I have had a theory for a while now and it's looking plausible so probably worth discussion. Have we ALL been overrating the importance of the Midfield ??? assuming we keep McGovern and Lever...I rate our attack and defence as one of the best in the league. Bearing in mind the salary cap prevents anyone from having A grade guns in all 18 positions on the ground....surely your better off being able to score a goal...or prevent a goal...than have an extra few centre clearances that have ZERO impact on the score board if your forwards and backs are spuds. Obviously you need some quality in the middle...which we have. But we also have a VERY inexperienced midfield, Crouch, Milera, Hampton, Atkins, Cameron....yet we still looked comfortable against quality midfields of GWS and Hawthorne. We lost the best midfield player in the comp and a Brownlow medalist in Dangerflog ...but did'nt drop down the ladder at all? ....Brad Couch ...considered by many to be our second best midfielder behind Sloan is nowhere to be seen...are we getting smashed as a result? ....nope! ...where is all the doom and gloom we were all predicting in the off season? ....in the day and age I would suggest all teams have deficiencies ....but 9 out of 10 games are won or lost across half back and half forward...this is where the modern game is won or lost. NOT in the midfield. Crows half back - Smith, Talia, Laird. Crows half forwards - Lynch, Walker, McGovern. This is where we win each week...this is modern football. We don't need to spend our money on mids...we have all the mids we need to break even in the middle...the smart money is spent in defence and up forward. Sign McGovern and Lever....and the 3rd premiership is not far away. Excessive spending in the midfield is a sure way to be competitive...but will always leave you a key defender or forward short....and cost more games than any perceived gap in the midfield.