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.
XztatiK
January 29, 2009 at 11:08 pm
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.
m0nty
January 29, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Dangerfield is not fit enough for Craig’s liking according to recent reports I’ve read, X.
seagrim
January 29, 2009 at 11:21 pm
m0nty your not even considering Nick Lower in the frame to be in Port Adelaides team??
hamole
January 29, 2009 at 11:47 pm
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?
XztatiK
January 29, 2009 at 11:50 pm
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.
m0nty
January 29, 2009 at 11:53 pm
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.
Johno
January 30, 2009 at 12:01 am
no dempsey for Essendon :O
m0nty
January 30, 2009 at 12:21 am
Tell me who you would drop, Johno.
warnie
January 30, 2009 at 12:24 am
Ben Cousins?
m0nty
January 30, 2009 at 12:32 am
Nup warnie. I reckon they’ll want him to get more fit.
woowoo
January 30, 2009 at 1:25 am
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?
Dan
January 30, 2009 at 2:04 am
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.
Kenzie
January 30, 2009 at 2:10 am
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.
Nickelass
January 30, 2009 at 8:29 am
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.
Chad
January 30, 2009 at 9:03 am
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).
Warnie
January 30, 2009 at 9:55 am
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!
smithy_9
January 30, 2009 at 9:55 am
There is no way McMahon is an iffy player for richmond
Kris
January 30, 2009 at 10:35 am
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.
EI Champ
January 30, 2009 at 10:40 am
what do you guys think is a good projected score when selecting a practice Dream team? My best so far is 1845
Heater
January 30, 2009 at 10:52 am
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.
Anton
January 30, 2009 at 11:14 am
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 ?
Fatty
January 30, 2009 at 11:23 am
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.
simmertown
January 30, 2009 at 11:29 am
hey monty why did you leave aker out of the doggies lineup?
Mitch
January 30, 2009 at 11:58 am
Monty, if you seriously think that Rick Ladson is not in Hawthorns best 22 you are kidding yourself, you call yourself knowledgeable?
Mighty_bombers
January 30, 2009 at 12:11 pm
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.
m0nty
January 30, 2009 at 12:24 pm
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.
Dom
January 30, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Mitch Thorp is not close to a starting 22 spot, he is way behind Beau Dowler. Surprised you leaved him out???
SpikeSetsFire
January 30, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Excellent work, Monty. Very interesting read. =)
Just 8 more days till football is back for 2009. Woohoo!
Nick
January 30, 2009 at 1:13 pm
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.
chris
January 30, 2009 at 1:18 pm
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.
sam
January 30, 2009 at 1:25 pm
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
MiGZ
January 30, 2009 at 1:34 pm
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.
Ryan
January 30, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Myers not playing round 1?? i nearly fell off my chair Monty!!! He is a certainty
Brad
January 30, 2009 at 2:39 pm
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.
Dazza
January 30, 2009 at 2:48 pm
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.
Chris
January 30, 2009 at 3:01 pm
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.
m0nty
January 30, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Fitness is Butler’s issue.
ryz
January 30, 2009 at 4:09 pm
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?
scaff
January 30, 2009 at 4:53 pm
is there a reason mitch clarke isnt in the brisbane line up?
wal
January 30, 2009 at 5:09 pm
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.
XztatiK
January 30, 2009 at 5:18 pm
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…
XztatiK
January 30, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Swans will be trash this year.
Sezchuan
January 30, 2009 at 7:27 pm
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.
Warnie
January 30, 2009 at 9:00 pm
On Cuz…
http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=71595
Thorgils
January 30, 2009 at 9:24 pm
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.
Daniel
January 30, 2009 at 9:54 pm
For the Bulldogs
In: Akermanis, Callan, Harbrow
Out: Eagleton, Everitt, Ward
Why didnt you include Aker??
Lakey91
January 30, 2009 at 10:15 pm
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?
MiGZ
January 30, 2009 at 10:21 pm
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.
Chook
January 30, 2009 at 10:23 pm
An inspired effort, m0nty. Cheers for your hard work.
Lewis
January 31, 2009 at 12:32 am
David Wirrpanda won’t be playing for the Eagles, he’s playing in the Indigenous All Stars team.