MIDFIELD discussion 2014

[RandB]

Seeing as it is such a dominant aspect of footy and a clear area of improvement that has been staring us in the face for some time (and we've finally made some inroads) I thought I'd start a dedicated thread to all things midfield.

Centre bounces, corridor use, spread, players, strategy, rotations, anything you think relevant can go here. Even anything media specific. Mostly it's about opinions and discussion.

I've compiled a list of players (by age) who could reasonably be considered to be starting as typical mids (including wing). The age variation speaks for itself - still an obvious gap around the mid age area of 25. Ages are as per start of calendar year.

Obviously there will be peripheral players who have stints in rotations here and there such as a Dean Kent or JKH from half forward or maybe a Terlich or Nicholson from defence so feel free to discuss those blokes too and of course the rucks. As things change through the year I'll update accordingly.

Let me know if I've missed any names you think should be there.

30 - Cross

29 -

28 - Vince

27 -

26 - M Jones

25 - N Jones

24 -

23 - McKenzie

22 - Blease, Riley, Trengove, Watts

21 - Evans, Michie

20 - Tyson

19 - Barry, Toumpas, Viney

18 - Harmes (R), Salem

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Geez, still looks bloody ordinary on paper doesnt it?

As mentioned in another thread by RnB and D16, we need a breakout year from Trengove and for Viney, Tyson and Toumpas to exceed expectations just to be average.

So scary to think of the skeleton midfield we had last year, no wonder we were completed slaughtered week to week.

 

[Topkent]

I know we have been over our drafting but Inbetween jones and trengove what the **** were we doing

I think the pick to Adelaide for Vince looks worth it on paper now

I think we need to be aggressive at the trade table again at the end of the year, with toump Salem viney trenners an toumpas there is enough young depth there

We need 2-3 players in the 22-26 bracket

 

[RandB]

So scary to think of the skeleton midfield we had last year, no wonder we were completed slaughtered week to week.

I thought the same thing. Not only did it suck but we had to rely too much on flankers. That's one aspect we've improved in, not just the skill level but the number of dedicated mids.

Going forward Jason Taylor hopefully has a better eye for talent and understanding of modern AFL requirements than previous recruiters.

One potential mid I forgot was Watts if reports are anything to go by but I'll wait till I see it before penciling it in. At 23 (in March) and 196cm he could add a real dimension if it comes off.

We need 2-3 players in the 22-26 bracket

We sure do.

Looking at that age distribution it really goes to show how important it is that McKenzie becomes a more accomplished player. I understand he is a tagger first but there will be games where he doesn't get the job done (he can't win every battle) and needs to make up for it with the footy. He doesn't need to get leather poisoning but he does need to be constructive with the footy when he gets it.

The other player who I think is important is Matt Jones. Not a stalwart of the midfield, more a depth player but given our lack of mature mids he is perhaps more important than what he should be. He's the sort of player who many supporters will bag for not being better when really we should be happy we at least have him.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Can't see Jordie ever being more than a Godfrey type. He's not going to end up a J Mac as he doesn't particularly have hand skills or poise. We really need Trengove to get back to being that super powerful type he showed early. I doubt he's had the core strength these last couple of years to try a sling tackle if he wanted to.

 

[Crimson Azure]

We are at least closer to having a midfield.

Watts?

 

[Topkent]

I thought the same thing. Not only did it suck but we had to rely too much on flankers. That's one aspect we've improved in, not just the skill level but the number of dedicated mids.

Going forward Jason Taylor hopefully has a better eye for talent and understanding of modern AFL requirements than previous recruiters.

One potential mid I forgot was Watts if reports are anything to go by but I'll wait till I see it before penciling it in. At 23 (in March) and 196cm he could add a real dimension if it comes off.



We sure do.

Looking at that age distribution it really goes to show how important it is that McKenzie becomes a more accomplished player. I understand he is a tagger first but there will be games where he doesn't get the job done (he can't win every battle) and needs to make up for it with the footy. He doesn't need to get leather poisoning but he does need to be constructive with the footy when he gets it.

The other player who I think is important is Matt Jones. Not a stalwart of the midfield, more a depth player but given our lack of mature mids he is perhaps more important than what he should be. He's the sort of player who many supporters will bag for not being better when really we should be happy we at least have him.

Also that trengove Tyson and watts are going to have to play like 25 yr old midfielders whilst cross and Vince will have to do alot of heavy grunt work

I think we should look at FA and again trading our first pick for a 22-26 yr old mid try an organize the same deal as last year

No point bringing in a another kid

I think with the age profile of our KB and KF the time for us is closer than It appears

 

[Tulip]

I know we have been over our drafting but Inbetween jones and trengove what the **** were we doing

I think the pick to Adelaide for Vince looks worth it on paper now

I think we need to be aggressive at the trade table again at the end of the year, with toump Salem viney trenners an toumpas there is enough young depth there

We need 2-3 players in the 22-26 bracket

Well 06 was a KPP draft for us, 07 Morton flopped, 08 was again no mids and 09 looks like another poor quality class.

Also, you have Jimmy twice.

 

[Headless]

Frank Grimes, anyone? Destined for the back line?

 

[Topkent]

Well 06 was a KPP draft for us, 07 Morton flopped, 08 was again no mids and 09 looks like another poor quality class.

Also, you have Jimmy twice.

Hey we need all the help we can get

It shows how potentially devastating a risk it can be to draft key forwards with your first pick 2/3 years with cook failing its leaves a huge vacuum , you could also add Strauss blease tapscott and Maric into that

 

[Tulip]

Hey we need all the help we can get

It shows how potentially devastating a risk it can be to draft key forwards with your first pick 2/3 years with cook failing its leaves a huge vacuum , you could also add Strauss blease tapscott and Maric into that

When it comes to these discussions this time of this year, Tapscott and Strauss are essentially on borrowed time in the eyes of everyone but their staunchest fans.

 

[Topkent]

When it comes to these discussions this time of this year, Tapscott and Strauss are essentially on borrowed time in the eyes of everyone but their staunchest fans.

I think Roos coaching style will be favourable to tapscott provided he has some sort of engine , hoping that a George stone and cross combo can teach these guys about stoppage positioning and reading the play etc to help them get the pill more often

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

The Watts, Tyson, Salem, Toumpas, Trengove, Blease, Michie and Viney midfield could be anything, or just as easily nothing. Time will tell. I think it's impossible to overstate how important having Vince and Cross there (as well as N Jones) to mentor the youngsters is. If a few of them can have a strong year along with Cross, Vince and Jones (Trengove and Watts in particular given their experience and leadership, as well as perhaps being the two most skilled. Toumpas, Tyson, Michie and obviously Viney have shown good signs over the preseason but it's impossible to know what to expect.) we'll rise out of the bottom 4 I think - the positive effect on our defence and forwards will be huge. The results this year are less significant than the 'development' though, which is more difficult to quantify. I don't know where I'm going with this but I won't be panicking if we finish 16th so long as these players show some strong defensive attributes, some effort and some team cohesion (as well as a bit of skill).

The fact of the matter is though only Cross, Vince and Jones would get a game tomorrow in a midfield at any other team in the comp. I think we'll have a good season (relatively speaking) but I don't think we'll win too many games before the bye, after which the younger mids will be settled into Roos' game plan, and hopefully more confident.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

When it comes to these discussions this time of this year, Tapscott and Strauss are essentially on borrowed time in the eyes of everyone but their staunchest fans.

Yeah it's hard to class them as genuine midfield options - more like players on our list that have to work their way up to even being considered AFL standard before we think about where they'll play.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Frank Grimes, anyone? Destined for the back line?

I read somewhere that Rawlings said the coaches decided that Grimes plays his best footy in the backline so one would assume thats where they intend to use him.

Ive always thought that Jack played his best footy down back as well.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Frank Grimes, anyone? Destined for the back line?

As natural a half back as you get.

 

[d33my]

Half back is pretty much an extension of the midfield these days anyway. Especially if we'll be employing the slingshot tactic.

 

[Topkent]

Half back is pretty much an extension of the midfield these days anyway. Especially if we'll be employing the slingshot tactic.

Especially with numbers around the footy these days, although i do think playing half back is easier than in the midfield for some as you get taken to the footy by your opponent and then you usually have space in front of you to distribute it, im all for young blokes running through there ATM

 

[Captain Jack]

Half back is pretty much an extension of the midfield these days anyway. Especially if we'll be employing the slingshot tactic.

It won't just be Grimes bridging these two roles either - I reckon we can expect the likes of Toumpas and Blease back there a fair bit, along with Watts as well.

 

[SuburbanMe]

It won't just be Grimes bridging these two roles either - I reckon we can expect the likes of Toumpas and Blease back there a fair bit, along with Watts as well.

I doubt it. Roosy has been pretty clear in Saying Watts is in the Midfield. Last season he played off halfback (granted as a loose man), and had a so so effect. Watts will be more of a half Forward if anything other than a Mid.

 

[Captain Jack]

I doubt it. Roosy has been pretty clear in Saying Watts is in the Midfield. Last season he played off halfback (granted as a loose man), and had a so so effect. Watts will be more of a Mid/half Forward IMO.

Yeah probably not much, if at all, but I think he is still an option back there with precise disposal and decision-making skills. As you say though he should play more wing/forward.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

McKenzie was a pretty decent ball winner in his first couple of seasons, then like most blokes got turned massively defensive under Neeld.

 

[Tulip]

When Roos watches us lose games and sees our midfield struggle to get the ball, he might be tempted as others have to throw Watts down back for a quarter.

 

[Tulip]

McKenzie was a pretty decent ball winner in his first couple of seasons, then like most blokes got turned massively defensive under Neeld.

He was a tackling machine.

 

[Headless]

McKenzie was a pretty decent ball winner in his first couple of seasons, then like most blokes got turned massively defensive under Neeld.

Averaged 20 disposals and 6.7 tackles in 2011 compared to 16.1 disposals and 4.2 tackles last year.

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-melbourne-demons--jordie-mckenzie