during MM's reign there did kick the ball out of bounds a fair bit. The common belief was they did that to get the ball away from a dangerous spot and reload to take the ball away...along the boundary again...till Crows worked out how to get around the Pies' defensive wall.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

That's where we get into an entirely different area.

In the practice matches so far MM has had Watson, Laidler, Duigan, Tuohy, Bootsma, Jamison, White, ROK, McCarthy as his mainstay defenders. You would think Scotland may slip in there as well when he comes back.

Given what I have seen so far I can easily see a back six filled with size and ball using capability. The run and support will come from the positioning of the midfield. Watch Collingwood in their Premiership year and how much Jolly, Pendlebury, Swan, Ball etc get back deep in defence to block up space inside defensive 50. I have no doubt we will be the same.

So who plays small defender? It's not obvious to me. Maybe no one will. At Collingwood he didnt really have someone. I remember O'Brien on a number of occasions shutting down Milne or Betts and doing it well. Maybe Tuohy or ROK will do that role or even White or Duigan? The person doesn't have to be small.

When L.Davis went back it was in an attacking role and I can see Yarran or even Garlett (who is being trailled in that role) filling that position.

A settled back 6 will be a priority and more so their ability to play well together and adhere to the game plan will be more important than that of the individual.

In all honesty I don't know, MM may try something entirely new. Will be interesting to see how it pans out though.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Toovey was usually their shut down guy for annoying small forwards.

Obviously Collingwood's defensive system has played a huge role in their success. Although they did manage to have both a very tall and a very, very quick defense (with a couple of elite kicks to bring the ball out). Not sure we have quite the same sort of mix of players. We've got some real quick types. We've got some elite kick types. And we've got some big boys as well.

I'm as interested as the next guy to see what sort of shape our defence takes under MM. I do expect some changes though. Looks like Watson is being groomed. Hard to see Jamo or Henderson or Laidler missing. So I assume that leaves us with some nippy, elite kicks to fill the remaining spots. Yarran and Tuohy seem the most obvious candidates. And there will perhaps be a defensive wingman dropping back as well.

White unlucky to miss out.