One of the few tactics revealed by Mathew Knights this pre-season is that he wants to play Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas, Scott Gumbleton and Jay Neagle together in the forward line in 2009.

 

The second-year coach says it's important to get games into young forwards, Gumbleton and Neagle, to fast-track their development - but will it work? 

 

This week we ask exactly that question in the Weekly Poll.

 

 

In last week's poll, 79.5% of fans said Matthew Knights should play a team loaded with youngsters in the 2009 NAB Cup compared to 20.5% of fans who want to see him select the best possible team. 

 

Here is some of what the fans had to say about last week's poll.

 

Iceman from Melbourne says: I think the NAB is a place to ground new blood into real-time footy moreso than they have been exposed to prior, I also think that it is a good time to place emphasis on the set-ups for the real season, but also working towards a plan, and make the new and old players know each others game and the strengths and weakness's must be broached at this time. Give the team a go not just some of the young or old!

 

Trent Hobson from Werribee says: Fans waited and watched with excitement who Essendon picked up in the NAB draft, rookie draft and pre-season draft. So we definately want to see those players in action, especially the rookies and probably some of the draft picks who may not feature much during the normal season. Go Bombers!!

 

Joseph Attard from Taylors Hill says: I know some people may disagree, but I'm going to go with best team possible. Our best team is mostly loaded with young players anyway. If we were to load the players with young players, where will Lloyd, Lucus and Fletcher fit in our team?

 

Stephen Mc Ateer from Niddrie says: If we're taking the season seriously, we should be looking at using the pre-season to run ourselves into some form. You should never send the players onto the field with the attitude that they're not out there to win. Not playing your best team says that the club is not in it to win - at least not 100%. How then can you ask the individual players to give 100%? Losing should NEVER be regarded as acceptable. Practice like you play.

 

Neil Poyner from South Australia says: The young blokes can get a run throughout the season. Give the experienced players the games and let them run into form for the main season.

 

Brett Martin from Tasmania says: Why is everybody saying play the young players - we should be trying to win at all cost, get some credability back, there will be plenty of time for the new recruits to show what they have.

 

Samantha from Melb says: I cringe when I see a player go down in the pre-season cup. You should always keep the most valuble senior players, and let the young kids run around and gain some experience out there.

 

Nicole from Torquay says: Call me silly, but I'd kill to see some wins! Please play a decent team.

 

Luke Cantrell from Tasmania says: I would love to see the young boys get in there but I would also like to see the more experienced players get in there and get a go.

 

Jan Di Pietro from USA says: What better way to see which of the younger players are really ready to take the next step? It is the perfect opportunity to see where they are all at and how they respond to different positions etc. It would be a little silly to not give them a go.

 

Andrew from Altona Meadows, VIC says: Better to play them and give them a taste of the big time while the game doesn't really matter. Or would you rather see how they go in the home and away season straight away?

 

John Smith from Craigburn Farm. S.A. says: Play the best team possible it may contain some of our youngsters with the extended bench. Players must earn their spot and we must gel as a team leading into the first round.The media reckon we have only three players in the ""old division"" any way so the majority are going to be younger players anyway.

 

Shirley Price from Victoria says: Younger players need to be given a chance to perform in the NAB Cup so they can further develop and improve in the skills. They need to be given every possible chance to prove their worth.

 

Stuart Nixon from Ascot Vale says: Don't risk any of the players coming off the injuries that caused last years horror! Let's have a look at the younger guys and see if there is any with the bodies that can handle the rough stuff.

 

Doris Flanagan from Qld says: The best team possible should be playing NAB cup the team needs all the confidence prior to the REAL Premiership Matches.

 

Ben from Adelaide says: have a look at our list, isn't best team possible and loaded with youngsters one and the same?