Strategy 2023: Rookies Discussion

[Montyjnr]

Why would he bother moving back to Australia from Ireland and signing a one year deal just to play in the VFL?

It's better money than playing Gaelic football?

 

[TBG]

I agr

Why are people so confident in McKenna?

Taking 2 years off and just waltzing straight into the backline of a top 4 team is a big task - it's not like he was exactly a star of the comp to begin with.

I agree that he's no certainty to walk back into AFL at Brisbane but if named for round 1 you'd have to seriously consider him at his price over some of the higher priced rookies when he averaged 70+ in his last 2 seasons of AFL.

 

[PC]

Pretty tricky/risky not to pick mature age rookie priced players who look to have reasonable js.

 

[Montyjnr]

Pretty tricky/risky not to pick mature age rookie priced players who look to have reasonable js.

Yeah the JS is debatable that is all.

 

[Shaunpro1]

I think his JS will be fine personally, they needed pace out of the back half and hes one of the quicker blokes going around, will likely build into the year off 2 years of not playing AFL footy but I'd be surprised if they didn't pump games into him.

 

[donnybuang]

With 3 weeks to go I wanted to ask which rookies are people feeling confident will be named fro round 1? This is who I have in my side atm -

Ginbey - OG
McKenna (rookie priced) - OG
Wilmot - OG
Chesser - B
Constable - B
Ashcroft - OG
Phillips - B
Hollands - B
E Hewett - B
Sheezel - OG
Phillipou - B
F Greene - B

I'm feeling confident that most of these players are a chance to play round 1 (hoping so with fingers crossed).

I also think the following are a chance - McAndrew, Ratugolea, O Baker, B King, Humphreys, Goater, Combden, Menzie & Cincotta (I liked MacKenzie from Hawks but unsure atm?)

I have a few higher priced rookies as I think they are more likely to play round 1 over the $124k or less mid/forward rookies players

Thoughts?

Phillips on bench? I'd love to see your mids.

Sheezel OG? He'll average 40 playing fwd at North

 

[Russty_]

I think his JS will be fine personally, they needed pace out of the back half and hes one of the quicker blokes going around, will likely build into the year off 2 years of not playing AFL footy but I'd be surprised if they didn't pump games into him.

He played Irish footy in 2021, don't know if he did in 2022. Hopefully he's kept himself in sone good nick.

 

[Shannon]

I think his JS will be fine personally, they needed pace out of the back half and hes one of the quicker blokes going around, will likely build into the year off 2 years of not playing AFL footy but I'd be surprised if they didn't pump games into him.

This.

As I have said previously, it was very noticeable against the quality teams last year that the lions really lacked run & carry rebound coming out of their defence to break the lines which made them predictable. Their small defenders in Rich/Coleman/Starcevich aren't quick, don't offer that which is why they were so keen to get McKenna as he fills a real need for them.

 

[Feerits Elf]

I still see Blake Drury in stacks of teams.

Is he being picked as a floating donut? North only play 2 Sunday games before the byes so he wouldn't appear to be much value for either captaincy or rookie loops.

 

[Russty_]

I still see Blake Drury in stacks of teams.

Is he being picked as a floating donut? North only play 2 Sunday games before the byes so he wouldn't appear to be much value for either captaincy or rookie loops.

Could be if they're not going with Madden as their perma-donut.

 

[AngryAnt]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/...BBkGIhKQUeUHPPbz9Cfac7c5C6HM7Bl4Fhv2APsbWhdKY

Could open up a spot for Bruce.

 

[Feerits Elf]

Could be if they're not going with Madden as their perma-donut.

How's that, given the lack of fitness for that purpose?

 

[Shannon]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/...BBkGIhKQUeUHPPbz9Cfac7c5C6HM7Bl4Fhv2APsbWhdKY

Could open up a spot for Bruce.

Reading the Dogs training reports, it seems unlikely - Bruce's ball use coming out of defence has been poor.

Most think Jones/Keath/Darcy will be the 3 tall defenders, Dale/Richards/Duryea the smalls.

 

[Russty_]

How's that, given the lack of fitness for that purpose?

Well, maybe they haven't thought about it enough, or they think maybe he'll get a game at some point, could be it's just because 36% of others have and they're following them.

 

[Shannon]

I still see Blake Drury in stacks of teams.

Is he being picked as a floating donut? North only play 2 Sunday games before the byes so he wouldn't appear to be much value for either captaincy or rookie loops.

There were good reports on him early on, playing a nice rebounding role off half back & using the ball well. But he appears to have fallen down the pecking order, not picked in their A team in match sims. With his price of 102K, dual position (mid/fwd) & potentially playing a lucrative role he looked a good bench option but I think you will see his ownership fall closer to round 1.

 

[Shannon]

Pushing during the year to debut ...so he is saying he isn't playing round 1 which doesn't surprise me after his game v cats, doesn't look ready yet.

 

[Feerits Elf]

There were good reports on him early on, playing a nice rebounding role off half back & using the ball well. But he appears to have fallen down the pecking order, not picked in their A team in match sims. With his price of 102K, dual position (mid/fwd) & potentially playing a lucrative role he looked a good bench option but I think you will see his ownership fall closer to round 1.

That's the bit I'm not understanding. I would have expected to see his ownership drop by now.

 

[Goodie's Guns]

View attachment 53151

Pushing during the year to debut ...so he is saying he isn't playing round 1 which doesn't surprise me after his game v cats, doesn't look ready yet.

Wouldn’t take anything said in an interview as gospel at this stage when it comes to team selection, especially when having to read between the lines. But it does line up with the word I got around a month ago…

Talking to my link at the club today, McKenzie definitely a chance, but thinks that Weddle probably won't start in the seniors.

 

[Wheedus]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/...BBkGIhKQUeUHPPbz9Cfac7c5C6HM7Bl4Fhv2APsbWhdKY

Could open up a spot for Bruce.

...or Jones

 

[Shaunpro1]

Weddle got danced around enough for me to take him out of my side, even if he plays I struggle to see how he scores in the role hes being made to play.