One thing I have noticed with some of your teams is the selection of Purtell over Graham and Best. Graham is just as good on the wing, but Best proved this season that he isn't a winger but a centre. Especially since Howell has been outside him, his defence has been better. Notice since we have had Howell and Best on our right side, opposition teams have targeted Graham and his winger on the left.
Must I repeat, our problem this year has been defence, not attack. Imo Dobson should keep his spot, if his defence improves and Carney's defence borders on diabolical for a five-eighth yet his attack is definitely that of a number 6. In saying this, last season Purtell was hated by most people (including myself) but he was a solid winger. He was very, very sound. Now this year he was moved to the centres and his attack improved markedly, but his defence morphed into turnstile status, we can't have that. In my team I have picked Graham in 3 and Monaghan in 2. I want to see them on the same side of the field, with graham centre in attack and Monaghan centre in defence. graham returning the ball in broken play is an exciting prospect (it is also not Monaghan's strength) and this tactic would also allow Dobson to kick to Monaghan.
With the halfback problems, I just don't know. The one thing I do know is that Campese/Carney is not the answer. I love Campese but imo, he should be utility off the bench and if we come up against a really big team (Bulldogs or Brisbane) he can start in place of Dobson. The last two weeks have proved we need someone on the bench who can cover the back row and the backs to an extent. And imo, Chalk is nowhere near Campese.
If Dobson isn't the answer for number 7, then Zillman is imo. Herbert is not up to it imo and if anything should be grromed for hooker. So Considering Zillman has done a knee injury, halfback may be his go now that he may have lost a smidgeon of pace. Goodwin can play first grade imho, he just needs a bit of hard work. And if we have a team with Campese, Carney, Withers and Tongue, Zillman only needs to be a back up kicker anyway. He would be more involved and it isn't like Withers, Carney, Campese and Tongue can take a lot of pressure off him in the number 7. His defence is surely not as bad as Dobson's either. I am starting to come around to the idea tha others have been putting forward all year. I hope I see it round one next year.
