MELBOURNE TEAM FOR ROUND 1, 2014

[Adam The God 30,146]

Looking at some of these teams, I reckon we're still two to three midfielders away from our target. That said, I think we'll be more competitive next year. Let's say the aim for a side is to have 10 genuine midfielders that can rotate through the middle. Those players must also be able to contribute outside of the centre square. I would hope next season, the following names fill some of those slots: Jones, Viney, Tyson, Michie, Vince, pick #9 and I'm going to assume we still go for a player like Cross.

That gives us seven genuine onballers (under the assumption that pick #9 will be a genuine onballer). The other guys that I would hope rotate through are Trengove (hopefully rejuvenated, having relinquished the captaincy) & McKenzie (if he can improve his decision-making and therefore probably disposal). In an improved side, I would hope Matt Jones would get less of a look in.

The beauty is it may only take another draft/trade/FA period to add two to three mids. I'd look at one or two trades and then go to the draft with one or two of our high picks. Sure, Cross and Vince won't last us much longer, but with improved onfield performance, FA will become our friend. If we continue about our business in a similar fashion to trade period this year, we're probably two to three years from being a side that could compete for a finals birth. Given where we're coming from, that's heartening.

Before I post my team, I'd say that Terlich may see reduced game time in '14. Roos seems to see what I see and that is a bloke that gets a fair bit of it, but butchers the ball and struggles to blanket his opponent. He has really poor defensive skills if you watch him closely in some '13 games. I think he'll give him one year and if there's no improvement, he'll move him on. Consequently, I won't include him in my team. (Bring that Demonland hate! )

Clisby Frawley Garland
Grimes McDonald Toumpas
Michie Jones Watts
Vince Clark Trengove
Hogan Dawes Kent

Foll: Gawn Viney Tyson

Int: Howe Pick #9 Cross
Sub: Blease
Emerg: McKenzie Fitzpatrick M Jones

Toumpas' kicking will be of vital importance and that's why I'd play him off half back. The defensive side of his game can then be drilled and he can utilise his excellent kicking to help us rebound. The ability to hit targets coming out of the back half is paramount. How many bloody goals did we concede directly on the turn over this year? I'd hate to see the numbers. It'd be simply staggering.

Kent seems like a Roos-type player to me. He's big-bodied, his disposal is good and he breaks the lines. If he can build up that tank, I could see him running both ways. Obviously not sold on his output thus far, but a pre-season or two under Roos and he may well get there.

I'd have Watts on the wing. Roos has signalled his intentions with regards to Jack and his positioning. He may well float between wing and half forward, but I reckon like Toumpas, Watts' ability with ball in hand could be devastating. If he's well-drilled, lays tackles and runs hard both ways, he could become more damaging than Goddard in his prime. I truly believe that.

I'm really hesitant to include Grimes, because I'm not a big fan of his decision-making and disposal. He can certainly win the ball, but he turns it over too much for mine. It's a dangerous position to be playing in, if one is turning it over too. However, for now, I'll put him on the back flank.

Cilsby is the other guy I'm not completely sold on yet, but he's only played a few games and I'd back him in for the first few games of '14. If Strauss is still on our list by the end of this year, I'd be rotating between he and Clisby. We still lack that solid, small defender, though Garland is capable of shutting down those types.

Finally, the major question I have of this line up, is the distinct lack of speed or line-breaking ability. Roos' style though is more about gut running and essentially running the opposition off their feet. So perhaps it's less about pace and more an issue of fitness? Enter Sam Blease. I've got him as the sub. He is one guy that could come on and inject a bit of pace into the game. Equally though, he is one with massive question marks over his tank and aerobic capacity/ability/potential. It'll be fascinating to see if Roos can get him working both ways and whether Misson can increase his tank.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I'd have Watts on the wing. Roos has signalled his intentions with regards to Jack and his positioning. He may well float between wing and half forward, but I reckon like Toumpas, Watts' ability with ball in hand could be devastating. If he's well-drilled, lays tackles and runs hard both ways, he could become more damaging than Goddard in his prime. I truly believe that.

good post. Agree totally with this bit. I'm also a Blease fan, kid has a bag of tricks.

[rjay 24,894]

Toumpas' kicking will be of vital importance and that's why I'd play him off half back. The defensive side of his game can then be drilled and he can utilise his excellent kicking to help us rebound. The ability to hit targets coming out of the back half is paramount. How many bloody goals did we concede directly on the turn over this year? I'd hate to see the numbers. It'd be simply staggering.

I'm not sure about Jimmy's longer kicking. We haven't seen enough of it yet...pretty much every kick this year was a short 20 to 40 mtr pass. It might be a legacy of his hip ops but I would like to see more of his kicking game before I rate him as a distributor off half back.

[P-man 13,366]

Great write up AF. Agree with most of it.

Completely forgot about Strauss. Is pretty much the biggest enigma in the squad right now, which makes him interesting.

I don't mind the idea of Toump distributing off HB, but it is that whole pesky business of defending that worries me having him back there. His tackling alone, on the evidence of last year, needs ALOT of work.

I'd also have Terlich pretty comfortably ahead of Clisby, but you could well be right about the Roos factor. He'll be needing to prove his old coach wrong. Likewise I'd really like to see Jetta get a proper run at holding down a back pocket. His best games have actually been very good.

[Adam The God 30,146]

You might have a point RE: Toumpas' tackling, Paul. I also concur RE: Strauss. His defensive capabilities have left A LOT to be desired thus far, but his kicking is supposed to be a weapon. If he can add some body strength, this is going to sound strange, but he could fill that Josh Hunt type role. Except, he'd be more mobile. We need to find someone there.

I've never been a big Jetta fan. He just seems like a really hard trier, but a very limited footballer. I can't identify a particular strength that he possesses. That's always held him back for me. What do you think he brings to the table? : )

Edited October 18, 2013 by AdamFarr

[Undeeterred 3,123]

Terlich Frawley Clisby

Garland McDonald Grimes

Tyson Viney Vince

Trengove Dawes Michie

Hogan Clark Howe

Gawn Jones Watts

Toumpas Kent Fitzpatrick Evans

Spencer Matt Jones Pick 9

Thins out VERY quickly after this - we'd want a healthy year...

Edited October 18, 2013 by Undeeterred

[Glenn Molloy 494]

Almost fun to do this exercise now! I didn't even want to do it last year:

^{FB: Garland, Frawley, Clisby}

^{HB: Grimes, McDonald, Terlich}

^{C: , Watts, N.Jones, Vince}

^{HF: Trengove, Dawes, Howe}

^{FF: Hogan, Clark, Byrnes}

^{FOLL: Gawn,Tyson, Viney}

^{INT: McKenzie, Toumpas, Michie}

^{SUB: M.Jones}

^{EMERG:, Fitzpatrick, Blease, Spencer}

^{Still some holes, and like everyone else here would love to see Blease come on but just not sure that he will. Not sold at all on Strauss. Nice kick but he still ain't physical enough, and prone to rabbit in headlights mistakes. I'm sure people will argue about Byrnes but he's handy, and probably the only genuine FP/HFF small that we've got and he'll enjoy being at the feet of Clark, Dawes and Hogan.}

[P-man 13,366]

You might have a point RE: Toumpas' tackling, Paul. I also concur RE: Strauss. His defensive capabilities have left A LOT to be desired thus far, but his kicking is supposed to be a weapon. If he can add some body strength, this is going to sound strange, but he could fill that Josh Hunt type role. Except, he'd be more mobile. We need to find someone there.

I've never been a big Jetta fan. He just seems like a really hard trier, but a very limited footballer. I can't identify a particular strength that he possesses. That's always held him back for me. What do you think he brings to the table? : )

I can definitely understand why many have given up on him, but I still see potential. Strong tackler, good skills, ability to break the lines that you spoke about, just can't seem to get his hands on it enough. Has had an unfortunate run with injuries which hasn't helped, so I'm looking to see what a solid pre-season can do with a player who is about to turn 24 and enter his prime. Would be a shame to see him let go at this stage imo, but he's definitely in a group who need to make a big stride this year, along with Tapscott et al. Of course, the trade period isn't over yet..

Can't say I've ever thought of Strauss as a Josh Hunt. Haha. But I can see where you're coming from.

Incidentally, Paul-man was nothing more than an homage to our newly appointed coach. I'm closer to a Peter than a Paul.

[P-man 13,366]

Byrnes at the expense of Kent is definitely controversial. So much to like about Kent's game, and he's the future.

Maybe I'm just still bitter about Byrnes missing all those sodas.

[monoccular 17,417]

It will be very interesting to see how those players who have seemed to have poor decision making and poor disposal skills develop this year, with further improved physical fitness, endurance and strength, with a comprehendible game plan (and fall back plans B, C etc), and more talent in the midfield.

I have always suspected that at least some of the poor decision making, particularly off half back, has been related to lack of confidence and options, and the absence of any sense of team direction.

This is a season about which I am very excited and optimistic.

[What 18,810]

Ask me after the draft

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Still reckon we'll also land Cross. So.....

FB: Garland, Frawley, Terlich

HB: Grimes, McDonald, Vince

C: Cross, Michie, Viney

HF: Watts, Dawes, Evans

FF: Hogan, Clark, Byrnes

FOLL: Jamar, Tyson, N. Jones

INT: Howe, Toumpas. Trengove

SUB: Tapscott

EMERG: Blease, Dunn, McKenzie

Apart from securing Cross as a delisted free agent, would also love to see us sign Weller also and convince Tomas Bugg to enter the PSD. From what I'm hearing we wont land Lyons.

Draft: Pick 9 - Nathan Freeman, Matt Crouch, Dom Sheed, Marcus Bontempali or Christian Salem

Pick 40 - Cameron Giles

Pick 57 - Would love Mitch Honeychurch but more realisticly Jarrod Stokes, Chris Cain or Dayle Garlett if Roos is happy to take the punt.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,363]

McKenzie is in half of the proposed sides and left out of the others. Surely with our recent acquisitions he will struggle to get game time. We now look to be in a position that barring injury spots must be earned.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Clisby Frawley Garland

Grimes McDonald Toumpas

Michie Jones Watts

Vince Clark Trengove

Hogan Dawes Kent

Foll: Gawn Viney Tyson

Int: Howe Pick #9 Cross

Sub: Blease

Emerg: McKenzie Fitzpatrick M Jones

Yours is the closest to mine.

I too can see Toumpas playing a role off half back. Right now he's not good enough for a midfield rotation in a Paul Roos side.

I also prefer Clisby to Terlich, although the latter will play games and I admire his courage.

McKenzie ? Haha

Matt Jones is OK and did very well in his first year, but if he's a first choice mid we're still doomed.

Bail, Evans, etc will struggle to get a game depending on injury.

I quite like the idea of Howe down back, but I'll select him forward.

Pick 9 should be able to get regular games, as they'll pick a young mid who's ready to get experience. I guess pick 9 will play 6-10 games.

I want to see Frawley at CHB where he can start using his run.

I'm hoping Taggert can have a big summer, so he's was my speculative pick, but I'll change him for Cross.

Clisby Frawley McDonald

Grimes Garland Toumpas

Vince Jones Watts

Trengove Clark Howe

Hogan Dawes Kent

Foll: Gawn Tyson Viney

Int: Michie Pick #9 Cross

Sub: Blease

Emerg: Terlich Fitzpatrick M Jones

Edited October 21, 2013 by Ben-Hur

[Dees2014 2,377]

Yesterday, makes our first round team look very very different and so much better. I'm assuming we take Lennon at 9, so the first round side looks like this. Certainly so much more competitive than this year's.

FB: Garland, Frawley, Terlich

HB: Grimes, McDonald, Michie

C: , Watts, N.Jones, Tyson

HF: Lennon, Dawes, Howe

FF: Hogan, Clark, Trengove

FOLL: Gawn,Viney, Vince

INT: Mckenzie, Toumpas, Fitzy

SUB: Cross

Emerg: Evans, Bleese, Clisby

Thoughts?

Edited October 19, 2013 by Dees2014

[buck_nekkid 5,848]

It will be interesting to see how the cap on interchanges affects selections. FP may be the new 'bench' so we may see resting ruck/forward in one, and mid in the other. The specialist small forward may be a thing of the past. Jamar may struggle as he would need to do a lot more around the ground.

[Dees2014 2,377]

B - Clisby Frawley Garland

HB - Grimes T.McDonald Toumpas

C - Tyson Trengove Vince

HF - Howe Dawes Watts

F - Hogan Clark Kent

R - Gawn N.Jones Viney

I/C - Fitzpatrick Evans Michie McKenzie

Looking solid. No spot for Terlich, I see him as a solid battler who provides good depth though will no doubt play a lot of games,.

Pick 9 not considered since we have no idea who it is yet.

Lot of people underrating Jordie McMekzie , smashes his direct opponent every week and loves to tackle and get dirty. Roos will love him. Will be even better with the real coaches we have now (same goes for every player though, which is a great thing of course)

I'm pretty sure Roos sees as one of his primary tasks is to get Watts, Trengove and Grimes playing "the best possible football they can" in this context he said it is important that Jack Watts has a specific role to play and he sees it as being in the midfield, preferrably the Wing. I must say I agree. Trengove at his best is also a pretty good kick for goal and quite an illusive HFF.

[jazza 1,323]

I think you will find the greatest line up we can field in 2014,will be a r"oos coached team that lessons its mistakes on a weekly basis. that way less goals against and more chance of being in the game at 3/4 time.

the coach has his biggest asset as lessening MISTAKES.the line will develop from there

[monoccular 17,417]

McKenzie is in half of the proposed sides and left out of the others. Surely with our recent acquisitions he will struggle to get game time. We now look to be in a position that barring injury spots must be earned.

I mentioned in another thread, perhaps Jordie with a more skilled, stronger bodied midfield around him will be able to do what he does best, hard tagging.

[Grimseyisgod 378]

B: Mitch Clisby James Frawley Tom Mcdonald

HB: Jack Grimes Colin Garland Dean Terlich

M: Jimmy Toumpas Jack Viney Jack Trengove

HF: Jack Watts Chris Dawes Jeremy Howe

F: Jesse Hogan Mitch Clark Dean Kent

FOLL: Max Gawn Nathan Jones Dom Tyson

BENCH: Bernie Vince Daniel Cross (hopefully) Matt Jones

SUB: Michael Evans

EMERG: Daniel Nicholson Luke Tapscott Lynden Dunn

Pretty good young list coming through right there..

remember we still have pick 9 even with that team

**** Michie might get a game but has to show abit before that, i think thats a fair statement

Edited October 18, 2013 by Grimseyisgod

[jumbo returns 6,740]

Top 8 - 10 coming up!

Some of the chosen teams look amazing.

If this list stays on the park, we're a chance...

[Brayshaw Self 847]

Yours is the closest to mine.

I too can see Toumpas playing a role off half back. Right now he's not good enough for a midfield rotation in a Paul Roos side.

I also prefer Clisby to Terlich, although the latter will play games and I admire his courage.

McKenzie ? Haha

Matt Jones is OK and did very well in his first year, but if he's a first choice mid we're still doomed.

Bail, Evans, etc will struggle to get a game depending on injury.

I quite like the idea of Howe down back, but I'll select him forward.

Pick 9 should be able to get regular games, as they'll pick a young mid who's ready to get experience. I guess pick 9 will play 6-10 games.

I want to see Frawley at CHF where he can start using his run.

I'm hoping Taggert can have a big summer, so he's my speculative pick. I won't include Cross at this stage, but he'll take Taggert's place if drafted.

Clisby McDonald Garland

Grimes Frawley Toumpas

Vince Jones Watts

Michie Clark Howe

Hogan Dawes Kent

Foll: Gawn Tyson Viney

Int: Trengove Pick #9 Taggert

Sub: Blease

Emerg: Terlich Fitzpatrick M Jones

I don't think Toumpas has the defensive capabilities to play in the backline at this stage.

Frawley CHF is a typo I assume?

Terlich will play 22 games in the backline if uninjured I believe and Matt Jones will be in over Taggert. If Taggert does get a game it will be at Kent/Blease's expense.

[Adam The God 30,146]

I can definitely understand why many have given up on him, but I still see potential. Strong tackler, good skills, ability to break the lines that you spoke about, just can't seem to get his hands on it enough. Has had an unfortunate run with injuries which hasn't helped, so I'm looking to see what a solid pre-season can do with a player who is about to turn 24 and enter his prime. Would be a shame to see him let go at this stage imo, but he's definitely in a group who need to make a big stride this year, along with Tapscott et al. Of course, the trade period isn't over yet..Can't say I've ever thought of Strauss as a Josh Hunt. Haha. But I can see where you're coming from.Incidentally, Paul-man was nothing more than an homage to our newly appointed coach. I'm closer to a Peter than a Paul.

Haha, yeah. I was probably over stretching with my Josh Hunt comparison.

Sorry about that. Perhaps I'll stick to P.

[hughtinkler 22]

FB: Terlich Frawley Garland

HB: Grimes McDonald Clisby

C: Watts Jones Toumpas

HF: Howe Dawes Trengove

FF: Kent Clarke Hogan

FOL: Gawn Vince Viney

INT: Tyson Blease Michie

Sub: Matt Jones

Captains - Grimes Jones

VC Trengove - nothing against Trenners just think it'll be better for his development

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

Clisby Frawley Garland

Grimes McDonald Terlich
Watts Jones M. Jones
Vince Clark Trengove
Hogan Dawes Evans

Foll: Gawn Tyson Viney

Int: Howe McKenzie Michie
Sub: Toumpas
Emerg: Pick #9 Fitzpatrick Blease