finally come rnd 1 and this will tread on toes but i would like to see a team looking something like this at least.
B/ Farmer - Gourdis - Moore.
HB/ Deledio - Post - Dea.
C/ Grigg - Martin - Newman
HF/ Houli - Miller - Morton.
F/ Astbury - Riewoldt - Hicks.
R/ Graham - tuck - foley.
I/ pick 6, connors, edwards, nd pick or mature recruit.
I like most of the team you have here claw but I have a few problems too.
Firstly, I feel our half back line was one of our greatest strengths in the later part of the year in 2010. Three creative and clean ball users in Deledio, Newman and Connors were are real strength of the team which provided us much confidence moving forward, penetrating zones and moving the ball into our F50. Having three made it very difficult for the opposition in trying to stop this run and ball movement. Dea would not supply this type of ball flow and is struggling to even get a game at the moment due to lack of experience, need for further development and injury. Perhaos one day but at the moment this is a crutial area to ensure we remain strong in and I believe this is the exact reason Hardwick has these players across the half backline at the moment.
I agree that we should have a left footer on the left wing who can burst through traffic and launch it 60m into our forwardline to allow for our KPPs to have a one out contest with their direct opponents. It's just that I don't agree with the player you have. I would say this is Grigg's position (if he earns it over the preseason) with Newman behind him on the same side of the ground but in the half backline.
For mine, they are grooming Astbury for the CHB position and Post for the forwardline/2nd ruck role. Astbury has the footskills and poise to make an excellent backman while Post seems still too raw for this responsibility as yet. The backline should always be the first priority in terms of development along with the midfield and I think this is why our forwardline seems the least settled at present of the areas of the ground.
Miller will be a backup. I can't see him playing many games unless our forwardline begins to crumble, forwards are underpeforming and/or we have injuries to key personale. I believe very strongly that Miller has been brought in as much for his leadership and coaching capabilities as much as his playing ability.
i would also have White over Hicks at the moment until Hicks has the body strength to play defensively as well as offensively in the forwardline. White has the pace and the size now to play through the middle and forwardline so I think, until he is pushed out of the team, he deserves his place.
Cotchin would come in for any of the other midfielders on both ability and structure.
So here would be my team for Round One -
B/ Astbury - Gourdis - McGuane/Moore.
HB/ Connors - Deledio - Newman.
C/ Martin - Cotchin - Grigg
HF/ Houli - Griffiths - Morton.
F/ White - Riewoldt - King.
R/ Graham - Jackson - Foley.
I/ Post/TV, Tuck, Edwards
Sub/ Pick 6/Nason
Other young players may change this as the year progresses but this seems to me to be our best side at present.
Stripes