Opinion Andrew Mackie - How long is he still useful?

[Art Vandelay_]

We all by now know he has a contract for 2017 but there is a subsection of fans on here that want him dropped now. I don't agree with that particular sentiment as he's still playing at a standard worthy of a place in the team. FTR I don't envisage him being dropped in season 2016.

How long will that last is the question. How will Thurlow's 2017 return affect that, will he suffer quite typical Post-ACL struggles? Unlike Bartel is Mackie the one most likely to spend some time in the 2's in 2017?

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

I'll give you my opinion after the pressure cooker that is finals football.

 

[Toe Poke]

I think Mackie should stay in defence where he has played most of his career. Yes, he did start his career as a forward, but I don't see any reason why he should change position now. Also he does chip in with goals occasionally as a half-back / wingman as it is.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

Mackie has been playing really well IMO, he's a keeper for 2017.

 

[vinum coupe]

I don't know.
The balls are in the air.

I can see a reduced role in 2017.

 

[catempire]

He'll just keep doing what he does and being unappreciated for it here.

 

[thegerman]

I really cannot see him play anywhere other than defence. He has no leg speed, so defensive pressure forward would be disastrous. He fumbles a bit when under pressure and is quite ordinary when the ball is below his knees.

Defence is his only position, once he doesn't have form, he has no real place on the team.

That said, he's doing his role this year, so I can't see any replacement playing better or his form dropping much to warrant being dropped at the moment.

 

[vinum coupe]

I think the question is about his future (going forward), not playing forward

 

[Saint]

I think he'd be worth a try as another lead-up forward, Takes a good grab, knows the game and has been playing as a backman for 10 years, so he probably knows what works and what doesn't.

If he starts flagging as a backman, he'd be worth swinging forward for a couple of weeks before dropping him. It's mainly his leg speed which is the problem. He also knows where the ball is going and while defenders tend to be more conservative than forwards, the way the full ground press is going, he could be a defensive forward who can lead and mark and still chop in with some intercepts.

 

[ryzza11]

I think he is doing perfectly fine down back this year. He was one of our best a week or so ago.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I think the question is about his future (going forward), not playing forward

Title amended to avoid that confusion. Was not inferring we send him forward.

 

[The 747]

I don't know.
The balls are in the air.

I can see a reduced role in 2017.

Yeah this, think he might go the way of Mooney and Milburn's final years.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Good creds in big games. I was never a big fan, but I think he is playing well ATM . Almost a Milburnesque role without the Biffo. Still provides plenty of lip too..

 

[RegHickeyStand]

I hate it when Mackie is coming back from injury. Takes weeks and weeks to find form. Varcoe was the same. Joel Corey would be out for 6 weeks and be BOG first up.

I would expect Thurlow to go past Mackie by the start of next year. But with ACLs, you never know.

 

[ryzza11]

Honestly, how many injuries has Mackie had in his career?

 

[CatFan79]

Honestly, how many injuries has Mackie had in his career?

He's had a hair out of place a couple of times.

Mackie has mastered the art of playing bruise free footy.

 

[vinum coupe]

Honestly, how many injuries has Mackie had in his career?

Pretty much none.

Since he made the team he has played over 20 games every year.
Except last year where he played 15. And when he came back he had 13 disposals in 36% game time. So I have no idea what he's talking about.

 

[Vdubs]

I hate it when Mackie is coming back from injury. Takes weeks and weeks to find form. Varcoe was the same. Joel Corey would be out for 6 weeks and be BOG first up.

I would expect Thurlow to go past Mackie by the start of next year. But with ACLs, you never know.

Depends on the injury, and Mackie rarely does

 

[bigblackboz]

Happy to put my hand up and say I was wrong. Thought it was a joke that Geelong gave him two years. I have been proven wrong this year and his output has been fantastic. I am more than comfortable with the two year deal the club gave him.

I usually back the club 100% on list management calls but didn't on this. Perhaps I need to go back to backing them all the time.

 

[Seeds]

We all by now know he has a contract for 2017 but there is a subsection of fans on here that want him dropped now. I don't agree with that particular sentiment as he's still playing at a standard worthy of a place in the team. FTR I don't envisage him being dropped in season 2016.

How long will that last is the question. How will Thurlow's 2017 return affect that, will he suffer quite typical Post-ACL struggles? Unlike Bartel is Mackie the one most likely to spend some time in the 2's in 2017?

Johnson and chapman were still more than useful and we got rid of them. I would of thought the precendent is that usefulness is irrelevant. Is mackie keeping younger players out even if they aren't as good as him. If yes then he should go.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Pretty much none.

Since he made the team he has played over 20 games every year.
Except last year where he played 15. And when he came back he had 13 disposals in 36% game time. So I have no idea what he's talking about.

Missed about 3 or 4 early last year. I remember his comeback game was pretty poor. But when I said he takes a while to get back into form, I was thinking a few seasons back.

 

[vinum coupe]

Missed about 3 or 4 early last year. I remember his comeback game was pretty poor. But when I said he takes a while to get back into form, I was thinking a few seasons back.

go look it up and get back to us. As I said, 13 disposals in 36% game time

 

[catempire]

Johnson and chapman were still more than useful and we got rid of them. I would of thought the precendent is that usefulness is irrelevant. Is mackie keeping younger players out even if they aren't as good as him. If yes then he should go.

Good point. Chappy and Johnson were just stiff that the club uses a random number generator and 35 and 20 came out but not 4.

 

[kimodgers]

Johnson and chapman were still more than useful and we got rid of them. I would of thought the precendent is that usefulness is irrelevant. Is mackie keeping younger players out even if they aren't as good as him. If yes then he should go.

So, on that logic every 'useful' senior player should make way for younger AFL listed newbies running around in the VFL 'even if they aren't as good'. So, starting from the backline, that means we tip out Lonegan, Enright, Mackie, Bartel, Sellwood, etc, etc.
2017 will be a tough year!

 

[Vdubs]

Johnson and chapman were still more than useful and we got rid of them. I would of thought the precendent is that usefulness is irrelevant. Is mackie keeping younger players out even if they aren't as good as him. If yes then he should go.

Each case on its merits.
Mackie is more unique arguably, but likely on a lower contract than those 2.
Chappy had injury/ suspension issues
SJ was erratic and suspension issues also, and maybe w needed to be able to afford Danger.