Bomber midfield shake up likely

[Pevers-Legend]

Bomber midfield shake up likely
Friday, 25 June 2004
Essendon supporters might see a very different midfield in the second half of season 2004 as the Bombers’ coaching panel search for the spark that might put the team back on track for a top-four berth. Coach Kevin Sheedy said he had been disappointed with the midfield’s consistency, particularly against Melbourne.

"I have been disappointed with consistency of the players in the midfield – I am talking about the likes of Dean Solomon and Mark Johnson," Sheedy said.

"They haven’t had enough of the ball consistently and their form was down a bit (against Melbourne), there is no doubt about that. And we put too much reliance on Hird.

"We could put Mark Johnson back in defence. (Adam) McPhee might come in (to the midfield). You need people who can really run and have real engines – we did that late against Melbourne just to have a look."

Sheedy said that while everyone needed to lift in the second half of the season, he said a younger midfield might just give the side the vibrancy it needed to beat quality opposition.

"I think we have to put some young players in the team to get that vibrancy into the side. We have recruited midfielders but they have been very young and it takes time for them to develop. Brent Stanton, Jason Winderlich, Darren Walsh and Ricky Dyson," Sheedy said.

"It takes a while for that to happen and it is why clubs like Melbourne and Geelong have been up and down a little bit. Until you actually get games into that midfield area that happens. The easiest thing to do is to go and trade and not get a player like Kepler Bradley.

"But we are putting Brent Stanton on for the amount of time we think will help him develop and Ben Haynes has been a positive. We also have Mark Alvey who is coming off a knee reconstruction and his first 12 months was always going to be important in terms of him getting back to full fitness."

The Bombers’ couldn’t consider Winderlich or Dyson for the clash against Melbourne with both players still recovering from concussion.

Sheedy says Essendon is still very much focussing on a top-four finish despite losing its past two games. He says there have been some positives to come out of the losses and that gives the team something to build on in the second half of the year.

"I think Kepler Bradley will be a good player if he consistently keeps trying as hard as he does. He has a very good work ethic for a six foot six player. I think David Hille played a little bit better," Sheedy said.

"We are in the middle of trying to transform this side into one that can do the job for us. We have got players out but that gives a few of our youngster the chance.

"If we can get through the bye and win two very important games against the Kangaroos and Richmond, that will give us 10 wins out of 15 games and that gives you a chance."

"Anyone in the top eight should be talking about top four – of course that it still the aim. It is a tough competition and things can change quickly. Melbourne copped a couple of injuries, have got to go to Adelaide and then cop St Kilda the week after that. The AFL draw, because it is uneven, is really challenging."

I have to say this is exactly what I wanted. After the Melbourne game, even before that, after the Brisbane game is was clear the midfield we currently have is not good enough and we need to get the kids in there and give them the experience required so they can eventually step up. Please don;t back down on this promise Sheeds, play the kids and let em have a crack. Doesn't mean we need to get rid of all the midfield, more just have one kid in their at all times essentially, and make sure we are always giving exposure to those who will be there in 3 years.

 

[anonymous Joe]

Originally posted by Pevers-Legend
I have to say this is exactly what I wanted. After the Melbourne game, even before that, after the Brisbane game is was clear the midfield we currently have is not good enough and we need to get the kids in there and give them the experience required so they can eventually step up. Please don;t back down on this promise Sheeds, play the kids and let em have a crack. Doesn't mean we need to get rid of all the midfield, more just have one kid in their at all times essentially, and make sure we are always giving exposure to those who will be there in 3 years.

The Farmer who picks his crops early will always go hungry.

Sheeds thoughts on developing kids.

 

[Bartholin Juice]

We should be looking to play all of Stanton, Dyson, and Winderlich. Just rotate them through the midfield, half back flank, forward pocket, whatever.

 

[Darealrath]

Good news, though Sheeds always seems a bit reluctant to carry through on these promises lately.

Dyson, Stanton, Winderlich, Bullen and Haynes all deserve some good match time.

This might also add credibility to the rumour on the official sites forum that Misiti will retire on Hird's 200th vs Richmond.

 

[Stealth bomber]

Need to ease them into it, but you actually need to give them some real game time too, once they are there. Playing them for 10 minutes off the bench isn't going to do much.

Pick one or two a week, on form, and give them a half or maybe even start one on the ground and see if they can run out a full game, spelling them late in each quarter.

We aren't going anywhere with how things are currently, so it might be time to take a risk.

 

[Sports Capital]

I wanna see Ricky Dyson play. He's got skill and hes got pace to burn so he could be the next Michael Long.

 

[dave_27]

Still got Rioli, Alvey and Dyson to cum back and strengthen the midfield as well as trying out Mcphee in the midfield for longer periods. Ramanauskas as well who has been finding his fitness will hopefully get back into the midfield full time for the run to the finals with Haynes who will only get better as he play more games.

There is alot of scope for improvement in the midfield to cum in the second half of the season.

 

[Dave]

Originally posted by dave_27
There is alot of scope for improvement in the midfield to cum in the second half of the season.

We'll need it then. The run home is a lot tougher than the first round.

 

[dave_27]

Originally posted by Dave
We'll need it then. The run home is a lot tougher than the first round.

ur tellin me but according to the morons in the media west coast away, sydney away, St Kilda and Port Adelaide is a easy run home.

 

[lufc618]

I'd like too see Bullen given more time in the middle. Whenever he is picked in the seniors he always spends the majority of the match on the bench. Over the last few weeks i have watched a few games from earlier in the year and also last season and bullen played pretty well in those matches. Alvey will get better with every match he plays as well so theres definietly a lot of things to look forward too. Not to mention the youngsters coming through.

 

[Mountain West]

Originally posted by dave_27
ur tellin me but according to the morons in the media west coast away, sydney away, St Kilda and Port Adelaide is a easy run home.

The media isn't always right. This is exhibit T.