We need to find a fullback to free up AA and Rampe. We have 3 reasonable candidates in Melican, Brand and Maibaum. With any luck, at least one of them should make the grade.
I think Reid can play equally well at either end of the ground. He often drops back in defence the last few minutes of quarters and usually does a pretty good job; and often does a magnificent job. For next season, Reid still is the best option up forward with Franklin. So I would say he is option #4 for playing fullback.
If we get Daniher and Franklin is still playing well in 2021, then having Reid as a 3rd tall option seems a bit over the top. I suppose we can address that when the time comes.
I'm not sure if there's a place for Sinkers if everyone is fit. But with our recent history of injuries to ruckmen and forwards, he'll probably see a fair bit of senior time.
We also have to find a spot for Melican, who also plays equally well at both ends of the ground.
- - - Updated - - -
He's enrolled in the astronaut program.
I appreciate your thoughtful response, graemed, and am delighted to hear your positive perceptions of Melican based on close observation. I'm a Melican fan and really want him to succeed. I think he needs to build his confidence as much as anything.
However, just in relation to Reid's speed, and fortified by The Mase's input, I did see Reid do a short, timed sprint at training on Monday morning and he looked pretty quick off the mark, possibly more so than Buddy, (although I reckon not as quick as Buddy in full flight (but didn't get to see that!)).
Buddy is showing signs of age and seems a little heavier and less lithe than once upon a time. Still quick and agile, just not like 10 years ago or even like when he arrived at the Swans.
AFL.com.au has had a crack at our best 22. I don’t know why they insist on seeing Blakey as a key position player rather than a tall wingman / half forward? They’ve swung Reid back to accommodate Blakey.
They’ve got Sinkers rucking and none of our draftees in the side. But Taylor and Gray are in.
Who's in, who's unlucky? Your club's best 22 for round one
I essentially agree with this team. I would be happy to try Reid down back but suspect he will start forward. Agree with you Webbos that Blakey plays on a wing / high HF.
Naismith is a unicorn - this mythical creature that will apparently solve all our issues around stoppages. As I have mentioned ad nauseum cast your minds back to his last full season. Look at the stats - his hit out count is on par with Sinclair. He was working with a superior midfield (Mitchell, JPK, Hanners, Jack, Parker ). Watch the games where McEvoy and Zac Smith towelled him up. And that was before he stuffed his knee. He will not fix a thing and will also get soundly beaten around the park. Sinclair is an honest workman and will compete around the park. Until we find a better ruckman than these two, Sinclair is the better option. Happy to be proven wrong as always - it would be fantastic if he was to become a first rate ruck in his second coming but I have my reservations..........
The 106kg half-back likened to Hurn | Will Gould | Draft Class of 2019 | AFL - YouTube
gould has stated in just about every interview he wants to be playing in snrs next year
i dont think i have ever heard a young fella drafted as keen as that except for Warner funny enough
There appears to be a bit of grit to Gould and Warner and they appear to have that passion to contribute
his kicking is on display below for Glenelg and there are some monster long kick outs.........starting to warm to Gould on the right side and Dawson on the left causing havoc with their accurate long kicks off HBF looking for Bud up front on the run in space
Round 1 RAA Rookie - Will Gould (Glenelg) - Lucindale FC - YouTube
check out the goal end of the video below with stephens and gould and edwards combining..........nice effort, anticipation and finish gouldie
Glenelg's Will Gould - Torrens Uni SA U18 v Vic Country - YouTube
"be tough, only when it gets tough"
makes you wonder if Warner may get a chance like Rowbottom did first year ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK-OlovHyf8 gould got 20.3 for a big unit fair effort in the yo yo test
Agility (seconds)
Hayden Young 7.940 seconds
Elijah Taylor 8.005
Thomson Dow 8.061
Trent Rivers 8.100
Oisin Gallen 8.197
Chad Warner 8.203
Sam Flanders 8.206
Noah Cumberland 8.208
Connor Budarick 8.242
Dylan Stephens 8.245
Yo-Yo test (level)
Jay Rantall 21.8 level
Cooper Stephens 21.8
Connor Budarick 21.6
Chad Warner 21.6
Oscar Lewis 21.5
Sam Philp 21.5
Lachlan Ash 21.4
Harrison Jones 21.4
Finn Maginness 21.4
Trey Ruscoe 21.4
Riley Baldi 21.3
Sam Flanders 21.3
Matt Rowell 21.3
Jeremy Sharp 21.3
2km time trial results (min:sec)
Jay Rantall 5:50 minutes
Finn Maginness 5:51
Dylan Stephens 6:01
Louis Butler 6:09
Hugo Ralphsmith 6:12
Jeremy Sharp 6:12
Connor Budarick 6:15
Jai Jackson 6:15
Will Martyn 6:16
Ned Cahill 6:17
Matt Rowell 6:17
Noah Anderson 6:17
Cooper Stephens 6:17
Cian McBride 6:17
Running vertical jump (cm)
Brady Rowles 98cm
Miles Bergman 90
Sam Flanders 88
Cian McBride 87
Lachlan Williams 86
Hugo Ralphsmith 86
Jaxon Prior 85
Nick Bryan 85
Oscar Lewis 83
Kysaiah Pickett 83
Cody Weightman 83
Will Day 83
Brady Rowles 83
Cooper Stephens 83
Harrison Jones 83
Vertical jump (cm)
Miles Bergman 77cm
Brady Rowles 73
Ben Johnson 70
Daniel Mott 70
Cody Weightman 69
Sam Flanders 69
Lachlan Williams 69
Sam Philp 69
Nick Bryan 69
20m sprint (seconds)
Sam Philp 2.867 seconds
Ben Johnson 2.885
Malcolm Rosas 2.924
Mitch Georgiades 2.925
Noah Cumberland 2.931
Finn Maginness 2.957
Harrison Jones 2.963
Jeremy Sharp 2.966
Brady Rowles 2.968
Dylan Stephens 2.972
"be tough, only when it gets tough"
Injuries and pre season form aside, perusal of the list has me thinking we have a fairly clear best 20/22, these are the guys I think are locks based on 2019 form
Buddy
LLoyd
Heeney
Parker
Aliir
Papley
Florent
Kennedy
Mills
Rampe
Reid
Hayward
McCartin
Blakey
Hewett
Dawson
Rowbottom
Cunningham
Sam Gray
Lewis Taylor if he gets fit
That's 20, plus we need at least one ruck (Sinclair/Naismith), plus another KPD (Melican/Brand) =22
COR I really rate and see him best 22 at some stage this year, Thurlow & Clarke are just depth from what we saw in 2019.
Be interesting to see how the new draftees go, wouldn't be surprised to see Stephens and/or Gould make a big impression on selectors in pre season games.
Bookmarks