AFL Player 3: Darcy Parish - 'managed' 😱

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent 2028 or 2029
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 18, doug85

 

[Godzke]

Merrett did well up forward as well. If we're going to play a midfield extra, I'd like to be Merrett. If he was pushing up to play on the attacking side of each contest, forward of D50 we could see him delivering to 2MP 3 or 4 times a quarter.

If Menzie, Guelfi and Snelling make way for Parish, Setterfield and Shiel:

1. Parish and Setterfield are mainstays on the ball.
2. Shiel, Merret and Hobbs are primarily mids but rotate through the forward line.
3. Caldwell and Stringer are primarily forwards who rotate through the middle.
4. Perkins and Langford are capable of mid but are almost permanent forward.
5. McGrath, Redman and Hind provide run from behind.
EDIT:
6. Martin and Durham are developing into the best pair of wingmen in the game. Durham's marking and contest work combined with Martin's ability to contribute to the inside mids.

That is extreme midfield depth. Last night showed us that if we have anyone go down in the game we can seamlessly replace them in the midfield.

Menzie, Guelfi, Snelling, Davey and D'Ambrosio are great list depth to come in and play a role at either end of the ground that allows others in the team to step up and play more midfield minutes.

Hobbs will play better and develop more if he also has forward line minutes and is part of a higher-grade midfield rather than being forced to carry a load he's not ready for.

I also like the idea of all mids having some minutes in the forward line to help them see the other perspective of their delivery into the forward line. I also like the idea of all small forwards having some midfield minutes to increase the demand on their fitness, and better understand how they can best position themselves to make life easier for the mids.

Last night showed Hobbs is capable of being a very good midfielder right now. That is great for the club. However, playing 20% of his time in the forward line won't hurt him. Playing in a weaker side will.

We have to be careful not to stack the midfield at the expense of forward pressure and forward craft.

Essendon's Ti50 season average is currently 11.3 (5th best in the comp vs an avg of 10.6). Over the last 4 weeks our Ti50 has been:

• 16 vs Rich
• 12 vs WCE
• 16 vs North
• 19 vs Carl

I think Parish for Snelling is an obvious one and maybe Setters for Guelfi, but I wouldn't be dropping Menzie. Not unless Walla is 100% fit or Alwyn shoots the lights out. Shiel needs to find another way into this team. Menzie is the only natural small forward in the 22 that beat Carlton.

 

[citizen-erased]

What happens if we get 2 or 3 injuries?

Sometimes you have to count yourself unlucky, and then ask some players to do a role

I'm not too bothered. I hope he stays as we play better when he's in.
Somewhat luxury we'd have if he left would be ability to push Caldwell, Hobbs, tsatas through the middle and draft elsewhere for need, plus add depth to cover injury (e.g Dow...just for LOLs)

 

[Westlo]

If last night doesn’t prove we don’t need him then I don’t know what does. Are you going to sacrifice Hobbs, Caldwell or Martins midfield time for the next 6 years if you sign him?

Smashing the second shittest side in the comp right now for a quarter is enough to let Parish go? What are you smoking?

 

[MiguelM]

Parish is elite, period. Club will not trade if he wants to stay.

He is massive for our midfield. To be a top side we need 6-8 rotations through there anyway.

Anyone who thinks we haven't missed him is deluded.

 

[citizen-erased]

Parish is elite, period. Club will not trade if he wants to stay.

He is massive for our midfield. To be a top side we need 6-8 rotations through there anyway.

Anyone who thinks we haven't missed him is deluded.

I like that we've adjusted well.
Looking fwd to how he comes in and the change in dynamic.

Merrett, parish, hobbs, caldwell, setterfield, martin, perkins, tsatas. That's your 8 into the future.

 

[Dudoro]

2022:
With Parish 3-13 19%
Without Parish 4-2 67%

2023:
With Parish 4-4 50%
Without Parish 4-1 80%

What more proof do you need that we do not need him?

 

[fairbump_playon]

2022:
With Parish 3-13 19%
Without Parish 4-2 67%

2023:
With Parish 4-4 50%
Without Parish 4-1 80%

What more proof do you need that we do not need him?

This just reinforces what a team player he is

Only gets injured when he knows we have easy winnable games coming up

Re-sign at all costs

 

[dank420_]

2022:
With Parish 3-13 19%
Without Parish 4-2 67%

2023:
With Parish 4-4 50%
Without Parish 4-1 80%

What more proof do you need that we do not need him?

Sorry I'm not quite getting it. Can you simplify it even more?

 

[Beerfish]

Sorry I'm not quite getting it. Can you simplify it even more?

With Parish = Bad
Without Parish = Good

Therefore trade Parish.

 

[Bipolar Bear]

Can't wait for Parish to be back with his clearances to our Peter Wright filled forward line now.

 

[eth-dog]

I love how everyone says we don't win the clearances when Parish isn't there. We actually have done better when he isn't there. I know the "we can't afford to lose him" crew won't like that but when Parish is there we're actually in the negatives in terms of overall clearance numbers and when he isn't we're in the positive.

 

[Pweter]

2022:
With Parish 3-13 19%
Without Parish 4-2 67%

2023:
With Parish 4-4 50%
Without Parish 4-1 80%

What more proof do you need that we do not need him?

Ah stats. I love stats!

Last year we were an on field basket, glad we've pinned that on Darcy since our wins when he wasn't playing were against ordinary opposition or a Covid and injury ravaged Brisbane.

As for this year, who have we lost to with Parish in the side vs not?

 

[dank420_]

With Parish = Bad
Without Parish = Good

Therefore trade Parish.

 

[Pweter]

I love how everyone says we don't win the clearances when Parish isn't there. We actually have done better when he isn't there. I know the "we can't afford to lose him" crew won't like that but when Parish is there we're actually in the negatives in terms of overall clearance numbers and when he isn't we're in the positive.

How can that be the fault of 1 player, especially given the opposition we played during the first 8 weeks until he was injured?

I want to see how the rest of the year pans out under Scott. It's a shame he played through most of the tough block and not the last few weeks. Right now I'd prefer him to stay, that could change now that we've had a few weeks of seeing how the midfield function without him (and Setterfield as the physical unit in there).

When he comes back we're going into another solid block with 5 tough games based on current form (as opposed to preseason expectations). This will tell us plenty.

It's great to have these conversations, it shows our midfield is heading in the right direction.

 

[Dudoro]

Ah stats. I love stats!

Last year we were an on field basket, glad we've pinned that on Darcy since our wins when he wasn't playing were against ordinary opposition or a Covid and injury ravaged Brisbane.

As for this year, who have we lost to with Parish in the side vs not?

Same people who complain about stats will bring up his clearance stats that go straight to opposition or nowhere.
Who did we beat first 3 weeks with Parish?

 

[Pweter]

Same people who complain about stats will bring up his clearance stats that go straight to opposition or nowhere.
Who did we beat first 3 weeks with Parish?

Exactly. We've beaten "ordinary" sides with and without him, we've lost to "good" sides with and without him.

 

[citizen-erased]

Such an odd debate
We will offer a Parish a contract

He'll either accept that offer from us or from someone else and we'll decide whether to match or not

I don't see us suggesting a trade to him

 

[eth-dog]

How can that be the fault of 1 player, especially given the opposition we played during the first 8 weeks until he was injured?

I want to see how the rest of the year pans out under Scott. It's a shame he played through most of the tough block and not the last few weeks. Right now I'd prefer him to stay, that could change now that we've had a few weeks of seeing how the midfield function without him (and Setterfield as the physical unit in there).

When he comes back we're going into another solid block with 5 tough games based on current form (as opposed to preseason expectations). This will tell us plenty.

It's great to have these conversations, it shows our midfield is heading in the right direction.

I'm not saying it's the fault of Parish. I'm pointing out that much of the argument ITT about keeping him is because we apparently get destroyed in the clearances when he isn't there.

 

[Westlo]

Who did we beat first 3 weeks with Parish?

Beat 16th, 11th, 14th and 3rd with Parish

Beat 12th, 18th, 17th and 15th without him.

So we beat shit teams without him and beat a Top 4 premiership chance as well as a team in the mix for the 8 with him.

 

[Dudoro]

Such an odd debate
We will offer a Parish a contract

He'll either accept that offer from us or from someone else and we'll decide whether to match or not

I don't see us suggesting a trade to him

Obviously if he wants to stay he will. Essendon don’t let players go unless they want to. We don’t trade players or let free agents go for the overall better of the list.

 

[Dudoro]

Beat 16th, 11th, 14th and 3rd with Parish

Beat 12th, 18th, 17th and 15th without him.

So we beat s**t teams without him and beat a Top 4 premiership chance as well as a team in the mix for the 8 with him.

So does that mean we should keep him? Or let the younger mids who have played less than 10 games as mids. Caldwell, Hobbs, Martin, Perkins and Tsatas. Or just put them back in forward pockets and be content with Parish getting 35 disposals.

 

[Pweter]

Such an odd debate
We will offer a Parish a contract

He'll either accept that offer from us or from someone else and we'll decide whether to match or not

I don't see us suggesting a trade to him

In no way can i see us trying to trade him unless he wants out.

What I'm interested in seeing is how the midfield dynamic is once he returns and what it means for guys like Hobbs and Caldwell who have really stepped up over the last month.

 

[TheGrizz]

I love how everyone says we don't win the clearances when Parish isn't there. We actually have done better when he isn't there. I know the "we can't afford to lose him" crew won't like that but when Parish is there we're actually in the negatives in terms of overall clearance numbers and when he isn't we're in the positive.

The issue isn't pure clearance numbers. Look at our contested possession differentials when he isnt around.

Pure Clearance stats aren't as important as post clearance CP. Without Darcy there to hoover up loose balls like he does our midfield was made to look really shabby against Norf and for a half vs Carlton.

 

[TheGrizz]

So does that mean we should keep him? Or let the younger mids who have played less than 10 games as mids. Caldwell, Hobbs, Martin, Perkins and Tsatas. Or just put them back in forward pockets and be content with Parish getting 35 disposals.

Your argument was pointing to our pure W/L record with him vs without him with no regard for any context of opponents.
Don't move the goal posts now.

That young midfield you are referring to got their asses handed to them against North Melbourne and for a half versus Carlton - two bottom 4 teams atm.

 

[Westlo]

So does that mean we should keep him? Or let the younger mids who have played less than 10 games as mids. Caldwell, Hobbs, Martin, Perkins and Tsatas. Or just put them back in forward pockets and be content with Parish getting 35 disposals.

What does any of that crap you just typed up have to do with you acting like we've beaten better teams without him when that's far from the truth since Melbourne and Gold Coast (who you can argue have more impressive wins compared to us with Cats, Dogs, Crows) are leagues better than the shit we've beaten in the last 4 weeks.

And if Ridley didn't get subbed off against Port and we didn't choke against the Pies in the last qrt that completely changes things.