TOPIC:

Here's my guess at best 22

 

BACK
I've gone with James Ewing at fullback. Ewing is 188cm and was named at FB in the 2019 colts team of the year. We went after him in the trade for Grey so i figure we might have a key position in mind for him. He's played 22 league games for Peel and averages 4.5 marks a game. Other possibilities for FB are Jack Poole and Kane Johnston. A couple on here have said Poole is training well and could be a real good one. He has only played colts up until this point so i expect him to get a few games in the twos before showing us what he's got. Johnston is 197cm and played 15 ressies games last year. He's been allocated a higher number which could indicate they have plans for him beyond the twos. He looked a bit average when i saw him in some of those games, but I expect him to improve as this is his first full pre-season with PFC. I have Jy Lane and Coniglio in the pockets. Daz tells us that Lane is possibly being groomed for a key back position. In O&MFL he was prolific ball winner, tackler who was frequently in the best players and in the goal kickers. Hopefully can add some talent and class to the backline

HALF-BACK
No surprises with Sinclair or Taylor on the flanks. They are the 2 generals we need desperately. At CHB i'm really liking Ajang and can't wait to see what he can do there. While i'm not too sold on his goal kicking or lead up marking, IMO he is agressive enough and strong enough to outmuscle Keitel, Schlensog etc and spoil with his long reach. His tank needs to improve on last year so again with a good pre-season i expect improvement and hope he can find his niche there. Jaiden Hunter is another CHB possibiliity i mentioned in a recent post, but i would say he a few months away after being out of the game for so long. I've stuck Austin Davis on the interchange but expect him to slot into his usual spot (but hopefully not kicking out from goal!). I have left out Nyika John but wouldn't be surprised to see him improve further and push his way in. 

CENTRE
Reports on Cody Howard is that he is a class act used to punching out of his weight division on key forwards. I can see him giving us great drive along with his run and carry skills. I would've had him at half back, but he isn't gonna displace Sincs and Tayls. Trent Manzone on the other wing. This man is all class and will pump it into the 50 all day long. He will win plenty of possessions so can see him running on the ball too. I would like to also see Austin Davis swap onto the wing at some stage too, where his speed and long kicks will be better suited and his clangers won't be quite as disastrous! In the centre i have McPartland - Strong and tough in the stoppages but not overly fast. Chappie Jones is another i could see in that position, as he has a bit more class. Can't wait to see how he turns out in the scratchies, but for now he starts on the pine. Connor McDonald is another who will definitely crack some games this year and i've read some good things about Atem Deng as well as a colt with "serious pace and a massive leap on him". I can see a few pushing for a game. 

HALF-FORWARD
Stubbs has had a big pre-season and should have improved his tank. We know he can mark it and kick em from 55, but now he can hopefully push right up and take the marks we need him to when the ball comes out of the centre. Sydney Stack brings a ton of class and goal kicking power to the side. You could probably have him just about anywhere on the field, but i see him on the HFF. Cary on the other flank also knows where the goals are and can hold a mark. 

FULL-FORWARD
As per Daz's info, I've made that assumption that Quartermaine is gonna play deep FF. He's not the most mobile though, so i have put Regan Clarke and Jacques Barwick in the pockets to use their speed and grunt to keep the ball in and hit the scoreboard. Clarke could probably swap out with Stack at some point and give the defences some headaches. 

RUCK
Dakota Baldwin-Wright is a no brainer in the ruck. I have been critical of him, but his dedication can't be faulted and he's still only 23. If the big man has a good pre-season i can see him improving further and providing more of a contest outside of ball-ups. Byrne and Charlie Thompson have the class and speed to start on the ball. 

INTERCHANGE
Austin Davis and Chappie Jones start on the bench. IMO Paul Pascu is captain material and a future star. I have included him even though he is not in the listed side, but am assuming he will be at some point. He is only 18 but is already tackling hard and matching it with the big bodies in the VFL. He has played alot at half back but in the last 6 months has been working on his tank to run through the midfield (ahead of the draft last year). In the last spot on the bench I have included Ned Shannon but don't know too much about him other than playing in VFL, NTFL and country leagues. He looks solid and kicks the odd goal and i have to assume German saw something in him. Just missing out on the bench was Jye Clark.  

Pretty good, I like it. One player a certainty for the best 22 is Daniel Hill. I reckon he's become a Germo favourite already with his elite kicking. 

Baxter Phillip and Decklyn Grocott two others that will be close to getting a start and beanpole Deng (the other Deng) might surprise. 

Great effort Satan I can’t argue with much of that. You obviously put a lot of thought into it and did your homework. I probably can’t see Jy Lane playing out of a back pocket though. A lot of unknowns for us supporters with a new coach and so many new faces it’s going to be exciting to see how it all unfolds.

German made a compliment about young Paton we got from West Perth and a couple of their supporters were sorry to see him go so some wraps on him as a young defender.

I thought Ajang was out for about half the season, and Pascu was not coming across at all? I'll hope for the best with Deng, and maybe he's a late bloomer, but as a 22-23 year old with modest reserves stats, I won't hold my breath. I have high hopes for Philip, who has gained 11kg since last season, hopefully not as the expense of his pace. There are a lot of unknowns. Guys like Lane, Howard, Barwick and Shannon are coming in from lower standard comps. McPartland has had his problems with injury/concussion, but hasn't really developed as we'd hoped since his debut year in 2020. We definitely need him and/or Gray to really step up to add some midfield depth. I am confident that McDoanld will play league this year and acquit himself well. If not drafted, he has the potential to be an elite WAFL player in years to come. 

Satan, I know it's an area we are sorely deficient in, but who do you see supporting DBW in the ruck? Assuming AJ is injured, I I was thinking Martin, who I don't really rate. He is undersized for a ruckman, but who else is there? I think Clarke is wasted in a pocket, we need him to be that 30 possession a game mid that the best clubs have. 

Jayden Hunter a lock for CHF when fit

Dazzler wrote:

Jayden Hunter a lock for CHF when fit

That is great news Dazz. Hopefully he can shake off injury and get back to full fitness soon.
He gives us options at both ends of the ground IMO.



 

Jayden Hunter is back on the list. Positive sign.

I will be keeping an eye on Paton, did some good things in his one and only League game and was a more than solid contributor in the Dags. It will be a different proposition for him at Perth who haven't got the quality midfield as WP but he gets a gig at league level.

DD wrote:

Great effort Satan I can’t argue with much of that. You obviously put a lot of thought into it and did your homework. 

Thanks lads, your info from training was vital for this! I forgot Hill and Paton and agree they would be strongly pushing for a spot if not already in the 22. Excellent news on Hunter gearing up for CHF! Can't wait to see what he can do. That would free up Stubbs to play the leading FWD role he's best at. After you mentioned him appearing on this list I checked his instagram and saw he'd posted several footy and gym workout photos with the caption "10.5 months after an ACL, but we're almost back. Go dees".

Ted - yeh backup ruck is a problem. Hopefully Beanpole Deng can make the grade as a ruck/FWD and solve that problem. I don't suppose it's this guy from Subi? He's probably not quite a beanpole though at 89kg

wafl.com.au/player/mach-deng

What positions do you see Grocott and Hill playing, Daz?

I see Narkle has decided to stay in Victoria- signing with Essendon VFL