Danger Down Back?

[Ticktak]

What do people think about Dangerfield maybe being used as a defender for most of the year?

I know the club have stated they want to play him more in the midfield but it may suit the club & Danger for him to go back at this stage.

-Like Rucciuto he could leran his trade from the HBF.
-He is tall enough and has a good enough leap to take a 3rd tall.
-His attack on the footy would scare the daylights out of some forwards.
-He would be able to use the run receive that we are all looking for him to do more of.
-He probably wouldn't go missing as much during games.
-It would open up another spot for someone to go into the midfield and or up forward.

Anyway it's just a thought as I love seeing him play and I just want to see him on the ground as much as possible. With Otten out it MAY be an answer in 2010 and then watch out for them both in the midfield in 2011.

 

[NTRabbit]

Why would we want a hard inside midfielder to be running around as a half back flanker when

- he's not the greatest kick, a tool a half black flanker absolutely must have
- we already have quite a few very good players in the position
- we've only just opened up a midfield spot for him to occupy, so why would we be moving him out to open it up again
- more importantly, he's a big, hard body that we need at the bottom of the midfield packs with Scott Thompson extracting the ball

I'm not sure where you get this run and receive that we want him to do idea from, I want him slamming into the packs and extracting the ball from half a dozen tackling opponents, before handing it off to an outside midfielder who will receive, and then run with it before delivering with precision. That he has the pace and strength to burn through some opposition after receiving it when Scott Thompson beats him to the crash is a bonus, even if his delivery is well below that of an Edwards or a Vince.

 

[lunacy]

What do people think about Dangerfield maybe being used as a defender for most of the year?

I know the club have stated they want to play him more in the midfield but it may suit the club & Danger for him to go back at this stage.

-Like Rucciuto he could leran his trade from the HBF.
-He is tall enough and has a good enough leap to take a 3rd tall.
-His attack on the footy would scare the daylights out of some forwards.
-He would be able to use the run receive that we are all looking for him to do more of.
-He probably wouldn't go missing as much during games.
-It would open up another spot for someone to go into the midfield and or up forward.

Anyway it's just a thought as I love seeing him play and I just want to see him on the ground as much as possible. With Otten out it MAY be an answer in 2010 and then watch out for them both in the midfield in 2011.

I like your thinking and you have justified it well. I have actually considered the same thing. He has many of the strengths you look for in that position. Certainly wouldnt get beaten for pace and is good overhead. Perfect for match ups like S.Johnson and Motlop etc who are the prototypical forward who I feel we dont really have a good match up for.

HOWEVER, we dont have 2 Patrick Dangerfield's. Whilst I feel he'd make a great 3rd tall/medium defender, I think we need him even more in the midfield. Contested ball and clearance are so important and essential to our game plan. We've seen what happens when we lose contested ball. He is also a good tackler. He will boost our midfield in areas we're lacking.

Ps Would love another Dangerfield up forward as well just quietly .

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

The midfield role has expanded to the point that even a genuine, full time midfielder will spend time behind the ball and infront of the ball during a game. 3-4 defenders, 3-4 forwards, 1 useless ruckman and 9-11 midfielders is the basic set up. Danger will spend time across half back for sure. Wouldn't think he'd be deep in defence minding a goalkicker though.

This should be a really enjoyable year for Dangerfield in the midfield. It will be the year before the opposition spend any real time and resources trying to stop him, a bit like Vince 2009.

 

[Mismatched]

The midfield role has expanded to the point that even a genuine, full time midfielder will spend time behind the ball and infront of the ball during a game. 3-4 defenders, 3-4 forwards, 1 useless ruckman and 9-11 midfielders is the basic set up. Danger will spend time across half back for sure. Wouldn't think he'd be deep in defence minding a goalkicker though.

This should be a really enjoyable year for Dangerfield in the midfield. It will be the year before the opposition spend any real time and resources trying to stop him, a bit like Vince 2009.

Correct, even in the match against Port Adelaide, both Dangerfield and Vince spent time across the half backline. His best position however is in the midfield, one of our achilles heal's at times is our contested ball, Dangerfield loves that shit, its his bread and butter, so now that he has the engine to play that position on a consistent basis, why would we play him elsewhere, in a position where we aren't really lacking.

 

[macca23]

Correct, even in the match against Port Adelaide, both Dangerfield and Vince spent time across the half backline. His best position however is in the midfield, one of our achilles heal's at times is our contested ball, Dangerfield loves that shit, its his bread and butter, so now that he has the engine to play that position on a consistent basis, why would we play him elsewhere, in a position where we aren't really lacking.

Big tick there James.

Sums it up nicely for me.

 

[cmndstab]

I definitely think that he should be in the midfield, but the only reason to put him back that comes to mind is that Symes and VB are both "hard men" that we place in defence to put body pressure on the forwards. I can see Danger playing this role a treat.


However, he is going to be so valuable in the centre that I'd rather we moved someone else down there than him. His class at clearances looks to be extremely rare indeed and I don't want to lose that.

 

[Crow-mo]

it doesn't matter which player we are talking about, in nearly every case (FB being the exception) that a defensive post is always easier to fill and replace than more central responsibilties.

you experience an easier ride down back, to learn to push up. if you are already ready, then its going backwards to head down back.

 

[twentydollarnote]

i would play him as a forward only its not as if we have that many standout forwards apart from tippett. Down back he is wasted and in the middle he'll get crunched i rather we wait until hes completely matured before he plays in the midfield fulltime.

 

[DJ75]

It's actually not a bad idea (although I prefer him in the midfield), then again, the Dangerman can play ANYWHERE!

 

[Macjoe]

... 1 useless ruckman ...

lol!

Is this a requirement?

 

[Mad Fan of AFL]

No to much of a talent to be playing down back. Waste of talent in mt opinion. He is great in the midfield and forward. He is the perfect attacking midfielder in my opinion for him to be runnng around the back half. We have so many options for half back it is not funnu but limited medium forwards. Hard body, clearance goal kicking machine!!!

Good reasoning to be down back though. If only we had 3 'Rodneys' running around. Now that would be great.

 

[amer]

His combination of attributes means he can perform wherever he is played, but our midfield is clearly where we need to add as much firepower as possible throughout this and next season. Our forward line is outstanding and our defense rock solid, but we need at least a three-man band of top level midfielders with another bloke not far behind if we're serious about winning a flag. Vince, Dangerfield, Mackay, Thompson and Edwards looks good on paper, provided Edwards can stay up and about for a full year. Is that strong enough on a good day to make a fight of things against a Geelong type engine room though? With Danger, eventually. Without him, I can't see it.

 

[Weekend of Bernie]

When we have Danger, Thommo, BernietheinVinceaball, and Sloane Handball in the middle in the finals, wiith Tipps, Tex and Porps up front we'll win.

Time for Danger to learn the ropes in the middle and help out in the fwd line. He'll get a turn as a defensive mid too - it's just part of the role.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

lol!

Is this a requirement?

Just some spillover from the crap... errr... opinions I have been posting in the Tippett ruck thread.

 

[Ticktak]

I reckon it's time to try him there for a whole game.

Yes he's been good in the middle and up forward but we are 0 - 5, we need some run from the backlines and I just want to see it in his hands a bit more.

There is no better time to try it now!

 

[Allefgib]

I'd actually be open to this.

For his own development I think he needs to be getting his hands on the footy far more often. Everyone is saying how amazing he was - he only had 11 touches.

He excites me alot but its always disappointing at the end of the game to see he's not touched anywhere near enough for someone who can inspire us and change the momentum of the game.

 

[DavidSaywell]

My biggest worry about dangermouse is his inability to get the ball. I don't remember him ever having more than 15/16 touches in a game. Perhaps HBF would allow him to get more of the ball and be more effective

 

[WALL-e]

We obviously need 3 more at least of him.

Has played HBF in juniors.

 

[Vantz]

Danger has fantastic run and carry something Adelaide is clearly lacking at the moment. I would love to see him get more midfield time. I would love to see the stats for how much time he actually spends on-ball.

 

[smoovy]

My biggest worry about dangermouse is his inability to get the ball. I don't remember him ever having more than 15/16 touches in a game. Perhaps HBF would allow him to get more of the ball and be more effective

Agreed, needs to get hold of the aggot. HBF is traditionally where all of our gun midfielders have cut their teeth.

Goodwin
Edwards
McLeod
Roo

They all started down back.

The prospect of him running and carying the ball from the backline and into the centre is orgasmic.

 

[CrowCro]

I like your thinking and you have justified it well. I have actually considered the same thing. He has many of the strengths you look for in that position. Certainly wouldnt get beaten for pace and is good overhead. Perfect for match ups like S.Johnson and Motlop etc who are the prototypical forward who I feel we dont really have a good match up for.

HOWEVER, we dont have 2 Patrick Dangerfield's. Whilst I feel he'd make a great 3rd tall/medium defender, I think we need him even more in the midfield. Contested ball and clearance are so important and essential to our game plan. We've seen what happens when we lose contested ball. He is also a good tackler. He will boost our midfield in areas we're lacking.

Ps Would love another Dangerfield up forward as well just quietly .

I think this could be the position for him. I for one think he has great speed however his lateral movement is not the best in the midfield. He is what I call a straight ahead runner with a slightly larger turning circle. Thus I think he need to develop this to be a gun midfielder. he is not a sidestep type player and you must have this ability in the tight confines of the midfield.

 

[Mad Fan of AFL]

I think it is such a waste of talent for him to playing down back. Patty is such an attacking player and so strong playing through the middle and up forward. Yes a stint down back is ok from time to time but hell it would be a crying shame to see talent like that playing back. Dont like it at all

 

[Trojan Pies]

I think this could be the position for him. I for one think he has great speed however his lateral movement is not the best in the midfield. He is what I call a straight ahead runner with a slightly larger turning circle. Thus I think he need to develop this to be a gun midfielder. he is not a sidestep type player and you must have this ability in the tight confines of the midfield.

From the outside (Pies supporter) he is deadset the biggest wasted use of talent in the AFL at the moment. My mates and I all muse at him wasting away down at full forward on the weekend when clearly the Crows were getting smacked out of the middle. His attack on the ball when in the midfield is SECOND TO NONE IN THE AFL. Your club champion, Andrew McLeod, has even stated that he is the best clearance and one-on-one player at the club in a news article on the AFC website last year.

While I can understand the fact that the Crows has some serious issues down forward and he is one of the few plays who looks dangerous down there, the ball has to get there first.

For mine, he should be locked away in the midfield for the rest of the year and be allowed to showcase his best natural talent - to win the contested ball and gain the clearances. Let him do what he does best.

It's so obvious from the outside...but what do you Adelaide supporters think?

 

[Allefgib]

From the outside (Pies supporter) he is deadset the biggest wasted use of talent in the AFL at the moment. My mates and I all muse at him wasting away down at full forward on the weekend when clearly the Crows were getting smacked out of the middle. His attack on the ball when in the midfield is SECOND TO NONE IN THE AFL. Your club champion, Andrew McLeod, has even stated that he is the best clearance and one-on-one player at the club in a news article on the AFC website last year.

While I can understand the fact that the Crows has some serious issues down forward and he is one of the few plays who looks dangerous down there, the ball has to get there first.

For mine, he should be locked away in the midfield for the rest of the year and be allowed to showcase his best natural talent - to win the contested ball and gain the clearances. Let him do what he does best.

It's so obvious from the outside...but what do you Adelaide supporters think?

Good to have many of our own thoughts confirmed by outsiders.

It's incredibly ironic they often isolate him down forward when they refuse to try the same with another 'wasted talent' in Walker.

Everytime Paddy goes into the guts he typically wins the next clearance.

They want to manage his ability to kill himself and others before letting him loose I think. That being the case I'm a huge fan for letting him charge forward off a HBF myself. He'll at least get his hands on it more and be able to use his pace to break lines.

If they played him in the guts the rest of the season I would be pretty happy though - we just might increase our own, and other teams, injury lists! (and I'm only half joking).