midfield rotations

[yaco55]

I am concerned about key players in our midfield being able to run out games.

We have Welsh and Prismall playing key roles in the midfield but both are returning after reduced pre-seasons.

Welsh seems to have run out most games fine, except for the Collingwood game.

Prismall is definitely running out of legs in the second half of games, although his form is pleasing.

Does EFC need to introduce another player who can run through the midfield ?

 

[ant555]

I am concerned about key players in our midfield being able to run out games.

We have Welsh and Prismall playing key roles in the midfield but both are returning after reduced pre-seasons.

Welsh seems to have run out most games fine, except for the Collingwood game.

Prismall is definitely running out of legs in the second half of games, although his form is pleasing.

Does EFC need to introduce another player who can run through the midfield ?

Prismall is interesting as he did run all of pre season. He just did not do any ball/contested work. He has been a bit patchy in some games after half time but it could be more to do with his outside role and us not being in games in the last half a couple of times.

 

[Valve Bounce]

I was sitting in Aisle 13 behind the bench at Eddi's-hard, and noticed that a player was rotated just 3 and a half minutes into the first quarter, completely exhausted. The game has changed so much these days.

I really don't know what the answer is: maybe we can run Spike in the midfield off the bench.

By the way, is Oxygen permitted for players these days? I understand that used to be fashionable in the old days.

 

[Hencho]

Once McViegh gets fit enough to run through the midfield it will help a lot. Strong hard bodies make a big difference. Eventually we'll get to a point where we even give guys like Davey, Monfries and Dempsey a quick run on the ball, it'll just take time.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

I was sitting in Aisle 13 behind the bench at Eddi's-hard, and noticed that a player was rotated just 3 and a half minutes into the first quarter, completely exhausted. The game has changed so much these days.

I really don't know what the answer is: maybe we can run Spike in the midfield off the bench.

By the way, is Oxygen permitted for players these days? I understand that used to be fashionable in the old days.

Perhaps we could get the IV drips out like the AFL Lions did!!!

As for spike - he has been massivley disappointing - perhaps a gig in the middle will make him step up. else it will backfire badly.

 

[daffo]

Spike needs to work up his fitness, he'll be a better player as the weeks go on.

 

[Super Gusto]

After Friday night's game I heard Robert Murphy on radio saying that the game was so furious and fast paced that they were completly exhausted at half time. The only thing that gave them any hope was that the Bombers appeared even more exhausted.

I think this really comes down to the Bulldogs being a more harder bodied and condition team than the Bombers who are still pretty young and the dogs really played this to their advantage in the first half - with three of four guys jumping on our players in a tackle. It was a good tatic that paid off for them in the end.

 

[Phat Toni]

Spike needs to work up his fitness, he'll be a better player as the weeks go on.

Spot on, I think he is the key, our midfield has been exposed twice in the last 3 weeks against teams further up the ladder than us. We need mature bodies with fitness adding to our rotations. Spike is the key to us making the finals and maybe doing anything when we get there(hoping CarlTANK make it to 5th)

 

[Valve Bounce]

After Friday night's game I heard Robert Murphy on radio saying that the game was so furious and fast paced that they were completly exhausted at half time. The only thing that gave them any hope was that the Bombers appeared even more exhausted.

.

You are not going to believe this. I was sitting directly behind the Bulldog's bench, and they called one guy to come off. His replacement was directly in front of me, doubled over ready to run on. Just as his guy came off the field, the replacement made a waving gesture at the bench, then upchucked steadily for about a minute and a half. Eventually, he ran out of chunder, and they slowly sat him down on the bench for the remainder of the game.

I don't know if this was shown on TV.

 

[yaco55]

I would consider bringing in Houli for Lonergan this week to add more run and endurance in the midfield.

Lonergan's form has been average and he still doesn't have the endurance to spend a longer time in the midfield.

Skipworth may be another option for this role.

 

[zaharakamania]

while i am enjoying the game style very much, I wonder if such gut busting efforts are sustainable season long, more from a team perspective rather than the individual?

guess we will find out over the next couple seasons

 

[daffo]

You are not going to believe this. I was sitting directly behind the Bulldog's bench, and they called one guy to come off. His replacement was directly in front of me, doubled over ready to run on. Just as his guy came off the field, the replacement made a waving gesture at the bench, then upchucked steadily for about a minute and a half. Eventually, he ran out of chunder, and they slowly sat him down on the bench for the remainder of the game.

I don't know if this was shown on TV.

You must of been sitting next to me. That was Higgins after the knock he copped.

 

[Valve Bounce]

You must of been sitting next to me. That was Higgins after the knock he copped.

Can't be you - I was sitting next to a girl on one side and a teenager waving his Essendon flag on the other.

 

[AFL LEGEND]

I think that the game style we play may be taking its toll, yes we play fast and frenetic football, but how many midfielders played 22 games last year?

 

[efcboy]

don't forget this weeks loss was to the 3rd placed side in the competition. the umpires did us no favours and we were beaten by 5 goals. i don't think the midfield needs much change - guys such as welsh and prismall are getting better with increased fitness and watson was well down this week due to a corkie.

keep the faith.

 

[Valve Bounce]

Why couldn't daffo be a girl or a teenager?

Both very quiet types. She had to endure a very loud Bulldogs supporter boyfriend. He had to endure a very loud Essendon supporter relative. daffo seems to be an analytical type, more like the guy sitting in front of me.

OK daffo, may I ask: were you the teenager waving the Essendon flag, or the very quiet girl sitting next to me?