Best 22 Round 1 2022

[Goal Sneak]

Agree with the squad changes, subject to Ladhams' performance yesterday (which is unknown on this forum). Post game, Cox suggested they were genuinely undecided re Ladhams' inclusion in the 22.

Kennedy is playing half-back this year. They like him as a decision-maker and sound disposer (source: Heeney's interview on SEN last week). Reckon he'll play.

Agree with others that it's between Wicks and Hayward. Hayward's a better mark, more likely to score an important goal and less fumbly. Wicks' tackle pressure is superior.

Basic stats from yesterday via afl app (disposals, marks, tackles, contested possessions, fantasy, pressure acts, HOs, goals):

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

The contested possessions may be enough for Wicks to get the nod. Longmire and the coaching staff have been focusing heavily on matching the top 4 teams when it comes to contested possessions this season.

[liz]

Thanks for the info, BS. Much appreciated! I don't arrive till noon so it will be an afternoon visit.

They won't still be training in the afternoon. Or at least, normally they train for two to three hours in the morning.

It is possible that they'll start switching some training sessions to match the time they are due to play so as to more closely match conditions (notwithstanding the rain makes it hard to match any conditions). It is also possible that they'll soon be able to switch to training inside the SCG, making training sessions effectively closed to the public.

[Aprilbr]

Yes, that's where they usually are - from about 9 AM.

Thanks for the info, BS. Much appreciated! I don't arrive till noon so it will be an afternoon visit.

[MattW]

Excluding the 3 players who also played VFL, we had 23 players in the match yesterday.

I think we bring in Franklin and Ladhams for Reid and McLean. And that will be the 1st round team. It's just deciding who will be the Med Sub. My choice would be JPK, for strategic reasons.

Agree with the squad changes, subject to Ladhams' performance yesterday (which is unknown on this forum). Post game, Cox suggested they were genuinely undecided re Ladhams' inclusion in the 22.

Kennedy is playing half-back this year. They like him as a decision-maker and sound disposer (source: Heeney's interview on SEN last week). Reckon he'll play.

Agree with others that it's between Wicks and Hayward. Hayward's a better mark, more likely to score an important goal and less fumbly. Wicks' tackle pressure is superior.

Basic stats from yesterday via afl app (disposals, marks, tackles, contested possessions, fantasy, pressure acts, HOs, goals):

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[bloodspirit]

I am going to be in Sydney on Friday and was hoping to catch training. Any tips on when and where they are likely to be training then? Tramway Oval?

Yes, that's where they usually are - from about 9 AM.

[Aprilbr]

I am going to be in Sydney on Friday and was hoping to catch training. Any tips on when and where they are likely to be training then? Tramway Oval?

[Aprilbr]

Excluding the 3 players who also played VFL, we had 23 players in the match yesterday.

I think we bring in Franklin and Ladhams for Reid and McLean. And that will be the 1st round team. It's just deciding who will be the Med Sub. My choice would be JPK, for strategic reasons.

We certainly will be fielding a strong team for the first game. We will need it against GWS. Hopefully, Mills has pulled up well and can play in the opener. Essentially missing only Paps from our best team. The rise of Paddy means we may have alleviated one of our biggest weaknesses from last season - a second tall defender who can take intercept marks and create. The Pelican rarely did those things. We have to hope that one of our young midfielders can become elite eg Chad. If that happens then we can really threaten the top 4 sides. A bit of competition for spots now and some depth too. Nice!!

[Ludwig]

Excluding the 3 players who also played VFL, we had 23 players in the match yesterday.

I think we bring in Franklin and Ladhams for Reid and McLean. And that will be the 1st round team. It's just deciding who will be the Med Sub. My choice would be JPK, for strategic reasons.

[Blood Fever]

Pretty close AB, but I think McLean might get the nod over Ladhams perhaps. But hard to know given it sounds like they sent Ladhams back to get a full game in rucking yesterday (I assume as much for match practice/conditioning as anything) and doesn't seem to be much/any intel coming out of that game at this point to have much idea how he went. Going to be an interesting call.

Hayward v Wicks is another one. I think Wicks will play, but I'm not sure it is Hayward that will out if he does. Maybe Campbell v Wicks for the last spot. Great to see the depth really starting to build in the list that makes it hard to see clearly what our best 22 will be.

Will be surprised if Ladhams doesn't play. Went out of our way to get him on a four year deal. Like Mclean as a player but lacks the agility and size to play as a genuine back up ruckman.

[bloodspirit]

Pretty close AB, but I think McLean might get the nod over Ladhams perhaps. But hard to know given it sounds like they sent Ladhams back to get a full game in rucking yesterday (I assume as much for match practice/conditioning as anything) and doesn't seem to be much/any intel coming out of that game at this point to have much idea how he went. Going to be an interesting call.

Hayward v Wicks is another one. I think Wicks will play, but I'm not sure it is Hayward that will out if he does. Maybe Campbell v Wicks for the last spot. Great to see the depth really starting to build in the list that makes it hard to see clearly what our best 22 will be.

I agree with you about Wicks v Campbell for the 22nd spot. I think Ladhams may be picked ahead of McLean because of his rucking ability. It means that Heeney is our biggest aerial threat in the front half, followed by McDonald, because Buddy and Ladhams are not as strong marks as McLean.

Incidentally, if Ladhams doesn't play, who does the back-up rucking? None of us have Reid or Amartey in the team. Ditto Fox. Parker has been forced into it but he's not a credible option. One of the McCartins? Not so likely - I guess it would have to be McLean.

[AB Swannie]

Pretty close AB, but I think McLean might get the nod over Ladhams perhaps. But hard to know given it sounds like they sent Ladhams back to get a full game in rucking yesterday (I assume as much for match practice/conditioning as anything) and doesn't seem to be much/any intel coming out of that game at this point to have much idea how he went. Going to be an interesting call.

Hayward v Wicks is another one. I think Wicks will play, but I'm not sure it is Hayward that will out if he does. Maybe Campbell v Wicks for the last spot. Great to see the depth really starting to build in the list that makes it hard to see clearly what our best 22 will be.

You may be absolutely correct. I've only created my team based on my personal preference and the information I have at hand. The pleasing thing for me is that all of these calls are very tight and so we don't gain or lose too much one way or the other. I'd be happy enough if they went with McLean over Ladhams and Wicks/Hayward instead of Campbell.

[Bangalore Swans]

Update from my 30 Jan team:

FB: Cunningham, T. McCartin, Rampe
HB: Lloyd, P. McCartin, McInerney
C: Florent, Ch Warner, Stephens
HF: Heeney, McDonald, Gulden
F: Hayward, Franklin, Ladhams
Foll: Hickey, Parker, Mills
Int: Blakey, Campbell, Rowbottom, JPK
Sub: Wicks

Toss of a coin between Hayward and Wicks.

Like that team. I would have Lloyd on the bench and Blakey starting off half back.

Imagine the extra ball moving capability we now have with Paddy playing key defence. There were many opportunities for Melican to switch the ball last year that he wouldn’t take because he was an inferior kick to Paddy. Now Paddy can switch the ball flat at 55m distance and Blakey, Campbell and J-Mac are going to run opposing teams ragged out of defence.

With Paddy their will be less kicks down the line and more entertaining football. “You Beauty “.

When Papley is ready I think Rowbotttom goes to sub.

[mcs]

Update from my 30 Jan team:

FB: Cunningham, T. McCartin, Rampe
HB: Lloyd, P. McCartin, McInerney
C: Florent, Ch Warner, Stephens
HF: Heeney, McDonald, Gulden
F: Hayward, Franklin, Ladhams
Foll: Hickey, Parker, Mills
Int: Blakey, Campbell, Rowbottom, JPK
Sub: Wicks

Toss of a coin between Hayward and Wicks.

Pretty close AB, but I think McLean might get the nod over Ladhams perhaps. But hard to know given it sounds like they sent Ladhams back to get a full game in rucking yesterday (I assume as much for match practice/conditioning as anything) and doesn't seem to be much/any intel coming out of that game at this point to have much idea how he went. Going to be an interesting call.

Hayward v Wicks is another one. I think Wicks will play, but I'm not sure it is Hayward that will out if he does. Maybe Campbell v Wicks for the last spot. Great to see the depth really starting to build in the list that makes it hard to see clearly what our best 22 will be.

[Auntie.Gerald]

agree AB.
that looks pretty close to the 22 depending who we play and match ups.
will be exciting to watch the development of Paddy as a Key Defender as we very much need a mobile 195cm key def

[AB Swannie]

Given all the positive chat around the pre-season I thought I'd refresh this thread. The main reason being as a reminder of how difficult it actually is to fit everyone in to a 22.

My current team if forced to pick Round 1 would be:

FB: Cunningham, T. McCartin, Blakey
HB: Lloyd, Rampe, McInerney
C: Florent, Kennedy, Heeney
HF: Hayward, McDonald, Gulden
F: Papley, Franklin, Ch Warner
Foll: Hickey, Parker, Mills
Int: Campbell, Rowbottom, Stephens, Ladhams
Sub: Wicks

Update from my 30 Jan team:

FB: Cunningham, T. McCartin, Rampe
HB: Lloyd, P. McCartin, McInerney
C: Florent, Ch Warner, Stephens
HF: Heeney, McDonald, Gulden
F: Hayward, Franklin, Ladhams
Foll: Hickey, Parker, Mills
Int: Blakey, Campbell, Rowbottom, JPK
Sub: Wicks

Toss of a coin between Hayward and Wicks.