Our best 22 for 2020?

[one-eyed]

The premiership player who "isn't a lock" in Richmond's best 22

By SEN
3 September 2020

Nick Dal Santo doesn’t believe 2019 Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett is currently in their best side.

Pickett, who debuted in last year’s Grand Final, arguably had a season-best performance against Fremantle on Wednesday night, finding the ball on 19 occasions and laying three tackles.

The 28-year-old has played in 13 of Richmond’s 15 games this season but still faces a battle to hold his place as the club’s injury list dwindles in the lead up to finals.

Dal Santo said Pickett is currently in a battle to find his role in Richmond's best 22 with just two home and away matches remaining.

“No I don’t think he’s a lock in (Richmond’s best 22) and not yet,” Dal Santo said on AFL Nation.

“We’ve spoken about Jake Aarts just before, he hasn’t put a foot wrong and there are still a few players to come back but (Aarts) hasn’t done much wrong.”

Richmond are poised to regain several important players in the coming weeks, with the likes of Dylan Grimes, David Astbury, Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia all set to return from various injuries before the finals.

Star midfielder Shane Edwards is currently in a transition hub in Queensland and will be available from Round 18 after he originally opted to stay in Melbourne for the birth of his first child.

AFL Nation’s Dwayne Russell said Jack Higgins, who has played 10 games in 2020, was another player “who needs to play some good footy to keep his spot”.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/09/03/the-premiership-player-who-isnt-a-lock-in-richmonds-best-22/

[Tigeritis™©®]

To be honest I thought Pickett would be a better player.

I don’t know why I was expecting another Andrew McLeod, Shaun Burgoyne and Peter Matera combined into one.

A good ordinary player that is gaining confidence in his role on the wing. 
I’m lowering my expectations and will just start enjoying his growth, I only hope he improves his decision making and inside 50 kicks to advantage.

[Tigeritis™©®]

Barring injury, I can’t see a spot for either Caddy or Broad in the best 22.

Edwards, Prestia and Astbury coming in there’s possibly only some forward line options for those two and I can’t see us neglecting our speed to bring them in.

It’s good to see we still have players fighting to keep their spot i the team.

[Loui Tufga]

Barring injury, I can’t see a spot for either Caddy or Broad in the best 22.

Edwards, Prestia and Astbury coming in there’s possibly only some forward line options for those two and I can’t see us neglecting our speed to bring them in.

It’s good to see we still have players fighting to keep their spot i the team.

I can see Caddy getting a game before Astbury.
Our forward line still lacks fire power, I still think there is a roll up there for Caddy.

[Tigeritis™©®]

Barring injury, I can’t see a spot for either Caddy or Broad in the best 22.

Edwards, Prestia and Astbury coming in there’s possibly only some forward line options for those two and I can’t see us neglecting our speed to bring them in.

It’s good to see we still have players fighting to keep their spot i the team.

I can see Caddy getting a game before Astbury.
Our forward line still lacks fire power, I still think there is a roll up there for Caddy.

I just think he’s too slow especially if we want to be able to keep the ball inside our F50 with pressure.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he does come in though, Caddy has proved me wrong several times already.

[Willy]

Barring injury, I can’t see a spot for either Caddy or Broad in the best 22.

Edwards, Prestia and Astbury coming in there’s possibly only some forward line options for those two and I can’t see us neglecting our speed to bring them in.

It’s good to see we still have players fighting to keep their spot i the team.

I can see Caddy getting a game before Astbury.
Our forward line still lacks fire power, I still think there is a roll up there for Caddy.

I just think he’s too slow especially if we want to be able to keep the ball inside our F50 with pressure.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he does come in though, Caddy has proved me wrong several times already.

Agree. We are slow enough already with Lynch and Jack.

[Assange Tiger 😎]

Good to see Slick Willy still posting after all these years. I remember when he was just a boy and we both got yellow cards on Y&B.

As for Caddy, he could come in this week and play that secondary big role he was doing before Lynch rocked up and stuffed his world. Can't play him up there when the big man returns like has been pointed out already. Not really sure where he fits in at the minute

[georgies31]

I don't know we're the idea of Dave playing forward coming from.Dave slots in our back 6 his our traditional fullback take a the monster forwards and then Balta takes second tall his a attacking fullback and frees up  Grimes to play on small or medium tall and peel off and intercept.

[Tiger Khosh]

I don't know we're the idea of Dave playing forward coming from.Dave slots in our back 6 his our traditional fullback take a the monster forwards and then Balta takes second tall his a attacking fullback and frees up  Grimes to play on small or medium tall and peel off and intercept.

 

Astbury, Balta, Grimes, Vlas, Short, Houli, Baker

[Willy]

Good to see Slick Willy still posting after all these years. I remember when he was just a boy and we both got yellow cards on Y&B.

You helped shape me into the unhinged weirdo that I am today. 

[Tigeritis™©®]

Best 22 for finals.

B:   David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Liam Baker
C:   Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Graham, Shai Bolton
HF:  Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards
F:    Jason Castagna, Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt
Foll: Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia
I/C: Daniel Rioli, Jack Ross, Jayden Short, Jake Aarts

Misses out:
Josh Caddy (it’s a shame because I like what he brings to the team)
Nathan Broad (I just can’t find a spot for him in this team) 
Marlion Pickett (has the attributes but doesn’t showcase them enough)
Mabior Chol (could do anything in a game but don’t like how he disappears nor when he doesn’t attack the ball in the air, may be a match winner but more likely a liability don’t think we need a second ruck)
Oleg Markov (natural replacement for Houli but not ahead of him just yet)

[Tiger Khosh]

There’s no way Ross will be names ahead of both caddy and Pickett.

[Tigeritis™©®]

There’s no way Ross will be names ahead of both caddy and Pickett.

Probably right but from last nights effort I was most impressed with Ross.
I’m a fan of Caddy but I’m just looking at team balance. I think they’ll probably  go with Pickett.

[Rampsation]

There’s no way Ross will be names ahead of both caddy and Pickett.

He should be in front of Pickett who isnt performing to AFL standard.

[mightytiges]

Best 22 for finals.

B:   David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Liam Baker
C:   Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Graham, Shai Bolton
HF:  Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards
F:    Jason Castagna, Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt
Foll: Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia
I/C: Daniel Rioli, Jack Ross, Jayden Short, Jake Aarts

Misses out:
Josh Caddy (it’s a shame because I like what he brings to the team)
Nathan Broad (I just can’t find a spot for him in this team) 
Marlion Pickett (has the attributes but doesn’t showcase them enough)
Mabior Chol (could do anything in a game but don’t like how he disappears nor when he doesn’t attack the ball in the air, may be a match winner but more likely a liability don’t think we need a second ruck)
Oleg Markov (natural replacement for Houli but not ahead of him just yet)

On merit and 2020 form, that's about right, Tigeritis, with Ross/Pickett a toss up for mine.

The only issue with that best 22 is us going back to relying on Nank as the lone specialist ruckman with a 'small' providing the chop out. It worked in 2017 but was exposed when it mattered in 2018. Don't have a definitive alternative though as our ruck options are limited thanks to Chol's poor game yesterday and CCJ's need for a 3am kebab . Either we risk Chol again and hope the rocket he copped works in a final or do we go with say Broad who has apparently been learning a new role in the scratch matches. Ross on the bench would have to make way even though his senior form is better than the other two.