Opinion 2024 AFL SuperCoach Planning Thread

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Watched Swans v GWS, felt pretty close to a regular season game with strongish sides. Nice conditions. Lots of rusty veterans though, to be expected.

Swans:
Notable absentees: Adams, Reid, Mills, Reid, Hamling (playing VFL), Francis, Melican (VFL)
Had a stronger team on paper and probably played out like that. Think I'd be happier to be GWS who seemed to rotate less and kept the game close too.

Grundy: Probably a bit dissapointing to be honest. Racked up frees for in the first half (at least 4) but very little hitouts to advantage, even when against Cadman. Good follow up work around the ground as would expect from him. Wasn't poor enough for me to take him out of my side but would've liked to see some more hitout wins, not that Briggs is a slouch or anything though

Jordon: Mostly wing but did have the occassional CBA, probably 1-2 a quarter.. Found the ball a lot, especially first half.. Less touches once Gulden came on.. I'm very skeptical of his role in the team once Mills/Adams are in the team (and Gulden, who missed most of the first half) but did play well when he was out there. Kinda feel like he's the perfect sub based on Sydney's team

Lloyd: Most of the kick-outs.. Maybe he's not fantasy relevant but was his usual seagull game

Roberts: Was quiet in Q1 and a bit unlucky.. Did get more ball in Q2.. Also tackled quite well, counted at least 3 tackles as well as a HTB for one of them. He's a SC lock if he's in the 22, my only concern would be if Mills came into the team and kind of played his role? Hopefully that would be at the expense of Cunningham rather than Roberts if that was the case

Parker: Deepest forward at times in Q1.. Otherwise just in the mid rotations.. Felt a bit like Simpkin's game yesterday, where he gave up CBA's to play forward but I'm still not sure what would happen in the regular season

Heeney: Opening CBA, otherwise mostly forward

McInerney: Opening CBA.. Lots of inside mid time first half... Back to the wing 2nd half

Chad Warner: Opening goal.. Drifting forward a lot.. Caught Green in a HTB tackle for another goal.. Wing occasionally.. Nothing of particular note

McLean: 2nd ruck, was solid

Gulden: Entered game late in 2nd.. Quick free and centre clearance.. Started Q3 wing and most of 2nd half there.. Usual self but I think he'll be more wing this year than last.. 36% CBA's last year, felt like a 20-25% CBA game today.

Blakey - Like a pack of seagulls forming with Blakey/Lloyd/Roberts/Florent around when there is a kick-in.. Most of the time it wasn't but certainly one passage where Roberts wanted the kick-in, Blakey used his seniority and Lloyd was hanging around for a cheap mark too :LOL:

Papley - Started Q3 wing lol.. Otherwise mostly forward

McDonald - Probably BOG, kicked accurately at goal, 4 goals

Fox - Wing when I saw him.. Assume he's depth

Sheldrick - Q4 only: Didn't do much out there

CoreyWarner - Q4 only: Didn't do much out there

Edwards - No idea how much of the game he played but was out there (apparently)
-------------------------------
GWS:
Notable absentees: Greene, Haynes, Perryman, Cumming, Callaghan, Darcy Jones
Feels like they are primed this year, some big strengths all over the field

Buckley: Racking up intercept marks Q1, close to BOG for GWS

Cadman: This was going to be a bunch of negative comments with dropped marks, frees against, poor kicks... But then he had some nice lead-up marks and goals.. Some secondary ruck time so he was around the ball and broke even with Grundy. Think he had 4 goals? So was solid in the end.. He's $127,600 so has to be considered as a slow burner on the forward line bench, if he's in the Round 0/1 team

Whitfield: Majority of kick-ins.. Not much of interest to note

Himmelberg: Some kick-ins, looked fine

Riccardi: 2nd ruck at times (Probably Briggs 80% Riccardi 10% Cadman 10%) - I did hear they are using Cadman more as 2nd ruck this year to get him involved

Aleer: Looking ok in defence, intercept marks.. $123900 but not sure there's a spot for him.. Maybe competing against Haynes? But would also be teams they don't need a 3rd/4th tall so might just be backup for Taylor/Buckley

Harvey Thomas: Only draftee out there? Mostly HFF although did run up and down the ground, even taking a kick-out. Nice crumbing goal in Q4. $117300 but can't imagine he'd play early unless injuries to Greene/Daniels/Bedford etc.

Green - HTB a few times.. Very rusty.. Nice defensive intercept mark Q3.. Not much of note

Hogan - Rusty early but some nice goals.. Gave one away to Cadman in Q3.. Had 4, nice focal point

Macmullin - Poor then run down HTB, didn't do much

Keeffe - 2nd half only

Kelly - Very quiet, noticed him Q3 kick I50.. Actually no idea how much TOG he had.. Not of interest to me

Ward - Looks a bit trimmer? Might be camera angle lol.. Played fine

Fahey - Just ok today, mostly defence, $136500, don't think he'll be playing early

Wehr - Nice goal early drifting down from the wing. Had a huge Q4 racking it up. I'm not sure if there's a spot for him, potentially a watch on Cumming early in the season who's injured but expected back I believe. $123900 would be a nice M11 if he was to play.

Darcy Jones - DNP, expected to play next week though



Athomas final thoughts:
Grundy
was ok but I'd want to see a little more next week, even if it is only pre-season. I've gone from no interest in Jordon to watching the Swans closely next week, his biggest issue is going to be squeezing into the 22 IMO. Roberts role was good and the tackling was a bonus, still need to make sure he's in the 22 with Mills the main player that may affect him, no other defenders were missing today that I think would hurt his job security, Fox was on a wing. We won't see Sheldrick early into the season IMO.

Not really looking at any GWS premiums, although Green was rusty today. I don't think Fahey/Aleer/Thomas will be in the team early, but potential downgrade targets if injuries were to hit GWS. See how Darcy Jones goes next week but it's clearly a strong GWS 22 at the moment, even with a few missing. Wehr interests me a lot, it would be good if Cumming is fit (or out for a longer period of time) so we know where he sits in the pecking order. Cadman another rookie to consider, although I didn't see Brown much today (was in the squad) - Cadman is definitely ahead of Keeffe at the moment and they'll likely use Cadman (or Riccardi) as 2nd ruck to start the season.
 
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Watched Swans v GWS, felt pretty close to a regular season game with strongish sides. Nice conditions. Lots of rusty veterans though, to be expected.

Swans:
Notable absentees: Adams, Reid, Mills, Reid, Hamling (playing VFL), Francis, Melican (VFL)
Had a stronger team on paper and probably played out like that. Think I'd be happier to be GWS who seemed to rotate less and kept the game close too.

Grundy: Probably a bit dissapointing to be honest. Racked up frees for in the first half (at least 4) but very little hitouts to advantage, even when against Cadman. Good follow up work around the ground as would expect from him. Wasn't poor enough for me to take him out of my side but would've liked to see some more hitout wins, not that Briggs is a slouch or anything though

Jordon: Mostly wing but did have the occassional CBA, probably 1-2 a quarter.. Found the ball a lot, especially first half.. Less touches once Gulden came on.. I'm very skeptical of his role in the team once Mills/Adams are in the team (and Gulden, who missed most of the first half) but did play well when he was out there. Kinda feel like he's the perfect sub based on Sydney's team

Lloyd: Most of the kick-outs.. Maybe he's not fantasy relevant but was his usual seagull game

Roberts: Was quiet in Q1 and a bit unlucky.. Did get more ball in Q2.. Also tackled quite well, counted at least 3 tackles as well as a HTB for one of them. He's a SC lock if he's in the 22, my only concern would be if Mills came into the team and kind of played his role? Hopefully that would be at the expense of Cunningham rather than Roberts if that was the case

Parker: Deepest forward at times in Q1.. Otherwise just in the mid rotations.. Felt a bit like Simpkin's game yesterday, where he gave up CBA's to play forward but I'm still not sure what would happen in the regular season

Heeney: Opening CBA, otherwise mostly forward

McInerney: Opening CBA.. Lots of inside mid time first half... Back to the wing 2nd half

Chad Warner: Opening goal.. Drifting forward a lot.. Caught Green in a HTB tackle for another goal.. Wing occasionally.. Nothing of particular note

McLean: 2nd ruck, was solid

Gulden: Entered game late in 2nd.. Quick free and centre clearance.. Started Q3 wing and most of 2nd half there.. Usual self but I think he'll be more wing this year than last.. 36% CBA's last year, felt like a 20-25% CBA game today.

Blakey - Like a pack of seagulls forming with Blakey/Lloyd/Roberts/Florent around when there is a kick-in.. Most of the time it wasn't but certainly one passage where Roberts wanted the kick-in, Blakey used his seniority and Lloyd was hanging around for a cheap mark too :LOL:

Papley - Started Q3 wing lol.. Otherwise mostly forward

McDonald - Probably BOG, kicked accurately at goal, 4 goals

Fox - Wing when I saw him.. Assume he's depth

Sheldrick - Q4 only: Didn't do much out there

CoreyWarner - Q4 only: Didn't do much out there

Edwards - No idea how much of the game he played but was out there (apparently)
-------------------------------
GWS:
Notable absentees: Greene, Haynes, Perryman, Cumming, Callaghan, Darcy Jones
Feels like they are primed this year, some big strengths all over the field

Buckley: Racking up intercept marks Q1, close to BOG for GWS

Cadman: This was going to be a bunch of negative comments with dropped marks, frees against, poor kicks... But then he had some nice lead-up marks and goals.. Some secondary ruck time so he was around the ball and broke even with Grundy. Think he had 4 goals? So was solid in the end.. He's $127,600 so has to be considered as a slow burner on the forward line bench, if he's in the Round 0/1 team

Whitfield: Majority of kick-ins.. Not much of interest to note

Himmelberg: Some kick-ins, looked fine

Riccardi: 2nd ruck at times (Probably Briggs 80% Riccardi 10% Cadman 10%) - I did hear they are using Cadman more as 2nd ruck this year to get him involved

Aleer: Looking ok in defence, intercept marks.. $123900 but not sure there's a spot for him.. Maybe competing against Haynes? But would also be teams they don't need a 3rd/4th tall so might just be backup for Taylor/Buckley

Harvey Thomas: Only draftee out there? Mostly HFF although did run up and down the ground, even taking a kick-out. Nice crumbing goal in Q4. $117300 but can't imagine he'd play early unless injuries to Greene/Daniels/Bedford etc.

Green - HTB a few times.. Very rusty.. Nice defensive intercept mark Q3.. Not much of note

Hogan - Rusty early but some nice goals.. Gave one away to Cadman in Q3.. Had 4, nice focal point

Macmullin - Poor then run down HTB, didn't do much

Keeffe - 2nd half only

Kelly - Very quiet, noticed him Q3 kick I50.. Actually no idea how much TOG he had.. Not of interest to me

Ward - Looks a bit trimmer? Might be camera angle lol.. Played fine

Fahey - Just ok today, mostly defence, $136500, don't think he'll be playing early

Wehr - Nice goal early drifting down from the wing. Had a huge Q4 racking it up. I'm not sure if there's a spot for him, potentially a watch on Cumming early in the season who's injured but expected back I believe. $123900 would be a nice M11 if he was to play.

Darcy Jones - DNP, expected to play next week though



Athomas final thoughts:
Grundy
was ok but I'd want to see a little more next week, even if it is only pre-season. I've gone from no interest in Jordon to watching the Swans closely next week, his biggest issue is going to be squeezing into the 22 IMO. Roberts role was good and the tackling was a bonus, still need to make sure he's in the 22 with Mills the main player that may affect him, no other defenders were missing today that I think would hurt his job security, Fox was on a wing. We won't see Sheldrick early into the season IMO.

Not really looking at any GWS premiums, although Green was rusty today. I don't think Fahey/Aleer/Thomas will be in the team early, but potential downgrade targets if injuries were to hit GWS. See how Darcy Jones goes next week but it's clearly a strong GWS 22 at the moment, even with a few missing. Wehr interests me a lot, it would be good if Cumming is fit (or out for a longer period of time) so we know where he sits in the pecking order. Cadman another rookie to consider, although I didn't see Brown much today (was in the squad) - Cadman is definitely ahead of Keeffe at the moment and they'll likely use Cadman (or Riccardi) as 2nd ruck to start the season.
AT channelling his inner @wogitalia
 

Ben's Beasts

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Just on Roberts, this comment from one of the moderators on the Sydney board over at BF seems to be the general consensus;

"I think unless they have huge games next week, both Roberts and Sheldrick miss out and all three of McInerney, Jordon and Campbell are in the 22."
 
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Just on Roberts, this comment from one of the moderators on the Sydney board over at BF seems to be the general consensus;

"I think unless they have huge games next week, both Roberts and Sheldrick miss out and all three of McInerney, Jordon and Campbell are in the 22."
Definitely tight for spots. Rampe/Lloyd/Blakely/Florent/McCartin take up 5 of the 7 defender spots, so for me it depends what they want to do with the last two spots. Cunningham, Roberts (& I think Edwards) played today, with Melican/Hamling in the VFL and Mills out of the team. Campbell was mostly on the wing so I'm not sure he's directly competing with Roberts.

I'd put Gulden/Campbell/McInerney on the wing, with Jordon sub. Even with that setup, that may push Mills to float through defence for one of Roberts/Cunningham.

Be interesting what Sydney do, guess it helps we have a Round 0 game for them!
 

Ben's Beasts

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Still early days but we may not have a single 117k player available for round 1. Possibly Simpson but he's looking more unlikely than likely from what I've read out of Freo.

Also, unless Phillips plays we may not have any 102k players available either.
 
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Anyone got notes on Tom Stewart? I’m happy to presume it’s business as usual for him but would like to know if their is any legitimacy to the midfield talk in the off-season or if it’s all just rubbish.
 
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https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/02...-key-cat-injured-takeaways-from-geelongs-win/

Carlton and Geelong braved the heat at Princes Park on Thursday afternoon in a competitive hit-out.

The Cats led for most of the day, winning 10.13. (73) to 8. 8. (56). Both teams were inaccurate in front of goal, clearly showing some rust up forward.

Geelong rotated almost their entire squad in the win, while the Blues were without the likes of Jacob Weitering, Sam Walsh, Zac Williams and Caleb Marchbank.

All both teams would have hoped for is to get through unscathed, but unfortunately for Geelong, Cam Guthrie came from the field almost immediately with a quad injury.

The Blues will face Melbourne next Wednesday, while Geelong hosts Essendon on Friday

Carlton takeaways
Harry McKay’s goal kicking woes remain unchanged

Do you take the glass half full or the glass half empty when it com
es to a pre-season game in late February?

On one hand, McKay took big marks, showed improved ruck craft which will greatly help Carlton structurally and looked super fit.

On the other, he had five set shots at goal – one from 50m out that didn’t score, one from the left forward pocket that he jagged, and two from the top of the goal square that he missed. The fifth came in the last quarter, a lovely set shot from 50.

What this suggests is that his goal kicking yips, which derailed his 2023 season, remain to some extent.

But again, it’s February.

If McKay can fill the backup ruck void for the Blues in 2024, it would allow them to play the extra runner as opposed to two ruckmen.

The Blues have a small forward selection headache

Carlton will have a few to pick from this year inside 50. Jesse Motlop looked great against the Cats and appears to be a lock in the best 22, while Orazio Fantasia was also impressive, looking fit and having an impact whenever he went near the ball.

Elijah Hollands had a few scrappy moments, but covered the ground well and looks to be well in the mix once he serves his two-game suspension.

Then you have Matt Owies, David Cuningham, Lachie Fogarty, Corey Durdin and the returning Jack Martin all fighting for only a few spots.

And that’s before considering draftee Ashton Moir, who had a few nice moments against Geelong, kicking two goals.

Who replaces Jacob Weitering?

With Jacob Weitering set to miss the start of the 2024 season, the battle is on to fill the hole.

Caleb Marchbank (who missed with illness) and Mitch McGovern are locks for Opening Round, with one of Brodie Kemp, Lewis Young or Sam Durdin likely to grab the third spot.

Kemp and Young had rocky outings on Thursday, with neither really putting their hand firmly up.

Durdin didn’t play against the Cats for load management reasons, but he will be available to face Melbourne.

At this stage, there doesn’t appear to be a clear frontrunner.

Ollie Hollands will go to another level

Already a great runner, Hollands had a great debut season, playing 19 games including three finals.

He appears to have had an excellent pre-season, with the Blues using him on-ball as well as through the wings.

Expect the 20-year-old to lock in his spot in the club’s best 22 this season.

Geelong takeaways
Cam Guthrie quad injury could spell disaster

It’s simple. Geelong’s hopes of returning to its 2023 form hinged on its midfield showing its true colours. Guthrie was a central piece to that after missing all but six games of 2023.

In his return to AFL-level football, he pinged a quad in the very first minute of the game. Guthrie immediately grabbed at his right leg and hobbled off the ground.

While it didn’t set the tone and the Cats impressed across the game, it’s a worrying development given Guthrie’s importance to the team.

Guthrie would be in the top handful of Cats most important to Chris Scott in 2024, as is Sam De Koning, who overcame his own injury concern during the hitout.

Patrick Dangerfield, Mark Blicavs, Tanner Bruhn, Jhye Clark and more all ran through the midfield and the Cats do have the depth to cover Guthrie.

However, it’s unlikely they have the class and his absence would be a blow for the early parts of the season, assuming he misses.

Hawkins and Cameron won’t be the be-all and end-all in 2024

The Cats veterans were roaming the forward line all day and were in cruise control. Geelong fans will no doubt be overjoyed their two key pillars are already up and running for the new season.

And while Jeremy Cameron’s brilliance was on display on several occasions, he and Tom Hawkins didn’t take centre stage for much of the four quarters.

Instead, Shannon Neale – who has played five AFL games – was pivotal and looked a player ready to grasp his chance with his aerial ability.

Ollie Henry also took several strong marks and was lively inside 50, while Ollie Dempsey did his chances of breaking back into Scott’s team no harm and sat on Blake Acres’ head for the mark of the game.

If all of Geelong’s forwards are up and running, not only will there be plenty of competition for spot, but plenty of competition for goals.

O’Sullivan will play senior footy early in 2024

How or where exactly Geelong’s top pick of the 2023 draft fits into Chris Scott’s lineup is still to be seen. All that’s clear is that he will.

O’Sullivan looked assured with ball in hand spending most of his time behind the footy and already standing at 198cms and weighing 92kgs, he’s got the body of an AFL athlete.

Geelong’s defence was its most settled line in 2023. But he’s shown genuine ball-winning ability as a junior and his running power could also see him move up the wing.

It’s not hard to see why teammate Gryan Miers said he’d offer O’Sullivan a 10-year contract straight away.
 
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