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TOO, Smith finished 7th in Collingwood's fairest & best. Admittedly some time ago, but the talent is there. I think Colledge on the bench is fine, he plays sore most weeks, so probably has to be managed a bit. I agree with you that it is a big call to have Reid in our starting 22. Obviously the injury to Loersch throws our preferred structure out, but I would think Reid - and Hitchcock and Clark for that matter - would have to prove themselves in the reserves. I struggle with picking a forward line. I would lock in Rogers and McInnes on a flank and centre half forward respectively. After those guys, I'd choose from Richardson, Stubbs, Jones, Burke, Langlands , McPartland and Taylor. But I wouldn't mind giving McPartland some time in the midfield - I don't think he's a natural forward - and maybe give Byrne some time forward. He knows where the goals are. For the Claremont guys or Bird Roe to come into contention, they need to seriously impress early. Roe was dreadful in the reserves last year.

Ted, if Roe and Reid are out of your 22 I assume you would have Burke at FF in place of Roe and who comes in for Reid?
I agree re McPartland he is an in and under ball magnet so he has to run the midfield, and who replaces Reid. In your scenario Cary may be the man.
As I have said before, it is a long time until round 1 and form and fitness will be the criteria.
TOO, Smith is an elite outside mid. You underestimate him. He was very good for WCE in their first WAFL foray. His run will be important. Colledge does not have the pace to compare. I see him coming on in a midfield role. He is very good at clearances and probably interchange with Grey.
Anyway, the actual starting lineup should be flexible. A lot depends on match-ups I believe. It will be interesting to see what the match committee come up with. There could be surprises.

Too many unknowns in that line-up. Need to start from the knowns.
FF McPartland McInnes Jones
HF Rogers Colledge Richardson
C Masten Grey Fisher
HB Smith Sinclair Taylor
FB Coniglio Giblettt Hill
Fol Eyres Byrne Langlands
Res Stubbs Nicholas Clarke Edmonds

That’s based on last year and the fact that Smith and Langlands should be ready to play. There are many unknowns beginning with the three Claremont boys. Taylor is an unknown unknown and I’ll believe it when I see him run out on the park. No doubting the talent and potential. Then there are 4 or so guys coming up from the colts, with Hunter in the front. But doubt there’s a Logan MacDonald among them, or among the current colts crop.
On known knowns we barely scrape a team together, even though there’s plenty to like about the 22 I’ve named.

It's tough, Smokey, but I think I'd give Burke a go. Good size, quick and mobile. I've never been that sold on Cary, but he seems to be the sort of player the match committee likes. Unless things change under Moss, I think the club likes the concept of a small pressure forward. If we go down that path, I'd rather McPartland than Quill or Browne, who I don't think are league quality. What is Taylor like overhead? He is referred to as a small forward, but he's about 190cm, so given he's quick as well, he could be hard to match up on.

Cesspit wrote:

DD wrote:

Froggy wrote: Cheers DD. I guess I might be there but I might not be ha ha ha.

Well it's official now Froggy, looks like the club was granted it's wish. We will kick the season off on Thursday night under lights versus the toasters on April 1. Hopefully you will be there.

DD, where did you read about the opening match being on Thursday night.
I haven’t seen it announced anywhere.

Strono actually posted the link on the 2021 wish list topic under General section.

www.docdroid.com/fO4t3ny/wafl-fixtures-pdf

PD, it’s interesting you have College at CHF. I know one of his old colts coaches quite well and he always said they can do worse than to play him there. He leads all day, has excellent hands and played his colts footy in that position. Personally i prefer Fraser there, but the idea has merit and it’d be good to see them trial it in the scratchies.

Ted Nugent wrote: It's tough, Smokey, but I think I'd give Burke a go. Good size, quick and mobile. I've never been that sold on Cary, but he seems to be the sort of player the match committee likes. Unless things change under Moss, I think the club likes the concept of a small pressure forward. If we go down that path, I'd rather McPartland than Quill or Browne, who I don't think are league quality. What is Taylor like overhead? He is referred to as a small forward, but he's about 190cm, so given he's quick as well, he could be hard to match up on.

Yes Ted, Taylor could be a bit of X factor but personally I will be surprised if he hangs around.
I reckon if we stay fit and still had Logan we would have been one of the flag fancies.
Alas our attempts to replace Logan are up in the air a bit after Loersch’s injury.

Don't discount us having a good season.
SF have now lost another 3 from their premiership side.
And we dodged a bullet, Clem Smith deciding training was too hard.
Subi have lost a few with no significant recruiting.
Claremont have added a couple of youngsters.
I think we are in good stead.

With Taylor in now, I like the idea of Rogers at FF and play him like EP used to play Wilson. Crash the packs and bring the ball to ground.

FF: Taylor E. Rogers Richardson
HF: Jones McInness Colledge
C: Smith Grey Masten
HB: Taylor M. Hill Sinclair
FB: Fisher Giblett Nicholas
FOL: Eyres Langlands Byrne
INT: Roe Stubbs McPartland Coniglio

I like the fact that we seem to have options and flexibility.
I have not given up on the opportunity for Reid to have an impact.
He will have to prove himself first.
I think we may get a guide to the thinking in the first scratchie.