Prediction Michael Barlow

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Sad thing is I could totally envision a scenario where we sign Barlow, still play Thompson and then decide Matt Crouch is the one who needs to sit out.

The scary thing is that you are most probably on the money with this

 

[Hank93]

This feels like a ok decision right now but I'm getting enormous VB vibes at the moment.

Clearly can win the ball and go forward but he's still slow and an average kick. I can see the Crows board being very divided if his acquisition takes place.

 

[fabs33]

Well, I suppose with Thommo being on his last legs it's only to be expected that Campo would need another veteran whose all important experience he can rely on.

 

[Coopers]

I'd be happy with him as a depth player - it's unlikely we'll go around for another season as injury free, so we need some depth there in the mids.

If CEY, Menzel, Hampton, Wigg, Gore aren't going to cut the mustard once given the opportunity then I am for it.

 

[Crows4Eva]

Think we should go for it. Adds depth and can still go at only 28. The fact is we can't JUST play all young guys and expect to push for top 4. Won't happen.

MacKay and Thompson need to be back-ups at best, but I'm not convinced guys like Wigg, Menzel and Knight are ready to play every week so Barlow makes sense as midfield depth.

As for Douglas, he just barely hangs onto his spot for now. But if Menzel or Knight prove they're up to it over pre-season he's out.

 

[Tex200]

This feels like a ok decision right now but I'm getting enormous VB vibes at the moment.

Clearly can win the ball and go forward but he's still slow and an average kick. I can see the Crows board being very divided if his acquisition takes place.

Agree - it smacks to me of having a bet each way.

Wow we have amazing talent ready to step up and blossom in the midfield - we're getting organic growth.

But just in case they don't we will add this guy so we don't get smashed in the middle and remain competitive. Finish 8th and you just never know what might happen

 

[ams4crows]

We need to play our young mids we need to expose them to AFL that's the only good thing about Lyons leaving and potentially have Thompson playing SANFL we need to know what Greenwood, Menzel, Wigg, Gore and Hampton can do, put more games into Knight and Milera.

 

[Johnny Rutten]

Barlow versus Gibbs
Comparison 2010-2016

Age - MB 28 yrs-10 months, BG 27 years-7 months
Games - MB 126, BG 143
Goals Avg - MB 0.64, BG 0.60
Disposals Avg - MB 25.2, BG 23.8
Disposal Efficiency - MB 67%, BG 71%
Tackle Avg - MB 5.1, BG 4.2
Inside 50s Avg - MB 2.8, BG 3.5
Clearances Avg - MB 3.8, BG 3.4
Contested Possies Avg - MB 10.7, BG 8.4
Score Assists Avg - MB 0.9, BG 0.8

The one area that Gibbs is clearly more proficient in is his use of the ball (see Disposal Efficiency). Otherwise, considering Barlow won't cost us anything and Gibbs would have cost us plenty, the comparison is a favourable one for Barlow.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Barlow versus Gibbs
Comparison 2010-2016

Age - MB 28 yrs-10 months, BG 27 years-7 months
Games - MB 126, BG 143
Goals Avg - MB 0.64, BG 0.60
Disposals Avg - MB 25.2, BG 23.8
Disposal Efficiency - MB 67%, BG 71%
Tackle Avg - MB 5.1, BG 4.2
Inside 50s Avg - MB 2.8, BG 3.5
Clearances Avg - MB 3.8, BG 3.4
Contested Possies Avg - MB 10.7, BG 8.4
Score Assists Avg - MB 0.9, BG 0.8

The one area that Gibbs is clearly more proficient in is his use of the ball (see Disposal Efficiency). Otherwise, considering Barlow won't cost us anything and Gibbs would have cost us plenty, the comparison is a favourable one for Barlow.

Adding on to this, even Barlow went at 70.8% this year - better than all our inside mids bar Mrouch.

The more I think about this pickup, the more I like it (hopefully as a stop-gap for two years max, though)

 

[Niximus]

Agree - it smacks to me of having a bet each way.

Wow we have amazing talent ready to step up and blossom in the midfield - we're getting organic growth.

But just in case they don't we will add this guy so we don't get smashed in the middle and remain competitive. Finish 8th and you just never know what might happen

I'm not too keen on the idea of Barlow. As I posted in another thread, sans Thompson, MacKay and Douglas (which I think most people aren't keen to see much of in 2017) I think our experience profile is still a couple of years off its peak.

I think when the Jacobs-Smith group below is sitting around 200, if the Jenkins-Seedsman group can be around 120, Hartigan-Atkins around 100 and Shaw-O'Brien and anyone who hasn't debuted yet around 50 we'll have a more premiership ready squad.

253 - Eddie Betts
--------------------------
149 - Sam Jacobs
141 - Rory Sloane
130 - Taylor Walker
122 - Daniel Talia
120 - Brodie Smith
--------------------------
93 - Josh Jenkins
91 - Luke Brown
83 - Tom Lynch
79 - Andy Otten
77 - Kyle Cheney
76 - Rory Laird
64 - Paul Seedsman
--------------------------
51 - Kyle Hartigan
51 - Curtly Hampton
49 - Charlie Cameron
47 - Matt Crouch
41 - Brad Crouch
40 - Troy Menzel
36 - Jake Lever
32 - Rory Atkins
--------------------------
24 - Sam Shaw
23 - Mitch McGovern
14 - Cam Ellis-Yolmen
12 - Riley Knight
10 - Jake Kelly
8 - Wayne Milera
2 - Reilly O'Brien
--------------------------
0 - Jonathon Beech
0 - Harrison Wigg
0 - Dean Gore
0 - Harry Dear
0 - Tom Doedee
0 - Hugh Greenwood
0 - Alex Keath

 

[Danger in Texas]

I'm not too keen on the idea of Barlow. As I posted in another thread, sans Thompson, MacKay and Douglas (which I think most people aren't keen to see much of in 2017) I think our experience profile is still a couple of years off its peak.

I think when the Jacobs-Smith group below is sitting around 200, if the Jenkins-Seedsman group can be around 120, Hartigan-Atkins around 100 and Shaw-O'Brien and anyone who hasn't debuted yet around 50 we'll have a more premiership ready squad.

253 - Eddie Betts
--------------------------
149 - Sam Jacobs
141 - Rory Sloane
130 - Taylor Walker
122 - Daniel Talia
120 - Brodie Smith
--------------------------
93 - Josh Jenkins
91 - Luke Brown
83 - Tom Lynch
79 - Andy Otten
77 - Kyle Cheney
76 - Rory Laird
64 - Paul Seedsman
--------------------------
51 - Kyle Hartigan
51 - Curtly Hampton
49 - Charlie Cameron
47 - Matt Crouch
41 - Brad Crouch
40 - Troy Menzel
36 - Jake Lever
32 - Rory Atkins
--------------------------
24 - Sam Shaw
23 - Mitch McGovern
14 - Cam Ellis-Yolmen
12 - Riley Knight
10 - Jake Kelly
8 - Wayne Milera
2 - Reilly O'Brien
--------------------------
0 - Jonathon Beech
0 - Harrison Wigg
0 - Dean Gore
0 - Harry Dear
0 - Tom Doedee
0 - Hugh Greenwood
0 - Alex Keath

The sad thing about this is that Eddie will likely never be a part of a premiership side.

 

[Jarman3]

Barlow versus Gibbs
Comparison 2010-2016

Age - MB 28 yrs-10 months, BG 27 years-7 months
Games - MB 126, BG 143
Goals Avg - MB 0.64, BG 0.60
Disposals Avg - MB 25.2, BG 23.8
Disposal Efficiency - MB 67%, BG 71%
Tackle Avg - MB 5.1, BG 4.2
Inside 50s Avg - MB 2.8, BG 3.5
Clearances Avg - MB 3.8, BG 3.4
Contested Possies Avg - MB 10.7, BG 8.4
Score Assists Avg - MB 0.9, BG 0.8

The one area that Gibbs is clearly more proficient in is his use of the ball (see Disposal Efficiency). Otherwise, considering Barlow won't cost us anything and Gibbs would have cost us plenty, the comparison is a favourable one for Barlow.

Yeah, he won't be on huge dollars, won't cost us anything in way of trade as a free agent, and probably a better bet than whoever we'd get down in the 4th or 5th round of the draft. Worth a punt.

On the issue of efficiency, is there any breakdown of efficiency of contested v uncontested possessions? The reason I ask is that if a guy is winning a centre clearance and just slamming it on his boot with 3 guys trying to tackle him, the efficiency may well be lower than a guy getting clean ball with some time and space to use it more neatly. That doesn't mean the contested player is no good.

 

[Niximus]

The sad thing about this is that Eddie will likely never be a part of a premiership side.

Depends how long he goes on. He plays a low impact (physically) role so his body might hold up for a few years yet.

 

[Captain Furious]

Feel like it's a backward step. He's not the worst player but he's slow as treacle and not a great kick. Tends to kick little dinky passes or to a contest. That's my issue with him, he doesn't suit our game style. He'll wander around the ground picking up a stack of touches but there's no dynamism or urgency to his game. He's an accumulator not an influencer.

If it's one year on minimum chips as back up in the SANFL in case of injuries, then fine. But if he's taking game time from Knight, Wigg, CEY and Milera, we're moving in the wrong direction as a team.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

If Barlow is signed it would have a significant impact on CEY opportunities

Would hope not. I see Barlow as more a backup option as we need to play the younger guys as a priority.

However, imo we need some experience, which would mean playing 1 of Douglas or thommo or Barlow if we get him... which gives us options if Douglas doesn't rediscover his form.

Also, say Sloane is injured, we may need to play 2 of the experienced types.

However, playing knight, menzel, milera, cey, Hampton types must be the priority.

 

[Jello_B]

Reported on WA radio this morning Adelaide looking as most likely suitor. Speaking as if deal is almost there.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Still need a mid boost. If hes not cooked its a no brainer.

So i would be wholeheartedly in support of this - but i expect the club to do their due diligence.

Imagine Gibbs and barlow both added over the offseason....

I agree with this - surely a better backup need than grigg, shaw or hendo. This is what we should be weighing up if he passes the necessary tests.

 

[Danoz]

Would hope not. I see Barlow as more a backup option as we need to play the younger guys as a priority.

However, imo we need some experience, which would mean playing 1 of Douglas or thommo or Barlow if we get him... which gives us options if Douglas doesn't rediscover his form.

Also, say Sloane is injured, we may need to play 2 of the experienced types.

However, playing knight, menzel, milera, cey, Hampton types must be the priority.

Makes you wonder if this is the same philosophy the AFC would have if they wanted to sign him. Surely Barlow wouldn't be overly keen on joining with a 'possibility' of playing, and there'd be some Vic clubs willing to offer more playing time due to their young midfields.

Would be funny (or not) if he ended up at the Hawks.

 

[Rise_up_Stiffy]

For mine, we need to have a crack now while we have Eddie Betts and Tex & Talia are in their prime. We will be (already have been) overtaken by GWS and bulldogs young talent. Putting it off for 2 years won't cut it because GWS will be an absolute powerhouse by then.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Makes you wonder if this is the same philosophy the AFC would have if they wanted to sign him. Surely Barlow wouldn't be overly keen on joining with a 'possibility' of playing, and there'd be some Vic clubs willing to offer more playing time due to their young midfields.

Would be funny (or not) if he ended up at the Hawks.

Good point.

However, he may just back himself in to get in the side based on form. If anyone is regularly dominating the SANFL, they should play regardless of age. This is what I would be telling him - we have openings. Edit - also he would be keen to go to a club who is a chance of winning a flag.

Thommo - is only going to play a handful of games & we need some experience around when he isn't playing.

Douglas - what if he doesn't recapture his form - we may as well play someone else, but could do with the experience.

CEY - hope he is given 1st decent crack against sides where we need to have a bigger body midfielder... but if after numerous chances he doesn't come up, then we need another option. May be Greenwood, but if he isn't ready, Barlow would be good cover.

 

[Alwaysacrow]

I think he's worth a punt even if just to salvage something from trade week. I'm for it as long as he is only in the side if he's producing the goods. I'd hate to see him stinking it up in the afl when our young guys can't get a game.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Reported on WA radio this morning Adelaide looking as most likely suitor. Speaking as if deal is almost there.

We read that with Martin, Rockliff and Gibbs

Fourth time's the charm...

 

[crowsontv]

Why didn't he play much this year? Are there injury concerns ? Don't mind the idea at all .

 

[Redleg Crow]

Get him for bugger all? Why not? Last season against Port he picked up 43 touches, so he can still find it.

If the shoulder is ok, and medical fine. Take him. Doesn't mean he should be automatically playing 22 games, but he's no spud.

 

[threefa9]

Barlow for free? Absolutely, can still be a top line mid when healthy