Marc Murphy or Nathan Jones

[RobbyRoy]

And what I'm saying, is that the stats are interesting in that they contradict this common perception. Murphy with more contested ball, more clearances, more tackles and more stoppage wins this week. While it shouldn't change anyone's opinion, at some point you've got to ask yourself how valid is your perception when a number of objective measure's suggest it warrants a closer look. I watch a lot of Murphy, so for me it's always been obvious that those calling him an outside mid are missing something. Tonight he did it all, inside, outside, tackling, kicking a great goal. Was a very well rounded game.

They are definitely interesting. The tackling I have noticed, prior to this year as well. The numbers have never been as high as this season, but pretty much since he's been focussed on by the opposition, he has often brought up big tackling numbers. I like this because it means he's aware he'll be swamped as soon as he gets the ball so he's going into packs with a more defensive mindset. This may help his clearance and hard ball numbers too, because instead of being tackled immediately, he's getting more spilled ball, free kicks etc.

The problem with just comparing numbers is the different roles and situations the two are in. We know Jones as a hard player because we see him go about it. But his numbers aren't reflecting that because the dire situation at Melbourne has forced him to work hard all around the ground to find the ball. Tyson and Viney will only help, but until they are fully developed, and Jamar is in and fit, Jones is on his own in contested play.

 

[BIG MATTY WHITE]

And what I'm saying, is that the stats are interesting in that they contradict this common perception. Murphy with more contested ball, more clearances, more tackles and more stoppage wins this week. While it shouldn't change anyone's opinion, at some point you've got to ask yourself how valid is your perception when a number of objective measure's suggest it warrants a closer look. I watch a lot of Murphy, so for me it's always been obvious that those calling him an outside mid are missing something. Tonight he did it all, inside, outside, tackling, kicking a great goal. Was a very well rounded game.

The way...and the only way I need to validate my opinion is thinking about MM in melbourne's team......and I still come up with Nat Jones everytime.....

 

[Mister_A]

Playing for us, as a team with plenty of leaders already, I prefer Murphy's skill set. Jones for a team that lacks leadership.

 

[Monkey King]

The problem with just comparing numbers is the different roles and situations the two are in. We know Jones as a hard player because we see him go about it. But his numbers aren't reflecting that because the dire situation at Melbourne has forced him to work hard all around the ground to find the ball. Tyson and Viney will only help, but until they are fully developed, and Jamar is in and fit, Jones is on his own in contested play.

I understand the different roles and situations players are in; and in saying this, I'd reckon Murphy cops a little more attention from taggers too. I've just noticed that some posters have preconceptions about Murphy that aren't quite on the money. So the stats just play a nice little objective adjunct for me.

 

[Monkey King]

The way...and the only way I need to validate my opinion is thinking about MM in melbourne's team......and I still come up with Nat Jones everytime.....

So the only way you need to validate your opinion is thinking about a fictional construct you've devised inside your own mind, built on your existing opinion?

 

[The Blue Baggers]

So the only way you need to validate your opinion is thinking about a fictional construct you've devised inside your own mind, built on your existing opinion?

don't waste your time .... you could compare chris judd to a witches hat on this forum and the witches hat would win

 

[Shatterpoint]

Murphys last two have been awesome, getting back to his best.

 

[MinerBoy]

Haven't read any responses yet or viewed the poll result but the answer is Murphy. And it's an easy decision.

 

[Bailey01]

Jonesy's a gun!!

 

[Trav 20]

Murphy has had one A grade year in his career. His challenge was always going to be to back it up. He hasn't thus far.

Jones has never had an A grade year. He'll have his first this year if he keeps up his present form, as he's taken his game (finally) to a new level.

Murphy has easily had the better career, Jones is currently having the better year of the two, not withstanding Murphy's last 2 weeks.

 

[Surkin]

Playing for us, as a team with plenty of leaders already, I prefer Murphy's skill set. Jones for a team that lacks leadership.

This

 

[BIG MATTY WHITE]

So the only way you need to validate your opinion is thinking about a fictional construct you've devised inside your own mind, built on your existing opinion?

Well this is all based on hypotheticals as I cant judge murphy in a melbourne team and vice versa....

Now you can argue murphy is better as it stands now playing for their respective teams...but its hardly a fair fight is it?

 

[Monkey King]

Now you can argue murphy is better as it stands now playing for their respective teams...but its hardly a fair fight is it?

So is it a fair fight to argue Pendlebury is better than Murphy?

I understand the team played for etc is a consideration, but being a team's standout mid in a side threatening to win would be harder than being a team's standout mid in a side expected to be beaten IMO. Far more attention and effort would go into stopping the former over the latter.

 

[Mister_A]

So is it a fair fight to argue Pendlebury is better than Murphy?

I understand the team played for etc is a consideration, but being a team's standout mid in a side threatening to win would be harder than being a team's standout mid in a side expected to be beaten IMO. Far more attention and effort would go into stopping the former over the latter.

Personally I would argue the opposite. Jones would cop a hell of a lot more attention because he is the only player in Melbourne worth tagging. The blues have Murphy, Gibbs, Simpson and a handful of others that can all be considered worth tagging.

 

[Demonheart]

Murphy is more talented, I don't think there's any argument to counter that and at their best Murphy is in front. Jones has his nose in front for leadership and pure determination. In the early part of their careers Murphy by a long way, but Jones has caught up to him this year. Whilst Murphy's developement has by no means stagnated, it has slowed down but Jones keeps on improving his game.

I'm not sure how much better Murphy can get, I think he may have peaked with improvement but I'd expect him to get back to his best by the end of this season.
The real question is how much improvment Jones has left in him. I originally thought he's reached that limit but hes improved again this season so I'm not going to try and guess what the future will hold.

I'll take the easy option and stick with Jones because he's in my team

 

[Monkey King]

Personally I would argue the opposite. Jones would cop a hell of a lot more attention because he is the only player in Melbourne worth tagging. The blues have Murphy, Gibbs, Simpson and a handful of others that can all be considered worth tagging.

Not really for me. Murphy is the one who gets the attention first and foremost and sometimes singularly. See the Collingwood game as the example where Murphy had Macaffer in the Pies only tagging role. Sometimes it seems with Jones he's not tagged as heavily, perhaps because Melbourne haven't been all that likely to win anyway. The whole "look at the team he plays for" thing can roll both ways sometimes.

 

[Trav 20]

Sometimes it seems with Jones he's not tagged as heavily, perhaps because Melbourne haven't been all that likely to win anyway.

One of the more footy stupid posts I've read.

 

[Monkey King]

One of the more footy stupid posts I've read.

It happens sometimes when the stakes aren't as high. A opposition player is let go, so a team's own players can play more offensively, or a young guy gets the job to follow the older player around. I'd say Jones has been given far more leeway than Murhpy this year, which has probably played a part in why Murphy has more contested possession and Jones more uncontested.

 

[boncer34]

One of the more footy stupid posts I've read.

Hardly.

Its well known that in a game against a team that isn't expected to even be remotely a chance to win that coaches are less concerned with tagging the opposition and more concerned with teaching their players how to be "attacking."

See Round 10 2012 as an example of that. Which also shows its a stupid policy that can cost games because the players don't turn up fully switched on.

 

[Mister_A]

Not really for me. Murphy is the one who gets the attention first and foremost and sometimes singularly. See the Collingwood game as the example where Murphy had Macaffer in the Pies only tagging role. Sometimes it seems with Jones he's not tagged as heavily, perhaps because Melbourne haven't been all that likely to win anyway. The whole "look at the team he plays for" thing can roll both ways sometimes.

Fair piont, I'm sure you would know your own team better than I would. I would note though that I have barely ever seen Jones not hard tagged by teams with a main tagger like Freo and Collingwood - even us.

 

[Trav 20]

Hardly.

Its well known that in a game against a team that isn't expected to even be remotely a chance to win that coaches are less concerned with tagging the opposition and more concerned with teaching their players how to be "attacking."

See Round 10 2012 as an example of that. Which also shows its a stupid policy that can cost games because the players don't turn up fully switched on.

It's far more dependent on the team you're playing. Some hardly bother tagging and others always do.