Andrew McLeod go forward!

[Baron Winds]

http://www.afc.com.au/tabid/4417/News/NewsArticle/Default.aspx?newsId=54416

There's (Brett) Burton, (Jason) Porplyzia, Bernie Vince, and it's time some of our midfielders spent more time up there as well, a Thompson, Goodwin I'm sure can play damaging football up there, Tyson Edwards, (Andrew) McLeod, so we're pretty confident we can get the personnel up there."

I know i have said it a number of times in other threads but i never thought it would actually happen.. This article has given me a glint of hope that McLeod may finally bring his magic into our forward line!

I personally think this could be a big move in '08. Our backline has never been our weak point with Rutten, Stevens, Stiffy, Bock, Symes - as well as Basset coming back from injury - our backline is as solid as ever.. I hope they dont continue to "waste" his talents in a defense that already is bursting at the seams with talent..

Go forth and conquer, Andy!!

 

[hayden sumner]

Symes to take his spot in defence, McLeod to go forward and cover the small crumbing role vacancy by the departure of Matty Bode

 

[BWST]

In his senior years, Bungi would be an asset in your forward line. His silky evasive skills would serve him better up that way now on a half forward/forward wing.

Goalsneak ??..... and runner through the lines. Could do much worse.

 

[James23]

http://www.afc.com.au/tabid/4417/News/NewsArticle/Default.aspx?newsId=54416



I know i have said it a number of times in other threads but i never thought it would actually happen.. This article has given me a glint of hope that McLeod may finally bring his magic into our forward line!

I personally think this could be a big move in '08. Our backline has never been our weak point with Rutten, Stevens, Stiffy, Bock, Symes - as well as Basset coming back from injury - our backline is as solid as ever.. I hope they dont continue to "waste" his talents in a defense that already is bursting at the seams with talent..

Go forth and conquer, Andy!!

i hardly see his talents wasted in defence.. he was a HUGE part of our structure and gameplan and i hope this continues.

His ability to run the ball 30 metres and kick it 50 metres is irreplaceable IMO, which wont be as effective up forward as i think his pace is used best running out of defence.

 

[macca23]

i hardly see his talents wasted in defence.. he was a HUGE part of our structure and gameplan and i hope this continues.

His ability to run the ball 30 metres and kick it 50 metres is irreplaceable IMO, which wont be as effective up forward as i think his pace is used best running out of defence.

Totally agree.

He has gone forward on and off on occasions and has never looked the player he did in his peak on the ball or the last 3 to 4 years in defence.

These days it's a running quarterback role for Andrew IMO.

 

[earlsta]

Keep him in defence.

You really don't know how good he is until you go to the game and watch from the stands.

He is the most important player in our team BAR NONE.
Seen him time and time again get the ball from Rebound 50 line then run and bomb it in to our forward 50. Not many people can do this in the AFL.

 

[Mismatched]

Would great to see him play a bit of a pinch hitting role up forward more often, a sudden move forward to kick a winning goal or something, but definitely most useful off the half back flank, his, along with stiffy's ability to turn a half-forward into a defensive player is rare. I think use him similarly to like Jarman was used, if he is not working on the wing or half back, like the QF against Hawthorn, move him forward or onto the ball.

Our forward line requires some class, although I don't think Mcleod is the one, I wouldn't mind us giving Edwards and Goodwin extended time in the forward line, both would attract a class defender, leaving a Porplyzia or someone with a lesser opponent, both can play taller than they are, have very strong hands and are also very dangerous around goals as crumbing types, it would also increase the lengths of their careers.

We need some class up forward, and next year, seeing as very little will come from the younger brigade, we definitely need to consider taking it from the midfield, rob peter to pay paul, yes, but currently peter is relatively rich and paul is in serious debt and this also opens up spots for the youngsters such as Vince, Douglas, Porplyzia etc. to get a go in the midfield, not as hff's or fp's.

Across hb/wing mcleod can use all his weapons, if only he had spent more time with Modra, could have been an extremely deadly combination, but until we get Sellar, Tippet and Walker up and running, I think Edwards and Goodwin are our best bet for something special up forward.

 

[Baron Winds]

i hardly see his talents wasted in defence.. he was a HUGE part of our structure and gameplan and i hope this continues.

Mate i have no illusions about his importance in defense and i dont think his talent is literally wasted which is why i said "wasted", but I would still love to see him up forward on a consistant basis. Sure he's gone up forward occasionally but like anyone playing out of their usual position, he aint gonna shine as well as in their regular possie but after a while... We need some style and skillz in our forward line and who else in the crows side has more than Bunji?

Besides, we need someone else to learn to fill his place in defense.. He's 31 and wont be playing forever (unfortunately). I could probably see Armstrong taking on the role eventually being a HBFer himself. If of course he has what it takes to make it in the AFL

 

[T Rick]

Andy Mcleod is wicked off half back, putting him in the forward line is going to throw your whole team out of whack

 

[Baron Winds]

Andy Mcleod is wicked off half back, putting him in the forward line is going to throw your whole team out of whack

Completely agree, he is a ghod and have watched him at games and am flaberghasted at how he does what he does. But I highly doubt it'd throw the entire team out of whack, and if it did - god help us when he retires eh.

 

[T Rick]

Completely agree, he is a ghod and have watched him at games and am flaberghasted at how he does what he does. But I highly doubt it'd throw the entire team out of whack, and if it did - god help us when he retires eh.

You'd just lose a lot of pace and precision disposal from half back entering the middle and half forward

 

[Damp Squarie]

Keep him in defence.

You really don't know how good he is until you go to the game and watch from the stands.

He is the most important player in our team BAR NONE.
Seen him time and time again get the ball from Rebound 50 line then run and bomb it in to our forward 50. Not many people can do this in the AFL.

Absolutely agree earlsta.
So much poise is required back there and Macca provides that in SPADES

 

[crowman_23]

Keep him in defence.

You really don't know how good he is until you go to the game and watch from the stands.

He is the most important player in our team BAR NONE.
Seen him time and time again get the ball from Rebound 50 line then run and bomb it in to our forward 50. Not many people can do this in the AFL.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[-CG-]

The past couple of years he has been awesome in the backline. Quiet often he's the one clearling the ball out of the backline and his run and carry on the wing is superub to watch. I'd be happy with him to continue his role down there, and as others have said, perhaps move up the ground to be used as a pitch hitting forward when needed. He's been working really well with Graham Johncock, who could perhaps take over McLeod's role one day.

 

[Bachar_Houli]

That would be a great move. He can lead, crmb and take big marks. I don't know who can match up on him.

 

[James23]

^ he doesnt take big marks.. keep him in defence

 

[srv23]

Macca is so important to our defence at the moment. He just seems to have so much more time than anyone back there and never panics. His work with Stiffy running the ball out of the backline is sublime and he creates so much run and so may opurtunities with his pace and precise dispososal. He's a gun back there.
However I would like to see him thrown forward every now and then as a bit of a pinch hitter when things aren't going our way.I reckon he'd be really handy as an OCCASIONAL crumbing forward. But his main role should certainly be HBF.

 

[Moonwatcher]

Clearly we need to blood someone in maccas position. Perhaps they can share the half back roll for a season or 2.

 

[tcinadelaide]

YES,I like this idea a lot.No question Macca has the nouse to play up forward,sheer pace,quick hands,a genuine love for the goal.Just picture the oposition small defenders expression when he gets told he's standing Bunji.Along with the matchwinning, mercurial,yet sometimes frustrating Birdman up forward, personally I can only see this a strengthening of our forward line and would add two players that have genuine pace to chase down opponents trying to run from defence.This would also allow a few other players the opurtunity to step up and fight for their previous positions.

 

[FlyingCrow]

I like him in attack maybe on a flank running forward, like Didak...

But lets face it, he could play anywhere, bar ruck, and dominate....

He could be the next R Harvey, retiring at 37?

 

[crowtricolours]

The one thing we have to remember about macca is his knees. I for one am just grateful that he's still playing - and i think this is due to the fact that the role he currently plays allows him to be more of a straight running player.
He could definitely be used up forward at times but to put him up there full time i feel he could have some problems.

 

[cammo84]

The one thing we have to remember about macca is his knees.

since when has he had a problem with his knees?

 

[-CG-]

since when has he had a problem with his knees?

I believe at least one of his knees is 'bone on bone' but he hasn't had troubles with them for a few years now.

 

[crowtricolours]

since when has he had a problem with his knees?

from memory flared up in 97 and degenerated from there - bone on bone.

 

[FlyingCrow]

Notice he trimmed down a bit last two season, been in good form. Leaner MAcca = Less knee soreness..


Maybe Tredders should have a chat with him