Not long until the Navy Blues run out onto Telstra dome for the first NAB cup game, so I thought I'd put together my team based on what I've seen so far in the pre-season.

I've gone for a combination of what I think we'll see, based on who has played where in the practice matches, and what I'd like to see. It's not the strongest team we can put on the field, and I'd pick a different team for Round 1.

B: Thornton Hartlett McGrath
HB: Russell Whitnall Carrazzo
C: Simpson Bentick Walker
HF: Houlihan Waite Fisher
F: Betts O'hailpin Lappin
R: French Koutoufides Scotland

I: McLaren Bryan Murphy Bower Prendergast Bannister

Not considered due to injury: Fevola Stevens Saddington Raso Edwards Kennedy. Fevola and maybe Stevens might be physically able to take the field by the weekend, but I'd prefer to hold both back a little at this stage with them having injuries to contend with.

There's a large group who miss out due to a combination of wanting to play the kids, and less than stellar form so far: Livingston Deluca Chambers Longmuir Wiggins Sporn Davies Teague.

Livingston and Deluca were left out in favour of Bryan because I wanted a third ruck as I think French should be given plenty of rest (maybe play 15 minutes of 3 of the quarters). I don't think McLaren has stitched up the backup ruck position and Bryan is still in the hunt. I'd like to see both Bryan given some time rotating into the forward line, and McLaren time in the backline rotation.

There's enough competition for spots that I didn't really consider any of the rookies. There's plenty of time left for them in the future. Blackwell is showing some great signs, and I would have liked to squeeze him in, but couldn't find a spot for another light, small, young player. I'd like to see him have at least one run in the 1s before the real stuff gets underway though.

Midfield rotation would be Koutoufidies (maybe half a game) Scotland Walker Bentick Simpson Houlihan Carazzo Murphy Bannister and Prendergast. I'd want to see plenty of rotation between the midfield, as I think we're going to strugle a little if Geelong bring close to their full strength midfield. Bannister and Prendergast to play close to their man and try and negate. Simpson, Houlihan, Murphy and Scotland given a little more license to attack. I like the idea of Walker starting tight on the wing, and using his endurance and speed to counter attack.

Bower to get rotated onto the HBF for a few stints when Carrazzo goes into the middle.

In defence, Hartlett to take the biggest Geelong foward, Thornton to play on the most mobile and try and get Whitnall playing on the third tall to give him some more freedom. Geelong's small forwards might pose more of a problem, with McGrath and Russell given the bigger stopping jobs. Carrazzo given every chance to attack out of defence where possible.

The forward line is very mobile, so I'd be looking for Waite and Fisher to roam far and wide looking to help the ball quickly through HF. Setanta to always provide a leading option inside 50m and Lappin to be his opportunistic self. Betts to be there if Setanta brings the ball to ground closer to goal. Waite isn't looking full match fit yet, so when he's rested I'd want to see Bryan put at CHF to provide a contest and see if he can snag a mark or two. Murphy to play HFF when Houlihan moves to the middle. Hopefully Houlihan and Murphy can provide some quality passes to Setanta on the lead.

It's a very young side. 10 of the starting 18 players have 50 or less games experience, with 3 dubutants in the 24 (plus Setanta and Russell with a game a piece). So I wouldn't have huge expectations, but I think it's a side that can compete, and in the pre-season, you never know what is going to happen. Each player has done something so far to earn their spot, but except for the senior players (Kouta, French, Whitnall, Scotland, Lappin and Waite) still has more work to do to cement their spot for Round 1.

Thoughts? How would you like to see us line up?

Sporn will play. As should Teague. Apart from that spot on.

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I think Blackers should get a run before Bannister and Prendergast, niether are going to offer us a long term midfield solution.

IN = Blackwell and Stevens/Sporn
OUT = Prendergast and Bannister

Formation would change slightly for me but more or less the same rotations you have listed. I'd give the run with role to Russell on Ling/Corey and Carrazzo/McGrath taking Chapman and Ablett as they rotate forward/midfield.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

great effort Mordan

Hard to tell from here, but from what i pick up from the threads your team seems to gel and realistically puts into context what we have to be looking for this year - patience to allow an increasingly young list to develop and build into something for the future..

backline - you have some risks there, but hell what have we got to lose? i.e big job for Hartlett. Your backline highlights our issues on this side of the ground. looking forward to seeing russell given a proper go and carrotts in his second full year.

centreline - has plenty of enthusaism about it - 2006 presents wonderful opportunities for fellas like Walker, Simpson and Bentick. They have been at the club for at least two years and in relative terms be starting to feel a little like the furniture. A bit of confidence and the three of them could be very successful.

Half forwrad line is a ittle like the centre line - full of potential and even more so than the centreline group these three should feeling like leaders within the team. Without doubt Fisher and Waite will be hammer and tongs (hopefully Waite is fit and confident enough - Denis suggested his form struggled a little in the pratice game last friday). Hopefully Houilhan delivers on his summer track efforts.

Whether the concept works or not i love the sound of setanta starting at FF with Eddie at his feet and the experience and crumbing ability of Matty lappin in support.

The ruck group works because, well, it is our most experienced option. In a very young team it doesn't hurt to start a little more conservatively here.

Based on the reports to date and Denis's press release comments i'd be surprised not to see Blackwell named on the bench. And given our vulnerability in defence and the fact he has a one year contract i'd be giving a hopefully hungry Livo a seat on the bench (as back up to the punt on Hartwell)

looks like you were actually watching training in addition to your training photos. keep up the wonderful contributions.

cheers

It's definitely not our "best" backline. Round 1, I'd probably pick Livingston, and definitely Saddington if he was available. But Hartlett may well stand up, and if we're to exceed expectations this year it will require some out of the box efforts from some of our younger players. Hartlett has done enough to deserve his chance in my book, same with Russell.



It's definitely a line ball call. I'd really love to see Blackwell have a chance. But if I didn't slot Bannister and Prendergast into the lineup then there just weren't enough seasoned bodies, and I felt we were risking the kids a little too much. Wiggo, Sporn, Teague or Chambers could easily have got those roles. Bannister was very good in one match simulation, and Prender seems to have given something each time out, which got them the spots. Walker, Carrazzo, Simpson, Bentick and Murphy have shown me plenty of signs they'll command Navy Blue jumpers for a long time to come. But I want to see them given every opportunity to do that without having too much pressure. Without the big bodies of Bannister and Prendergast, too much falls to our younger players for my liking. Blackers to get a run in a later NAB cup or Country Circuit match if we lose for me.

I'm a big Livo supporter. I really want to see him put it together on the big stage. I just couldn't fit him in for balance reasons. I wanted a prety big midfield rotation (three midfielders on the bench), and a third ruck, which counted Livo out. He looks like he needs confidence to back himself, and maybe some time on lesser opponents in the 2s might help him find it in himself.



As I've said above, I'm picking Bannister and Prendergast for balance reasons, rather than because I'm putting too much stock in them as 200 gamers for the Blues. I'd love to see all our kids (Aisake, Flint and Jackson too) get a run. But I think we need to be a little careful how we go about it.

I was tossing up between Carrazzo and Russell as the second small defender for Ablett and Chapman. In the end I thought we'd benefit more from freeing Carrazzo from a more defensive game in terms of run out of defence. Russell has been playing a close checking defender in practice matches, both in defence and the midfield. Carrazzo has been a more attacking defender, so I gave him that role. Could go either way.

All that said, I think every TC member could come up with a line up, and each could easily justify their choices. I'm not knocking yours, just clarifying mine.

I would have Blackwell in for sure in place of Bannister and I reckon A O'Hailpin is worth a spot in the team ahead of Prendergast .He has heaps of potential and one NAB game is not going to hurt his confidence if he has a bad one.He is worth the punt.That is what the pre-season comp is partly about bringing young kids up .

Bloody good effort, Mordy.

I reckon that backline should be tweaked a little though. Put Hartlett at CHB, T-Bird at FB, Carrots in the back pocket and Lance as the third tall on the half back flank.

Happy with the forward line you have thrown up. Good mix of height, speed, the spine is agressive and has some good go to men. Very unpredictable and I reckon we could suprise a few with it.

However, in saying that, with fevola out all those blokes in that forward line are going to have to kick 2-3 goals each if we are to get over the line. I'd like us to be a little less Fev-centric and have other blokes chip in each week much like Waitey did in Fev's absence last year.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

Here's my relatively young team that will probably not get anywhere near the real one, but id love to see this get up.


B: Carazzo - Thornton - Whitnal
HB: Russell - Bower - A. o'hAilpin
C: Simpson - Bentick - Walker
HF: Lappin - Waite - Fisher
F: Betts - S. o'hAilpin - Blackwell

R: French - Kouta - Murphy

Int: Scotland, Edwards, Teague, Mclaren, Livingston, Houlihan

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Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

Couldn't have Aisake on a half back flank, Scotland.

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Twitter - @johnfeeney24

why not?

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R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S

Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

That backline of yours has Whitnall, T-Bird, Bower and Aisake in it.
Far too tall.
And for mine I reckon Aisake is a ruckman first and a restinf forward pocket second.
If we had to send him to defence he'd be a key position player.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

he plays like a midfielder. couldnt hold a KP

and isnt height what weve been lacking? why would we wanna get rid of it?

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R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S

Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

sporn, livo, wiggo, chambers, t-lo.... hope they wont be there, know they probably will

That's true re: the height point.

However, that doesn't mean we have to stack one area with it. We have to have a balance of height and pace. By having Lance, Aisake, Thornton and Bower in defence at the same time, we'd be robbing ourselves of that.

They'd also crash into one another as they are all key position players.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

This is what it's all about!

Just one question for all - Teague as a half forward. I saw it last week, in the practice game, and he wasn't too convincing, but its a new role for a hard worker.

I was wondering whether the good mark - hard at it - courageous player type from one Adrian Hickmott has inspired the idea of the position that Teague could play? Hickers was faster on the lead but perhaps a keep-the-ball in, 4th marking target at half forward player is part of the 2006 plan?

Think of it this way, Geelongs Half-Forward Flankers will likely be Chapman, Ablett or Steve Johnson. Which of those 3 would you have Aisake man up on?

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McGrath Livingston Hartlett
Walker Thornton Carrazzo
Scotland Bentick Houlihan
Lappin O'aHailpin Waite
Fisher Whitnall Betts
French Koutoufides Stevens
Simpson McClaren Russell Murphy Sporn Bryin

To be honest I didn't really see enough of Teague to know how well he did. He didn't seem to get a lot of the ball, but I do miss a lot watching the game through the camera. Especially off the ball stuff like pressure. And one practice match isn't enough to evaluate Teague in that position.

I wouldn't mind seeing Teague start on the bench and come on for say Lappin. Push Fisher closer to goal and let Teague run around on the HFF and see if he can snag a few marks. The biggest issue would be is he an accurate enough kick to pin point a target inside 50m?

I think he'll get a chance in the NAB cup, so maybe we'll find out soon enough how Teague can handle the new role.

Whoever picks up Chapman or G. Ablett will have their work cut out, make up of the backline may depend on who Geelong play down their..if Ottens , N Ablett, Kingsley and Grima play down there then we will need some talls....Ottens would probably need Mclaren IMO.
Interesting to see where Denis plays Lance?
I would play Livo at FB....lets give the kid a go and at least have some early faith in him...Livo on Kingsley.....
N Ablett usually gets his supply from G Ablett.....I would play Walker on G Ablett.....Carazzo or Bannister on Chapman.

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

You would think playfair would line up at CHF.........let Hartlett play on him

T-Bird on Kingsley

Lance on Grima

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