Inside Midfielder

[Brickie]

Have just read a couple of threads mentioning Freo trading to get Josh Carr to help solve the Hardball and clearance problem we have had this season.........

We would obviously have to trade away someone of quality for this to happen, so is there anyone on our list who could help fill this role in a way similar as to what Essendon have done with Mark Johnson in moving him into the midfield from the back pocket ?

Would Daniel Haines fill this role ?

 

[PeteV]

Hi Brickie, welcome to the forum.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Haines was doing very well imo at the start of the season. I think from memory he was right up there in his tackle counts too.
Obviously, the preferred policy is to develop what we have rather than to trade. If we do trade to get an "in and under" midfielder, the pressure on him will be huge to deliver. There are several players on our list that I think could all be developed into this type of role and that would be: Browne, Schammer, and Haines. All probalbly need a few more kilos on their frame but they all have shown a bit this year.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Originally posted by PeteV
Browne, Schammer, and Haines. All probalbly need a few more kilos on their frame

More than a few methinks....

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

I think Haines could certainly help Hase fill this role but he needs to step up this season to keep his spot on the list. Last season, he really had only one good game, which was against Sydney in round 2.

I've always been a fan of Haines and have admired his great balance, courage, vision and poise with the footy. He is also one of our best tacklers and I certainly believe he has the ability to step up into one of our top line midfielders.

Another midfielder who can step into this role is Schammer, although he'll obviously need another one or two years of developing his body frame and building strength before having the confidence to barge through packs and win more contested possessions.

Another option is to look outside the club. Armstrong, Bartel and Johnson are all inside midfielders who come out of contract this year and all are still very young (Armstrong 19, Bartel 19, Johnson 21). I posted in another thread that we should seriously consider trading for Johnson or trading Croad for Johnson and Hawthorn's second round pick (if we can't get Armstrong). He is strong bodied, can win the footy and is from WA (Swan Districts). He had a good finals series in 2000 for the Hawks when big things were expected of him. Since then, he has played some great games but they have been few and far between. If you have fox footy, watch the VFL GF next week between Box Hill and Williamstown. He will be in action for Box Hill.

 

[Brickie]

Wouldnt mind picking up Armstrong........

I would be reluctant to see us trade away our first rounder to get him though, Probaly a 2nd rounder and Fringe player

In regards to Johnson, i havent seen enough of him play to have a say but to snare him in a deal with croad would need the input of a 3rd club,with the hawks struggling with the salary cap as it is
someone like the bulldogs would need to come into play with the deal.

With Croad wouldnt mind us putting to the bulldogs Croad + pick 13 for pick 4

 

[Kenny_01]

I don't think Armstrong is a reasonable target because Melbourne would want quite a bit for him... Melbourne won't want to let him go.

I don't know about Johnson, but he would be a decent pick up. He can find the footy and has decent skills but hasn't really made any sort of impact at AFL level. He could do well with a change of scenery but I doubt we would need to give up much for him. He seems to be on the outer at Hawthorn.

 

[Rob]

I've rated Haines since the game against Melbourne last year, he looks like someone who knows how to play the game which is something that is incredibly hard to teach (coughcroadcough), and he seems to have the ability to get the ball. I hope the coaching staff don't give up on him, it's not like he'd be on anything other than the league minimum either.

 

[zero]

josh carr would be ideal, but hes their number one tagger and one of the best in the comp, so they will want 1st round pick and young player with potential to get him. so i wouldnt worry about it.

 

[pinkus maximus]

Ive heard that freo have spoken to Bartel. What does everyone else think of him playing for us. The first thing people say is that he is to slow to play for freo, but we have so many runners and no one to give them the ball. Im also interested in Richard Hadley he is a terrific player and i cant believe he has played only 2 games,he is also around 189 cm and likes to get in and under

 

[anchor man]

I am not sure how long it will take but I believe that the Hammer will soon take over that role in the side.He is built in a similar way to Michael Voss(not saying he will be as good as Voss but is built on similar lines)wheb he first started to play.Looking at photos of the kid he has the same heavy hips and thighs that have helped Voss become the gest footballer in the comp.Players of this build are very hard to move form over the ball and are never easily pushed aside.Very strong in the legs.Hammer has proved in his first season that he has the courage to go with the best of them,he just needs to bulk up a bit.

Haines,mmmmm not sure.Gets the ball ok but his disposal lets him down and he turns the ball over far to easily.Very early Docker style,gets his ambitions mixed up with his capabilities at times.Worhwhile persevering with though.

If Browne gets over his injury problems then he will have a huge impact on the side.He is hard at it and I think with games under his belt will become a very good player for us.He is fearless and is a two sided player.He has been unlucky with injury and just needs to get a good pre season under his belt to put the pressure on.

Pinkus in regards to Hadley,this is one of the downsides to playing with such a successful team.It is very hard to take the place of super stars in a team like Brissie.Look at Headland,it took him what two seasons to get a good run at the team.