WXV: Moscow Spetsnaz

[Jukes]

Trade News

Moscow trade: Heath Shaw
New York trade: Luke McDonald and David Armitage

[Jukes]

Team List (up to date)
1. Jaeger O'Meara (M)
2. Josh Jenkins (F)
3. Paul Seedsman (D)
4. Robbie Gray (M/F)
5. Dyson Heppell (M)
6. Joe Daniher (F)
7. Ryan Bastinac (M)
8. Callan Ward (M)
9. Nic Naitanui (R)
10. Sam Docherty (D)
11. Lynden Dunn (D)
12. David Armitage (M)
13. Nick Vlastuin (D/M)
14. James Frawley (D)
15. Jack Hombsch (D)
16. Levi Greenwood (M)
17. Darcy Moore (F)
18. Alex Pearce (D)
19. Jonathon Simpkin (M)
20. Dom Sheed (M)
21. Luke McDonald (D/M)
22. Tom Lee (F)
23. Jesse Hogan (F)
24. Josh Thomas (M)
25. Jarrod Pickett (M)
26. Matthew Fuller (D)
27. Steven May (D/F)
28. Tyrone Vickery (F)
29. Tom Barrass (D)
30. Sam Colquhoun (D/M)
31. Jack Sinclair (M/F)
32. Jared Hardisty (M)
33. Marc Pittonet (R)
34. David Ellard (M)
35. Fraser McInnes (F)
36. Michael Jamison (D)
38. Clancee Pearce (D)
39. Angus Monfries (F)
41. Hayden Ballantyne (F)
44. Corey Gault (R)

Rookies
37. Brenton Payne (F)
40. Ariel Steinberg (D)
41.
42.

[My Chumps]

IN
Daniher

You're an optimistic bloke to lock that in.

[Jukes]

IN
Daniher

You're an optimistic bloke to lock that in.

For the last time, there's an edit function! I'm trying to have an up-to-date team list, and that's as reliable as it gets. Should I keep shopping around Callum Sinclair?

[Jukes]

Trade News

Moscow trade: Dustin Martin
Dublin trade: Robbie Gray

[Jukes]

Trade News

Moscow trade: Jonathan Ceglar
Seoul trade: Hayden Ballantyne and Pick 28

[Torpedo10]

Best XV

Defenders: Lynden Dunn, Luke McDonald, James Frawley, Paul Seedsman
Midfielders: Ryan Griffen, Dyson Heppell, Callan Ward, Jaeger O'Meara
Ruckman: Nic Naitanui
Forwards: Robbie Gray, Angus Monfries, Hayden Ballantyne, Zac Clarke
Utility: David Armitage, Nick Vlastuin

Emergencies: Steven May, Josh Thomas, Josh Jenkins, Joe Daniher


FRINGE

Defenders: Sam Docherty, Matt Fuller, Jack Hombsch, Blayne Wilson, Dustin Fletcher, Jackson Allen, Sam Colquhoun, Tom Barass, Luke Tapscott, Marty Clarke, Sam Mengola, Fraser McInnes, Ariel Steinberg

Midfielders:Jonathan Simpkin, Dom Sheed, David Ellard, Alex Pearce, Caolan Mooney, Leigh Osbourne

Ruckmen: Eric Wallance, Tom Williams, Corey Gault,

Forwards: Jesse Hogan, Ty Vickery, Tom Lee, George Burbury, Johnny Rayner

[Justin Bieber]

Best XV

Defenders: Lynden Dunn, Luke McDonald, James Frawley, Paul Seedsman
Midfielders: Ryan Griffen, Dyson Heppell, Callan Ward, Jaeger O'Meara
Ruckman: Nic Naitanui
Forwards: Robbie Gray, Angus Monfries, Hayden Ballantyne, Zac Clarke
Utility: David Armitage, Nick Vlastuin

Emergencies: Steven May, Josh Thomas, Josh Jenkins, Joe Daniher

[23:44] Jukes: Quote torp's latest post and say "Hogan?"

[Jukes]

Moscow Weekly Monthly Occasionally

Official Delistments
Eric Wallace, Johnny Rayner, Marty Clarke, Caolan Mooney, Tom Williams, Blayne Wilson, George Burbury, Luke Tapscott, Sam Menegola, Jackson Allen, Leigh Osborne, and Dustin Fletcher. 11 young blokes, and one complete opposite, who had potential to be good, especially Wilson and Burbury, but missed their chances and it has cost them their spot in the top level of football. And for some evidence that gimmicks are never any good in football, three of our delistments are international recruits (Wallace - USA, Clarke - Ireland, Mooney- Ireland), while another was recruited from another sport (Rayner- athletics). Dustin Fletcher forced out as a cap casualty, but if unselected in any of the drafts will return as the Defensive Coordinator.

We will use NAT picks 14 and 17, pre-season picks in rounds 1 and 2, and rookie picks in rounds 1, 2 and 3 in the drafts, looking to select ruckmen and forwards primarily.


Captaincy
Dyson Heppell will be listed as co-captain for the 2014 season with Callan Ward, with Jaeger O'Meara and Robbie Gray vice-captains, with Nic Naitanui, Levi Greenwood, Luke McDonald, Joe Daniher and Ryan Bastinac rounding out the leadership group.


Stadium
To meet increasing demand for tickets and memberships, Luzhniki Stadium is being expanded to seat 120,000, up from just under 90,000 in previous seasons. The majority of pre-season training and pre-season matches will be undertaken at Metallurg Stadium, home of the Siberian Wolverines.

[Jukes]

Drafting

International Draft Pick 14. Darcy Moore
Defender/Forward (?), Oakleigh Chargers, 199cm, 93kg
Player Comparison: Jarryd Roughead
"The son of Collingwood great and two-time Brownlow medallist Peter Moore will join the Magpies, who could use key position player at either end of the ground. The 199cm Moore boasts excellent closing speed, a natural leap, strong marking ability over his head and smarts around goal."




International Draft Pick 17. Jarrod Pickett
Midfielder/Forward, South Fremantle, 179cm, 76kg
Player Comparison: Chris Yarran or Brad Hill
"Small forward/midfielder with electrifying pace who can set the game alight. Smart around goals and has elite endurance. Finished equal-second in the 20m sprint at the NAB AFL Draft Combine with a time of 2.87 sec and recorded a time of 2.87 sec in the agility run. Played five senior games this season for WAFL side South Fremantle, mainly as a deep forward. He averaged 14 possessions and three marks in his six hit-outs during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was a member of NAB AFL Academy Level 2 squad."




Preseason Draft Pick 7. Jack Sinclair
Midfielder/Forward, Oakleigh Chargers, 180cm, 78kg
"Small midfielder/forward who had a very consistent year for the Oakleigh Chargers and was given an opportunity to play three games with Port Melbourne in the VFL. He averaged 21.5 touches for the Chargers and kicked 13 goals in 15 appearances. He impressed with his composure and decision-making under pressure at VFL level and is described as a very professional, diligent footballer."




Preseason Draft Pick 12. Jared Hardisty
Midfielder, Claremont, 178cm, 86kg
"A hard-running, hard-nosed inside midfielder who was a ball magnet for Claremont in its charge to the WAFL Colts Grand Final. He averaged 27 touches per game in the midfield. He has great competitiveness and an enormous tank, running a 15.4 beep test. Can be swung forward and is a very team-oriented player with good skills. Is also a strong tackler, averaging 3.4 per game this season."




Preseason Draft Pick 15. Marc Pittonet
Ruckman, Oakleigh Chargers, 200cm, 100kg
Player Comparison: Matthew Lobbe
"Ruckman who is highly competitive and aggressive in the contest and directs the ball well at stoppages. Has good skill set, including his overhead marking. Covers the ground well and represented Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 11 disposals, five marks, three tackles and a goal at 81 per cent efficiency in two matches. Averaged 12 touches at TAC Cup level in 12 games. Finished equal-second in the clean hands test (25/30) at the NAB AFL Draft Combine."




Rookie Draft Pick 14. Brenton Payne
Midfielder/Forward, Western Jets, 193cm, 76kg
"Tall forward who times his leads well and has a strong pair of hands. Good repeat speed and applies excellent defensive pressure inside 50. Can play as a tall defender as well. Averaged nine possessions, two marks and two goals at 74 per cent efficiency in five appearances at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Played 13 games at TAC Cup level, averaging 13 touches and kicking 15 goals."




Rookie Draft Pick 32. Keenan Ramsey
Defender/Forward, Port Adelaide Magpies, 193cm, 86kg
Player Comparison: Lachie Henderson
"Tall defender with the ability to shut down his opponent and provide rebound. Uses the ball well by foot and excels in aerial and ground-level contests. Played all six matches at NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was a solid contributor, averaging 10 possessions, three tackles and three marks at 72 per cent efficiency. Shared top honours in the goalkicking test (30/30) at NAB AFL Draft Combine."



Rookie Draft Pick 46. Sean McLaren
Defender, Sandringham Dragons, 197cm, 92kg
"This versatile big man has shown he can spend quality minutes in both defence and the ruck. McLaren was part of the AIS program and played largely in defence for Vic Metro, using his good closing speed to keep highly rated Hugh Goddard in check. At TAC Cup level, the Dragons used his 197cm frame in the ruck, where he used his athleticism around the ground to impact contests. Is constantly improving and looks a good key position prospect who can provide valuable support in the ruck."

[Jukes]

Updated Depth Chart

Defenders
Starters: P. Seedsman, S. Docherty, L. Dunn, N. Vlastuin
Fringe: L. McDonald, J. Frawley, S. May
Depth: M. Jamison, C. Pearce, J. Hombsch, S. Colquhoun, M. Fuller, A. Pearce, T. Barrass, A. Steinberg*, K.  Ramsey*
Summary: Lots of great young talent in there, with arguably four of the best handful of defensive talent in there in Seedsman, Docherty, McDonald and Vlastuin, who could become the strongest defensive group in the league in a few seasons' time. The depth is strong, with more talented yet untested players in there such as Hombsch and Colquhoun. James Frawley could feel an added role in 2015.

Midfielders
Starters: C. Ward, D. Heppell, J. O'Meara, L. Greenwood
Fringe: R. Bastinac, D. Armitage, N. Vlastuin, J. Thomas, J. Pickett
Depth: J. Sinclair, D. Sheed, J. Simpkin, D. Ellard, J. Hardisty, S. Colquhoun
Other Position Starters: R. Gray, L. McDonald
Summary: Co-Captains Ward and Heppell are two of the best midfielders in the competition and will drive the team's success now and in years to come (they are just 24 and 22 years old!), in addition to one of the best young midfield talents in the league in Jaeger O'Meara. Greenwood could break out into elite status and join the aforementioned three at his new club, while Bastinac and Armitage provide great utility options. Thomas, Pickett, Sinclair and Sheed are very talented young players who will hope for gametime in 2015, while the depth is definitely there.

Ruckmen
Starter: N. Naitanui
Fringe: M. Pittonet, C. Gault
Summary: After trading away three players who all filled in at some point in 2014 in Sinclair, Clarke and Ceglar, we will be hoping Nic Nat hits his obvious best, such as when he averaged 114 in 2012. Pittonet and Gault are talented and will hope for some experience in 2015.

Forwards
Starters: R. Gray, T. Vickery, J. Daniher, A. Monfries
Fringe: J. Hogan, D. Moore, H. Ballantyne, J. Jenkins
Depth: J. Sinclair, T. Lee, F. McInnes, B. Payne*, K. Ramsey*
Summary: A place of little inspiration in 2014 is now a strength going forward. Daniher, Hogan and Moore could be three of the best tall forwards in the AFL within a few years, each having significant talent that will hopefully take them skyward. Robbie Gray adds experience (although just 26) and point-scoring ability, while Monfries, Ballantyne and Jenkins add depth. Sinclair could be a star, while Brenton Payne, despite being taken very late in the drafting, will hopefully be a future gem.

Current Best XV (with desired averages, rounded to nearest 5)
D: Seedsman (90), Vlastuin (85), Dunn (85), Docherty (85)
M: Ward (cc) (115), Heppell (cc) (115), O'Meara (110), Greenwood (105)
R: Naitanui (110)
F: Gray (110), Vickery (80), Daniher (80), Monfries (80)
U: Armitage (95), Bastinac (95)
Emg: Pickett, McDonald, Hogan
Total Desired Score (not including HGA): 1555

[Jukes]

Awards Post

Round 1
5. Sam Docherty
4. Dyson Heppell
3. Robbie Gray
2. Nick Vlastuin
1. Steven May
Best Clubman: Jesse Hogan

Round 2
5. David Armitage
4. Robbie Gray
3. Dyson Heppell
2. Callan Ward
1. Nic Naitanui
Best Clubman: Joe Daniher

Round 3
5. David Armitage
4. Callan Ward
3. Dyson Heppell
2. Steven May
1. Luke McDonald (I ain't giving 2 and 1 to guys who scored 80 and 77 so the EMGs can have it)
Best Clubman: Corey Gault

Round 4
5. Dyson Heppell
4. Callan Ward
3. Paul Seedsman
2. Jesse Hogan
1. David Armitage
Best Clubman: Dom Sheed

Round 5
5. David Armitage
4. Robbie Gray
3. Clancee Pearce
2. Sam Docherty
1. Paul Seedsman
Best Clubman: Lynden Dunn

Round 6
5. Robbie Gray
4. David Armitage
3. Callan Ward
2. Clancee Pearce
1. Dom Sheed
1. Sam Docherty
Best Clubman: Jack Sinclair

Round 7
5. Robbie Gray
4. Dyson Heppell
3. David Armitage
2. Angus Monfries
1. Clancee Pearce
Best Clubman: Dom Sheed

Round 8
5. Joe Daniher
4. Robbie Gray
3. Jesse Hogan
2. Callan Ward
1. Clancee Pearce
1. Jack Hombsch
Best Clubman: Nick Vlastuin

Round 9
5. Nic Naitanui
4. Robbie Gray
3. David Armitage
2. Angus Monfries
1. Dyson Heppell
Best Clubman: Jesse Hogan

Round 10
5. Callan Ward
4. Dyson Heppell
3. David Armitage
2. Robbie Gray
1. Lynden Dunn
1. Jack Hombsch
Best Clubman: Hayden Ballantyne

Round 11
5. Nic Naitanui
4. Dyson Heppell
3. Clancee Pearce
2. Jack Hombsch
1. Callan Ward
Best Clubman: Sam Docherty

EurAsia
5. Nic Naitanui
4. Callan Ward
3. Robbie Gray
2. Jaeger O'Meara (lel)

Round 12
5. David Armitage
4. Dyson Heppell
3. Robbie Gray
2. Nic Naitanui
1. Callan Ward
1. Dom Sheed

Round 13
5. Nic Naitanui
4. Joe Daniher
3. Callan Ward
2. Robbie Gray
1. Dyson Heppell
Best Clubman: Jack Hombsch

Round 14
5. Callan Ward
4. Robbie Gray
3. David Armitage
2. Jesse Hogan
1. Nick Vlastuin
Best Clubman: Angus Monfries

Round 15
5. Nic Naitanui
4. Ryan Bastinac
3. Dyson Heppell
2. Josh Jenkins
1. Darcy Moore
Best Clubman: Dom Sheed

Round 16
5. Robbie Gray
4. Levi Greenwood
3. Dyson Heppell
2. David Armitage
1. Dom Sheed
Best Clubman: Jack Sinclair and Tom Barrass

Round 17
5. Jesse Hogan
4. David Armitage
3. Lynden Dunn
2. Robbie Gray
1. Levi Greenwood
Best Clubman: Josh Jenkins

Elimination Final
7. David Armitage
6. Robbie Gray
5. Dyson Heppell
4. Callan Ward
3. Angus Monfries
2. Steven May
1. Nick Vlastuin
Best Clubman: Darcy Moore

Semi Final
7. Nic Naitanui
6. Robbie Gray
5. Dyson Heppell
4. Callan Ward
3. Sam Docherty
2. Dom Sheed
1. Lynden Dunn
Best Clubman: Josh Jenkins

[Jukes]

B&F Scoreboard
1. Robbie Gray (62)
2. Dyson Heppell and David Armitage (49)
4. Callan Ward (40)
5. Nic Naitanui (35)
6. Jesse Hogan (12)
7. Sam Docherty (11)
8. Clancee Pearce (10)
9. Joe Daniher (9)
10. Levi Greenwood, Lynden Dunn, and Dom Sheed (5)

[Jukes]

Since everybody's doing it, here's our trade review - and no, not including the many negged trades.

Trade 23
Dublin trade: Robbie Gray
Moscow trade: Dustin Martin
Result: No Gain
Summary: Pretty much a like-for-like trade here, if you exclude his concussion-affected game (where he was the leading scorer on ground before the sub), Gray averages 116, while Martin averages 109. Seeing as Gray is 3 years older, we'll call this one a draw.


Trade 26
Moscow trade: Jonathon Ceglar
Seoul trade: Hayden Ballantyne + Pick 28
Result: No Gain
Summary: Not the end of the world, but tbh we could use some ruck depth - Nic Nat has been our only playing ruckman all year. Ballantyne has played to a low standard most of the time, and we used 28 to get Armitage so it's alright.


Trade 30
Moscow trade: Callum Sinclair and Pick 35
London trade: Joe Daniher
Result: No Gain
Summary: If we were allowed to go ahead with the original trade, we'd win for sure. But seeing as nobody except us two coaches saw that Sinclair was actually good we were robbed of a pick. Daniher is still the future runner-up GOAT (behind Hogan), as shown by his Pyke/Jesaulenko Medal for BOG in the Peace Cup.


Trade 44
Moscow give: Heath Shaw and Picks 18 and 53
New York give: David Armitage and Luke McDonald
Result: Win
Heater has been great this season, averaging 106 down back. Armitage, meanwhile, has been averaging a lazy 116.4, with only 2 scores under 100. McDonald has been rubbish, 7 games for an average barely over 50, but seeing as he played 23 games in 2014 we're still confident in him being a future gun, although he'll have to fight for backline spots with Vlastuin, Docherty, Seedsman and Pearce.


Trade 96
Toronto Trade: Levi Greenwood, Michael Jamison and Pick 14
Moscow Trade: Ryan Griffen
Result: Win
Summary: Greenwood and Darcy Moore for Griff will certainly be a long-term win, assuming Greenwood ever returns from injury. But, seeing as Griff is averaging 90 this season (well below what he averaged with us), and neither Greenwood, Moore or Jamison have been able to get on the park, it's obviously a short-term loss - but we don't care.


Trade 142
Moscow Give: Zachary Clarke
NDT Give: Clancee Pearce and Ryan Bastinac
Result: Win
Summary: Bastinac (10 games at 71) and Clarke (11 games at 71) are both so dreadful they cancel each other out (although Basti is younger so maybe a slight advantage there). So we're left with Clancee Pearce - who has averaged 87 and played in every game this season, with his average let down by the first few weeks where he wasn't even in the team - remove those, and he averages 95.

[ossie85]

So Armitage still a chance to take out the B&F, given it is a 7 vote system in the finals?