Midfield Crisis?

[TheLeftFist8]

And the bonus from the unfortunate injuries we have had is it has given plenty of game time to Vince, Douglas,Symes and McKay who may of struggled to get a game or gametime if Knights and Reilly were playing. Lets hope Campbell has a huge game. Then when Knights and Radar come back we will have some genuine depth about us.

I am also hoping Campbell can string 3 good games together before the other blokes are available. I think he has more to offer than some people think and I'd love him to get a decent run before delisting decisions are made at the end of the year.

It may never happen, but if we get the Port situation of practically a full list to choose from most weeks, the best 22 is going to result in some very unlucky omissions.

 

[Eastern Crow]

I think you are confusing quantity for quality. All the clubs can have large numbers that they can push through the midfield but not many have a large number of quality players that they can push through the guts and get the desired short term results.

We are pushing quite a few youngsters through the midfield in Vince, MacKay, Symes, Douglas etc but can we really expect them to perform at a VERY high level week in week out against top midfields in the competition while the other more highly rated midfielders are out injured.

We might have the numbers but the genuine quality that gets you results NOW is not there yet. Once these kids fully develop then hell yeah but they are still inexperienced kids whose form and impact will flactuate!

Stiffy

Your points are valid, however I still do not believe that we are facing a midfield crisis, Knights and Radar are missed, however we will always need to cover injuries, at present our current crop of youngsters have grabbed their opportunities.

I certainly rate our depth higher than most, IMO VB, Proplyzia and Thompson are all top shelf, Goodwin, Edwards and Macca have been top shelf for a long peiod of time, this gives us 6 possible aces capable of playing a leadership role in the middle

If we look at ther next shelf, Vince, Symes, Douglas, I expect these guys to maintain their consistent standards, these boys have been in the AFL system for 3 years now and have played quality sanfl level now for 2 seasons, I compare these boys to players like Priddis at West Coast, they have all served their apprentiship, there is no reason why they can not keep improving and preform to the same high level as Priddis

Then their is Doughty and Shirley, yes not top shelf, however, over time they have played their team roles week in week out

MacKay is the X factor, every now and then a kid steps in and picks up the pace immediately and never looks back, I just believe that this kid has those qualities

Campbell and Otten will need to take their opportunity and contribute when they get their chance

All clubs midfield depth has a range of experience and class, even with Radar and Knights out, I am confident in the range and balance we have at present, if we lose a Thompson or Proplyzia before Radar or Knights returns then I will raise the concern flag, as this will impact on our structure, however up until now, their absense has created opportunities, with this opportunity players such as Vince, Douglas and MacKay have shown enormous growth and capabilty

we are not in a crisis

 

[Stiffy_18]

Stiffy

Your points are valid, however I still do not believe that we are facing a midfield crisis, Knights and Radar are missed, however we will always need to cover injuries, at present our current crop of youngsters have grabbed their opportunities.

I certainly rate our depth higher than most, IMO VB, Proplyzia and Thompson are all top shelf, Goodwin, Edwards and Macca have been top shelf for a long peiod of time, this gives us 6 possible aces capable of playing a leadership role in the middle

If we look at ther next shelf, Vince, Symes, Douglas, I expect these guys to maintain their consistent standards, these boys have been in the AFL system for 3 years now and have played quality sanfl level now for 2 seasons, I compare these boys to players like Priddis at West Coast, they have all served their apprentiship, there is no reason why they can not keep improving and preform to the same high level as Priddis

Then their is Doughty and Shirley, yes not top shelf, however, over time they have played their team roles week in week out

MacKay is the X factor, every now and then a kid steps in and picks up the pace immediately and never looks back, I just believe that this kid has those qualities

Campbell and Otten will need to take their opportunity and contribute when they get their chance

All clubs midfield depth has a range of experience and class, even with Radar and Knights out, I am confident in the range and balance we have at present, if we lose a Thompson or Proplyzia before Radar or Knights returns then I will raise the concern flag, as this will impact on our structure, however up until now, their absense has created opportunities, with this opportunity players such as Vince, Douglas and MacKay have shown enormous growth and capabilty

we are not in a crisis

I never said it was crisis point but I said we are on the edge where one more injury to our top midfielders might push us over the edge. I never called it crisis.

As for Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod, as I said in one of the posts above, giving more midfield responsibility to those 3 would be robbing Peter to pay Paul!