A backline theory...

[Striker475 696]

So, Sellar is best rated by Adelaide supporters and by history as a CHB. Thus, I give you the new MFC backline.

Fullback: Frawley. Obvious choice.

Centre-half-back: Sellar. Will be used to take on nominated forwards (your Cloke and the like) or as a stay-home contest spoiler and interceptor when not against a hulking forward.

Back Pocket: Bartram. #1 counter to small forwards everywhere.

Back Pocket: Garland. Targets the second or third forward depending on the forward line and whether Frawley has to man up.

Half-back flank: Tapscott. Kick-ins and his around the ground smashing.

Half-back flank: Rivers. Third man up, loose down back, the role he plays best.

Grimes to midfield, stops Rivers from taking a man and getting demolished (see Trav Cloke) and allows Blease a wing.

[PartyTimeJohnny 533]

interesting man, think your onto something.

Only part i question is Tapscott; from all reports i'm of the understanding theyre keen on him as a midfielder

[Harrisonrules 273]

There is going to be more movment on the backline than you're suggesting. Troy Davis will be pushing up soon for one.

[Striker475 696]

There is going to be more movment on the backline than you're suggesting. Troy Davis will be pushing up soon for one.

The one pushing for mine will be Tom McDonald (assuming he becomes a back). Davis I just don't know where he'll slot considering. Probably in the firing line is Rivers...but if we're doing well...

[hrob 2]

agree with this, neeld has identified we lack height down back n forward for that matter, hopefully sellar is the man for the job! also agree with mephis that tappy mite be used higher up the ground, if not midfield would love to see his grunt work on a HFF. I see bleasy staying back just for the minute until he gets a tank which allows him to play in the middle. cannot wait for his run n carry out of the backline next year!

[The Big Ticket 94]

Hopefully, once his endurance builds up, Tappy will be moved to the midfield.

We were a terrible clearance team this year and I think he could help fix that.

And if the Sellar experiment works out, as well as Tom McDonald waiting in the wings, Rivers could well find himself out of the 22 by the end of next year.

[hrob 2]

also hoping straussy has a speedy recovery n can get back on the G next year, was starting to look at home down back in his few games before he broke his leg

[jackaub 1,402]

So, Sellar is best rated by Adelaide supporters and by history as a CHB. Thus, I give you the new MFC backline.

Fullback: Frawley. Obvious choice.

Centre-half-back: Sellar. Will be used to take on nominated forwards (your Cloke and the like) or as a stay-home contest spoiler and interceptor when not against a hulking forward.

Back Pocket: Bartram. #1 counter to small forwards everywhere.

Back Pocket: Garland. Targets the second or third forward depending on the forward line and whether Frawley has to man up.

Half-back flank: Tapscott. Kick-ins and his around the ground smashing.

Half-back flank: Rivers. Third man up, loose down back, the role he plays best.

Grimes to midfield, stops Rivers from taking a man and getting demolished (see Trav Cloke) and allows Blease a wing.

Hopefully, once his endurance builds up, Tappy will be moved to the midfield.

We were a terrible clearance team this year and I think he could help fix that.

And if the Sellar experiment works out, as well as Tom McDonald waiting in the wings, Rivers could well find himself out of the 22 by the end of next year.

I really think Tappscott could become our Paul Chapman

Cant wait to see us play next year so much to look froward to!!

[1858 274]

I suppose that leaves Macdonald, Bail and Nicholson as backup. Is it the club's plan to push Bail and Nicho more into the midfield this year (similar to Grimes)?

[dtrinh 71]

Really need a second tall backman. Rivers, Garland are both undersized and most opposition teams have two KPF. Rivers is definitely not a KPB leaving Frawley our only choice. With Sellar coming into the team, Martin can be maintained as a ruck/forward while Sellar stays at CHB. This frees up Rivers as a Maxwell types player, which is what he specializes in. We need to move Grimes into the midfield to provide us with a potential super star (similar to moving Zaharakis into the midfield at Essendon).

[Guest johnjones]

would be very handy for sure

[rpfc 27,694]

So we pick up a bloke at 54 who has been around for 5 years for 21 games and he is a better CHB than Garland?

We are throwing him a lifeline and maybe he can force his way into the team but let's not go nuts here.

[DeeSpencer 23,691]

Sellar's going to have to improve a lot to get a game ahead of Rivers, who does a great job on 9/10 of his opponents, same for Garland.

But if you play them all then you start to lose drive and run from the backline.

FB: Garland Frawley Bartram/Bennell

HB: Grimes/Morton Rivers/Sellar Blease/Tapscott

That would be my preferred backline. Bennell is improving as a lock down type and has better skills than Bartram. Garland and Frawley are almost locks for the deep defenders. The half back line is interesting. Personally I'd keep Grimes as he has the ability to do it all - stop an opponent, 3rd man up and rebound the ball. Morton is another option because I think HBF is his best position and his fitness and height comes in handy, he just needs to get physical and improve his skills. I'd let Sellar battle it out with Rivers and I'd back Rivers, his class makes up for almost every opponent he plays on besides Cloke. Lastly I'd go with Blease over Tapscott for the 6th position and look for that player to break down zones with speed and kicking. Strauss is another in the frame here. Lastly we should hold back Tynan and Taggert, both have good frames to play AFL early and have that height that makes them valuable across half back.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

It intrigues me that Sellar has been delisted, yet Craig and Viney both endorsed him.

I just don't get it.

Edited November 26, 2011 by Ron Burgundy

[DeeSpencer 23,691]

It intrigues me that Sellars has been delisted, yet Craig and Viney both endorsed him.

I just don't get it.

Well they didn't delist him, and Viney wasn't even there for his last year.

I'm not sure Craig would strongly endorse him, but maybe was willing to support his recruitment and give a good reference for his character.

[jnrmac 19,519]

Martin and Sellar are two similar body types 198cm/100kgs. Martin I think is a lot more agile and quick but with both we have height and body size. We will have some serious flexibility when Fitzpatrick, Cook and Gawn get their bodies right.

[deeflog 679]

Hopefully, once his endurance builds up, Tappy will be moved to the midfield.

We were a terrible clearance team this year and I think he could help fix that.

look for Jack Viney to help fix that problem in 18 months time

[rolly 149]

Well they didn't delist him, and Viney wasn't even there for his last year.

I'm not sure Craig would strongly endorse him, but maybe was willing to support his recruitment and give a good reference for his character.

Craig was in charge for 4 1/2 of the 5 years in which Sellar played his 21 games? Doesn't seem a huge endorsment.

Hope his recruitment puts the wind up a couple of the boys up forward and if he forces them to work harder for their spot then its deffinately a win.

Would also love to see Tappy in the midfield...The dude was huge accross the shoulders and chest, and between him and beamer there would be no pack left unbroken

Edited November 26, 2011 by rolly

[Striker475 696]

So we pick up a bloke at 54 who has been around for 5 years for 21 games and he is a better CHB than Garland?

We are throwing him a lifeline and maybe he can force his way into the team but let's not go nuts here.

Not saying that - Garland is the better CHB, but Garland is better against a medium forward, which he eats for breakfast.

Sellar will be good for those games with that hulking CHF/FF gorilla type - the Clokes, the Rougheads, the Browns. Not because he's better than Garland - but by using him to put on a contest with those it frees up Garland to take on a different forward and use his distribution once he gets the pill.

[dtrinh 71]

Sellar's going to have to improve a lot to get a game ahead of Rivers, who does a great job on 9/10 of his opponents, same for Garland.

But if you play them all then you start to lose drive and run from the backline.

FB: Garland Frawley Bartram/Bennell

HB: Grimes/Morton Rivers/Sellar Blease/Tapscott

That would be my preferred backline. Bennell is improving as a lock down type and has better skills than Bartram. Garland and Frawley are almost locks for the deep defenders. The half back line is interesting. Personally I'd keep Grimes as he has the ability to do it all - stop an opponent, 3rd man up and rebound the ball. Morton is another option because I think HBF is his best position and his fitness and height comes in handy, he just needs to get physical and improve his skills. I'd let Sellar battle it out with Rivers and I'd back Rivers, his class makes up for almost every opponent he plays on besides Cloke. Lastly I'd go with Blease over Tapscott for the 6th position and look for that player to break down zones with speed and kicking. Strauss is another in the frame here. Lastly we should hold back Tynan and Taggert, both have good frames to play AFL early and have that height that makes them valuable across half back.

Just about Bennell... I'm not sure what the hype is about him. He averaged minimal number of disposals for game last season, showed a glimpse or two of brilliance with his run and carry and a couple of marks but apart from that, he has not shown any consistency in his game to say he deserves his spot in the team.