Brodie Smith the midfielder

[Crowman32]

I know its been brought up before but when are we going to see smith play in the middle. He is in his third year now and still doesnt play on ball yet. As a junior he was a gun midfielder who was a ball magnet and like dangerfield was a clearance king. I just think instead of him getting his normal 15-20 possessions of half back he could turn this into 30 plus possession game in the middle. I really hope he hasnt been pigeon holed for the half back role all his career, what a waste of his talent? This kid is a star midfielder in the making - should be playing there.

 

[mcday]

While it would be good to see him rotating through the wing/centre, we kind of need him in the backline. He's still probably the best small defender we have, even though he's been a bit ordinary of late, and he is the best rebounder we have. I feel safe having him taking the kickouts, he can kick and he generally makes good decisions. Until we find someone who can take that role and rebound effectively, he might have to stay back there. There's no reason he can't become a star playing off half-back.

 

[spenze]

I know its been brought up before but when are we going to see smith play in the middle. He is in his third year now and still doesnt play on ball yet. As a junior he was a gun midfielder who was a ball magnet and like dangerfield was a clearance king. I just think instead of him getting his normal 15-20 possessions of half back he could turn this into 30 plus possession game in the middle. I really hope he hasnt been pigeon holed for the half back role all his career, what a waste of his talent? This kid is a star midfielder in the making - should be playing there.

Reckon he will next year.

Generally takes three preseasons to get a midfield tank and a spot will be available as I see Thommo spending more time out of the middle next year playing forward

 

[Schulzycrow]

Need him in the backline and I would put to you that he is already playing midfield at some stages as HBF are really mids now. Lyons development will also aid this as will Rory Laird in the backline.

 

[Cleric]

After watching his finals games last year of the half back and with the addition of Lyons into the centre I am happy for him to keep playing where he is. He gives the rebound run from the backline we have missed since Johncock played back there.

 

[OrdinaryJoel]

He's been rotated in there from time to time I think... Hopefully once Sam Shaw comes back we can see Smith be a permanent midfielder for us.

 

[WAG]

When the only alternative is Reilly, he kind of picks himself in the backline (unfortunately).

 

[Bicks]

With the way the top sides like the Cats, Hawks and the Swans are going with their "slingshot" gamestyle emminating from the half back line Brodie is a must to play down back with his long, raking kicking and run. If not we are bucking the trend of the modern game!!!

 

[King Elvis]

Would be great in the middle, but we need him down back.

Him and another attacking player in defence would transform our side.

 

[Elite Crow]

I get it that we need him down back but I would love him to have bursts in the middle when we need a lift in there.

 

[ftmch]

He's good for 20 to 30 goals a year once he finally makes the transition to the middle I reckon. No better shot for goal on the run from outside 50 in the team.

Agreed he's still needed down back at present though.

 

[cmndstab]

Go back and watch the first couple of games this year when we didn't have Smith available to play down back.

We need him there.

 

[Jetwa5h]

Agree Stabby however instead of actually having an opponent per se I would rather see him in Reillys role as the loose creator type rebounding of half back and running through the midfield.

 

[pjcrows]

He reminds me of Joel Corey.

 

[Skippy231]

We need to get the ball in his hands more often, great decision maker but we should use him as a designated quarterback (mcleod a few years ago) Cool and calm under pressure

 

[fabs33]

Agree Stabby however instead of actually having an opponent per se I would rather see him in Reillys role as the loose creator type rebounding of half back and running through the midfield.

I like this, however I'm not sure he's as good at intercept marks as Reilly. In my opinion that's one of Reilly's best skills, and a significant reason for him being in the role he is now. Still I believe there is merit to your suggestion and would like to see Smith tried in the role at some point. That long and accurate kick of his could really set up some very fast counterattacks enabling us to move the ball into the forward line before the opposition has time to get back to clog up space.

 

[PykeDream]

He should definitely play on Goodes this weekend, all game. There's a time and place for him to have a decent run through the midfield but right now he's the best match up for the opposition's biggest x-factor.

 

[Bicks]

He should definitely play on Goodes this weekend, all game. There's a time and place for him to have a decent run through the midfield but right now he's the best match up for the opposition's biggest x-factor.

Doubt that will happen, I'd expect us to rotate several players on Goodes throughout the match given his "tank" and ground coverage.

 

[cmndstab]

I like this, however I'm not sure he's as good at intercept marks as Reilly. In my opinion that's one of Reilly's best skills, and a significant reason for him being in the role he is now. Still I believe there is merit to your suggestion and would like to see Smith tried in the role at some point. That long and accurate kick of his could really set up some very fast counterattacks enabling us to move the ball into the forward line before the opposition has time to get back to clog up space.

Nothing wrong with his marking, he's a very good mark for his size (and a good size at that). He could probably play that role very well but I'm not sure he would learn much in the process. We may as well develop him for the midfield, while still using him in a useful position.

 

[fabs33]

Nothing wrong with his marking, he's a very good mark for his size (and a good size at that). He could probably play that role very well but I'm not sure he would learn much in the process. We may as well develop him for the midfield, while still using him in a useful position.

I don't think there's anything wrong with his marking either, I'm just not sure it's at the same level as Reilly's, yet. As for whether he would learn anything of value from it, I disagree. Depending on where the club plans for him to play for the majority of his career, playing loose across defence may indeed teach him a thing or two about selecting the right options going forward. I believe it could be a valuable learning experience if in the long run the club plans to play him as an outside midfielder, and if he doesn't develop much more physically it may turn out to be his ideal position.

 

[Geoffa32]

An attacking HB Flanker is essentially a midfielder. This is the role I see him playing.

He is not the kind of guy that will start in the middle, but can see him push into the middle more after the bounce as he matures.