THE ROAD TO ROUND 1, 2015

[P-man 13,366]

I think you're spot on p man.

Do you think Grimes will be co-captain next season and if so is this the reason you have selected him?

He did a couple of ok things last season but from what I can remember was a big liability and was pretty nervous when he got his hands on the ball.

Pretty much, yep. Whether he's returned as co-captain or not, he's an established leader at the club and the reality is it will take some pretty poor performances to budge him.

Personally I'd like to see his position come under serious scrutiny if he doesn't perform to the level expected, which to my mind he didn't do this season.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

JETTA FROST DUNN

SALEM MCDONALD THE PRINCE

VINCE JONES TOUMPAS

WATTS DAWES HOWE

GARTLETT HOGAN JKH

GAWN TYSON CROSS

VINEY MICHIE NEWTON PEDO

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

Dawes is out for round 1?? I can't remember.

Who ever we draft we must remember they are only 18. If they dominate reserves then bring them in. We need to remain competitive. We need multiple scoring options from our forwards, would love to see Gartlett and JKH show what they can do at the feet of a genuine tall forward. We have lacked class of half back, Salem is young and only has a handful of games under his belt but has good disposal and shows poise, can't do any worse than Grimes. The Prince will provide his trademark run. Was really impressed with Frosts highlights.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

Dawes is out for round 1?? I can't remember.

Yeah he lost the plot in the last game.

Got himself suspended and gave away 2 50mts penalties.

Very irresponsible and pathetic leadership that day.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

I reckon Dean Kent is a lock for round 1 just about barring injury

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,229]

Round 1 Team prediction

FB: JETTA FROST DUNN

HB: GRIMES MCDONALD GARLAND

C: VINCE JONES LUMUMBA

HF: GARLETT HOGAN HOWE

FF: KENT PEDERSEN WATTS

R: JAMAR TYSON VINEY

INT: CROSS TOUMPAS SALEM

S: JKH

[CBDees 3,167]

JETTA FROST DUNN

SALEM MCDONALD THE PRINCE

VINCE JONES TOUMPAS

WATTS DAWES HOWE

GARTLETT HOGAN JKH

GAWN TYSON CROSS

VINEY MICHIE NEWTON PEDO

Nice to see that you have selected Vince Jones, one of Australia's top jazz musicians!

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Would love to see Salem play halfback/midfield next year.

The lack of footskills evident in most of the back six in the prospective round 1 teams on this thread is still a major concern for me.

A half backline of Grimes, McDonald and Garland doesn't fill me with a huge amount of confidence. Defensively there's no worry, but none of them can split teams open with a 'one kick' play. Vince, Watts and Salem all have that ability and we need someone there to be able execute it.

It's one of the reasons why Malceski would have been such a great pickup.

We're a competitive team now. But we're still well behind when it comes to footskills. Even having a look at the replay of Gold Coast vs Melb from this year you can see how easily they move the ball from one end of the ground to the other. It's about being skilled. And knowing it.

Grimes and Garland are perfect examples of players who doubt their ability to execute and therefore never go for kicks to leads that we need them to. They decide to go long to a contest or pointlessly backwards or sideways. Conversely, if you see some of Vince's kicks this year, he is confident in his ability and therefore regularly seeks those leads and targets that are in much more advantageous positions. Or at the very least, in positions where we see a 'metre gain'.

I'm sure others won't agree with how simple that explanation is and that other factors come into play. But from my experience playing, and from what you can visibly see with attributes, it's really as simple as that.

We need footskils in our backline if we're going to see a marked improvement in this competition.

Edited November 23, 2014 by stevethemanjordan

[whatwhat say what 22,946]

No guarantee Vince will be fit for round 1 given the off season surgery. You'd expect him to be okay, but you just never know...

B: Jetta - Dunn - Frost

HB: Grimes - McDonald - Garland

C: Lumumba - N Jones - Vince

HF: Watts - Hogan - Kent

F: Howe - Pedersen - Garlett

Foll: Jamar - Tyson - Viney

I/C: Salem - Cross - Michie

Sub: Brayshaw

Emerg: Toumpas - Newton - Gawn

[P-man 13,366]

Would love to see Salem play halfback/midfield next year.

The lack of footskills evident in most of the back six in the prospective round 1 teams on this thread is still a major concern for me.

A half backline of Grimes, McDonald and Garland doesn't fill me with a huge amount of confidence. Defensively there's no worry, but none of them can split teams open with a 'one kick' play. Vince, Watts and Salem all have that ability and we need someone there to be able execute it.

It's one of the reasons why Malceski would have been such a great pickup.

We're a competitive team now. But we're still well behind when it comes to footskills. Even having a look at the replay of Gold Coast vs Melb from this year you can see how easily they move the ball from one end of the ground to the other. It's about being skilled. And knowing it.

Grimes and Garland are perfect examples of players who doubt their ability to execute and therefore never go for kicks to leads that we need them to. They decide to go long to a contest or pointlessly backwards or sideways. Conversely, if you see some of Vince's kicks this year, he is confident in his ability and therefore regularly seeks those leads and targets that are in much more advantageous positions. Or at the very least, in positions where we see a 'metre gain'.

I'm sure others won't agree with how simple that explanation is and that other factors come into play. But from my experience playing, and from what you can visibly see with attributes, it's really as simple as that.

We need footskils in our backline if we're going to see a marked improvement in this competition.

Agree, the unfortunate thing being that the prince doesn't really solve this problem either. Line breaking ability but an unreliable kick. Howe provided some improvement in this area but was still learning the ropes. Salem/Toumpas could be the answer.

It is a black mark against the three you mention that we are still discussing this as an issue.

[deeko 952]

In the traditional format, my squad for the Suns:

Jetta Frost Dunn

Prince McDonald Grimes/Garland

Watts Viney Vince

Howe Hogan Garlett

JKH Gawn Pedo

R: Jamar, Jones & Sir Dom

Pine: Salem, Bail, Cross and Brayshaw as the sub.

I'm quite interested to see where Roos sees Garland playing this year. One would assume Frost is getting a game as he is obviously rated and also The Prince will surely take a flank. Jetta, McDonald and Dunn are locks as well. Grimes, being skip, one would think is safe and although he wasn't great at it, can also play a bit in the centre.

The forward line is interesting, especially with no Dawes rd 1. I'm assuming that if McCartin is picked then he will start in the twos and Pedo will play for Dawes and in a perfect world probably find himself subbed at 3/4 time. Also, Howe will go back forward this year and big Maxy showed some great promise IMO clunking a few grabs last year and will give the Rush a chop out.

In the guts, we will see Jamar starting with Jones of course at his ankles with Sir Dom and probably Viney. Watts on a wing (I hope this is why he is building his tank at present) with Vince on the other.

Leaves the pine as a couple up and comers (Salem & Brayshaw) and some veterans who deserve the first crack in Bail and Cross.

Toump, Kent, Newton, McCartin, Stretch and Michie to work on getting some serious numbers in the twos before getting a crack.

Still lots of youth in our team so I don't expect to many more wins this year but I am hoping for some exciting footy and watch some kids who are genuine hard nuts attack the pill!

[old55 23,687]

I may well have missed it - but why does almost everyone have Howe forward this year? Was there some announcement of this as a plan? I thought he found his role in the back half last year.

[DeeSpencer 26,081]

I may well have missed it - but why does almost everyone have Howe forward this year? Was there some announcement of this as a plan? I thought he found his role in the back half last year.

I think there was a mention of him playing forward by Roos at some stage.

Personally I think with Dawes out he'll start forward in round 1, but probably still plays most of the year back as his intercept marking and run is pretty important.

I hope he's reached the maturity where he can be swung positions whilst maintaining effectiveness.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

A long way off, but heck it'd be nice to win. Starting this early in hope that a few things might go our way to give us the best chance. Once we have finalised our list we can look at match ups, and update it pending on who performs during the NAB cup and sadly, who may get injured during pre-season (touch wood).

Read this today, which works in our favour:

GOLD Coast vice-captain Dion Prestia and silky midfielder Harley Bennell have limped off the training track on Monday with injuries.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-24/double-blow-for-star-suns?utm_medium=RSS

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

Would love to see Salem play halfback/midfield next year.

The lack of footskills evident in most of the back six in the prospective round 1 teams on this thread is still a major concern for me.

A half backline of Grimes, McDonald and Garland doesn't fill me with a huge amount of confidence. Defensively there's no worry, but none of them can split teams open with a 'one kick' play. Vince, Watts and Salem all have that ability and we need someone there to be able execute it.

It's one of the reasons why Malceski would have been such a great pickup.

We're a competitive team now. But we're still well behind when it comes to footskills. Even having a look at the replay of Gold Coast vs Melb from this year you can see how easily they move the ball from one end of the ground to the other. It's about being skilled. And knowing it.

Grimes and Garland are perfect examples of players who doubt their ability to execute and therefore never go for kicks to leads that we need them to. They decide to go long to a contest or pointlessly backwards or sideways. Conversely, if you see some of Vince's kicks this year, he is confident in his ability and therefore regularly seeks those leads and targets that are in much more advantageous positions. Or at the very least, in positions where we see a 'metre gain'.

I'm sure others won't agree with how simple that explanation is and that other factors come into play. But from my experience playing, and from what you can visibly see with attributes, it's really as simple as that.

We need footskils in our backline if we're going to see a marked improvement in this competition.

I really hope Salem gets a crack off half back. Makes interesting reading with people putting their teams forward. Grimes missing in a few of them. I opted not for pick 2 or 3 in my line up but like what some have done with Brayshaw as the sub, giving him the odd full game mid year.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

I may well have missed it - but why does almost everyone have Howe forward this year? Was there some announcement of this as a plan? I thought he found his role in the back half last year.

I didn't hear anything, having said that I live in Sydney and am not across everything. I disagree, I think he's a better option forward. Now with two genuine smalls and hopefully two genuine talls consistently on the park I think he could prove a difficult match up for some. Withs Watts and others to rotate across half forward. Edited November 24, 2014 by Al's Demons

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

With Frost and Lumumba coming onto the list it's clear there may be some changes to our back six. We were defensively sound but the lack of rebound was obvious and no doubt why we no have Lumumba.

With Jetta now taking the best small and Dunn, Frost and McDonald taking the talls and Grimes able to take the next best small or medium forward or resting mid the needs for garlands defensive ability is diminished and can be replace with Lunumba to provide more dash. He is way too good to be left out.

I would like to see him play this year as a defensive forward. He has been thrown up there at times over the last couple if years and been handy. He is a smart player and kick a goal. But I could see him locking down on the oppositions most dangerous rebounder. You could see him taking a suckling or malceski right out if the game.

I couldn't see any if the other back six from last year like Grimes being a capable forward for when we do have the ball in the way garland could be.

I also think Kent will be ready to take the next step onto the Wing. And think Vince plays his best in the middle rather than on the wing.

This would be my side

Garlett Fitzy Hogan

Garland Pederson Howe

Watts Jones Kent

Lumumba McDonald Grimes

Jetta Dunn Frost

Jamar Tyson Vince

Viney Cross Salem

JKH or Toump

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

The thing that I am most looking forward to this year is that it is starting to look like we are developing depth through all the positions on the ground.

Defensively we have a pretty good mix that can extend down especially with Roos liking to give midfielders a role on the back flank sometimes.

Midfield depth and quality has increased and will continue to improve with the draft.

Fwd 50 will improve with another tall, but the depth is great.

What is good is that we have about 30 odd players competing for the 22 and whilst all of them may not be elite, the fact that we are starting to develop positional depth is a good sign.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

Stuff round 1.

I'm interested in dream scenarios. By the end of 2015 I hope our young guns have shown us that they will deliver on their promise.

Round 23 Team

FB: Frost Dunn Jetta

CHB: Salem McDonald Brayshaw

C: Vince Jones Lumumba

CHF: Kent Hogan Petracca

FF: Garlett Dawes Watts

Foll: Gawn Tyson Viney

Int: Howe Toumpas Kennedy-Harris

Sub: Stretch

Obviously I expect Grimes, Cross and Garland to be figuring in this team and it needs a second ruck but it was designed as a look into the future. Lot of blue chip dreaming but it gives me hope.

[Roger Mellie 4,103]

Nice dream, nice team Vibes. Are you going to the draft?

[Goodvibes 3,596]

Nice dream, nice team Vibes. Are you going to the draft?

I went last year and enjoyed the experience but sadly this year I'll be at a wake. It's such an awesome nerdy football lovers thing to do.

[Roger Mellie 4,103]

Sorry to hear that - the wake that is!

If I was at on the Gold Coast, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to help myself - nerd factor and all!

Anyone else? GSmith?

[What 18,810]

Petracca and Brayshaw will give Ablett a football lesson

[gsmith12 491]

Sorry to hear that - the wake that is!

If I was at on the Gold Coast, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to help myself - nerd factor and all!

Anyone else? GSmith?

Yep, free tickets easy to come by.

The draft is an interesting experience however even more so is wandering around Broadbeach prior to and after and running into so many of footy's elite.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

Yep, free tickets easy to come by.

The draft is an interesting experience however even more so is wandering around Broadbeach prior to and after and running into so many of footy's elite.

And the burger place across the road is bloody good!