MELBOURNE TEAM FOR ROUND 1, 2014

[Tyson_Viney_Toumpas 269]

FB: Garland, Frawley, Trengove I think Trengove is a better option back here than Terlich, better foot skiils and composure to break through defence.

HB: Grimes, McDonald, Vince Grimes to play the full year where he belongs at HB

C: Michie, Cross, Viney These 3 to rotate through the midfield, needs Crossy's experience in the middle. Michie will surprise people.

HF: Watts, Clark, Toumpas JW & JT to play high HF/wing where they can deliver the ball with precision to big fellas.

FF: JKH, Dawes, Hogan I've put in JKH as hes a natural leader & adds X-Factor which we desperately need, will learn his craft here this year, Neade as inspiration.

FOLL: Jamar, Tyson, N. Jones I'm not really a Jamar fan but it'll be interesting to see how he goes with a better midfield, big year for him. Tyson another to surprise.

INT: Howe, Byrnes, Kent

SUB: Salem

M Jones, Clisby, Terlich will push for selection along with Byrnes but we have a bit more class and experience now. I like Clisby & Jones though and they will be in the interchange range.

Clark/Fitzpatrick seems a better combo than Jamar/Clark.

Its a big year for Jamar, Blease & McKenzie - who I think doesn't provide much value to the team at all.

We still have a B Grade midfield so I'm not expecting much more than development in 2014, however the future is now bright.

We need to add tall defenders in the rookie draft.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

FB: Garland, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes, McDonald, Dunn
C: Cross, Tyson, Watts
HF: Howe, Dawes, Vince
FF: Hogan, Clark, Kennedy-Harris
FOLL: Gawn, Viney, N. Jones
INT: Salem, Toumpas, Trengove
SUB: Evans

Unlucky: Michie, Blease, Fitzpatrick, Kent, Clisby, McKenzie

[Young Dee 1,303]

FB: Garland, Frawley, Terlich

HB: Grimes, McDonald, Dunn

C: Cross, Tyson, Watts

HF: Howe, Dawes, Vince

FF: Hogan, Clark, Kennedy-Harris

FOLL: Gawn, Viney, N. Jones

INT: Salem, Toumpas, Trengove

SUB: Evans

Unlucky: Michie, Blease, Fitzpatrick, Kent, Clisby, McKenzie

I like that team a lot but don't think Salem or Kennedy-Harris are ready for round one.

So I would replace Salem with Michie (if fit) and replace Kennedy Harris with Kent (or maybe Blease).

I don't really think much of Terlich and would like Strauss to take his spot but that would be a stretch at round 1 - maybe Clisby instead of Terlich (Terlich and Grimes play similar - need some class/silk).

[hardtack 10,514]

Barry seems to be the one who is being most overlooked with the influx of new/old new talent... I get the feeling that with another pre-season under his belt and his experiences at Casey, he may be close to getting a chance at the top level and, hopefully, surprising us.

[Young Dee 1,303]

‘Certainly Best 22’: Garland, McDonald, Grimes, Clark, N Jones, Frawley, Watts, Vince, Cross, Dawes, Hogan, Howe

‘Likely Best 22’: Trengove, Viney, Tyson

‘Possibly Best 22’: Dunn, Terlich, Clisby, Blease, Strauss, Toumpas, Salem, Pedersen, Gawn, Jamar, Spencer, Kent, Fitzpatrick, Nicholson, Bail, Tapscott, Byrnes, Evans, Barry, McKenzie, Michie, M Jones, Kennedy-Harris, Hunt

Fat Tony’s 22 for R1 2014 (as at Nov 2013)

Backs: Garland, McDonald, Hogan, Grimes, Clisby, Blease

Midfield: Clark^, N Jones, Frawley, Cross, Watts, Vince, Trengove, Tyson, Viney, Michie, M Jones, Toumpas (sub)

Forwards: Dawes, Howe, Fitzpatrick^, Kent

Notes

• Despite off-season additions to the midfield including some young talent and some more mature blue collar mids, I still believe our midfield will struggle against most sides. And with the modern press making it so difficult to get the ball out of defence, winning the midfield battle is more important than ever before. Further, our midfield is relatively slow and none of the new additions will change that in a big way in 2013.
• Size is a big advantage in winning inside ball IMO (and the opinion of Roos it seems). Look at the impact of Watson, Mundy and Kennedy. Even Roughead was extremely effective when playing as a midfielder. I would like to see us load up the centre square with our best ball winners at every centre bounce. This would require experimentation to determine who these players are and IMO this would probably result in N Jones and Frawley being standouts. Hogan might also be a good centre clearance player, as might Clark if used as a midfielder. Set ups/match ups after the bounce can be planned and could potentially result in us orchestrating mis-matches in our favour.
• Frawley is big, tough, strong and fast and IMO could be a real weapon in the midfield contests. While I would agree with those that say he would be a big loss to the backline, IMO addressing the Inside 50 differential is more important as it lessens the need for a strong backline and allows us to put on our own press. Moreover, Garland has shown the ability to play on the number one forwards and he plays his best footy as a tall defender IMO because it gives him the advantage over his man in terms of agility. Tom McDonald is also better suited to the bigger forwards.
• Grimes is best suited to playing in the backline as the fourth tall/midfield small where he can drop off when required. He is too slow to play on the really fast small forwards.
• I have been calling for Watts to play on a wing for a while and hopefully Roos uses him as an outside mid.
• Unless Gawn comes on in a big way over the preseason, Clark is our best ruckman if he is fit enough to play there. I would prefer to go with a Clark/Fitzpatrick tandem than a lumbering ruckman unless they can dominate the ruck.
• I have my doubts whether an especially large forward line will work without us dominating in the midfield. IMO our best structure would be with two big forwards and Howe or Watts playing as the third tall. Posters pointing to the 2013 Hawthorn side as evidence as to a tall forward line working are underestimating the mobility of their talls. Buddy really plays a small forward and Gunstan and Roughead are particularly mobile. Other than possibly Howe, none of our tall forwards are that mobile or good when the ball hits the ground.
• Two small defender spots are up for grabs with possible candidates including Dunn, Terlich, Clisby, Blease, Strauss, Toumpas, Salem, M Jones and Michie. I could have nominated any two of these, but I would really like to see Blease and Toumpas get an opportunity to win a position in the preseason. IMO Blease played his best games in the backline under Viney and his pace gives us the ability to quickly counter attack.
• Fitzpatrick deserves a position on last year’s form and, as unlikely as it seemed a year ago, with his pace he could become a star. I would keep him clear of the centre bounces and then use him as a ruckman around the ground and have Clark pushing forward.
• We could do with an AFL standard small forward in the rookie draft. I went for Kent as the one permanent small forward, but he needs to step up on last year, and even so we could do with another.
• I don’t see Hogan playing as a defender in the long term, but he may be the most flexible of our key forwards to go back and I think it could be better for his development to play back rather than sitting in the forward 50 with the ball at the other end.

Wow that's a bit of a curve ball!

I think you have to have Viney in the "Certainly Best 22" when you have Grimes, Watts, Cross, Dawes, Howe and Hogan in there.

I think with an injury free preseason Viney will be our Ollie Wines 2.0

[Young Dee 1,303]

Barry seems to be the one who is being most overlooked with the influx of new/old new talent... I get the feeling that with another pre-season under his belt and his experiences at Casey, he may be close to getting a chance at the top level and, hopefully, surprising us.

I think he could be a good player but we are talking about round 1 here so - very unlikely

Depends if Roos wants to field the best team available or do a Bailey and gift young players games (I think we know what Roos will do).

Right now I see Kent/Byrnes/Kennedy-Harris playing ahead of him. Kent would be my pick as a forward pocket/flank - with stints on the wing (at least until he is ready for the midfield).

Edited November 26, 2013 by Young Dee

[hardtack 10,514]

I think he could be a good player but we are talking about round 1 here so - very unlikely

Fair enough... I thought it had moved away from the round 1 line-up as there seemed to be many bringing in our as yet untried at AFL level recruits. Besides that, I get the feeling Barry may get a run in the NAB comp and could very well set himself up for a round 1 game... but then again, not having seen him play or train, my comments are purely speculative.

[CBDees 3,167]

I thought that I might resurrect this thread which had slipped back to page 5. Here goes:

B Dunn Frawley Garland
HB Grimes McDonald Terlich
C Vince Cross Watts
HF Howe Fitzpatrick Trengove
F Hogan Clark Kennedy-Harris
R Gawn N.Jones Viney
IC Toumpas Tyson Michie
S Clisby

E Strauss Dawes/Pedersen Evans

Edited December 19, 2013 by CBDees

[Clark_Kent 315]

This is assuming everyone is fit Round 1:

B: Dunn Frawley Garland

HB: Toumpas McDonald Grimes

C: Watts Jones Vince

HF: Howe Clark Trengove

F: Hogan Dawes Kennedy-Harris

R: Gawn Cross Viney

I/C: Tyson Michie McKenzie

Sub: Byrnes

[Redleg 40,841]

This is assuming everyone is fit Round 1:

B: Dunn Frawley Garland

HB: Toumpas McDonald Grimes

C: Watts Jones Vince

HF: Howe Clark Trengove

F: Hogan Dawes Kennedy-Harris

R: Gawn Cross Viney

I/C: Tyson Michie McKenzie

Sub: Byrnes

I like the look of Kennedy-Harris but he is small and light and I am not sure Roos will throw him to the wolves too early. Kent is injured. Though he wouldn't be in my team, Byrnes or Evans could get the nod for FP. Barry is improving and may be a chance this year, at some stage, to debut.

[GM11 776]

B: Clisby Frawley Garland

HB: Terlich McDonald Grimes

C: Watts Cross Tyson

HF: Howe Dawes Vince

F: Byrnes Clark Hogan

R: Jamar Trengove Jones

I: Fitzpatrick Viney Michie Toumpas

[Clark_Kent 315]

I like the look of Kennedy-Harris but he is small and light and I am not sure Roos will throw him to the wolves too early. Kent is injured. Though he wouldn't be in my team, Byrnes or Evans could get the nod for FP. Barry is improving and may be a chance this year, at some stage, to debut.

Yeah maybe for Round 1 swap Byrnes for Kennedy-Harris. He can then com on as a sub and add some leg speed.

Size isn't everything. Jake Neade was knee high to a grasshopper and he had a great first season.

[John Dee 445]

I'll have another go.

Terlich, Frawley, Garland

Clisby, McDonald, Grimes

Watts, Cross, Trengove

Howe, Dawes, Vince

Hogan, Clark, Byrnes

Gawn, N Jones, Viney

M Jones, Fitzpatrick, Toumpas, Tyson

[jackaub 1,402]

I'll have another go.

Terlich, Frawley, Garland

Clisby, McDonald, Grimes

Watts, Cross, Trengove

Howe, Dawes, Vince

Hogan, Clark, Byrnes

Gawn, N Jones, Viney

M Jones, Fitzpatrick, Toumpas, Tyson

Now thats much better I like this team a lot

[CBDees 3,167]

B: Clisby Frawley Garland

HB: Terlich McDonald Grimes

C: Watts Cross Tyson

HF: Howe Dawes Vince

F: Byrnes Clark Hogan

R: Jamar Trengove Jones

I: Fitzpatrick Viney Michie Toumpas

I too like this team, however at this stage of the year, most Demonlanders have posted credible teams. The big mystery is how many will remotely resemble their December choices after we have played three NAB Cup/practices matches and have a better idea of injuries and improvements?

[rolly 149]

I'll have another go.

Terlich, Frawley, Garland

Clisby, McDonald, Grimes

Watts, Cross, Trengove

Howe, Dawes, Vince

Hogan, Clark, Byrnes

Gawn, N Jones, Viney

M Jones, Fitzpatrick, Toumpas, Tyson

byrnes- premiership player

dawes- premiership player

vince- b n f

cross- b n f

jamar- AA

frawley- AA

trengove, watts, tyson, toumpas, hogan play to their draft position

viney, jones, clark, garland, grimes you know what your going to get

you gots ta love december dreaming lol

[_becks_ 35]

I'm very surprised at all the Byrnes love. I thought that he was disappointing last year. i would be eager to try a JKH, Barry, Kent type rather than him.

All the good teams have a good attacking defender(quarterback role), ala Heath Shaw. Who is ours? Blease? Strauss? Barry? Trengove? Tapscott? i think Strauss should be given first crack. I think his defending is fine, however he could probably work on tackling and strength and he needs to get more of the ball so he can use his skills...

I'm looking forward to watching our new look midfield next year. Excited about Tyson, Cross, Michie et al.

[Coup Cooper 610]

I like that team a lot but don't think Salem or Kennedy-Harris are ready for round one.

So I would replace Salem with Michie (if fit) and replace Kennedy Harris with Kent (or maybe Blease).

I don't really think much of Terlich and would like Strauss to take his spot but that would be a stretch at round 1 - maybe Clisby instead of Terlich (Terlich and Grimes play similar - need some class/silk).

Strauss instead of Terlich? It must be a disease here at Melbourne.. Straus is no good, slow, turns the ball over, takes the wrong option everyday of the week.. And you want him to replace our 3rd best and fairest?

Wow.. You really are a "young dee"

How about we bring back Jamie Shannahan to replace Frawley?

Edited December 23, 2013 by PurpleHaze12

[Hannibal 5,814]

Strauss instead of Terlich? It must be a disease here at Melbourne.. Straus is no good, slow, turns the ball over, takes the wrong option everyday of the week.. And you want him to replace our 3rd best and fairest?

Strauss isn't ''slow''.

I don't overly rate Terlich either. The B&F ranking means nothing. Clisby is a better footballer.

[Satyriconhome 10,728]

Strauss instead of Terlich? It must be a disease here at Melbourne.. Straus is no good, slow, turns the ball over, takes the wrong option everyday of the week.. And you want him to replace our 3rd best and fairest?

Wow.. You really are a "young dee"

How about we bring back Jamie Shannahan to replace Frawley?

To paraphrase a politician, after Nathan Jones and Col Garland, a drovers dog could have polled well in last year's B&F, I think Strauss is the better footballer than Terlich as well, just hasn't had an injury free run at it, you have seen all of Strauss' 24 games to form your opinion I take it

Terlich is a very good player as well, but personally I don't think either will be in the starting 18, may crack a spot on the bench, my back six is Frawley, McDonald, Grimes, Garland, Dunn and Cross

[Hannibal 5,814]

To paraphrase a politician, after Nathan Jones and Col Garland, a drovers dog could have polled well in last year's B&F, I think Strauss is the better footballer than Terlich as well, just hasn't had an injury free run at it, you have seen all of Strauss' 24 games to form your opinion I take it

Terlich is a very good player as well, but personally I don't think either will be in the starting 18, may crack a spot on the bench, my back six is Frawley, McDonald, Grimes, Garland, Dunn and Cross

Cross won't be a permanent member of the backline.

Try again...

[drdrake 3,162]

Assuming everyone is fit to me there are 5 spots that are up for grabs

Small & Midsize defender: Strauss, Terlich, Clisby, Nicholson, Jetta, Dunn

Small Forward: Byrnes, Kent, Tapscott, Blease, JKH, Bail

First Ruck: Jamar, Gawn, Spencer

Bench Midfielder: M Jones, Michie, McKenzie

My Line up

Clisby Frawley Garland

Dunn McDonald Grimes

Trengove N Jones Vince

Howe Dawes Watts

Byrnes Hogan Clark

Jamar Viney Tyson

Cross Michie Toumpas Bleese

Besides his weekly brain fades I thought Dunn was good down back last year and my preference is for Dunn over Terlich

[Satyriconhome 10,728]

Cross won't be a permanent member of the backline.

Try again...

Sorry , it is a line up, Dunn. Grimes and Cross will rotate through the midfield, Dunn for his size at stoppages or as a run with player at stages, same as the forward line, we may have Clark, Dawes and Hogan and then the other three will rotate, my picks for those, Howe, Fitzpatrick and Bail

[Hannibal 5,814]

Sorry , it is a line up, Dunn. Grimes and Cross will rotate through the midfield, Dunn for his size at stoppages or as a run with player at stages, same as the forward line, we may have Clark, Dawes and Hogan and then the other three will rotate, my picks for those, Howe, Fitzpatrick and Bail

Cross will be a utility, but he won't spend much time down back.

[Thehardtackler 785]

It has already been stated by Roos that Grimes will play with the backs this year.