State Squad Announced

[am Bays]

Where's Nathan Brown? Arguably the best half back in the comp.

You'll get an argument from me, He's the best after Mcleay, White, Mules, Hayes, Kane, Thomas, McKenzie.....

[Dogsbody]

Has there been a time finalised for the State game?

Kick off time for the game has been slated for 1:40pm, obviously to give Victoria live coverage as well as SA.

[joelie]

Where's Nathan Brown? Arguably the best half back in the comp.

You'll get an argument from me, He's the best after Mcleay, White, Mules, Hayes, Kane, Thomas, McKenzie.....

No arguement from me. Clearly one of the form players of the competition. How many times have you see Westies this year TM? Obviously not many? Once?

[am Bays]

Twice (once was a trial)

Not saying he is not a good player just that there are a plethora of good half backs in the comp and it isn't coincidence that sides like Centrals, Sturt and Glenelg have lost less games combined than what Westies have in total - solid backlines.

IMO the stiffest* half back to miss out is Ben Mules but there are only so many spots - you can't pick everyone.

[joelie]

Twice (once was a trial)

Not saying he is not a good player just that there are a plethora of good half backs in the comp and it isn't coincidence that sides like Centrals, Sturt and Glenelg have lost less games combined than what Westies have in total - solid backlines.

IMO the stiffest* half back to miss out is Ben Mules but there are only so many spots - you can't pick everyone.

Whack N Brown in the Dogs, Glenelg or Sturt sides and there's a chance they'd have lost less. I don't think you can use a teams win/loss records as warranting state SQUAD selection. I have seen Ben a few times this year and I actually thought he has been very down on form. Just had a look at the clubs website and only once has B Mules made the top 5 in the coaches awards (rd one in a losing side to South he was rated 2nd). So not rated highly by his coaches this season. How can that form warrant selection? On what do you then base Ben's form on to have been stiff to miss?

[am Bays]

When so many are playing well it is hard to get in best players unlike some other clubs.

The point I'm making is that good players like Brown stand out like dogs anatomy in poor sides (like Westies ATM) where as good players like Mules are harder distinguish in more even well performing sides (like we are ATM). Yes some of his stats (k m h) are down but his team (1%er) stats are still right up there. He has been playing well its just that his contribution has been harder to spot becasue of other players in our squad stepping up to his high standards - thats why we currently sit 6-1 as opposed 1-6 this time last year

There are many players you can make a case for to be included in the half back line as I mentioned earlier

[joelie]

When so many are playing well it is hard to get in best players unlike some other clubs.

The point I'm making is that good players like Brown stand out like dogs anatomy in poor sides (like Westies ATM) where as good players like Mules are harder distinguish in more even well performing sides (like we are ATM). Yes some of his stats (k m h) are down but his team (1%er) stats are still right up there. He has been playing well its just that his contribution has been harder to spot becasue of other players in our squad stepping up to his high standards - thats why we currently sit 6-1 as opposed 1-6 this time last year

There are many players you can make a case for to be included in the half back line as I mentioned earlier

Absolutely. S Rudolph and J McConnell clearly your clubs unluckiest 2.

[am Bays]

When so many are playing well it is hard to get in best players unlike some other clubs.

The point I'm making is that good players like Brown stand out like dogs anatomy in poor sides (like Westies ATM) where as good players like Mules are harder distinguish in more even well performing sides (like we are ATM). Yes some of his stats (k m h) are down but his team (1%er) stats are still right up there. He has been playing well its just that his contribution has been harder to spot becasue of other players in our squad stepping up to his high standards - thats why we currently sit 6-1 as opposed 1-6 this time last year

There are many players you can make a case for to be included in the half back line as I mentioned earlier

Absolutely. S Rudolph and J McConnell clearly your clubs unluckiest 2.

Rudolph yes a bit stiff but like Brown he is up against an established states players in Ah Chee and Schell for a spot once again you can't pick everyone. Whilst he was in good form, McConnell, it is only since they named the squad that he has burned kicking 10 goals in 2 weeks. He is up againt Younie and Callinan for the small forward spot and they have been in good form too.

[pipers]

Where will Ah Chee line up?

I'd suggest he's been picked as FB or CHB, but has predominantly played in the forward lines this year...

Hardly a selection based on this season's form then?

For what it is worth, my preferred forward line would be:
Hargraves - Chambers - Callinan
McConnell - Alleway - Crane

Clayton and Backwell could have runs in the forward line as well from time to time...

[LBT]

McConnell not in the side is "unacceptable" too lazy hey Darel??? You played with Darren Jarman and Grenville Deitrich at state level...talk about pot calling kettle black.

[nickname]

When so many are playing well it is hard to get in best players unlike some other clubs.

The point I'm making is that good players like Brown stand out like dogs anatomy in poor sides (like Westies ATM) where as good players like Mules are harder distinguish in more even well performing sides (like we are ATM). Yes some of his stats (k m h) are down but his team (1%er) stats are still right up there. He has been playing well its just that his contribution has been harder to spot becasue of other players in our squad stepping up to his high standards - thats why we currently sit 6-1 as opposed 1-6 this time last year

There are many players you can make a case for to be included in the half back line as I mentioned earlier

You could also argue that playing in defence for West is a much tougher gig than playing in Glenelg's defence because of the amount of traffic coming through. You also need to take into account that he's played some games on the ball this year and in at least one game had more than 35 disposals. If all those half-backs you named are better than him I'm wondering why they haven't all played 10 years of AFL footy.

[Ian]

McConnell not in the side is "unacceptable" too lazy hey Darel??? You played with Darren Jarman and Grenville Deitrich at state level...talk about pot calling kettle black.

So you don't think Jarman should have played for SA then ?

[rod_rooster]

McConnell not in the side is "unacceptable" too lazy hey Darel??? You played with Darren Jarman and Grenville Deitrich at state level...talk about pot calling kettle black.

Just cos he played with them doesn't mean he agreed with their selection. He didn't pick the side but having said that would you not have picked Darren Jarman?

[Big Phil]

Hey Footy Fans,

I’ve read a lot of opinions on hear about the merits of this state team based on the fact that a fair majority of the players in side are not even of South Australian origin. It got me thinking of how competitive the team would be if it had to be picked purely on being South Australian born and bred. The team looked interesting and it got me thinking of how it would compare to a team of “all stars or allies” so to speak, so I did up a team for them as well, mainly based on this years form to date, but a couple of blokes would make the side based on reputations and proven past performances. Would make for a real cracker of a match don’t you think ? I don’t think I’d be able to tip either side, too close to call…

I will pick teams based on this years players in the SANFL, disregarding any of the set qualification requirements and making it a game format of: South Australia vs The Allies to be played at Adelaide Oval. An SANFL version of the big AFL representative clash last week...

SOUTH AUSTRALIA : Coach: Roy Laird

FF: Chris Ladhams (North) Jamie Vlatko (Norwood) Ben Warren (South)

HF: Steve Summerton (Port) Daniel Havelberg (Centrals) Mathew Bode (Glenelg)

C: Tristian Gum (Sturt) James Gallagher (Norwood) Adam Switala (Centrals)

HB: Andrew Whiteman (Sturt) Daniel Schell (Centrals) Jason Torney (vc) (South)

FB: Paul Thomas (c) (Centrals) Yves Sibenaler (Centrals) Nathan Brown (West)

RK: Brett O'Hara (North) Mathew Slade (Centrals) Justin Cicolella (Eagles)

INT: Brad Dabrowski (Eagles) Sam Fairclough (Eagles), Ben Nelson (Sturt), Ben Mules (Glenelg)


I must admit, I did find it a bit harder to pick the “born & bred” South Aussie team than I did with the extremely talent laden “Allies”. I guess this is proof as to why the SANFL comp is so strong ? Also, I am happy to be corrected otherwise, but I think I got the players origins correct on both teams ?


THE ALL STARS / ALLIES: Coach: Andrew Collins

FF: Daniel Hargraves (VIC) Brant Chambers (VIC) Ian Callinan (TAS)

HF: Chris Gowans (VIC) Clinton Alleway (VIC) Justin McConnell (VIC)

C: Jade Sheedy (vc) (NSW) James Allen (VIC) Brett Backwell (VIC)

HB: Ben Hollands (NSW) Mark Mckenzie (VIC) Ben Kane (VIC)

FB: Brett Zorzi (VIC) Corey Ahchee (c) (NT) Andrew Hayes (NSW)

RK: Trevor Cranston (VIC) Jeremy Clayton (VIC) Luke Crane (QLD)

INT: James Mieklejohn (NSW), Leigh Treeby (VIC), James Gowans (VIC), Heath Younie (WA)


There were definitely some tough decisions to make with selection for both teams. On paper, they are both reasonably matched up but I reckon “The Allies” have just got a tiny bit more class all over the ground as well as a bit more potency in attack. Andy Collins is the coach simply because he is Victorian.

Will be interesting to see what people think of the selected teams and feel free to offer opinions where different players would be better off selected than my choices. Happy analysing fellas… !!

Big Phil…

[Big Phil]

Just looking at the Budget from last week which has the final squad members listed and the club they'll be representing,,,

Got me thinking of how the side would line up and who the final 22 that take on the Vics will be. Here's my shot at it...

F: Luke Crane Brant Chambers Ian Perrie

HF: Steve Summerton Clinton Alleway Jade Sheedy

C: Jeremy Clayon James Allan Leigh Treeby

HB: Paul Thomas Daniel Schell Ben Kane

B: Andrew Hayes Corey Ahchee Jason Torney

RK: Trevor Cranston Luke Powell Adam Fisher

INT: Craig Parry James Gowans Brett Backwell Josh Thewlis

EMG: Nick Salter Daniel Havelberg Nick Wark Charlie Sharples


I reckon that looks like a pretty stable side with a good mix of youth and experience but as is the case today anywya, a few players are versatile enought to be able to play in more than 1 position. I couldn't find room for Leigh Westhoff, Ian Callinan wont play with his hammy issues, couldn't find a spot for Sturt boys Sharples, Gum or Wark, and Mark McKenzie wont play with a knee issue. I had Salter, Havelberg and Wark in as emergencies and Josh Thewlis just got the gig over the 3 just mentioned because he can play as a tall or small and has good skills.

Now look forward to next Thursday night when we meet up at Prospect to start the banner and of course looking forward to the game itself...

GO U CROWEATERS...

Big Phil...

[drebin]

McConnell not in the side is "unacceptable" too lazy hey Darel??? You played with Darren Jarman and Grenville Deitrich at state level...talk about pot calling kettle black.

Long bow to draw there especially your comaprison with Darren Jarman and from a totally different era as well. Stick to comparisons from today's SANFL if you want to make a point.

[am Bays]

Back to my posts a couple of days ago, can I make a change and say Torney is the best half back in the league, I had forgotten about him despite my my posts earlier in this thread.

[joelie]

And I quote "The point I'm making is that good players like Brown stand out like dogs anatomy in poor sides (like Westies ATM)". How does this arguement stand up when speaking re Torney/South??

[am Bays]

And I quote "The point I'm making is that good players like Brown stand out like dogs anatomy in poor sides (like Westies ATM)". How does this arguement stand up when speaking re Torney/South??

I knew you would bring that up, LOL

Sorry for thinking based on watching both teams play at least twice on TV or in person that Torney is a better player than Brown - especially when I saw Torney play, in the flesh, when South were up and about. No coincidene that despite Sturt being on top v South in Rd 4 it was when Torney went off at teh end of the first qtr that teh floodgates opened. Before that he had repelled several attacks.

Selections are about subjective assessments. I'm not saying I'm right - just saying that IMO Brown whilst being a good player is not the best half back in the comp and that I rate several ahead of him.

[nickname]

If you're not saying you're right, why bother posting?

You may as well post: I'm not saying I'm right, but Barrie Robran couldn't play.