Players fighting for their spots

[RudeBoy]

With Mayne most likely to be replaced by Elliott this week, it got me thinking about who else may be on limited time, once we have Wells, De Goey and Wills available.

The 'fringe' players most at risk are probably:

Smith
Phillips
Ramsay
Crisp
Greenwood

I only mentioned Greenwood, because I think Rupert Wills can play his role, even better. With more midfielders in the side, we can move Varcoe back to defence, squeezing Smith or Ramsay out.

Then there's Daicos, Brown, Kirby and Crocker likely to be pushing for selection at some stage. This just shows what a healthy list we have atm, compared to the last 2-3 years, where we were struggling to find players available.

[Ev5Magpies]

You would have to add Broomhead to that list also.

[3rd degree]

[CarringbushCigar]

As of right now I think Phillips is safe as houses.
Proved last week he can bring a lot to a HBF-type role.

Greenwood is close to career best form, if not in it.

May be pretty close between Smith/Crisp/Ramma, my guess is in that order, or horses for courses.

I guess Maynard will get Fantasia or Tippa-whootsy, who gets the other?

Probably trust Ramma a little more for a gig.
Crisp can turn it on in big games at the G, or do a job on Heppell.

Great problem to have

[Cam]

I think Greenwood is one of the first picked. Changed the game against the Swans. Brings hardness, running and surprising skill outbursts. I'd divide us into 3 categories. Definites, Definites unless form means go to the 2s, and those always needing to peform. Unfortunately for Smith, he has slid into the bottom bracket.

Pendles
Treloar
Grundy
Sidebottom
Adams
Reid
Howe
Greenwood
Hoskin-Elliott
Varcoe
Fasolo
White

Moore
Goldsack
Schade
Maynard
Ramsay
Crisp

Broomhead
Phillips
Smith
Mayne

Outside: Wells, Elliott, De Goey, Scharenberg, Aish, Cox, Dunn, Crocker, Keefe, Thomas, Blair, Oxley, Sier, Brown/Daicos/Kirby, others

[mooretreloar]

Ramsay and Broomhead are first choice best 22 players, injury permitting, and won't be playing anything but AFL.

Smith is definitely one that will make way.

Phillips has been great, but is likely to go back to the two's, as Crisp can play inside and outside, where Phillips is predominantly an outside player at this stage.

Wills was very good last year, but it will be very difficult for him to displace Crisp or Greenwood from the team.

So for mine:
In: Wells, De Goey
Out: Smith, Phillips

Varcoe, Greenwood and Goldsack may struggle to hold their spots if Aish, Scharenberg and Langdon hit form/are AFL ready.

[Damien]

Phillips definitely safe. I think by the end of the year he'll be one of our best the way he's going. Don't think we should be pushing Varcoe back as he kicked two on Friday night and we need all the goal scoring power we can get. Greenwood safe for mine too. Got the mongrel in him that a few others don't have yet. When DeGoey is available and if the young guns in Brown and Daicos keep pushing up we will have some lovely selection problems. Still love to see Daicos on Anzac Day. We have a great tradition of debuts on that day and wouldn't it be great to see the son of the legend run out.

[Pies2016]

RB, good timing on this post, I was thinking similar.

I'm a fan of Varcoe being tried at half back too, which would allow for the easing out of one of the above.

I notice that a couple of those players mentioned, polarise some posters.

Personally, I still think Crisp is in our best 22 ( just ) When he is on, he is a goodish player. I tend to think he gets the run with roles when greenwood isn't available and that doesn't suit him. Reckon he plays his best footy when he is instructed just to get it as his only objective.

Phillips is interesting. Yes, he makes mistakes but that has a bit to do with having the fitness to involve himself in more contests than most. He is terribly one sided but he always seems to be around the contest lending a hand. As he gains experience, he will learn to use his body better in tight spaces and continue to improve on his wrong side. He may find himself back in the VFL at some point but he has plenty of upside.

Smith for mine, has gone backwards a little and his spot is vulnerable.

Ramsay just needs more time. There aren't many who play their best footy straight after an ACL. If he is dropped, I wouldn't think it would be for long.

That also leaves Langdon, Shazza and Sinclair as wild cards.
Sadly, all running type defenders.

At least least they are pleasant problems to have.

[Pies2016]

And then there is Aish ??

[RudeBoy]

[HAL]

You and your more midfielders in the side we can move Varcoe back to defence squeezing Smith or Ramsay out.

[simon tonna]

As depth goes we're short on two kpp's. I would be a lot more comfortable if there was at least one knocking down the door from the twos just to keep Moore in the mood and a chb for Justin. Other than that nearly every one could be replaced if it came to form but only form as that other scenario that has crippled us in years gone by are forced changes and that tests the depth more so. So if the list is sitting pretty without injury influence I would say depth players are: cox, oxley, mayne, smith, crisp, aish, crocker, dunn, shazza, langdon, phillips, ramsey, maynard, the last three players are subject to turnovers and that's what kill all the hard work that the team revolves around but atm those last two spots are theirs to lose.
We need to find somewhere for wills, wells, degoey and greenwood always.

[watt price tully]

[mudlark]

Like a few others here Rudey,I can't agree with Greenwood being on the edge.He was pretty dynamic the other night and brings hard nut contests.I know I'll cop flack about this, but I thing Goldsack has given away ,way too many goals.Against Richmond he starred, for a 1/2 then in a 7 minute period ,Jack kicked 3 and Goldy kicked across goal twice in a few minutes and gave away another one.Last week ,some of his decision making and kicking, for a premiership player of some years, was woeful.I'd like to give Dunne a chance for 3 weeks at least,and see how he goes. I think Wells comes in for Broomhead,who is improving, but looks a little lazy to me and Billy will most likely relieve Mayne of his spot and perhaps Keefe may give Moore a rest in the Two's for a bit, to gain some confidence and give him a chance to improve his kicking, which is poor at best, lately.

[5 from the wing on debut]