A few years back, the scribes were suggesting we had one of the best midfields in the competition. However, things have dramatically changed since then especially with Judd retiring & Carrazzo about to retire at season's end plus the recent rollercoaster formline from Murphy & Gibbs.
The thing is, we are not that far away once again from fielding a very strong "Engine Room" and it all may have come about by sheer chance as opposed to some very good planning.
Patty Cripps playing standard is rising by the week (heaven help the competition in another 2-3 years time), Marc Murphy appears to be back playing at the same level he was prior to that horrible broken cheekbone he suffered in a collision with Hodge.
Nick Graham has relished his opportunity in the seniors and is making bone-rattling tackles a feature of his game, Dennis Armfield is another who has really stepped it up across the middle of the ground as well as making regular sorties into the forward line,
Tom Bell is now offering some genuine consistency with way less poor decision-making than he previously was (something I genuinely didn't think was ever going to happen) plus the move of playing him more permanently across half-forward suits him and the team better as well.
All we need now is for Mark Whiley to force his way into the seniors (I have extremely high expectations for this chap) and for Gibbs to play with some genuine vigour (possibly wishful thinking) and we are going to be in a damn strong position.
If the recruiting department can bring in two more silky ball magnets in the upcoming draft & trade period, we would end up having a midfield division that at worst, is the equal of any of the other clubs in the competition.
Amazing what a few good weeks onfield can do for a supporters viewpoint !!
Sheik a few weeks ago I was wondering when we would win a game again. How we were going to rebuild our midfield. How we were going to develop our young kids. Judd gone, Carrazzo could be gone and it was all down hill for a wooden spoon.
Malthouse sacked, Barker lets players off the leash, and teaches them how to tackle. He tells them I don't prefer mistakes, but if you make them, I won't crucify you. As long as you get back in there with the 2nd and 3rd efforts to try win the contest again. Now I wonder how we are going to get an early draft pick. The kids have gone from being wild animals in a spot light, frozen with fear, to fearless warriors wanting to get to the next contest. Isn't it funny what belief and confidence will do to a side. This is not the same playing group any more. This is not the same club. This current side wants to win for their fans.
Why did we sign Mick for so long ? This group could have made the top 8 if things were different this season. I honestly believe that, but it could just be me.
Don't know why he was sign in the first place we were going places so it be a different story right now that I do believe
Without talking him up, Thomas could be very important for us if his fortune with injury changes.
Do not underestimate the effectiveness of Kreuzer in the middle. His second efforts in tandem with Cripps at the coalface make us genuinely hard to beat at the coalface.
Without talking him up, Thomas could be very important for us if his fortune with injury changes.
Do not underestimate the effectiveness of Kreuzer in the middle. His second efforts in tandem with Cripps at the coalface make us genuinely hard to beat at the coalface.
Thomas needs to be doing the finishing IMO....I dont expect 30 possies a game anymore from him but 10-15 with 2-3 goals is what I want for my money...
Kruezer's ruckwork is nothing special and I thought Lobbe beat him and Wood easily but MK can get the footy at ground level and get his big body in the
action and as you suggest can he can help Cripps, Graham etc get us first use...
Thomas is that outside finisher we so desparately need.
Kreuzer is our answer to Blicavs and the modern follower style ruckmen... pity is that they get shown up when they play a real ruckman.
Thomas is that outside finisher we so desparately need.
Kreuzer is our answer to Blicavs and the modern follower style ruckmen... pity is that they get shown up when they play a real ruckman.
Yes, I like Blicavs but apparently Gawn had a field day against him. I haven't seen the game as yet though.
Thomas needs to be doing the finishing IMO....I dont expect 30 possies a game anymore from him but 10-15 with 2-3 goals is what I want for my money...
Kruezer's ruckwork is nothing special and I thought Lobbe beat him and Wood easily but MK can get the footy at ground level and get his big body in the
action and as you suggest can he can help Cripps, Graham etc get us first use...
Why would you ever expect 30 possies a game from him? He has only achieved that 8 times in his entire career.
And where are the 2-3 goals going to come from? The rest of the team gonna spoon-feed him the ball <30m from goal?
We were never going to get value for $$ out of the guy, best we can hope is that his performances warrant his selection in the side consistently.
We were never going to get value for $$ out of the guy, best we can hope is that his performances warrant his selection in the side consistently.
Depressing thought.
Why would you ever expect 30 possies a game from him? He has only achieved that 8 times in his entire career.
And where are the 2-3 goals going to come from? The rest of the team gonna spoon-feed him the ball <30m from goal?
We were never going to get value for $$ out of the guy, best we can hope is that his performances warrant his selection in the side consistently.
The 30 possies was a throw away line ::)....what I meant was I dont expect big numbers due to his aging body but I do expect him
to provide some silk down forward and convert his chances. He is a class player when fit and yes he cant kick over 30-40m but we can hope he will improve with
a rest and preseason to the point where he can give us some value...am I confident..No but I am trying to find some positive in him even though the odds suggest
we will get nowhere 700k per year value out of him now or ever.
Thomas needs to be doing the finishing IMO....I dont expect 30 possies a game anymore from him but 10-15 with 2-3 goals is what I want for my money..
I agree, I think despite his injury issues he should still be able to make good decisions and hit targets in the 30-40m range.
The new McLean!
Thomas can't kick 30m, how will he be able to finish? TBH I see him as an honest back pocket if/when he comes back.
With MM gone I'd be surprised if he plays another game at AFL level. Will be handy in the NB forward line though
From what I've heard, Thomas is well respected by the playing group and his approach to training and games is a great example. However, his all Australian days are well behind him.
If he can stay fit, I expect that he will play as a half forward with an occasional burst in the midfield rotations. His pace and kicking may have dropped off but he still knows how to get the footy and he uses it pretty well. Just don't expect too many goals from beyond 30 metres.
We need another very good young mids this draft/trade period as a minimum.
One I rate and did in his draft year is former Murray Bushranger Nick Holman. Great size, good clean hands and now needs some time in the ones.
The absolute jets/classy ball users and movers we need now - Darcy Parish is one and Luke Partington is another for starters out of this year's draft class.
We need talls too, especially of the key forward kind and Schache, McKay and Weideman lead the way here.
I think we can add the 'new wave' of mids/runners to Cripps, Bell and Graham with the likes of Holman and Boekhorst in the mix along with possibly Whiley too. Can those guys become the next batch of AFL footballers will be the key. I'd like a large group of them to come through together.
Still maintain we need more class and skill in the midfield in the 'next wave'. The excitement machines to add to the grunt and experience (Murphy, Gibbs, Carrazzo) would be the next step for me.
From what I've heard, Thomas is well respected by the playing group and his approach to training and games is a great example. However, his all Australian days are well behind him.
If he can stay fit, I expect that he will play as a half forward with an occasional burst in the midfield rotations. His pace and kicking may have dropped off but he still knows how to get the footy and he uses it pretty well. Just don't expect too many goals from beyond 30 metres.
I've heard the same.
Realistic summation there, DJC. Like it.
I see him at HBF or BP, doing a job and possibly using his experience to make the right choice coming out of defence.
I see him at HBF or BP, doing a job and possibly using his experience to make the right choice coming out of defence.
I reckon he'll be a FP or HF.
Still got the smarts and can snag a goal or two. Hopefully his shoulder reco doesn't impair his ability to get his arms above his head.
With a shoulder, rehab is really the key. If he doesn't commit 100% he's finished.
The only thing that bothers me as a forward is that his set shot kicking is awful.
The only thing that bothers me as a forward is that his set shot kicking is awful.
We need someone to create the pressure that Eddie and Jeff used to and I thought he created a bit of energy when there so he could fill that gap to a point. See him as the opportunist now rather than a target as his leap isn't what it was, his shoulder is probably going to limit him and as you say, no hope at a set shot.
I don't think Barker is too upsetv that he's on the sidelines.
When we get the two Irish lads back on the park (hopefully) we'll have an abundance of good, solid running half back types - The two Cierans, Docherty, Yarran & Tuoy to start with then the likes of Walker & Clem Smith who could play there, or have done in the past.
There's no reason at least a couple of these blokes can't be moved into the midfield engine room to fill whatever need we have there. Question is who ?
If we think we've got enough extractors (Cripps, Bell) then I'd love to see Yarran get a midfield role. If he can push himself to get the tank required, he could do some serious damage with his delivery. Could Zach play midfield ? Hard as nails, but is still a quality kick. What about one of the other irish lads, it's probably easier for them to develop & learn the game off half back, but longer term, could they rotate midfield ? Clem Smith ?
I think there's a good lot options just in this group alone, and most of them seem to have that element of hardness about their game that the best midfielders need.
What do others who've obviously seen a lot more of these guys think ?
cheers
Mal.
We need another very good young mids this draft/trade period as a minimum.
One I rate and did in his draft year is former Murray Bushranger Nick Holman. Great size, good clean hands and now needs some time in the ones.
The absolute jets/classy ball users and movers we need now - Darcy Parish is one and Luke Partington is another for starters out of this year's draft class.
We need talls too, especially of the key forward kind and Schache, McKay and Weideman lead the way here.
I think we can add the 'new wave' of mids/runners to Cripps, Bell and Graham with the likes of Holman and Boekhorst in the mix along with possibly Whiley too. Can those guys become the next batch of AFL footballers will be the key. I'd like a large group of them to come through together.
Still maintain we need more class and skill in the midfield in the 'next wave'. The excitement machines to add to the grunt and experience (Murphy, Gibbs, Carrazzo) would be the next step for me.
Agree , we have a good supply of Blue Collar workers but lack some silk and class...Parish and Partington are good players, the latter was probably one of the best
players at the Carnival....like I have said before I also like the taller mid Greg Clark from WA...
Agree , we have a good supply of Blue Collar workers but lack some silk and class...Parish and Partington are good players, the latter was probably one of the best
players at the Carnival....like I have said before I also like the taller mid Greg Clark from WA...
I like Greg Clark too Elwood and has also been used a lead-up CHF by WA at the Champs where his nous allows him to do so well. Very good runner and has excellent endurance to go with his size at 193cm.
When we get the two Irish lads back on the park (hopefully) we'll have an abundance of good, solid running half back types - The two Cierans, Docherty, Yarran & Tuoy to start with then the likes of Walker & Clem Smith who could play there, or have done in the past.
There's no reason at least a couple of these blokes can't be moved into the midfield engine room to fill whatever need we have there. Question is who ?
If we think we've got enough extractors (Cripps, Bell) then I'd love to see Yarran get a midfield role. If he can push himself to get the tank required, he could do some serious damage with his delivery. Could Zach play midfield ? Hard as nails, but is still a quality kick. What about one of the other irish lads, it's probably easier for them to develop & learn the game off half back, but longer term, could they rotate midfield ? Clem Smith ?
I think there's a good lot options just in this group alone, and most of them seem to have that element of hardness about their game that the best midfielders need.
What do others who've obviously seen a lot more of these guys think ?
cheers
Mal.
Malo, I agree with this and have said a number of times Sam Docherty could or should be moved into the midfield at some stage soon. That's the next stage in his development IMO and we could use his leadership, skills, nous and attacking flair in the engine room rotations.
I really believe that Walsh will make it in the next season or so. Hard nut in the Jack, Hanaberry role.
I really believe that Walsh will make it in the next season or so. Hard nut in the Jack, Hanaberry role.
Walsh has my vote.....leadership potential as well.....
Here's what our midfield brigade looks like right now :
A GRADE
Cripps
Gibbs
Murphy
B GRADE
E. Curnow
C GRADE
Cuningham (potential to be a B)
Kerridge
Boekhorst
Buckley (potential to be a B)
Graham
Thomas
D GRADE
Viojo-Rainbow
Tutt
Whiley
Here's what our midfield brigade looks like right now :
A GRADE
Cripps
Gibbs
Murphy
B GRADE
E. Curnow
C GRADE
Cuningham (potential to be a B)
Kerridge
Boekhorst
Buckley (potential to be a B)
Graham
Thomas
D GRADE
Viojo-Rainbow
Tutt
Whiley
Curnow is better than Murphy and has been for some time. Buckley is not a midfielder let alone a C grade one.
Curnow is better than Murphy and has been for some time. Buckley is not a midfielder let alone a C grade one.
Woah there MBB.
Murphy is way ahead of Ed and Buckley has shown over the past few weeks that if he is going to become a fully fledged member of our senior team it is going to be as a wingman or high half-forward.
Curnow has had his best year and would be a damn good player if he could be cleaner with his disposal and decision making. At least he runs both ways and gets the pill, some of mids can't do either.
I don't want to knock Ed Curnow in any way, so I won't compare him and Murph. However I will say that we have definitely missed Murph's skills and playmaking abilities during his absence. We may well have won at least a couple more games with him there.
I don't want to knock Ed Curnow in any way, so I won't compare him and Murph. However I will say that we have definitely missed Murph's skills and playmaking abilities during his absence. We may well have won at least a couple more games with him there.
x2..Ed is very consistent but Murphy at his best is a class player that can help win us games and I agree we could have pinched a couple of games if he had been playing...
Murphy also needs a quality tagger to play on him which should free up another mid and make their life easier....
Murphy was very average this year before injury, most of his effective positions were 15 metre chip kicks going backwards that worked against us anyway.
http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=4&playerStatus2=A&tid2=4&type=A&pid1=1607&pid2=2754&fid1=S&fid2=S
I don't want to knock Ed Curnow in any way, so I won't compare him and Murph. However I will say that we have definitely missed Murph's skills and playmaking abilities during his absence. We may well have won at least a couple more games with him there.
x3
I don't want to knock Ed Curnow in any way, so I won't compare him and Murph. However I will say that we have definitely missed Murph's skills and playmaking abilities during his absence. We may well have won at least a couple more games with him there.
X 4
I agree we have been missing Murphy, we've been missing him since 2012.
I agree we have been missing Murphy, we've been missing him since 2012.
:D
You're a hard man MBB!
I agree we have been missing Murphy, we've been missing him since 2012.
His peak was 2011-2012, but he's hardly been MIA since then.