List Mgmt. Midfield in 2017

[Daniel McL]

Obviously J. Selwood & Dangerfield are locks. But there are lots of players who can play midfield or go through the midfield at times.

What are people's thoughts on how our midfield will look in 2017, assuming all of them have full pre-seasons?

In terms of individuals I'm thinking:

Guthrie - Wouldn't be surprised at all if he plays a lot more defence next year, only moved into midfield if we're in trouble like the QF vs Hawks.
Menegola, Scooter & Caddy - This is the most intriguing one for me, Menegola & Scooter both having full preseasons will help them a lot, but Caddy was playing pretty well in starting midfield before his injury, and when he came back he had to play a lot more forward which obviously saw his drop off in performance. So if each of them have full preseasons which of them starts next to Dangerwood in 2017, Scooter because he'll be tagging someone? Will Caddy have to keep developing as a forward if Menegola has no other position other than inside mid? Very interested to see how those guys line up next year.
Duncan - Still thought he had a great season but yeah he dropped off a bit, would play him mostly on one of the wings trying to get the ball in his hands a lot because he is still a very good ball user & doesn't bomb it inside 50 as much.
Lang & Cocky - Cocky is still pretty good as a forward plus bring great aggression & pressure, so yeah happy with him being mostly forward with a few more stints in centre bounces during games taking over for Dangerwood when they need rests. Lang I want on the other wing opposite from Duncan, Lang when played in midfield has had a couple good games for us, he tackles well & uses the ball well, and will never be a great forward pocket for us (prefer McCarthy, Gregson, Cocky there over Lang).
Cowan - ???
Blicavs - ??? I only want one of Smith/Stanley doing the main rucking (my preference is Stanley) with Blitz 2nd ruck, but are people's thoughts on Blitz' role next year ???

 

[Mr whiskers]

Can't we play Blitz on the wing? He shouldn't be in the middle next year

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Do not want Blitz anywhere near the midfield next year.

 

[SkittleCats]

If Blitz doesnt have a single role next year ala 2nd ruck or developing into a defender, then honestly, he shouldnt remain on the list and we should seek to trade him.

Love the potential of Lang running through the midfield. But Duncan/Caddy/Guthrie are the big unknowns. If they can take a proper step up next year we will be hard to stop. But if we get another stagnant year from them we wont improve much.

 

[Willo_]

Can't we play Blitz on the wing? He shouldn't be in the middle next year

Blitz is an interesting one, i don't particularly want him near the middle unless he is 2nd ruck.

I'm not as certain there is a spot for him if our players are all up and going

 

[cynical]

Menegola for sure, he has the size and fitness.

 

[Daniel McL]

Can't we play Blitz on the wing? He shouldn't be in the middle next year

He shouldn't be in the middle absolutely. And wing I would be okay with but I'd rather we play Lang there (Duncan other wing) to develop him as I feel Lang will be the better player soon if we keep getting the development into him & actually play him in his best position.

 

[Cezz The Catter]

I'd have to disagree on Duncan, I don't like him as a player I thought he went backwards this season. I don't think he's got many string to his bow to be honest, he's not a great contested player, no real pace and his kicking even thought touted as one of the best is deplorable at times.

The whole team needs to improve on polish in the clinches. Really let us down this year we just weren't clean working it out of a contest.

I would love to see Cockatoo get more cracks at it.

 

[Cezz The Catter]

If Blitz doesnt have a single role next year ala 2nd ruck or developing into a defender, then honestly, he shouldnt remain on the list and we should seek to trade him.

Love the potential of Lang running through the midfield. But Duncan/Caddy/Guthrie are the big unknowns. If they can take a proper step up next year we will be hard to stop. But if we get another stagnant year from them we wont improve much.

How many more years can we give them? We say it every year - I don't wanna become the Bobby of the board and change from positive to negative, but I'm starting to think these players will fall well short of what we expect from them.

 

[year of the cat]

I'd have to disagree on Duncan, I don't like him as a player I thought he went backwards this season. I don't think he's got many string to his bow to be honest, he's not a great contested player, no real pace and his kicking even thought touted as one of the best is deplorable at times.

The whole team needs to improve on polish in the clinches. Really let us down this year we just weren't clean working it out of a contest.

I would love to see Cockatoo get more cracks at it.

I think with Duncan we need to distinguish between contested and defensive. He's certainly a very poor defensive player, but I think he's shown he can be a very good contested player. I think for him to play his best footy, it needs to be as a midfield playmaker.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

I have full confidence that Menegola will continue to grow in his role and be the third mid bulldozer we've been lacking since the end of 2011 when our experienced guys started dropping away.

 

[catamaran]

Dangerwoodwood is my preferred starting centre. As he stats have shown, both Paddy and Joel win enough ball between them that the third mid doesn't have to be a ball winner (obviously still preferable that they win a few), and Scooter is the best defensive mid/tagger.

I would like to see Cockatoo get midfield minutes, but probably only against the "safe" matches next year. I think his role during his peak years will be here and it would be best to get experience into him, but it will be a slow build to tidy up his disposals.

I would rather we don't trade Duncan. His season was spent adjusting to a different midfield dynamic, and he struggled to impact the contest without as many handball receives from the inside. This summer really should be spent optimising exactly where he positions himself around a stoppage to be the outlet that isn't just a long bomb forward.

Caddy to rotate from the forward line again, although his forward output was down this year.

Blitz is the toughest to position. MF is really not working for him, and while he was good as a second ruck in 2015, both Stanley and Smith are beet ruckman. I think he actually has the potential to play as a lead up forward - use his endurance to burn his opponent and open up the forward line. Just tidy up his disposal. If he has shown anything, it's the ability to adapt and learn the game, so I'm sure he's capable.

 

[hokee]

How many more years can we give them? We say it every year - I don't wanna become the Bobby of the board and change from positive to negative, but I'm starting to think these players will fall well short of what we expect from them.

We have given enough years for Duncan so think he should go. Caddy is required as he's a bull and crash around the packs. Unsure about Blitz. He can run all day but no real pace. He can ruck but only as a secondary. He needs to become a permanent back in my mind.

 

[Mr Meow]

Menegola for the most part.

Scott Selwood when we deploy a hard tag from the outset or someone's getting off the leash.

Caddy should be given a good chance and be a useful rotation, perhaps when one of Dangerwood rests forward. Cocky too, but to a lesser extent.

Guthrie if we're chasing a game or require a really attacking mix.

None of the others.

 

[Willo_]

We have some weapons in the middle, i think a change/improvement in set up and structures will help dramatically.
The contested bulls don't need to kick the ball all the time.. the swans/dogs love the contest.. they both get the ball out quick by hands to a receiver.

If we are able to start using our inside bulls getting the ball out more our Guths amd Duncs who are good by foot will be more effective IMO. We seem to have mids who just try to charge through and bang in long by foot... danger has the explosive power to do it.. others shouldn't

 

[Mr Meow]

We have some weapons in the middle, i think a change/improvement in set up and structures will help dramatically.
The contested bulls don't need to kick the ball all the time.. the swans/dogs love the contest.. they both get the ball out quick by hands to a receiver.

If we are able to start using our inside bulls getting the ball out more our Guths amd Duncs who are good by foot will be more effective IMO. We seem to have mids who just try to charge through and bang in long by foot... danger has the explosive power to do it.. others shouldn't

Yes. And the third member of the stoppage mix should also create space for and release Dangerwood (meaning they can deliver their more damaging variety of clearance).

 

[Art Vandelay_]

We have some weapons in the middle, i think a change/improvement in set up and structures will help dramatically.
The contested bulls don't need to kick the ball all the time.. the swans/dogs love the contest.. they both get the ball out quick by hands to a receiver.

If we are able to start using our inside bulls getting the ball out more our Guths amd Duncs who are good by foot will be more effective IMO. We seem to have mids who just try to charge through and bang in long by foot... danger has the explosive power to do it.. others shouldn't

One of the main reasons I'd like Smithy back.
You can see a bit of him as a player in their hand skills. Good in and under and fire the handpass out.
Get him to teach our players that refined stoppage skill.

 

[Mr whiskers]

One of the main reasons I'd like Smithy back.
You can see a bit of him as a player in their hand skills. Good in and under and fire the handpass out.
Get him to teach our players that refined stoppage skill.

Is he still contracted to the doggies? You would think the club would be going hard for him and McCarthy after their stellar year.

 

[MotlopMagic]

Why are people advocating for Blicavs to play on the wing? That's where he played all year. Woefully. Second ruck or VFL.

Sent from my HTC_0PJA10 using Tapatalk

 

[Cezz The Catter]

I think with Duncan we need to distinguish between contested and defensive. He's certainly a very poor defensive player, but I think he's shown he can be a very good contested player. I think for him to play his best footy, it needs to be as a midfield playmaker.

He's poor an both in my opinion, the best place for Duncan is loose on the wing with not an opponent within 20 metres of him. It is only then when his kicking becomes very precise. The problem is Duncan isn't the quickest or best runner which compromises his uncontested game as he's easily ran with on the spread. All this talk of using him in the centre circle is false, he's just not conditioned for that game. He needs to be far smarter on his decisions and where he is running.

We have given enough years for Duncan so think he should go. Caddy is required as he's a bull and crash around the packs. Unsure about Blitz. He can run all day but no real pace. He can ruck but only as a secondary. He needs to become a permanent back in my mind.

I don't think we can afford to let him go, I've realistically analysed the list over the past year and I just don't see the mechanics to win a premiership. Our next preimiership will be the post Selwood and even post Dangerfield era, we just didn't acquire the right personnel 5 years ago to set us up for it. However we're not entirely to blame, late picks, new AFL teams have starved us of recruiting obvious draft brilliance. It's a long road ahead but I'm still all for backing the draft to get us up to speed once more.

 

[year of the cat]

He's poor an both in my opinion, the best place for Duncan is loose on the wing with not an opponent within 20 metres of him. It is only then when his kicking becomes very precise. The problem is Duncan isn't the quickest or best runner which compromises his uncontested game as he's easily ran with on the spread. All this talk of using him in the centre circle is false, he's just not conditioned for that game. He needs to be far smarter on his decisions and where he is running.

The evidence says otherwise I'm afraid. That rich vein of form he had prior to injury last year coincided with him being removed as a run with player to a creative, playmaker in the middle. His game against the Swans in Sydney prior to getting injured was outstanding - he was beating their best at their own game on their patch and that was as a midfielder starting at the centre bounces.

He's been asked to perform a largely outside role this year which has seen his form fall away.

One valid criticism of him is that he is not very versatile. If we compare him with Bartel in his prime, he is the complete antithesis - a player who could play as an inside mid, as a run with player, as a marking medium forward and even as a floating half back. With Duncan he just doesn't seem to have the ability to flourish in a role he's not most familiar with.

 

[Two Planks]

If you dont want Caddy as a starting midfielder he should be traded.

 

[Seeds]

Can't we play Blitz on the wing? He shouldn't be in the middle next year

Blitz spent most of the last third of the year on the wing after he failed his centre/defensive mid role. Didn't fare any better on the wing cos he was still slow and still ran to the wrong positions.

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

If you dont want Caddy as a starting midfielder he should be traded.

Couldn't agree more. It's exactly what he was brought in for and was on an upward curve that's unfortunately been slowed by injury. He's not a forward.

 

[longtimecat]

Hand Blitz over to Scarlo for the summer and turn him into a defender, our backline is getting too old.