Not sure about dropping Warnock but I see your point about having all 3 talls. Personally I think Warnock, along with Frawley and probably Rivers, would be three of the first names down on the sheet, would be surprised to see him dropped. Warnock to take any resting ruckman who wander down into the forward line? Not too sure what other talls the Hawks have in their forward given they barely get a look in with Buddy and Roughead in there.

Can't agree with you more on this point.

Considering Warnock has finished top 5 in our B & F 2 years in a row, you'd think he's be one of the first picked. Warnock will play round 1 V's Hawthorn.

Our Backline is still developing, we do not have depth. We have depth of talent but not proven players yet, not even close.

Whether players are developing or not, we have a greater depth of options in defence which we have had for at least 15 years.

No one is claiming we have proven players. But posters are recognising the capabilities of Warnock, Frawley, Grimes and Garland. Why wouldn't you herald the emergence and the form to date of that quartet.

Add in Rivers, MacDonald, Bennell, Martin.....and MFC's defensive potential is the greatest its been for a long time.

Considering Warnock has finished top 5 in our B & F 2 years in a row, you'd think he's be one of the first picked. Warnock will play round 1 V's Hawthorn.

Absolutely. Book him in.

Underrated player at the moment.

My tack onthis would be to start as you mean to finish. We need cohesion in our team and shared games in those legs. The more they play 'under fire' together the beter they will become.

Garland Frawley Rivers

MacDonald Warnock Morton

Grimes in midfield/ on ball

This must be getting close. I like the idea of Grimes still playing around the half back lie but thatmight simply be from fallinng back with play and then driving it forward. He's very cluey and an intelligent user of the ball.

Our backline looks pretty good. we have enough starters and some depth..bodes well. Garland will add that extra dimension allowing better matchups. Last year was a bit of a mish mash.. but it did serve a cause ; various some might say.

Others will be used off of the pine iin a sort of relief/rotation role

Well... to be honest, your half-back-flankers play more like defensive midfielders these days and with rotations, picking a 'back 6' is almost obsolete.

true, I just meant all of those 17 could potentially be named in that back 6 on a team sheet. Great competition

In: Garland

Out: Cheney

for a better backline.

Garland will not play opening round.He is and will not be fit enough.Casey will have him for several weeks until he is fit and regains solid form and confidence.

With no Franklin playing - could we afford to sit Matty Warnock out? I know he is a very handy defender and each year surprises me that he keeps improving but maybe Frawley and Rivers could be enough up against Roughead and possibly Dowler.

what do you actually mean 'afford to'? Why would we EVER drop possibly our number 1 defender and one of a couple that can line up on the gorillas?

Judging by Hawthorn's back six, Jurrah will kick 9......... that's if Hawthorn's midfield allows us to get the ball in our forward 50 9 times....

Exactly, it's the Hawthorn midfield that will need to be conquered. Hodge looks very trim and raring to go. He will have to be nullified, so too Mitchell & Lewis. They're an experienced midfield, so it will be a tough task with our lesser experienced midfield.

Garland will not play opening round.He is and will not be fit enough.Casey will have him for several weeks until he is fit and regains solid form and confidence.

I realise that. But if he were available.....

Cheney...part of premiership defence..interesting. Would have thought there were others well ahead and with better skills than Cheney. IMO Cheney will have to develop some pretty strong strings to his bow to make it. At present he does not have them.

Grimes will come off the HBL for Rd 1

I realise that. But if he were available.....

Cheney...part of premiership defence..interesting. Would have thought there were others well ahead and with better skills than Cheney. IMO Cheney will have to develop some pretty strong strings to his bow to make it. At present he does not have them.

Grimes will come off the HBL for Rd 1

I believe Grimes will be our No.1 midfielder this year, joining Jones, Moloney, Jnr McDonald, Trengove and Scully in the centre. Green and Sylvia, Jetta and Maric will play forward pushing into the guts, helping our midfielders. Bruce, Macdonald, Garland, Strauss, Cheney and Morton(maybe CHF) will be given a chance of securing a position on the HBF. Bennell will play as our rabbit out of defense. Davey and Petterd should be our wingmen.

yep..got ya the first time...lmao

Huh? When did I say that?

Huh? When did I say that?

you double posted..thats all..

Huh? When did I say that?

you double posted..thats all..

Triple posted actually. Give your keys an oiling Dappa.

That's a ridiculous midfield when you look at it isn't it. Bursting with talent. Hopefully in a few years we'll be looking at Trengove, Scully, Davey, Moloney, Jones, Blease, Gysberts and Tapscott in the same way.

It's funny because that midfield looks good even without Grimes and Morton...