As some of you know, I have a fair bit to do with collating Training Reports and subsequently get first hand views of most of what happens on the track. I also read everything that is reported in the press and have a couple of little birds that fill me in on injuries and training drills as well.

Reading between the lines is fairly difficult to ascertain how the Coaches and the MC are planning to use various players at this stage of their development/fitness. Based on the mountain of reports and video tape from last year as well as the 3 televised matches this season, I have concluded that Ratts and co have a Grand Plan that we are all yet to realize. Certain players are being trialed in different roles to those they are accustomed to, whilst others are being fast-tracked to gain the required skills they will need to step up to AFL standard.

What we have seen so far is disappointing to some and they can’t see the improvement, whilst others wear their rose coloured glasses and believe we are destined for the top 4 this year. I am certainly not going to criticize the results to date, nor am I going to gush with excitement. I will however try to breakup the list into something more logical than the majority of dribble that we all read on a daily basis.

The summary in advance is that we are at least a much fitter and skillful squad than this time last year. I believe we are a 5 class-player better side than last year which should make us about a 3 goal better side than last year. This may transpose into about 10 wins and who knows with luck maybe 12-13 wins which might see us scrape into the finals. I don’t think we really have the depth just yet and injuries will play a big part in our season and for this reason we just might become the new Ninthton of 2008!

Think of this year as a platform where the quality kids that we have will try to emulate the skills of the Juddmeister and our small band of leaders. The locker configuration has a lot to do with this. 1 Walker - 3 Murphy - 4 Gibbs – 5 Judd - 6 Simpson – 7 Bentick – 8 Kreuzer etc. A pretty handy band of young tyros all eager to impress! If this is not the nucleus of a Premiership team, I don’t know what is!

Anyway, now back to 2008. On the basis of the aforementioned research, I have tagged each player on our list with a primary number to indicate the Role I believe they will be playing, Some are fortunate to have a couple of strings to their bow and accordingly have an extra number.

(1) Ruckmen
(2) Tall Defenders
(3) Medium Defenders
(4) Tall Forwards
(5) Medium Forwards
(6) Midfield Rotation

You will notice I haven’t included small defenders or small forwards, simply because we only have a couple and they are just about extinct in the game plans employed these days. For simplicity purposes even the smaller guys (-180 cm) have to play taller than they are, so they are grouped with the mediums.


2008 List shown in this order, from left to right: Jumper Number – Name - Role


1:...Andrew Walker (3-6)
2:...Jordan Russell (6)
3:...Marc Murphy (6)
4:...Bryce Gibbs (6)
5:...Chris Judd (6)
6:...Kade Simpson (6)
7:...Adam Bentick (6)
8:...Matthew Kreuzer (4-1)
9:...Jason Saddington (2)
10: Richard Hadley (6-5)
11: Cain Ackland (1)
12:
13: Luke Blackwell (6)
14: Bradley Fisher (4)
15: Steven Browne (3)
16: Shaun Grigg (3-6)
17: Setanta O’hAilpin (2)
18: Paul Bower (2)
19: Eddie Betts (5)
20: Clinton Benjamin (3)
21: Mark Austin (2)
22: Shaun Hampson (1-4)
23: Adam Hartlett (4)
24: Nick Stevens (6)
25: Brendan Fevola (4)
26: Joe Anderson (3)
27: Dennis Armfield (3)
28: Cameron Cloke (1)
29: Heath Scotland (3-6)
30: Jarrad Waite (4-2)
31: Jordan Bannister (3)
32: Bret Thornton (2)
33: Ryan Houlihan (5-6)
34: Simon Wiggins (5)
35: Aisake O’hAilpin (1-2)
36: Darren Pfeiffer (6)
37: Jake Edwards (4)
38: Ryan Jackson (6)
39: Sam Jacobs (R) (1)
40: Michael Jamieson (R) (2)
41: Lachie Hill (R) (2)
42: Michael Sheilds (R) (3)
43:
44: Andrew Carrazzo (6)
45: Aaron Joseph (R) (6)
46: David Ellard (R) (5-6)


I’m gunna surprise a few forums readers with the order that I reckon our guys are ranked. There are some notable omissions as well as a couple of inclusions in the best side I can work out on the basis of my research. I can hear the chorus of the peanut gallery already, but I stick by my assessments. Because we have so much more depth now, a few favourites will miss out.



Backs:.............Grigg (3-6).............Jamieson (2)........S O’hAilpin (2)

HBacks:...........Walker (3-6)..........Thornton (2)........Scotland (3-6)

Centre:............Simpson (6)............Gibbs (6).............Stevens (6)

HForw:............Fisher (4)................Waite (4)............Houlihan (5-6)

Forw:..............Hadley (5-6)............Fevola (4)...........Kreuzer (4-1)

Follow:............Hampson (1-4).......Judd (6)..............Murphy (6)


Interc:.............Bentick (6)..............Bower (2)...........Cloke (1)........Betts (5)


Emerg: ...........Anderson (3)...........Hartlett (4) .........Pfeiffer (3-6)


I can’t find a place in the Ruck (1) for these guys: A O’hAilpin, Jacobs & Ackland.
I can’t find a place in the Back Half (2-3) for these guys: Armfield, Austin, Browne, Sheilds, Hill, Saddington & Bannister.
I can’t find a place in the Front Half (4-5) for these guys: Edwards & Wiggins.
I can’t find a place in the Midfield Rotation (6) for these guys: Carrozzo, Jackson, Russell, Blackwell, Ellard, Benjamin & Joseph.

What think you, my Blue Brethren?

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

Fair enough you have your opinion, but if you expect to leave carrazzo out and betts in then we have a problem. Betts doesn't do anywhere near enough to displace carrazzo.

I'll reserve my judgment until I hear Johnno from Mill Park's take on this.

_________________
WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Nice work Brizzy and I agree with your side however I'd have Carazzo in the team ahead of Bentick.

_________________
There is no footy god

Carrots has to be in there!!! He is our B&F winner... We haven't improved by that many players for him not to be in the side... I know we have had some bad B&F winners in years gone by (McKernan and Teaguey), but he is 100% in our best 22... He would replace Bentick in my opinion who I believe (and Ratts - following a conversation we had on an aeroplane last year) makes our side look slow even though he does win the ball in the centre.

Betts is another who I think is VERY VERY over-rated. If Aaron Davey hadn't done so well for the Dees there is no way Eddie would still be in the 22.. I think a lot of people on here are hoping he turns out like him... but I guess then we should draft guys who are bang and crash and even if they dont have the skills we can always hope we get a Jonno Brown.. or find a lightening quick guy and hope we get Judd... o yeah... we got him

Finally............. I really, really don't know what the hype is with Bower... every time I have seen him (please note I go to every game.. so he may look better on tv!), I have felt that when he has to be instinctive he is a promising player... the second he has time to think he is USELESS.... please keep an eye on this during the season and you will understand what I am saying!!!!! But thats not to say I wouldn't play him.. I would give him and Grigga a chance to grow into being AFL defenders

Great work Brizzy but for me:

IN - Jackson, Carrots
OUT - Betts and Bentick

great post BB, but Monstas was even better! At last someone who views Bower as I do, chuck him for Jackson and your team looks much better. Also Carrots for one of a few, whoever isn't performing

_________________
Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Brizzy... replace Bentick with Carrots and you're right on the money. Grigg is the one that has really stepped up into the best 22 when most didn't think he would be so early in his career.

B: Grigg Jamieson O'hAilpin

You should be on match commitee......


No .....


You should be chairman.........


Actually if this backline happens in a game I won't go to the footy this year

_________________
Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

Agree with Nytdog...

I finally watched the Hawthorn game last night, and thought to myself that it was vital we manage to get as close to 22 games as possible into Grigg. I think he will end up being a very, very important part of the side for us. He may get his pants pulled down a few times this year, but in 2009 we'll be glad we gave him the development.

As for Brizzy's team... well it is really hard to put this side together. I've tried it myself and had difficulties! I think Carrots and Pfeiffer both have to play. Not sure who they replace, but they both have to play. Carrots is vital for winning the ball, and Pfeiffer's hardness at the contest is something that we won't get from too many others (outside of Judd and Hadley... Simpson is hard at the contest, but with a lighter frame... Russell just doesn't get the ball often enough to do this well for us). So who to pull out? Hmmm.....

+1
i dont see betts anywhere near our best 22.

Pfeffier Jamison Bower
Walker Thornton Scotland
Houlihan Carrazzo Simpson
Gibbs Waite Fisher
Kruezer Fevola Murphy
Cloke Judd Stevens
Hampson Hadley Betts Jackson

Give me this team and I'll show you finals!

ps. Your team is close Brizzy but not as good as mine, but bloody close.

I'd be thinking about Jacobs as the other rookie who is allowed to play like Jamison.
The Hawks highlighted an ongoing weak area in our team and that is rucking especially at the centre bounce.
Hampson needs genuine assistance and while I admire Clokes work around the ground and his work ethic he is too small vs giants like Campbell and Taylor. Not much point having great mids if they dont get first use of the footy and are chasing tail...

While Jacobs isnt athletic he is awkward with good size and would prevent other ruckman dominating at ruck contests..
I wouldnt run with Jacobs perhaps in every game but if Hampson does go down for whateva reason or has a bad game we need a proper backup.

I'm not so keen to throw Kruezer into the ruck and have him knocked around and feel he is better part time ruck /ruck partime forward....

_________________
"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

Elwood is spot on...

Jacobs is apparently doing little wrong, and should be considered for elevation (depending on the health and fitness of Aisake). Jimmy Stynes needed protection from big Strawbs O'Dwyer early in his career, and he was all the better for it. Sammy Jacobs could help protect Hammo.

And I also agree with Elwood... don't let Kreuzer get near too many ruck contests this season!

We lack key position players, in particular a key defender and a strong forward option to compliment Fevola. That will show this year and that will hurt us.

Like this team, only change would be Grigg for Pfeiffer in a BP, but a very close call. As much as I like Jacko, Pfeiffer and he will compete for a spot in the 22 and who gets it will depend on who does best leading up to Rd 1 (if Jacko can get on the park?).

That back 6 is not perfect but it has a bit of height, run and some stronger bodies via Walks (we underestimate his strength), T-Bird, Jammo etc. Santy next best for a spot. Get the feeling T-Bird plays better with responsibility and giving him CHB could be the answer.

Hawks game has convinced me we lack firepower up forward and I'm now resigned to playing Waite at CHF as he does take plenty of minding as does Fish, which can only help Fev not being mega teamed every week

Eddie just hangs on as adds pace, a midfield option (good with clearances) and the odd party trick up forward.

Bentick instead of Carrots - no way. For those arguing this, I'd love to know why. Is he any quicker, skillfull, fitter, courageous and better at the clearances than Carrots? Not for mine.

Agree with the team mentioned except
Bentick out - Carrazzo in
Cloke starting ruck - Hampson interchange
Cloke gives his all... i must say i was dirty when we first got him, but not many blokes try as hard as him, and you cant ask for much more than that.

_________________
Matty Kruzer you star!

I would love to see Jacko squeezed in somehow, but for me not at the expense of Bower. His disposal/decision making can be very average (praying this gets better with experience) but he has shown great defensive ability this Nab cup. He gets a ton of the ball and provides good run out of defence

Thanks guys for your kind thoughts. For those of you who push the Carrots barrow, have you had a serious look at our midfield rotation possibilities? This the order that I regard them in at the moment.


5:...Chris Judd (6)

24: Nick Stevens (6)

1:...Andrew Walker (3-6)

4:...Bryce Gibbs (6)

6:...Kade Simpson (6)

3:...Marc Murphy (6)

10: Richard Hadley (6-5)

29: Heath Scotland (3-6)

33: Ryan Houlihan (5-6)

16: Shaun Grigg (3-6)

7:...Adam Bentick (6)

36: Darren Pfeiffer (6)

44: Andrew Carrazzo (6)

38: Ryan Jackson (6)

2:...Jordan Russell (6)

13: Luke Blackwell (6)

46: David Ellard (R) (5-6)

20: Clinton Benjamin (3)

45: Aaron Joseph (R) (6)


If you don't agree with the order, consider this:

Carrots couldn't push any of these guys from this centre line out of the team. Simpson (6) Gibbs (6) Stevens (6)

He seriously couldn't push either of these guys from the centre square. Judd (6) Murphy (6)

A small possibility on replacing young Grigga in the back pocket, but Shauns composure, marking ability and accurate passing gets him the nod over other hopefuls. No chance of doing what Walks is capable of and Bagpipes is probably a better sweeper than Skinny was. 3 very reliable defenders which will all push forward during the season Grigg (3-6) Walker (3-6) Scotland (3-6)

We need utility type players who can be moved around like chess pieces to do a job required for the team. Houlihan (5-6)can play back forward and even have a run on the ball. I still think he is an outside reciever, however his disposal is second to none in this squad. Those couple of bullet like passes on Saturday night were sublime. Hadley (5-6) played in the Lions last premiership side as Mr. Everywhere. He also can plug holes. He reads the play very well. He can do the defensive sweeping role, he is a goal kicker and most importantly he is an inside blocker and feeder. Just what Judd needs.

Interchange: Bentick (6) Now this is where most people see Carrots fitting in the role that AB has filled for the past few seasons. AB is unique in the number of tackles he gets through in a game (not wavy wavy arms stuff, like a few we got) as well as the number of times he is first to the pill at the stoppages. Just look at the AFL season stats. His hand disposal is as good as any. Carrots has not demonstrated that he can play this role let alone challenge AB for it. Think back 3 weeks before AB was injured and didn't play in the SA game or since. We had a trial at PP. It only went for an hour or so, but was pretty serious as the boys were all trying to impress the MC to get a berth in the Freo game. AB got over 30 possies and was adjudged BOG.

Emergency: Pfeiffer (3-6) The young croweater could just be the steal of the summer. Aside from getting run off his feet against the Dawks, he did superbly against Port and Freo. Once again his size, speed, flexibility and accuracy puts him slightly ahead of other aspirants.

If you can fit Andy Carrazzo into our best 25, tell me who he replaces and why. Don't just write a critique of my post and say he won the Club B&F, so must be in the side. Teaguey, McKernan and Whittas all fell away after winning it. I think Carrots is made of sterner stuff and is a fitness nut, but we are developing a bunch of kids who are following the lead set by Andy Walks, the Irish boys and now Juddy wjhen it comes to gut busting running. In the end it will be about skills. Unfortunately Carrots can't kick accurately even when not under pressure and some of his hospital handballs just will not cut it at the elite level. He gets plenty of the red thing on the fringe of packs and often gets away from his man (although rarely tagged), but just doesn't hurt the opposition; cause he turns it over too many times.

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

Brizzy... I agree that Carrots has been slightly overrated by many on this site. Too many easy possies and too many wasted disposals. But he also does a lot of good stuff that puts him in our best midfield rotation atm. Bentick doesn't cut it for mine. He lacks speed, his disposal doesn't hurt the opposition and he just doesn't have the ball getting ability of Carrots. Carrots offers more.

In Carrots
Out Bentick... the days of designated tacklers are over. Everyone needs to do their bit.

Hence the need to select 6 defenders and back them to the hilt. That is the only way that we can develop a stable and reliable defencive unit. Put Waite up forward and along with Fish, Fev will have plenty of support.