Discussion 2022 AFL: Practice Matches & AAMI Community Series Discussion
- Thread starter RIAL
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Haven't seen the game, but can someone please reassure me that Caldwell was still ok despite only attending the 3 centre bounces 
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I think Treloar averages low 100’s but is a pretty big injury risk. He got a bit of inside mid time early last year and if that continues that’s about what he’ll average imo.
Hard to fit him in with Dunkley a lock, Heeney and Butters being cheaper but behind those two and Thomas he’d be my next option.
Hard to fit him in with Dunkley a lock, Heeney and Butters being cheaper but behind those two and Thomas he’d be my next option.
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Dogs vs Bombers
General - 4 flat 30 minute quarters. Both sides appeared to be using 22 from what I could tell, were some changes at HT/3QT and Baldwin also came on for a bit when Francis was off hurt but otherwise seemed to be the same 22s per quarter.
Pretty low intensity game, players GPS numbers would have been good as it was wide open circle work for the majority of the game and the outside guys tended to benefit from that a fair bit. Not sure either coach would be terribly pleased with the game but believe both got through without injuries so would take that.
Bombers - Got the win, although were beaten in the 1st half when the 1st teams were playing. Some good contributions from some of the younger guys would be the main takeaway for them, don't think there were any real surprises here strategically.
Perhaps the only thing of note tactically was the kick-ins. They had a very clear nearest man policy going on, 5 different players took the kick-ins.
Numerical order
McGrath - Played HB for the entire game from what I could tell, I didn't notice him at a CB but may have been one, didn't notice on wings either. Seemed a pretty set role.
Draper - He was alright but did nothing to make me want to pick him and I'm honestly really wanting him to do something so I could justify picking him. I thought he was the best tap ruckman from what I could see but not noteworthy and given he faced probably the worst rucking ruck pair in the league that's not great.
Parish - Was good, probably his standard game where I think he had 20-25 touches but he actually had 40, just one of those guys who racks it up without notice for me but role was as expected and he looks good. Definitely could be a good POD this year. Wouldn't shock me if he pushes 120+.
Langford - Playing HF/wing type of role, was solid. MID only this year so not relevant to me.
Smith - Forward pocket/HF role. Not relevant.
Caldwell - HF with very limited midfield rotations, would love to see the actual CB numbers but I wouldn't be shocked if he was below 2 for the game. I didn't like the role for fantasy purposes but it's the one that makes sense from a real football perspective. Looks in good nick otherwise and still played well but would like a lot more midfield time if I'm to pick him.
Merrett - Pure midfield role, I was watching for the HB move and if it happened I missed it. Was really solid and did nothing to change what he is.
Hobbs - Pretty sure he only played Q4, did some nice things once he was on, would have had a half dozen touches in that quarter, but not really a great sign. Role was ideal but kind of meaningless at that point of the game when plenty of guys were off. Would take something significant to think he's best 22 after this.
Shiel - Pure midfield role for him, starting CB with Merrett and Parish the majority of bounces, would think Stringer replaces him when/if fit but he was alright. Same old for him and nothing different to report.
Francis - Had an injury scare but came back and was fine. Did a few nice things but was definitely a bit tentative after the injury. Important for their structure.
Snelling - FP/HF role as per LY, nothing to note, probably improves slightly again but hard to see the leap.
Cutler - HB and was solid. Nothing new here either.
Cox - Wing and was very good. Not fantasy relevant for mine though.
Ridley - The positives: He took a great mark, he had a very good 3rd quarter, his role was fairly loose, mostly manning Hannan although in the 1st half he got stuck on Naughton multiple times. The negatives: took only 2 kick-ins, albeit robbed of one by the siren. There was no focus on getting him the ball, they've got a lot of good kicks and didn't seem to want or try to prioritise him being slightly better and instead wanted to move faster. His 1st half was horrible, can't have had more than 5 touches. He actually probably scored alright on the back of the 3rd alone but it's hard to really come away impressed with this one. Looked far more like last year than 2020.
Laverde - Solid in defense.
Perkins - Was quiet but alright in 1st half, went on ball for the 2nd half and was much more prolific. He offers something different in the midfield so makes sense to use him there.
Stewart - Very solid in defense.
Hind - Strong in the 1st half, quiet after that. Same role as LY.
Wright - I think he went off at some point as I stopped noticing him. KPF and 2nd ruck, wasn't great, wasn't terrible.
Heppell - Started wing, was prolific early. I don't think he played much in the 2nd half as he really faded out of the game. Looks a very viable pick, especially in DT formats where his junky tendencies aren't punished but are in fact rewarded!
Jones - Only played the first half, was their best forward option, just presents so much better than the others.
Baldwin - On for a few minutes in the 1st when Francis went down, was really solid in the 2nd half. Like Jones he stands out because he actually seems to know where to go as a forward and gets dangerous. Definitely should see him this year at some point.
Redman - Defense, same as last year, took kick-ins if he was close to them.
Kelly - He actually went forwards with the ball once in this game, which is probably his season quota filled. Still the same skilled defender who stunts ball movement like few ever have. He got plenty of it which is not a good thing. Played well though and did free up Ridley, especially as the game went on.
Guelfi - Only played the 1st half I believe, didn't do anything of note.
Martin - Was really solid after coming on at HT, Wanganeen has the name hype but I thought Martin was better again.
Wanganeen - Came on in Q4 and looked like a blazing fast guy should when everyone else is fatigued. Couple of really nice goals and did some nice things. Definitely a good competition with Martin, wouldn't shock me if they just took both as Martin has a lot more versatility and overall skills but Wanganeen fills a need. Wouldn't shock me if one or both played early if they do get picked up either. They both offer more than Guelfi as forward types.
Got 10,000 worded so split the two teams into their own posts...
General - 4 flat 30 minute quarters. Both sides appeared to be using 22 from what I could tell, were some changes at HT/3QT and Baldwin also came on for a bit when Francis was off hurt but otherwise seemed to be the same 22s per quarter.
Pretty low intensity game, players GPS numbers would have been good as it was wide open circle work for the majority of the game and the outside guys tended to benefit from that a fair bit. Not sure either coach would be terribly pleased with the game but believe both got through without injuries so would take that.
Bombers - Got the win, although were beaten in the 1st half when the 1st teams were playing. Some good contributions from some of the younger guys would be the main takeaway for them, don't think there were any real surprises here strategically.
Perhaps the only thing of note tactically was the kick-ins. They had a very clear nearest man policy going on, 5 different players took the kick-ins.
Numerical order
McGrath - Played HB for the entire game from what I could tell, I didn't notice him at a CB but may have been one, didn't notice on wings either. Seemed a pretty set role.
Draper - He was alright but did nothing to make me want to pick him and I'm honestly really wanting him to do something so I could justify picking him. I thought he was the best tap ruckman from what I could see but not noteworthy and given he faced probably the worst rucking ruck pair in the league that's not great.
Parish - Was good, probably his standard game where I think he had 20-25 touches but he actually had 40, just one of those guys who racks it up without notice for me but role was as expected and he looks good. Definitely could be a good POD this year. Wouldn't shock me if he pushes 120+.
Langford - Playing HF/wing type of role, was solid. MID only this year so not relevant to me.
Smith - Forward pocket/HF role. Not relevant.
Caldwell - HF with very limited midfield rotations, would love to see the actual CB numbers but I wouldn't be shocked if he was below 2 for the game. I didn't like the role for fantasy purposes but it's the one that makes sense from a real football perspective. Looks in good nick otherwise and still played well but would like a lot more midfield time if I'm to pick him.
Merrett - Pure midfield role, I was watching for the HB move and if it happened I missed it. Was really solid and did nothing to change what he is.
Hobbs - Pretty sure he only played Q4, did some nice things once he was on, would have had a half dozen touches in that quarter, but not really a great sign. Role was ideal but kind of meaningless at that point of the game when plenty of guys were off. Would take something significant to think he's best 22 after this.
Shiel - Pure midfield role for him, starting CB with Merrett and Parish the majority of bounces, would think Stringer replaces him when/if fit but he was alright. Same old for him and nothing different to report.
Francis - Had an injury scare but came back and was fine. Did a few nice things but was definitely a bit tentative after the injury. Important for their structure.
Snelling - FP/HF role as per LY, nothing to note, probably improves slightly again but hard to see the leap.
Cutler - HB and was solid. Nothing new here either.
Cox - Wing and was very good. Not fantasy relevant for mine though.
Ridley - The positives: He took a great mark, he had a very good 3rd quarter, his role was fairly loose, mostly manning Hannan although in the 1st half he got stuck on Naughton multiple times. The negatives: took only 2 kick-ins, albeit robbed of one by the siren. There was no focus on getting him the ball, they've got a lot of good kicks and didn't seem to want or try to prioritise him being slightly better and instead wanted to move faster. His 1st half was horrible, can't have had more than 5 touches. He actually probably scored alright on the back of the 3rd alone but it's hard to really come away impressed with this one. Looked far more like last year than 2020.
Laverde - Solid in defense.
Perkins - Was quiet but alright in 1st half, went on ball for the 2nd half and was much more prolific. He offers something different in the midfield so makes sense to use him there.
Stewart - Very solid in defense.
Hind - Strong in the 1st half, quiet after that. Same role as LY.
Wright - I think he went off at some point as I stopped noticing him. KPF and 2nd ruck, wasn't great, wasn't terrible.
Heppell - Started wing, was prolific early. I don't think he played much in the 2nd half as he really faded out of the game. Looks a very viable pick, especially in DT formats where his junky tendencies aren't punished but are in fact rewarded!
Jones - Only played the first half, was their best forward option, just presents so much better than the others.
Baldwin - On for a few minutes in the 1st when Francis went down, was really solid in the 2nd half. Like Jones he stands out because he actually seems to know where to go as a forward and gets dangerous. Definitely should see him this year at some point.
Redman - Defense, same as last year, took kick-ins if he was close to them.
Kelly - He actually went forwards with the ball once in this game, which is probably his season quota filled. Still the same skilled defender who stunts ball movement like few ever have. He got plenty of it which is not a good thing. Played well though and did free up Ridley, especially as the game went on.
Guelfi - Only played the 1st half I believe, didn't do anything of note.
Martin - Was really solid after coming on at HT, Wanganeen has the name hype but I thought Martin was better again.
Wanganeen - Came on in Q4 and looked like a blazing fast guy should when everyone else is fatigued. Couple of really nice goals and did some nice things. Definitely a good competition with Martin, wouldn't shock me if they just took both as Martin has a lot more versatility and overall skills but Wanganeen fills a need. Wouldn't shock me if one or both played early if they do get picked up either. They both offer more than Guelfi as forward types.
Got 10,000 worded so split the two teams into their own posts...
Dogs - Same old for them, no surprises here either, probably a pretty good indicator of how things will be in the real stuff.
Kick-ins for them could not have contrasted more with the Bombers approach, Richards took one when Dale and Daniel were both off the field but otherwise those two took every single one, there was one where Daniel ran from 65m out past about 5 other Dogs all fleeing the goal square area so he could take it, such was the level of rigidity they seemed to have. A great sign for the fantasy prospects of those two.
Treloar - Probably the best player on the field, was enormous after half time as he picked up the lion's share of Bonts midfield minutes going from being the 3rd guy to the main guy in the 2nd half. Looked in ripping nick. Q4 the only quarter he wasn't in the starting CB group. Hard to ignore that role and how well he played.
JUH - Nup, offered nothing.
Wallis - Came on in 2nd half, did very little.
Bont - Played only the first half, outside some seriously suspect handball efficiency he looked like Bont. Was clearly the midfielder spending the most time forward though which is worth noting as he's not very good there and it definitely knocks significant points off his SC scoring. Started in the mid first, started forward second. Looks good but I didn't love how much time he was forward, as someone who is looking for reasons to pick him probably the biggest takeaway was a reason not to.
Dunkley - Really strong role. Notable lack of tape on the shoulder is probably a good sign. Was the 4/5th mid in the first half but playing a high HF role that pushed up as an extra man on the ball anyway, I think that's the smartest way to use him. It wasn't a demanding performance but it ticked boxes for me.
B. Smith - Missed with groin tightness, sinks that battleship.
Hunter - Wing/HF role as always, was really good.
Martin - Seemed to ruck and push forward more of the two rucks while English floated back more. I mean he looked dead as a player 3 years ago and nothing has changed and, imo, he's just stunting English's growth at this point.
Macrae - I think he started forward for first CB but was inside for the start of the other 3 quarters, he was prolific as ever, probably the other standout for best on ground. Did absolutely nothing to deter my desire to select him.
Cordy - Stock standard in defense.
Schache - Playing defense, was solid.
Duryea - Came on at HT for Daniel, stock.
Weightman - Pocket, nothing to really note here should improve naturally but not enough to matter.
Richards - Playing in defense, reckon taking the Wood spot (with some adjustment, not direct replacement), was really solid.
Libba - The other 4/5th mid, him and Dunkley mostly split that contested bull slot with two starting CB quarters each. He was rock solid as always.
LVDM - Same as Weightman basically.
McComb - Came on at HT for Bont and played the same role, getting decent CB attendances and then pushing forward mostly. He did some nice things but nothing that says pick me to either fantasy coaches or Bevo. Was just solid essentially.
Hannan - Started wing but played forward. Solid game.
Dale - Prolific off half back, ball use wasn't as good as usual but the totals were real nice I would guess. Looks primed for a big year. Did some intercept work but was hoping for a fair bit more pronounced role in it for me to pick him. Definitely could average 100+ though.
Jones - Came on at HT and was solid, first few touches were rushed and that was a flaw in general for him but did settle and was very prolific for a rookie, played wing from what I could tell. Don't think he's there round 1 but definitely worth watching.
Naughton - Stock standard, looked really good.
Williams - Defense, same role as LY.
Daniel - Only played a half, was very good. Definitely worth watching though I think he and Dale probably get in each other's way at the end of it all so personally happy to wait and see if that is/isn't true before jumping. Good value still though.
JJ - Playing HF, was decent.
English - Really good game from him, ruckwork was, let's go with mediocre, but around the ground was very good, had multiple intercept marks and a few nice marks around the ground as well, sweeping to defense almost to play a 3rd tall role it would seem, could score very well in that role but would be so hard to pick him still if Martin is in the way.
Kick-ins for them could not have contrasted more with the Bombers approach, Richards took one when Dale and Daniel were both off the field but otherwise those two took every single one, there was one where Daniel ran from 65m out past about 5 other Dogs all fleeing the goal square area so he could take it, such was the level of rigidity they seemed to have. A great sign for the fantasy prospects of those two.
Treloar - Probably the best player on the field, was enormous after half time as he picked up the lion's share of Bonts midfield minutes going from being the 3rd guy to the main guy in the 2nd half. Looked in ripping nick. Q4 the only quarter he wasn't in the starting CB group. Hard to ignore that role and how well he played.
JUH - Nup, offered nothing.
Wallis - Came on in 2nd half, did very little.
Bont - Played only the first half, outside some seriously suspect handball efficiency he looked like Bont. Was clearly the midfielder spending the most time forward though which is worth noting as he's not very good there and it definitely knocks significant points off his SC scoring. Started in the mid first, started forward second. Looks good but I didn't love how much time he was forward, as someone who is looking for reasons to pick him probably the biggest takeaway was a reason not to.
Dunkley - Really strong role. Notable lack of tape on the shoulder is probably a good sign. Was the 4/5th mid in the first half but playing a high HF role that pushed up as an extra man on the ball anyway, I think that's the smartest way to use him. It wasn't a demanding performance but it ticked boxes for me.
B. Smith - Missed with groin tightness, sinks that battleship.
Hunter - Wing/HF role as always, was really good.
Martin - Seemed to ruck and push forward more of the two rucks while English floated back more. I mean he looked dead as a player 3 years ago and nothing has changed and, imo, he's just stunting English's growth at this point.
Macrae - I think he started forward for first CB but was inside for the start of the other 3 quarters, he was prolific as ever, probably the other standout for best on ground. Did absolutely nothing to deter my desire to select him.
Cordy - Stock standard in defense.
Schache - Playing defense, was solid.
Duryea - Came on at HT for Daniel, stock.
Weightman - Pocket, nothing to really note here should improve naturally but not enough to matter.
Richards - Playing in defense, reckon taking the Wood spot (with some adjustment, not direct replacement), was really solid.
Libba - The other 4/5th mid, him and Dunkley mostly split that contested bull slot with two starting CB quarters each. He was rock solid as always.
LVDM - Same as Weightman basically.
McComb - Came on at HT for Bont and played the same role, getting decent CB attendances and then pushing forward mostly. He did some nice things but nothing that says pick me to either fantasy coaches or Bevo. Was just solid essentially.
Hannan - Started wing but played forward. Solid game.
Dale - Prolific off half back, ball use wasn't as good as usual but the totals were real nice I would guess. Looks primed for a big year. Did some intercept work but was hoping for a fair bit more pronounced role in it for me to pick him. Definitely could average 100+ though.
Jones - Came on at HT and was solid, first few touches were rushed and that was a flaw in general for him but did settle and was very prolific for a rookie, played wing from what I could tell. Don't think he's there round 1 but definitely worth watching.
Naughton - Stock standard, looked really good.
Williams - Defense, same role as LY.
Daniel - Only played a half, was very good. Definitely worth watching though I think he and Dale probably get in each other's way at the end of it all so personally happy to wait and see if that is/isn't true before jumping. Good value still though.
JJ - Playing HF, was decent.
English - Really good game from him, ruckwork was, let's go with mediocre, but around the ground was very good, had multiple intercept marks and a few nice marks around the ground as well, sweeping to defense almost to play a 3rd tall role it would seem, could score very well in that role but would be so hard to pick him still if Martin is in the way.
I only saw 1/4 of the game today (3rd qtr), but from what I did see, it didn't really clarify much for me. I'm not sure either team took it completely seriously and I fully expect some players will have different roles once we get to the proper games, either they were eased in or played out of position to see what others can do. The main things I took from what I saw/read was Hobbs will not have great JS even if he is named in R1 (seems he is not favoured at this stage), and that JHF probably won't set the world on fire as a SC scorer (JS is probably still very good). Might need to review those two picks, both who I had in my team.
Agree it was a scrappy game, hoping things pick up when the real stuff starts, as it was a bit dull, and it will be a long season if we get a lot of games played like that.
Edit: reading back, no idea why I mentioned JHF in this post, completely wrong name/game, was very tired last night. I think I meant Caldwell I believe, but can’t remember for sure. Complete lack of sleep / work overload is starting to get to me I think...
Agree it was a scrappy game, hoping things pick up when the real stuff starts, as it was a bit dull, and it will be a long season if we get a lot of games played like that.
Edit: reading back, no idea why I mentioned JHF in this post, completely wrong name/game, was very tired last night. I think I meant Caldwell I believe, but can’t remember for sure. Complete lack of sleep / work overload is starting to get to me I think...
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