Richmond Best 22 | Everyone Is Fit & In Form
I created a similar post near the end of last season, and I thought I would do it again - it would be interesting to see what has changed.
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The team a few months ago was as follows;
| Position | Player | Player | Player | Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | D. Grimes | A. Rance | D. Astbury | |
| HB | J. Short | N. Vlastuin | B. Houli | |
| C | S. Bolton | D. Prestia | S. Edwards | |
| HF | S. Stack | J. Caddy | D. Rioli | |
| F | T. Lynch | J. Riewoldt | K. Lambert | |
| Foll | T. Nankervis | D. Martin | T. Cotchin | |
| I/C | M. Chol | N. Broad | J. Graham | J. Castagna |
| Emerg | I. Soldo | K. McIntosh | J. Ross | L. Baker |
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The team as of now, I'm suggesting is;
| Position | Player | Player | Player | Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | D. Grimes | A. Rance | D. Astbury | |
| HB | N. Broad | N. Vlastuin | B. Houli | |
| C | S. Bolton | D. Prestia | J. Caddy | |
| HF | D. Rioli | D. Martin | J. Castagna | |
| F | T. Lynch | J. Riewoldt | K. Lambert | |
| Foll | I. Soldo | S. Edwards | T. Cotchin | |
| I/C | T. Nankervis | J. Short | J. Graham | S. Stack |
| Emerg | C. Coleman-Jones | P. Naish | M. Pickett | L. Baker |
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The team can obviously be changed as people make suggestions. On the I/C and Emergency List, it goes Ruckman/Defender/Midfielder/Forward - to keep it spread out - although a few of those players can float between positions.
I went for some youth on the Emergency List, with Coleman-Jones and Naish. Chol was alright, but I would like to see what CCJ could do at AFL level. I would also like to see a bit more of Naish, possibly off the halfback line or on the wing.
I moved Caddy back to CHF, instead of where he was playing that deep-lying wing/defensive half back role at the end of the season, as on paper we have enough players in the defensive area. He can still take marks and kick straight.
I chose Soldo to start in the ruck, as I believe he is a better tap ruck than Nank, although Nank is a bit better around the ground. Soldo has improved around the ground immensely though. It would all depend on who they played anyway.
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EDITS
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J. Caddy to Wing
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S. Edwards to Followers
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J. Graham to Interchange
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D. Martin to Center Half Forward
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M. Pickett to Emergency List
Posted Oct 31, 2019, 7:06 AM UTC · edited
I'd be shocked if Graham doesn't get picked as best 22 in round 1.
From the premiership 22 I have Rance, Stack and Graham in for Broad, Baker and Ellis. That means we only differ on Broad for Graham. I am also a huge believer in CJ and think with the right pre-season he can beat out one of Nank or Soldo as a much more versatile second ruck (at least to start the season ala Balta in 2018). But then again I rate Soldo above Nank but also know the coaches adore Nank and are highly unlikely to drop him for a 20 year old.
I can 100% see CCJ coming in at some point, and I agree with you that it would most likely be for Nank. Soldo is the superior ruckman, in the literal sense. I could see a world, especially with Moore gone, where Chol gets developed into a KPF now. He was the leading goalkicker in the VFL before he got called up into the 1s. He is an above-average kick and has some good aerial ability.
When I did this post last time, it was pointed out to me that Broad had to be in the 22, with his performances pointing out how vital he is to the team. I’m just not sure he deserves to be dropped tbh. Even with Rance coming back in, I can see him holding his spot, even if it is on the bench, swapping him for Short (which would realistically be meaningless anyway).
I can see your point about Graham. His tackling and pressure is probably needed. I put Bolton and Pickett on the wings for some speed and creativity. As I’ve said a few times though, these days wingers are mostly just outside midfielders. Either one of these two could possibly go in my eyes, to bring in Graham. I would probably move Edwards back to the wing, Graham to the bench and either Bolton/Pickett to the Emergency List.
Fun fact, Chol actually still split the VFL goalkicking but was better than Butler and Towner on per game average.
If we're set on keeping Broad then I'd drop Pickett. Wouldn't play Edwards on a wing though. His best is inside for sure.
I'm struggling to find a way to put Edwards into the middle. I could possibly do...
Pickett to Emerg. Caddy to the Wing. Martin to CHF. Edwards to Foll. Graham to I/C.
Let's face it - Everyone moves anyway - This frees up Caddy to play his defensive role also.