WXV: The Cape Town Cobras

[My Chumps]

I agree with Nigey.

I reckon our best XV is probably more like this now:

Something like;

DEF:     Andrejs Everitt - Nick Haynes  -  Shaun Higgins  - Jasper Pittard
MID:     Josh Kennedy  - Trent Cotchin -  Scott Selwood  - Dom Tyson
RUCK:    Stef Martin
FWD:     Tom Hawkins -  Jack Darling  - Jeremy Cameron - Lachie Hunter
BENCH:   Ed Curnow   -  Craig Bird

E: Gwilt (Def), Cooney (Mid), Blicavs (Ruck), S Reid (Fwd)

Assuming Gwilt finds another club (linked with the Demons).

I was going with best case scenario :P

I'd have Cooney above Curnow or Bird when fit tbh. He averaged 97 unsubbed last season! Underrated.

[Memphistopheles]

Trade Wrap

It's been a pretty hectic start to the 2014/15 trade period here at the Cape Town Cobras. Thanks to some terrific initiative by the coaches, the teams moved from strength to strength with some big additions.

Trade 14
New York give: Mark Blicavs and Darcy Lang
Cape Town give: Nathan Vardy and Jamie Bennell

Our first successful trade saw promising youngsters Mark Blicavs and Darcy Lang come to the Cobras. Blicavs is set to provide some much needed ruck depth that Vardy couldn't through his terrible run with injuries. We're also hopeful that, given his athletic prowess, he can become a quality rucking option with a few more years experience. Lang looks to be quite the talent too, after being taken at pick 25 in last years international draft.

Trade 35
Mexico City give: Pick 61
Cape Town give: Ryan O'Keefe

Our second trade saw a club stalwart leave in hopes of finding opportunity elsewhere. O'Keefe has been a terrific player over the years, and was instrumental in the inaugural season which saw us finish runners up. Farewell, Rhyno.

Trade 37
Cape Town gives: Zac Smith + Ben Reid + Nat 16
Tokyo give: Scott Selwood + Nat 9 + Nat 41.

In our latest and clearly most dramatic trade so far, gun midfielder Scott Selwood joins the likes of Kennedy, Cotchin and Tyson in creating one of the best midfields in the competition, reminiscent of the golden year in 2012. We're also excited about the acquisition of pick 9 which should net us a future star of the comp.

Zac Smith leaving is however hard to swallow. Taken by us in the original draft, he's unfortunately never quite lived up to expectations, his career thus far marred by injury. Ultimately, we're not sure if he's ever going to overcome these injury concerns, and we thought it best to move on. Farewell, Smithy!

Summary
IN:
Scott Selwood
Mark Blicavs
Darcy Lang
#9, #41 and #61.

OUT:
Zac Smith
Ben Reid
Nathan Vardy
Jamie Bennell
Ryan O'Keefe
#16

What do you think about our start to the period? Are Cape Town headed in the right direction?

Some more trades have gone down since then so time for an update I think.

Trade 38
Cape Town give: Dale Thomas
Berlin Brewers give: Lachie Hunter + Mitch Honeychurch + Pick 48

Dale Thomas is a bit of a loss especially given his past scoring form and the fact he will likely be a mid/fwd next season but we are more than compensated for his departure by picking up two young forward/midfielders who have a lot of potential. Hunter cracked the Dogs first team this season and should play 22 games next season and hopefully break out while Honeychurch is a bit of a longer term prospect but showed lots of good signs in the VFL this year and was lively in the few games he played for the Dogs. Nat Pick 48 will help us improve the team's depth with a lot of players likely to be delisted by the Cobras this season.

Trade 45
Mexico City give: Stewart Crameri, Brandon Jack
Cape Town give: Brad Hill, Jed Lamb

This trade is one more of a needs base for us as we had an excess of younger midfielders like Hill and really needed some forward line depth in Crameri. If Crameri can get back to his form at the Bombers a few seasons back then he could even be a best XV player for us while Hill is a few seasons away from being a best XV player given Scooter's recent arrival and may attract a tag in the future which could impact his scoring.. The swap of Brandon Jack for Jed Lamb is like for like really but we rate Jack a bit ahead of Lamb so think this balance the fact Crameri is a lot older than Hill. Jack wasn't expected to play any AFL last season but he did and this season he got more gametime. If he comes on anywhere near as good as his brother (the younger siblings are generally the better ones) who didn't become  SC gun until 23 then he will be a very astute pick up.

Trade 48
Cape Town gives: Nat Pick 41
New York give: Will Schofield and Brant Colledge

Happy to trade Nat 41 for some playing defender depth in Schofield and getting Colledge is a bonus. Colledge has been turned in to a tall big-bodied midfielder and has been carving up in the WAFL this season which means he could be a good pick up. Has been blighted by injuries so far in his career but seems to have put them behind him this season somewhat.

Trade 50
Cape Town give: Matt Crouch + Patrick Karnezis
Buenos Aires give: Nat 4 + Nat 54

The Cobras wanted a Top 5 pick in this year's draft as we believe there is a big gulf in class between the Top 5 and the rest of the players so in order to get it we had to give up a guy who has been carving up in the Crows' magoos. Matt Crouch will be a future fantasy star but his disposal efficiency is a worry and we feel that Nat 4 is a bit overs for him as we can get a classier mid or a future gun forward/ruck with this pick. Karnezis is an interesting one - although he is going very well in the Pies reserves he for some reason didn't get a game despite all their injury worries this season. So we're happy to let someone else take a punt on him and use him to balance this deal. Nat 54 as well should help us find a decent replacement.

Summary
IN:
Scott Selwood
Lachie Hunter
Mark Blicavs
Darcy Lang
Mitch Honeychurch
Stewart Crameri
Brandon Jack
Will Schofield
Brant Colledge

Nat Picks #4, #9, #48, #54 and #61.

OUT:
Zac Smith
Ben Reid
Nathan Vardy
Jamie Bennell
Ryan O'Keefe
Dale Thomas
Brad Hill
Jed Lamb
Matt Crouch
Patrick Karnezis
Nat Picks #16

[Ricochet]

Nice guys, some quality brought in there for some older boys

[Memphistopheles]

We could have another few deals in the pipeline as well.

One hopefully to be announced once the trade period re-opens.

Searching for another potential starting defender as well if anyone has one to offer.

[Memphistopheles]

Alright after the first trade and draft period and the announcement of SC positions here's the new-look Cape Town Cobras squad.

Couple of surprises for me. Firstly that Higgins kept fwd and is dpp. Also that Everitt kept def and is def/mid. Cooney getting forward is a nice bonus as is Bird keeping it. Blicavs being a mid/ruc is a bit baffling and I was also thinking Toumpas might be a mid/def but that might not be until next season.

Defenders
Shane Savage
Andrejs Everitt (MID)
Shaun Higgins (FWD)
Nick Haynes
Cameron O'Shea
Jasper Pittard
Gary Rohan
Lachie Plowman
James Gwilt
Will Schofield
Billie Smedts
*Jake Kelly
*Matthew Dick (MID)
*James Toohey

Midfielders
Trent Cotchin
Josh P. Kennedy
Scott Selwood
Dom Tyson
Edward Curnow
George Horlin-Smith
Darcy Lang
Trent Dumont
Nathan Drummond
Brant Colledge
*Nick O'Brien
*Johann Wagner

Forwards
Tom Hawkins
Adam Cooney (MID)
Craig Bird (MID)
Jeremy Cameron
Lachie Hunter
Stewart Crameri
Cameron McCarthy
Mitch Honeychurch
Sam Reid
Dean Kent
Jimmy Toumpas (MID)
Brandon Jack
Jaden McGrath

Rucks
Stefan Martin
Billy Longer
Mark Blicavs (MID)
Peter Wright (FWD)

* denotes rookie listed players

Best XV

Def: Shaun Higgins, Shane Savage, Andrejs Everitt, James Gwilt
Mid: Josh P Kennedy, Trent Cotchin, Scott Selwood, Dom Tyson
Ruc: Stefan Martin
Fwd: Tom Hawkins, Adam Cooney, Craig Bird, Jeremy Cameron
Uti: Ed Curnow, Stewart Crameri

Eme: Cam O'Shea (D), George Horlin-Smith (M), Billy Longer (R), Lachie Hunter (F).

[Memphistopheles]

Okay this is more for my benefit than anything but here are all our Round 1 scores

Defenders
Shane Savage - 101
Andrejs Everitt (MID) - 84
Shaun Higgins (FWD) - 90
Nick Haynes - 67
Cameron O'Shea - dnp
Jasper Pittard - 64
Gary Rohan - 60
Lachie Plowman - dnp
James Gwilt - dnp
Will Schofield - dnp
Billie Smedts - 39
*Jake Kelly - dnp
*Matthew Dick (MID) - dnp
*James Toohey - dnp

Midfielders
Trent Cotchin - 63
Josh P. Kennedy - 127
Scott Selwood - 89
Dom Tyson - 81
Edward Curnow - 83
George Horlin-Smith - dnp
Darcy Lang - 44
Trent Dumont - dnp
Nathan Drummond - dnp
Brant Colledge - dnp
*Nick O'Brien - dnp
*Johann Wagner - dnp

Forwards
Tom Hawkins - 56
Adam Cooney (MID) - 70
Craig Bird (MID) - 93
Jeremy Cameron - 68
Lachie Hunter - dnp
Stewart Crameri - 77
Cameron McCarthy - 85
Mitch Honeychurch - 65
Sam Reid - 45
Dean Kent - 45
Jimmy Toumpas (MID) - 12
Brandon Jack - dnp
Jaden McGrath - 70

Rucks
Stefan Martin - 67
Billy Longer - 60
Mark Blicavs (MID) - 99
Peter Wright (FWD) - dnp

[Memphistopheles]

Cape Town Cobras player averages after Round 3

Defenders
Jasper Pittard - 96
Shane Savage - 92.33
Shaun Higgins (FWD) - 89
Andrejs Everitt (MID) - 84.67
Will Schofield - 80
Gary Rohan - 65.67
Nick Haynes - 64.67
*Jake Kelly - 53
James Gwilt - 50
Billie Smedts - 47.50
Cameron O'Shea - dnp
Lachie Plowman - dnp
*Matthew Dick (MID) - dnp
*James Toohey - dnp

Midfielders
Trent Cotchin - 107
Josh P. Kennedy - 106
Scott Selwood - 89
George Horlin-Smith - 72
Dom Tyson - 70.67
Edward Curnow - 64.33
Darcy Lang - 62.33
Trent Dumont - dnp
Nathan Drummond - dnp
Brant Colledge - dnp
*Nick O'Brien - dnp
*Johann Wagner - dnp

Forwards
Craig Bird (MID) - 90.33
Mitch Honeychurch - 75
Cameron McCarthy - 73.67
Adam Cooney (MID) - 65
Jeremy Cameron - 61.67
Stewart Crameri - 60.33
Jaden McGrath - 59
Tom Hawkins - 53.50
Dean Kent - 48.33
Sam Reid - 42
Jimmy Toumpas (MID) - 12
Lachie Hunter - dnp
Brandon Jack - dnp


Rucks
Mark Blicavs (MID) - 98.67
Stefan Martin - 86.67
Billy Longer - 64
Peter Wright (FWD) - dnp


Our defence, which was arguably our area of weakness last season, is our strongest suit at the moment with 5 players averaging 80 or more and another 5 getting games.

Our midfield has really struggled so far this season especially since Scott Selwood went down injured. With an injury cloud over Ed Curnow as well now we may have to turn to young Darcy Lang to play a role in the coming weeks. Lang has improved his scores with every outing (44, 69, 74) so hopefully he can continue to do that.

Or potentially we could line up with the surprise packet of the season in Mark Blicavs in the midfield who remains the competition's only dual position midfield/ruckman. Blicavs is surprisingly leading our ruck line from Stefan Martin and put up a masterful 124 in his last outing.

Up forward is another area of struggle for us. Despite lots of players getting games we haven't been seeing many good scores from our forwards with only Craig Bird delivering on a consistent basis. Hawkins has been well done on his output from last season so far and Cameron has yet to reach the heights of his 2013 season. It's exciting to see some of our youngsters putting up reasonable scores

[Purple 77]

Apart from Dublin, I'd bet that is the best performing backline so far in the comp (without researching)

When that midfield clicks (and the beautiful man that is Dom Tyson), I'd expect a mad charge towards the eight IMO.

[Nige]

So how does it feel being Worlds' worst African team in 2015?  :P

[Memphistopheles]

So how does it feel being Worlds' worst African team in 2015?  :P

It feels good knowing we have a free win against the Sands coming up...

[Nige]

So how does it feel being Worlds' worst African team in 2015?  :P

It feels good knowing we have a free win against the Sands coming up...

Not with your form.  ;)

We've only lost the past two games because the other team had HGA. :P

[Memphistopheles]

Cape Town Cobras player averages after Round 4

Defenders
Jasper Pittard - 97.25
Shaun Higgins (FWD) - 87.25
Shane Savage - 84.75
Andrejs Everitt (MID) - 84.25
Nick Haynes - 76.25
Will Schofield - 65
Gary Rohan - 64.75
*Jake Kelly - 56.50
James Gwilt - 50
Billie Smedts - 47.50
*Matthew Dick (MID) - 13
Cameron O'Shea - dnp
Lachie Plowman - dnp
*James Toohey - dnp

Midfielders
Josh P. Kennedy - 109
Trent Cotchin - 102.50
Scott Selwood - 89
Dom Tyson - 70.50
George Horlin-Smith - 66
Edward Curnow - 66
Darcy Lang - 53.25
Trent Dumont - 32
Nathan Drummond - 16
Brant Colledge - dnp
*Nick O'Brien - dnp
*Johann Wagner - dnp

Forwards
Craig Bird (MID) - 90.50
Cameron McCarthy - 86.25
Jeremy Cameron - 71
Adam Cooney (MID) - 65
Stewart Crameri - 63.75
Mitch Honeychurch - 60.25
Sam Reid - 60.25
Jaden McGrath - 59
Tom Hawkins - 55
Dean Kent - 43.50
Jimmy Toumpas (MID) - 12
Lachie Hunter - dnp
Brandon Jack - dnp


Rucks
Stefan Martin - 100
Mark Blicavs (MID) - 98.25
Billy Longer - 83
Peter Wright (FWD) - dnp

[Purple 77]

Dom Tyson is clearly a reserves player.

I will help you out EOS and let you trade him to me for a second rounder though, coz I'm nice guy.

[My Chumps]

Dom Tyson is clearly a reserves player.

I will help you out EOS and let you trade him to me for a second rounder though, coz I'm nice guy.

Unfortunately, at this stage even with his average of 70 he's in our best XV :P

Might have to start playing Everitt/Bird/Blicavs in the midfield considering how bad that line is atm.

Look at those ruck stocks though! Pretty sure Blicavs is actually averaging 98 for the season there Memph (typo, or is that his WXV average?) meaning we have two of the best three ruckman in the league at the moment. Not to mention a 21-year-old averaging 83. We've certainly come a long way from the team that named Lindsay Thomas as ruck in the 2012 Grand Final!  8)

[Memphistopheles]

Will post this here as well as a reminder.

What we could have scored this week had we got all our team selections right. I'm not so naive to think we would have captained Martin, Longer or McCarthy over JPK (although perhaps we should consider it next week :P)

Cape Town Cobras

Def: Haynes (111), Pittard (101), Everitt (83), Higgins (82)
Mid: JP Kennedy (118*2=236), Bird (91), Cotchin (89), Curnow (71)
Ruc: Martin (140)
Fwd: McCarthy (124), Reid (115), Cameron (99), Crameri (74)
Uti: Longer (140), Blicavs (97).

Total: 1653 or 26.9 (165).