Austin Wonaeamirri has a blinder.

[Doggo 32]

When fit he's comfortably in our best 22, just talk to anyone in the FD and they'll agree.

I've heard Chris Connolly say this rather emphatically back in 2009. Not sure if he still thinks it, but it is fair to say the FD rate Aussie's talent quite highly, and probably still ahead of Maric. Though he is doing well in Wona's absence and is a certain-starter for Round 1.

On Maric, to his credit, he has been able to get his body and build his tank to AFL standard over the pre-season. He's finally grasped the opportunity Wona's injuries have provided and has been one of our few shining lights in the praccy games.

Despite his pre-season form, the jury is still out on him for mine. He's been really impressive in the games I've seen, as well as reports from the Nab Challenge games I haven't, and is having a stellar pre-season, yes... but i guess i'd like to see him do it in the season proper before i would go talking about him being in our best side come the pointy end of the season. If he's still in the side and doing well with a fully-fit Wona playing good footy in the VFL come mid-season, i reckon Wona might nudge him out unless he's having a stellar year.

I don't think Jetta should be thought of as a small crumbing forward in the same regard as those 2 though. He may play in the pocket at times, but is more likely to be part of the midfield rotation pushing forward, than a full-time forward lke Maric or Wona.

Back on Wona, that's really exciting news that he's come back and played well in his first hit-out, albeit in a VFL praccy match. 4 goals is a good return on any day for a small forward. I'm interested to hear more about his game from the guys who saw him first hand, JCB, satyricon, J-Riv? How much game time did he get? Was his forward pressure still there?

It's been a tough recent time for Aussie and with the rise of Maric, some been quick to write Aussie off or maybe lose faith in his return. I reckon it could go one of two ways when something like the death of a loved one happens. It either shatters you completely and has a major effect on playing performance (one example off the top of my head was Mark Mercuri's brother dying in the early 2000's during the off-season. Mark came back into the team that year after an interrupted pre-season, and was never the same player). Or it fortifies and strengthens you, and can even be something used as a motivating or driving force, "Playing for Dad" so to speak. Clint Bartram is could be viewed as an example of this, as he's become a better, more mature footballer since his father's passing.

Let's hope Wona can string a few more together. The thought of the Jurramirri show is tantalizing.

I saw Aussie about a month ago at the Future Fund function and had a chat with him. He easily looked the best I've seen him in the last three years - very toned and seems to have lost that chubbiness / baby fat that I've seen in previous years. Once his training load is back where the FD want and he's back in the red and blue he's in for a massive year imvho.

That's what I like to hear!

Edited March 16, 2011 by Doggo

[Chook 15,001]

With the way the game's heading, I'd much prefer Wonna and Maric in the side together than Bate and Dunn.

[Winter Dan 426]

If Aussie is a gun BP, then somebody has to tell Bailey.

Thats our biggest deficiency atm.

[titan_uranus 24,845]

Wonaeamirri is comfortably in our best 22

No he's not. Certainly not 'comfortably'.

I never would have thought I'd say this, but I think Maric is ahead of him. Sure, that's based on pre-season form, but it seems to be the best Maric has played for us.

Then there's Jetta and Bennell, who might play forward too. So to say he's comfortably best 22, when realistically he's only really in the best 25-30, is a fair bit rich.

[Roost It 1,434]

No he's not. Certainly not 'comfortably'.

I never would have thought I'd say this, but I think Maric is ahead of him. Sure, that's based on pre-season form, but it seems to be the best Maric has played for us.

Then there's Jetta and Bennell, who might play forward too. So to say he's comfortably best 22, when realistically he's only really in the best 25-30, is a fair bit rich.

No, he's most certainly in our best 22 as our list stands today. Bate's finished, Dunn will be exposed and he works beautifully with Jurrah. He's got that little extra magic unlike Bennell at the moment, Maric and Jetta can both force their way in but Wonaeamirri is ahead of all 3 .

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,880]

With the way the game's heading, I'd much prefer Wonna and Maric in the side together than Bate and Dunn.

I tend to agree Chook. Jurrah and Maric aside our forwardline has alot of sameness about it at present Bate, Dunn, Petterd, Watts, Green play a very similar role to varying levels of talent. They are mid sized lead up forwards with limited ability to exert defensive pressure. Petterd and Green have the additional ability to take a contested grab and Watts will when he matures. For this reason I would support seeing Maric and Wonna over Bate and Dunn in a forward set up.

Maric, Wonna and Jetta are all different beasts with Maric more an opportunist forward, Wonna a true crumber and Jetta more a first dibs midfielder who could rest forward.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,012]

If Aussie is a gun BP, then somebody has to tell Bailey.

Thats our biggest deficiency atm.

Agree. We get killed by teams with good small forwards. Having someone of his quality able to do the shut down/rebound double would be a huge asset.

[satyricon 267]

Doggo,

Just a few more thoughts on Aussie, although those that were there seem to have been watching different games, yes his forward pressure was there, a goal came from it, two other goals were 1. crumbing after Howe attempted a fly against two oppenents and the ball came down straight to Aussie and the other where Aussie caught his opponent sleeping and got away from him for an easy mark and goal.

But in my humble opinion it was a good hitout for him and yes he is starting to get back to his best, but he set a very high standard and he is nearly there, I thought the best forward on the day was Marcus Margiolani (think that is the spelling) for Sanday, he looked a class above in the first half.

Good to get back on topic, so the player bashing can abate for the a while

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I really can't see why this thread should degenerate into a slanging match.

Some say that Aussie had a reasonable game, others say he had an excellent game.

Four goals is certainly a promising return is a losing team, good to see him have a successful hit out. We could certainly use a fit Aussie in the playing group, I have been hoping that he could develop into a mid but I don't think we will see him play there this season.

[Dinosaur Rover 197]

Doggo,

Just a few more thoughts on Aussie, although those that were there seem to have been watching different games, yes his forward pressure was there, a goal came from it, two other goals were 1. crumbing after Howe attempted a fly against two oppenents and the ball came down straight to Aussie and the other where Aussie caught his opponent sleeping and got away from him for an easy mark and goal.

But in my humble opinion it was a good hitout for him and yes he is starting to get back to his best, but he set a very high standard and he is nearly there, I thought the best forward on the day was Marcus Margiolani (think that is the spelling) for Sanday, he looked a class above in the first half.

Good to get back on topic, so the player bashing can abate for the a while

I was only there for the second quarter.

If Marcus Margiolani was the pocket battleship (small Sandy forward) but built like a tank with dark hair then I agree.

I did see Sam Blease (I think) with the afterburners on and he does have some torque there. Spencer and Gawn looked ordinary. Howe can mark but he is only medium sized. Aussie I didnt see him do much.

[jnrmac 19,928]

With the way the game's heading, I'd much prefer Wonna and Maric in the side together than Bate and Dunn.

If you don't think Dunn is in our best 22 you are nuts. Bate and Dunn are also 192/193cm compared to Wonna and Maric that are 178ish??

Your suggestion would leave us very short and change the structure of the team immensely.

Edited March 17, 2011 by jnrmac

[Akum 2,660]

With the way the game's heading, I'd much prefer Wonna and Maric in the side together than Bate and Dunn.

On form, Maric & Jetta would have to get into the 22. And Jetta & Wona provide the much-needed forward pressure that's been missing from the practice matches. I don't see Wona & Maric as "either/or", there's room for them both. We did much better last year when we loaded up with small runners at the expense of big men.

But against Swans we'll definitely need Dunn against Goodes.

[Rogue 585]

I rhink Maric and Wona are different types of players - you could fit them both in, with Wona playing more of a pocket-type close to goal and Maric playing more of a flank, kicking into the 50.