Team heading into finals

[Deemania since 56 6,609]

On 7/25/2023 at 10:42 AM, MrFreeze said:

I do think TMAC is a smokey to return. 

I also think that TMac is likely to be returning for finals, as a last hurrah. However, there are acknowledged 'againts' equally as strong as those concerning BBB. 

[speed demon 804]

Some thoughts on our team heading into finals:

• Solo Gawn = Gawndry (though it's unsustainable)
• Gawn, Grundy, BBB and JVR will not play in the same team
• Grundy will return but - depending on match ups - may not be best 22. Difficult decisions ahead. 
• BBB is our best tall forward but can't be trusted to run out a game let alone the season
• JVR will be our best tall forward - conceivably by September as he rises and others fall - and a respectable 2nd ruck
• Smith may not be best 22 but he is best 23. Kudos to Smith and the club for finally nailing his role
• Melksham hard to dislodge from best 22, especially with uncertainty around Fritsch. Stood up twice in two seasons to win important games (Blues '22 and Lions '23), is versatile and composed. Could be a player to win a final.
• Chandler's early season form was not an errant memory. Played Spargo's role better than Spargo. Best 22
• Oliver to replace JJ
• Petracca to stay forward
• Petracca, Pickett and Rivers to continue rotating through the midfield to provide explosiveness and unpredictability

[Dee*ceiving 1,674]

It's a bit of a cop out but in reality I feel it's best to think of selection in two groups. 

The first 16 or so 'must picks' and then a second group of 10 to 12 from which players will be picked based on form, fitness, 'like for like' replacement, matchups, weather & location. 

Think 'depth chart' in Baseball vernacular. Obviously lots of subjectivity has been applied in my attempt. Looking at it though it's strikes me even more that we are flushed with depth in the back half and the complete opposite in the front half 

First choice

Defenders

1. May
2. Lever
3. Salem
4. Petty
5. Rivers
6. McVee

Midfielders

7. Gawn
8. Oliver
9. Viney
10. Petracca  
11. Langdon
12. Hunter
13. Brayshaw

Forwards

14. Fritsch
15. Pickett
16. Neal-Bullen

Squad/depth chart

Defenders

1. Bowey
2. Hibberd
3. Tomlinson

Midfielders

4. Grundy
5. Sparrow
6. Jordon

Forwards

7. Melksham
8. JVR
9. Brown
10. Chandler
11. Spargo
12. Smith

Then the rest

• Woewodin
• Harmes
• McDonald
• Schache
• Dunstan
• & the un/lesser tried bunch