Which ten players would you pick for the hypothetical 'Tassie Devils'?

By Tim Holt / Roar Guru

Let’s pretend for a moment the Tassie Devils are coming into the AFL in 2017, with the team having the pick of any 10 players from other teams.

Which 10 will you pick and what proviso will you use in selecting them?

I have taken a present, future perspective in selecting, viewing the team as having three years of struggling and ascending around 2020.

Here is my 10- who are yours, Roarers?

Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
I must admit I tossed up between Nat Fyfe and Patrick Cripps for my first selection. I settled on the Carlton tyro for he is a clone of Fyfe without the injury concerns going forward of the reigning Brownlow Medalist. In Cripps, the team would have a difference-making midfielder that reeks of natural leadership.

Tom Lynch (GCS)
A complete player, whether as an 80 goal a year key forward as well as being a player that others follow. Similar in his natural leadership as the great Wayne Carey was for North Melbourne

Jack Viney (Melbourne)
I love this midfielder. He has such aggression and relentless desire that always delves into being rabid reminding me a lot of Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge. He used to let himself down with his foot skills but is showing more polish this year and only promises to get better.

As with the aforementioned Hawthorn captain, it is only a matter of time before Viney shows similar greatness as a leader

Marcus Bontempelli (Footscray)

The star Scrays player reminds me so much of the Carlton legend Anthony Koutifides. Such a natural athlete with real size combined with precocious silk. Add his versatility with his palpable X-factor and he is a natural game breaker.

Dan Hannebery (Sydney)

The Swans midfielder is respected but in my opinion somewhat underrated. He is an out and out star and deserving of being viewed as the best five players in the AFL. Equally adept as an inside midfielder winning the tough contested ball or breaking lines on the outside. Such big game pedigree as well.

Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
It always astounds me that at 22, Wingard has already two All Australian accolades to his name. The scarey part is his upside, with his success coming as a small forward, but in time one can see him becoming one of the best midfielders in the game.

Jeremey Cameron (GWS)
As a backman it would be a nightmare manning Cameron. He has the build and characteristics of a power forward but is equally adept as a crumbing small forward with his pace and natural stamina.

Mark Blicavs (Geelong)
The game is embracing tall athletic midfielders, with this big Cat a prototype. He has silently moved into the elite bracket in the game and only promises to get better. Away from that side of his appeal is his natural desperation making him one of the most prolific tacklers in the game.

Jake Carlisle (St Kilda)
This selection will shock many but Carlisle could be an elite key back as well as having the versatility to play forward or as a running ruckman.

Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
The top draft choice from last year is destined for future greatness. Such composure with a high-level reading of the play will see him become a difference-making backman. With the perfect comparison being the man who was pivotal in his drafting as Stephen Silvagni.

The Crowd Says:

2016-05-11T00:18:45+00:00

Murray

Guest


Cripps and Hogan were 2nd year players last year, so you're saying Heeney is outperforming both of those from just last year let alone the entire existence of AFL?

2016-05-10T21:38:41+00:00

Penster

Guest


Thanks for not raiding Hawthorn's list there, Tim! Wondering if Birchall might enjoy a home state gig before retirement?

2016-05-10T03:52:09+00:00

Anonymous

Roar Pro


Two glaring omissions for me. One you have already touched on in Fyfe (absolutely criminal to select Cripps over him) and Dylan Shiel. A much better selection than either Viney or Hannebery. I’m glad you have also picked Cameron over ‘The Package’. A much more complete all round player than Stringer.

AUTHOR

2016-05-09T18:10:19+00:00

Tim Holt

Roar Guru


i felt guilty leaving out Fyfe for he is incredibly but i did on the doubts on his body that must rise now. Glad you included Hannebery, I drool over his ability- seriously great player

AUTHOR

2016-05-09T18:08:24+00:00

Tim Holt

Roar Guru


You are reading my mind and the reason I left one out was I couldn't find one in the 20-25 age group that excited me. i was tempted to put in Marc pittonet from Hawthorn for that kid will be special in time

AUTHOR

2016-05-09T18:07:08+00:00

Tim Holt

Roar Guru


I focused on the spine and think i have it with Weitering Carlisle Cripps Cameron Lynch i am happy with the mids I picked with the deliberate focus on youth ( 20-25 year olds ). i erred in not picking a ruck though, but couldnt settle on a young one that excited me

2016-05-09T18:00:44+00:00

Kiama Chris

Guest


You need to pick a spine to start with: FB Mackenzie CHB Weitering C JP Kennedy CHF Cameron FF Lynch (GCS) R Natanui Then key mids: Foll Dangerfield Foll R Grey W Dude from Hawthorn RHB Laird Apologies for forgetting the name but you know who I mean. Decent age split with experience and form. Inside and outside plus some speed. With a decent 12 to be added this team plays a GF next year and may well win.

2016-05-09T17:31:59+00:00

Ironmonger

Roar Rookie


You need a big ruckman to protect the young deveping squad (eg what Mummy does for GWS). Maybe Gawn or Goldstein

2016-05-09T12:22:20+00:00

rick

Roar Rookie


Nice post, and good picks. - Nat Fyfe (FRE) - Nic Natinui (WCE) - Jacob Weitering (CARL) - Tom Lynch (GCS) - Lance Franklin (SYD) - Alex Rances (RICH) - Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL) - Marcus Bontempelli (WB) - kade kolodjashnij (GCS) - Dan Hannebery -(SYD)

AUTHOR

2016-05-09T08:04:41+00:00

Tim Holt

Roar Guru


Heeney is a gun, but i see Hannebery as in the best in the AFL

2016-05-09T08:01:07+00:00

Johnty

Guest


Lol Heeney is criminally underrated, don't think I've seen a better second year player. If he played for a Victoria club he would already be anointed as the next pre eminent player

AUTHOR

2016-05-09T07:47:29+00:00

Tim Holt

Roar Guru


Love Jones, but his age went again him, and in Viney there is a younger clone of Jones with a greater upside

2016-05-09T05:00:17+00:00

johno

Guest


Tassie Devils- Tassie players Alex Pearce Kade Kolodjashnij Jake Kolodjashnij Maverick Weller Lachie Weller Jack Riewoldt Aaron Hall Grant Birchall Ben Brown Tim Mohr top that up with some non Tassie essentials Fyfe, Cripps, Gawn, Dangerfield, Walters, Cameron, Buddy, The Bont, Daniel Talia, Alex Rance Coach Brendan Bolton (Launceston)

2016-05-09T02:49:20+00:00

Brian

Guest


Limiting myself to one per club I go Cripps (Carl) Bont (WB) Viney (Melb) Wingard (PA) Danhier (Ess) Treloar (Coll) Heeney (Sydl) Fyfe (Fre) Cameron (GWS) Lynch (GC) I couldn't take Hogan or Stringer so Danhier will do.

2016-05-09T00:05:57+00:00

Ruminate

Roar Guru


Not sure about the basis for the particular players chosen, but would love to see a Tassie team in the comp....the whole Hawthorn thing down there is only a stop gap measure that makes it more unlikely that they'll get a team. ...and Tassie needs to unite on this too, cut out the north/ south rubbish and get a decent campaign going.

2016-05-08T22:41:32+00:00

Slane

Guest


Are any of those blokes from Tazzie? Jack Riewoldt, the Kolodjashnij brothers and Mav Weller would be a good start.

2016-05-08T22:13:44+00:00

Wilson

Roar Guru


Love that list and would be awasome to see Tassie get a team. I would add to that list Nathan Jones for the Reason 1. Leadership. 2. and just his plain Hardness would be great to have around a young side.

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