13 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I think best 22 is more equivalent to dream side.

This thread is Rd 1 team 2019, it's highly unlikely (just per any Rd really) that we wI'll have our best 22 to pick in Rd.1.

Footy journo's these days... are like Pollies.  They'll say what sells them as personalities.

esp'  pre-season, when nothings on.

 

The truth is, none of us no any better yet, apart from what we've known from last season.

Edited January 26, 20196 yr by DV8

BTW, I think this is a great thread and full credit to @WERRIDEE for going so early on his team makeup.  In the current MFC environment he has more balls than I do to be making such predictions so far out.

Again what a contrast to last seasons corresponding thread when all the talk was about how we would curtail all of Dangerfield, Selwood, Ablett - elimination final.

I know coaches always play down Rd 1, but how good would it be to put the runs on the board early next season and set up or year, instead of playing catch up and on the edge for most of the year.

15 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

POSSIBLE PORT SIDE

B: JONAS, CLUREY, BYRNE-JONES

HB: HARTLETT, HOWARD, BURTON

C : BONNER, R.GRAY, EBERT

HF: MOTLOP, WESTOFF, WATTS

F: RYDER, DIXON, ROCKLIFF

FOLL: LYCETT, BOAK, WINES

IC: POWELL-PEPPER, ROZEE, BUTTERS, DUURSMA

 

OUR POSSIBLE LINE UP

B: O.MCDONALD, MAY, SALEM

HB: JETTA, FROST, HIBBERD

C : KOLODJASHNIJ, HARMES, BRAYSHAW

HF: PETRACCA, WEIDEMAN, NEAL-BULLEN

F: MELKSHAM, T.MCDONALD, FRITSCH

FOLL: GAWN, OLIVER, VINEY

IC: JONES, VANDENBERG, LEWIS, PREUSS

 

4 KEY MATCH UPS

HARMES V R.GRAY - Best tagger vs best mid.

VINEY V WINES - 2 best mates going against each other

MAY V DIXON - This is the job we pay May to do.

GAWN\PREUSS V LYCETT\RYDER - Ruck duel will decide the game.

 

Couldn't find room for Spargo due to match ups and Hannan doesn't seem to be match fit.

 

STILL THE KING

21 hours ago, tappysquads said:

My opinion only, but I don't have him in our top 25. I don't see his weapons. Not fast, not strong, small and not a great kick. Tries super hard, can get a goal or two,  but I think will struggle.

Not sure where to start here Tappy. Okay, deep breath.

Yes, Spargo's small. You can't seriously propose that there's no room for smalls in a current AFL team. It's not height, it's heart. One of the beauties of our game is the variety of builds that compose a successful team. For a first year payer in 2018, with a team under the pump for a finals berth, I'm not sure what else you could have expected from him.

Not fast? He's quick and sharp at the fall of the ball and knows where his best positioned teammate is and delivers more often than not. Review some replays if you doubt this.

Can't kick? Now you're really going out on a limb. Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember him slotting one, under some pressure, from just outside 50 from the members half-forward flank. And his teammates got around him. Not to mention he was nominated for one of the top 5 MFC goals of the year.

Not strong? You're having a laugh. He's strong like Boomer Harvey was. You play to your best with the hand and height you're dealt.

Not in the top 25. We'll see.

 

21 hours ago, tappysquads said:

My opinion only, but I don't have him in our top 25. I don't see his weapons. Not fast, not strong, small and not a great kick. Tries super hard, can get a goal or two,  but I think will struggle.

Charlie has tricks, tricks and more tricks.  Great footy brain.

 

 

Edited January 26, 20196 yr by Petraccattack

1 hour ago, maximum bob said:

Not sure where to start here Tappy. Okay, deep breath.

Yes, Spargo's small. You can't seriously propose that there's no room for smalls in a current AFL team. It's not height, it's heart. One of the beauties of our game is the variety of builds that compose a successful team. For a first year payer in 2018, with a team under the pump for a finals berth, I'm not sure what else you could have expected from him.

Not fast? He's quick and sharp at the fall of the ball and knows where his best positioned teammate is and delivers more often than not. Review some replays if you doubt this.

Can't kick? Now you're really going out on a limb. Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember him slotting one, under some pressure, from just outside 50 from the members half-forward flank. And his teammates got around him. Not to mention he was nominated for one of the top 5 MFC goals of the year.

Not strong? You're having a laugh. He's strong like Boomer Harvey was. You play to your best with the hand and height you're dealt.

Not in the top 25. We'll see.

 

I don't think Spargo has quite got the hoof to slot them through from much further than 45 out, but otherwise generally agree with your assessment.

Will be interesting to see if he can go on with it, improve and hold his spot in the side this year, otherwise the compeditiveness for spots he could easily be squeezed out.  Not a slight on him, I just think that's where we are at.  I actually think he was probably borderline best 22 at times last year (still a fair feat in your first year), but he just kept holding on and the others that could have taken his spot were not quite up to it at the time.

I understand the scepticism re Spargo.  He has weaknesses.  He's easily knocked off the ball and one on ones are a real challenge for him given his size.  His kicking lacks penetration and is wayward at times.  Despite early comments, he's not shown an ability to hold marks overhead (yes, I realize it isn't his job) and he isn't lightning quick.

But he has some real attributes.  He's a genuine footballer who understands the game and gets involved in the play whether he has the ball or not.  When he has the ball he's got terrific awareness as the highlights above show.  He's really competitive and a genuine role or "team" player.  We are used to smalls having real X factor but what this kid lacks in X factor he makes up for in other footy attributes.

The first time I saw him was at Casey in a practice match last year.  He started forward and struggled to get into the game but in the second half he was moved to the midfield and was very good.  His ability to find the ball and more importantly look to do something with it was noticeable.  Spargo will learn his trade forward but will ultimately move into the midfield where he will be very good.

The kid was 18 all last year and is a baby in terms of his footy potential at AFL level. I'm predicting a very good future for Charlie.

reckon you're right Baghdad Bob. I think Spargo will be an important player for us. he's got good footy smarts and is a creative ball user. he should only improve with the added fitness and strength the preseason should bring. and lets not forget he had a limited pre season last year, yet still managed to hold a spot in the team for most of the year.

at the moment he is more of a defensive fwd than say Jeffy is, as he can do a bit of a shut down job on a oppo defender, which is why I think he gets a game over Jeffy, as its better for the team but it obviously doesn't win you as many plaudits as easy goals over the back does.

I also think that up around the ball as a distributor/play maker is his go in the future. hopefully he can turn into our very own little Sammy Mitchell type.

I am a huge Spargo fan. The Demon Coaching staff obviously are as well. When you consider his age, I believe the doubters on this thread will be haunted by their lowly assessment in years to come.

In a nutshell, the lad has ability and beautiful awareness. He will be a beauty.

 

2 minutes ago, dieter said:

I am a huge Spargo fan. The Demon Coaching staff obviously are as well. When you consider his age, I believe the doubters on this thread will be haunted by their lowly assessment in years to come.

In a nutshell, the lad has ability and beautiful awareness. He will be a beauty.

Hes a star in the making,   without doubt.

I think its easy to forget too that he played the entire season as an eighteen year old !    Played 18 games including all three finals.

Melbournes record with Spargo in the team  -    14 wins 4 losses

 

Spargo makes good decisions. Invariably we are in a better position after he disposes the ball.

I’m hoping in years to come, Spargo develops like a Sam Mitchell.  He is similar in a lot of ways (footy brain, great awareness, quick with hand and foot, unbelievable vision, same limitations).  He just needs to build up his strength and endurance over the next 3 or 4 years and he could be a champion inside mid.

1 hour ago, dieter said:

I am a huge Spargo fan. The Demon Coaching staff obviously are as well. When you consider his age, I believe the doubters on this thread will be haunted by their lowly assessment in years to come.

In a nutshell, the lad has ability and beautiful awareness. He will be a beauty.

I'm  big fan as well...  but he will be up against it as we improve our list.

He HAS to keep improving. 

I love what he brought to us last year, a sort of point guard style.

35 minutes ago, DV8 said:

I'm  big fan as well...  but he will be up against it as we improve our list.

He HAS to keep improving. 

I love what he brought to us last year, a sort of point guard style.

Spargo has been training really well, last training session, a couple of really good decisions and disposal, he was 18 and a controlled pre season last year

Supporters on here have been crying out for real depth, we have it now, reckon from now on, including the QLD camp, every player will take their training efforts up a notch, as I have said before Goodwin will pick the 22 he thinks have had the 'best' pre season and are fully fit and in form for Rd1

 

1 hour ago, Satyriconhome said:

as I have said before Goodwin will pick the 22 he thinks have had the 'best' pre season and are fully fit and in form for Rd1

Speaking of round 1 Ollie wines might be missing for port 

Edited January 27, 20196 yr by brendan

4 minutes ago, brendan said:

Speaking of round 1 Ollie wines might be missing for port 

Oppo watch starts early. Sheesh, where do you go to ski in late Jan?

Just now, Dee Zephyr said:

Oppo watch starts early. Sheesh, where do you go to ski in late Jan?

Water skiing probably 

Bit surprised everyone has put Clarry, Melksham and Tracc in our round one teams. Then there is Omac and Viney who also need to join training fully.

9 hours ago, Damo said:

Bit surprised everyone has put Clarry, Melksham and Tracc in our round one teams. Then there is Omac and Viney who also need to join training fully.

Clarry, Melk, Tracc and Viney will be OK by 23rd March. Most likely, very OK. OMac can have a run with Casey.

21 hours ago, dieter said:

I am a huge Spargo fan. The Demon Coaching staff obviously are as well. When you consider his age, I believe the doubters on this thread will be haunted by their lowly assessment in years to come.

In a nutshell, the lad has ability and beautiful awareness. He will be a beauty.

He is s good kick and his decision-making in the mcg finals pressure was top notch. 

2 hours ago, Demon17 said:

He is s good kick and his decision-making in the mcg finals pressure was top notch. 

His disposal efficiency was 76% last year which is really high.  I can’t think of a small forward that would come close.  5 score involvements per game as well. Betts, Rioli x 2, Ryan are all 70% DE or less.

16 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Oppo watch starts early. Sheesh, where do you go to ski in late Jan?

Echuca apparently.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/01/27/terrible-mistake-from-port-adelaide's-next-captain/

Looks like a dislocated shoulder if Cornes is on the money.

It is a pitty, I was looking forward to Wines going head to head with Viney.

Edited January 28, 20196 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

27 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Echuca apparently.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/01/27/terrible-mistake-from-port-adelaide's-next-captain/

Looks like a dislocated shoulder if Cornes is on the money.

It is a pitty, I was looking forward to Wines going head to head with Viney.

A bit surprising to read Wines trained today RG. There was footage of Wines running around at training this morning in the rehab group with no strapping on either shoulder. 

I guess we’ll soon find out the extent of the damage.

On 1/26/2019 at 5:37 PM, maximum bob said:

Not sure where to start here Tappy. Okay, deep breath.

Yes, Spargo's small. You can't seriously propose that there's no room for smalls in a current AFL team. It's not height, it's heart. One of the beauties of our game is the variety of builds that compose a successful team. For a first year payer in 2018, with a team under the pump for a finals berth, I'm not sure what else you could have expected from him.

Not fast? He's quick and sharp at the fall of the ball and knows where his best positioned teammate is and delivers more often than not. Review some replays if you doubt this.

Can't kick? Now you're really going out on a limb. Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember him slotting one, under some pressure, from just outside 50 from the members half-forward flank. And his teammates got around him. Not to mention he was nominated for one of the top 5 MFC goals of the year.

Not strong? You're having a laugh. He's strong like Boomer Harvey was. You play to your best with the hand and height you're dealt.

Not in the top 25. We'll see.

 

You can add that he's got the smarts like Mitchell too....ask Lewis maybe what he was like at the same age and whether he compares?