Midfield future bright

[Dave The Man]

Although in-and-under midfielders Scott Burns and Shane O’Bree are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, Collingwood fans need not fear, for the future of their midfield is in good hands, thanks to the likes of draftee John McCarthy.

Drafted to the club from the Dandenong Stingrays with the Magpies’ first selection in last season’s National Draft (31st overall), McCarthy has made a promising beginning to his career at the club in the side’s stand alone VFL unit.

Although an ankle injury restricted his progress during the early stages of the season, McCarthy has regained full fitness, and has been one of the shining lights in a difficult start to the season for the VFL side.

A product of Sorrento, McCarthy believes that his form has been solid, but points out that there is still work to be done.

“I wasn’t too great (on the weekend), compared with the rest of the year. We didn’t run hard enough, and the intensity wasn’t there, so we have a lot of work to do.”

“I suppose that in patches I’m happy, but I still have a lot of work to do. I have to be more consistent if I’m going to get a game. I hope I’m a chance for the seniors, but I’ve got to get more consistency in my form.”

McCarthy cites the pre-season as a difficult beginning, made tougher by an ankle injury on the eve of the season.

“Yeah, it was really tough, and then in one of the practice matches I did my ankle, so that set me back, and I couldn’t do any running and was out for five weeks, and I wasn’t able to do much which was frustrating. So ever since, I’ve been getting my fitness back.”

With older brother Matthew, eight years his senior, having spent five years on Geelong’s senior list (playing 22 games and kicking 24 goals), McCarthy was better prepared than most for what the AFL journey entailed.

“I knew what to expect when I got drafted, having seen him go through the system,” he said. “But I don’t really spend too much time (looking for advice)”.

“Last year I was a bit sore, I did struggle with a bit of osteitis pubis, but I’m pretty much over it now. It was a hindrance more so the year before, where it held me back for pretty much the whole year. I spent that year in the TAC Cup, so I suppose it did have a bit of an impact.”

“I did year 12 last year, and I got into a Business Marketing course at the end of the year, which I’ll probably look at starting next year.”

The 189cm ball magnet believes that his best position is in the midfield.

“But I need to work on my fitness first. And I might also spend a bit of time at half back and half forward. I’m not sure whether or not I’ll play seniors this year, but it would be good.”

Having been particularly impressive in his past three matches, including being named his side’s best against Werribee in round eight, McCarthy may yet reach his wish of an AFL berth sooner rather than later.

Sounds Excaly the Type of Midfielder we need

Story Here

 

[HFF]

Very promising.

I've always thought that our midfield future is positive despite some deficiencies in our list.

Whilst we are lacking a superstar in the mould of Ablett or Judd, I think the future will provide us with a superstar or two of our own in players such as Pendles and Thomas and maybe even a Wellingham or J-Mac. It just requires time and faith.

Good read and hopefully J-Mac can crack it soon.

 

[Optimax]

I have no doubt having seen J-mac play that if he had a full pre-season he would be starting 22 right now.

hopefully by seasosn end we'll get to see him in the seniors, is excatly what we want around packs

 

[King Woodie]

I am excited about McCartney, excited about Wellingham, obviously excited by Pendles, but think that we fall away from there. We need Clarke to go into the middle, and need Dyas / Barham to outperform expectations for us to claim to have a bright midfield future. Rotations are one thing (ie Thomas, H Shaw, etc) but to become a champion team we need topline pure mids.

Hopefully there will be one when our first pick comes (10 - 12ish) and hopefully we get Hannebury as F/S.

 

[King Woodie]

Furthermore, Stanley WON'T make it as a midfielder (or an AFL footballer), Iles won't make it as a midfielder, and Cook most likely won't make it as a midfielder. Egan won't make it as an AFL footballer. Hopeful about Dick but not convinved.

 

[shawthing09]

Bright is really really pushing it. Our midfield has always been a major issue, the fact if more often then not games are one in the midfield. I like McCarthy and am all for getting him in for Benny johnson ASAP to be honest.

That said if you look our midfield will lose its two biggest bullocking type inside mids. McCarthy may well be good enough to replace one in the future but we still need one more. Hopefully we learn from previous mistakes and get a good inside mid with a good kick.

McCarthy has looked good and hopefully gets a look in soon, even if it is just to get a taste of the big time

 

[Thommo 42]

fluff piece

 

[HFF]

I am excited about McCartney, excited about Wellingham, obviously excited by Pendles, but think that we fall away from there. We need Clarke to go into the middle, and need Dyas / Barham to outperform expectations for us to claim to have a bright midfield future. Rotations are one thing (ie Thomas, H Shaw, etc) but to become a champion team we need topline pure mids.

Hopefully there will be one when our first pick comes (10 - 12ish) and hopefully we get Hannebury as F/S.

Sorry, I'm not aware of what's going on here?

Anyone care to elaborate in terms of is he a F/S prospect for us?

 

[smiddaz123]

We wont get Hannebury in the F/S....his dad didn't play enough games.

 

[alfiiee]

Sounds Excaly the Type of Midfielder we need

Story Here

yeh looks good for us but 80% of the article is about him being injured/sore and missing games

these things ruins sport

 

[sneakydaycrawler]

Can i please get info on this Hannebury kid

 

[JOELY]

Can i please get info on this Hannebury kid

i might have imagined this, but i think i read somewhere that it was suggested his dad was a different hannebury to the one who played for collingwood. can anyone confirm or deny this?

 

[Thommo 42]

Can i please get info on this Hannebury kid

He's a top prospect, but his father only played 52 games for the Pies.

There is talk of the rules dropping back to 50 for qualification to compensate for Western Sydney and the GC pillaging future drafts.

Highly unlikely that this change will happen in time for us to pick him up in this years draft though

 

[sneakydaycrawler]

^Thanks everyone

 

[HFF]

He's a top prospect, but his father only played 52 games for the Pies.

There is talk of the rules dropping back to 50 for qualification to compensate for Western Sydney and the GC pillaging future drafts.

Highly unlikely that this change will happen in time for us to pick him up in this years draft though

I've read somewhere he is bottom aged so if they were to change the rules after this draft and make the qualification 50 games, it would mean he could choose not to nominate for this year's draft and wait until next season.

Highly unlikely suggestion but if he is a top prospect, here's to hoping there is a change asap.

 

[UnPick]

King Woodie, your assumptions on who will and wont make it are to the say the least uneducated in the requirements to become an AFL level player. Your probably one of the past lets get rid if Cloke and Scotland, what a great idea thats proved to be given Scotland has cut us up the last few times.

 

[King Woodie]

King Woodie, your assumptions on who will and wont make it are to the say the least uneducated in the requirements to become an AFL level player. Your probably one of the past lets get rid if Cloke and Scotland, what a great idea thats proved to be given Scotland has cut us up the last few times.

Uneducated in the requirements of the AFL.... Hmmmmm. Care to elaborate on the qualifications that make you such an expert then? Each of my comments are simply opinions.

 

[Dynamics]

fluff piece

Unfortunately, yes.

However, he does look a pretty good prospect. Hope the potential is realised!

 

[Bigness]

Promising stuff. Really looking forward to seeing J Mac in action

 

[Thommo 42]

Unfortunately, yes.

However, he does look a pretty good prospect. Hope the potential is realised!

agree, most things I hear are positive - but this article is nothing but space filler.

He was named in the best every time he got on the park in 2 years of TAC, but he had a string of injuries. So we took a risk on a quality player with injury worries and hopefully it pays off

 

[FIGJAM]

It may be a fluff piece, but it is a timely reminder that we did draft a gun who is very hard at it, can win the footy and can use it.

I still think we need to focus on some clearace specialists at the draft, but J-Mac and The Boot are handy additions to our weak midfield.

 

[Bloben]

I like fluff stories... they make me feel nice and positive no matter what happened last weekend.

Funny how they always seem to come out after a bad loss! It is like the Collingwood FC PR machine goes into overdrive after the final siren.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Caroline Wilson in The Age today;

While the AFL has taken on board Brisbane's concerns, it is unlikely to change the father-son rule back from 100 to 50 games despite the Kangaroos' persuasive proposal, which would have appeased several Victorian clubs fearing the massive draft advantage being claimed by Gold Coast and, potentially, western Sydney.

So our chances of getting Hannebery under the F/S rule at least appear shot. Not to mention Jordan Taylor if he makes the grade in a couple of years, as Brian only played 97 games.

 

[UnPick]

Uneducated in the requirements of the AFL.... Hmmmmm. Care to elaborate on the qualifications that make you such an expert then? Each of my comments are simply opinions.

Past and present experience

 

[King Woodie]

Past and present experience

PRESENT experience? Isn't that an oxymoron?

Let's just see who is on the list in 24 months time.