Crystal ball Rnd 1 2024

[older saint]

Now trading is done ( pick swaps can still happen) i thought i would start the Rnd 1 best 22 discussion.

I have used the following parameters to get to this:
- expected natural improvement after another pre season
- fit list (unlikely but can hope)
- older guys early round may be a little behind others on basis of lasting the full year ( Ross probably only one here).

B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: NWM, Battle, Sinclair
C: Wood, Crouch, Hill
HF: Henry, Membrey, Sharman
F: Butler, King, Higgins

Foll: Marshall, Steele, Owens

Int: Phillipou, Windy, Clark, Webster
Sub : Dow

Question marks:
Membrey - if not right to play then options are - Caminiti, or Hayes
Ross - could easily be in front of Windy , Phillipou.
Went Stocker over Paton
Cordy and Van Es back up big defenders
Always someone pops up in pre season and gets game rnd 1 unexpected like Brynes last year - Allison? (must be closing on record for most years on a list without a game),

[Vortex]

Make or break year for Allison.

Is possibly another high DP wasted if he doesn’t prove he can play AFL in 2024

[saynta]

Now trading is done ( pick swaps can still happen) i thought i would start the Rnd 1 best 22 discussion.

I have used the following parameters to get to this:
- expected natural improvement after another pre season
- fit list (unlikely but can hope)
- older guys early round may be a little behind others on basis of lasting the full year ( Ross probably only one here).

B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: NWM, Battle, Sinclair
C: Wood, Crouch, Hill
HF: Henry, Membrey, Sharman
F: Butler, King, Higgins

Foll: Marshall, Steele, Owens

Int: Phillipou, Windy, Clark, Webster
Sub : Dow

Question marks:
Membrey - if not right to play then options are - Caminiti, or Hayes
Ross - could easily be in front of Windy , Phillipou.
Went Stocker over Paton
Cordy and Van Es back up big defenders
Always someone pops up in pre season and gets game rnd 1 unexpected like Brynes last year - Allison? (must be closing on record for most years on a list without a game),

I'm predicting that Keeler will be in there somewhere after putting in a huge preseason.

[cwrcyn]

Keeler and Hotton the ones to watch. Both have talent and both had long lay-offs due to injury this year. I'm excited to see what they can bring with a full preseason behind them.

What would help us in 2024?

Henry should be ready to blossom and Dow will give us badly needed assistance at clearances.

A full season from King.

The return of Membrey

Sharman, Windhager,Owens, Wanganeen-Milera, Phillipou and Caminiti all improving.

A fit Jack Jayes

If all those things happen I think we can potentially finish higher than 6th.

[cwrcyn]

My Round one team.

Clark Howard Wilkie
Sinclair Battle Wanganeen-Milera
Wood Crouch Hill
Butler Sharman Owens
Caminiti King Higgins

Marshall Steele Jones

Inter: Henry Dow Windhager Ross

Sub Hotton

[footynut]

B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: NWM, Battle, Sinclair
C: Wood, Dow, Henry
HF: Hill, Hayes, Sharman
F: Butler, King, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Steele, Owens

Int: Crouch, Phillipou, Windy, Clark,
Sub : Hotton

[D.B.Cooper]

Wilkie Howard Battle
Webster NWM Sinclair

Wood Crouch Henry
Marshall Steele Windhager

Hill Butler Higgins
King Sharman Owens

Clark Ross Caminitti Phillipou
Sub: Jones

EMG: Stocker Dow Byrnes Cordy

Unknown: Membrey, young players Keeler, Hotton, Van Es, draftees or DFA we may take

Who will be our wing combinations???
Henry Hill - a couple of good fellas
Dow Jones - definitely not one for the futures
Wood Byrnes - that's scraping the ashes from the fire
Ross Higgins - they're not taking the Kingswood
Howard Jones - the 80's aren't returning anytime soon

[Zed]

Dow will get early games and I’d expect him to start on the ground. He was specifically targeted and will get maybe the first 3 games to prove himself.

Assuming they are fit and healthy, new recruits from other clubs often get given first option, which then gets established players noses out of joint when they don’t automatically walk straight back in eg Billings and Coffield

[shanegrambeau]

I am at a loss to imagine this ..anyone else?

Last year, it was like, I felt I could see and imagine the list and their capability as a unit.

I thought it looked like a bottom six list but I was strangely optimistic.

I thought there were weaknesses everywhere, not just midfield.

Then we burst out of the blocks with that 'rag tag' team.

Maybe it was inevitable that the Owens - Caminiti -Philipou thing wouldn't last very long?

Once the season really got going we started to tank.

Again, miraculously, we stayed in the 8.

There must have been a massive uplift in structures so I have to give it to the coaches, because as individuals, few players shined and quite a few fell away.

I will post a team and leave gaps and then try to explain why each gap exists and what players may be considered.


Starting down back

Wilkie Howard (-1-)
Sinclair (-2-) (-3-3)
Hill Crouch Wood
(-4-)(-5-)(Henry)
Higgins King Sharman

Marshall Owens (-7-)

NWM, Clark, Butler, Dow

1. Paton can return?? No? Tell me why>.Webster is a trooper, ditto Battle, but great, no?
2. We have no center half back, still....I am beginning to wonder if Sharnan or even Membrey might fill it. Battle is good in space - maybe interceptor is all we have these days with zones? Lock downs? Are they even required?
3. Stocker seems marginal..is he better than Paton?
4&5. Philipou was pretty useless for most of the season IMO. ditto Caminiti. Didn't get why they were selected. I get it. We need to train them for the future but I see no evidence that their performances are on par with the status of those positions in a top four team thus far.Windy was OK but nothing like the hyperbole prpeared me for.

Higgins and sharman pretty lucky to be there
Bench also weak
NWM and Clark have gone way past the 'flashy, shows promise stage but in Clark's case, his tyres have lost air pressure

As the seaon wears on, i would expect NWM and Philipou to improve ..Windy, not usre..butler could replace Higgo or they could bot fall away. Ross is still a soldier that could stiffen the lines as is Stocker

[Saints58]

Am I correct in saying the AFL is about to bring in 5 on the interchange bench and have no sub, or is this just speculation.

[D.B.Cooper]

B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: NWM, Battle, Sinclair
C: Wood, Dow, Henry
HF: Hill, Hayes, Sharman
F: Butler, King, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Steele, Owens

Int: Crouch, Phillipou, Windy, Clark,
Sub : Hotton

No room for Ross, Webster, Caminitti or Higgins?

[SaintPav]

I am at a loss to imagine this ..anyone else?

Last year, it was like, I felt I could see and imagine the list and their capability as a unit.

I thought it looked like a bottom six list but I was strangely optimistic.

I thought there were weaknesses everywhere, not just midfield.

Then we burst out of the blocks with that 'rag tag' team.

Maybe it was inevitable that the Owens - Caminiti -Philipou thing wouldn't last very long?

Once the season really got going we started to tank.

Again, miraculously, we stayed in the 8.

There must have been a massive uplift in structures so I have to give it to the coaches, because as individuals, few players shined and quite a few fell away.

I will post a team and leave gaps and then try to explain why each gap exists and what players may be considered.


Starting down back

Wilkie Howard (-1-)
Sinclair (-2-) (-3-3)
Hill Crouch Wood
(-4-)(-5-)(Henry)
Higgins King Sharman

Marshall Owens (-7-)

NWM, Clark, Butler, Dow

1. Paton can return?? No? Tell me why>.Webster is a trooper, ditto Battle, but great, no?
2. We have no center half back, still....I am beginning to wonder if Sharnan or even Membrey might fill it. Battle is good in space - maybe interceptor is all we have these days with zones? Lock downs? Are they even required?
3. Stocker seems marginal..is he better than Paton?
4&5. Philipou was pretty useless for most of the season IMO. ditto Caminiti. Didn't get why they were selected. I get it. We need to train them for the future but I see no evidence that their performances are on par with the status of those positions in a top four team thus far.Windy was OK but nothing like the hyperbole prpeared me for.

Higgins and sharman pretty lucky to be there
Bench also weak
NWM and Clark have gone way past the 'flashy, shows promise stage but in Clark's case, his tyres have lost air pressure

As the seaon wears on, i would expect NWM and Philipou to improve ..Windy, not usre..butler could replace Higgo or they could bot fall away. Ross is still a soldier that could stiffen the lines as is Stocker

NAS on the bench..and the rest..

[Otiman]

Still too early.

Expect a few bolters.

[nostalgicsaint]

Using this as the starting point.



Wilkie Howard (-1-)
Sinclair (-2-) (-3-3)
Hill Crouch Wood
(-4-)(-5-)(Henry)
Higgins King Sharman

Marshall Owens (-7-)

NWM, Clark, Butler, Dow


1. Webster no doubt
2. Battle/Cordy
3. Windhager
4. Phillipou
5. Camaniti/Membry
7. The Captain

[saynta]

I am at a loss to imagine this ..anyone else?

Last year, it was like, I felt I could see and imagine the list and their capability as a unit.

I thought it looked like a bottom six list but I was strangely optimistic.

I thought there were weaknesses everywhere, not just midfield.

Then we burst out of the blocks with that 'rag tag' team.

Maybe it was inevitable that the Owens - Caminiti -Philipou thing wouldn't last very long?

Once the season really got going we started to tank.

Again, miraculously, we stayed in the 8.

There must have been a massive uplift in structures so I have to give it to the coaches, because as individuals, few players shined and quite a few fell away.

I will post a team and leave gaps and then try to explain why each gap exists and what players may be considered.


Starting down back

Wilkie Howard (-1-)
Sinclair (-2-) (-3-3)
Hill Crouch Wood
(-4-)(-5-)(Henry)
Higgins King Sharman

Marshall Owens (-7-)

NWM, Clark, Butler, Dow

1. Paton can return?? No? Tell me why>.Webster is a trooper, ditto Battle, but great, no?
2. We have no center half back, still....I am beginning to wonder if Sharnan or even Membrey might fill it. Battle is good in space - maybe interceptor is all we have these days with zones? Lock downs? Are they even required?
3. Stocker seems marginal..is he better than Paton?
4&5. Philipou was pretty useless for most of the season IMO. ditto Caminiti. Didn't get why they were selected. I get it. We need to train them for the future but I see no evidence that their performances are on par with the status of those positions in a top four team thus far.Windy was OK but nothing like the hyperbole prpeared me for.

Higgins and sharman pretty lucky to be there
Bench also weak
NWM and Clark have gone way past the 'flashy, shows promise stage but in Clark's case, his tyres have lost air pressure

As the seaon wears on, i would expect NWM and Philipou to improve ..Windy, not usre..butler could replace Higgo or they could bot fall away. Ross is still a soldier that could stiffen the lines as is Stocker

No steele??...You gotta be f****** joking.

[Saintmike65]

Too early to crystal ball…I’ll be a regular training watcher from next month onwards, so will give regular updates.

[shanegrambeau]

I am at a loss to imagine this ..anyone else?

Last year, it was like, I felt I could see and imagine the list and their capability as a unit.

I thought it looked like a bottom six list but I was strangely optimistic.

I thought there were weaknesses everywhere, not just midfield.

Then we burst out of the blocks with that 'rag tag' team.

Maybe it was inevitable that the Owens - Caminiti -Philipou thing wouldn't last very long?

Once the season really got going we started to tank.

Again, miraculously, we stayed in the 8.

There must have been a massive uplift in structures so I have to give it to the coaches, because as individuals, few players shined and quite a few fell away.

I will post a team and leave gaps and then try to explain why each gap exists and what players may be considered.


Starting down back

Wilkie Howard (-1-)
Sinclair (-2-) (-3-3)
Hill Crouch Wood
(-4-)(-5-)(Henry)
Higgins King Sharman

Marshall Owens (-7-)

NWM, Clark, Butler, Dow

1. Paton can return?? No? Tell me why>.Webster is a trooper, ditto Battle, but great, no?
2. We have no center half back, still....I am beginning to wonder if Sharnan or even Membrey might fill it. Battle is good in space - maybe interceptor is all we have these days with zones? Lock downs? Are they even required?
3. Stocker seems marginal..is he better than Paton?
4&5. Philipou was pretty useless for most of the season IMO. ditto Caminiti. Didn't get why they were selected. I get it. We need to train them for the future but I see no evidence that their performances are on par with the status of those positions in a top four team thus far.Windy was OK but nothing like the hyperbole prpeared me for.

Higgins and sharman pretty lucky to be there
Bench also weak
NWM and Clark have gone way past the 'flashy, shows promise stage but in Clark's case, his tyres have lost air pressure

As the seaon wears on, i would expect NWM and Philipou to improve ..Windy, not usre..butler could replace Higgo or they could bot fall away. Ross is still a soldier that could stiffen the lines as is Stocker

No steele??...You gotta be f****** joking.

Who?

Oh that guy??

Mnn.. he should be there, right?

Centre half forward, or half-forward flank...
If mid, then Dow or Clark come out.
Steele was just going last year.

[shanegrambeau]

Using this as the starting point.



Wilkie Howard (-1-)
Sinclair (-2-) (-3-3)
Hill Crouch Wood
(-4-)(-5-)(Henry)
Higgins King Sharman

Marshall Owens (-7-)

NWM, Clark, Butler, Dow


1. Webster no doubt
2. Battle/Cordy
3. Windhager
4. Phillipou
5. Camaniti/Membry
7. The Captain

1. Webster no doubt OK..fair enough, just
2. Battle/Cordy reluctantly , no choice
3. Windhager same as battle, hunter, i.e. barely
4. Phillipou overrated at present but got the chops, how many games?
5. Camaniti/Membry at present, both liabilities up forward
7. The Captain just going

Hyperbole protection shield is going up early

but ya right,
these are all fair choices
it isn't ideal, but we gotta make do.

[footynut]

B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: NWM, Battle, Sinclair
C: Wood, Dow, Henry
HF: Hill, Hayes, Sharman
F: Butler, King, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Steele, Owens

Int: Crouch, Phillipou, Windy, Clark,
Sub : Hotton

No room for Ross, Webster, Caminitti or Higgins?

I think Webster, Stocker and Paton (Windy could also play) are all fighting for the same position. And although I've loved Webster for a long time, I saw a couple of small indications this year the suggested old man time is starting to catch up with him. I also honestly think Stocker would be good value for short bursts through the middle.

I think Dow takes Ross's spot. So if he plays he takes the spot of one of the young guys, and at the moment I'd love to get as much game time into them as possible. Ross will be a valuable member of the squad throughout the season. I wouldn't hesitate to pick him in the wet.

Caminitti needs time, and I think Hayes is better at the moment. As we saw in GWS final Caminitti needs to learn how to separate the defenders and not always draw his defender to a potential one on one contest and turn it into a pack.

And finally you could argue Higgins should be in the team, and I wouldn't disagree. But who misses out??? Phillipou.... Membrey... Sharman...

[cwrcyn]

When putting a team together on paper, you notice that there are four or five players you want to put in, but you can't fit them

That has to be a good sign.

[nostalgicsaint]

Using this as the starting point.



Wilkie Howard (-1-)
Sinclair (-2-) (-3-3)
Hill Crouch Wood
(-4-)(-5-)(Henry)
Higgins King Sharman

Marshall Owens (-7-)

NWM, Clark, Butler, Dow


1. Webster no doubt
2. Battle/Cordy
3. Windhager
4. Phillipou
5. Camaniti/Membry
7. The Captain

1. Webster no doubt OK..fair enough, just
2. Battle/Cordy reluctantly , no choice
3. Windhager same as battle, hunter, i.e. barely
4. Phillipou overrated at present but got the chops, how many games?
5. Camaniti/Membry at present, both liabilities up forward
7. The Captain just going

Hyperbole protection shield is going up early

but ya right,
these are all fair choices
it isn't ideal, but we gotta make do.

I think it highlights we are not contending for a flag just yet.

Next off season I'd expect us to be chasing.

A gun kpp- Ben King (who imo should play back)
A gun midfielder. Rowbottom/caldwell

Suspect this year was about positioning us to do exactly that.

[bakes]

Now trading is done ( pick swaps can still happen) i thought i would start the Rnd 1 best 22 discussion.

I have used the following parameters to get to this:
- expected natural improvement after another pre season
- fit list (unlikely but can hope)
- older guys early round may be a little behind others on basis of lasting the full year ( Ross probably only one here).

B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: NWM, Battle, Sinclair
C: Wood, Crouch, Hill
HF: Henry, Membrey, Sharman
F: Butler, King, Higgins

Foll: Marshall, Steele, Owens

Int: Phillipou, Windy, Clark, Webster
Sub : Dow

Question marks:
Membrey - if not right to play then options are - Caminiti, or Hayes
Ross - could easily be in front of Windy , Phillipou.
Went Stocker over Paton
Cordy and Van Es back up big defenders
Always someone pops up in pre season and gets game rnd 1 unexpected like Brynes last year - Allison? (must be closing on record for most years on a list without a game),

I would swap Henry and Wood so that Henry plays on the wing full time.

I doubt Membrey will play, so Wood takes his position and becomes a permanent 3rd forward that pushes up to the wing.

[older saint]

Wilkie Howard Battle
Webster NWM Sinclair

Wood Crouch Henry
Marshall Steele Windhager

Hill Butler Higgins
King Sharman Owens

Clark Ross Caminitti Phillipou
Sub: Jones

EMG: Stocker Dow Byrnes Cordy

Unknown: Membrey, young players Keeler, Hotton, Van Es, draftees or DFA we may take

Who will be our wing combinations???
Henry Hill - a couple of good fellas
Dow Jones - definitely not one for the futures
Wood Byrnes - that's scraping the ashes from the fire
Ross Higgins - they're not taking the Kingswood
Howard Jones - the 80's aren't returning anytime soon

clever Commetti isms

[loris]

Who will be our wing combinations???
Henry Hill - a couple of good fellas
Dow Jones - definitely not one for the futures
Wood Byrnes - that's scraping the ashes from the fire
Ross Higgins - they're not taking the Kingswood
Howard Jones - the 80's aren't returning anytime soon

Clever, clever

[D.B.Cooper]

B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: NWM, Battle, Sinclair
C: Wood, Dow, Henry
HF: Hill, Hayes, Sharman
F: Butler, King, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Steele, Owens

Int: Crouch, Phillipou, Windy, Clark,
Sub : Hotton

No room for Ross, Webster, Caminitti or Higgins?

I think Webster, Stocker and Paton (Windy could also play) are all fighting for the same position. And although I've loved Webster for a long time, I saw a couple of small indications this year the suggested old man time is starting to catch up with him. I also honestly think Stocker would be good value for short bursts through the middle.

I think Dow takes Ross's spot. So if he plays he takes the spot of one of the young guys, and at the moment I'd love to get as much game time into them as possible. Ross will be a valuable member of the squad throughout the season. I wouldn't hesitate to pick him in the wet.

Caminitti needs time, and I think Hayes is better at the moment. As we saw in GWS final Caminitti needs to learn how to separate the defenders and not always draw his defender to a potential one on one contest and turn it into a pack.

And finally you could argue Higgins should be in the team, and I wouldn't disagree. But who misses out??? Phillipou.... Membrey... Sharman...

Personally I'd still have Webster in front of Paton & Stocker, however understand your view.

The only point I'd really argue there is Dow taking Seb's spot.

How does a D grade fringe player who can't get a game at Carlton, take Seb's place who has been a first choice player for the best part of a 200 game career?

I'm not convinced Dow is best 23 at any AFL club, let alone replacing a proven AFL standard player. No doubt he'll get early games as all recruits seem to do, however the real test will come by the middle of the season to see if he is still getting games or on the fringe as I'd expect.