Is Roughy a ruckman or a tall defender? Would you like to see Dahl in the forward line, or in the middle? And what about the new guys? Is there any room for Matt Suckling in the back six or would you like to see him on a wing?
Now YOU can put yourself in the shoes of Luke Beveridge and the match committee.
Over the next six days, westernbulldogs.com.au will do a deep dive on our list, breaking it down line by line before we will give you the opportunity for you to gaze into your crystal ball and tell us who you think will make up the selected side in round one.
Let the debate begin!
Tall Defenders
Jordan Roughead cemented his place in the key defensive post of full-back during 2014 but on the back of injury troubles and the need to play him in other areas of the ground, Luke Beveridge was forced to try other players in the role of defensive anchor last season. Is Roughy still your choice in defence, or would you prefer to see him in the ruck, where he excelled in 2015?
Fletcher Roberts forced his way into the side for the round five clash against the Swans and played the next ten games, before an ankle led to a prolonged layoff late in the season. Roberts performed admirably against some of the league’s best forwards and had formed a promising partnership with Joel Hamling by season’s end.
Like Roberts and Roughead, Hamling also suffered an injury setback during the season, but did enough down back to win the Chris Grant First Year Player award at the Sutton Medal in October.
Hamling regularly played on bigger opponents and his efforts to spoil were a feature. He also ranked 20th in the AFL at season’s end for one percenters per game – the kind of stat you want your backmen to excel at. Is this enough for Hammer to earn a spot in your team as a key tall?
Dale Morris has been playing on the opposition’s key forwards for years, and although in 2015 he was tasked with covering the small to medium forwards more often than not, we know he can handle the big boys if need be. And at 32 years of age, he was nominated for the AFLPA Most Courageous Player award. He’s a star, Dale Morris, and no one would argue with you if he was your choice as a tall defender.
Zaine Cordy, Kieran Collins and Marcus Adams are all talls picked up at the National Draft over the past two years. The athletic and hyper-competitive Cordy showed plenty of promise in his first season at the Club and made his debut against North Melbourne after impressive form at VFL level for Footscray. He may need to add some muscle before he makes an impact, but the talent and drive to succeed at AFL level are there. If you need more evidence, take a look at his game saving tackle against the Roos in round 22.
Cast your vote for the one player you want to fill each position and the players with the most votes will start in that role. The top four players not selected will fill out the interchange.
