Jack Macrae Marcus Bontempelli

[Libba21]

Are these 2 the most important players at the club now with Libba going down? Both should cop heavy tags this season now with Libba injured. As shattering as it is see our best player go down it will put these two in the spotlight and I'm actually looking foward to seeing how they handle the extra attention epesially Jacko Macrae we no he can find the pill but last year we had Griffen and Libba getting the main taggers so Macrae basically ran around free collecting touches at will. Please delete if this is not thread worthy but been discussing it with a mate at how tough a year Jacko is gonna have now with libba down.

 

[Libba21]

When I said at the end how we are discussing how tough a year Jacko will have I didn't actually mean he will struggle if anyone got the wrong idea I just meant getting the number 1 tagger every week.

 

[Butane]

Ones 20 the other just turned 19.

Yet, you might unfortunately be right.

 

[TempleKelvington]

jack got a lot of the pill yesterday, but he made some poor errors. I thought he looked a class above at times but let himself down a few times. He's still working on his game. The Bont less prolific yesterday but what he does he does pretty well. Again just a second year player and we have to remember that when we put to much emphasis on their importance to the team.

They are very exciting.

 

[Roscoe_au]

Bonti is at least 5kgs heavier than last year. Running beside some of those other first and second year players he looks a beast of a kid.

 

[Libba39]

Bonti definitely is. Just a massive unit and all class. Think he will poll brownlow votes this year and make a mockery of losing the rising star.

Macrae I'm still seeing as more of a winger / flanker type and he needs to work on his kicking.

 

[cammo78]

Bonti is at least 5kgs heavier than last year. Running beside some of those other first and second year players he looks a beast of a kid.

This.

The size of the kid is just staggering. Particularly across the shoulders.

Can see why people have been suggesting a CHF role. He's a monster.

 

[Bazza Bulldog]

Bonti definitely is. Just a massive unit and all class. Think he will poll brownlow votes this year and make a mockery of losing the rising star.

Macrae I'm still seeing as more of a winger / flanker type and he needs to work on his kicking.

Not sure why people think this. His disposal efficiency I think is 2nd at the club (behind Bob). He is not a penetrating kick, but a very clever one. He usually chooses the right option and excutes well. Just don't expect him to deliver a 55m low rocket lace out.

 

[dazzledavey36]

Some serious talent with these two.

 

[Selim]

in 2 years time they will be the best midfield duo in the comp

 

[Some Idiot]

Not sure why people think this. His disposal efficiency I think is 2nd at the club (behind Bob). He is not a penetrating kick, but a very clever one. He usually chooses the right option and excutes well. Just don't expect him to deliver a 55m low rocket lace out.

Agreed, he makes up for lack of penetration in his kicking with his decision making and general footy smarts.

 

[True Dog]

Not sure why people think this. His disposal efficiency I think is 2nd at the club (behind Bob). He is not a penetrating kick, but a very clever one. He usually chooses the right option and excutes well. Just don't expect him to deliver a 55m low rocket lace out.

I'm with you BB.... Finds the footy and finds a target more often than not..

 

[fronkalicious]

So unique these 2. Hard to liken them to other players, past or present. Let's just go with Pendlebury for both of them..........

 

[DexterTan]

Agreed, he makes up for lack of penetration in his kicking with his decision making and general footy smarts.

I've always thought if you want someone to deliver the ball short inside 50 to a leading target, you give the ball to Macrae.

If you want a long kick to a target near the goal square, you gave the ball to Bonti.

 

[Doggies7]

Which is another reason why it's important now to get M. Boyd into the middle. Opposition coaches still respect him and he will help take a bit of the heat off the young guns and let them find a bit of the pill on the outside too.

 

[Roscoe_au]

So unique these 2. Hard to liken them to other players, past or present. Let's just go with Pendlebury for both of them..........

Have to try harder than that. Every team has a Pendlebury, or two.

I actually liken them to a Judd and Cousins combo... One with mad power and skill, the other with poise and speed...

 

[SWest75]

I think Macrae is generally OK for disposal. His action looks a bit awkward so it often looks like it's going to be a terrible kick but actually isn't.

 

[Roscoe_au]

I've always thought if you want someone to deliver the ball short inside 50 to a leading target, you give the ball to Macrae.

If you want a long kick to a target near the goal square, you gave the ball to Bonti.

Give it to Bonti 70mtrs out and watch him mow some defenders down and kick it from 50...

 

[Super Hans]

Macrae is in for one tough year, if he can get close to breaking even with his output last year he's going to be something special. Crazy to think that Wallis, Bontempelli and Macrae will be our starting midfield.

Boyd and Minson just became very important in the guts.

 

[Scary_Foot_9]

These two as players and as a duo are so unique, it's hard to make comparisons.

 

[ManOfClay]

Macrae (Pendles)
Bonti (Koutafides)

 

[immortalmike]

Macrae (Macrae)
Bontempelli (Bontempelli)
Both one of a kind and guns.

 

[GetDimmaBack]

When Mitch Wallis and Libba were drafted, Wal was the one expected to be the classier performer.

I think we were all surprised when Libba was the star from the get-go. Mitch has taken a while to develop, a lot longer than Tom.

Wal might be about to take Libba's role. I'm hoping "cometh the hour, cometh the man".

And I think he will become that player!

 

[JTCWBFC]

Incredibly important, still think we need to get some express pace around them. Need Dale to come on so badly.

 

[AFDogs]

Important to remember, they are still very young.

I have higher expectations on Macrae, because of his stellar 2014 but also because he is the type of player we need going forward. Does the right things, makes smart decisions and finds a lot of the footy.

Bonti (I'll throw Stringer into this category) are the types of players to turn the tide of games and do the miraculous. He may only have 12 touches in a game, but he will somehow make the highlight reel.

Going forward it is very important we hold onto these two players. Both versatile, but completely different footballers but fill a void in our side.