Team for Round 1 Speculation, Innuendo etc.

[ShockOfHair]

The season starts in eight days, though our first game isn't until the 30th.

Here's our GF team.

B: Shaw Richards Mattner
HB: Johnson Grundy Smith
C: Jetta Jack Hannebery
HF: Bird Reid O'Keefe
F: McVeigh Goodes Roberts-Thomson

FOLL: Mumford Kennedy Bolton
I/C: Malceski Pyke Parker Morton

EMG: Armstrong Dennis-Lane Walsh

We know Johnson is out and McGlynn is going to come in.

We have a bunch of doubtfuls - Mattner, Smith, Morton. The big question is whether we bring in a tall, ie, White or Everitt. That aside, it's surely Tony A and then Rampe next in line.

I'm tipping (in order of likelihood):
IN: McGlynn, Armstrong, Rampe, White/Everitt?
OUT: Johnson, Mattner, Morton, Smith

Any other suggestions?

[DamY]

I think Smith and White will be in the team. Smith as we are a bit lacking in defence and also White as Mummy isn't fully fit and he offers versatility.

[swansrob]

I have a feeling Dennis-Lane won't be named as an emergency.

[Triple B]

I have a feeling Dennis-Lane won't be named as an emergency.

There's a very strong possibility he will. Just not with the Swans tho...

[Ludwig]

I would like to see Armstrong in the team just because of his precision kicking. He takes a lot of pressure off the erratic kickers like Shaw and Grundy if they can manage to get the ball to Tony. I noticed that once he's got ball in hand, it moves quickly up the field. But he doesn't have the size or defensive skills to take on a bigger forward the way AJ was able to do.

We have a number of options to fill AJ's shoes. LRT is an obvious one, especially if we have to cover 3 talls. Richards would probably take the 3rd tall in that setup. We only need to have 4 of Mummy, Goodes, Reid, Pyke, Drey and White to cover the tall forward and ruck positions. We've got too many good mids to carry an excess of tall forwards.

Mattner is to closest match to AJ in type of player, as he's a good defender and can cover all sizes. He looks as though he is going to play this weekend. Should fit in seamlessly and let Armstrong move into the backline. Rampe is another option that is a Mattner type player, but may not get the job if both Mattner and Smith are available.

So at this point, I would think that it's AJ and Morton out, McGlynn and Armstong in. But wound not be surprised to see a bit of experimentation early on as we are playing the 2 bottom sides in our first 2 games and there's really not much risk in playing someone like Rampe or Drey, for example.

I noticed that in a recent interview on the subject of who has played well, Longmire omitted the name of White from a list of possible inclusions. I don't know if this was just an oversight, as White has featured prominently in the NAB cup and has played pretty well, as has been noted by many posters.

[Wazza]

II noticed that in a recent interview on the subject of who has played well, Longmire omitted the name of White from a list of possible inclusions. I don't know if this was just an oversight, as White has featured prominently in the NAB cup and has played pretty well, as has been noted by many posters.

Ive heard and seen a couple of interviews Lonmire was asked about white but the response on all occasions was he is going ok and wouldnt say anymore... White really does seem to be on the outer probably best thing for him to change clubs would be a good fit for a couple of clubs as 2nd ruck ff. definately worse 2nd ruck fwds running around.

Cheers

waz

[Nico]

Johnson out McGlynn in. Maybe Morton won't be ready so Armstrong comes in. Not sure that he is just a half back..

[stellation]

I noticed that in a recent interview on the subject of who has played well, Longmire omitted the name of White from a list of possible inclusions. I don't know if this was just an oversight, as White has featured prominently in the NAB cup and has played pretty well, as has been noted by many posters.

I get the feeling that John expects a fair bit from Jesse to earn a spot, I've probably mentioned it ad nauseum but I certainly thought last year (I think it was last year, it might have been the year before!) that Jesse started the season better than LRT did as the backup ruck but Jesse was behind in John's eyes and was never really more than filler until Lewis was ready to go again. Last year he had a stretch in the magoos where he was pretty dominant, and it included games against all the AFL reserves teams playing in the NEAFL conferences, and I think John's acknowledgement of it when pushed was he was going "okay".

I don't think it's particularly that John doesn't like him, nor that he's treated unfairly or anything like that- I think he just has to work harder to earn praise and his opportunities, probably because they feel he's been given ample opportunity before- a bit like TDL kicking bags every week in the magoos but that not being enough for a sniff in the senior squad. That said- John did acknowledge in one of the articles this week that Jesse had been doing okay and referenced his forward work (which has looked greatly improved from what I've seen) as well as his ruck work; so his efforts don't appear to be going unnoticed.

[Big Al]

I get the feeling that John expects a fair bit from Jesse to earn a spot, I've probably mentioned it ad nauseum but I certainly thought last year (I think it was last year, it might have been the year before!) that Jesse started the season better than LRT did as the backup ruck but Jesse was behind in John's eyes and was never really more than filler until Lewis was ready to go again. Last year he had a stretch in the magoos where he was pretty dominant, and it included games against all the AFL reserves teams playing in the NEAFL conferences, and I think John's acknowledgement of it when pushed was he was going "okay".

I don't think it's particularly that John doesn't like him, nor that he's treated unfairly or anything like that- I think he just has to work harder to earn praise and his opportunities, probably because they feel he's been given ample opportunity before- a bit like TDL kicking bags every week in the magoos but that not being enough for a sniff in the senior squad. That said- John did acknowledge in one of the articles this week that Jesse had been doing okay and referenced his forward work (which has looked greatly improved from what I've seen) as well as his ruck work; so his efforts don't appear to be going unnoticed.

I've been one of Jessie's fiercest critics but I'll admit to being impressed with his forward work. Not only in using his considerable bulk in providing contests but also being in the right place at the right time. I've been burnt in the past so I won't say he's turned the corner but it's encouraging signs.

[Dosser]

Surely if we had the foresight to start a "Jesse White - is he good enough" thread all those years ago, it would be longer than the Tippett one.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Jesse will request to be traded at the end of the season.

[Wazza]

I get the feeling that John expects a fair bit from Jesse to earn a spot, I've probably mentioned it ad nauseum but I certainly thought last year (I think it was last year, it might have been the year before!) that Jesse started the season better than LRT did as the backup ruck but Jesse was behind in John's eyes and was never really more than filler until Lewis was ready to go again. Last year he had a stretch in the magoos where he was pretty dominant, and it included games against all the AFL reserves teams playing in the NEAFL conferences, and I think John's acknowledgement of it when pushed was he was going "okay".

I don't think it's particularly that John doesn't like him, nor that he's treated unfairly or anything like that- I think he just has to work harder to earn praise and his opportunities, probably because they feel he's been given ample opportunity before- a bit like TDL kicking bags every week in the magoos but that not being enough for a sniff in the senior squad. That said- John did acknowledge in one of the articles this week that Jesse had been doing okay and referenced his forward work (which has looked greatly improved from what I've seen) as well as his ruck work; so his efforts don't appear to be going unnoticed.

Great post I think you have nailed it with jesse and John very nice work.

Cheers

waz