WERRIDEE

I see we play Freo in a practice match march 2. I'm gonna put in a team I'd like to see play in the practice match. I think they have 8 on the bench. B: McDonald, May, McVee HB: Moniz-Wakefield, Petty, Windsor C: Sharp, Rivers, Bowey HF: Petracca, Johnson, Pickett F: Jefferson, van Rooyen, Turner FOLL: Campbell, Oliver, Langford IC: Howes, Viney, Hore, Tholstrup, Chandler, Laurie, Langdon, Sparrow Everyone who's had a slight injury comes in the next week.

I thought I would put my practice match squad in this section but then I thought why not put it in my own thread so I did.

I think we go 28 deep I rate the emergencies Howes and Moniz-Wakefield. Spargo and McAdam could be in our depth but are too injury prone to be included. Campbell could be included as depth but I want to see how he goes first. I'm not sold on Hore and obviously Fullerton and Billings. Adams, Laurie, Woewodin, Sestan, Kentfield, Brown, Mentha and Verrall are developing.

What's Campbell gonna do when Gawn is rucking? You have wasted a position. You also have Billings as an emergency he should be the last player picked SPUD! Billings is on the bench in my VFL side. SENIOR SIDE B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Johnson, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Turner FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Bowey, Langford, Lindsay, Tholstrup SUB: Melksham EMERG: Jefferson, Sparrow, McDonald Casey B: Hore, Adams, Bonner HB: Howes, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield C: Sparrow, Laurie, Woewodin HF: Spargo, Fullerton, Sestan F: McAdam, Jefferson, Kentfield FOLL: Campbell, Hardie, Culley IC: Brown, Billings, Mentha, Verrall, Yze EMERG: D.Smith, Baldi, George

Kentfield was an 18 year old Johnson is 23 big difference. I can't remember anyone wanting Kentfield in he's way behind Johnson and Jefferson in getting a game.

Melksham can play in the same side with Johnson or Jefferson. Can't see Johnson and Jefferson in the same side.

T.Mac has proven he can't play forward so for me it's not an option. He's unfortunate because he has had a great preseason but Petty gets in front of him at CHB every day of the week. Johnson is a mature recruit so he's ready round 1 doesn't matter that he was pick 68. Jefferson has to be above his game more than he has showed at VFL thus far. 1 or 2 goals a game won't cut it it will have to be 3 to 5 goals a game in the preseason. Johnson is tough as nails Jefferson isn't quite there yet he is still developing his strength. I don't see Johnson getting in front of Jefferson as a slap in Jefferson's face. Johnson is ready to play now while Jefferson is still developing. Jefferson will play senior football this year but I'm not counting on it being round 1.

Johnson is ready to go he has the body to match it at AFL level and can play second ruck. Jeffo can't play second ruck and hasn't got the hardness to compete like Johnson. I expect Jeffo will get his chance to prove himself but I expect Johnson to edge him out as another big body.

It's almost the new year and I have finally finalized my 23. It shouldn't change until the first week of practice matches. B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Johnson, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Turner FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Bowey, Langford, Lindsay, Tholstrup SUB: Melksham EMERG: Jefferson, Sparrow, McDonald Jefferson will have to kick a bag to displace Johnson who can also play second ruck. Sparrow will have to find form to get back into the team in the practice matches. I'd love to see how Howes and Moniz-Wakefield go in the practice matches. Could make way for Bowey if Bowey's form doesn't improve.

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

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

Not gonna happen B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor C: Lindsay, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Johnson, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Turner FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Bowey, Langford, Sparrow, Tholstrup

Don't you know 192cms is the cut off for talls the rest are smalls.

McDonald is a key defender not a flanker, can't see him and Petty in the same team. I think there are only 2 spots up for grabs the 3rd tall forward spot out of Johnson and Jefferson and the wing spot out of Lindsay and Sharp the rest pick themselves.

Just with Petty playing back don't see him and McDonald in the same side. Johnson is ready to go so should be ahead of Jefferson and I think McAdam needs to show some form before he gets a gig.

After listening to Goody I have changed my side. B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor C: Lindsay, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Johnson, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Turner FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Bowey, Langford, Sparrow, Tholstrup SUB: Melksham EMERG: Jefferson, Sharp, McDonald Casey B: Hore, Adams, Bonner HB: Howes, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield C: Sharp, Laurie, Woewodin HF: Spargo, Fullerton, Sestan F: Kentfield, Jefferson, McAdam FOLL: Campbell, Hardie, Culley IC: Billings, Mentha, Verrall, Brown, Yze EMERG: D.Smith, Baldi, George

Now that the draft is done and dusted it's time to put out my best 21. B: Colvin, Gillard HB: Chaplin, Harris, Goldrick C: B.Mackin, Purcell, McNamara HF: Zanker, Campbell, Hore F: Bannan, Gall FOLL: Pearce, Hanks, Heath IC: Paxman, Fitzsimon, Lampard, Wotherspoon, O'Hehir EMERG: Pisano, D.Taylor, Mahony REST OF THE SQUAD: Beasley, Hose, S.Taylor, Johnson, Rigoni, Dethridge INJ: A.Mackin

With Bonner playing for Casey I have changed the Casey side. Melbourne B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, McDonald, Windsor C: Bowey, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Tholstrup F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Langford, Sparrow, Melksham, Petty SUB: McAdam EMERG: Howes, Sharp, Jefferson Casey B: Hore, Adams, Bonner HB: Howes, Fullerton, Moniz-Wakefield C: Sharp, Laurie, Brown HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: Kentfield, Jefferson, Billings FOLL: Campbell, Woewodin, Lindsay IC: Verrall, Merntha, Hardie, Culley, Casey youngster EMERG: Smith, Sruk, Doultree SUS: Pickett

I felt I needed to put McAdam in he has to show his worth early after a wasted season. B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, McDonald, Windsor C: Bowey, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Tholstrup F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Langford, Sparrow, Petty, Melksham SUB: McAdam EMERG: Sharp, Jefferson, Lindsay Casey B: Hore, Adams, Smith HB: Howes, Fullerton, Moniz-Wakefield C: Woewodin, Laurie, Sharp HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: Kentfield, Jefferson, Billings FOLL: Campbell, Brown, Lindsay IC: Verrall, Mentha, Hardie, Culley Lever has been injured so far but he is still a certainty to keep his spot in the back pocket. May has been training well another one who is locked into full back I haven't heard a lot from McVee but his consistancy keeps him in the back pocket Need a old head in the half back line and Salem is the man, he hasn't had a full pre season yet but he is close to getting back to his best. If he drops off his form again he will have Bowey, Howes, Moniz-Wakefield and Woewodin breathing down his neck. McDonald keeps his spot at CHB due to Petty being the swingman. Windsor has a new position at half back. Bowey has been a big shining light this pre season hasn't put a foot wrong. He said he will play more on the wing this year and that where I have him starting. Rivers is having a full pre season and due to his midfield work this year he stays in the middle to help out Oliver, Viney and Trac. Langdon is having his usual pre season locked in on a wing. Trac will be expected to play more up forward this year due to the emergence of Rivers. He was missed in the second half of the year. Turner is expected to go to the next level at CHF if he doesn't he will have Petty, van Rooyen, Jefferson, and Johnson breathing down his neck. Tholstrup will play high half forward doing a bit of Neal-Bullen's role. He has Sharp breathing down his neck. Fritsch will play the 3rd tall midsize forward role. van Rooyen is set to explode at full forward if he doesnt he has Jefferson and Johnson breathing down his neck. Chandler with Pickett out will be expected to play closer to goal and also doing a bit of Nibblers role. Gawn is our most important player without him we will struggle hopefully Campbell can give Gawn a chop out we weren't able to do that this year. Oliver is hopefully over his off season dramas. He's had a full pre season so far which is more than he had last year. Viney is Viney back in terrific nick one of the best trainers going around. Langford is the only player I back to debut round 1 he's built like a man which should allow him to mix it with the best. Sparrow had a poor year this year by his standards if he continues that way he will have Sharp, Lindsay, Laurie, Woewodin and Brown will be breathing down his neck. Petty didn't have a great year and is now being used as a swing man he could take over McDonald's role if he doesn't improve his forward involment Johnson will be breathing down his neck as could Campbell. I see him as being the 2nd ruck ATM. Melksham has moved from sub to best 22. He's crafty if he struggles early McAdam, Chandler, Tholstrup, Spargo and Pickett when he comes back will be gunning for his spot. McAdam is controversial because he done nothing to cement a place in the side he still unfit but should be right after Christmas. We rate him and we traded him for a second round pick so we must see what he can do early. With Pickett out it helps his chances. Sharp unlucky to not be in the side but as I said I want to see what McAdam can do. Lindsay won't be fit until after Christmas that may put him behind others we don't need to blood youth immediately like we have had to do in the past. Jefferson has been on the list for 2 years now it's time to start performing I don't see him in the round 1 side but if we can get 5 to 10 games out of him that will be a masive boost for the future.

I feel that we don't need to debut a lot of players immediately. Langford and Sharp will debut but Lindsay, Jefferson and Johnson will have to bide their time.

After reading all the training reports. This is my round 1 23. B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, McDonald, Windsor C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Tholstrup F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Bowey, Langford, Sparrow, Petty SUB: Melksham EMERG: McAdam, Jefferson, Lindsay Casey B: Hore, Adams, Smith HB: Howes, Fullerton, Moniz-Wakefield C: Woewodin, Laurie, Brown HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: McAdam, Jefferson, Billings FOLL: Campbell, Lindsay, Culley IC: Verrall, Mentha, Hardie, Kentfield SUS: Pickett

How is Howes and Sharp going?

Thank god she's going. Pick 2 coming our way with us also giving them late picks to help Gold Coast pick up Harris. No talk about Tayla Harris maybe she is staying. That would be an excellent outcome.

I guess I got it wrong George isn't a Cat B rookie. He's just a train on in case someone gets injured. so here's my round 1 team B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Jefferson FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Melksham, McDonald, Langford, Lindsay SUB: Sparrow Casey B: Hore, Adams, Bowey HB: Howes, Fullerton, Moniz-Wakefield C: Woewodin, Laurie, Brown HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: McAdam, Kentfield, Billings FOLL: Campbell, Bonner, Tholstrup IC: Verrall, Mentha, George, D.Smith, Casey younster SUS: Pickett

Always forget the followers for some reason, probably because it's the most settled line in the team.