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Cripps Bontempelli Merrett Kelly - the next big 4?

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TiAn_ said:
Merrett averaged 1.9 more clearances and 2 more CPs than Hunter last year. Hunter is our most outside player, aside from Daniel. Merrett is hardly Chris Judd by comparison..
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Merrett isn't even a great inside mid. But the fact he is so much better at it than Hunter while also being a better distributor, a bigger possession winner and a better tackler shows the gulf in class between the two.

Hunter's a cute little player to round out a midfield but I doubt he'd be top 3 mid at most clubs.
 
mad4freo said:
Merrett's skills for me are the underrated facet of his game. His i50s are always inch perfect and he nails the right options quickly when kicking the ball. It's why he gets so many handball recieves from teammates.
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It's gratifying to read the thoughts of clearly observant watchers of the game after reading so much dismissal
 
Bipolarbear said:
I don't think I have ever read so many shit replies to a bunch of multi-quote.
Rapid-fire shit.

Merrett would be your second best player, try not to be too mad about it. The dogs are a good team because they all play their part, it's not a side full of stars. Bontempelli is a star, as is Merrett but he isn't as good as Bontempelli. Hunter is a very good player, as is Dahlhaus and Macrae.
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Not even our second best mid - our second best player!

Who else would he be the second best player for? GWS, Sydney, Geelong?.. WC?.. Freo?.. Adelaide?.. Richmond?.. Collingwood?.. Gold Coast?

I thought he had a great game tonight. As for his top 10 player in the league status and being our second best player... I'll have to take your word for it and try not to be too miserable about our unfortunate lot.
 
TiAn_ said:
Not even our second best mid - our second best player!

Who else would he be the second best player for? GWS, Sydney, Geelong?.. WC?.. Freo?.. Adelaide?.. Richmond?.. Collingwood?.. Gold Coast?

I thought he had a great game tonight. As for his top 10 player in the league status and being our second best player... I'll have to take your word for it and try not to be too miserable about our unfortunate lot.
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When did I say he was a top 10 player? Rofl. Why are you putting words in my mouth?
What do other teams have to do with this?
I said he was our second best player, he'd be yours, two that's 2 players ahead of him (still 16 other teams) and Heppell certainly isn't a top 10 player, I can see an argument for Bont being so.
 

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Dapperlong said:
As good as Merrett is, right now, Bont is better. Bont is clear number 1.

I still maintain that Cripps and Merrett are equal. They are different players so it is hard to compare

But you cannot underestimate Merrett because of his stunning rate of improvement. I remember when we were laughed at when some tried to say that he was better than Billings. Then we were laughed at when saying that he is close to Cripps.

Never underestimate a hard worker
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i have Bont and Merrett even.
Bont has the height to go forward, plus the penetrating kick on goal.
Zach has the 4 quarter consistent output and work rate. Possessions, Tackles, marks, inside 50s and continuously racks them up.
 
Merrett is extremely quick of mind. He was spotting loose players from within heavy traffic and nailing them with perfectly weighted passes. He has the ability to assess his options in a very short timeframe. This is what most impressed me tonight watching from ground level.
 
TiAn_ said:
Haha it's spot on, he's playing the Hunter role now that the midfield is back, just as I predicted.

Hunter had 700+ disposals and 13 Brownlow Votes last year. That's exactly where Merrett would sit in our midfield hierarchy. Duking it out with Hunter and Macrae on the outside.

It's not an insult, I love those two players, but just putting things in perspective for you when he's being bandied about as a top 10 player in the league.
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I agree that Hunter and Merrett are similar types of players hut I don't see how that prevents Merrett from being rated highly.

Merrett also has Hunter well covered for defensive aspects of the game.
 
Merrett is easily one of the best young midfielders in the competition.

I don't understand the criticism? There are plenty of midfielders that can rack up big numbers but have hopeless disposal. Merrett's disposal is elite, whilst still getting 30+ touches.
 
Bipolarbear said:
When did I say he was a top 10 player? Rofl. Why are you putting words in my mouth?
What do other teams have to do with this?
I said he was our second best player, he'd be yours, two that's 2 players ahead of him (still 16 other teams) and Heppell certainly isn't a top 10 player, I can see an argument for Bont being so.
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Haha sure mate.

He'd be a top two player at the reigning premiers but not at any of those other clubs? Makes sense.

Macrae had 39 against the Hawks in a final. Short memories abound.

Ambrosia said:
I agree that Hunter and Merrett are similar types of players hut I don't see how that prevents Merrett from being rated highly.

Merrett also has Hunter well covered for defensive aspects of the game.
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I obviously rate Hunter highly. And Merrett is a better field kick than Hunter.

This discussion will always get back to what sort of player you put a premium on. I see Merrett playing the Hunter/Macrae/Daniel role for us, and that informs my opinion.

Essendon fans seem to not rate that role or those players very highly at all, but rate Merrett very highly. I find it contradictory, but interesting nonetheless.

He should have a great year with more support in the guts. Will be a fun thread.
 
Ambrosia said:
No one except dogs fans are taking Macrae ahead of Merrett.
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dman800 said:
Can someone make a poll for this? Genuinely interested in the result.
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Haha in a world where people seem to think Bev sprinkled fairY dust on a bunch of local players, I have zero doubt how that would pan out.

And it wouldn't change where Merrett would fit in our team.
 
TiAn_ said:
Haha in a world where people seem to think Bev sprinkled fairY dust on a bunch of local players, I have zero doubt how that would pan out.

And it wouldn't change where Merrett would fit in our team.
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I don't get why you keep going on about where Merrett fits into your team like it impacts how he should be rated.

Merrett matches/exceeds Dahlhaus output for pressure acts, tackles and clearances and is better kick than Hunter. Yet he shouldn't be rated as highly because you think he'd play an outside role at the Dogs.
 

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Ambrosia said:
I don't get why you keep going on about where Merrett fits into your team like it impacts how he should be rated.

Merrett matches/exceeds Dahlhaus output for pressure acts, tackles and clearances and is better kick than Hunter. Yet he shouldn't be rated as highly because you think he'd play an outside role at the Dogs.
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I'm allowed to take into account whatever I want when forming my opinion.

If you want to laud Merrrett's effort in an ordinary team without acknowledging that some players in good teams have to sacrifice parts of their game, that's your prerogative. You form your opinion how you want.

Dogs supporters will just have to suffer the indignity of winning finals with orindary players like Macrae and Dahl not having an extra tackle or clearance per game during the H&A.
 
What's the difference with Merrett vs Gaff.
Both have very similar stats, both are good kicks and both are great outside runners.
I know Merrett decent inside as well but Gaff has improved his inside game as well over time at the Eagles.
 

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Xhoquelin said:
What's the difference with Merrett vs Gaff.
Both have very similar stats, both are good kicks and both are great outside runners.
I know Merrett decent inside as well but Gaff has improved his inside game as well over time at the Eagles.
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Merrett is closer to Shuey for mine, although his inside game isn't quite as developed as Shuey's. Gaff's kicking lets him down at times - his greatest strength is his ability to run all day and work as a link-up player.

Merrett is more damaging as a pure playmaker and has an excellent kick. Was at the game last night and paid a lot of attention to him. He is a superstar. Looked dangerous every time he touched the ball and was clearly best on ground
 
Xhoquelin said:
What's the difference with Merrett vs Gaff.
Both have very similar stats, both are good kicks and both are great outside runners.
I know Merrett decent inside as well but Gaff has improved his inside game as well over time at the Eagles.
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Last year Gaff had 27 tackles

Merrett had 136 tackles

Its like comparing chalk and cheese.

Part of what makes merrett so good is the number of turnovers he causes by smothering tackling and by relentlessly pressuring the opposition.
 
DickDunn said:
Merrett is closer to Shuey for mine, although his inside game isn't quite as developed as Shuey's. Gaff's kicking lets him down at times - his greatest strength is his ability to run all day and work as a link-up player.

Merrett is more damaging as a pure playmaker and has an excellent kick. Was at the game last night and paid a lot of attention to him. He is a superstar. Looked dangerous every time he touched the ball and was clearly best on ground
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Does the work of a number of mids.
Inside he tackles hard, puts pressure on and moves well in traffic. Outside his work rate to get free and rack up uncontested possessions, and then use them efficiently, gives him that elite playmaker edge.

The only thing he doesn't do as a mid is take pack marks or kick goals.
 
The_Flying_Egg said:
True ... likewise very few non Essendon fans are taking Merrett before the Bont
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I think they would now pose a genuine list balance question.
I.e given the choice, I doubt we'd go Bont given we have Langford, laverde, Francis and begley as tall, utility mid/fwd players. They aren't as good as Bont (though we're hopeful with Francis) but they play that role. We also have Heppell who i rate alongside Bont as a similar player of similar ilk.
In Merrett, you get a consistently elite user of the ball who has a balanced inside/outside game.
 
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