Mark McGough

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Went from anzac day medallist/future midfield gun in 2002 to trade bait in 2003.

What the hell happened?

Am I the only McGough fan? I love the bloke. Thought he was treated harshly this year. Reminded me of Scotland: Giving little time on the ground then dropped. I remember a game this year where he was given only the 2nd half to play and picked up 18 possesions and was a key figure in winning the game.

The football department made no secret of the fact that he was being thrown around in the trade for Nick Stevens. Are we jumping the gun on him? I mean give him a few years before throwing him around as trade bait. He reads the play well and is an absolute ball-magnet. Yes his disposal lets him down but remember Paul Licuria circa 2000. It can be worked on. I think he will be an important part of the midfield in the future.

Let Magoo grow!

Interested to hear your thoughts on him.

 

[grayza]

yeh im with you

keep him and let him develop further, i think he will become a pretty good player
he attracts the ball constantly and yes he needs to work on his disposal, but that can definitely improve

 

[Nic]

Originally posted by NICK THE PIE MAN
I remember a game this year where he was given only the 2nd half to play and picked up 18 possesions and was a key figure in winning the game.

And 8 clearances in that half too, I think.

I want to be a fan ...

 

[BlahzeyBlah]

Yeah, that game against Geelong was looking ominous until McGough stepped onto the field, that was virtually a best on ground performance, who says that midfielders don't win you matches in the space of a quarter?

I think his disposal just leads to the limited opportunities that he gets in the starting lineup, which is understandable yet still a shame. If he could just improve in that area, he'd be a regular fixture for us. As you said, he's an absolute ball magnet, reads the play extremely well and is fantastic at getting the clearances when on song.

Didn't he rack up 40 odd possessions in a game for Williamstown this year? I know it's the VFL, but that's still pretty impressive. I'm glad he's still on board with the Pies, he's still young and it's not like his flaws can't be worked on and hopefully ironed out. The only problem will be finding a spot in the midfield, as we've got the likes of Shackleton coming through the ranks, with Didak pushing for a midfield position and Johnson and Cole also looking to move further up the ground.

 

[dunno4]

Don't forget he is a very good tackler as well.

He pulled off a couple of beauties in that Geelong game, caused telling turnovers.

 

[Whisky_McKay]

Still only 19.
And he suffered from a disease called "Second year Blues" a well known condition that gets a lot of them.

 

[understudy]

Originally posted by Whisky_McKay
Still only 19.
And he suffered from a disease called "Second year Blues" a well known condition that gets a lot of them.

Not to mention osteitis pubis, but time for the kid to repay the faith.

 

[GeneralDisarray]

I think he'll definitely get better. Aside from his disposal, McGough is also pretty slow. But look at Sam Mitchell. I reckon he was too inconsistent this year. Hot and Cold. You talk about the games where he absolutely starred but what did he do the following week?

 

[richie_cole#13]

MCG was drafted at 17 y.o. Could have stayed in the draft till the next year. He has only just turned 19. Why trade a 19 y.o? We know he has potential but did get second year blues, just like the geelong youngsters did. Watch out for MCGOUGH in 2004!!!

 

[Jabso]

McGough was only used as trade bait because he was the only reasonably expendable player with any appeal we could trade. Especially since he was being traded for another midfielder in Stevens.
It doesn't mean the comittee have given up on him.

 

[The Don]

The club felt it was in their interest and Marks for him to be traded as we have a lot of midfielder and he would have received more game time else where, although this view could have been a bit short sighted. Mark holds no ill will towards the match committee and understands their decision and is determined to become a regular senior player next year.
On another note he wasn't keen to go to port because of Mark Williams and his attitude. It looks like the fall through of the stevens trade worked out well for the pies as we picked up hall and morrison who have the potential to be very good players.

 

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by understudy
Not to mention osteitis pubis...

Exactly!

I was at the Port/Willi Prelim and I was angry at McGough that day. He dawdled around like he had a lead weight around his waist.

Little did I know he worked on his kicking skills so hard over last summer, he earned himself some OP.

Hope he gets over it OK, because I see more in him than I do in Shak. MCG's a freak at what he does when he does it well, and I have faith that he will one day do it for full games.

 

[MarkT]

He is slow and can't kick. He will never be quick and he'll never be more than an adequate kick over shortish distances. That makes his upper limit far from where we'd like it to be. However he has the ability to get the ball and he looks a footballer rather than some of the guys who don't actually know how to play footy but have good skills or athletic ability - eg Walker and Davis. Guys who can get the centre clearance are valuable and he can do that.

I think McGough can be a good player but there is 1 proviso. Malthouse has to loose this obsession with ever player being incredibly accountable. McGough should be the bloke that the opposition has to stop. When he is stopped, take him off and give another player the chance. Use him for his strengths and don't dwell unproportionally on his weakenesses. All players have weaknesses and the good ones play around them and make their strengths outweight them.

 

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by MarkT
McGough should be the bloke that the opposition has to stop. When he is stopped, take him off and give another player the chance.

Bingo!

When MM had unadulterated faith in the lad (which he does when he develops a "love child" feel for them) he'll give them all the time in the world to prove themselves.

As with all relationships, the honeymoon wears off and he starts demanding things to satisfy his needs.

How'd Chick and J. Johnson go when playing against McGough with substantial game time? Cut their average posessions by half, as he stopped their usual supply. He probably wasn't any more or less accountable then, so why command it now?? He can be accountable, in simply shutting supply to those running off him.

Key problem from this point is, if McGough is commanding a match up, then the oppo coach can either try to prevent his supply (eg. heavy tagging and blocking) or concede his supply match up a quicker player to run loose off him (but then, when and how do they get hold of it?).

At the end of the day, all players have weaknesses and those who win their own footy, are skillful and are quick and accountable, are the best players to have in the middle, but if these guys are in the middle, their premium players that will attract a tag of their own.

You could argue in circles all day long, but sometimes you just have to concede a player's weaknesses, for their inherent strengths...and hope that you don't encounter too many flawless midfields like Brisbane too often!!

 

[brentoncowell]

This is the topic that got me in the **** wen i first signed up on this board. Mark has one thing going for him, he is a toughnut. He has a football syndrome, he is skill deficient. He has played a few handy games, but he was struggling to even get hands on the ball for willy in some games this year. He needs work, a lot of work. If he is to be kept then they have to mould him into a good player. Though i dont think he is a footballers arseh*le i hope he can flourish and become a good contributor.

 

[Taz2]

Dont underestimate the Power of McGough!

 

[hotpie]

Originally posted by Whisky_McKay
Still only 19.
And he suffered from a disease called "Second year Blues" a well known condition that gets a lot of them.

He caught second year blues halfway through his first season.

He won't make the grade, especially not with Tarks returning to the fold next year.

 

[MarkT]

Originally posted by hotpie
He caught second year blues halfway through his first season.

He won't make the grade.

I don't know about that. Not many 17 year old deutants play a full season. In 2000 virtually our whole squad ran out of steam because they were too young. In 2001 they were still too young and therefore inconsistant. McGough is not an athlete anyway so running out of steam in year 1 as a early 18 y.o. is hardly conclusive of anything. I really like his ball getting abilkity and play reading but his pace and kicking are definate drawbacks. A bloke named Shaw was similarly criticised early on for being slow and unskilled. He retired a great captain, a fantastic close in and receiving midfielder with very good short skills and he was an ex premiership captain, Copeland Trophy winner, honery Mayor of Collingwood and King of Moomba.

 

[bluesforever]

i like cheese

 

[Lensen]

Originally posted by bluesforever
i like cheese

Didn't think you'd be used to a discussion on a player younger than 25.

 

[hotpie]

Originally posted by MarkT
A bloke named Shaw was similarly criticised early on for being slow and unskilled.

Its a different era now. There will be very few Tony Shaws and Tony Liberatore's in future, and the few that make the grade will require immaculate skills. Also, T. Shaw had one thing that McGough hasn't - stamina.

 

[MarkT]

Originally posted by hotpie
Its a different era now. There will be very few Tony Shaws and Tony Liberatore's in future, and the few that make the grade will require immaculate skills. Also, T. Shaw had one thing that McGough hasn't - stamina.

The footskills over short distance can be worked although it will always be a limiting factor. The speed will always be limiting also. The stamina can be improved as well. What can't be taught is football smarts or the inate abilityu to get the ball. I agree times have changed but athletes will always have to contend with footballers and both will always have a place in a sport with an oval ball played by 18 people of different shapes and sizes performing different roles. Sam Mitchel was a revelation as a clearance specialist. Granted he is a better kick right now but he is no quicker than McGough.

 

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by hotpie
He won't make the grade...

Won't??

He's a freak. He's already won games off his own fist and all he needs to do, is to do that cosistently.

If he doesn't, he doesn't, but one thing's for sure, he'll die trying!!

 

[hotpie]

Originally posted by FIGJAM

If he doesn't, he doesn't, but one thing's for sure, he'll die trying!!

If he doesn't die trying, he'll kill trying!

I hope I'm wrong, but he will have to add another string to his bow to get the best out of himself.