Best 22 for finals

[Ralph Dawg]

B Cunningham Rampe Melican
HB Lloyd McCartain Blakey
C Florent Mills Dawson
HF Gulden Heeney Reid
F Papley Buddy Hayward
Foll Hickey Kennedy Parker
Int Hewett McInerney Warner Wicks

Contentious positions would be:
3rd tall defender: Melican or Fox
3rd and 4th interchange spots: Combination of Warner, Wicks, Rowbottom, Campbell, Stephens, Bell or even take a third tall forward in McDonald, McLean or Amartey.

Certainly think we are in a strong position moving into finals personnel wise - just need to get the best combination and have them firing.

[Blood Fever]

Hard to argue, barring injuries. Would prefer Fox to be in instead of Melican, depending on match ups. Gives us more dash out of defence.

[Goal Sneak]

It's interesting to think whether the MC have a definitive best 22 right now. With the depth and fitness of the squad I imagine there is some robust debate. A lot to play for over the next two games for some of those last contentious spots. Very exciting to be in such an unexpected position this year. Whoever they pick, it's going to be very enjoyable to watch

[Bangalore Swans]

B Cunningham Rampe Melican
HB Lloyd McCartain Blakey
C Florent Mills Dawson
HF Gulden Heeney Reid
F Papley Buddy Hayward
Foll Hickey Kennedy Parker
Int Hewett McInerney Warner Wicks

Contentious positions would be:
3rd tall defender: Melican or Fox
3rd and 4th interchange spots: Combination of Warner, Wicks, Rowbottom, Campbell, Stephens, Bell or even take a third tall forward in McDonald, McLean or Amartey.

Certainly think we are in a strong position moving into finals personnel wise - just need to get the best combination and have them firing.

That is an outstandingly selected team.
Well done.

Who would you go for out of Campbell, Rowbottom and Bell for Medical sub?

[TheBloods]

B Cunningham Rampe Melican
HB Lloyd McCartain Blakey
C Florent Mills Dawson
HF Gulden Heeney Reid
F Papley Buddy Hayward
Foll Hickey Kennedy Parker
Int Hewett McInerney Warner Wicks


Agree with this team but swap Melican for Fox

[longmile]

No Melican for me. Woud much rather Fox, who I think is extremely underrated.

Bell not up to finals.

Otherwise bang on

[Faunac8]

Pretty fair team that you selected Ralf and hard to argue with it although as Goal Sneak suggested I think the MC would probably have a core group of 28-30 that they would select from depending on the opposition and injuries etc.
The other interesting thing about this team is that at least half of them have at some stage of this season been the subject of numerous posts on this site calling for them to be dropped or delisted. For those that did indeed spend time in the reserves it was obviously a good call not so sure about some of the other suggestions though 😀

[Ralph Dawg]

That is an outstandingly selected team.
Well done.

Who would you go for out of Campbell, Rowbottom and Bell for Medical sub?
The medical sub is such a lottery. For example, if we lost Hickey or McCartain early in a final, we would be pushing a wheelbarrow full of excrement up Everest. Of the 3 you list, I'd go Rowbotton. He has played the most games and should slot in seemlessly if required.

[Bangalore Swans]

The medical sub is such a lottery. For example, if we lost Hickey or McCartain early in a final, we would be pushing a wheelbarrow full of excrement up Everest. Of the 3 you list, I'd go Rowbotton. He has played the most games and should slot in seemlessly if required.

To manage risk would you go for Amartey as medical sub?

You lose McCartin, Reid goes back and Amartey goes to 2nd tall relieving ruckman.

If you lose Hickey, Amartey is primarily ruckman supported by Reid.

If you lose Reid then Amartey is a direct replacement.

If a medium or small goes down, you play Amartey on the bench swapping directly with Hickey. Amartey gives 5-7 minutes maximum burst a quarter.

If you pick a medium or small as a medical sub, there is limited coverage of an injury to Franklin, Reid, Hickey, Melican or McCartin.

[i'm-uninformed2]

To manage risk would you go for Amartey as medical sub?

You lose McCartin, Reid goes back and Amartey goes to 2nd tall relieving ruckman.

If you lose Hickey, Amartey is primarily ruckman supported by Reid.

If you lose Reid then Amartey is a direct replacement.

If a medium or small goes down, you play Amartey on the bench swapping directly with Hickey. Amartey gives 5-7 minutes maximum burst a quarter.

If you pick a medium or small as a medical sub, there is limited coverage of an injury to Franklin, Reid, Hickey, Melican or McCartin.

Most clubs love to go a mid or a small for the rotations and run, but given we’re not a side with a lot of height and therefore limited flexibility on that count, it’s not the worst idea.

[Ralph Dawg]

Most clubs love to go a mid or a small for the rotations and run, but given we’re not a side with a lot of height and therefore limited flexibility on that count, it’s not the worst idea.
Having Dawson gives us the flexibility to take a small as the sub. He can play tall down back or as a target up forward. Mills likewise although we definitely lose his drive on ball.