Aliir very good in his three quarters in the NEAFL practice game. Assume full game next week and hopefully ok for R1
Aliir very good in his three quarters in the NEAFL practice game. Assume full game next week and hopefully ok for R1
AA will be ready !
I remember seeing McVeigh at the 2005 premiership celebration near Lakeside Oval. He and one other player were standing far away from the celebrations. He looked so unhappy. I was tempted to go and talk to him but I got the impression that he wasn't to happy about being there. He probably thought at the time that he'd missed out on a premiership and he might never get the opportunity again. I'm glad he did.
Getting closer to this now. How many places are up for grabs? Someone less lazy than me can confirm if I'm missing anyone, but those from our GF team who aren't around to suit up for Rd 1, for various reasons, are:-
- Mitchell, X Richards, McVeigh, Papley, Heeney, McGlynn, Rohan, (K Jack possible).
For mine, those places will be taken by Jones, Reid, Allir, Robinson, Cunningham, Florent, Marsh
Today's a draft of your epitaph
Jones played in the GF so you'll need to find another "in".
I noticed hannes did his knee just before full time
Limping off clutching his tight knee
Hayward did a lot of good things to counter some bad positioning
He actually did a lot of pressuring that resulted in pts for us
I think oli looks more likely to be picked for Rd 1 but Hayward has jumped ahead of Brandon jack that is for sure
I agree. I was tossing up between Cunningham and Towers so since we need an extra, pick both. If Kizza doesn't make it, then probably Foote or maybe Laidler is next man up. I'm assuming that Melican is possible cover for Aliir and they won't be selected in the same team at this stage. Fox might have been in the running if he'd had a strong game but it seems he didn't do himself any favours in JLT3.
It means we are entering the season with a significant injury list for this time of year (and remembering there are others who are coming in off limited preparations: Aliir, Parker, Buddy, Naismith). The good news is that (a) we will be getting to observe and test some of our fringe talent; and (b) we will (hopefully) just get stronger as the year wears on, with improved depth underneath.
Jones and Robbo are stepping are up as hoped. I reckon Hewett will do the same. I think he just ran out of steam towards the end of last year a bit. I have only seen the highlights from JLT3 but I loved his handball under heavy pressure to set up a goal to Buddy in the second quarter.
Lastly, I'm really excited about having Buddy, Tippett and Reid all playing together (and hopefully gelling) in the forward line. Reid and Tippett are both strong marks. With Buddy playing high and running towards them (and other sticky fingered resting mids like Parker, Heeney etc) it is a tantalising prospect!
Rd 1 team, based on fitness and JLT:
KJ, Tippett, Florent
Robinson, Franklin, Reid
Naismith
Kennedy (C)
Jones
Parker
Hannebery
Mills
Rampe, Melican, Lloyd
AA, Grundy, Smith
19. Marsh
20. Cameron
21. Cunningham/Towers
22. Hewett
Emergencies :
Foote
Newman
Laidler
Rose/BJ
"In some ways we?re less predictable to ourselves and sometimes that can be detrimental because we don?t really know where we?re going" - P.Roos
I'm happy with Shaun's team, but I'm guessing that Allir will play next weekend in the NEAFL, and therefore may not play Rd 1 the following week. In that case, Melican drops back a line; Mills returns to the back 6, and Foote gets a further chance in the middle.
I think it likely KJ will play and in the forward pocket role, not midfield.
Maybe Cameron does get a game as the tall cover forward and for rucking duties. That means Marsh covers the back 6 and Hewitt and Cunningham for midfield rotations. So 2real debutants and Foote with 1(?) game.
Personally, I would play Cunningham over Towers every time, and favour Edwards over him as well.
I can see no reason why with two games in the NEAFL that we wouldn't play Aliir.
Injuries permitting my preferred team is now locked in and as follows from the back
Marsh Aliir Smith
Mills Reg Rampe
Lloyd Hanners Jones
Hewett Buddy Reid
Jack Tippett Harry
Naismith JPK Parker
Inter: Florent Robinson Towers Cameron
Foote and Laidler unlucky omissions, Towers could well miss out.
Looking through the list we do look a bit thin on the ground with Heeney, Papley, Rohan, McVeigh all out injured. A strong team all the same though
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