Jeff White...

[MrChristo]

...Just want to make it known that this is not a troll...bad timing maybe after a bad loss, but no disrespect intended...

Wondering about Jeff White, and Melbourne ruck stocks in general.

The reason being that commentators love talking up their "secondary" stats...last night they were amazed at the dominance of Melbourne in the ruck...off the top of my head 44-18 hit-outs...

...BUT, how many were effective? (I don't know, but I'm guessing very few)...

This season you guys have had the least effective hit-outs by a far way...just 47 (88 against, -41).
In the last 5 games it has been even worse...16 for and 48 against.

Why would it be?

White's problem? The midfield? Coaching?...a combination?

Again, sorry for the timing, but I was very surprised when I noticed these numbers...I, like most of the footy world think Jeff White goes ok...
...could we all be wrong?

 

[davey_magik]

It was the midfield mate, we lacked any grunt whatsoever considering McLean was tagged out of the game.
Opposition can always rove to our ruckman, you can't blame the rucks for not winning the clearances when they are winning the taps, it's the mids job to talk and receive the taps, PJ and Whitey can't put it down their throat every single time.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Losing Ratten was a big deal.

Williams isn't up to the task.

 

[master bate]

Losing Ratten was a big deal.

Williams isn't up to the task.

I agree. AND

Losing Brock is a big deal.

The rest of the midfield isn't up to the task.

 

[The Great Gabsby]

Was it just me or was there a total lack of coordination in our midfield last night? Looked like a dog's breakfast in there.

If I didn't know any better I would say that that was the first time the boys had played together, because they lacked serious cohesion.

 

[master bate]

Was it just me or was there a total lack of coordination in our midfield last night? Looked like a dog's breakfast in there.

If I didn't know any better I would say that that was the first time the boys had played together, because they lacked serious cohesion.

Yeah, the demons clearance plan (since Ratten left), White taps to McLean or Jones who slams it on the boot and hopes it goes to someone, there are no link up handballs or anything. Proved how important Trav is in atleast he draws a tagger to free up either McLean, Green or Bruce who got carved up leaving McDonald, Pickett, Jones or Wheatley as the free midfielders, which ended in disaster.

 

[The Great Gabsby]

Yeah, the demons clearance plan (since Ratten left), White taps to McLean or Jones who slams it on the boot and hopes it goes to someone, there are no link up handballs or anything. Proved how important Trav is in atleast he draws a tagger to free up either McLean, Green or Bruce who got carved up leaving McDonald, Pickett, Jones or Wheatley as the free midfielders, which ended in disaster.

I think people underrate TJ a lot because of his laconic attitude. Sometimes it looks like he doesn't give a ****, but thats just the type of guy he is.

I think like Neitz and Rivers, TJ is the general of his respective area, i.e. the midfield. And our structure in the middle suffers a lot with him out. That was clearly evident last night.

TJ is one of those blokes who is a leader onfield, but not so much off it....

 

[demonfan9]

Agree about Johnstone, even if he is inconsistant, he is still an important midfield leader. Bruce doesn't seem like a natural midfielder, although he is a very good utility and can play any role effectively. Same for Green, who is naturally a forward. Johnstone, however, is a pure midfielder who knows how to play that area of the ground (when he does decide to actually play).