frank dardew wrote:
22 that played yesterday plus TDK OBrien Plowman Cripps McGovern Willo(sub) Oscar
Dow (sub) Fogarty have all been picked thus far
From the 5 games can we tell who is in our best squad of 23
Interesting debate frank.
"Clean slate for everyone" implies, for me, Voss wants to find out who his best 23 will be over the year, not just after the first 5 rounds. Just as he did over preseason to determine his starting 23 in round 1, he will trial players fighting for a spot in the 23, to create competition for spots and hopefully bring out the best in his list; keep them on their toes and uncomfortable with complacency.
I don't think we can pick the best 23 until we see the likes of mature class players like Marchbank and Cuningham, even forgotten man Ed Curnow (but he's got age and injury going against him)
Form and Fitness will be the final judge on selections for best 23.
I think players like Setterfield, LOB, Newnes and Cottrell are on trial for the wing.
Their success is debatable but they look like the best wingmen available if Walsh and Cerra not in the frame for now.
There's also players who have been earmarked by the new coaches to play senior footy this year: Stocker, Carroll, Philp, Motlop, Honey and Kemp.
IMO, players who have been given a go but are definitely peripheral to our needs ie depth players are Williamson, LOB, Plowman, Boyd, and wont be best 23 come years end.
Young and McDonald will fight it out for one KPD role if McDonald finds fitness again and Young can't make the 3rd tall defender his spot.
DeKoning will be selected for best 23 in the Finals, imo, assuming he continues to develop in the right direction in the next 18 weeks. 1 ruck in Finals leaves our team too vulnerable in do or die matches.
I believe Marchbank will be selected when fit, and in form, such is his class, just as Docherty was (when most supporters had written him off). Ditto Stocker.
Debatable Ins highlighted. But I wont budge on 2 rucks in Finals.
B:
Stocker McDonald
MarchbankHB: Saad Weitering Williams
C: Docherty Hewett Cerra
R: Pittonet Cripps Walsh
HF:
Honey Curnow Martin
F: Silvagni McKay Durdin
IC:
DeKoning McGovern Kennedy Fisher
23 Cuningham
Most vulnerable imo are Martin, Fisher Kennedy and Cuningham. Martin has another 17 weeks to get Finals fit and rotate through the midfield, as will Fisher and Cuningham.
I expect Motlop, Philp and Dow to push for a spot and will go past LOB and Setterfield by round 23.