I know this will create alot of banter, but I base my back 6 on further development. We all know that most times, coaches will play "horses for courses". But if I were to choose a back 6 for 2009, they would be: -

BACKS: Whelan Warnock Garland

H-BACKS: Rivers Martin Buckley

Cheers, hope you have much frustration and angst in choosing your six from the nominated candidates, if you choose other, please specify who, and if you want your reasoning..

Good Luck

B: Bell Warnock Garland

HB: Buckley Martin Rivers

Whelan Martin Bell

CJ Garland Rivers

Given different match-ups each week, the potential for a few of those players to paly differing roles from week to week depending on our needs and the fact that with rotations there is no such thing as a back 6 or forward 6 anymore my answer would be 'it depends'.

All I would say is that on their day they could all be valuable contributors to the backline bar Carroll who should probably be moved on at years end.

B: Bell Warnock Garland

HB: Buckley Martin Rivers

Bell ahead of Whelan? Ok.

It will be interesting to see the poll as it progresses. Whelan to me has more awareness and footy nous than Bell and also more alert with the ball.

However, in your corner there is an age gap and there is time on Bell's side, he is a terrific tackler and strong. But then again so is Matty Whelan.

I based my 6 for next year, and I think IMO Whelan still has alot to offer.

Given different match-ups each week, the potential for a few of those players to paly differing roles from week to week depending on our needs and the fact that with rotations there is no such thing as a back 6 or forward 6 anymore my answer would be 'it depends'.

As I said, coaches go on match ups (ie "horses for courses), and it is hard to settle on a back 6 through rotations, etc. I just want your best 6.

I just want your best 6.

It depends

I would say on current form that the nucleas should be around Garland, Warnock, Martin & Rivers.

Whatever roles Bartram, Bell, Bruce, Buckley, CJ, Whelan & Wheatley (who wasnt on the list) play will vary from week to week (and throughout the match) and I think they could all make valuable contributions to the backline and / or midfield.

Frawley is on the outer.

Some very interesting numbers posted already.......Martin has obviously impressed. I think that's a good sign, and I reckon Bailey might have the same opinion......

B: Whelan, Warnock, Garland.

HB: Bruce, Rivers, CJ.

Stef Martin will be the back up tall but I cant see him replacing a fit Riv.

Stef Martin will be the back up tall but I cant see him replacing a fit Riv.

I think most weeks there is room for all of Martin, Warnock, Garland & Rivers.

Garland can play small and is showing real signs he could become a damaging rebounding defender rather than a FB / CHB.

Rivers has only ever been a 3rd tall, his best work is done filling the hole.

B: Whelan, Warnock, Garland.

HB: Bruce, Rivers, CJ.

Stef Martin will be the back up tall but I cant see him replacing a fit Riv.

Your the only one who has Bruce in your six.....but that's good because that's your opinion....

I think Bruce plays his best football as a running half back. His jobs on the likes of Brad Johnson etc prove this.

In years to come, he just wont be good enough to play a permenant role in the middle.

I think most weeks there is room for all of Martin, Warnock, Garland & Rivers.

Garland can play small and is showing real signs he could become a damaging rebounding defender rather than a FB / CHB.

Rivers has only ever been a 3rd tall, his best work is done filling the hole.

I agree Grimesy, Rivers can play the 3rd tall and help out occassionally by filling the hole. That's what he did when he won the NAB.

I think Bruce plays his best football as a running half back. His jobs on the likes of Brad Johnson etc prove this.

In years to come, he just wont be good enough to play a permenant role in the middle.

Yes he is a utility, plays all over the place. He's your horses for courses type for the likes of Brad Johnson.

Some very interesting numbers posted already.......Martin has obviously impressed. I think that's a good sign, and I reckon Bailey might have the same opinion......

Stef is the only KP back we have who has the physical attributes to take on a monster KP and beat them.

Warnock, Rivers, Garland all do admirable jobs but always at a significant height disadvantage.

What excites me about Stef is that his presence will allow the aforementioned players more freedom to execute their roles even better.

An exciting prospect, a project player who thankfully is running ahead of schedule.

Fair to say at this stage, that Carroll is G O R R R R N. (Gone)

i left out simon buckley because i think he will play more midfield, and so will CJ probably. three talls are required. at this stage i think rivers, garland and martin will be the first three because they each have different attributes and strengths. warnock unlucky but he doesnt have martins size.

its a hard question because apart from frawley and carrol all of your list played on the weekend. they just dont necessarily play soley in the backline.

Stef is the only KP back we have who has the physical attributes to take on a monster KP and beat them.

Warnock, Rivers, Garland all do admirable jobs but always at a significant height disadvantage.

What excites me about Stef is that his presence will allow the aforementioned players more freedom to execute their roles even better.

An exciting prospect, a project player who thankfully is running ahead of schedule.

Well said about Stef. His presence will be huge. he's as big as Will Minson, and he's a gorilla!

IMO Buckley reminds me alot in the pace of one or both of the Burgoynes running off half back and breaking lines with penetrating kicks.................I'm not sure CJ offers that?

Opinions?

I wouldn't mind seeing Rivers pushed forward.

B: Warnock Martin Whelan

HB:Rivers Garland CJ

Probably a bit too tall, so Warnock and Martin would be fighting out that 3rd tall spot against a smaller team, with Bruce or Green to fill the extra spot.

Buckley to become a permanent winger, along with Wheatley, who still takes kick ins. I'm not sure where Bartram fits, he's probably not in the best 22 for me, but is young and has a go, so deserves a spot somewhere, maybe a back up half back/mid on the bench. Bell might only be kept for depth, Carroll is miles behind the 4 talls, and Frawley has a long way to go.

12noon update poll has the back six at: -

BACKS:- Whelan Warnock Garland

H-BACKS: - Rivers Martin CJ

Keep 'em coming, there might be a change in the next hour?

B: Warnock Martin Whelan

HB:Rivers Garland CJ

Probably a bit too tall, so Warnock and Martin would be fighting out that 3rd tall spot against a smaller team, with Bruce or Green to fill the extra spot.

Buckley to become a permanent winger, along with Wheatley, who still takes kick ins. I'm not sure where Bartram fits, he's probably not in the best 22 for me, but is young and has a go, so deserves a spot somewhere, maybe a back up half back/mid on the bench. Bell might only be kept for depth, Carroll is miles behind the 4 talls, and Frawley has a long way to go.

People's, I forgot to include Paul Wheatley as part of the poll.....................apologies (I knew I would overlook someone! Damn It), just place him in the "OTHER" category....

I was very close to including Wheatley but I see him as more of a winger now.

I never realised we had so much quality to choose from down back.

It really shows the wonderful things Dean Bailey is doing. Warnock, Garland, CJ, Martin have come from no where to play influential roles within the team. And thats only the backline!

I voted 'Other' for Ricky Petterd:

B: Warnock Garland Rivers

HB: CJ Martin Petterd