Cheers and good morning BV.

BV wrote



Jackson's a beauty, I knew you'd have some sort of contigency plan for him...and what you desribed suits him and Carlton to a T.

I was kidding about Blackers, I just didn't have the eart to make a joke about Pagan, the bench with BV in the same sentence. I can't see Blackers winning a spot at all with the midfield depth we have.

A further point that keeps on going around my read regarding the HBF and their role in midfield rotations.

We are all crying out for a stable back 6. This year there's choice. I wonder though if rotating different players at HB would descrease stability.

I get the feeling the rotations from the HBF position, in yours and other posters teams, with the likes of Scotland, Walker and Gibbs, are suggested because they can't fit them into the midfield, despite them being adept to the position of midfielder.

I'm on the fence on that; there's positives for sure, but I can also see one negative. I don't have an answer, just an opinion.

I love the idea of the tough, uncompromising Scotland in the midfield. Before Judd came on board, and with question marks on Stevens, I was hoping that Scotland could start in the midfield with Carrazzo and Murphy.

BV, with all the focus on hands on development by experts, you must be happy and building confidence in the prospects of this team. You needn't answer that; I think we all know where you sit on that point.

When I think of drills, I don't think Bunnings, I think BV.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I didn't write that Bondi.

But as for Scotland, I think he does the sweeper role better than he does a midfield role. In midfield, he is too unaccountable. Down back, he can run around free and mop up, and does it very well.

Walker will stay in defense until he can prove he can use the ball. He had a game at The Dome this year where he had a game high 12 turnovers I think. It's just not good enough from a no.2 draft pick. So for the time being he should stay down back.

And besides, we have plenty of true midfielders now, with Judd, Stevens, Carrazzo a ball magnet, Simpson on a wing, and then there's Bentick for the time being, and also Hadley who deserves a shot in the midfield.

Sorry, you meant Blue Vain.

It's not about expecting him to step up. It's about protecting the kids in the short term. I think Ackland is hopeless, but he has the sort of big build that can handle a whole year of crash and bash, so he will ruck in 2008 but will then be delisted. Have to protect the kids in 2008. But by 2009 they should be ready to rip. A Kreuzer type will struggle late in 2008.

VB = Virgin Blue wrote



You give a good reason for your choice VB.

But... the fact of the matter is that he doesn't crash and bang. He is embarrassing to watch. Just the fact that he doesn't even go up to compete or alternatively, he jumps early to avoid the clash is a problem. It's intolerable for supporters and his roving midfielders as well. Everyone has to pull their weight and be 100% committed.



We'll see about that. I'd say Cloke is miles ahead of him. Miles!
Yes he will be delisted, or just plain ignored, unless he turns the tables on himself. Too short anyway.



They can protect themselves. The bottom line is Hamson showed more application and ability at the end of this season than Ackland did throughout.

Kreuzer aside, despite the fact I think he has the goods to jump, ride and use his long arms to tap, why not Aisake (he's not a kid), he's a tough nut and super competitive. At the very least, if we don't win the tap outs we should at the very least nullify being dominated like we have for 5 years.

I think the order of rucks in terms of ability, strength and experience is:

Cloke
Hampson
Aisake
Kreuzer
Jacobs



Ackland


My preference in order (iand for development too) is:

Aisake
Hampson
Kreuzer

Cloke (emegency or CHF)

We've got nothing to lose; it's a development year not a push for the flag.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Believe me mate, if I were coach, I would give Ackland 3 games to prove he has some mettle, but if he didn't turn it on I'd be going with Cloke, Hampson, Aisake and Kreuzer for the other 19 games.

I think we're on the same page.

BBs love child

From Wiki. I think the last line says it all...

FB: Armfield/Browne Jamison Thornton
HB: Bower S.O'hAlpin Carazzo
C: Simpson Stevens Walker
HF: Fisher Waite Houlihan
F: Betts Fevola Kruezer
Foll: Cloke Judd Murphy
Int: Hampson Gibbs Hadley Scotland Edwards
Emg: Grigg Jackson Austin

2008 Delist: Ackland Saddington Wiggins Bannister
Playing for career: Russell, Blackwell, Bentick, Hartlett.

Unless the rules have changed I'm pretty sure they're are only four players allowed on the bench

I think the lineup for 2008 Round 1 should be :

B : Bower Thornton Jackson
HB : Scotland S O'Hailpin Gibbs
C : Simpson Stevens(c) Walker
HF : Houlihan Waite Fisher
FF : Betts Fevola Cloke
RR : Hampson Judd Murphy
INT : Kreuzer Hadley Carrazzo Jamison
EMG : A O'Hailpin Bentick Saddington Grigg

Did ANYONE have Acland in their 22? I can't remember a more hated player for us.


Anyway, I'm not sold on Cloke. Given Setanta can do a little bit if required I'd rather we don't play guys like Acland or Cloke. 60% Hammo, 20% Setanta 20% Kreuzer would do me fine. Given Hadley's interupted pre-season I think he is going to be borderline for round one. I've given his spot to Jackson for now. I think little Eddie is going to struggle now for a spot. Browne and Armfield provide more flexibility than he does. Both are well built enough to play next year. With a full pre-season in front of them I can see them holding down pocket roles at either end of the ground. I'm keen too for Hoops to return to his forward line days where we can see his skills at work. I have begrudgingly put waite at CHB because ratten says he is playing him there. I'd really only want him there against Pavlich and Riewoldt though. I like the idea of Grigg out of the backline this year. Is quick, has a bit of size and seems to read it well. Clean hands and doesn't panic. Yet struggles to create and strugges to win contested possessions. Hence seems a monty for a backline role. I think the side below has balance: 3 marking forwards, 3 spoiling defenders, plenty of run, little wasted space ruckmen. O'hailipin provides the flexibility. Jamieson allows for a complete revamp - can push him back and then Waite forward if Kreuzer isn't working out. Carrazzo and Jackson provide the type of run off the bench that Swan gives the Pies.

Any of the following playing at any time would be fine for me: Edwards, Austin, Anderson, Hadley, Betts. At a stretch Russell. Anyone else and I think we are not doing so well. And yes that includes Cloke who I just don't rate. Anyway, here's my team:

Armfield Thornton Grigg
Scotland Waite Bower
Walker Judd Simpson
Houlihan Fisher Gibbs
Kreuzer Fevola Browne
Hampson Murphy Stevens

Jamieson Carrazzo Ohailipin Jackson

Thornton Ohailipin Anderson
Scotland Bower Walker
Simpson Carrazzo Houlihan
Murphy Waite Fisher
Gibbs Fevola Betts

Cloke Judd Stevens

Hampson Jamieson Hadley Russell

How nice it is struggling to fit them all in.

Out of my 22 Anderson and Russell could be interchangeable with Jackson and Edwards at this time and I wouldn't be fazed.

I have left out the 3 young lads (Kruz, Army and Browny) because there is no need to throw them in the deep end at this time.

I've got Jamieson as a tall defender if one of the other 3 talls is getting beat. Gibbs along side Fev because Gibbs knows how to create space and will create room for Fev. He will drag his opponent away. He is also about 190cm now so he presents as a hard matchup. His defensive game will help keep the ball in the F50.

Houls and Simo on the wings to give us some decent kicks coming inside 50. Scotto and Houls to rotate if need be.

With Judd, Stevens and Carrots in the middle I think I would let Cloke have a crack at it and if he loses well hopefully the talent at his feet will help. It's not ideal but Hampson doesn't need to be flogged just yet.

Onball rotation of 7 or 8 should also help to mix things up.

Wiggo and AB will have to do it the hard way for the time being.

Regards Cazzesman

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Bower at CHB? Back to his All Australian possie, very interesting Cazz. Great for our structure if he could this.

Tell me he's beefed up and you'll almost sell me on this one. Know his current height and weight?

Well he was standing next to Saddington the other day and with his new short haircut you actually got a good idea of his size. He looked the equal of Saddo who is 194. I'd say he was probably 90+kg. Looks in fine condition and is training as well as anyone so far. He is happy with life and well settled now that he has moved in with his best mate Gumbleton.

He can tend to play wide at times but if he gets that right he is certainly athletic enough to compete with the best of them IMHO. I think if Ratts said to him......."We want you to be our CHB for the next 10 years he will rise to the occasion".

Regards Cazzesman

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Very encouraging and we'll have to rely on you to get this across the line with Ratts. Seems he has Waite slotted in there already, so it won't be easy.

I agree. In fact I reckon if Ratts said "all I want you to do this week is not let your bloke get a kick" then he'd take over CHB immediately. Kind of the pressure release valve that seemed to work with Fev - "all we want you to do is chase and tackle and keep the ball in". In both instances natural talent makes them find the ball. I watched him closely at training this week, he seems really switched on, in great shape, and as likely as anyone to demonstrate the most improvement in 08. I was rapt when we drafted him as I felt he was a long term cure for CHB and I am now more convinced than ever.

This is so difficult ... but here is my updated team

Armfield S O'hAilpin Jamison
Houlihan Thornton Scotland
Simpson Stevens Walker
Gibbs Waite Fisher
Murphy Fevola Kreuzer

R: Hampson Judd Carazzo

I: Hadley, Betts, Cloke, Blackwell


Appologies : Jackson, A O'hAilpin, Russell, Bower

Thornton Ohailipin Jackson
Bower Jamieson Walker
Simpson Carrazzo Russell
Gibbs Waite Murphy
Fisher Fevola Betts

Cloke Judd Stevens

Hampson A Ohailpin Scotland and Houlihan

I think this gives us the opportunity to play Cloke Hampson or Aisake as a fourth tall forward or in the ruck and move Waite to CHB if need be. Aisake could even play as a ruck rover and provide another option for the defence when rebounding. I think it's time we gave him a prolonged taste of the seniors.

I am not sure if Hadley will be fit for round one and IMO it is probably best if we take it slowly with him and bring him in later when the kids need a rest. I have gone for Jackson in the back pocket as I think he adds more versatility to the side and could be used as a run with player on ball or against the opposition match winner. He may get beaten for smarts but he won't stop all day.

Hopefully play a four man rotating forward line Waite Fisher Fevola and one of Cloke Hampson or Aisake.

This is the hardest it's been in years...

FB: Armfield - O'Hailpin - Thornton

HB: Walker - Waite - Hadley

C: Houilihan - Carrazzo - Simpson

HF: Fisher - Hartlett - Stevens

FF: Gibbs - Fevola - Scotland

R: Cloke - Judd - Murphy

INT: Wiggins - Jackson - Hampson - Anderson

EM: Bower - Pfeiffer - A. O'Hailpin
(Kreuzer)


Yes, Wiggo on the bench...
We've drafted leg-speed. We've drafted grunt. We've drafted blokes with mature bodies who seem ready to go. Wiggo is all of these things, and I suspect may, with a more possession oriented, less helter-skelter game plan, be a regular starter. He can also play all over the ground - allowing a player I have forward or back (Walker / Gibbs) into the middle as part of the rotation.
Hartlett gets first crack at CHF.
Armfield has been earmarked to play on the small forwards... So he goes straight in.
Scotland and Houlihan into attacking positions. Same with Gibbs - I agree he'll make a tricky match-up in the forward-line.
Ease Hadley back into footy from HB. Stevens the same at HF.
Walker the x-factor across Half-back.
Big, tall, fast (erratic), aggressive blokes in the key-defensive positions.

And just for the hell of it...

2nds:

Saddington - Jameison - Shields

Bannister - Bower - Browne

Grigg - Blackwell - Russell

Betts - Austin - Benjamin

LAPPIN - Edwards - Kreuzer

O'Hailpin - Bentick - Pfeiffer

INT: Ackland - Hill - Joseph - Ellard

TEAGUE