Interested to see a discussion about the relative strengths and weaknesses of Hunt and Bowey as we move into 2022.

Hibberd will work hard to keep his spot but who else can take that role short term? 

When Tomlinson got injured, he was replaced by Harry Petty. There is no way that Petty will get dropped now that Tomlinson is on his way back, but I see Hibbard as being extremely vulnerable; in fact, I think that Tomlinson is the better man for that position.

Bowey is already better than Hunt, and I think Hunt is still a reasonable player

Edited January 6, 20223 yr by adonski

As for Hunt v Bowey, we all got carried away with Bowey’s fantastic performances when he was selected, but I think Hunt is more mature and is stronger one on one.

 

Regrettably, one has to expect that injuries/Covid will answer a lot of these selection dilemmas.

Bowey if fit, plays as the small distributing back. Hunt and Hibberd are vying for the flank. I favour Hunt being younger, taller and quicker, as well as a better mark. I still think D. Smyth is a chance too.

I still can’t believe I am discussing team spots as the reigning premier. Added to that we have a deep list and a young profile. Hopefully more good times to come for the MFC.

5 minutes ago, Ollie fan said:

but I see Hibbard

The first sighting of 'Hibbard' for the season....

Lucky Hibbard's first name isn't Jordan.

25 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Bowey if fit, plays as the small distributing back. Hunt and Hibberd are vying for the flank. I favour Hunt being younger, taller and quicker, as well as a better mark. I still think D. Smyth is a chance too.

I still can’t believe I am discussing team spots as the reigning premier. Added to that we have a deep list and a young profile. Hopefully more good times to come for the MFC.

Agree its Hunt & Hibberd competing for a spot not Bowey

Tomlinson is too slow to play on a small forward so only see him forcing Petty out - unless he plays in another position outside the back six 

injuries and form can change things up pretty quickly but we now seem to have good depth - a great position to be in 

At Hibberd’s age, he will be placed on the spare parts list next season. Petty has a good chance to permanently lock in his position whilst Tomlinson is still out. He won’t be ready to play in the first half of the season. Hunt is a valuable player but his Achilles Heel is his ordinary disposal and sometimes questionable decision making. Bowey was far more valuable at half and rarely makes a mistake. He bookends nicely with Salem. Elite disposal and coolness coming from both half backs is a rare strength. Tomlinson and Hunt will get their best opportunities as replacements for injury or form.

Edited January 7, 20223 yr by John Crow Batty

I suggest Tomlinson will not be a round 1 option and they will take their time. Assuming this Hunt, Rivers, Joel Smith and Hibberd are competing for the same 2 spots which are built around defend first and rebound second. They all have enough height to play on the mid sized forwards but also be accountable on the true smalls subject to forward set ups. For mine Rivers is already set and will likely only get better, fitter, stronger. Really it is a toss up between Hunt, J Smith and Hibbo in my view for D7. 

Bowey and Salo are there as accountable distributors but are more likely to mind the true smalls as part of their roles. Rivers can also fit this role based on set up or rotation. 

Once ready, if Tomlinson gets back to the form he showed early I can see he and Petty play the two key defensive posts allowing May to roll into the Hunt, Rivers, Hibberd mix. Lever will just always be Lever. 

This assumes all are available at all times (unlikely) and also that we dont see a bolter ie: Turner, Smith, Howes develop from outside this group.

What great problems to have :) 

Edited January 7, 20223 yr by Lil_red_fire_engine

Tomlinson and Petty are both relatively slow off the mark (though good readers of the play).  To fit them in the team with May and Lever you'd almost look at May going on to a small as he has done effectively previously.

Having said that, I don't think much of this will matter - we have great depth here - a number of quality players (Hunt, Tomlinson, Smith etc) who only went out of the premiership side due to injury.  The real question is whether the forwards and midfielders can keep doing their bit with the team defence.  So long as they can keep it up, I think whichever of our top 10 defenders make it on the park will be able to get the job done.

The premiership package: we know all about that one.

The jumbo package: May plays the lockdown pocket, Petty full back, Tomlinson CHB/oversize flanker, Lever intercepts. We lose speed and run but can own the air

The versatile zone package: 3 talls as last year, Rivers, Salem and 2 of Hunt, Hibberd, J Smith. By playing a lot of 187-190 flankers we can switch opponents at will.

The speed package: 3 talls, Salem, Rivers, Bowey, Hunt/ D Smith. Plenty of run and pressure at ground level 

We’ll see how he adapts to year 2 but Bowey’s certainly a lock if he plays the same way. He’s good enough defensively to take a man but of course it’s the balance of his game that’s most impressive.

Rivers probably played better when Bowey came in, he had more of a defensive responsibility and did the job. Long term I think he’ll want to come up the ground. I doubt he’ll want to be known as the lockdown guy.

That leaves the one lockdown spot. It’s Hibbo from J Smith from D Smith currently. But Hunt could target this spot. It’s not his natural role. But it wasn’t Hibbo’s natural role until he adapted to it either. 

Great to be having this discussion for this position.  It was seen as a key area of need after the 2020 season.

Salem is a lock in, fit his name goes on the board first

Rivers is the second player that if maintains form stays in, added a real defensive side to his game in 2021

Bowey will continue his upward trend and will improve, his foot skills have him ahead of Hunt

With those three taking the small defender roles we really need some one who can lock down small forwards as these three best value for the team is ball in hand especially Salem and Bowey.

I don't see Hunt as a lock down defender, they tried Smith and Cameron got hold of him in the finals and the Hibberd got the nod when Smith was injured.  Add in D Smith with another pre-season.

Tell you one thing, Casey is going to be a very strong side.

 

I think they will try Rivers on the wing this year and releasing Brayshaw back to the midfield so Smith, Smith and Hunt may play as a defender in his place.

Places in the team will now be on form not a given.

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

Bowey if fit, plays as the small distributing back. Hunt and Hibberd are vying for the flank.

Don't disagree but do we not already have Rivers and Salem in that role.

Does Hunt have the defensive skills of Hibberd? Hunt's main skill is the ability to break lines. Unfortunately he seems far too often to try and go that one bounce too far and his disposal is therefore pressured.

If Bowey could add run to his game he would be excellent.Can't see Smith getting a game short of injuries and the Petty/Tomlinson conundrum is unanswerable.

Rivers to the wing and Brayshaw back to the centre.... Interesting but then what about Sparrow and Jordon.

Is Harmes at risk?

Great to have such an apparent abundance of riches.

3 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

When Tomlinson got injured, he was replaced by Harry Petty. There is no way that Petty will get dropped now that Tomlinson is on his way back, but I see Hibbard as being extremely vulnerable; in fact, I think that Tomlinson is the better man for that position.

That position is what? 
back pocket ? or half back flanker ?

very much depends upon match ups ie smalls or talls Hibbo is good especially to smalls and competes very manfully vs talls.

Adding Tommo to defense if May Rick and Harry are in the team may bd one too many talls. Tommo isn't quick enough vs smalls and Salo and Bowzer and Riv are fine vs them with Riv the best to cope with mediums and tallish light on mediums and up to say 190 cms Hibbo is good also and depending upon their speed Tommo could be ok also.

So let's not just  pick our 6 or 7 best defenders without major consideration to the ball on the ground and minding the Weightmans  of the world .

Tommo is a class defender as are Harry Rick and Maysie so we are well stocked in all positions to cater for what  all the the oppositions are going to throw at us in 2022.

And Riv Hunty Bowser and A class Salo are all good to great smaller defenders that any other side would be jealous to have to choose between. 

More of the same in2022 please! 

Hibbert, May, Lever, Tomlinson, Salem, Rivers, Bowey, Hunt, J Smith. 

On disclosed form in 2021 all deserve a spot. Problem is that each week we need only 7, max 8 to play in defence (including rotation) and there is no room in the midfield for those who could play there as well and the forward line is overcrowded as well.

Nice problem to have. But what a challenge for the coaching panel to get the best out of the group.

GO DEES.

Gawn says in his Captain's Diary that he thinks May, Lever, Petty and Tomlinson can all play together, because it frees up May to play on a Martin or Greene type.  May is super quick and strong, so it's not a silly suggestion.  So you'd have Tomlinson and Petty taking the key talls with Lever his intercept role.

One doubts it would be every week and it may be wishful thinking by the captain, but that's what he said for what it's worth.

He also said Tomlinson will be right for round 1, but I understand the scepticism.  He'll play when they think he's ready.  I suspect if it's not round 1 it will be early in the season.

41 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Don't disagree but do we not already have Rivers and Salem in that role.

Does Hunt have the defensive skills of Hibberd? Hunt's main skill is the ability to break lines. Unfortunately he seems far too often to try and go that one bounce too far and his disposal is therefore pressured.

If Bowey could add run to his game he would be excellent.Can't see Smith getting a game short of injuries and the Petty/Tomlinson conundrum is unanswerable.

Rivers to the wing and Brayshaw back to the centre.... Interesting but then what about Sparrow and Jordon.

Is Harmes at risk?

Great to have such an apparent abundance of riches.

Bowey has got run and carry to his game and finishes it off with super disposal.

1 minute ago, tiers said:

Hibbert, May, Lever, Tomlinson, Salem, Rivers, Bowey, Hunt, J Smith. 

On disclosed form in 2021 all deserve a spot. Problem is that each week we need only 7, max 8 to play in defence (including rotation) and there is no room in the midfield for those who could play there as well and the forward line is overcrowded as well.

Nice problem to have. But what a challenge for the coaching panel to get the best out of the group.

GO DEES.

You forgot Petty btw. 

3 minutes ago, tiers said:

Hibbert, May, Lever, Tomlinson, Salem, Rivers, Bowey, Hunt, J Smith. 

On disclosed form in 2021 all deserve a spot. Problem is that each week we need only 7, max 8 to play in defence (including rotation) and there is no room in the midfield for those who could play there as well and the forward line is overcrowded as well.

Nice problem to have. But what a challenge for the coaching panel to get the best out of the group.

GO DEES.

Petty as well !!! 

I wrote a bunch of speculations and then deleted them and wrote some more and deleted them, also.

But I do want to thank you for giving me an excuse to look over our list and go,  "ooooooooh nice".

 

48 minutes ago, 58er said:

Petty as well !!! 

OOPS. Not a petty mistake. Glad I am not the coaching panel.

A few peeps seem to be talking up Joel Smith. IMHO he's depth only.

 

Hunt instead of Hibbo.  I am not a Tomlinson fan although he played well at the start of last year. That briefly sums it up.