McLeod's role

[smoovy]

Over say the last month I've noticed a few things in Mcleods game that has made me think that maybe it is time for a bit of a change.

Now I realise he is probably currently in the All Australian side off the halfback line and he is our general down there setting up a lot of our attacking moves forward.

However, recently I've just had this feeling that he has become too comfortable in this roll as a receiver. He's often the first link man receiving the handball, running and then delivering the ball forward. But first and foremost he is a defender, and there has been a few times where he has not wanted to dive on a loose ball or even put his head over the ball to pick it up. This has caught me by surprise because I have not seen this in his game before.

I could get excused of talking total crap here, so I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this before. I'm prepeared to accept that I may be a little too harsh, but I just think that we are under utilising his full potential.

I don't think we need both him and johncock down in defence, so I would like him to spend more time forward. He is still a brilliant player who is capable of creating something out of nothing. I watched highlights of the 98 prelim final against the bulldogs when he kicked 7, and I was just thinking how much I would like to see that again.

 

[pjcrows]

McLeod's role is absolutely perfect when it comes off. The better sides will shit him down and curb his influence, but he is playing the perfect Andrew McLeod role at the moment.

 

[*PAF]

McLeod's role is absolutely perfect when it comes off. The better sides will shit him down and curb his influence, but he is playing the perfect Andrew McLeod role at the moment.

Well try and shut him down perhaps.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

McLeod's current role as more of a reciever should extend his career ... though with Stiffy back, I wouldn't mimd Macca give a license up forward on occasions.

 

[jenny61_99]

McLeod's current role as more of a reciever should extend his career ... though with Stiffy back, I wouldn't mimd Macca give a license up forward on occasions.

Could you imagine how many more goals we would get if we had McLeod floating up forward!

 

[shaunycrow]

actually i totally agree wit this..

ive been reading all the posts on this site for ages as i am and have been a didcated crow fan since day1... (i live in melbourne) but only decided to sign up once i saw this post..

i think the last 3 years we have been good, but we have been able to go all the way becos of the options up forward.. yes mcleod is killing it down back, but while he kills it there we are missing hes run and skills up forward.. i mean watch all the highlights (www.myspace.com/shaunycrow i have a good mcleod tribute there) he is dominating up forward... anyway i reakob stiffy up back permantly is a good idea and mayb as craigy used macca on sat night floating between both postions??

i dont even if it he tryed it for a few weeks... i think craigys problem has been he hasnt really tryed anythin different except this weekend wherre he tryed a more attacking game plan and look at the result??

its food for thought really..

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

actually i totally agree wit this..

ive been reading all the posts on this site for ages as i am and have been a didcated crow fan since day1... (i live in melbourne) but only decided to sign up once i saw this post..

i think the last 3 years we have been good, but we have been able to go all the way becos of the options up forward.. yes mcleod is killing it down back, but while he kills it there we are missing hes run and skills up forward.. i mean watch all the highlights (www.myspace.com/shaunycrow i have a good mcleod tribute there) he is dominating up forward... anyway i reakob stiffy up back permantly is a good idea and mayb as craigy used macca on sat night floating between both postions??

i dont even if it he tryed it for a few weeks... i think craigys problem has been he hasnt really tryed anythin different except this weekend wherre he tryed a more attacking game plan and look at the result??

its food for thought really..

Welcome Shauny.

With Stiffy back, I think there is more opportunity to play Macca further up the ground at times.

 

[Dandy_GO]

There was much talk of this in the pre-season; a few articles were written about McLeod's changing role, and training reports suggested he was being prepared for a move forward. Perhaps had we started the year with a full squad to choose from, it may have eventuated.

 

[smoovy]

actually i totally agree wit this..

ive been reading all the posts on this site for ages as i am and have been a didcated crow fan since day1... (i live in melbourne) but only decided to sign up once i saw this post..

i think the last 3 years we have been good, but we have been able to go all the way becos of the options up forward.. yes mcleod is killing it down back, but while he kills it there we are missing hes run and skills up forward.. i mean watch all the highlights (www.myspace.com/shaunycrow i have a good mcleod tribute there) he is dominating up forward... anyway i reakob stiffy up back permantly is a good idea and mayb as craigy used macca on sat night floating between both postions??

i dont even if it he tryed it for a few weeks... i think craigys problem has been he hasnt really tryed anythin different except this weekend wherre he tryed a more attacking game plan and look at the result??

its food for thought really..

Nice vid mate, shows us what he can do in case there are those who have forgotten.

Looking at the stats he has kicked just 2 behinds all year, that is simply just a waste of talent. Even given he is playing off the halfback line, he should be good for more than 2 scoring shots in 12 rounds of footy.

Is there anyway we can send that video to Neil Craig?

 

[Dandy_GO]

Honestly I think he could be a 50 goal forward if he played a whole season up there in his current form. Playing off the half back line, how many times this season have we seen the ball fall off a contest and somehow find McLeod, who makes space and hits a teammate on the chest or runs it up forward himself. It happens 8 or 10 times a game. This is with a defensive forward minding him most of the time. He knows where the ball will be and he knows how to find space - his exceptional work in the backlines over the last 2 seasons is proof of this, and I see no reason why this wouldn't translate well in the forward lines.
He can find space, he knows where the goals are, he has exceptional skills, he knows where the ball will be better than pretty well anyone in the competition and he knows how to get away from his opponent. We can always move him back if things go pear shaped.
Now that Stiffy's back and in some form and Massie, Torney, Doughty and even VB are all in the side and all capable of giving run off half back, throw Macca forward.
I noticed he spent a few minutes up there on saturday, but it really didn't last long. I say let him loose for the entire first half against Wet Toast. Shake things up a bit and let's see what happens.

 

[swanfan]

Honestly I think he could be a 50 goal forward if he played a whole season up there in his current form. Playing off the half back line, how many times this season have we seen the ball fall off a contest and somehow find McLeod, who makes space and hits a teammate on the chest or runs it up forward himself. It happens 8 or 10 times a game. This is with a defensive forward minding him most of the time. He knows where the ball will be and he knows how to find space - his exceptional work in the backlines over the last 2 seasons is proof of this, and I see no reason why this wouldn't translate well in the forward lines.
He can find space, he knows where the goals are, he has exceptional skills, he knows where the ball will be better than pretty well anyone in the competition and he knows how to get away from his opponent. We can always move him back if things go pear shaped.
Now that Stiffy's back and in some form and Massie, Torney, Doughty and even VB are all in the side and all capable of giving run off half back, throw Macca forward.
I noticed he spent a few minutes up there on saturday, but it really didn't last long. I say let him loose for the entire first half against Wet Toast. Shake things up a bit and let's see what happens.

I think you should win the Coach For The Day Award. I like your thinking.

 

[jenny61_99]

My only gripe with McLeod is that he is not selfish enough sometimes, always looking to pass to someone in the forward 50 when he could take another couple of strides and slot one through.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Welcome Shauny.

With Stiffy back, I think there is more opportunity to play Macca further up the ground at times.

Not Jack's middle name is it?

 

[Markthirtytwo]

My only gripe with McLeod is that he is not selfish enough sometimes, always looking to pass to someone in the forward 50 when he could take another couple of strides and slot one through.

Exacto mondo

 

[NikkiNoo]

My only gripe with McLeod is that he is not selfish enough sometimes, always looking to pass to someone in the forward 50 when he could take another couple of strides and slot one through.

I think it is more a case of what his knees are capable of doing and he is not capable of kicking those distances any longer.

 

[maccas_no1]

I think it is more a case of what his knees are capable of doing and he is not capable of kicking those distances any longer.

On thats note what was the last game Mcleod kicked a goal???

 

[CarnCrows]

On thats note what was the last game Mcleod kicked a goal???

WCE Prelim final.

 

[maccas_no1]

WCE Prelim final.

Thanks thought it had been awhile.

 

[KUNG FU]

The only problem with Macca playing forward is that we lose his ability not only to play off the half back line, but to carry the ball from one end to the other, by his run and/or by kick.

 

[maccas_no1]

The only problem with Macca playing forward is that we lose his ability not only to play off the half back line, but to carry the ball from one end to the other, by his run and/or by kick.

Being honest Macca aint going to be around forever, so I think it is important that we play say a Mattner or a Reilly in that type of role so they get better at it.

 

[swanfan]

Being honest Macca aint going to be around forever.

Don't shatter my dreams mate.

 

[maccas_no1]

Don't shatter my dreams mate.

Mate that will shatter everyones dreams the day that bunji 'hangs em up'

 

[jenny61_99]

I think it is more a case of what his knees are capable of doing and he is not capable of kicking those distances any longer.

He can kick it easy! He passes off - often to someone to the left or right of the goal square when he could have easily straightened up and slotted it through. He always thinks "team" - but sometimes I wish he'd just go "bugger it, Im going for it!"

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

The only problem with Macca playing forward is that we lose his ability not only to play off the half back line, but to carry the ball from one end to the other, by his run and/or by kick.

True & my preference is for him to play the majority of games across HB ... but there are times when I think he could be used further up the ground - a bit like Stiffy was in the 2nd half of the Cats game, just to mix things up & give the opposition something to think about. The likes of Edwards could always cover him on a HBF, along with Stiffy aready being in defence.

 

[KUNG FU]

True & my preference is for him to play the majority of games across HB ... but there are times when I think he could be used further up the ground - a bit like Stiffy was in the 2nd half of the Cats game, just to mix things up & give the opposition something to think about. The likes of Edwards could always cover him on a HBF, along with Stiffy aready being in defence.

I totally agree. Hence I said "the only problem". Both McLeod and Stiffy should be sparingly rotated forward, especially when we have a few of Mattner, Bassett, Douglas, Torney, Pfieffer and these sort attacking defenders on the ground as well.