Midfield depth

[ziad]

Our disposal is still letting us down - were just turning the ball over too much.
sydney played the rucks very well blocking the jump at the ball without infringing

I agree Sydney rucks blocked NN in particular from jumping at the ball. Roos said last night this 'spooked' Nic. Healy suggested it may not have been legal - generally Healy is one of the few informed comentators.

A quick review of the laws may spook the umpires:

15.4.5 Prohibited Contact and Payment of Free Kick
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player where
they are satisfied that the Player has made Prohibited Contact
with an opposition Player.
A Player makes Prohibited Contact with an opposition Player if
the Player:
(f) pushes, bumps, holds or blocks an opposition Player
who is contesting a bounce or throw by a field Umpire or
boundary throw in;

The umpirng standards are not high. I felt saturday nights game was worse that ours. Regardless I hope the AFL is being asked politely to umpire games within the their own laws odf the game.

Crossing the centre line to bloc in a ruck contest is illegal and dangerous - it is akin to tunneling.

 

[The Dodger]

I have to question why Naitanui did not change his ruck position at the centre bounces?
If Mummy & Pike come around to the centre line ready to step over in his way why didn't he go around to the other side of the circle (near where the ump walks in) and keep the distance. I found that baffling, and I hope the coaches & NN are busy thinking about that otherwise he will be found out and all teams will do that.

 

[ziad]

I have to question why Naitanui did not change his ruck position at the centre bounces?
If Mummy & Pike come around to the centre line ready to step over in his way why didn't he go around to the other side of the circle (near where the ump walks in) and keep the distance. I found that baffling, and I hope the coaches & NN are busy thinking about that otherwise he will be found out and all teams will do that.

probably waiting for the obvious free to be paid and also wanting to play within the laws

 

[The Dodger]

I agree Sydney rucks blocked NN in particular from jumping at the ball. Roos said last night this 'spooked' Nic. Healy suggested it may not have been legal - generally Healy is one of the few informed comentators.

A quick review of the laws may spook the umpires:

15.4.5 Prohibited Contact and Payment of Free Kick
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player where
they are satisfied that the Player has made Prohibited Contact
with an opposition Player.
A Player makes Prohibited Contact with an opposition Player if
the Player:
(f) pushes, bumps, holds or blocks an opposition Player
who is contesting a bounce or throw by a field Umpire or
boundary throw in;

The umpirng standards are not high. I felt saturday nights game was worse that ours. Regardless I hope the AFL is being asked politely to umpire games within the their own laws odf the game.

Crossing the centre line to bloc in a ruck contest is illegal and dangerous - it is akin to tunneling.

Yeah I thought it was dubious as well. I remember the Eagles asking the AFL about that when NN started because that is what was happening. But on the day you ask the ump if what he is doing is legal and if he says "i dont see a problem with it" then you need to change your game and ask the AFL later. I would have like to see him just move around the circle to the other side and maintain the distance.

 

[Matera92]

This is where Nat needs more mongrel in his game, If I were coaching at quarter time I would have taken him aside and said "Mate, if they block your run, put you your knee into the back of their heads a couple of times and they will stop doing it."

I still get the feeling he doesn't quite know what he's capable of, he can jump over them if he wanted to.

 

[ziad]

This is where Nat needs more mongrel in his game, If I were coaching at quarter time I would have taken him aside and said "Mate, if they block your run, put you your knee into the back of their heads a couple of times and they will stop doing it."

I still get the feeling he doesn't quite know what he's capable of, he can jump over them if he wanted to.

I agree a knee to the bonce is a simple message, as for jumping over - Mummy was over 1m over the line and tunneling Nic - a real danger if he reaches over Mummy for the ball

 

[Icanwalk]

It's not our depth that is the problem, but our lack of top end talent/dynamism in the midfield which is our deficiency.

This week served as further evidence that Priddis will not lead our midfield to a premiership. He had little influence despite collecting 25 possessions and his opponent (who I believe started the game playing a defensive role on Priddis), ran off him to dominate the game. And considering Priddis was at his best in the 3rd, we were coincidentally smashed in that quarter.

As good as Priddis is, he can not remain our no. 1 midfielder, or else I fear we will share a similar fate to the Bulldogs of the past few years, who despite having a very talented side, were not able to win a premiership. Having the slow, unskilled pair of Boyd and Cross lead that midfield, with Cooney and Griffen serving as backups would have contributed to this I believe. And unfortunately, we don't yet possess a midfielder of the quality of Cooney and/or Griffen at their peaks (bar Kerr at his own).

I doubt that Priddis will suddenly develop some versatility to his game, so we must be prepared to use him in a more defensive role in the coming seasons, allowing Shuey, Masten, Selwood and perhaps Gaff/Sheppard and even Swift/Stevens and possibly Weedon/Newman in the far future to serve as our primary extractors and distributors of the ball.

 

[Icanwalk]

We desperately require an additional top-end midfielder to accompany Shuey, and unless we draft one this year (unlikely), it might be time for West Coast to consider some crafty trading and lure such a player with a big-ass contract. I realise this goes against our recruiting philosophy, but the recruiting landscape is changing with the introduction of free-agency and such negotiations are becoming increasingly apart of the game. It seems most clubs are willing to participate but us.

There are groups of players that'd be worth inquiring into: the free-agents, particularly from the Saints. Stalling talents, such as Cooney and Griffen. Up and coming stars such as Boak, Hartlett, Sidebottom, Beams, etc. West Aussies Swallow, Bennell, Matera, Yarran, Conca

Just start floating offers around, and like Mitch Clark and the Dees last year, a trade that made no sense eventuated from sheer opportunism.

I for one would monitor the Boak situation and if it stalls, make a play. Otherwise make a crack at Griffen/Cooney. Probably all just big footy fantasy though.

 

[Goldfish]

We desperately require an additional top-end midfielder to accompany Shuey, and unless we draft one this year (unlikely), it might be time for West Coast to consider some crafty trading and lure such a player with a big-arse contract. I realise this goes against our recruiting philosophy, but the recruiting landscape is changing with the introduction of free-agency and such negotiations are becoming increasingly apart of the game. It seems most clubs are willing to participate but us.

There are groups of players that'd be worth inquiring into: the free-agents, particularly from the Saints. Stalling talents, such as Cooney and Griffen. Up and coming stars such as Boak, Hartlett, Sidebottom, Beams, etc. West Aussies Swallow, Bennell, Matera, Yarran, Conca, CONIGLIO

Just start floating offers around, and like Mitch Clark and the Dees last year, a trade that made no sense eventuated from sheer opportunism.

I for one would monitor the Boak situation and if it stalls, make a play. Otherwise make a crack at Griffen/Cooney. Probably all just big footy fantasy though.

Agree, just EFA

Don't want Cooney, that knee of his will never let him be the player that won a brownlow...

 

[Eastern Rangers]

We desperately require an additional top-end midfielder to accompany Shuey, and unless we draft one this year (unlikely), it might be time for West Coast to consider some crafty trading and lure such a player with a big-arse contract. I realise this goes against our recruiting philosophy, but the recruiting landscape is changing with the introduction of free-agency and such negotiations are becoming increasingly apart of the game. It seems most clubs are willing to participate but us.

We don't have the currency with a decent pick or the quality players to spare.

We should draft midfielders with upside, size, speed and strength.

 

[Tiff]

Just watching a few bits and pieces because I wasn't able to watch the game it seems we got absolutely pollocked in the midfield. It looked really really bad.

Missing our forward line didn't really seem to matter for shit when we were severely outclassed in stoppages. I guess we rely on our forward line a fair bit.

Strong defense, great ruck, great forward line, great defensive pressure structures, shit midfield.

It's been pretty obvious all year though, like even when we smash a team, they still break even or even beat us in the clearance department. Which doesn't matter really because we have the forward line to take advantage of anything coming in.

I guess you can't really plan for a situation where you lose your entire forward line which your game plan relies on so heavily, then the midfield gets found out.

 

[Masto]

I agree Sydney rucks blocked NN in particular from jumping at the ball. Roos said last night this 'spooked' Nic. Healy suggested it may not have been legal - generally Healy is one of the few informed comentators.

A quick review of the laws may spook the umpires:

15.4.5 Prohibited Contact and Payment of Free Kick
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player where
they are satisfied that the Player has made Prohibited Contact
with an opposition Player.
A Player makes Prohibited Contact with an opposition Player if
the Player:
(f) pushes, bumps, holds or blocks an opposition Player
who is contesting a bounce or throw by a field Umpire or
boundary throw in;

The umpirng standards are not high. I felt saturday nights game was worse that ours. Regardless I hope the AFL is being asked politely to umpire games within the their own laws odf the game.

Crossing the centre line to bloc in a ruck contest is illegal and dangerous - it is akin to tunneling.

It spooked Nic lol Roos is a joke of a commentator. They didn't allow Nic to run at the ball which has been called a free kick in the past but was not called in this game for some reason. Was very obvious what the Sydney rucks were doing.

 

[sydney eagle]

I think what we need in the midfield is pace (along with kicking skills of course). Also it seemed that our midfielders weren't getting to the contest the way that Sydney's were and we seemed to be constantly outnumbered. Is this a pace or an "effort" issue with some of our players not being willing (or able) to get to enough contests ?

 

[Underrated]

It's not our depth that is the problem, but our lack of top end talent/dynamism in the midfield which is our deficiency.

This week served as further evidence that Priddis will not lead our midfield to a premiership. He had little influence despite collecting 25 possessions and his opponent (who I believe started the game playing a defensive role on Priddis), ran off him to dominate the game. And considering Priddis was at his best in the 3rd, we were coincidentally smashed in that quarter.

As good as Priddis is, he can not remain our no. 1 midfielder, or else I fear we will share a similar fate to the Bulldogs of the past few years, who despite having a very talented side, were not able to win a premiership. Having the slow, unskilled pair of Boyd and Cross lead that midfield, with Cooney and Griffen serving as backups would have contributed to this I believe. And unfortunately, we don't yet possess a midfielder of the quality of Cooney and/or Griffen at their peaks (bar Kerr at his own).

I doubt that Priddis will suddenly develop some versatility to his game, so we must be prepared to use him in a more defensive role in the coming seasons, allowing Shuey, Masten, Selwood and perhaps Gaff/Sheppard and even Swift/Stevens and possibly Weedon/Newman in the far future to serve as our primary extractors and distributors of the ball.

But is he our No1 mid??
Maybe thats Kerr with the form he has been in, or Shuey is not far away, even Scooter has taken his game to another level, if he continues to improve then he could be No1.
Pridda was excellent against the Roos, and he is integeral to our mid setup.

 

[Agent93]

I've always thought the rookie draft is completely misused. I would suggest we pick up 1-2 mature age recruits. But not hams/strijk style, I mean the top best/fairest quality midfielders from the WAFL/SANFL/VFL.

Eg gold coast and horsley

I don't see why this isn't the done thing either. Teams should be looking at more 'mature age' recruits in the rookie draft. Worked out OK with one Matt Priddis.

 

[Agent93]

I have to question why Naitanui did not change his ruck position at the centre bounces?

Or alternatively knee them in the head a la Ziebell.

 

[The Dodger]

I understand he needed to be more aggressive bit I would have thought just maintaining the distance between you and the opposition would allow him to use his jump still.
And because it is a circle they face off in Mummy/Pyke would of had to walk to the other side to continue what they were doing which makes it a bit of ring a ring a rosy and I would of backed NN to ad-lib at centre bounces better than Mummy/Pyke.

 

[ziad]

I understand he needed to be more aggressive bit I would have thought just maintaining the distance between you and the opposition would allow him to use his jump still.
And because it is a circle they face off in Mummy/Pyke would of had to walk to the other side to continue what they were doing which makes it a bit of ring a ring a rosy and I would of backed NN to ad-lib at centre bounces better than Mummy/Pyke.

They were tunnelling in the block - moving into him well over the white line so that his legs are taken back leading to injury on a heard first landing - easy for them to adjust to NN and an absolutely obvious free kick, which is why you don't see it that often in such a blatant manner.

 

[SpaceClef]

Yeh Sydney must have really worked on that strategy for a long time. It was brutally effective. Like our shrugging, it was at the margins of legality and therefore they got away with it. Clever teams exploit the rules.

On topic, we are pretty one dimensional without Shuey in the middle. Further development of Masten and Gaff will aid this, but we could do with another. Problem is, I can't see Scooter or Priddis ever being replaced so there's not much room for another inside mid to develop if we drafted one.

 

[The Dodger]

They were tunnelling in the block - moving into him well over the white line so that his legs are taken back leading to injury on a heard first landing - easy for them to adjust to NN and an absolutely obvious free kick, which is why you don't see it that often in such a blatant manner.

I don't think you understand what I am saying.
There is a centre circle, Mummy/Pyke were walking around to the furthest side from where the umpire comes in and waiting at the centreline for the ball to be bounced before immediately crossing it and blocking his run at it.
NN seem to stay (of what I can remember) in the same position he always does which is 90 degrees off of the centre. If he moved further around the circle he could of maintained his distance that he is accustomed to, or better yet forced Mummy/Pyke around to the other side of the circle, where the umpire would provide a partial natural sheppard (unless Mummy/Pyke wanted to collide with the ump), to maintain the instant body contact on NN as the ball was bounced.

Also they weren't tunnelling they were protecting the drop of the ball so that NN couldn't fly at it. They came around so that by the time the ball was falling into range for NN to hit it, Mummy/Pyke had an outstretched arm to reduce the run up that NN has at the Centre Square meaning he would not only have to jump without a run up but he would also miraculously have to get momentum forward to reach where the ball was falling. The only problem with that being the 100+kg tanks making that impossible.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

I think with the amount of injuries I think we'll find it hard to WIN the flag.

Not giving up on this year, but forward thinking for next year *Plus I'm on a RDO*

Our defence and forward lines are awesome *Fully fit that is* and we have some good depth in those 2 lines.

However, I think the midfield is good but is 1-2 players short.

We have Priddis, Kerr, Shuey, Scooter, Gaff, Rosa, Stevens, Swift, Embley and Dalziell.

With Masten, Sheppard & Lecras rotating through.

Bolded are players that would be best 21 at the Crows, Swans, Hawks or Magpies.

Stevens and Swift are not the answers as the next few coming through.

This trade period should be like 04/05 (Chick and Stenglein) we must go after quaility mid cos if Priddis, Kerr or Shuey were to go down for any length of time, we would be stuffed.

Possible options, going on current ladder.

1. Trade Stevens and pick 14 to the Bulldogs for pick 5 or the Blues for pick 7 (Try and get another Gaff - ready made that is)

2. Go after Daniel Rich

3. Offer Steele Sidebottom a sh!t load of cash (Surely there wouldn't be much left for him)

4. Go after a free agent (Steve Johnson, Clint Young, Danyle Pearce, Goddard, Montanga)

Thoughts?

I would favour 2 or 3. As we are in premiership mode

You're on the money, we don't have enough midfield depth.

Between now and the end of the season Stevens, Swift, Newman and McGinnity with the possbility of Dalziell, have the opportunity to prove their worth beyond this season.

The balls entirely in their court

 

[swannies]

You're on the money, we don't have enough midfield depth.

Between now and the end of the season Stevens, Swift, Newman and McGinnity with the possbility of Dalziell, have the opportunity to prove their worth beyond this season.

The balls entirely in their court

Not a little premature on Newman? Especially considering he was drafted just last year. It's also too early to call on the others who are 21/22 (bar McGinnity) and not peaking as footballers, but especially on Newman.

 

[Ochre]

Not a little premature on Newman? Especially considering he was drafted just last year. It's also too early to call on the others who are 21/22 (bar McGinnity) and not peaking as footballers, but especially on Newman.

Newman played poorly against Sydney. Was lucky not to be delisted on the spot imo

 

[swannies]

Newman played poorly against Sydney. Was lucky not to be delisted on the spot imo

Yes, and should have been sent packing straight back to Swans, never to return. I thought the same should apply to Naita as well.

 

[new breed]

Swans will get Garlett and Howard back , so that is some consolation , Will Oshea ( Sp? ) is a talented 19 yr old and should get a league call up some time for SD too