Re: Recruits for Season 2024

by wimpy Wed Dec 13, 2023 3:20 pm

Headfan wrote:
wimpy wrote:This is what i have heard, trial games at Elizabeth and Noarlunga, an internal at Footy Park and a match against the Crows at Footy Park.
It looks like we will play Westies at home in the first round, then have a gather round bye, then play the Bays at home.

I just think we have to "throw caution to the wind" and just develop a team for the future. I think we should only play the likes of Goldy, Menzel, Firns and Comma if we are desperately down on numbers. We have plenty of youngsters on our list and these players should be played and given experience to form a competitive team for years to come. The coach has to formulate a game plan and style the players want to play.
We cannot afford to keep missing finals. Leadership and enthusiasm is a must.

In 2021, we lost McNeil, Rowe, Nick Hayes, Foote, von Bertouch, Jones, Mansell, Wehr, Lowson (and Seymour who is now a Norwood regular).
Incomers lifted to meet the challenge.
You talk sense wimpy, but I feel we can develop some and play experience to perform well on a weekly basis rather than just use 2024 to “develop a team for the future”. We need to aim high like Winter and Sheedy did. I think Sauce is the man to do it.
I see a fit Menzel as a starter from the start and Goldy being in the 22 more often than not.
My view.

I'm not against playing Goldy and Menzel they have skill and are goalkickers but I feel they should interchange with each other from the bench. Their ability to remain fit and injury free concerns me. Menzel is poor defensively and can't or won't chase. They would both be in my best 22 but not on the field at the same time. the trouble is they can't support or add to our very thin mid field division. We must improve our mid field and score more goals.

by 35Eagles Wed Dec 13, 2023 5:16 pm

I've seen that next year's fixtures are out next week on South's fb a few minutes ago. I only fohllow the opposition clubs to see what the opposition supporters say about us etc

by Titan2 Wed Dec 13, 2023 6:01 pm

Most of the other clubs appear who played finals this season have added to their midfield depth (yes some clubs like North have lost a few decent players so this perhaps balances) but not us.

Given it appears our recruitment is done where and who can we expect to realistically improve and/or step up? Of the established mids probably on D'Aloia might make a big step forward. For the others -

Beecken would appear to have the greatest potential to make an impact, however, has been tried at times across the last 2 years and for whatever reason he just doesn't find the ball. He plays very well at half back so perhaps we should leave him there.

Herbert - he look classy last season and no doubt will further improve. Whether he can become that '25 possession' consistent player might be a step too far at his age. Plus he will miss at least half the season with State U18 duties.

Williams - doesn't have a footy IQ and I don't think has ever had more than 15 possessions in a match. I thought he looked good in the backlines in the last bit of last year so would like to see him develop further and nail down a position.

McFarlane - if he can stay injury free he potentially could be 'new recruit' for us on a wing. I feel like we haven't seen the best of him yet.

I can't think of anyone else on our list from this season who can make the step into the midfield and might be drawing heavily on our new recruit from the Riverina. Can't wait for the new season!

by wimpy Wed Dec 13, 2023 7:17 pm

It was good to see Josh Morris and Jordan Moore out at training tonight.
Two still to arrive.

by Headfan Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:00 pm

My adjusted team now Lehmann has left.
Pearce Boyd Rowe
Menzel Ballenden McKay
Herbert Sinor McFarlane
Morris Moore Beecken
Fleeton Thompson Rowland
Brinker-Ritchie d’Aloia Knight
Goldsworthy Nicholls Barkla Litster
Only 4 recognised midfielders (Rowe, Sinor, Knight and d’Aloia). Hope either (or a couple of) Nicholls, Barkla, McFarlane, Herbert or McKay can step up and be the 5th option.

by Goddsy11 Thu Dec 14, 2023 12:41 am

Headfan wrote:My adjusted team now Lehmann has left.
Pearce Boyd Rowe
Menzel Ballenden McKay
Herbert Sinor McFarlane
Morris Moore Beecken
Fleeton Thompson Rowland
Brinker-Ritchie d’Aloia Knight
Goldsworthy Nicholls Barkla Litster
Only 4 recognised midfielders (Rowe, Sinor, Knight and d’Aloia). Hope either (or a couple of) Nicholls, Barkla, McFarlane, Herbert or McKay can step up and be the 5th option.

The lack of midfielder depth is scary. I don't expect Rowe, Sinor, to most of their time in midfield. Herbert may move there.

by hawke Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:07 am

5th Option for a midfielder is Sam Rowland
Sam began his league career aa a midfielder. Performed well as a tough, unheralded extractor of the ball from packs, 22 possession /game max, not a run -and- spread type. We would not want to have him teamed with D'Áloia or Sinor. but put him with the "spreaders" Knight, Rowe or Luke McKay. Also Sam at 188cm gives us another besides DÁloia to match the taller midfielders of other teams. Sam's last season was ravaged by injury and we have forgotten how good a player he is.
Therefore:
Sinor Rowland
DÁloia McKay
Knight Rowe

Nicholls or Goldsworthy to fill Rowe's Forward Pocket when Rowe has his stint as the midfielder.

I agree with Titan - Beecken looked clueless when tried as a midfielder in 3 games last year whereas he dominates at HB

by wimpy Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:14 am

Not a bad post "hawke", I think you are dead right with who you have named as our on ballers. I have mentioned before we appear to have a surfeit of back men and if the club keeps on insisting that Josh Morris will play defence we can afford to run Rowland as a part of the mid field rotation.
I noticed Cameron Fleeton in the second half of last year seemed to find a lot of the ball at halfback, could he be turned in to a mid fielder???
I watched quite a few of the 2km time trials last season and one player that always competed well and was always in the top 5-10 was Will Pearce, he appears to have a better engine than we thought. I could imagine Will getting the ball at a centre throw up, shrugging off tacklers, kicking the ball 70 metres and Jack Boyd marking it.
As an Under 18 Max Litster always played as a mid fielder and had no trouble finding the ball, he should not be just just pigeon holed as a defender.
Josh Morris looks a bit taller than as I remember him as an U18, he has also filled out nicely, could end up being a nice utility player for the team.

by Headfan Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:21 am

Headfan wrote:My adjusted team now Lehmann has left.
Pearce Boyd Rowe
Menzel Ballenden McKay
Herbert Sinor McFarlane
Morris Moore Beecken
Fleeton Thompson Rowland
Brinker-Ritchie d’Aloia Knight
Goldsworthy Nicholls Barkla Litster
Only 4 recognised midfielders (Rowe, Sinor, Knight and d’Aloia). Hope either (or a couple of) Nicholls, Barkla, McFarlane, Herbert or McKay can step up and be the 5th option.

As an addition to my team, the following will all find game thru 2024 - Josh Mawson, Jordan Lukac, Sam Watson, Harry Dawkins, Zac Buck and Zane Williams.

by Premiers Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:43 am

Yes, Headfan, in your team if you had Fleeton on the talls then Rowland would have to take the smalls and he's not good at matchups on the likes of Josh Hone etc whereas Mawson, Goldsworthy or Buck would match up better. Like the idea of trying Rowland in the midfield if he's not required at Back Pocket on the TALLS

by Mickyj Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:48 am

Whoever put this up thank you I’m enjoying reading everyone’s thoughts and some posters possible teams ,

by The Barton Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:08 am

Pearce is working hard in the gym outside of normal pre-season work which is a good sign, looks very fit. Our second wing person is up for grabs, could be a number of possibles, including the ones named plus potentially Barkla. Our games this year could be like a game of soccer where the score is nil all at the end of the game. No one will score against our stacked defence but we won't get it past half forward! I jest.

by Titan2 Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:30 pm

Goddsy11 wrote:
Headfan wrote:My adjusted team now Lehmann has left.
Pearce Boyd Rowe
Menzel Ballenden McKay
Herbert Sinor McFarlane
Morris Moore Beecken
Fleeton Thompson Rowland
Brinker-Ritchie d’Aloia Knight
Goldsworthy Nicholls Barkla Litster
Only 4 recognised midfielders (Rowe, Sinor, Knight and d’Aloia). Hope either (or a couple of) Nicholls, Barkla, McFarlane, Herbert or McKay can step up and be the 5th option.

The lack of midfielder depth is scary. I don't expect Rowe, Sinor, to most of their time in midfield. Herbert may move there.

I feel like we have a sufficient number of inside midfielders but a gaping hole when it comes to outside midfielders.

Given this, I can't imagine that our gameplan for the upcoming season will be one of dash and carry but rather a brand of dour, congested football with lots of stoppages.

We can only work with what we've got.

One potential midfielder who hasn't been talked about from the Reserves who you'd think should be putting his hand up for senior selection this year is Neumann. Is he up to it ?

by The Barton Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:07 pm

Titan2 wrote:
Goddsy11 wrote:
Headfan wrote:My adjusted team now Lehmann has left.
Pearce Boyd Rowe
Menzel Ballenden McKay
Herbert Sinor McFarlane
Morris Moore Beecken
Fleeton Thompson Rowland
Brinker-Ritchie d’Aloia Knight
Goldsworthy Nicholls Barkla Litster
Only 4 recognised midfielders (Rowe, Sinor, Knight and d’Aloia). Hope either (or a couple of) Nicholls, Barkla, McFarlane, Herbert or McKay can step up and be the 5th option.

The lack of midfielder depth is scary. I don't expect Rowe, Sinor, to most of their time in midfield. Herbert may move there.

I feel like we have a sufficient number of inside midfielders but a gaping hole when it comes to outside midfielders.

Given this, I can't imagine that our gameplan for the upcoming season will be one of dash and carry but rather a brand of dour, congested football with lots of stoppages.

We can only work with what we've got.

One potential midfielder who hasn't been talked about from the Reserves who you'd think should be putting his hand up for senior selection this year is Neumann. Is he up to it ?

Neumann can certainly play but my observation is that he burns the ball a bit. Would like to see more of him early in the season and whether he has developed his game and skills in the off-season.

The other "smokey" for this year is Callum Fairall. Lightly built but he has speed and skill and he could potentially play on one of the wings. Also Noah Angove, he played a fantastic game in the Reserves late in the season but rolled his ankle in the third quarter (still got best for us) and missed a couple of weeks, may have played in our Prelim Final, had too many consoling beers since then to remember for sure. We need a couple of these guys to take the next step in 2024 and become regular league footballers who impose themselves on the game.

by 35Eagles Thu Dec 14, 2023 5:41 pm

Headfan wrote:
Headfan wrote:My adjusted team now Lehmann has left.
Pearce Boyd Rowe
Menzel Ballenden McKay
Herbert Sinor McFarlane
Morris Moore Beecken
Fleeton Thompson Rowland
Brinker-Ritchie d’Aloia Knight
Goldsworthy Nicholls Barkla Litster
Only 4 recognised midfielders (Rowe, Sinor, Knight and d’Aloia). Hope either (or a couple of) Nicholls, Barkla, McFarlane, Herbert or McKay can step up and be the 5th option.
As an addition to my team, the following will all find game thru 2024 - Josh Mawson, Jordan Lukac, Sam Watson, Harry Dawkins, Zac Buck and Zane Williams.

Watson is Jay not Sam

by Premiers Thu Dec 14, 2023 7:03 pm

Is Siney still with the Club? Looked a very balanced mover with good skills but in the "heat of battle", he didn't do much. However, he gave the impression that with a little luck leading to self-belief, he could blossom into a very good footballer (a la Jakob Wehr).
Ironical, that Kai Pudney might find it harder to get into the starting line up of Centrals than that of the Eagles.

by Premiers Thu Dec 14, 2023 7:15 pm

Noticed that exEagle 206cm Henry Smith has had his contract extended by Brisbane Lions to the end of 2026 so that snuffs out that future hope.

by 35Eagles Thu Dec 14, 2023 7:18 pm

Premiers wrote:Is Siney still with the Club? Looked a very balanced mover with good skills but in the "heat of battle", he didn't do much. However, he gave the impression that with a little luck leading to self-belief, he could blossom into a very good footballer (a la Jakob Wehr).
Ironical, that Kai Pudney might find it harder to get into the starting line up of Centrals than that of the Eagles.

He was another player training for a place on the list he told me at cc.

by Sheedsb2b Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:13 pm

There is a few under 18s that are to old for 18s
Darcy Hudson
Isaac Niemann
Callum fairall
Jayden Haley
Josh capogreco
Not sure if there is more

by 35Eagles Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:28 pm

Sheedsb2b wrote:There is a few under 18s that are to old for 18s
Darcy Hudson
Isaac Niemann
Callum fairall
Jayden Haley
Josh capogreco
Not sure if there is more

Add Toole and Mair to that list maybe other's too. Oscar Pearce and maybe Jordy Tilbrook if Jordy is still around at Eagles someone would know for sure. Kodey Hansen in Blake's brother if he's still at Eagles.

by Sheedsb2b Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:36 pm

Yes those all are to old except for kodey I am preety sure

by 35Eagles Mon Dec 18, 2023 8:26 am

Sheedsb2b wrote:Yes those all are to old except for kodey I am preety sure

No there is just over a year different between Blake and him as Kody finished year 12 this year
If u search Eagles under 18's in google nothing but that it comes up with under 18's list from since the under 16's premiership year so dob etc still there

by 35Eagles Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:13 am

https://wwtfc.com.au/centre-of-excellence/under-18 this would give u a idea of the lads that are under 18's though some have gone and some. Still at the club

by Mickyj Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:30 am

Just saw on SA footy centrals picked up 2 young tall rucks .
I guess they are an age they could be taken by the AFL
And I recall seeing from our club maybe Sam they don’t want players that could go off to the AFL . We’ve been burned before .

by Goddsy11 Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:02 am

Mickyj wrote:Just saw on SA footy centrals picked up 2 young tall rucks .
I guess they are an age they could be taken by the AFL
And I recall seeing from our club maybe Sam they don’t want players that could go off to the AFL . We’ve been burned before .

Wasn't it only 1 and a ruck coach. He is 19. I would think an AFL club would pick a ruckman in his early 20's with some good form behind him.
Ruckman are not high priority nowadays as high picks. I think it's a top move by Centrals.

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