My update after NAB 3:
B: Morris Rance Batchelor
HB: Houli Chaplin Petterd
C: Newman Martin Ellis
HF: Vlastuin Riewoldt Deledio
F: S.Edwards Vickery Knights
R: Maric Tuck Cotchin
Int: Grigg, Conca, Griffiths
Sub: King
nb. Grimes would replace one of Griffiths/Batchelor and Foley would replace one of King/Knights if they were fit to play in round 1.
For round 1 though I've got a feeling Dimma will have Jacko as a tagger in instead of Knights.
Strong squad there MT. Based purely on form, reckon you could almost argue White as an inclusion over Jackson or Knights. They all play slightly different games, but horses for courses, if we weren't required to hard tag anyone rather than just give a particular player a hard time at certain times, White's speed and carry would be really handy. Both White and Houli streaming through the guts and capitalising from midfield turnovers would really give some opposition teams headaches.
Is a poo ruck, but could even take a look at McGuane for Vickery. On form has earned it, and what I've liked about McGuane since the end of last season and this NAB Cup is his awareness of his limitations and not trying to fool anyone. At least he has a contest, clunks a few, kicks a few, and has even taken a few blokes on carrying the footy. Probably one of our more reliable set shots at the moment too
Vickery has had plenty of time to recover from his injuries and has had heaps of minutes in the pre-season, so there isn't really any excuse for being soft and a plodder by Round 3.
With the three rounds over my major observations have been,
Pros:
VLASTUIN!
Petterd.
For the first time in yonks we have a really solid back line. Can lose a bloke or two and have viable backups. I really like Batchelor and always have, but like last year the same key areas may hold him back from being a lock. Still comfortable with him in the side though.
Midfield is elite. Today aside, inside and outside IMO we're match up for match up right there with the best sides.
Depth. Lonergan and A. Edwards and co. may not have been recruited as starting replacements, but at least we don't have blokes like Webberly to come in anymore.
Cons:
Forward line.
Forward 50 entry.
Still getting skittish when opposition teams come string and ramp up the pressure.
Vickery.
There are more, but these are just the most important ones I could pick out at the moment.
