Who’s on for 2020

[Podpicken]

Yep, I'm with you RudeBoy. Cox is the one. Big boy starts rolling and going next level the rest of the comp is stuffed. pivotal with how he brings it to ground too and follows up for a 7 footer.

Will be the year of IQ too. Back flank dash. FU Richmond, we're coming.

[glasseyevfx]

I like the idea of WHE and Cox being improvers - both have strong arguements, but for me for me I think it will be Sier - I'm not sure what was with him last year but the idea that the Pies kept him around might be the turning point for him. Like WHE he has the ability - his games success seems to depend more on intent (not that he wants to play badly) and the ability to take control. With this next swing I think the planets may align.

[BazBoy]

They aligned in 2010 big time and talent may go a long way to a flag

Momentum and good fortune complete the package

[LaurieHolden]

[Dr Pie]

[BazBoy]

The meare fact that Darcy mentioned as FF at some stage is if it happens
a tick for versatility in the list

[LaurieHolden]

In order to be in contention for a flag, I’m looking for 10-15% improvement from the highlighted players, being ones where I believe more upside remains from their 2019 output.
If it comes from Stephenson, Reid, JDG & Moore, we’ll give it a fair shake.

Offensively we’ll need to improve our game-day scoreboard impact from our core forward 6-8 and kick 200-220 for the season. (Cox 30, JDG 50, C Brown 25 Mihocek 35, Reid 15, Stephenson 50) That’d be 205 from the key forwards and you’d expect around 100-125 from the midfield / interchange group. Edging towards 330 goals sets you up for a tilt.

Defensively, a continuation of our miserly defensive unit, limiting season goals against to around 250 would be just the ticket.


B: Maynard, Roughhead, Scharenberg

HB: Howe, Moore, Crisp

C: Treloar, Pendlebury, Sidebottom

HF: Mihocek , Reid, Stephenson

F: Thomas, JDG, C Brown

FOLL: Grundy, Wills, Adams

I/C: Phillips, Cox, WHE, Elliott

EMG from : Noble, Mayne, Dunn, Sier, Quaynor, T Brown, Bianco, Broomhead, Daicos, Murphy, Lynch, Cameron, Kelly

INJ : Beams, Landgon, Greenwood, Varcoe

• Centres
The retirement of Wells, the situation with Beams, coupled with Varcoe's recent injury and Aish’s transfer has necessitated the move to seek more outside class.
Treloar and Pendles can't carry the season between them and Treloar tends to run forward of centre.

Perhaps a different player in Elliott has emerged post repeated soft tissue injuries and enters 2020 with, touch-wood, an uninterrupted pre-season.
While the high leap has been gelded he has more tricks than that. Post the 2014 & 2015 seasons he was always earmarked for midfield time. His 16 season then became a write-off.
He's always been quick off the mark, is agile and when it comes to field kicking he's one of our best. All traits that would serve us well through the midfield.

So with outside players in Treloar, Pendles & Elliott coupled with inside of Adams, Wills & Sier, the engine room looks well balanced and freshens it up for 2020.

Grundy to get support from Cox & Reid forward of 50 and Roughead & Moore in the back 50.

• Forwards
If Billy is moved to a rotation through the middle, perhaps off the bench, that'll allow Cal Brown to hold down a forward 50 position. Left in a pocket, he can kick 20-30 this year and he'll bring the same defensive pressure that Billy gives us.

WHE better find some new tricks or get back to his 2018 output, maybe try him off the half-back flank.
I suspect Thomas will be under pressure from the likes of T Brown and Broomhead.
Reid could easily replace Cox while Wills & Sier will be vying for the spot left by Beams.

• Backs
The back line is going to be hard to break into. Noble and Quaynor will get their opportunities.
Scharenberg, who knows.

51 days left to the start of the season but who’s counting…

[El Popo]

Last year our "weakness" was clearances, ranked 14 according to footywire with Grundy and Treloar ranked 14 and 19 on average per game.
Taylor Adams is ranked 26.
If the Captain in waiting wants to be that, I want him to become a clearance "King" with Sier (rank 101) also improving his workrate.

Number 1 in Hitouts, we must use that to our advantage

[Albert Parker]

Cox has indicated to me that his eyesight is basically back to where it was pre-surgery but that it will take some time to restore itself fully. He's optimistic it won't hinder his game. If Darcy Cameron can clunk marks, his kicking is far more reliable than Cox, meaning he requires less opportunities. He was a good pick up to add to our tall forward stocks.

I cannot see Reid, Cox and Mihocek fitting into our forward line as shown above. It's way too immobile and there would be a distinct lack of tackling pressure. We also need a defender on the bench and that line up doesn't really have anyone that fits for mine.

I agree with the Pope, clearances are the biggest opportunity for improvement. If De Goey and Elliott can rotate through the middle (Elliott seems most likely to spend time there from what I have seen at training) then this will help us as our midfield has been a little one-paced. De Goey offers strength and speed and Elliott is genuinely quick as well and showed great signs in the match sim last Friday.

I think Noble stays in the team for his run, which is why he was recruited mid season. We lack speed off half back. IQ could play that role though.
I favour Murphy over Shaz in the battle to take Aish or Greenwood's spot. I think his kicking is more attacking and he is quicker with a better tank. I think he is equally capable in the air too.

[LaurieHolden]

[LaurieHolden]

Nice season pump up here, well done to SwoopLuke


https://youtu.be/gE-zcZNSAa4

35 days left to the start of the season but who’s counting…