Anyone Else Reckon We're Missing Macaffer A Bit?

[Soul_Pie]

I know we've got a strong team at the moment, but Caff was a permanent fixture in our brilliant finish to the season last year. I was watching a few games from last year and really noticed the extra dimension he brought to the team. He had a tendency last year to bob up at critical points and do something really clever, take a really strong grab or just show a bit of poise and class. He also tackled extremely hard and did a good job playing as a defensive forward in a side built around strong forward defence.

I'm an unabashed fan of this bloke and really rate what he brings to the table. Anyone else feel like we're missing him or am I overstating his importance a bit?

 

[Wooljay]

Kinda comes down to Krakouer vs. Caff though I guess, although I think perhaps Caff isn't as dangerous and doesn't have the x-factor qualities that Kraks does, but Caff can play in a couple different places really. That being said Blair is probably keeping him out as well playing the small permanent forward role.

Although I was under the impression that Caff isn't even playing VFL atm?

 

[Soul_Pie]

Kinda comes down to Krakouer vs. Caff though I guess, although I think perhaps Caff isn't as dangerous and doesn't have the x-factor qualities that Kraks does, but Caff can play in a couple different places really. That being said Blair is probably keeping him out as well playing the small permanent forward role.

Although I was under the impression that Caff isn't even playing VFL atm?

Yeah, my assumption is that he is injured if he's not playing VFL but he hasn't appeared on any injury lists as far as I know. Frustrating as a supporter not knowing where a player's at.

 

[Rustin Cohle]

The lack of news on the injury front makes me think he could have personal issues he is dealing with, perhaps in addition to a niggling injury.

 

[Hard Yakka]

Spot on. I think as a strong marking medium forward he adds another dimension to the forward line. He's certainy starting 22 when fit IMHO.

 

[jaxter600]

+1 for mine. Bit like Dawes helping us to straighten up - our forward line is lacking somewhat this year - I've been wondering if it was Caff. whatever is happening for him hope he gets back on track sooner than later.

 

[The New Breid]

Definitely. Just hope he's fit and firing from round 15 onwards, he will give us plenty when we decide to go up a gear.

 

[loki04]

I think we do when he is fit and firing he is a very handy player to have can go forward or back.

He added that 3rd marking option who has sure hands and a good kick also provided good defensive pressure.

 

[jonesy86]

Yep, when fit, Caff is definitely in our best 22.

At the moment we have no other lead-up mid sized forward and it's either Cloke or Dawes or no-one.

He's also good at ground level, a good tackler and knows where the goals are.

 

[Medders_7]

I'm a big fan of the Caff, definitely think he was one of the big reasons we were able to go all the way last year. Let's hope to see him back out there sooner rather than later!

 

[The 10th Letter]

Definitely missing him this year, his ability to provide a marking target along the wings and manufacture goals in general play through his defensive work complements our forward press perfectly. He's definitely been out of form after a restricted preseason, I think someone reported that he was working with the rehab group at training recently.

I wouldn't be surprised if James Hird showed Crameri a whole heap of Macaffer footage from 2010, as he's playing the same role for them perfectly this year.

I look forward to getting Caff back, he was one of my favourite players from last year and the way he's developed his game has been great to watch.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

I reckon we miss Caff. Would have him in the team over Didak to be honest.

 

[johndelosa]

Whats the deal? something's not right as he is not on the injury list and hasn't event been named in the reserves for the past two weeks!

 

[DIDAIC0S]

It seems the rumored OP is quite likely to be OP
Hope he can reclaim his spot later on in the year.

 

[Territory Magpie]

I've heard that he's been battling a small fracture in his foot for a couple of weeks. Not as bad as Grimes of Demons, but was trying to play with it but found that it was starting to restrict him. The club has decided to rest him and let it heal.

God knows why they don't just come out and say this publicly though, rather than fuelling all this speculation and intrigue.

 

[Kirby]

Yeah they should just come out and say. I don't understand all the subterfuge?

We do miss a 100%fit Cafe for sure.

 

[HeavyPop]

Hopefully he will be right from Round 15 onwards when we look to start peaking.

 

[hellfire]

The number 1 thing we've been lacking this year is defensive pressure, particularly in the forward line. I'd say it's partly due to managing our fitness [intensity at 2010 Finals series levels can't be sustained for a full season], and partly due to the absence of the likes of Brent Macaffer. He is imperative to our forward structure, he has been sorely missed. Perhaps I'm overstating his importance, but having watched the prelim and GF replay again, he is so important with 1%ers and pressure.

Hope he is good to go soon, we need him for when we start kicking the press into top gear.

 

[Lockyer24]

I watched Caff during the preseason after someone said he had OP (I was shocked he played) and his defensive pressure was shocking, was running round like an old man.

Do agree we need him though, the perfect structure (depending on opposition but most weeks) seems to be the two talls - Trav, Dawesy, a medium, Caff, then two or three smalls. The tweener/third foil seems to just really balance things out if they are both good on the ground and can take a strong grab.

Chuck Leroy down there if we are playing a weak backline to stretch them.

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

I agree L24. I'm a huge fan of Caffs, however saw him labouring in the VFL this year. He was definitely not fit

 

[Number 10]

Agree completely with the OP, we need him for forward tackling which has been extremely poor this year. Doesn't help that Davis is playing back now...

 

[medhurstISGOD]

Saw him yesterday at the local footy. He was wearing a moonboot.

 

[PieBeast]

Saw him yesterday at the local footy. He was wearing a moonboot.

Word is he has a small stress fracture and will be out of action for the next 4/5 weeks.

 

[Quicky]

We are definitely missing Macaffer of 10' form. The more Dawes gets double teamed the more we are going to need different marking options up forward and he is our best behind Cloke and Dawes. If we had had Macaffer yesterday we would not have had to play Maxwell forward and quite possibly Taz. We are not always going to have the luxury of moving Taz out of defense. Macaffer is a very important part of the machine and no doubt we are missing him.

 

[Ricky90]

I'm led to believe that Osteitis Pubis (OP) is indeed what Caff has.

Sorry, can't back it up with a link but it seems to have been the problem all along. Can't remember where I heard it (maybe it was all false) maybe someone else knows?

/2c.