Positions?

[Melbournehammer]

So happy that someone else has said. Have been defending Jetta endlessly over at bigfooty. I just can't seem to understand how we single out one or two players like Reid and Jetta when everyone has been so soundly beaten. Just feels like scapegoating.

In my view Jetta has been just about our most improved player this year. While I don't know the coaching panels instructions I am confident it was that we don't expect you to kick the 80 metre goal - we just want you to get it franklin one in one as quickly as possible - so find a little space and move it on quickly.

I would have thought that he had the runs on the board over the course of the year to offset one bad game - as it must be for a lot of the team who collectively wre so poor

[Meg]

The biggest adjustment that needs to be made from Saturday is in the coaches box and In the players attitudes and mental preparation.

I agree. If Dew leaves perhaps that would be a good thing (surely he needs to take some of the blame for the midfield failure on Saturday). Would be great if we could get Brett Kirk, just the man for instilling attitude and mental toughness. Unfortunately though I read recently that he had committed to stay with Fremantle in 2015.

[liz]

Why are so many on here trading Jetta? He had an absolute shocker of a game, so did most of the team bar about 3 or 4 guys. Despite less goals and blistering runs, his role this year has been super important to our team finishing top of the ladder. He delivers the ball better than anyone bar perhaps buddy. He ranks right up there for inside 50's in our side ( if not no.1) , his defensive game and tackling has improved dramatically, and his ability to weave through heavy traffic with composure is unrivalled in our 22. If we were trading players based purely on their performance on Saturday, we'd be left with 4 players. People talk about needing more elite kicks and then throw up Jetta as trade bait? Astounding ! The biggest adjustment that needs to be made from Saturday is in the coaches box and In the players attitudes and mental preparation.

Can't disagree with any of that.

[Molly dooker]

Don't get me wrong, Jetts is a brilliant player and I agree, he has improved on critical parts of his game. I would be very sad to lose an intuitive player like him. I take great pleasure in watching him kick a 50m+ boomer off one step, his natural ability is astonishing..... however.... he gets thrown off by an oppostion player like a wet rag, he still seems to stand back and watch the opposition get the ball first and then try and tackle. The desire to get the ball first doesn't seem to be there for him. When he gets the ball my confidence soars, in a way he's like Capper - brilliance with the ball but putting up a fight for the ball, nup. I don't want to see him go because the excitement level he brings is amazing but for trade bait on a KPP backman might be too tempting. I know it's not like for like but we need to get our hands on the ball to beat a team like the Hawks.

[jono2707]

Why are so many on here trading Jetta? He had an absolute shocker of a game, so did most of the team bar about 3 or 4 guys. Despite less goals and blistering runs, his role this year has been super important to our team finishing top of the ladder. He delivers the ball better than anyone bar perhaps buddy. He ranks right up there for inside 50's in our side ( if not no.1) , his defensive game and tackling has improved dramatically, and his ability to weave through heavy traffic with composure is unrivalled in our 22. If we were trading players based purely on their performance on Saturday, we'd be left with 4 players. People talk about needing more elite kicks and then throw up Jetta as trade bait? Astounding ! The biggest adjustment that needs to be made from Saturday is in the coaches box and In the players attitudes and mental preparation.

Amen - you got it. It's mystifying talk and as can often happen, if people say it enough it will be taken as a given that we have an overwhelming need to get rid of him. Jetts is a particularly important part of the team and he has had a good year where he's added several strings to his bow.

Also, he did get knocked about a bit in the GF - he did finish the game with concussion which may partly explain his poor showing.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Why are so many on here trading Jetta? He had an absolute shocker of a game, so did most of the team bar about 3 or 4 guys. Despite less goals and blistering runs, his role this year has been super important to our team finishing top of the ladder. He delivers the ball better than anyone bar perhaps buddy. He ranks right up there for inside 50's in our side ( if not no.1) , his defensive game and tackling has improved dramatically, and his ability to weave through heavy traffic with composure is unrivalled in our 22. If we were trading players based purely on their performance on Saturday, we'd be left with 4 players. People talk about needing more elite kicks and then throw up Jetta as trade bait? Astounding ! The biggest adjustment that needs to be made from Saturday is in the coaches box and In the players attitudes and mental preparation.

[Molly dooker]

Don't want to be too harsh but we must find a great backman, love Teddy, have faith in Rampe but pretty much after each game I have at least yelled out at least once "sack Reg". I know he's big but I can't take it any more, not good enough. Jett's, well I hold him in high regard but he might be better off as trade bait and salary cap release with some of the younguns coming through.

I agree with the swap of Goodesy for Membrey, the one game for the 1's against the Bombers I was quite impressed with his touches. No one will ever replace Goodesy, he is a legend, one of the best players EVER and possibly one of the only shining lights of the GF but once again, ditto for the first paragraph.

Outs...... Grundy, Jetta, Goodesy, Towers.
Ins.... KPP = backman with height and speed, footy brain essential too. Maybe Sammy R can play back there but injuries certainly have created some doubt for me at this stage.

[Flying South]

I'm not sure if it would be possible but I'd love to see Membrey have a massive pre-season and develop his tank enough to allow him to play high half-forward and rotate through the midfield, similar to ROK in 05/06.

He has everything else necessary, clean hands, great kick, physically strong...and most of all he's a natural footballer so should be able to pick up our set ups pretty quickly. We've seen how effective Roughead can be in the midfield so there's no reason Timmy can't replicate this...endurance pending.

What are the main ressies watchers thoughts on this?

I have no doubt Membrey can develop into a ROK type. He tackles well and his targets know about too. He has been getting some midfield rotation in the ressies.

I'm not convinced about Rohan off HB. Lacks some composure. I think he could be more dangerous in a forward position and could make a few opposition defenders nervous.

I would like to see Jetta or Cunningham move into a small forward role. Reid moved back as a third tall and learn something from Teddy. Mitchell is an essential inclusion and Jones will add some energy and toughness. I also think the sub role should be rotated regularly to give players like Naismith, Nankervis, Hewett and Heeney exposure to senior footy. They can only learn so much in the NEAFL.

Assuming all are fit, my starting team for 2015 is

Smith Richards Reid
McVeigh Grundy Rampe
Jack Hannebery Parker
Pyke Kennedy Mitchell
Membrey Franklin McGlynn
Jetta Tippett Rohan
Sub: Lloyd, Cunningham, Jones, Hewett

Emerg: Naismith, Heeney, Nankervis, Biggs, Bird, Laidler

Unfortunately Bird has slipped down my pecking order to give playing time to some kids. Hard decision but there are only 22 places up for grabs.

[goswannie14]

That sums it up pretty well

[aardvark]

I don't want another Grundy in the team for the long haul. Heart attack material every time he gets the ball with Reg.

My kids call them Leo Barry moments......

[Conor_Dillon]

I'm not sure if it would be possible but I'd love to see Membrey have a massive pre-season and develop his tank enough to allow him to play high half-forward and rotate through the midfield, similar to ROK in 05/06.

He has everything else necessary, clean hands, great kick, physically strong...and most of all he's a natural footballer so should be able to pick up our set ups pretty quickly. We've seen how effective Roughead can be in the midfield so there's no reason Timmy can't replicate this...endurance pending.

What are the main ressies watchers thoughts on this?

[goswannie14]

I think Reid has had ample time to show his potential.
He has become White mk.II

I'm with you. I like Reid, but he has had enough time to fulfill his potential and has not. Time to see if we can get something for him by putting him on the market. I don't want another Grundy in the team for the long haul. Heart attack material every time he gets the ball with Reg.

[caj23]

Reid to CHB, Reg to play back and forward as needed ala LRT

[jetts32]

White wasn't carrying injuries like Reid has for most his career.

Plus Reid is like 22? 23? Still very young!

[longmile]

I think Reid has had ample time to show his potential.
He has become White mk.II