Is our current midfield top 4 material?

[Mike Smyth]

Next years 1st choice midfield:

-Ruck-Jacobs
-Centaman: Dangerfield
-Ruck Rover: Thompson
-Rover: Crouch

-Wings: Sloane/Smith

-Midfield rotations - Douglas, Kerridge (1st choice tagger), Grigg, Wright, Vince

IMO to be a top 4 side you need at least 3 x 1st tier players in your midfield rotations and plenty of depth. We currently have the 1st tier quality in Dangerfield, Sloane, Thompson and Crouch but we lack the depth. We need at least 1 x competent backup ruckman and at least 2 midfield "depth" players. So as far as our midfield goes we aren't far off the mark. Let's hope the powers that be realise this and trade/retain aggressively. Granted that small forward is a priority but so is the midfield.

 

[mcday]

I think potentially yes. Obviously Thommo is at the end, but Crouch, Sloane and Danger should all be future A-graders for the foreseeable future. Grigg, Kerridge, Smith, Douglas, Bernie (though Bernie only has a couple of years left) give us plenty of depth, and guys like Brown and Laird have shown an ability to pinch hit in the midfield. The only issue with our midfield is the ball use, especially Danger and Crouch, but that should improve as they mature. Hopefully as Jenkins improves as a footballer he'll become a mildly competent ruckman, because he certainly has the size and athleticism to compete.

 

[Mike Smyth]

I think potentially yes. Obviously Thommo is at the end, but Crouch, Sloane and Danger should all be future A-graders for the foreseeable future. Grigg, Kerridge, Smith, Douglas, Bernie (though Bernie only has a couple of years left) give us plenty of depth, and guys like Brown and Laird have shown an ability to pinch hit in the midfield. The only issue with our midfield is the ball use, especially Danger and Crouch, but that should improve as they mature. Hopefully as Jenkins improves as a footballer he'll become a mildly competent ruckman, because he certainly has the size and athleticism to compete.

I agree with what you say except the Jenkins bit. I doubt think he will be a mildly competent anything. I would also like to see Brown and Laird remain in the backline. You need a settled, quality backline to win a premiership. They have both been really impressive this year, especially Laird.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

Potentially yes

However they need to deliver on this potential as a collective unit

 

[mcday]

I agree with what you say except the Jenkins bit. I doubt think he will be a mildly competent anything. I would also like to see Brown and Laird remain in the backline. You need a settled, quality backline to win a premiership. They have both been really impressive this year, especially Laird.

No, I agree that Brown and Laird should stay in the backline, but they have both been given a few minutes in the midfield, and were solid enough. I think they'd enjoy being given midfield minutes, and I think they've both stated that in the future they'd like to start in the midfield, but I don't think we can afford that happening.

As for Jenkins, I think this year is a bit make or break for him. Its hard for a second year forward to become the focal point of a team, especially one as poor kicking as us. Hopefully when Tex comes back, Jenkins can take the second defender and kick 40-50 goals. If he had kicked straight he would have had that return this year anyway. And he is athletic enough to pinch hit in the ruck, but I guess some guys just can't do it. I was surprised at how competitive Andy Otten was in those last few games, but surely he's too small to be our main second option going forward.

 

[crow4life]

Potentially yes

However they need to deliver on this potential as a collective unit

Need another line breaking mid to compete with the big boys. Polec will fit nicely. Murdoch from Geelong would be one I would target.

 

[GROTTO]

three recruits in Betts, Polec and possibly Bellchambers or Lycett and a good run with injuries coupled with a good draw. I would bank on us reaching the Top 4.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

three recruits in Betts, Polec and possibly Bellchambers or Lycett and a good run with injuries coupled with a good draw. I would bank on us reaching the Top 4.

We already know our draw

 

[GROTTO]

We already know our draw

Really? Where?

 

[CONCRETE CAL]

We need to make sure we have Polec and Grigg in the side together. 2 BIG THUMPING left footer, both accurate and smart, calm and Polec is a speed weapon whereas Grigg is the Endurance, calm and see ball and kill the blokes at the contest type. Dangerfield, Crouch, Sloane, Thompson, Kerridge (tagger), B.Smith. Our Midfield has so much power, speed, smarts when you really break it down and potentially could beat anyone. Kerridge is perhaps one of the more vital cogs to the midfield which seems so strange to say this. Here's my reasoning, Ryan Griffen.... Star. Won B&F at the doggies. Kerridge kept him to a season low disposals of 15 and while Kerridge dominated Griffen he took the liberty of kicking a goal for himself and had 4 scoring assists. Watching this game I knew we had a real run-with player, never mind his 6 goals, this lad needs to tag. And by shutting down the best mid each week like he can We will be a midfield force. Opinions?

 

[Mike Smyth]

We already know our draw

not the entire draw just round 22 and 23:

round 22- Freo -WA
round 23 - West Coast - WA

 

[GROTTO]

not the entire draw just round 22 and 23:

round 22- Freo -WA
round 23 - West Coast - WA

FFS

Are you serious? Back to back games in WA?

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

Really? Where?

The afl have already stated that they will introduce a new system

1 to 6
7 to 12
13 to 18

All play each other twice

 

[Mismatched]

Absolutely I think that we have the pieces to create a top 4 midfield. There's a few caveats though and the biggest one IMO is that they need to be taught how to play as a top 4 midfield. The big difference IMO between a top 4/premiership midfield and a 5-12 ranking midfield is not just personnel, although its no doubt a key factor, its how they play together.

The questions needing to be asked in this respect are:
How well do they set up at stoppages?
Do they run both ways?
Can they shut down or limit the influence of opposition star mids without requiring a hard tag?
Can they think their way through moving the ball forward and deliver the ball to the advantage of the forwards?
When the opposition has a run on, can the lock the ball up around the stoppages?

One thing I think we've struggled big time at this year has been the ability of our midfield to work in unison as a midfield group. If you watch Sydney, they don't have the most talented midfield, they're not bad mind you, but they work extremely well as a team. Hawthorn are similar, with perhaps a slightly more talented midfield, Freo again. There's talent, but its how they work as a team that sets them apart.

Quite frankly I think our coaches, especially Sando, Bailey, Campo, Bickley (he's not a forward coach ffs, although he'll probably be stuck there still because no one at our club recognises that the intricacies of forward line work cannot be taught be a half back flanker) and Clark(only included because he's there), really need to spend a lot of time with our midfield group to bring them up to top 4 standard, working on the areas outlined above. A gun midfield can cover up any multitude of sins, although I think our defensive is extremely good, at least defensively and our forward line has potential, especially if we can get Walker, Jenkins, Lynch, hopefully Betts and a few others operating well.

 

[hey shorty]

I agree with what you say except the Jenkins bit. I doubt think he will be a mildly competent anything. I would also like to see Brown and Laird remain in the backline. You need a settled, quality backline to win a premiership. They have both been really impressive this year, especially Laird.

Agree with the last bit but sorry you have got to be joking on Jenkins. As a second year key forward he was on track for 40 goals taking the best defender each week. Thats alot better than mildly competent IMO. As a ruckman perhaps, however all he really needs to be to competitive, he doesn't need to dominate.

As for a gun midfield, all the tools are there its about putting them together with good coaching methods and hard work.

 

[GROTTO]

The afl have already stated that they will introduce a new system

1 to 6
7 to 12
13 to 18

All play each other twice

PORT, BLUES, DONS, ROOS, LIONS.

One thing I have learnt about this finals series, we need to stop and end the mentality of playing a top team. We should come up with our own mantra of "anyone anyplace anytime" adopted by Freo.

We need to make AO like a fortress much like how Skilled used to be one.

 

[DJ75]

Forget the centre, ruck rover, rover idea. Midfields are about quality and depth. Our midfield looks like;
Dangerfield, Sloane, Douglas, Crouch, Thompson, Vince, VB, Grigg, Wright, Smith, Kerridge, Lyons

Personally I think that midfield is good enough and has enough depth. If one of Grigg/Kerridge/Smith/Lyons could becoma an A grader we could have the best midfield in the comp in two years time.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

PORT, BLUES, DONS, ROOS, LIONS.

One thing I have learnt about this finals series, we need to stop and end the mentality of playing a top team. We should come up with our own mantra of "anyone anyplace anytime" adopted by Freo.

We need to make AO like a fortress much like how Skilled used to be one.

Port and blues finished 5th and 6th so there not in our equation

We would play Richmond, Collingwood, Norf, Lions and WCE

 

[GROTTO]

Port and blues finished 5th and 6th so there not in our equation

We would play Richmond, Collingwood, Norf, Lions and WCE

Geez are you sure? Thats not too bad for us IMO.

We WILL play the POWER twice though.

I think we are definitely better than 50:50 of beating Lions and Eagles twice and should look at beating teams like Richmond and Pies in Victoria. It just depends on how the games are scheduled, I hope our draw is hard and tough after R12.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

Geez are you sure? Thats not too bad for us IMO.

We WILL play the POWER twice though.

I think we are definitely better than 50:50 of beating Lions and Eagles twice and should look at beating teams like Richmond and Pies in Victoria. It just depends on how the games are scheduled, I hope our draw is hard and tough after R12.

Both Port and us are not glued to having to play each other twice a year

Under this concept which is part of the league equalisation push we will only play port once next year, it also means that some of the big Melb rivalry clashes like Essendon v Collingwood, Collingwood v Carlton or Carlton v Richmond are not guaranteed to be played twice a year

 

[GROTTO]

Both Port and us are not glued to having to play each other twice a year

Under this concept which is part of the league equalisation push we will only play port once next year, it also means that some of the big Melb rivalry clashes like Essendon v Collingwood, Collingwood v Carlton or Carlton v Richmond are not guaranteed to be played twice a year

In the end though, the AFL is about money, increasing gate receipts, advertisers etc. I can see each non-Vic being allowed to play their neighbour twice its a big business - Showdowns, derby, Q clash, The Bridge etc.

The weaker clubs (supporter base) like Power, Freo, GC, GWS will want to play their neighbour twice as its good business.

 

[ruscy002]

The 2014 draw is not working on strict brackets for the return games, there's still some flexibility. I think that 1-6 can only play two teams from 7-12 twice, so that means Port will definitely be one of them for us and then we'll only play one of Hawthorn, Geelong, Freo, Sydney and Collingwood twice.

 

[SugarShane]

The afl have already stated that they will introduce a new system

1 to 6
7 to 12
13 to 18

All play each other twice

When/where?

All I've heard is that it's going to affect how many return games you get against other teams in that bracket. It's not as simple as just playing everyone in your group twice. Top group will play more teams in the top group twice, but will still play some return games against teams in other groups.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Our midfield is a 2nd ruckman short of a top 4 midfield. I think the crows have to look at bringing Graham in next season and incorporating a game plan around two ruckman. Jenkins cant seem to get it. Good forward possibility yes, ruckman no.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Our midfield is a 2nd ruckman short of a top 4 midfield. I think the crows have to look at bringing Graham in next season and incorporating a game plan around two ruckman. Jenkins cant seem to get it. Good forward possibility yes, ruckman no.

Yeah bringing in Graham is really going to make our midfield A-grade.

Fact is we need a new ruck. Preferably somebody whose athletic enough to useful around the ground and good enough to put pressure on Jacobs.