On 23/12/2024 at 10:42, adonski said:

That's a juicy tid bit out of the swamp, did they delve anymore into why Lindsay was so highly rated by the Pies?

Hind has always had a liking for players who play well in the big games. Lindsay is that player and he is ours. 

  On 24/12/2024 at 22:08, old55 said:

I didn't commit above, but if I did it would be TMac, Tholstrup and Langford for my three openings.

Back 7: May, Lever, Petty, Salem, McVee, Windsor, Bowey

Midfield rotation 8: Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Rivers, Langdon, Sharp, Langford.  Petracca and Langford in the mid-fwd rotation.

Forward 7: JVR, Turner, McDonald, Fritsch, Chandler, Pickett, Tholstrup. Pickett and Tholstrup in the mid-fwd rotation.

Jefferson really why not? 

  On 24/12/2024 at 21:27, dpositive said:

I really appreciate the thought and effort by everyone contributing to this thread. All of you have greater knowledge and understanding of players than I do, although I m trying.

Consistent with my overall philosophy of using the squad and particularly in terms of striking a team for peak conditioning and opposition match ups, can someone detail the team and the team they  compete against.

I think Bin man has done this in the past and I found his thoughts extremely interesting. It made me think not only of the skills and abilities of other teams players but gave a more thorough analysis of our boys.

 

Why not get off the fence ( couch really) and select your 23 or extra to get the response s of other D/Lers. 

You have attempted to give yourself an out but I am not buying it. Have an opinion and not be a wimp it doesn’t befit a Demonlander.

PS I will post my preferred opening team ( really the one I want to be playing the prelim final in 9 months.)

  On 26/12/2024 at 00:34, 58er said:

Why not get off the fence ( couch really) and select your 23 or extra to get the response s of other D/Lers. 

You have attempted to give yourself an out but I am not buying it. Have an opinion and not be a wimp it doesn’t befit a Demonlander.

PS I will post my preferred opening team ( really the one I want to be playing the prelim final in 9 months.)

Fair points 58. I will try and do the research to back up my thoughts with an opinion.

Sat down with the guys I go to the footy with for our end of season wrap and we agreed we had a good squad. Since then we have picked up some youngsters and I have been trying to follow the training reports. Its all so positive Im thinking everyone will want to use my handle.

I agree there is a finals team (I prefer to think Grand Final) but hopefully that will develop over the year, and thats why I want to see as many different players and options used during the season.

Will keep trying to monitor those who really do give so much great insight from more intense involvement, especially those brilliant training reports

  On 25/12/2024 at 14:24, BAMF said:

Hind has always had a liking for players who play well in the big games. Lindsay is that player and he is ours. 

The best example of this is Steele Sidebottom who kicked 10 goals in the TAC Cup grand final as a forward / mid. He was picked up by Hind at pick #11 in the 2008 draft after Watts, Natanui, Hill, Hartlett, Hurley, Yarran, Rich, Vickery, Ziebell and Phil Davis. He has gone on to play 331+ games, 2 x premierships, 2 b&f’s, runner up in the Brownlow and has been a vice captain at Collingwood for the past 10 years.  

Let’s hope XL follows in his footsteps!

P.F Round 1 team

B McVee. May. Petty

H.B Lever, McDonald, Salem

C Langdon, Rivers, Windsor

H.F Petracca, Turner, Fritsch

F Tolstrup, JVR, Jeffo

R Gawn, Oliver, Viney

Inter Langford. Sharp, Campbell, Chandler

Sub Melksham

Emergencies Bowey, Billings, Brown, Woey. Johnson, AMW

  On 26/12/2024 at 02:24, picket fence said:

P.F Round 1 team

B McVee. May. Petty

H.B Lever, McDonald, Salem

C Langdon, Rivers, Windsor

H.F Petracca, Turner, Fritsch

F Tolstrup, JVR, Jeffo

R Gawn, Oliver, Viney

Inter Langford. Sharp, Campbell, Chandler

Sub Melksham

Emergencies Bowey, Billings, Brown, Woey. Johnson, AMW

Pretty bloody good team Fence!🤪

  On 26/12/2024 at 08:27, picket fence said:

Pretty bloody good team Fence!🤪

Campbell will only play if Gawn is on his death bed, PF

  On 26/12/2024 at 08:27, picket fence said:

Pretty bloody good team Fence!🤪

That's a tall team fence where's the run?

  On 26/12/2024 at 08:59, WERRIDEE said:

That's a tall team fence where's the run?

Langford, Sharp, Chandler??

  On 26/12/2024 at 02:24, picket fence said:

P.F Round 1 team

B McVee. May. Petty

H.B Lever, McDonald, Salem

C Langdon, Rivers, Windsor

H.F Petracca, Turner, Fritsch

F Tolstrup, JVR, Jeffo

R Gawn, Oliver, Viney

Inter Langford. Sharp, Campbell, Chandler

Sub Melksham

Emergencies Bowey, Billings, Brown, Woey. Johnson, AMW

4 key defenders and 2 ruckman too tall no Lindsay or Sparrow

  On 25/12/2024 at 00:09, binman said:

In terms of talls, Langford is a fascinating addition to the mix.

I've previously compared him to Jeremy Cameron as from the vision I've watched Langford really reminds me of him in terms of how he moves, being a left footer and playing a hybrid forward role.

(Langford is a mid/forward and Cameron has been playing the last couple of seasons almost as a forward flanker with license to get up the ground, as opposed to a key forward)

I just checked Cameron's height and was surprised how tall he is - 196 cms. I guess i shouldn't be as he has been a true key forward for most of his career.

Still, Langford is listed as 191 cms, which is tall for a mid (except for bont who is 194 cms!) - and i reckon there's every chance he'll get a bit taller. Even if he doesn't get any taller, there are only 13 players on the list taller than Langford! 

As Gator notes above, we may well have been the shortest team in the competition in 2024. And our best 23 might be one of the shortest teams again. 

Not suggesting these players (all 186 cm or above) will play in the same team, but all will be there or thereabouts for senior selection (with fringe players in brackets):

Rucks

• Maxy - 209 cm
• (Campbell - 201 cm)
• (Fullarton - 200 cm)
• (Verall- 193 cm)

Forwards:

• Jefferson - 195 cm
• Turner - 194 cm
• JVR - 193 cm
• AJ - 193 cm
• Langford (mid/forward) - 191 cm
• Fritter - 188 cm
• Melksham - 186 cm

Defenders

• Lever - 194 cm
• May - 193 cm 
• Howes - 191 cm
• (Adams - 196 cm)
• (Hore- 191 cm)

Swingmen

• Petty - 197 cm
• Tmac - 195 cm

 

That aint a tall side that's for sure. 

Binman Will Verrall is listed as 199cm, Jeffo 196 & Rick 195. 😁

  On 26/12/2024 at 10:57, DeeZone said:

Binman Will Verrall is listed as 199cm, Jeffo 196 & Rick 195. 😁

You're right about verall (cut and paste typo) but from the MFC website (and lord knows the dees website could well be wrong):

  On 26/12/2024 at 10:31, WERRIDEE said:

4 key defenders and 2 ruckman too tall no Lindsay or Sparrow

Lindsay probably wont be ready and Sparrow has not improved for a bloke who has been a regular for years

  On 26/12/2024 at 02:24, picket fence said:

P.F Round 1 team

B McVee. May. Petty

H.B Lever, McDonald, Salem

C Langdon, Rivers, Windsor

H.F Petracca, Turner, Fritsch

F Tolstrup, JVR, Jeffo

R Gawn, Oliver, Viney

Inter Langford. Sharp, Campbell, Chandler

Sub Melksham

Emergencies Bowey, Billings, Brown, Woey. Johnson, AMW

No possible way we are playing Gawn and Campbell in the same side. What do you suggest Campbell does for 20 minutes per quarter when. Or playing Ruck?

  On 26/12/2024 at 16:41, binman said:

You're right about verall (cut and paste typo) but from the MFC website (and lord knows the dees website could well be wrong):

Whatever heights of players are I think this team selected not for Round 1 but for the Prelim Final combines the old and new potential for a new game plan and embraces a style of play that will surprise the fans.

Here it is:

McVee May Lever

Salem Petty Howes

Langdon Windsor Lindsay

Petracca JVR Pickett

Langford Turner Fritsch

Gawn Rivers Oliver

iC Viney Jefferson Brown Sharp

Sub McDonald

Emerg. AMW Tolstrup Johnson Campbell Melksham Chandler

Sorry no text please respond with comments getting ready for cricket. 

 

 

  On 26/12/2024 at 21:43, picket fence said:

Lindsay probably wont be ready and Sparrow has not improved for a bloke who has been a regular for years

Round one is about 11 weeks away.  That's half an AFL season.

Lindsay has been touted as being ready to rejoin main training as soon as the players come back from the Christmas break.  He has plenty of time to be ready for round one.

I think the biggest issue is how we structure the forward line and whether Petty plays forward or back. Part will be structure but part will be form.

I can't see Tmac and Petty playing in the same backline and so one of them misses out or one plays forward.  I can't see Tmac playing forward and I think Tmac would be the one missing out if they don't play one forward.  That leave forward line talls being two or more of JvR, Turner (both locks IMO), Jefferson and Jackson. If we play three talls then it means Tmac misses for either Jefferson or Johnson.  That seems very strange to me particularly seeing Tmac was so good last year and has been in the best trainers this PS, both in the time trials and drills/match sims.

If it was me Petty would play forward and that's where I think it will finish but that's doesn't seem to be what the FD think.  The other possibility that is exercising my mind is maybe Lever is significantly longer term than we think but at training it doesn't seem that way.

Really the rest of the team pretty much picks itself with the last few deckchairs to be decided.  Lots will depend on how Lindsay and Langford progress and how ready they are for senior footy.  I don't think they'll be rushed, we've enough depth to make sure they are fully ready.  The other two who aren't mentioned much are Howes and AMW.  Both look good to me and form will decide the final spots but it probably doesn't matter who gets the nod, there's not much difference.  It's the structure of the talls that holds the most interest.

  On 14/12/2024 at 08:02, Roost it far said:

B: Lever May McVee

HB: Windsor Petty Salem

C: Langdon Viney Bowey

HF: Petracca JVR Langford

F: Fritsch Turner Johnson 

R: Gawn Oliver Rivers

INT: Sparrow Tholstrup Chandler Laurie/Pickett

SUB: Melksham/AMW/George/Lindsay/TMac/Spargo

Once Pickett is back Laurie will likely drop out. 

I think Lindsay may replace Salem if his body lets him down. TMac very unlucky. A half forward line with Petracca and Langford is mouth watering 

Edited December 27, 2024Dec 27 by Roost it far

  On 27/12/2024 at 02:48, Roost it far said:

I think Lindsay may replace Salem if his body lets him down. TMac very unlucky. A half forward line with Petracca and Langford is mouth watering 

Why the love for Johnson??

  On 27/12/2024 at 05:17, picket fence said:

Why the love for Johnson??

I guess it comes down to his attack on the ball and his ability to pinch hit in the ruck thus relieving JVR of those duties. If he can split packs, kick the odd goal and scare a few opposition defenders he’s paid his way. I’m sick of recruiting guys without the prerequisite hunger for the contest. It’s the missing piece in our forward half. I’d give him 5-6 weeks to prove he can help. There’s no love yet. 

  On 27/12/2024 at 01:58, Slartibartfast said:

I think the biggest issue is how we structure the forward line and whether Petty plays forward or back. Part will be structure but part will be form.

I can't see Tmac and Petty playing in the same backline and so one of them misses out or one plays forward.  I can't see Tmac playing forward and I think Tmac would be the one missing out if they don't play one forward.  That leave forward line talls being two or more of JvR, Turner (both locks IMO), Jefferson and Jackson. If we play three talls then it means Tmac misses for either Jefferson or Johnson.  That seems very strange to me particularly seeing Tmac was so good last year and has been in the best trainers this PS, both in the time trials and drills/match sims.

If it was me Petty would play forward and that's where I think it will finish but that's doesn't seem to be what the FD think.  The other possibility that is exercising my mind is maybe Lever is significantly longer term than we think but at training it doesn't seem that way.

Really the rest of the team pretty much picks itself with the last few deckchairs to be decided.  Lots will depend on how Lindsay and Langford progress and how ready they are for senior footy.  I don't think they'll be rushed, we've enough depth to make sure they are fully ready.  The other two who aren't mentioned much are Howes and AMW.  Both look good to me and form will decide the final spots but it probably doesn't matter who gets the nod, there's not much difference.  It's the structure of the talls that holds the most interest.

Petty and TMac are one of the key decisions.

The other is where Rivers plays. There is only 240 midfield minutes to go around and Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Pickett and Langford will take the bulk of them. Rivers could be a bit part midfielder, but that would mean he would also play as a forward, which he hasn't done before. I think it is unlikely that he plays as a midfielder/defender given how Goodwin likes to structure the side.

So many good teams in the squad.

How do they match up?  

How do they team together?

Im still researhing.

  On 27/12/2024 at 05:52, Roost it far said:

I guess it comes down to his attack on the ball and his ability to pinch hit in the ruck thus relieving JVR of those duties. If he can split packs, kick the odd goal and scare a few opposition defenders he’s paid his way. I’m sick of recruiting guys without the prerequisite hunger for the contest. It’s the missing piece in our forward half. I’d give him 5-6 weeks to prove he can help. There’s no love yet. 

So you would play him instead of Jeffo??

Edited December 27, 2024Dec 27 by picket fence

  On 27/12/2024 at 10:18, Fat Tony said:

Petty and TMac are one of the key decisions.

The other is where Rivers plays. There is only 240 midfield minutes to go around and Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Pickett and Langford will take the bulk of them. Rivers could be a bit part midfielder, but that would mean he would also play as a forward, which he hasn't done before. I think it is unlikely that he plays as a midfielder/defender given how Goodwin likes to structure the side.

I'm not sure how you're calculating "only 240 midfield minutes". Are you ignoring time on? If so that's not really correct because midfielders are running pretty hard in those stop-play minutes to make position. I think it's 360 minutes of midfield time for 3 nominal midfielders.

Assuming midfield players play about 75% gametme (it can be a bit more or a bit less), ie 90 of 120 minutes - Oliver can only play midfield so all his 90 minutes are there, Petracca and Viney (cue @Adam The God) can play some forward minutes, but mostly midfield (at least 70 each) minutes, Kossie is slated to play mid-forward too so that's at least another 45 midfield minutes, we've used up 275 of 360 midfield minutes.

As you say, Goodwin is fine with mid-fwd but doesn't play mid-back roles so if Rivers is going to play midfield  all his 90 minutes will be in there - that uses up all the available 360 minutes.

It doesn't leave any for anyone else except cameos, but there’s nothing really too wrong with a core midfield of Oliver, Rivers, Viney, Petracca and Pickett. Like I said we need to change things up from the old troika.

Edited December 27, 2024Dec 27 by old55