"Goddess" - Moderator
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Mid-season review: Midfielders
We take a look back at Carlton’s first 13 rounds of the season.
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Review Mid-season review: Midfielders
- Thread starter Aphrodite
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Cripps and Walsh = good
The rest = not good.
The rest = not good.
What midfield ?
Cripps or bust!
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Cripps or bust!
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Cripps and Walsh are the only two who have had consistent footy so far. Fisher starting to show. But overall, other than 9 & 18, the rest haven’t been worthy of a pass mark.... yet.
- Sep 1, 2016
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That's the midfield review in a nutshell.
- Moderator
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strangely positive article for a two win, sacked coach season.
- Dec 22, 2006
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Cripps A+
Walsh A
Dow D
SPS D+
E Curnow - C
Murphy - E
Kennedy - F
Gibbons - C
Fisher - B
Walsh A
Dow D
SPS D+
E Curnow - C
Murphy - E
Kennedy - F
Gibbons - C
Fisher - B
Cripps - A++
What more can be said? May just be the best player in the game today.
Walsh - A+
Quite possibly the best first year player ever. He's already our second best midfielder, and I'm constantly asking myself whether or not that's a good thing. Is he THAT good? Or is our midfield THAT bad? Probably a little of both.
SPS - C+
Has been good at times, and gone missing at times. The good has been enough to give him a bit more than just a pass mark. Needs to do a little more.
Dow - E+
Significant case of the second year Blues. He gets the + mark because despite his really poor skills he's put himself in situations to have a another go. I like that, he hasn't gone completely into his shell and shirked the issue. Outside of that he has a load of work to do.
Murphy - D+
Hasn't been terrible but hasn't been what we need him to be. He gets enough of the ball and a decent enough rate, but the problem is we need him to do more than "just enough". Several times at crucial moments he hasn't just made a mistake, he's made an absolutely boneheaded worse-than-amateurish mistakes that completely kill the momentum and buildup. However I believe that 80% of what he does is good, but that last 20% absolutely kills us, and considering that last 20% is what he's around for he's a fail so far.
Fisher - B-
Started off the season really well and was looking like a breakout season for him. Since then he's sort of faded. I don't know why, but he seems to be second guessing everything he does and is really indecisive with the ball. He'll shape to kick, then last second he'll pull back at which point he gets tackled. He used to pull the trigger on instinct, now he's doubting his instinct and it's really costing him. I don't know if it's something in his own mind or something the coaches have tried to change but whatever it is it's hampered him. Still, he's been probably our third best midfielder this season.
Setterfield - D
He's looked uncomposed, physically weak and unsure in disposal. I don't think he should have as much 1st team gametime as he as received, but obviously the development plan for him is based around first team football and not finding form in the 2s. I'm not overly concerned about him long term yet, given he's coming off a long term injury, but this season he's been below average. His last few weeks he's looked better, so he's getting there, but on the whole season so far he's a fail.
O'Brien - D
Similar to Setterfield really; early on he looked very frail, uncomposed and poor in disposal. He also should consider himself lucky to have played as much senior football as he has. The last few weeks he's started to look better, but so far the bad has significantly outweighed the good. The promising signs are encouraging, though.
Cuningham - C
When he's played he's been good. A real point of difference for our team. Strong enough, plays with some explosion and has an x-factor to him. Can break games open in a few moments. The reason he's only a C is because he can't stay on the bloody park! When he's played he's been at least a B for mine, maybe could've crept up to an A with the consistency that would've come with being available mroe, but the lack of game time means all I can do is give him a slight pass.
E Curnow - C+
Who'd have thought putting a mature big bodied mid who can be a very effective tagger would be a good move? Shocking, I know. Has shown since returning to the midfield that he never should've left. Was slightly less than serviceable as a forward, but kicked the odd handy goal. The experiment went 6 weeks too long and is back to his rightful place.
M Kennedy - E-
Really disappointing. Reeeaally disappointing. That's all I've got to say really.
If I've missed anyone I'll try and add them later, but I'm fairly sure that's all that are relevant.
What more can be said? May just be the best player in the game today.
Walsh - A+
Quite possibly the best first year player ever. He's already our second best midfielder, and I'm constantly asking myself whether or not that's a good thing. Is he THAT good? Or is our midfield THAT bad? Probably a little of both.
SPS - C+
Has been good at times, and gone missing at times. The good has been enough to give him a bit more than just a pass mark. Needs to do a little more.
Dow - E+
Significant case of the second year Blues. He gets the + mark because despite his really poor skills he's put himself in situations to have a another go. I like that, he hasn't gone completely into his shell and shirked the issue. Outside of that he has a load of work to do.
Murphy - D+
Hasn't been terrible but hasn't been what we need him to be. He gets enough of the ball and a decent enough rate, but the problem is we need him to do more than "just enough". Several times at crucial moments he hasn't just made a mistake, he's made an absolutely boneheaded worse-than-amateurish mistakes that completely kill the momentum and buildup. However I believe that 80% of what he does is good, but that last 20% absolutely kills us, and considering that last 20% is what he's around for he's a fail so far.
Fisher - B-
Started off the season really well and was looking like a breakout season for him. Since then he's sort of faded. I don't know why, but he seems to be second guessing everything he does and is really indecisive with the ball. He'll shape to kick, then last second he'll pull back at which point he gets tackled. He used to pull the trigger on instinct, now he's doubting his instinct and it's really costing him. I don't know if it's something in his own mind or something the coaches have tried to change but whatever it is it's hampered him. Still, he's been probably our third best midfielder this season.
Setterfield - D
He's looked uncomposed, physically weak and unsure in disposal. I don't think he should have as much 1st team gametime as he as received, but obviously the development plan for him is based around first team football and not finding form in the 2s. I'm not overly concerned about him long term yet, given he's coming off a long term injury, but this season he's been below average. His last few weeks he's looked better, so he's getting there, but on the whole season so far he's a fail.
O'Brien - D
Similar to Setterfield really; early on he looked very frail, uncomposed and poor in disposal. He also should consider himself lucky to have played as much senior football as he has. The last few weeks he's started to look better, but so far the bad has significantly outweighed the good. The promising signs are encouraging, though.
Cuningham - C
When he's played he's been good. A real point of difference for our team. Strong enough, plays with some explosion and has an x-factor to him. Can break games open in a few moments. The reason he's only a C is because he can't stay on the bloody park! When he's played he's been at least a B for mine, maybe could've crept up to an A with the consistency that would've come with being available mroe, but the lack of game time means all I can do is give him a slight pass.
E Curnow - C+
Who'd have thought putting a mature big bodied mid who can be a very effective tagger would be a good move? Shocking, I know. Has shown since returning to the midfield that he never should've left. Was slightly less than serviceable as a forward, but kicked the odd handy goal. The experiment went 6 weeks too long and is back to his rightful place.
M Kennedy - E-
Really disappointing. Reeeaally disappointing. That's all I've got to say really.
If I've missed anyone I'll try and add them later, but I'm fairly sure that's all that are relevant.
What a shit article. Read dows 'review' and nothing but positives. No areas for improvement or that he's working on. Then the first sentence of murph says he has returned to his consistent best this year. Didn't bother reading the rest.
Don't call something a review if it's not. Maybe 'mid season puff piece: all the glowing remarks we can conjure about a midfield involved in 2 wins from 13 games'.
Don't call something a review if it's not. Maybe 'mid season puff piece: all the glowing remarks we can conjure about a midfield involved in 2 wins from 13 games'.
- May 19, 2019
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In: upper body strength
Out: Dinky soft kicks
And for goodness sakes block for Cripps
Out: Dinky soft kicks
And for goodness sakes block for Cripps
i think apart from walsh, most of our mids have underwhelmed at times, some more than others and for their own reasons. cripps has put together a few quiet games in the middle of the year but very apart from this very good. ed hasn't spent enough time there. murphy got it together last week after a very patchy 4 possession 1 goal first half. kids are kids and are works in progress. our experienced half backs are good users of the ball coming up the ground, but they've had a tough time of it like the rest of our defence and unfortunately won't be around longer-term.
our midfield and to a lesser extent our ruck division is most obviously what is holding us back from climbing the ladder.
our midfield and to a lesser extent our ruck division is most obviously what is holding us back from climbing the ladder.
TLDR
Cripps A+
Mature midfielder and one of the leagues leading players. Having a great season. Become a very complete player.
Walsh A-
One of the best debut seasons I have seen, going to be a genuine star of the competition. A near complete player. Not just good for a young player but a good player in general. When he develops physically he'll be a guy who averages around 30 possessions, adds a bit more damage in front of goal and strong tackling.
Curnow C+
Didn't play a heap of midfield early but has given us a bit lately with his tagging and being a mature body. Can probably get back to being a B to B+ grade player who averages mid 20s and tags well.
Murphy C+
Still gets a bit of the footy and is our 3rd best ball winner but his numbers are nothing special. Good runner and smart player but doesn't have a physical game and doesn't hurt the opposition with disposal.
Fisher C+
Has been ok, needs to get his numbers and physicality up to get up to the level of the better AFL mids. Averaging 20 disposals is just a pass mark for a mid and needs to improve his tackling. Would like to see him stronger and averaging up around the mid 20's disposal wise or add more goals.
SPS C+
Has played some good games and uses the ball well but his numbers are still a little low. He lacks that bit of physical strength and size at this stage. Improved tackling and ability to stand up in a tackle will go a long way, needs to develop physically. Needs to get more of the footy and get his numbers up around the mid 20s.
Setterfield D+
Hasn't had the greatest start but has improved a bit lately. Still lacks the size and strength required and his numbers are fairly low. Needs to get fitter and stronger and develop his skills more but that should come. Would like to see him develop more as an inside and outside midfielder and get his numbers up around the mid 20s more often.
Dow D
Second year player, has struggled and needs a lot of improvement. Needs to get his kicking right and improve his physicality. Needs to get a lot stronger. Numbers are really low, probably has played too much senior footy. I think he could play with more intensity.
O'Brien D
Really struggled to find the footy this year and has produced some really low numbers but has improved a little recently. Needs to put on some size and get his numbers up above 20.
Lang E-
Just struggled, has had injuries but hasn't done much in the VFL and didn't make much of his AFL appearance. Just doesn't do enough in regards to getting the ball, kicking goals and laying tackles.
Kennedy E-
Has played alright in the VFL but hasn't had that breakout game yet. Didn't make the most of his AFL appearances. Numbers are ok in the VFL but don't translate well to AFL. Big questions over his physicality, aggression, agility and pace.
Overall it's a weak midfield that badly lacks physicality. Tackling, ability to break tackles and get the arms free. We don't have too many guys who win good to elite numbers of the footy which is the main thing. We're all hoping we can land a good midfielder or two this year and that our young players will develop. Hoping our mids go up a level next season and we manage to recruit well.
Mature midfielder and one of the leagues leading players. Having a great season. Become a very complete player.
Walsh A-
One of the best debut seasons I have seen, going to be a genuine star of the competition. A near complete player. Not just good for a young player but a good player in general. When he develops physically he'll be a guy who averages around 30 possessions, adds a bit more damage in front of goal and strong tackling.
Curnow C+
Didn't play a heap of midfield early but has given us a bit lately with his tagging and being a mature body. Can probably get back to being a B to B+ grade player who averages mid 20s and tags well.
Murphy C+
Still gets a bit of the footy and is our 3rd best ball winner but his numbers are nothing special. Good runner and smart player but doesn't have a physical game and doesn't hurt the opposition with disposal.
Fisher C+
Has been ok, needs to get his numbers and physicality up to get up to the level of the better AFL mids. Averaging 20 disposals is just a pass mark for a mid and needs to improve his tackling. Would like to see him stronger and averaging up around the mid 20's disposal wise or add more goals.
SPS C+
Has played some good games and uses the ball well but his numbers are still a little low. He lacks that bit of physical strength and size at this stage. Improved tackling and ability to stand up in a tackle will go a long way, needs to develop physically. Needs to get more of the footy and get his numbers up around the mid 20s.
Setterfield D+
Hasn't had the greatest start but has improved a bit lately. Still lacks the size and strength required and his numbers are fairly low. Needs to get fitter and stronger and develop his skills more but that should come. Would like to see him develop more as an inside and outside midfielder and get his numbers up around the mid 20s more often.
Dow D
Second year player, has struggled and needs a lot of improvement. Needs to get his kicking right and improve his physicality. Needs to get a lot stronger. Numbers are really low, probably has played too much senior footy. I think he could play with more intensity.
O'Brien D
Really struggled to find the footy this year and has produced some really low numbers but has improved a little recently. Needs to put on some size and get his numbers up above 20.
Lang E-
Just struggled, has had injuries but hasn't done much in the VFL and didn't make much of his AFL appearance. Just doesn't do enough in regards to getting the ball, kicking goals and laying tackles.
Kennedy E-
Has played alright in the VFL but hasn't had that breakout game yet. Didn't make the most of his AFL appearances. Numbers are ok in the VFL but don't translate well to AFL. Big questions over his physicality, aggression, agility and pace.
Overall it's a weak midfield that badly lacks physicality. Tackling, ability to break tackles and get the arms free. We don't have too many guys who win good to elite numbers of the footy which is the main thing. We're all hoping we can land a good midfielder or two this year and that our young players will develop. Hoping our mids go up a level next season and we manage to recruit well.
