Carltons' Future Midfield

[Chemical]

Everyone knows that the midfield is a concern for the blues. We have trouble keeping possession, have trouble linking the ball and go quiet in periods. Here is what I'd like to see in the future (a few years at least):

C: Walker Houlihan Simpson
Ruck rovers: Bentick Murphy

A fast, silky midfield with the obvious hardness of Bentick. With the rules being changed towards fast play, I believe that speed will be the key.

Disposal average - 2010:

Walker

2004:9.4
2005:9.8

A 4 % increase. In 5 years time at 4 % - 12 disposals per game. Factor in age and experience and with a 15 % increase every year which is quite low considering his potential - 19.7 disposals per game

Houlihan

2000:10
2001:13
2002:13
2003:16
2004:16
2005:17

Average it off roughly and a 20% increase throughout time. In 5 years time a 7 % decrease every year from 20% - 24.4 disposals per game

Simpson

2003:0
2004:4
2005:11.6

A huge leap from 04 to 05! Given Simpson is coming on, 25% then decreasing 7 % each year seems fair - 19.5 disposals per game

Bentick

2004:8.8
2005: 15.3

Another strong improver. 25 % decreasing by 7 % each year - 26 disposals per game

Murphy

Nope, not yet

Although the disposals for each player may be a bit low and bit high in some cases, it is just guesswork and it is pleasing to see that these players are improving every year even though the team as a whole isn't. Say an average of 25 disposals for Murphy given his expectations, this midfield would amass an average of 22.92 disposals per midfield per game. Compare this to 19.61 disposals per midfielder per game in 2005 and although there seems a minor difference, possession is critical. Also have to take into consideration Pagans' kick it long policy...

And yes, I'm bored

 

[Snoozer]

I really hope I'm reading that wrongly, with Houlihan in the centre. He's not a centreman's cake hole and will be lucky to be at the club next year with yet another mediocre season under his belt.

 

[Chemical]

I really hope I'm reading that wrongly, with Houlihan in the centre. He's not a centreman's cake hole and will be lucky to be at the club next year with yet another mediocre season under his belt.

Averaged 17 possessions in 2005 (some cheap!). Wouldn't call that too mediocre - just needs to be harder at the ball. I have high hopes for him and Bannister.

 

[bluesforever]

Averaged 17 possessions in 2005 (some cheap!). Wouldn't call that too mediocre - just needs to be harder at the ball. I have high hopes for him and Bannister.

Agreed. Houlihan isn't really at the crossroads, I'm sure staff (and supporters) have let him know where his game needs to lift. I wouldn't think Carlton would get rid of him, even if he has an average season in 06. Also, I would certainly not call an average of 17 possies a year a mediocre year.

 

[Funkalicous]

Nick Stevens is only a couple of years older than Houlihan. He'll be around for a while yet.

 

[Chemical]

Nick Stevens is only a couple of years older than Houlihan. He'll be around for a while yet.

I thought about including him but for what ever reason (a stupid one at that), I don't see him as midfielder. Half-back flank sure, but not a midfielder.

 

[HBF]

FWIW, i think our centre line might look something like this in a few years.

Walker Murphy Simpson
Rucks McLaren Stevens Bentick

Players that would/could rotate through their are Russell, Blackwell, Carrazzo, Houlihan (in bursts) and Smith. Hopefully we will take some more mids in this years super draft - Gibbs or Selwood.

 

[irish_setanta]

I really hope I'm reading that wrongly, with Houlihan in the centre. He's not a centreman's cake hole and will be lucky to be at the club next year with yet another mediocre season under his belt.

May not have had the best season but, compared to what cancereale has done for the last 5 years, short kicks and running past for the handball, id rather have houlihan he has the skill and i think after a very poor 05, we will see a better houlihan in 06.

 

[mojo31]

May not have had the best season but, compared to what cancereale has done for the last 5 years, short kicks and running past for the handball, id rather have houlihan he has the skill and i think after a very poor 05, we will see a better houlihan in 06.

He is fitter and training much harder in the pre season. Will be set for a midfield role. Done the hard yards in the reserves last year to change his ways. Showed in the final game against North that he was prepared to put his head over the ball and to chase and tackle and to increase his intensity.
I am expecting him to have a decent season. He is not Michael Voss but did need some re-programming.
You cant shirk the issue under Denis Pagan and survive and hopefully Ryan will not have anymore "Franklin incidents in 2006". Otherwise he will be traded or delisted if there are no takers.

 

[HBF]

I really think Houlihan plays his best footy in the forward line, with bursts into the midfield. Would love him to be able to step up into a midfield role, but i'm just not sure he has the courage and the accountability to play in that role.

IMO, could go either way 2006. Lets hope it's up, not down..

 

[Hu$$ey]

I really think Houlihan plays his best footy in the forward line, with bursts into the midfield. Would love him to be able to step up into a midfield role, but i'm just not sure he has the courage and the accountability to play in that role.

IMO, could go either way 2006. Lets hope it's up, not down..

Yeah I agree with that, I think he was good in the forward line using his skills forward of the centre. His urgency, or lack of, is very damaging to the team and the morale of the players when he turns the ball over in the back half. It puts all the defenders under pressure and nearly everytime results in a goal. It happens too often with him.

So I think if he plays forward of the centre, he'll be damagaing to the other team and won't hurt US too much either with his turnovers.

 

[OZBomb]

I can see Houlihan and one of Deluca and Bryan being used in order to snaffle a later 1st round pick.

 

[HBF]

I can see Houlihan and one of Deluca and Bryan being used in order to snaffle a later 1st round pick.

I would doubt that any of these guys would be worth a 1st round draft pick, particularly given that the 2006 draft is considered to be quite strong. Crunch years though for Houlihan and DeLuca, with Bryan given more of a chance to prove himself after only 1 year.

 

[OZBomb]

I would doubt that any of these guys would be worth a 1st round draft pick, particularly given that the 2006 draft is considered to be quite strong. Crunch years though for Houlihan and DeLuca, with Bryan given more of a chance to prove himself after only 1 year.

They aren't... I meant Houlihan plus Deluca or Bryan might be worth a late 1st rounder.

 

[HBF]

They aren't... I meant Houlihan plus Deluca or Bryan might be worth a late 1st rounder.

Still don't think a combination of Houlihan/DeLuca or Houlihan/bryan is worth a first round pick. Personally, I'd like to persist with all three. Houlihan has shown what skills he has got, he just needs to work on getting his head over the ball and accountability. DeLuca and Bryan should be kept as French isn't getting any younger and we will need another ruckman in 2-3 years when Barny gives it away.

 

[deluxeman]

Still don't think a combination of Houlihan/DeLuca or Houlihan/bryan is worth a first round pick. Personally, I'd like to persist with all three. Houlihan has shown what skills he has got, he just needs to work on getting his head over the ball and accountability. DeLuca and Bryan should be kept as French isn't getting any younger and we will need another ruckman in 2-3 years when Barny gives it away.

There is no chance that Deluca or Bryan could step into at French's shoes, at best their a 3rd or 4th backup ruckman. More realistically hope that guys like Batson and Aisake can fill French's shoes in a few years times.

Wouldn't want to give up Houlihan, he has talent and should be played on the HFF next year where he has played some of his best footy.

 

[defier]

Cant wait for this years draft when we pick up a few quality midfielders.

 

[HBF]

There is no chance that Deluca or Bryan could step into at French's shoes, at best their a 3rd or 4th backup ruckman. More realistically hope that guys like Batson and Aisake can fill French's shoes in a few years times.

Wouldn't want to give up Houlihan, he has talent and should be played on the HFF next year where he has played some of his best footy.

DM, what I meant to say was that in a few years, one or both could be at a level where they could be the second ruckman at the club, hopefully behind McLaren.

 

[deluxeman]

DM, what I meant to say was that in a few years, one or both could be at a level where they could be the second ruckman at the club, hopefully behind McLaren.

Not sure if either of them would be up to it. I don't think Deluca will be on the list in 3 years time and unless Bryan can establish himself as a defender I doubt he will be on the list either. I'd rather see a young guy like Aisake/Batson be in the no1 ruck role with backup from McLaren and hopefully another young ruckman emerging from the 06/07 draft.

 

[Hu$$ey]

I can see Houlihan and one of Deluca and Bryan being used in order to snaffle a later 1st round pick.

It'll really depend how Batson and Aisake come on especially Batson as it is his last year on the rookie list and will need to either be promoted or delisted at the end of they year.

If he shows enough to warrant promotion then one of Deluca and Bryan might be bundled off, if he doesn't then they remain. And I can't see the whole package together appealing to any club to give up a first rounder, maybe mid 2nd.

 

[HBF]

Not sure if either of them would be up to it. I don't think Deluca will be on the list in 3 years time and unless Bryan can establish himself as a defender I doubt he will be on the list either. I'd rather see a young guy like Aisake/Batson be in the no1 ruck role with backup from McLaren and hopefully another young ruckman emerging from the 06/07 draft.

Out of the 2, I think Bryan is a better rucking option than DeLuca. Bryan is still relatively young and we need to give him time to develop. DeLuca, as I have said, is more of a forward cum ruckman that can take a pretty good mark. I'd rotate DeLuca off the bench if anything and play him in bursts in the forward line.

Haven't seen enough of Aisake or Batson to make a judgement call on them.

 

[deluxeman]

Out of the 2, I think Bryan is a better rucking option than DeLuca. Bryan is still relatively young and we need to give him time to develop. DeLuca, as I have said, is more of a forward cum ruckman that can take a pretty good mark. I'd rotate DeLuca off the bench if anything and play him in bursts in the forward line.

Haven't seen enough of Aisake or Batson to make a judgement call on them.

Definitely agree with you about Bryan being the better ruck option, he showed a lot in a few games last year when French was out injured.

Deluca was best playing the 3rd/4th tall option in the forward line in 2004. Since then Waite and Fisher have jumped ahead of him and then there are guys like Setanta and Hartlett that could step up even further, pushing Deluca even further out of selection. Luckily for him, the club gave him a 2 yr contract and it seems that he will be on the list till 2007 at the very least.

 

[Effes]

Bryan isn't up to rucking IMO; not only does he not have the height, but his leap is not big enough and his timing is woeful. Deluca has the height, but not the muscle/strength or timing.

Hopefully French remains fit and given that he only really started late can play on for 3-4 more years while Aisake who is quite promising and someone like Leunberger can develop.

Will be interesting to see Pagan's philosophy on drafting ruckmen - we had the chance to pick Cameron Wood at 9 in 04 but chose Russell. You could argue that French is probably our most important player

Getting onto the midfield, we still lack the skills and running power that is required to beat many teams. You only have to look at the amount of skillful, quick runners that the bulldogs have to see how far behind we really are

Cooney, Griffen, Eagleton, Faulkner, Giansiracusa, Gilbee, Johnson, McMahon, R Murphy, Morris, Ray, Power, Smith, Birss

Whereas our skillful runners are Stevens, Simpson, Houlihan (not overly quick), Murphy, Carrazzo (more a linkman than runner), Chambers (not at the level required), Lappin, Scotland, Russell, Walker

You compare the number of A graders the bulldogs have and then see we only really have Stevens as an A grader.

 

[Silvagnis]

Bryan isn't up to rucking IMO; not only does he not have the height, but his leap is not big enough and his timing is woeful. Deluca has the height, but not the muscle/strength or timing.

Hopefully French remains fit and given that he only really started late can play on for 3-4 more years while Aisake who is quite promising and someone like Leunberger can develop.

Have we drafted him?

Will be interesting to see Pagan's philosophy on drafting ruckmen - we had the chance to pick Cameron Wood at 9 in 04 but chose Russell. You could argue that French is probably our most important player

Getting onto the midfield, we still lack the skills and running power that is required to beat many teams. You only have to look at the amount of skillful, quick runners that the bulldogs have to see how far behind we really are

Cooney, Griffen, Eagleton, Faulkner, Giansiracusa, Gilbee, Johnson, McMahon, R Murphy, Morris, Ray, Power, Smith, Birss

Whereas our skillful runners are Stevens, Simpson, Houlihan (not overly quick), Murphy, Carrazzo (more a linkman than runner), Chambers (not at the level required), Lappin, Scotland, Russell, Walker

You compare the number of A graders the bulldogs have and then see we only really have Stevens as an A grader.

Power?

They do have a lot of classy runners but Walker and even Russell could step up to the level of Ray, Faulkner, Power and Morris (23) next year. They haven't done that much in the AFL in comparison to the other players you named.

I'm surprised you didn't mention Bogan4life's lovechild Brad Murphy!

 

[Effes]

I think Ray is quality and will show what a gun he is this year. Russell in my view struggles to win the ball unlike Ray who has no problem getting the ball. Power could be useful if given confidence that he will not be dropped.......pace and skill........might lack hardness but he'll have quite a few feeding it out to him