Mattner to the Midfield

[CaptainDangerfield]

Something that was quite evident yesterday was our lack of breakaway pace in the midfield. Come finals time all opposition coaches need to do is stop Goodwin and we lose the majortity of our pace out of the centre. While the likes of Doughty, Reilly, Shirley and Thomson have had solid years ( although inconcistent ) none are lightening quick. It's time to stop this "teaching Marty to be more defensive" B***SH** and let him use his greatest assets, his breakaway pace, tackling and running the lines.

IMHO after sitting through yesterdays game, we don't have a midfield that can win the premiership. There is a huge difference in class and consistency between Goody, Edwards and the inconcistent backboner midfield group of Thomson, Shirley, Reilly and Doughty. We need another pacy player to help Goody and Tyson out.

Could Marty be the X factor we so desperately need heading into finals?

Just an after thought, anyone that thinks that Roo is fit enough to play a major role in the midfield this year better think again. He is really struggling at the moment. And as for Douglas, the time has past to blood him, he won't/shouldn't play a game this year. Even if he does get a game, you can't expect him to shoulder a key midfield position. Mind you, i'm not against the idea of brining him and playing him as a small forward becuase our forward line is also lacking genuine leg speed.

We have enough pace, in the backline, Macca and Stiffy, but our midfiled really needs to be addressed and quickly if we are to be a genuine chance of going all the way.

Thoughts?

 

[- PC -]

While I dont disagree in what you say ...is it our gameplan that makes our midfield look slow?

I recall getting excited think of Clarke tapping to Edwards who handballs to a running Goodwin who roosts it deep into the forward line to so many options ie either a leading Roo or a breakaway Hentschell

Now all I see is a tap from Clarke to Edwards who pivots handballs backwards to McLeod who stops props looks upfield then backpasses to Rutten who chips over to Bassett/Hart who chips back to Rutten who ...you get what I mean

 

[meh]

Its interesting.

Some people say we need more hardness in the midfield (hence everyone calling for Roo) but i can see your point with the run. I think we need Marty back on a wing, just so his he finds some more space and can use his long kicking ability, i believe the wing is where he plays his best footy.

With the way teams are playing against us now (stacking numbers during stoppages), i dont think Marty can find the space to run, but everyone has an opinion.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Probably a bit of both PC. IMO we are seriously lacking in a 3rd quality, pacy midfielder. Can Mattner be the third, I don't know, but it's worth a try. I don't see a finals X factor in Shirley, Thommo, Reilly or Doughty.

 

[wizzard74]

I think Mattner needs to get in the middle. we were too lazy through the middle yesterday, his pace and hard tackling is needed, Mcleod needs to be unleashed in the finals and told to get the after burners on but Craigy doesnt like to change the backline does he

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Its interesting.

Some people say we need more hardness in the midfield (hence everyone calling for Roo) but i can see your point with the run. I think we need Marty back on a wing, just so his he finds some more space and can use his long kicking ability, i believe the wing is where he plays his best footy.

With the way teams are playing against us now (stacking numbers during stoppages), i dont think Marty can find the space to run, but everyone has an opinion.

Marty covers both those aspects, hardness and run.

 

[Greatness23]

Mattner 2006 could = McLeod 1997

 

[jc67]

Mattner 2006 could = McLeod 1997

Dreaming.
Much more likely is McLeod 1997 = McLeod 2006

 

[Leaping Lindner]

Marty covers both those aspects, hardness and run.

But his disposal is still way too suss.

 

[CrowTwig]

At his best Marty has very clean disposals.