After many requests, here’s an update of how I think selection will pan out for the opening round of 2009.
There have been a huge amount of changes made since my previous post on this subject, back in the first week of December. I’ll list them with as much accuracy as I can muster, as well as updated lists of “iffy” players whose selection is most at risk, and “waiting” for those who are eyeing off their own spots from the sidelines.
Richmond
FB: Jordan McMahon, Will Thursfield, Joel Bowden
HB: Chris Newman, Luke McGuane, Kelvin Moore
C: Matthew Richardson, Shane Tuck, Trent Cotchin
HF: Mitch Morton, Cleve Hughes, Brett Deledio
FF: Daniel Jackson, Jack Riewoldt, Nathan G. Brown
Fol: Troy Simmonds, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley
Int: Adam Pattison, Jay Schulz, Matt White, Mark Coughlan
In: White, Jackson
Out: Adam Thomson, Richard Tambling
Iffy: McMahon, Schulz, Coughlan, Cotchin
Waiting: Thomson, Jake King, Shane Edwards, Tambling
Jackson was nominated by coach Terry Wallace on radio recently as being in the Tigers’ best 18 when fully fit, and he has been burning up the track so he gets in on current form. White has also looked great at Punt Road recently. Tambling has been struggling mightily with groin problems, and Cotchin hasn’t been much better with his ongoing achilles issue. Thomson is the unlucky one, but I daresay he’ll probably be slotted in for Cotchin anyway if the prized draft pick doesn’t improve. I still don’t see Andrew Raines getting near the Tigers’ best 22, with King at least in front of him at this stage. As for Alex Rance, I am glad to see I bullied the vast majority of you into dropping him in the Fanplanner. 
Carlton
FB: Chris A. Johnson, Michael Jamison, Bret Thornton
HB: Andrew Carrazzo, Jarrad Waite, Heath Scotland
C: Adam Bentick, Chris Judd, Kade Simpson
HF: Ryan Houlihan, Matthew Kreuzer, Andrew Walker
FF: Eddie Betts, Brendan Fevola, Chris Yarran
Fol: Cameron Cloke, Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy
Int: Shaun Hampson, Richard Hadley, Shaun Grigg, Paul Bower
In: Hampson, Houlihan, Hadley, Bower
Out: Robert Warnock, Jake Edwards, Brad Fisher, Nick Stevens
Iffy: Scotland, Hadley, Grigg, Johnson
Waiting: Jordan Bannister, Setanta O’hAilpin, Edwards, Mitch Robinson
I made the silly mistake the first time of including Stevens, but he’ll miss due to suspension. Warnock and Fisher won’t get up from their injuries, and Scotland may join them if he doesn’t get a wriggle on from his adductor surgery rehab. Houlihan seems to have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in everyone’s eyes with his 20% fantasy discount, even getting some nice press lately. Bower is an important player to free up rebounders like Carrazzo and Johnson, while Hadley provides some much-needed experience. Edwards is on the fringe, and may replace Walker if that shoulder doesn’t settle down. The interesting on is Robinson, who may play in place of Stevens and then get dropped the week after, so there’s significant fantasy risk.
Hawthorn
FB: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Thomas Murphy
HB: Luke Hodge, Campbell Brown, Grant Birchall
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Clinton Young
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Stuart Dew
FF: Mark Williams, Jarryd Roughead, Michael Osborne
Fol: Robert Campbell, Brad Sewell, Chance Bateman
Int: Simon Taylor, Mitch Thorp, Travis Tuck, Ben McGlynn
In: McGlynn, Thorp, Taylor
Out: Brent Renouf, Rick Ladson, Cameron Stokes
Iffy: Campbell, Hodge, Lewis, McGlynn
Waiting: Stokes, Jarryd Morton, Josh P. Kennedy, Renouf
Xavier Ellis is even further out of this team than I thought last time. Ladson has been struggling with fitness at training, reportedly. You could throw in any two of Tuck, McGlynn, Stokes, Kennedy, Morton, Beau Muston and Brendan Whitecross into those last two spots and be just as credible at this stage, though not the draftees Liam Shiels and Shane Savage. Campbell is no guarantee to recover from his hand problems so the Hawks might have to go into the grand final rematch with a ruck combo of Taylor and Renouf… scary stuff. Hodge and Lewis will likely get up for the game like the warriors they are.
Geelong
FB: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, Harry Taylor
HB: Darren Milburn, Andrew Mackie, Corey Enright
C: Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman
FF: Ryan Gamble, Tom Lonergan, Mathew Stokes
Fol: Brad Ottens, Gary Ablett jnr, Joel Corey
Int: Mark Blake, Simon Hogan, David Wojcinski, Max Rooke
In: Lonergan, Hogan
Out: Tom Hawkins, Shannon Byrnes
Iffy: Milburn, Hogan, Lonergan, Gamble
Waiting: Josh Hunt, Byrnes, Mitch Brown, James Kelly
The Tomahawk was still hobbling around in a moon boot the last time I saw, so I have to err on the side of caution and slot Lonergan back into full forward. Hogan is perhaps an optimistic pick, given that it’s probably hard to see him tipping out Byrnes or Gamble, but he’s got to debut some time and it might as well be in a big game.
Collingwood
FB: Heath Shaw, Nathan J. Brown, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Nick Maxwell, Ben Reid, Harry O’Brien
C: Alan Didak, Scott Pendlebury, Tarkyn Lockyer
HF: Leon Davis, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas
FF: Sean Rusling, Anthony Rocca, Paul Medhurst
Fol: Josh Fraser, Shane O’Bree, Dane Swan
Int: Cameron Wood, Sharrod Wellingham, Marty Clarke, Anthony Corrie
In: Reid
Out: Simon Prestigiacomo
Iffy: Reid, Rocca, Wellingham, Corrie
Waiting: Shannon Cox, John Anthony, Dayne Beams, Steele Sidebottom
Plenty of fantasy coaches are stowing both Beams and Sidebottom on their centre benches. I’m not projecting either to break into the team just yet, though if it’s one or the other it looks from training reports like it’s Beams who is first cab off the rank. Collingwood have mad ea lot of noise about how Presti is great for their structure, but I’m not buying it. In Brown and Reid they have their back spine of the future, and they have to play them. If Presti plays it’s an indication that Mick Malthouse is thinking short-term about job security. In the same vein, I know the Pies have traditionally played better with Rocca in the square straightening them up but I suspect that like Tadhg Kennelly, half of Anthony’s mind is in Tampa with his brother and his own NFL punting career, and I like the look of the side with Anthony in there anyway. Whether Malthouse has the backing of the board to take those decisions for the long-term interests of The Club is another matter.
Adelaide
FB: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Scott Stevens
HB: Andrew McLeod, Nathan Bock, Greg Gallman
C: David Mackay, Scott Thompson, Chris Knights
HF: Simon Goodwin, Nick Gill, Richard Douglas
FF: Tyson Edwards, Kurt Tippett, Jason Porplyzia
Fol: Ivan Maric, Nathan Van Berlo, Brent Reilly
Int: Bernie Vince, Michael Doughty, Robert Shirley, Jonathon Griffin
In: Mackay, Gill
Out: Brad Symes, Patrick Dangerfield
Iffy: Gallman, Gill, Johncock, Doughty
Waiting: Aaron Kite, Trent Hentschel, Taylor Walker, Jared Petrenko
Symes fell off the wagon, of course, and Dangerfield has been rebuked in public by coach Neil Craig about his fitness levels. Johncock’s wagon needs fixing, while I think enough has been said on this blog about the battle between Gallman, Kite and Petrenko. I’m still being stubborn about not including Walker the messiah, as I’m wary of him being a March champion like James Sellar was last season after his performance in Abu Dhabi.
Brisbane
FB: Lachie Henderson, Daniel Merrett, Joel Macdonald
HB: Josh Drummond, Joel Patfull, Jed Adcock
C: Tim Notting, Bradd Dalziell, Travis Johnstone
HF: Luke Power, Jonathan Brown, Jared Brennan
FF: Tom Collier, Daniel Bradshaw, Rhan Hooper
Fol: Matthew Leuenberger, Simon Black, Michael Rischitelli
Int: Jamie Charman, Ashley McGrath, Troy Selwood, Daniel Rich
In: Henderson, Collier
Out: Cheynee Stiller, Sam Sheldon
Iffy: Henderson, Collier, McGrath, Selwood
Waiting: Albert Proud, Jason Roe, Stiller, Scott Clouston
I’m sticking with Hooper because he’s their best specialist small forward, even though he’s off in la la land at the moment. Third talls in both attack and defence are hotly contested at Brisbane at the moment, with three competing for each spot, though as with Adelaide it seems few fantasy coaches are paying any attention, judging from the Fanplanner. Proud is every chance to get a new lease of life under Michael Voss, though he’d have to unseat an established player like Selwood to do it.
West Coast
FB: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, Mark Nicoski
HB: Beau Waters, Beau Wilkes, Adam Selwood
C: Andrew Embley, Daniel Kerr, Chris Masten
HF: David Wirrpanda, Mitchell Brown, Quinten Lynch
FF: Ben McKinley, Ashley Hansen, Mark LeCras
Fol: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Tyson Stenglein
Int: Mark Seaby, Brad Ebert, Shannon Hurn, Brent Staker
In: Wilkes, Brown
Out: Adam Hunter, Chad Fletcher
Iffy: Wilkes, Hansen, Stenglein, Staker
Waiting: Josh J. Kennedy, Jamie McNamara, Matt Rosa, Matthew Spangher
I’m projecting Hunter not to recover from his off-season surgeries, though I’m not sure Worsfold will go with Wilkes at CHB. Hansen has been in the press assuring everyone he’s going to be started from the square, though this sounds like wishful thinking as it leaves McKinley and Brown with more running than is perhaps suited to their games.
St Kilda
FB: Matt Maguire, Max Hudghton, Sam Gilbert
HB: Raphael Clarke, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna
HF: Jason Blake, Nick Riewoldt, Farren Ray
FF: Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke, Adam Schneider
Fol: Steven King, Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball
Int: Michael Gardiner, Robert Eddy, Clinton Jones, Steven Baker
In: nil
Out: nil
Iffy: Ray, Eddy, Jones, Baker
Waiting: David Armitage, Sean Dempster, Jarryn Geary, Andrew McQualter
Nothing has changed, which is a blessed relief to Saint fans well versed in early preseason injuries.
Sydney
FB: Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Craig Bolton, Paul Bevan
HB: Nick Malceski, Ted Richards, Martin Mattner
C: Amon Buchanan, Brett Kirk, Rhyce Shaw
HF: Michael O’Loughlin, Ryan O’Keefe, Patrick Veszpremi
FF: Adam Goodes, Barry Hall, Heath Grundy
Fol: Darren Jolly, Jude Bolton, Jarrad McVeigh
Int: Jesse White, Jarred Moore, Jared Crouch, Kieren Jack
In: Moore, Crouch
Out: Tadhg Kennelly, Craig Bird
Iffy: O’Loughlin, Grundy, Shaw, Crouch
Waiting: Bird, Ed Barlow, Luke Ablett, Daniel O’Keefe
I had already ruled out Leo Barry from the first team so his persistent knee injury doesn’t change things. Crouch over Bird is a Roos-type decision in my mind, though perhaps I’m being a little too harsh there. I like Jack to take up some of the rebounding slack from Kennelly along with Shaw.
Melbourne
FB: Paul Wheatley, Stefan Martin, Colin Garland
HB: Matthew Whelan, Jared Rivers, Simon Buckley
C: Brad Green, Brock McLean, Matthew Bate
HF: Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller, Aaron Davey
FF: Colin Sylvia, Michael Newton, Austin Wonaeamirri
Fol: Paul Johnson, Cale Morton, Nathan Jones
Int: Mark Jamar, James McDonald, Lynden Dunn, Brent Moloney
In: Newton, Dunn
Out: Ricky Petterd, Russell Robertson
Iffy: Maric, Moloney, Dunn, Wonaeamirri
Waiting: Addam Maric, Petterd, Jack Grimes, Clint Bartram
I’m still not sure on the Melbourne backline. Training reports suggest that Maric is ahead of Grimes, with Petterd not going all that well, but there are still some heavy stat-getters to be fitted into that back six as well. Maric may yet be brought in for structural reasons, to combat one of the Kangaroos small forwards. Robertson is a fair way behind the rest in fitness at this stage, with “Juice” Newton being groomed to play the Neitz role. Dean Bailey has his favourites, and they will become more apparent this year, I suspect.
North Melbourne
FB: Daniel Pratt, Michael Firrito, Josh Gibson
HB: Jesse W. Smith, Drew Petrie, Gavin Urquhart
C: Adam Simpson, Daniel Harris, Daniel Wells
HF: Matt Campbell, Corey Jones, Lindsay Thomas
FF: Josh Smith, David Hale, Ben Ross
Fol: Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Brent Harvey
Int: Andrew Swallow, Sam Power, Scott McMahon, Leigh Harding
In: Josh Smith, Jesse W. Smith
Out: Aaron Edwards, Scott D. Thompson
Iffy: Ross, Josh Smith, McMahon, Swallow
Waiting: Lachie Hansen, Matt Riggio, Ed Lower, Thompson
The replacement for the naughty Edwards has not been announced, with Josh Smith as a frontrunner and Hansen making a strong showing. Jesse W.’s spot is contingent on continued fitness gains.
Port Adelaide
FB: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Mitch Farmer
HB: Peter Burgoyne, Troy Chaplin, Domenic Cassisi
C: Travis Boak, Chad Cornes, Kane Cornes
HF: David Rodan, Justin Westhoff, Danyle Pearce
FF: Daniel Motlop, Warren Tredrea, Brett Ebert
Fol: Dean Brogan, Steven Salopek, Shaun Burgoyne
Int: Brendon Lade, Josh Carr, Paul Stewart, Robbie Gray
In: Farmer, Stewart
Out: Jacob Surjan, Nick Salter
Iffy: Farmer, Stewart, Gray, Salopek
Waiting: Surjan, Salter, Marlon Motlop, Jason Davenport
The two changes are purely speculative at this early stage. I’m stil not sold on Davenport wearing teal this early. It is not certain that Gray and Ebert can play in the same side, with their roles being so similar, so that will be interesting to track in the NAB if Ebert is not rested.
Essendon
FB: Andrew Welsh, Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hurley
HB: Adam McPhee, Patrick Ryder, Jay Nash
C: Kyle Reimers, Jobe Watson, Bachar Houli
HF: Jay Neagle, Scott Lucas, Scott Gumbleton
FF: Alwyn Davey, Matthew Lloyd, Leroy Jetta
Fol: David Hille, Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh
Int: Jason Laycock, Sam Lonergan, Andrew Lovett, Angus Monfries
In: Neagle
Out: David Myers
Iffy: Hurley, Nash, Lonergan, Neagle
Waiting: Tayte Pears, Ricky Dyson, David Zaharakis, Hayden Skipworth
I’m supporting Nash over Myers and Hurley over Pears, though perhaps I’m on an island there. Any combination could work. Playing three of those four doesn’t seem to be an option if coach Matthew Knights is serious about this four-tall structure. The decision may be taken out of his hands if Neagle keeps on picking up niggles, as he seems to do weekly at training. The temptation to let Neagle limp along at Bendigo and play Skipworth in the high small forward role that Adam Ramanauskas made look so easy late last year may be too tempting.
Fremantle
FB: Michael Johnson, Antoni Grover, Marcus Drum
HB: David Mundy, Luke McPharlin, Roger Hayden
C: Garrick Ibbotson, Paul Hasleby, Brett Peake
HF: Kepler Bradley, Matthew Pavlich, Daniel Gilmore
FF: Chris Mayne, Chris Tarrant, Des Headland
Fol: Aaron Sandilands, Rhys Palmer, Ryan Crowley
Int: Byron Schammer, Andrew Foster, Steven Dodd, Clayton Hinkley
In: Dodd, Gilmore, Hinkley
Out: Dean Solomon, Hayden Ballantyne, Josh Head
Iffy: Gilmore, Hinkley, Foster, Peake
Waiting: Scott Thornton, Head, Adam Campbell, Nick Suban
Again, I forgot Solomon would be suspended for round 1 last time. It’s probably wrong of me to exclude both Campbell and Ryan Murphy, but that’s the only way to fit both Bradley and Gilmore in the structure and I think coach Mark Harvey knows that he needs to figure out which one is his genuine #2 ruckman. That situation may get worked out in the NAB anyway. I’m not buying the talk of Tarrant to half back, as they already have more half back rebounders than they know what to do with without creating another one. Then again this is Fremantle, and they’re a little weird.
Western Bulldogs
FB: Lindsay Gilbee, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Tom Williams, Andrejs Everitt
C: Ryan Griffen, Daniel Cross, Nathan Eagleton
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Daniel Giansiracusa
FF: Shaun Higgins, Brad Johnson, Jarrad Grant
Fol: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Matthew Boyd
Int: Will Minson, Callan Ward, Dylan Addison, Josh Hill
In: Grant, Ward
Out: Scott Welsh, Jason Akermanis
Iffy: Eagleton, Everitt, Hill, Ward
Waiting: Tim Callan, Jarrod Harbrow, Sam Reid, Stephen Tiller
Sick of being known as the team of half back flankers, it seems the Bulldogs want to become the team of young tall forwards. The youth policy is in full swing in that forward line, as we will no doubt see during the NAB.
So, who are you looking for as your round 1 debutantes? If the above teams end up being correct, how many of your squad of 30 in the Fanplanner will be playing? Argue the toss with me in the comments below.
Swap Griffin, Gill and Gallman for Moran (back/ruck), Danger and Walker and you’ve got the Crows spot on.
Walker is the real deal.
Dangerfield is not fit enough for Craig’s liking according to recent reports I’ve read, X.
m0nty your not even considering Nick Lower in the frame to be in Port Adelaides team??
Reports from today’s training say that at the very least the trainer’s believe Dangerfield is a certainty to start Round 1.
Surely Andrew Walker won’t play round one?
Post from cmndstab on the Crows board said that a Crows official told him Danger would definitely play. Craigy has been pretty encouraging of him at training despite the harsh words on 5AA. Not 100% but I’m pretty confident he’ll play.
The tests came back negative on Walker so he’s due to resume full training soon, last I heard.
At the moment Dangerfield is not in Craig’s best 22. I’m sure part of that media rebuke was to fire him up for the rest of the preseason. If he improves his fitness he’ll earn a spot, but not before.
no dempsey for Essendon :O
Tell me who you would drop, Johno.
Ben Cousins?
Nup warnie. I reckon they’ll want him to get more fit.
Monty you think Scott Selwood is any chance for the Eagles… prior to him getting drafted it was reported he was the most talented of all 4 bros…given he played 10 last year and now has another pre season under his belt.
Also Tyson Stenglein averaged about 25 less in 2008 than 2007, you think he will only be used as a shutdown tagger type or might actually be worth consideration?
Thanks for the update m0nty
Always risky doing these things because people pick on you
Good work for braving it
I read Tex Walker was doing push ups on his shoulder, so back on the radar.
woowoo Tyson Stenglein has always been played as a tagging/run with role. He played most of last season with a back injury, but even with that in mind i would say his best is past him, will probs improve on last years score but i dont recon he will average more than 80-85.
I think selwood will play around the same amount of games unless there are a few injuries. I can see him taking the place of Waters/Hurn/Nicoski should one go down in the season.
Monty, Presti is one of the best shut down full back’s in the league, you don’t leave him out just to give Reid a go as an untried backman. If you thought purely horses for courses against Adelaide’s tall skinny whippet forward line, then maybe, but still unlikely.
Salopek wont be playing till round 2 at best (most likely 3-4 mark) so someone will come in there. Glad to see you got Troy Chaplin in this side Monty, wasn’t mentioned at all in your initial one.
Wonder if Marlon will get the nod ahead of Gray (and Gray is injury prone).
I think Richmond will play Cuz in Round 1. It’s a marketing dream. Even if he rests after that, they want the season to start with Cuz in the side!
There is no way McMahon is an iffy player for richmond
There is no way that Walker won’t play for the Crows - they would burn down Adelaide Town Hall if that happened.
Can’t see Gallman or Gill in the team for round one - and you should take what Craig said on 5AA with a grain of salt.
Ottens is the other one who would have to be very close for that running HB slot. They think VERY highly of him down at Crowland.
what do you guys think is a good projected score when selecting a practice Dream team? My best so far is 1845
Jason Davenport will play Round 1 I reckon. Choco likes these types of recruits (think back to Rodan;s stellar 1st year at Port) and I still say they did not get him to play in the Magoos.
Not convince Reid will play in the backline without another experienced player to help him out so Presti (if fit) will play I reckon.
I think Bellchambers for ess could get a go for 1st round, Laycock still struggling wont play NAB. Knighter loves dempsey should play play 1st rd, maybe on the wing in place of reimers ?
At Catland Kelly gets a gig ahead of Monika every day of the week. I reckon they are bullish on Ryan Gamble as well. Lots of noise on Hoges, that’s true but Gamble’s time is now. There should be room from Hunt as well.
Fatty.
hey monty why did you leave aker out of the doggies lineup?
Monty, if you seriously think that Rick Ladson is not in Hawthorns best 22 you are kidding yourself, you call yourself knowledgeable?
With Essendon
In : Bellchambers , Dempsey
Out : Laycock , Nash
like to see Myers in there to but for who is the next question. maybe Neagle as he always seems to be in and out.
woowoo: Selwood is a good chance, though I err on the side of older players just for Round 1 in the Eagle’s case.
Nickelass: They have to get games into Reid at some point, and Presti is on the way out.
smithy_9: McMahon is very iffy with both King and Raines aiming at his spot.
Kris: I’m starting to take anything that anyone says in Adelaide with a grain of salt, fans included ;D
Fatty: Kelly’s poor GF should count against him, surely?
Mitch: Leaving out Ladson was purely due to his fitness being down, as I said in the blurb.
Mitch Thorp is not close to a starting 22 spot, he is way behind Beau Dowler. Surprised you leaved him out???
Excellent work, Monty. Very interesting read. =)
Just 8 more days till football is back for 2009. Woohoo!
Monty just back from the intraclub at Collingwood and if Sidebottom isn’t named in round 1 i will be gobsmacked, he has already an AFL elite tank and knows how to find the footy. If ya dont pick him up you are losing on a huge cash cow.
McMahon will get games ahead of King and Raines any day of the week.
He’s in Richmond’s best 22, and, despite the prtoests of some who might see him as a soft outside player, would be in Richmond’s best 15.
Seventh in last years B&F. King and Raines will be fighting for the same spot, but McMahon is safe.
Monty, in the roos side are you assuming McIntosh has the number 1 ruck spot and petrie and hale just help him out?? is there better fantasy value in either petrie or McIntosh
I personally think McMahon is as solid as Newman is in that Richmond team. King was dropped early in the year because of poor form, and raines is on the outer. Plus Jordan is twice the rebounder of both those two, with more pace and a better kick. Its going to take something catastrophic to move him out of that starting 22.
Akermanis will start round 1, definately.
James Kelly wasnt the only one who had a dirty grand final day…there were plenty others, Mathew Stokes… who i think contributed to about 50% of Geelong losing, why Bomber left him on Hodge that long is beyond me. No i think the only change at geelong if any will be in the back half, hogan may have to wait a while longer.
Myers not playing round 1?? i nearly fell off my chair Monty!!! He is a certainty
Round 1 first game Richmond v Carlton @ MCG.
Richmond home game. Cousins doesn’t play, crowd 70,000. Cousins does play; it sets up a Cousins v Judd scenario. Attendance : 90,000.
I barrack for the Hawks but would go purely to see Cousins in his first AFL comeback match.
Can’t see Josh Smith playing ahead of Lachie Hansen. Josh may still play a fair few games but it will not be ahead of Hansen.
What about Sam Butler from West Coast? Played in the scratch match today, so his fitness must be fairly good. If fully fit, I would imagine he would be in the best 22.
Fitness is Butler’s issue.
agree brad. cousins ahs to play if its the only game he has all year just from a marketing perspective. its not like they are playing some rookie chump anyway.
and as for hawthorn, i think dowler and thorp are both in the same boat, but personally from reports muston seems pretty hot at the moment to take x/crawfs spot for now?
is there a reason mitch clarke isnt in the brisbane line up?
With Sydney’s list woes the need to develop White as a KPP is even greater. Currie will play Rd 1 as second ruck for sure.
I wonder how Newman will go this year now that he’s skipper. He was so consistent for me last year
m0nty, suss the new DT page on afl.com.au, it’s got some info for the 09 comp. Says it will be open early Feb and a new improvement will be a ‘hall of fame’ where past winners etc. are recorded.
I’m gettin excited…
Swans will be trash this year.
Barring breaking down between now and then, if Cuzzy doesn’t play round one, i’ll eat my hat….
they’ll “want him to get fitter”… please.
On Cuz…
http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=71595
Agreed Walker is well and truly capable of being a regular in the crows side, Do yourself a favour and put him in Monty or you’ll just be plain wrong I’m afraid.
For the Bulldogs
In: Akermanis, Callan, Harbrow
Out: Eagleton, Everitt, Ward
Why didnt you include Aker??
Aker has to start!
McMahon surely not iffy!
Walker looks like a good bet at the moment.
White KPP for sydney - replaces leo. They then play currie off the bench in the ruck rotations.
Ben reid off half back monty? Think he will play an attacking/rebounding role and score ok?
Everitt i guarantee will not play round 1 for the bullies, hes got glandular fever, that sh*t takes 6 months minimum to come back from!!! trust me i know. round 12 at the earliest i suspect.
An inspired effort, m0nty. Cheers for your hard work.
David Wirrpanda won’t be playing for the Eagles, he’s playing in the Indigenous All Stars team.
Wirrapanda is playing the allstar game in the preseason you dipshit, he will be in eagles best 22 come round1
Learn to read FFS
I’m not convinced Nick Riewoldt will be playing round one after hearing the decision being made to send him under the knife to clean out his knee.
They say it’ll take four weeks for him to recover and that he’ll be rehabilitated in time for round one, but can a month off be good for him or his team right now?
http://www.saintsational.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49751
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?s=785d76b16483c18a4c9f33e153f7a73b&t=537782
Reid played really well at CHB and looks to have found his role at Collingwood. This will equate to more scoring but nothing to dramatic.
Settle down Jonathan, no need for such obscenities.
Interesting news on Riewoldt Nick.
Taylor Walker will become a star. I’m touting him to be the next Tony Modra for the crows.
Don’t think he’ll start the season but might be brought in later for that X-factor. Btw is Lance Franklin fully fit?
Chris Masten & Jesse W Smith?
Are they worthy mid priced players who will start round 1 and play most games barring injury?
I hope Masten gets a go, but I can’t be sure on him since Butler, Masten and Kerr were both pulled from their intra-club practice match at half time to rest the remainder.
I’m not certain what that means for them, it could just be a recovering group tactic to make sure they are ready to go for their NAB cup next week. Worsfold said that they weren’t playing to a plan and that it was a chance for them to do some fitness work with body contact and tackling.
Masten averaged 65ish last year before his injury didn’t he? Don’t quote me on it but I read he ran first in a WCE time trial, he’s bulked up a fair bit. In the big scheme of things, he’s a had a long time off football, he’s had the surgery a long time ago, he’s had the time to recover and they sound like they are cottonwooling him into the NAB cup, there’s some potential there.
I’m waiting to see him play, I want to see him running into space to take cheap marks ala Cox and letting Priddis and Kerr crunch the packs.
dunno if this has been asked or posted before?…but is fanfooty doing live dt scores in the nab cup?
masten has allways been and allways will be an in and under player, no cheap possys. he’s fit,fitter than most players without even trying. look his name up in junior australian athletics records, 800m,1500m, triple jump, u’ll see his name quite a bit. he’ll end up being a fitter version of bartell.
sam: yes, we are. Might be a little late for the first game, I don’t know, depending on how our systems cope with upgrades.
No room for Steven Hill at Freo?
i reckon surjan will get a gig ahead of mitch farmer m0nty. i know he showed a bit in the last month with his tenacity, but surjan is a proven rebounding back pocket so he’s a definite in my books. i also reckon davenport ahead of stewart/gray. davenport, ebert and gray are all similar, which is why i reckon davenport will be played prodominantly as a burst midfielder
Nattherat, not yet, no matter how crap they are. Rich however…
Ebert plays nothing like Gray, Josh.
Hurley just had an operation to remove his failing gall bladder.
Will anyone think twice now about his chances of getting a start for the Bombers in round 1?
Surgeon says about 4 weeks recovery time.
wheres hill….the high draft pick for fremantle?ive heard he’ll play most of the season like palmer
Hill doesn’t look AFL ready IMO.
there has been a lot of talk about currie being sydneys 2nd ruckman, but cos u picked white over him monty are u assuming white will play ahead of currie during the season?
Even with Andrew Walkers injury you still think he’ll line up round 1, I would’ve thought he’d be eased into it a bit.
I notice you’ve placed McPhee at half back Monty. Surely that will greatly increase his scores and he could be a great pick up in the backs. Thoughts anyone?
Great work Monty.
I’m still reeling from Cousins (relatively) high price in 09 Prospectus and now your projections still keep him out of the R1 side.
I still feel the Judd v Cousins crowd puller will be too hard to ignore, so my money is on Cousins starting. However, he’s no longer the fantasy lock-in he once was.
Fred, with Lucas back in the side it looks like McPhee will go start off the halfback where he can pull some good numbers.. I will more then likely pick him up this year
Fred, McPhee at his price is a lock back for me in S/C.
He will play a utility role filling holes and rebounding across the half back line and also going forward when required.
Dont think you can go passed McPhee at that price.
Is reasonably durable as well.
With the Lions i would move Collier into defence and Mitch Clark into attack, i think Henderson will miss out until someone underpreforms or gets injured.
what about first round draftees Ziebell (kangas)and Hartlett (port)? What chance of either getting a run if Round 1?
Amazing blog post. I think a lot of it is quite accurate. I think Melbourne might play robo round one anyways, just sit him at half forward or with juice. Still.. the dees teamsheet looks a lot better than last year’s.
Simon Black. Broken hand. 6 weeks. Anyone else think Brisbane Lions are a chance to get the Spoon this year under new coach Vossy? $17 odds looks tempting!
Good on you for having a crack at the round 1 teams. Its a near impossible task……
Hopefully a few more rookies are selected though. Agree with others RE Beau Dowler/Mitch Thorp, but don’t know enough about other teams to comment.
A great read, thanks.
wat injury will keep R warnock out for round 1 shoulder recon? how long is he likely too miss?
Wats with everyone and walker im a crows fan my uncle is actually neil craig, walker looks good but eveyone is expecting a bit too much too early from him, just like tippett last year, should get a game pressure is on neil to give him a go but will prob be tippett like in dt at best in his first season
Freo said after their intraclub match that Hill is guaranteed a spot R1, barring injury.
Masten should be good this year, but he’ll be crashing packs with rather than running off him, very much an in and under player
Freo said after their intraclub match that Hill is guaranteed a spot R1, barring injury.
Masten should be good this year, but he’ll be crashing packs with rather than running off him, very much an in and under player.
I agree that Cousins will probably play R1, but could easily be rested R2, or pull up sore which is a big gamble.
Pies will go Presti over Reid. Like they did in the finals when they went Presti over Wakelin. Presti is held in much higher regard at the club than you think, even if you dont like him he will be playing round one, i guarantee it if he is fit!
One more thing Hooper wont be playing round one unless something drastic changes in the next two months. In fact I will go as far as saying he wont be at the club at the start of the season if he does not change very soon, he is still having problems even after his $50k fine!
What about Shane Valenti for the Demons. Looked solid last year; did something happen to him?
Valenti back on the rookie list.
So is Steve Hill ready to play or not?
hill, currie, rich, sidebottom, hurley all to play rd 1
ps leuenberger to step up this yr. has had a massive pre season
Who do you reckon will get first ruck dibs at brisbane? Charman has the experience and is proven, but has disappointed. Leuenberger has had a good pre-season, but isn’t proven.
Very interesting pre-season coming up.
Monty, take a look at T. Walker in action on ABC1 tonight and you’ll be well and truly converted. Hail the messiah!
Myers (ess) has probably firmed now that Welsh is out.
hey. think u r missing a few players’ names.
Cousins ???
Ex Kangaroo Brown to line up for the pies, not Reid. Sidebottom would also be given a go over Wellingham if he performs well tonight.
Watts would have to debut round 1 I would think, and also Naitatui if he’s fit.
Scott Selwood?
great blog monty
love the effort ur putting in
ur blogs have helped heaps for my fanplanner
wat people think about josh head or courtney dempsey this year?
cheers
Mitch Clark will ruck at brisbane this year a fair bit.
whats with listing Jarrad Grant starting with doggies 22.. Ive search articles and cant find any reference to a shift to that position.
you need to do a updated version
what are the thoughts on Adcock?
will having voss coach the team and black injured early in the season change anything for him?
07 like form?
Totally agree with you hank. I think adcock is a bargain at $400k. As you said look at his 2007 form he was a must in your team. last year was not a good year for him. I think voss will use him more in the midfield especially with ? marks on blacks injury
is anyone updating this site or what. i think the teams need some massive adjusting.
There is a version 3 of this list, h dog.
http://www.fanfooty.com.au/blog/2009/02/12/round-1-team-projections-v3