Who should play where in 2020?

[The Doctor]

Thought I would start a discussion about which players in our squad should find a new role or re-invent themselves in some way. Or even a player who needs to step up in a role he has shown some ability in. Particularly in positions where the senior team could use some help. The first that springs to my mind is;

Bailey Williams - Wing

I think our team has a 'Position Vacant' for one of the wing spots in the senior team. Lachie Hunter owns one of them but the other hasn't really been claimed in my view. Numerous players have rotated through the other wing position in recent years. The club had a look in the market place and were linked with players like Isaac Smith and Jack Martin as possible recruits for a role of this kind. Time for someone within the club to step up and claim it as his own. I think Bailey Williams has the ability to be that player.

Looking at his career to date he has played 41 games over 4 seasons averaging around 17 disposals per games playing mostly across half back mixing it with stints further up the ground. He showed in several games he was quite capable at the level. He is a great size at 187cm & 85kg and will enter 2020 as a 22yo in his fifth season.

What I like about the 'potential' of Williams is that he has the all round skills to be a good winger at AFL level. He has relatively good speed and endurance. He is a nice kick, a nice mark, & very good disposal efficiency (has a low clanger count). He can win his own ball on the inside and is quite effective on the outside and he likes to attack. So he ticks a few of the boxes.

Williams career so far has in some ways paralleled that of Hunter's in his early years. It took Hunter til his 4th season to claim a regular place in the team. Williams may be a season behind but his disposal numbers have been similar to Hunter in his early years. Hunter also averaging around 17 disposals per game in his first 3 years. They have similar stats on contested and uncontested possessions. To hold down a wing position Williams, like Hunter, would need to win a bit more of the ball, be more of a threat near goal, and perhaps work a bit harder on the defensive side of his game. I see no reason why he couldn't achieve these things.

Bailey should be primed to play regular senior football in 2020. The club has put it's faith in him by giving him a new 2 year contract and they didn't offer that deal for him to play at Footscray. He has also trained with the midfield group in recent seasons so the coaching staff clearly think he is up to it. But it seems obvious the club also thinks he has areas of his game he needs to improve on. Williams strikes me as a player that doesn't lack in confidence and with his skill set, age & experience should be perfectly primed for senior football. The club would be expecting it and so should he. 2020 is a great opportunity for him to seize the chance to be a regular senior player.

[Avoid the rush]

I would like to see SCHACHE have a decent crack at CHB. He is quick for his size, has a great tank, good leap, six foot five, beautiful disposal and only has to learn the craft to be a bonus to our half back line. I see him a little like Jones(better kick) and would hate to see him play out the year in the twos ( a distinct possability next season.)

[Bulldog Joe]

I really like the suggestion of Williams on the wing and concur wholly with The Doctor.

Not so sure about Schache at CHB, but it is something I have occasionally pondered. Schache needs to bring more aggression to his game. If he does that I believe he will succeed in a big way.

[Mofra]

I would like to see SCHACHE have a decent crack at CHB. He is quick for his size, has a great tank, good leap, six foot five, beautiful disposal and only has to learn the craft to be a bonus to our half back line. I see him a little like Jones(better kick) and would hate to see him play out the year in the twos ( a distinct possability next season.)
I thought we sought out Keath for that exact position?

One I would like to see is Ed Richards play in defence. I presume Suckers will miss games with niggles and Ed Richards has played his best football behind the ball. If the opposition sit on JJ (as they should) we still have a player capable of running the ball out of defence.

[bornadog]

Williams is an interesting one. I am not sure where he should play.

I think the wing should be someone with speed like Ed Richards or Hayes. Williams has been good on the HBF, but really had a shocker in 2019, and I don't rate him as best 22.

[GVGjr]

I thought we sought out Keath for that exact position?

One I would like to see is Ed Richards play in defence. I presume Suckers will miss games with niggles and Ed Richards has played his best football behind the ball. If the opposition sit on JJ (as they should) we still have a player capable of running the ball out of defence.

I think he could be a terrific addition to the back line but with Wood, Duryea, Crozier, JJ, Daniel and Suckling already having fair claims for spots on the flanks can we squeeze him in?

[Dancin' Douggy]

I agree......... I also think you could pretty much write the same assessment word for word for Brad Lynch. He his another player with massive potential............who gets squeezed out of the 22 though? That is the hard part.

Thought I would start a discussion about which players in our squad should find a new role or re-invent themselves in some way. Or even a player who needs to step up in a role he has shown some ability in. Particularly in positions where the senior team could use some help. The first that springs to my mind is;

Bailey Williams - Wing

I think our team has a 'Position Vacant' for one of the wing spots in the senior team. Lachie Hunter owns one of them but the other hasn't really been claimed in my view. Numerous players have rotated through the other wing position in recent years. The club had a look in the market place and were linked with players like Isaac Smith and Jack Martin as possible recruits for a role of this kind. Time for someone within the club to step up and claim it as his own. I think Bailey Williams has the ability to be that player.

Looking at his career to date he has played 41 games over 4 seasons averaging around 17 disposals per games playing mostly across half back mixing it with stints further up the ground. He showed in several games he was quite capable at the level. He is a great size at 187cm & 85kg and will enter 2020 as a 22yo in his fifth season.

What I like about the 'potential' of Williams is that he has the all round skills to be a good winger at AFL level. He has relatively good speed and endurance. He is a nice kick, a nice mark, & very good disposal efficiency (has a low clanger count). He can win his own ball on the inside and is quite effective on the outside and he likes to attack. So he ticks a few of the boxes.

Williams career so far has in some ways paralleled that of Hunter's in his early years. It took Hunter til his 4th season to claim a regular place in the team. Williams may be a season behind but his disposal numbers have been similar to Hunter in his early years. Hunter also averaging around 17 disposals per game in his first 3 years. They have similar stats on contested and uncontested possessions. To hold down a wing position Williams, like Hunter, would need to win a bit more of the ball, be more of a threat near goal, and perhaps work a bit harder on the defensive side of his game. I see no reason why he couldn't achieve these things.

Bailey should be primed to play regular senior football in 2020. The club has put it's faith in him by giving him a new 2 year contract and they didn't offer that deal for him to play at Footscray. He has also trained with the midfield group in recent seasons so the coaching staff clearly think he is up to it. But it seems obvious the club also thinks he has areas of his game he needs to improve on. Williams strikes me as a player that doesn't lack in confidence and with his skill set, age & experience should be perfectly primed for senior football. The club would be expecting it and so should he. 2020 is a great opportunity for him to seize the chance to be a regular senior player.

[GVGjr]

Thought I would start a discussion about which players in our squad should find a new role or re-invent themselves in some way. Or even a player who needs to step up in a role he has shown some ability in. Particularly in positions where the senior team could use some help. The first that springs to my mind is;

Bailey Williams - Wing

I think our team has a 'Position Vacant' for one of the wing spots in the senior team. Lachie Hunter owns one of them but the other hasn't really been claimed in my view. Numerous players have rotated through the other wing position in recent years. The club had a look in the market place and were linked with players like Isaac Smith and Jack Martin as possible recruits for a role of this kind. Time for someone within the club to step up and claim it as his own. I think Bailey Williams has the ability to be that player.



Doc, First up terrific analysis and thanks for starting a great thread

He had some challenges this year but I'm certainly hoping the 2 year deal is a sign that we have a spot for him and an incentive for him to knuckle down

Competition for spots will be a fierce contest among many of the players and Williams will have to prove his worth.
I really like the suggestion to put him on a wing

[Mofra]

I think he could be a terrific addition to the back line but with Wood, Duryea, Crozier, JJ, Daniel and Suckling already having fair claims for spots on the flanks can we squeeze him in?
I expect Suckling to spend half his time in rehab and the other half elsewhere.
I have concerns over Wood - he doesn't strike me as someone who will play long into his 30s and he's 30 next year.
Daniel and JJ most likely rotate through different positions as well as the back half.

Honestly, only Croz and Duryea are locks from that list for mine.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Doc, First up terrific analysis and thanks for starting a great thread

He had some challenges this year but I'm certainly hoping the 2 year deal is a sign that we have a spot for him and an incentive for him to knuckle down

Competition for spots will be a fierce contest among many of the players and Williams will have to prove his worth.
I really like the suggestion to put him on a wing

Does he have the tank and the appetite to work hard enough to play the role?

I like Williams and i agree there is a spot there thats available but will Lipinski or someone else outwork him?

Until he goes to another level physically I fear he will just be a bit part player

[SonofScray]

Doc's assessment of Williams value to us on the wing is spot on IMO.

I think he has all the tools and a big enough bag of tricks to be a good, two way player. His long kicking could be/is a weapon offensively, and he robust enough to go man on man if he dragged low.

He crosses paths with a friend of mine in their social scene and from what I've heard he is a good fella, but might want to put some of that energy into getting fitter and looking after his body as a professional athlete. Even a marginal gain on that front could push him into regular senior footy in an important role for us rather than an in/out backfill type of character. I think he can do it.

[Go_Dogs]

Great post Doc, thanks.

One I've been pondering is Mitch Wallis and where he may play his football in 2020. He's a great runner, a neat user and works hard defensively. He's also good in the air for his size. He's also not quick and doesn't have a high hurt factor with his disposal by foot.

His grunt may still come in handy in the midfield against certain teams, while a number of our proposed sides on WOOF have him spending time in the forward line. Both are certainly options where we can leverage his abilities.

I do wonder if he is a player that can transition into a similar role to the one Matt Boyd played for us in the latter stages of his career? A senior player, a good runner and a leader who can play in the back half. Boyd had many of the same limitations that Wallis does, however was an important member of our backline during a very successful period.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I would like Daniel on the wing. I think his disposal into the forward 50 would hurt sides and with Bruce, Schache, Naughton would love it

Wallis needs to be our lock down guy. He has played this and hurts on the rebound.

I would also like to see Bont just kick at goals all pre season as he could be a Martin type of proble on the forward 50. Smith could easily take more midfield minutes to allow this.

[Rocco Jones]

In terms of Williams or anyone going to the wing, I think a lot of fans underrate the modern wing role. It takes a lot of hard work/excellent to be able to cover the territory Hunter does. Not as easy as just having a good peg (which Hunter doesn't) and waiting for the ball to come to you. It's why Hayes got a crack at it.

Would love to see Williams put in the work and have the natural fitness to play the role as he certainly has upside in it.

[Mofra]

In terms of Williams or anyone going to the wing, I think a lot of fans underrate the modern wing role. It takes a lot of hard work/excellent to be able to cover the territory Hunter does. Not as easy as just having a good peg (which Hunter doesn't) and waiting for the ball to come to you. It's why Hayes got a crack at it.

Would love to see Williams put in the work and have the natural fitness to play the role as he certainly has upside in it.
This.
In the old days 'you put your best player at CHF'.
Now you 'put your best two way runner on the wing and beat Holding Your Position into them'.

It's a very undervalued role because much of the unrewarded running isn't captured on television. Lipinski has the tank for it but I presume we want someone quicker.
If Williams can show any aptitude for covering enough ground there's a spot available for him.

[Mofra]

Left field suggestion for the wing but... Josh Schache?

He was regularly our no 1 player on game day for kms covered. Has spent his AFL career forward so doesn't have the 'see ball, get ball' mentality of mids turned wingman (he'll hold his position). He's a beautiful field kick so you'd want him delivering the ball to our HFs. Tex Walker looks set to 'do a Richo' and spend time on the wing so we're entering an era of multiple precedents for tall marking wingmen. It instantly makes our forward set up more mobile while still having (potentially) the best contested marking duo in the comp.

[lemmon]

Left field suggestion for the wing but... Josh Schache?

He was regularly our no 1 player on game day for kms covered. Has spent his AFL career forward so doesn't have the 'see ball, get ball' mentality of mids turned wingman (he'll hold his position). He's a beautiful field kick so you'd want him delivering the ball to our HFs. Tex Walker looks set to 'do a Richo' and spend time on the wing so we're entering an era of multiple precedents for tall marking wingmen. It instantly makes our forward set up more mobile while still having (potentially) the best contested marking duo in the comp.

Great call and think we'll see it happen quite a bit this year.

I think three key forwards can work, but it won't ALWAYS work. Big advocate for a guy like Schache getting up and down the ground and proving a marking option all over the ground. He's a beautiful kick of the footy too.

[bulldogtragic]

Left field suggestion for the wing but... Josh Schache?

He was regularly our no 1 player on game day for kms covered. Has spent his AFL career forward so doesn't have the 'see ball, get ball' mentality of mids turned wingman (he'll hold his position). He's a beautiful field kick so you'd want him delivering the ball to our HFs. Tex Walker looks set to 'do a Richo' and spend time on the wing so we're entering an era of multiple precedents for tall marking wingmen. It instantly makes our forward set up more mobile while still having (potentially) the best contested marking duo in the comp.

I'm with you, whether it's high half forward or wing (if there's a difference). The role that Tom Lynch (Cows) excelled at when the Cows were going great guns would be ideal. As you say great lace out kicking I50, bail out long kick out of defence to a mobile tall target, out working the opponents with aerobic capacity and getting down trying to generate 2-4 shots a game. With Schache that's 2-4 goals a game with his accuracy. A luxury most clubs would wish they had. If there's an injury we know he's a good second I50 target, or allows flexibility if we had to throw Naughton into defence for a period. St Kilda trading us Bruce generates a lot of good things for us.

[Mofra]

I'm with you, whether it's high half forward or wing (if there's a difference). The role that Tom Lynch (Cows) excelled at when the Cows were going great guns would be ideal. As you say great lace out kicking I50, bail out long kick out of defence to a mobile tall target, out working the opponents with aerobic capacity and getting down trying to generate 2-4 shots a game. With Schache that's 2-4 goals a game with his accuracy. A luxury most clubs would wish they had. If there's an injury we know he's a good second I50 target, or allows flexibility if we had to throw Naughton into defence for a period. St Kilda trading us Bruce generates a lot of good things for us.
Yep, he can rest forward when Bruce provides a chop out in the ruck so we don't lose forward structure either. I'm just scratching my head wondering who are the other aerobic beasts on our list that don't play through the centre and can play a mostly outside role.

I'm not sure Bailey Williams/Ed Richards have the tank yet and JJ is a much, much better player behind the ball.