The Soaring

So here’s my projected starting 22 forRound 1, 2006 when the Eagles take on the Saints at Subi. I was going to post what my 22 would be not taking into account fitness or the whims of the Eagles match committee but that proved to be a bit tricky. So here is what I expect as the round 1 team sometime around 29th March.

B: Wirrpanda Glass Banfield
HB: Nicoski Hunter B.Jones
C: Braun Kerr Embley
HF: Staker Hansen Cousins
F: Chick Lynch LeCras
C: Cox Judd Stenglein
I: Fletcher Seaby Selwood Rosa

Unlucky: Armstrong, Waters, Sampi, Gaspar, R. Jones, Hurn, Graham

So here’s the rationale:

Full back line - picks itself as the form of 2005 is hard to go past. Question mark over Glass given his knee injury is tipped to be touch and go for round 1. I’ll slot him in at this stage because replacing him would likely involve 2 players given the number of proven fullbacks we have and the uncertainty of would be forward and 2005 CHB Adam Hunter.

Half back line - I initially was going to plonk Hunter in the forward line, but a history of conservative selection decisions by the currect match committee convinced me other wise. Woosha and team are many things, implusive is not one of them however. Nicoski and B. Jones continue to improve and provide a good mixture of finesse and toughness and both have plenty of toe. Unlucky here is Travis Gaspar who could still line up given the Saints matchups (usually tall) and the availability of Glass. I expect big things of Jaymie Graham, who I predict to go past Gaspar this year, however a disrupted pre-season goes against him.

Centre line - One of the keys to our success in 2005 was our wingmen, Braun and Embley. I don’t consider it a coincidence we suffered a drop in form when Embley was out in the last third of the H&A rounds and in my opinion if Braun plays on Grand Final instead of Butler we win the flag. But that is enough bitterness for this post. Kerr starts on the ground. He’s fit and is a premier midfielder. End of story.

Half forward line - I like this half forward line. What we lack in blue chip forwards we pick up in blue collar types. A twin leading half forward structure seems to have been favoured in this pre-season and will likely get a crack in round 1. Hansen earns the right to be the number 1 CHF at the club and Staker too has impressed in the pre-season. Both a hard workers and can take a grab, mainly on the lead. Hunter is the obvious variable here in that he can take them in a pack, but is more likely to be stationed in the goal square when swung forward. Cousins / Kerr / Stenglein / Judd makes up the line as a resting forward. The key will be how many goals we can get from our tall forwards - Hansen and Staker should be aiming for at least 35+ goals for the season (1.5 pg) - if not more.

Full forward line - This is clearly the most contentious line on the field. Matera is gone and he will be missed. For many years he proven himself to be the Eagles one true top shelf forward. Consider three tight away game wins from last season Round 11 v Rich 5 goals, Round 13 v Melb 6, Round 15 v Kang 5 - if at all you were in any doubt. Like Glenn McGrath in the Aussie test team no one player will slot in to cover the load. This makes it especially critical whoever plays FF picks up the slack. Brad Smith is not an option. McDougall looks sadly lost. Gardiner is out of the picture. We are left with Hunter or Lynch. I’ve plonked with Lynch.

Reasons why?

• If you play Lynch you either play him forward or make sure he has a defensive match up down back. This means if he’s not forward, he’s a week by week proposition. Lynch vs. Reiwoldt? No thanks.
• If Glass is out, do you further destabilise the backline by removing Hunter from down there as well? Again not a good proposition. Hunter is the best match up for Reiwoldt.
• Lynch can get better. Physically he has the tools, what he seems to lack is self-belief. Surely there’s a niche for him as (his namesake) Alastair Lynch carved out as a goal square gorilla? Even the physical comparisons to a Gehrig are not far off. Big Q, like Gehrig and A. Lynch just needs to find a system that works for him which like those other players may only come along once he hits his mid 20s.
• Lynch is a confidence player. Five goals vs the Saints has got mean something for the big fella
• Hunter is always a fall back option but give Q the first shot

So Lynch is my pick for FF and I think if he’s encouraged along, can learn some new tricks and keep his head up he can kick 2 a game / 50 for the season. Heck, he could kick 80 given the tools he has but let’s not lose touch with reality.

I’ve picked Daniel Chick as the enigmatic forward over Sampi. Sampi may come straight into the side but playing along side Chick wuld be no great conflict. Chick however gives more bite up front and we do need avenues to goal. In lieu of Sampi missing out, I’ve selected LeCras as the other small forward after showing good pre-season forward and a penchant for goals through 2005 with West Perth.

Ruck - Cox Judd Stenglein. It is a close to perfect as you could want isn’t it? Cox is coming off an AA year and is incredibly valuable to the side as tap ruckman and link player. Judd is Judd. And Stenglein is your non negotiable run with player. Rotate in the likes of Cousins, Fletcher, Selwood, Rosa etc. It’s a beautiful mix.

Interchange - Seaby is the number 2 ruckman and emerging pack mark specialist. He’s in every 22 for the year (barring injury). Fletcher has been injured but the 2004 AA is tough to leave out. He’s not necessarily a fan favourite due his (at times) less than precise disposal, but he’s earnt his stripes. Selwood is one of my favourite players. He works his butt off, shows nice awareness, has neat skills and will only improve. Rosa has been one of the stand outs of the pre season and is likely to get a round 1 gig as half back or midfielder.

Unlucky - Gaspar has got to be close, especially given the Saints traditionally tall forward line and Glass’ knee. Armstrong is another pushing for a spot in the team after a strong pre-season. Waters promises much but can’t seem to stay fit. Rowan Jones has too many deficiencies that we all know about. Hurn has been steady in the pre-season games.