Mcphee and Ryder

[Haydos]

I have watched you blokes play a fair bit over the last few weeks and I notice that Knights is persisting with playing Mcphee up forward. Is he doing this simply because Lucas and to a lesser extent Lloyd is injured?

Because so far the bloke has appeared to be fairly ineffectual at playing that centre half forward role (correct me if I'm mistaken). He made his name playing in the back line and I reckon thats where he is suited. One of the commentators on the weekend mentioned that at some point in time Paddy Ryder will be played in the forward line. I reckon Knights should play McPhee at centre half back and Ryder at centre half forward for a few weeks while Lucas is out.

 

[BomberAce7]

I have watched you blokes play a fair bit over the last few weeks and I notice that Knights is persisting with playing Mcphee up forward. Is he doing this simply because Lucas and to a lesser extent Lloyd is injured?

Because so far the bloke has appeared to be fairly ineffectual at playing that centre half forward role (correct me if I'm mistaken). He made his name playing in the back line and I reckon thats where he is suited. One of the commentators on the weekend mentioned that at some point in time Paddy Ryder will be played in the forward line. I reckon Knights should play McPhee at centre half back and Ryder at centre half forward for a few weeks while Lucas is out.

Adam is playing the CHF role due to Scott's injury. He is no Lucas but he is providing a target which is good. I dont like Adam in defence to be honest & i dont believe he does either. Adam is a Half Forward/Wingman type who can be a handful for his opponent due to his height & athleticism. Paddy can play either end of the ground imo but he has cemented his spot at CHB.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

McPhee is averaging 16 disposals and 9 marks as a hit up half forward. He has done his job all season.

Only thing he needs to do is kick a few more goals. He's kicked 2.5.

He was going to play that role with Lloyd and Lucas in the side.

 

[Merv]

McPhee is averaging 16 disposals and 9 marks as a hit up half forward. He has done his job all season.

Only thing he needs to do is kick a few more goals. He's kicked 2.5.

He was going to play that role with Lloyd and Lucas in the side.

He also needs to move the ball on far quicker than what he currently does.

 

[Windas_Magic]

He also needs to move the ball on far quicker than what he currently does.

There certainly are occasions where hes held onto it too long but in fairness, a lot of times without Lucas, there is an extra opposition player down there meaning Lloyd or Hille has to contest in a 2 on 1.

 

[The Dustbin]

He also needs to move the ball on far quicker than what he currently does.

I agree. Frustrating when we have a run on and McPhee slows to a grinding halt. Still he has been very good for us thus far.

With Paddy we'll be blessed in years to come.... He will be available to play ruck, back, forward. What a luxury to have.

 

[Haydos]

Has Ryder played forward for any length of time in his career yet? Surely now would be a good time to test him out at centre half forward, especially when you have an experienced defender currently playing CHF and not setting the world on fire at doing it.

Ryder seems like he has the ability to take contested marks. Mcphee made his name taking uncontested marks in the backline and from what I have seen this season is struggling to take the contested grabs.

 

[Kong]

I agree. Frustrating when we have a run on and McPhee slows to a grinding halt. Still he has been very good for us thus far.

With Paddy we'll be blessed in years to come.... He will be available to play ruck, back, forward. What a luxury to have.

not to mention on-ball!

 

[evs05]

I agree with the OP. I think it would be worth a try if only for a half, although perhaps not against the saints this week.

The only risk is that Paddy struggles up forward and you end up damaging his confidence because of it. He has been in great form this year.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Has Ryder played forward for any length of time in his career yet? Surely now would be a good time to test him out at centre half forward, especially when you have an experienced defender currently playing CHF and not setting the world on fire at doing it.

Ryder seems like he has the ability to take contested marks. Mcphee made his name taking uncontested marks in the backline and from what I have seen this season is struggling to take the contested grabs.

McPhee can't play CHB, so that is a moot point. Tayte Pears probably can but it is a big ask, and to be honest I think Essendon have Gumbleton as the CHF penciled in, and Ryder at CHB, Pears the long term fullback and Neagle the full-forward. I would doubt they would alter that setup just for the sake of it. Ryder pinch hitting up forward is not that bad a idea.

 

[DonMania#5]

Has been pretty good so far i would that thought, averaging 9 marks per game which is Top 10 in the league.
Needs to improve his decision making and needs to be faster, holds on to the ball way too long.

 

[ant555]

I have watched you blokes play a fair bit over the last few weeks and I notice that Knights is persisting with playing Mcphee up forward. Is he doing this simply because Lucas and to a lesser extent Lloyd is injured?

Because so far the bloke has appeared to be fairly ineffectual at playing that centre half forward role (correct me if I'm mistaken). He made his name playing in the back line and I reckon thats where he is suited. One of the commentators on the weekend mentioned that at some point in time Paddy Ryder will be played in the forward line. I reckon Knights should play McPhee at centre half back and Ryder at centre half forward for a few weeks while Lucas is out.

You obviously did not see much of him playing CHB or HBF in the last two years. If you want a bloke who cant spoil , is a train crash waiting to happen under pressure, does countless u turns and handballs to blokes under pressure and can't hit targets by foot then McPhee is your man.
The members i sit with don't call him McPhumbles for nothing

 

[Jex]

McPhee works hard, but he’s not the most football savvy player going around and that’ll always be his weakness. He can take a great grab, kicks the ball a long way, presents tirelessly and is very hard to match up on. On the other hand, he sometimes lacks awareness and misses out on delivering to the best option. Last year his incessant fumbling made me sick, but it hasn’t been as bad so far this year. His hands aren’t as safe as they we’re in his B&F year…the two sitters he dropped against Geelong were pretty embarrassing. The again, 48,000 people saw him take a clear mark the other night, but that little needle-d*** in yellow didn’t pay it.

I'd love to see Ryder up forward, but he's playing brilliantly down back, so why fix something that isn’t broken? Over the last 15 years, I’m sure Sheeds would’ve been tempted to move Fletch forward for extended periods, but his presence in the backline was integral and it never eventuated. Knights has a similar decision to make with Paddy.

Either way, McPhee should never ever ever EVER play at CHB ever...imo

 

[bomber69]

He also needs to move the ball on far quicker than what he currently does.

OH GOD I KNOW! He waits about a bloody minute to kick when he delivering up the ground. It just gives the opposition time to flood.

 

[Haydos]

You obviously did not see much of him playing CHB or HBF in the last two years. If you want a bloke who cant spoil , is a train crash waiting to happen under pressure, does countless u turns and handballs to blokes under pressure and can't hit targets by foot then McPhee is your man.
The members i sit with don't call him McPhumbles for nothing

My original post was deliberately 'nice' to McPhee, I didnt want to upset you blokes considering I was starting a thread on your board haha. But considering he is a former AA player playing in the backline, I am suprised he is playing the role he is. I would take him over Hansen, but not by a lot.

 

[retroparty]

McPhee is averaging 16 disposals and 9 marks as a hit up half forward. He has done his job all season.

Thats alright... Needs to more with those possessions though.

Only thing he needs to do is kick a few more goals. He's kicked 2.5.

Then he aint doing his job. 2 goals in 4 games is not good enough.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Although Ryder is probably penciled in as our future CHB I'll be dissapointed if doesn't get a chance in the ruck. IMO he would be able emulate Adam Goodes because of his amazing agility.

In response to the OP Mcphee was earmarked as a lead up forward in the preseason long before Lucas's injury.

 

[efcboy]

would be foolish to move ryder when he is currently comfortable in defence and playing very good football. when you start moving players (experimenting) you can ruin them - think of kepler bradley all over the shop and scott cummings in defence.

ryder stays in defence as thats where he provides the most value to the team and this is likely for the rest of his career.

mcphee has been very good in 3 out of 4 games. can excuse a bloke for one bad game (particularly against geelong) and he did have a bit of concussion against the dogs.

i'd have mcphee over ashley hansen in a heartbeat - hansen is the softest kpp in the league. now that the better players around him are out of the team he is useless as doesn't work hard enough to get into a game. sure mcphee might fumble at times but at least he tries damn hard to get the pill which can't be said about some others including hansen. personally i think mcphee is best suited to a wing or flank - at present with our injuries we don't have that luxury but when lloyd, lucas, gumby are all back he can move up the ground more. when that happens opposition beware.

 

[bomberstomake8]

FFS everyone needs to get off mcphee's back.. he has been doing a good job.. working harder then probably anyone else in the team. he covers so much ground takes some great marks and set up a couple of goals on friday night... i agree his decision making lets him down but that will come with time

 

[wazzabp]

I agree, theres been very harsh criticism of McPhee by a lot of people.
I reckon hes going really well in a role he's not used to, hes leading with intent and determination, taking some good marks and opening up the forward line for others to lead into. He mightn't be kicking bags of goals, but he is allowing other blokes in behind him to finish off his hard work.

 

[Hirdman]

Adam Mcphee - My emotions traverse the full spectrum when watching Adam. Number 1 there is no doubt he works harder than any Essendon player, he will lead, double back and move to the otherside of the ground for the switch. I love that about Macca, he's movement is A grade. Generally he has a good pair of hands but the one thing he does do is dive for marks he is 15% chance of making, gallantly misses them and then his opponent runs away with the ball. He needs to learn how to play the numbers and take the ball on the bounce sometimes. I agreee with other posters he does take too long and he's decision making is suspect (see 15% marks), he is an "instinct player" not a thinking player. Although all in all I do believe he has been very good for us this year and was always going to play the "lead up" role in 08.

Paddy Ryder - I know its early but Paddy looks at home in the backline, he reads the ball so very well and never panicks. The limited times I have seen him up forward he struggles to make space and lead in the right areas (granted he has spent very limited time up forward). I am one of the BF people who firmly believe when he can be released from the backline (bring on Pears and someone else) he will become a superstar ruckmen, his leap ability to read the ball, decision making, skill...... he will be a very special player!!

 

[Lad of the Manor]

At the start of the year Knighta said that McPhee was going to play up forward which he has been and has been playing well. Im sure he wasn't excepting both Lloyd and Lucas to be out at the same time as well as next best big key forwards in Gumbleton and Neagle at the same time. Instead of being the 3rd or 4th option now he is the main man which he is not suited to. At the start of the year he would have been seen as the lead up marking option more towards the wing or half forward rather than at home close to goal. So he has probably kicked a few goals less than expected but at the start of the year i would have thought he would kicked 25 to 30 goals maximum so he isnt far behind that. Whereas Ryder is playing superb in defence so keep him there. No reason to change it even our lack of options up forward

 

[Darealrath]

He's been good. The new role definately suits him. Pity we haven't had the chance to see how he'd go with Lloyd and Lucas because I think he could really cause some havoc with so much focus on the other two.

Be nice if he kicked more goals but then again his role has been to mark the ball in the 50-80m range so if he's doing that, which he has been, he's doing his job.

 

[horj89]

I've liked Mcphee on the half forward line. Just needs to get the kicking boots on.

And I see no reason why you would move Ryder up forward. He has been playing so well across half back.

 

[Big Blow Hard]

He also needs to move the ball on far quicker than what he currently does.

Agreed, I believe he trouble is he still THINKS like a backman. You can't take so long to sum up the options in the forward line. First instinct is usually the best option. Even get a bit hungry and take a few shots himself, he can kick it long.