For us to really bridge the gap on the top sides next year we need to improve in a few areas which probably means we have to improve the personal in those positions.
For me it's the following
Grigg- wingman (I just think we can do better here, he gets plenty of the footy but I just think someone else could get that same amount of footy but with better foot skills and a harder edge)
Houli- rebounding back (bit unlucky to be here but I'm always concerned about his defending and his hardness) I personally think he could play on a wing or even in second rotation as a midfielder) but again I think we can do better in his position.
A. Edwards- third tall/lead up forward (like the way the kid plays but if we are to improve we have to get someone more damaging, IMO he goes missing too often, and not just at Richmond, he has been like that his whole career. Someone taller, a better mark and more agile when the ball hits the ground would really help our forward structure now with Vickory most likely to play at CHF. He is good at most things but not great at anything, other than kicking at goal)
King and S. Edwards- small forwards (both are best 22 at present but neither play that Eddie Betts, Balentine type of small forward that on their day can kick a bag of 5 or 6 to win you a game. Need another match winner in our forwardline to compliment Jack. Some extra X factor would be massive for our forwardline. At present IMO we are way to predictable down there.
So on paper my best 22 at this stage is
Morris Chaplin Grimes
Houli Rance Vlastuin
Grigg Foley Lids
A. Edwards Vickory Martin
King Jack Hampson
Maric Cotch Jackson
Newman Ellis S. Edwards Conca
So my questions are, who can you see replacing my 'suspect' players ASAP? (If you agree of course) Just remember though, the people you are going to replace them with need to be better NOW, not potentially better. We don't want to make our side any weaker in 2014
Is there anyone else you think we can do better than, currently best 22? And who would you replace them with?
And most importantly is Hardwick strong enough to make the tough call on some of these favourites?
geez i agree with all of that.
only part i disagree with is i think we have to play some of the kids and some of the mature recruits who show enough based on potential.
also i ve long believed we need another real big solid kpd and i really think we need a abig bodied strong marking kpf.
while i dont think it likely to happen im hoping two or three of the kids can force their way into the team from the get go and some of the many mature recruits can force their way in pretty quickly as well.
for me
b/ morris - chaplin - grimes
hb/ mcintosh - rance - vlastuin
c/ deledio - martin - ellis
hf/ mcdonough - riewoldt - gordon
f/ lloyd - vickery - hampson
r/ maric - jackson - cotchin
int/ lennon - knights - foley - helbig/ houli / grigg / miles.
i have no doubt what so ever if 3 or 4 of our kids cant step up and claim a regular spot along with 3 or 4 of our mature recruits we will go backwards.
i think the above team is more the way forward if they can show enough to get a game.
for me we really need players from the 09 and 2010 drafts to stake claims and improve and play some good footy in the seniors at some stage.
griffiths, dea, astbury from 09 helbig and batchelor from 2010.
chris knights can play we need him fit and to stay fit one more serious injury and id say hes caput.
Would love to know from anyone who has followed the pre season closely how Nathan is going.I have always rated him as absolutely crucial to us being a top side,challenging for the cup.
However his form late last season wasn't good,so I think this pre season is vital for him ,giving him a good fitness base something he certainly didn't have this past season
this may sound stupid but i think the way the game has gone in particular the last 5 yrs or so with so many big tall inside mids coming to the fore for most teams that nathans size has become a problem. small inside mid at 178/78 having to compete in the main against185cm + / 85kg + inside mids means hes up against it more and more.
to me nathans strengths was getting the ball at the bottom of the packs and with excellent hands dishing it out. i just dont think he has the body or size to effectively and consistently do that anymore.
its just an observation or something thats nagged at the back of the mind a bit that may be wrong.
i also think nathans foot skills as an outside player leave much to be desired. if fit his pace is a strength and if he could improve his delivery or improve his decision making maybe he could play on a wing he could do no worse than grigg in a lot of areas.
