Strategy 2019 | Let's Construct Our Best 22 | Part 1: Midfielders

[Topkent]

I don't think we really need 2 fat side winger types in the starting midfield, like Fritsch and Kolodjashnij, with both working in space. 1 of them will suffice. the other should have a good mix of inside/outside game, like Brayshaw does. Fritsch to play forward and push up to the wing when the balls in our defence and KK has dropped back to help out.
C Brayshaw Harmes Kolo
R Gawn Viney Oliver

The argument for having 2 fat side wingers would be a left and a right footer so we can change up the attack.

Same six for me. Salem is already a very good half back who is going to get even better. Leave him there - he’s becoming quite good at defending 1v1 and still lacks the real burst of pace to play on a wing.

We had the most inside 50s last year but lost a few games where we dominated the inside 50 count.
We were the best transition side in the AFL last year. Adding May and KK will cover Salems kicking down back ( Mays a beautiful kick) and it allows Salem to try and get more I50s. I don't think you have to be fast to be a winger at all. As long as you can get the ball around the 70m mark turn and deliver you will be damaging.

Salem did look good last year behind the footy and if we are under pressure I can see the benefit in him going behind the footy. But during the moments we are pushed right up the field and struggling with clean entries surely someone can cover his man while he pushes up.

Worth a look for mine anyway.

 

[Headless]

Can KK make a late charge? Otherwise our starting six is looking pretty set.

 

[HB17]

C: Fritsch Viney Harmes
R: Gawn Oliver Brayshaw

Think KK is more suited to the backline than Fritsch being slightly bigger bodied, however could easily line up with both on the wing and one of the mids starting elsewhere and swapping in.

 

[Xhoquelin]

Stretch on a wing for mine. By far the most natural winger. Jury very much out on Jones/Fritsch/Salem on the wing IMO. Jones needs to lose some weight, Fritsch needs to just get better and gain pace, Salem is better suited down back and probably lacks pace too. Stretch is the best runner out of the lot and has strong decision making going inside fifty which we definitely need.

Given how many of our players can play all over the ground, I’d like to play one specialist player in our weakest position on the wing.

KK hasn’t played wing much but has the tools; very much possible that he plays wing. But it’s between KK and Stretch for the wing spot IMO although I’m hoping Salem and Trac get good minutes in the centre circle when Gus is resting down back/up forward and Clarry rests up forward. Those two theoretically have the tools to play on the wing too.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

C: Brayshaw Viney Fritsch
R: Gawn Oliver Harmes

It's a bit of a contrived exercise though given the rotation nature of things. Jones, Spargo, Salem, KK, ANB, and Trac will all be thereabouts playing through HBF/HFF

 

[Topkent]

What will be interesting is whether we stay with ours and collingwoods model of packing the side with midfielders and rotating them or more the WC Richmond model who used more specialist forwards and backs.

 

[space_cowboy]

This is harder than it used to be.

 

[getgaff]

Outsiders point of view but this is my 6:

WINGS: Harmes and Kolodjashnij
CENTRE: Oliver
RUCK: Gawn
FOLLOWERS: Viney and Brayshaw

Pretty similar to the consensus except for maybe a structural change of KK to the bench and Jones into the centre square 3 with Brayshaw getting pushed out to a wing.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Outsiders point of view but this is my 6:

WINGS: Harmes and Kolodjashnij
CENTRE: Oliver
RUCK: Gawn
FOLLOWERS: Viney and Brayshaw

Pretty similar to the consensus except for maybe a structural change of KK to the bench and Jones into the centre square 3 with Brayshaw getting pushed out to a wing.

Need KK to show he can get on the field first.

 

[Proper Gander]

Need KK to show he can get on the field first.

Hell yes.

Beyond me how an injured, young unknown from suns is virtually universally voted in our best 22. No offence to KK but before he displaces anyone he probably should play some games.

 

[TheCount]

Hell yes.

Beyond me how an injured, young unknown from suns is virtually universally voted in our best 22. No offence to KK but before he displaces anyone he probably should play some games.

To be fair, the only reason he’s unknown is because no one watches Suns games ...

 

[Proper Gander]

To be fair, the only reason he’s unknown is because no one watches Suns games ...

This is true.

I’m still a bit WTF when I see him starting on the wing according to most votes though. Even if you are a QLD aficionado, he’s a player with limited exposure due to injury and in a horrible team. Why is he suddenly the game changer for MFC?

Flip side is of course that he may be a great trade in. Cheap due to injury history and risk etc, but originally a high pick. Worth a punt - but not at this point worth ecstatic celebrations

 

[master bate]

This is true.

I’m still a bit WTF when I see him starting on the wing according to most votes though. Even if you are a QLD aficionado, he’s a player with limited exposure due to injury and in a horrible team. Why is he suddenly the game changer for MFC?

Flip side is of course that he may be a great trade in. Cheap due to injury history and risk etc, but originally a high pick. Worth a punt - but not at this point worth ecstatic celebrations

His recent injury set back won't have helped and he needs to play well in practice games to secure a spot but really it was about filling a vacancy - due to Tyson being traded out - with a player who has the required attributes in endurance, speed and kicking skills. If he does ok in the practice games they'll give him a good crack at it because he's the best possible fit.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Hell yes.

Beyond me how an injured, young unknown from suns is virtually universally voted in our best 22. No offence to KK but before he displaces anyone he probably should play some games.

He's an unproven Angus Brayshaw.

Incidentally, Angus Brayshaw is still also an unproven Angus Brayshaw.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Also I literally mean that he needs to show he can get on the field. There's literally no evidence to demonstrate that he's capable of crossing the white line at the MCG wearing a Demons guernsey. Arguably, an inability to do so would render him entirely useless to us.

 

[Fork n Hell]

This is true.

I’m still a bit WTF when I see him starting on the wing according to most votes though. Even if you are a QLD aficionado, he’s a player with limited exposure due to injury and in a horrible team. Why is he suddenly the game changer for MFC?

Flip side is of course that he may be a great trade in. Cheap due to injury history and risk etc, but originally a high pick. Worth a punt - but not at this point worth ecstatic celebrations

well he's played 78 games so far, so i'd say he's had a bit more than limited exposure. he's a rising star nominee and runner up B&F at the GC. has already shown he has a bit of class, and I cant see why he wouldn't only improve in the MFC system if he's over his injury concerns.
also I don't think anyone is having ecstatic celebrations over him yet, but people probably feel he could be a game changer for us because we've been crying out for a genuine winger the last couple of years and he fits the bill. I mean to get a game he probably only has to be better than other wing options like Stretch, who hasn't really shown much in 38 games for us, and a young bloke like Baker who hasn't even debuted yet. surely that shouldn't be too hard for him.

and no I didn't forget Fritsch, i would play him as well, as he's versatile and best 22 imo.