2019 Midfield

[Dylan12]

Fagan on rules: Unleash the speedsters (Marc McGowan)

Brisbane is set to remodel its centre-bounce set-up with a focus on speed – rather than big-bodied midfielders – in response to the AFL's new starting positions. Each team must station six players inside each 50m arc, including one in both goalsquares, with four others in the centre square, plus two wingmen, at the beginning of each quarter and after goals. The general consensus among coaches is that scoring will spike as a result of the decreased congestion, possibly by a couple of goals a game.

Lions coach Chris Fagan, who was on the AFL's Competition Committee that analysed the state of the game and recommended rule changes, has tested a variety of onball units in match simulation. "Centre bounces look really open now, with just your four players in the middle and the wingers on either side and the forwards back in the 50," Fagan told AFL.com.au. "Bigger bodies are still important, but not necessarily as many of them. "The ball's going to get out in space pretty quickly, so speed and agility are going to be fairly important elements of winning the ball out of centre clearances."

Fagan earmarked captain Dayne Zorko, top recruit Lachie Neale, Charlie Cameron and first-round draft picks Hugh McCluggage, Cam Rayner and Zac Bailey as centre-bounce options in that vein. Only Neale, while at Fremantle, and Zorko made at least 150 centre-square attendances in 2018, so it would be a dramatic change for Brisbane, which granted star midfielder Dayne Beams' trade wish last year.

Rayner, the No.1 pick in the 2017 Draft, will spend more time in the midfield, but will likely still be used mostly as a forward this year. Strong-bodied onballer Jarrod Berry is highly rated at the Lions and will also have a role to play in the middle, while Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson were others in there last season.

"I think you can expect a (Brisbane) midfield that will share the load," Fagan said. "I feel like our midfield over my first couple of years – and it's no-one's fault, it's not a criticism – has been a little bit too much about Dayne Beams and Dayne Zorko. "That's understandable, because the other boys, like McCluggage and Berry, have just come on the scene, but they're third-year players now and their numbers are starting to look like bona fide AFL midfielders.

"Then you throw Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons into that mix, who are elite at clearances and contested ball, and our ruck stocks are healthy with Stef Martin, Oscar McInerney and Archie Smith. "The thing I'm pleased with is that what I'm seeing is they're a group that might work well together, so the strength will be the unit and not just a couple of individual players."

 

[jackess]

Interesting. Less players around the ball would make it easier to quickly clear the ball however you still have to win the footy.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Speed on the wings will be crucial too, not just in the middle.

 

[Fatcat08]

Interesting. Less players around the ball would make it easier to quickly clear the ball however you still have to win the footy.

Yes first posession and clean hands are going to really be significant. If you can get a clean centre possession then its going to benefit you so much more to take advantage of that space. will be interesting to see if the quick clearing kick from the centre loses its lustre a bit though with more numbers inside forward 50. The ability to run and carry and go for goal outside the 50 or just on the 50 may become a bigger feature.

 

[jackess]

Yes first posession and clean hands are going to really be significant. If you can get a clean centre possession then its going to benefit you so much more to take advantage of that space. will be interesting to see if the quick clearing kick from the centre loses its lustre a bit though with more numbers inside forward 50. The ability to run and carry and go for goal outside the 50 or just on the 50 may become a bigger feature.

I would have thought the quick, clearing kick would be better now with even numbers inside 50. You should be able to hold it in at least.

 

[a mayes ing]

I would have thought the quick, clearing kick would be better now with even numbers inside 50. You should be able to hold it in at least.

Wuick clearing kick wont really be to anyones advantage. Whereas if we get first possessions, and use speed then lower the eyes we can kick to a leading forward. Thats the theory tho, doesn't happen very often with us

 

[jackess]

Wuick clearing kick wont really be to anyones advantage. Whereas if we get first possessions, and use speed then lower the eyes we can kick to a leading forward. Thats the theory tho, doesn't happen very often with us

The comment was in reference to the new rules. Of course it is best to kick inside 50 when you are not under pressure. The new rule doesn't really effect this.

 

[BuntonRules]

There is gunna be a whole new strategy of forwards moving & dummy leading to create space for the real target.

 

[Brett C]

Interesting. Less players around the ball would make it easier to quickly clear the ball however you still have to win the footy.

We were 2nd for centre clearances per game last year so fingers crossed the new rules work in our favour

 

[Nunez]

We were 2nd for centre clearances per game last year so fingers crossed the new rules work in our favour

And we've added two of the best clearance players in the league. Excited to see how the team goes in the JLT.

 

[Scubaveg]

I recall similar murmuring about the 3Rs. Will wait and see how they perform first before making a judgement call.

I can’t even remember who the three R’s where - Rich, Redden, ??


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[Nunez]

I can’t even remember who the three R’s where - Rich, Redden, ??


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Rasputin was the third R from memory.

 

[irel]

Rasputin was the third R from memory.

Surely you're taking the piss?

 

[Nunez]

Surely you're taking the piss?

Of course I am.

 

[irel]

Of course I am.

It would only make you stronger. I mean look at Rasa, no poison could touch him.

 

[knaf]

I can’t even remember who the three R’s where - Rich, Redden, ??


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Rocky?

 

[M Malice]

I can’t even remember who the three R’s where - Rich, Redden, ??


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Rischitelli?

 

[snooplions]

It was Retzlaff

 

[bungalow_bill]

Definitely Rocky as all three were from the same draft

 

[Dalions]

Ringo Star!

 

[Surly Boy]

I can’t even remember who the three R’s where - Rich, Redden, ??


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[Colonel]

Sorry to intrude lads and lasses, just wondering who is in line after Stefan Martin in the ruck? If Martin was to go down would Archie be first choice or would it be the big O?

 

[StevoJenkins]

Sorry to intrude lads and lasses, just wondering who is in line after Stefan Martin in the ruck? If Martin was to go down would Archie be first choice or would it be the big O?

Depends on how the new rules affect the game.

 

[briztoon]

Sorry to intrude lads and lasses, just wondering who is in line after Stefan Martin in the ruck? If Martin was to go down would Archie be first choice or would it be the big O?

I think there’s a high chance we’ll play two rucks like we did in lot of games last year.

Martin in the ruck and big O up forward. If Martin goes down, Archie should come in.

 

[Scubaveg]

Rocky?

Who?


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