Army was a good contributor last year when he played defensive forward. The position suits him IMO as his decision making and foot skills aren't crash hot around the ground which exposes us.

Pace got us no where the past few years, rather good decision makers with above average foot skills to be honest.

The past is the past - we can't claim to be impatient with the predictable style of the last 5 Years, players lacking development opportunities AND then still continue to run with the line "he is better than him" .........or he only plays that position

Anything could take place this year and for certain there'll be plenty of surprises EARLY DOORS!

By the end of the year the competition will rate our list as the best in the comp!

It seems clear that the lineup will change a fair bit from Ratten days. I for one look forward to a renewed hunger and vigour that was evident in 2011 and absent for much of 2012.

And the results will come.

Something like

B: Laidler, Jamison, Watson
HB: Yarran, Henderson, Scotland
C: Simpson, McLean, Murphy
HF: Gibbs, Waite, Garlett
F: Betts, Hampson, Walker
Foll: Kreuzer, Judd, Carrazzo

I/C: Robinson, Armfield + 2

Do you think this Graham kid could be given a shot off the bench? Keep hearing amazing things about him.

Reckon he'll get games this year for sure, and who knows, may be a sneaky chance for Round 1.

That backline looks slow to me. I think we'll play 2 tall defenders + Laidler as the 3rd/medium. Jamo & Hendo are the established pair, but it might be Jamo & Watson as the 2 talls in defence and Hendo going to CHF...

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

I wonder if Henderson might play fullback this year. And Watson centre half back. And then Jamo (with his speed and ability to play tall or small) to play on some of the smaller types like Milne. Or shift back into the main role, if one of the other 2 is struggling.

I like the idea of having a tall backline. Hendo, Watson, Jamo and laidler along with a couple of tuohy, scotland, armfield, yarran as the smalls would be pretty strong I think. Laidler and Jamo are pretty versatile and can play in a variety of sizes. Obviously there would be the occasional opponent that would play a really small forward line and require one less tall, but generally I think all 4 can play in the same backline

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Actually has some merit. Add to that list McCarthy & White who given pre season form I think will be pushing for a spot.

McCarthy was a star in SA at U18 (Captain) and just needs time to grow and develop. The benefits of three pre seasons are now starting to show.

IMO given all this Henderson has to play forward. Why wouldn't you when we are developing such defensive depth?? Be very interesting to see how MM lines up our backline. He will want it settled as soon as possible but I am sure he is not convinced what his best back 6 is. A bit of trial and error will happen early in the season.

I rate White highly and if he was 4-5 cm taller he would be our FB. Jamo isn't that big either.
I would be happy seeing White match up on a J.Reiwoldt, Gunston, Darling etc.

As far out as it seems at the moment don't write off a backline of any combination:

B: Collins/Temay/Armfield White/Jamison Laidler
HB: Tuohy/Yarran/Scotland McCarthy/Watson OKeefe/Bootsma

The ONLY absolute certainty for me at this stage is Laidler.

Not a bad problem to have???

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Yep!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

If this was the case, what would be your forward setup, provided everyone is fit?
Would you play Hendo, Waite, Casboult as talls? (With walker as a medium forward)
Surely this would mean we only play 1 ruckman.
It looks pretty good. I'd be interested to see how Hendo goes up forward. I still think he's played his best footy down back, but being a bit older and more experienced it would be interesting to try him forward again. We never really had the opportunity last year with all the injuries but with Jamo and Laidler fit and the emergence of Watson, McCarthy, and White I'm sure we'll see it at some stage this year

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A lot of what's being said about our use of Hendo makes sense, however it doesn't sound like he's actually going to be used that way. He's been training with the defenders all pre-season from what I gather.

I cant find a place in our team for all these talls which is both disappointing but good:
Kreuzer
Hampson
Warnock
Jamison
Henderson
White
Watson
Casboult
Mitchell
McCarthy
Waite

If McInnes were in the team also... harder again. Some blokes are going to be shafted for games again this year I think. Probably White, Mitchell, McCarthy and up to two of the rucks. Was really hoping those guys would break into the senior team for regular spots.

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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman

As Stefchook said Hendo has been training w the defenders all pre season. So I'm not sure where MM sees him.

As to what I would do, my philosophy in structure doesn't change. Having coached and developed for more than 20 years I have always been a big believer in ball use and players who have natural instincts in regards to best options, positioning etc. IMO this has even become more important with zones, flooding and such.

The reason I am so optimistic about this year and beyond is that I see our list as talented and filling many roles but has been used and developed poorly. This causes confusion and lack of confidence.

With MM at the helm the players will now have a clear agenda and style in which they can develop their own games. The clearer a player is in mind the better they can play to their maximum ability.

For me an ideal line up is:

B: Collins White Laidler
HB: Bootsma Watson OKeefe

C: Yarran McLean Carrazzo Simpson
Foll: Warnock Judd Murphy

HF: Gibbs Henderson
F: Betts Casboult Walker

Int: Tuohy Robinson Bell Waite

Unlucky: McInnes (mid year) Ellard Lucas Menzel Kruezer Graham Duigan Jamison McCarthy Armfield Scotland Hampson

That's 34 players who could easily be in our top 22 this year. Depth is important.

Reasoning:

In defence I would really like to see a small shutdown defender. IMO Collins is the right person. He isn't the most talented but is hard and will always put the team first. His ball use is also fairly good and his pre season has been outstanding. I put White ahead of Jamo, not by much but he is a better offensive option and an excellent shut down player. Laidler is a gun and will be vital in third man up and assisting White. Also vital link player and his kicking is elite. OKeefe is much the same and with some continuity will show his worth and he is hard and tough. Watson is big and is improving and his kicking again is elite, I can however see McCarthy challenging him for that spot. Add Bootsma who is young and raw but has poise and that is a potential top class unit. The key will how they work together and how much the midfield assist.

The midfield talent and depth is first class. They will play 1-2 extra from HF and will rotate through deep defence. Do not be surprised to see Judd playing that role a lot. Smart, will position himself in the right spots, has dash, will create offensive opportunities and his contested ball winning is hugely underrated. The other key will be rotations, there is effectively 11 mids in that side. The more mids we can have as part of the best 22 the better we will be. That is why guys like Garlett, Hampson, Kruezer may struggle because of that need. The bigger bodies of Tuohy, Bell, McLean will also be a bonus.

Any issues with injury is handled with our flexibility. Laidler can play tall if needed. Waite, Henderson and Walker can easily go into defence if needed. Watson can handle some ruckwork in defence and Henderson/Casboult down forward allowing Warnock more minutes on the ball.

Up forward we have flexibility and options. Henderson is smart and clean. Casboult is a bash and crash option and Walker and Waite can play tall or small. Betts will thrive around this. Not to mention mids in Judd, Gibbs, Murphy, Robbo etc all enjoying time up there. Want to get a mid confident and "up", let him kick some goals.

In the ruck Warnock is the best No.1 option as he will bring our mids into the game. He is our BEST tap ruckman. However, I have no issue with Kruezer or Hampson taking that role. Competition is good.

All in all this sides ball winning capabilities and their ball use are high class. The best sides I have ever seen are Hawthorn 80s, Brisbane early 2000s and Geelong over the past 6-7 years. They all had this combined ability and were exceptionally well drilled. IMO we have that "potential".

Imagine being the opposition coach trying to match up on that line up???

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

That back-line is a real stretch there Psyche.
No way would we go in with such an inexperienced set-up.

Armfield Jamison Laidler
Yarran Henderson Tuohy .... gives us the speed, strength, height that may be the starting point for an ideal back 6.

Jamison is taller and has better closing speed than White
Bootsma has another year to go before too much trust could be laid upon him.
Collins is better than he was last year but will still get over-awed under pressure.
Watson will be used but no one is really sure just yet.
O'Keeffe has the temperament to be seriously considered and has enough weapons to really give things a good shake and could relieve one of Yarran or Tuohy quite easily.

Mostly in the physio room I think

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We're going to need a horrid injury run for both Collins and O'Keefe to be eligible.

I'll be pretty disappointed if Collins gets a go this year.

If that back line stands up, we'll win the premiership in a canter! IF it does, it certainly adds depth and match up challenges across the rest of the ground

I don't know, that back 6 with <100 games between them, may be a little old and stale to see out a season let alone win the premiership..

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