Midfield move wise for Wheatley

[master bate]

By Luke Holmesby 12:45 PM Tue 07 October, 2008

MELBOURNE’S Paul Wheatley says a move to the midfield was the catalyst for one of his most successful seasons.

While the Demons endured one of their most woeful campaigns in their 150th year, Wheatley’s move from the backline to the wing saw him become one of the side’s most valuable players.

The switch resulted in a career-high eighth in the club’s best and fairest after nine seasons in the AFL.

“It was probably my most consistent season I think. I was happy I got more of a run on the wing. I’ve played a lot down in the backline and sometimes got stuck there,” Wheatley said.

“I’d say I was consistent and hopefully I can continue playing on the wing … next year and another couple of years after that.”

The 27-year-old said his leadership responsibilities noticeably increased throughout the season as veterans David Neitz, Adem Yze and Jeff White left the team.

He soon found himself in unfamiliar territory as one of the old men of the Melbourne side.

“With a lot of the older guys going down early I guess you’ve got to step up and I hope we showed the way and helped out the younger blokes as much as we could,” he said.

“You don’t really think it until someone says it to you. I remember Colin Garland was cheeky when he said ‘you realise you’re the fourth oldest player out there this weekend?’ I had to stop and think about it and I realised I was,” he said.

Wheatley acknowledged the Demons’ season was largely disappointing but in keeping with the common theme at the best and fairest night, he drew comparisons with the Hawthorn side of 2004.

“People probably don’t even remember four years ago when Hawthorn was battling. I’m sure the Hawks people do but most don’t because they’re premiers now,” he said.

“With a young list and a few of the older guys retiring it is going to be like that for the next couple of years. We’ll get some good young draft picks in and young kids. We might be a couple of years away but we’re heading in the right direction.
for melbournefc.com.au

To me this article means:
A: Pump Wheatley up to trade him.
OR
B: Write a nice article about him to show all the fans what a good player he is and how bad it would be if we traded him.

I hope it is A, but think it is B.

 

[davey_magik]

Highly average player.

 

[Bartram_Class]

The type of player whose true value will never be appreciated until he leaves and carves it up for another side.

I wouldn't be trading him.

 

[Beats]

The type of player whose true value will never be appreciated until he leaves and carves it up for another side.

I wouldn't be trading him.

The type of player who looks good on paper but shocking on the park, the type of player who struggles to play effectively in a team like ours.

 

[McLean_4_Captain]

If Wheatley was meant to be playing in the midfield how come he was spending most games getting cheap kicks across half back?

The only thing it's meant is that he doesn't have a forward opponent to worry about so he's been able to double his number of rubbish possessions per game.

 

[Woewooden Spoon08]

The type of player whose true value will never be appreciated until he leaves and carves it up for another side.

I wouldn't be trading him.

The type of player who may look good in a good side but will never be anything at Melbourne. We will continue to suck for 5 years and so will Wheatley, no reflection on him but he wont be anything while he's here.

 

[LikaFlash]

Average player, can kick long, but that really about it. Sure he does get a lot of the ball, but his disposal is quite poor. Decision making not the best either. He's not the worst player going around, and would be a good lose player to just bomb it loong and clear the defensive fifty or to pump it into a one on one constest in the forward line. But will only really be a fringe player in the coming years as we start to bring in the youth in the next few years. Will struggle to string games together in the senior side in the years to come, so might aswell trade him now while we might get sumthing for him.

 

[Supermercado]

The type of player whose true value will never be appreciated until he leaves and carves it up for another side.

I wouldn't be trading him.

Yeah, who'll kick to Wonaeamirri with two guys a foot taller standing next to him?

 

[omit]

if we loose Wheatley then Moloney isn't allowed to get injured next year. how else are we meant to kick in after a behind if it's not a 60m punt

 

[Bartram_Class]

Yeah, who'll kick to Wonaeamirri with two guys a foot taller standing next to him?

Moloney probably.

 

[Bartram_Class]

if we loose Wheatley then Moloney isn't allowed to get injured next year. how else are we meant to kick in after a behind if it's not a 60m punt

Buckley's tap and go...