I sincerely hope you’re right with those comments TT and I think you are spot on about Bevan.Personally I think we are in a bit of a transition stage in that although our best 22 is pretty close to anyone in the league we have lost a bit of depth in the offseason.Our young guys,as you say,have talent but will take time to mature.The good thing is that Salecic actively promotes the younger guys but all good things take time.The thing we struggled with last season was an unusually long injury list and although all teams have injuries we have been pretty lucky in recent seasons in that area.Overall I think we should be competing strongly for finals this year but getting more games into the young guys will be important.As some others have posted their best 22 here’s who might be ours:
Munns. S.Rotham. Johnson
Gauds J.Rotham. Moulton
Hinder. Meadows. Gilbee
Steele. Paterson. Lynch
Black. Keitel. Knott
Sprigg. Bevan. Nelson
RES: Rundle. Alexandre Murray Long
Haven’t put a couple of the recruits in because they have had late training start dates and haven’t shown anything yet as a result.Steele and Gilbee have had good reports straight from the coaches mouth and he described some of their training as “elite “ so I’ll go with that.
In a perfect world all clubs would love to have their best 22 on the park every week but that won’t happen so depth will be important.I just think we are a little short in that area.
Also with a few of our veterans not being there in the next couple of years the young guys development needs to be fast tracked as soon as possible.
Oops….BIG omission on my part.Mitch Pierce would be in the best 22 for sure.
Steele played all his games last year in the backline, so half forward is not his roll, I’m not sure where his fit will be.
Named on a wing for tomorrow - https://www.wafl.com.au/team-selection
Yeah GC not many from that nominated “best 22” playing league today so will be interesting to see how it goes.Good to get some insights about the young guys and they will be pitted against a fairly strong EP side so a good test.Winger Salecic did comment on a 91.3 sport interview about Steele’s disposal being elite so maybe midfield- possibly a Conal Lynch type?
Not sure you would call our team all that strong, good maybe but like you trying some players out which from my viewpoint always a good thing!
West Perth going well in their scratchie. Currently a 5 goal lead late-ish in the match. On a warm afternoon such as it is, they are in a good position to come away with a win.
Liked what I saw yesterday, Steele is going to be a great addition, Wooden had a great game as a mid which is handy, could see him starting. Both sides had a number of players out, we had 9 out, some young fellas in defence were good and give us depth. McKenzie is a big unit, did some good things and will improve I have no doubts. Tackling pressure was a highlight. WP won by 2 or 3 goals.
[quote=“Whinnen post=241023 userid=3741”]Liked what I saw yesterday, Steele is going to be a great addition, Wooden had a great game as a mid which is handy, could see him starting. Both sides had a number of players out, we had 9 out, some young fellas in defence were good and give us depth. McKenzie is a big unit, did some good things and will improve I have no doubts. Tackling pressure was a highlight. WP won by 2 or 3 goals.
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Mel,how did the Royals midfield look yesterday,??it looks pretty thin to me,with really only Brayshaw missing from yesterday’s lineup.
Thanks for the update Whinnen.Sounds like there were some positive signs especially Steele showing his ability.Would love to know where he played position wise and certainly seems a good get.Always interested in the younger guys and blokes like Foley,Sherwood and Dimanlig and a few others hopefully have a good year of progress .Wooden and Sherwood were great in Colts/Reserves last year so maybe league is not beyond them this year.
Sam Swadling I hear is going to be a very good player for WP…only a youngster but very silky.
Brayshaw ran out with the Rezzies as I was leaving, he looked a tad heavy. EP will be a good side but on a fast track you will lack a turn of speed, I reckon you will miss Crowden and Schumaker. Freeze, I am glad you mentioned Swadling, he looks a very likely type, did some amazing things, cant wait to see him throughout the season. How do you know of him ?
[quote=“TheFeds post=241028 userid=3849”]Thanks for the update Whinnen.Sounds like there were some positive signs especially Steele showing his ability.Would love to know where he played position wise and certainly seems a good get.Always interested in the younger guys and blokes like Foley,Sherwood and Dimanlig and a few others hopefully have a good year of progress .Wooden and Sherwood were great in Colts/Reserves last year so maybe league is not beyond them this year.
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Wooden just on the one preseason game is going to be a ripper, he is a thick set kid but runs everywhere. He kicked 2 goals from giving it out in the centre bounce, running on to receive and goal from just inside fifty, he reminded me a lot of Bailey Rogers.
Enjoyed catching up with some of the boys, had a chat with Pegs, he won’t be back this season but probably back for season 2026. Also had a real good chat with Baba, he has trained with GWS and has a twinge in his Achillies, Pearce has done a hammy, Joey had slight concussion, bunged his head on Munsie’s jaw at training, he will be playing next week. Really liked Bewick’s game, Steele played on the wing but I don’t think that’s where he belongs, Waight played at CHB and has a similar gate to Pegs, he did ok. Foley & Bevin stood out. The way I saw the game, EPs kicking better, tackling tougher, high marking excellent. WPs speed, crumping work, forward handball and the ball over the top of the pack play worked. The new scoreboard hasn’t been erected as yet, not sure what the hold up is, maybe a Trump tariff stuffed things up.
Love watching the colts games live Mel…Swadling just caught my eye…as an underage colt last year, he just played with aplomb well beyond his years…no doubt will get drafted top 20 I reckon in Nov…bugger for WP…but let him loose in the seniors in 25…just looks like a real footballer…got great skills.
[quote=“Freezin post=241056 userid=945”]Love watching the colts games live Mel…Swadling just caught my eye…as an underage colt last year, he just played with aplomb well beyond his years…no doubt will get drafted top 20 I reckon in Nov…bugger for WP…but let him loose in the seniors in 25…just looks like a real footballer…got great skills.
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You wouldn’t be far off the mark, hopefully he plays, he is not on our website player list which is odd.
[quote=“Whinnen post=241094 userid=3741”]You wouldn’t be far off the mark, hopefully he plays, he is not on our website player list which is odd.
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Sam Swadling is listed in the colts section (#26)
https://westperthfc.com.au/wafl/players/colts-male