JLT 2018: Carlton vs St Kilda at Ikon on Wednesday

[sandsmere]

Ed Curnow may struggle to get a game round 1. Jed Lamb? O'Brien? With Lang and ASOS fit you may have to drop 6 from this team. Really hard to do.

Ed Curnow will be one of the first selections if he is fit.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Ed Curnow will be one of the first selections if he is fit.

Agree.....you need some good Indians to supplement your Chiefs and Ed is a role model and leader at the club....

[flyboy77]

Of this 8 who drops out?

13. Jed Lamb  7. Matthew Kennedy  4. Lochie O'Brien
1. Jack Silvagni  5. Sam Petrevski-Seton  33. Jarrod Pickett
35. Ed Curnow  25. Zac Fisher

This is where I think Dale Thomas is in trouble unless his output lifts significantly.

Of the 8, Curnow and SPS are definites, no question.

Who misses out, noting Willo also needs to be in the mix? And Doc again down the track....

Of the listed 18, Mullet, Byrne, Thomas you'd think are on the fringe, so go into the maybe pool.

Is there a need for SoJ with Levi, Harry and Charlie up forward? Does SoJ get a game ahead of Garlett (or Pickett for that matter), both of whom offer speed and more versatility?

I think he'll have to show serious form in the 2s.

Matt Kennedy you'd think is needed to give Crippa some physicality in the guts so he's an in in my book.

Ditto Fisher as an inside/outside type who can run, carry and deliver with skill.

Then there's O'Brien who also gives great outside run and wicked leftie foot skills. But the young fella is unlikely to get a gig ahead of Fisher, Pickett or Garlett at this stage imo.

You'd have to think Lamb will need to fight for a spot through the twos.

As Bolts has said, form will dictate selection.

[LP]

Ditto Fisher as an inside/outside type who can run, carry and deliver with skill.

My mail is Fisher is struggling a bit with 2nd year blues, despite some of the recent player interviews that suggest he is flying.

1st year players get as close to a golden run as is possible in the AFL, opponents and team-mates just haven't seen enough of them yet. But by their 2nd year it's all documented and recorded, your tricks are out of the bag and they know your weakness. Even your own coaches word up team-mates on what to do to push your training so you get better or fail.

I've had a chat with a couple of past AFL players, guys on the fringe, and they have both mentioned how brutal your own team-mates can be at training. They put you to the sword to make sure when you're out there standing side by side you won't fold. Nobody wants to do the work and be let down by one of their own, it's the most team deflating thing that can happen. The amount of competition and pressure coming from within a club is a shock to new AFL recruits.

But it's not a surprise if true, there is a lot of work to be done in your 2nd pre-season, strength and weight gains are a must, addressing shortcomings in your own game, learning tactics to deal with the increased opposition scrutiny in your 2nd season. It's so common for kids to stall as they get the long term stuff in place.

Add to that Fisher's natural advantage was his speed and skills, but we've picked up a bunch of fast inside types over the last pre-season giving him some significant competition for a spot.

But I have no doubt if he can remain durable he'll be a long term player.

[madbluboy]

2nd year blues in February?

[flyboy77]

Of course in the wings are Macreadie and Polson.

I think Macreadie has the tools and running ability to play a HBF/winger role. But again does he displace a Garlett type?

His height (195cm) can only be a bonus?

A versatile player, Macreadie has been used predominantly down back, but was tried as a midfielder and on a wing throughout the 2016 season.

Standing at 195cm, Macreadie reads the play well, shuts opponents out of the game and excels at running off half-back and finding a target. He is a good user of the football, recording the highest kicking efficiency of all TAC Cup player since 2015 with an average of over 15 disposals per game.

Polson, Murph's twin, is now in his 3rd season - turns 20 in March.  From all reports he's quick but where does he fit in/who does he displace...?

[ElwoodBlues1]

Of course in the wings are Macreadie and Polson.

I think Macreadie has the tools and running ability to play a HBF/winger role. But again does he displace a Garlett type?

His height (195cm) can only be a bonus?

Polson, Murph's twin, is now in his 3rd season - turns 20 in March.  From all reports he's quick but where does he fit in/who does he displace...?

re: Polson...might replace Murphy?....I think Murphy might think about free agency.....have to be a good offer to get him to move though.

I like Macreadie but I think he is more a lock down defender type rather than a player who can play further up the ground

[Amers]

Is anyone going to go tomorrow??  I'm thinking about it.

I'm going.

[flyboy77]

re: Polson...might replace Murphy?....I think Murphy might think about free agency.....have to be a good offer to get him to move though.

I like Macreadie but I think he is more a lock down defender type rather than a player who can play further up the ground

you may well be right EB, but defenders is one thing we have plenty of - and quality ones at that. i was just thinking out loud as to where he might cement himself a spot....

[townsendcalling]

...........and then there's Nick Graham.  Obviously just making up the numbers.