Opinion Our Midfield

[thylacine60]

If Gibbs gets his shit together, he will be the pre-eminent mid bar Ablett. Has it all.

Why do i feel we may still be saying this in 2018? Players with his potential have arrived by now. Put another short one in last night.

 

[BM123]

Why do i feel we may still saying this in 2018? Players with his potential have arrived by now. Put another short one in last night.

Was rather underdone according to Malthouse and still came close to getting 23 Disposals and three goals. However I do expect him to be far better then what he was last night. Wasn't a factor at the stoppages which is why we were killed at the centre clearances. Murphy can't be the only one trying otherwise he will burn out like Judd did.

 

[I AM CARLTON]

Gibbsy is my pick for the BnF this year, think he will have a cracking year!!!

 

[mediumsizered]

Was rather underdone according to Malthouse and still came close to getting 23 Disposals and three goals. However I do expect him to be far better then what he was last night. Wasn't a factor at the stoppages which is why we were killed at the centre clearances. Murphy can't be the only one trying otherwise he will burn out like Judd did.

With his hand still healing, Gibbs was never going to see a lot of time at the stoppages however his 22 disposals & 2 goals was better than we would have got from any potential replacement e.g. Cripps, Graham (this is not a knock on these kids, just the reality).

 

[Just Kreuzing]

Top 10? Wasn't the most timely call, but we'll see.

No timing wasn't great and I wasn't having a crack, I just think if he is in our best 5 at the end of the year it would more then likely mean 1 of 2/3 things.

1- He has sorted out all of his issues and got better,
2- Our better players have performed poorly,
3- Our better players have suffered injuries,

Option 1 will be the least likely scenario IMO.

 

[BM123]

With his hand still healing, Gibbs was never going to see a lot of time at the stoppages however his 22 disposals & 2 goals was better than we would have got from any potential replacement e.g. Cripps, Graham (this is not a knock on these kids, just the reality).

That is fair enough and the 10 day break will really help out Gibbs.

I'd would have liked to see Graham get his chance to play though. I think he would have been a better option then a unfit Mclean whose style of play is completely reliant on his fitness been up to scratch. If Mclean's motor is out of sorts then his gut running game breaks down. There was always the risk of Graham playing poorly and people rushing to bag him mercilessly but we need another quality inside mid coming through.

I am aware that this is all been said in hindsight though.

 

[mediumsizered]

That is fair enough and the 10 day break will really help out Gibbs.

I'd would have liked to see Graham get his chance to play though. I think he would have been a better option then a unfit Mclean whose style of play is completely reliant on his fitness been up to scratch. If Mclean's motor is out of sorts then his gut running game breaks down. There was always the risk of Graham playing poorly and people rushing to bag him mercilessly but we need another quality inside mid coming through.

I am aware that this is all been said in hindsight though.

Graham could have been a better option than either Bell or McLean, who both seemed to be less than 100% last night however I get the feeling the coaching panel may have given him some aspects of his game to work on before he gets a senior gig. This is the only explanation I can come up with for him not getting a gig, even as an emergency, despite racking up the disposals in the VFL practice match last week (which he repeated again this week) & for most of last year.

 

[BM123]

Graham could have been a better option than either Bell or McLean, who both seemed to be less than 100% last night however I get the feeling the coaching panel may have given him some aspects of his game to work on before he gets a senior gig. This is the only explanation I can come up with for him not getting a gig, even as an emergency, despite racking up the disposals in the VFL practice match last week (which he repeated again this week) & for most of last year.

Bell is another one whose usefulness is limited if he isn't match fit. His endurance won't last long with his crash and bash style if he isn't 100 %. Mclean and Bell will be better for the run but it's painful tossing 4 points away so easily. Full credit to Port though.


The bolded is why I want Graham to play senior football. No point having Graham rack up the touches in the VFL if he isn't getting rewarded for it. Comes out of contract this year and I'd like to give him some incentive to stay since other clubs looking for young mids will be lurking.

 

[mediumsizered]

The bolded is why I want Graham to play senior football. No point having Graham rack up the touches in the VFL if he isn't getting rewarded for it. Comes out of contract this year and I'd like to give him some incentive to stay since other clubs looking for young mids will be lurking.

I would be happy to see him in the seniors. He has proven in the limited opportunities he had at AFL level last season that he can find the ball at this level as well. Given decent game time, I believe he would regularly have high 20s, 30+ disposal games. He just reads the play so well.

 

[BM123]

I would be happy to see him in the seniors. He has proven in the limited opportunities he had at AFL level last season that he can find the ball at this level as well. Given decent game time, I believe he would regularly have high 20s, 30+ disposal games. He just reads the play so well.

I think with our style of play we really need someone who can rack up the touches since I can't think of anyone who can easily get 25 + let alone 30 touches consistently in our midfield aside from Murphy and Judd in 2011.

 

[skadoosh]

We have quite a few very talented players with a lot of potential. First players which come to mind are Gibbs and Yarran. However, how many years have we been saying they will be elite this year, they will take the next step up...and then we say that the next year and so on. It has never been about their skills, it's about their mentality and attitude. I can see that they both are happy when it comes their turn to kick goals (who wouldn't be?). But consistently give all their effort and run their guts out? No way. Gibbs is the master of jogging behind players and Yarran is Mr. Nowhere-to-be-seen.

To be an elite player, they need to WILL themselves into the game instead of just taking what comes to them. Hunger for the ball, not just being satisfied with a few nice plays. Yarran's goal last night was very, very good and exciting. But where was he before and after that goal? I'd much rather he kick no goals, but will himself to find the ball, attack the ball, give 100% effort.

Yes, Gibb's 2 goals were good. But how much was be able to collect his own contested ball, link up with our midfield and create options going forward? Not too much.

It all comes down to their attitude. Players can only improve their technical skills to a certain point. But the ability to transform your potential into something tangent takes a strong mind who wants nothing less than perfection. You need to be able to push yourself past your limits. And this is something which I do not see with the majority of Carlton's players, sadly.

 

[BM123]

We have quite a few very talented players with a lot of potential. First players which come to mind are Gibbs and Yarran. However, how many years have we been saying they will be elite this year, they will take the next step up...and then we say that the next year and so on. It has never been about their skills, it's about their mentality and attitude. I can see that they both are happy when it comes their turn to kick goals (who wouldn't be?). But consistently give all their effort and run their guts out? No way. Gibbs is the master of jogging behind players and Yarran is Mr. Nowhere-to-be-seen.

To be an elite player, they need to WILL themselves into the game instead of just taking what comes to them. Hunger for the ball, not just being satisfied with a few nice plays. Yarran's goal last night was very, very good and exciting. But where was he before and after that goal? I'd much rather he kick no goals, but will himself to find the ball, attack the ball, give 100% effort.

Yes, Gibb's 2 goals were good. But how much was be able to collect his own contested ball, link up with our midfield and create options going forward? Not too much.

It all comes down to their attitude. Players can only improve their technical skills to a certain point. But the ability to transform your potential into something tangent takes a strong mind who wants nothing less than perfection. You need to be able to push yourself past your limits. And this is something which I do not see with the majority of Carlton's players, sadly.

I'd like to see a Carlton team that is hungry for success for once. They should take a page out of Thomas and Judd's book and really push themselves to affect contest after contest.

 

[NavyBlue5]

I'm worried about our midfield. I mean, really worried. Don't wanna make a judgement based on 1 game, but it seams like the same old thing is happening. No Judd means no one is there to stand up and take the reins when needed. Sure, we're going to beat Richmond, but beyond that I'm not so sure.

Why do i feel we may still be saying this in 2018? Players with his potential have arrived by now. Put another short one in last night.

I hear you, but this really is Gibbs' year. Will be #1 in the BnF. As for the others... I've got nfi.

 

[LordLucifer]

Thought I would rate our midfield for this season (not overall career) by placing them in order and see who a youngster like Cripps will replace.

With everyone fit I rate them like this:

1. Murphy
2. Gibbs
3. Thomas
4. Judd
5. Bell
6. McLean
7. Carazzo
8. Curnow
9. Robinson

Based on this I have Robinson making way in the team for Cripps, then Curnow would come out if we wanted to play either Graham or Holman or someone else in the midfield.

What do others think?

Our midfield fleet has been way overrated for some years, they are 'okay' but certainly not the best in the league. Some of them struggle with disposal skills and others don't want to run both ways and a couple of them don't want to get in and get the hard aggot.

Until we address this conundrum (and the dearth of key position forwards) we are in strife.

 

[thebluelagoon]

I think we have all forgotten how good Carrazzo is. Even at his best he was underrated. This is a bloke who was running around getting 25-30 touches week in week out and shutting down the oppositions best midfielder. This is a guy who fixed his clanger count and learned to effectively dispose. The guy is a gun, lets hope he can get back there... never been the same since those bloody triplets!

I have Bell and Robinson in the same category. good at getting the hard ball and being physical but terrible at getting rid of it. This is why we hope that Cripps comes on and comes on fast to take one of these inside spots. By all accounts Crippa can get it and has awesome vision to distribute by hand. Teams nearly always play a 7th defender against us, because we win the clearance and hack it forward. too many hackers make us too predictable but you have to love randy the rams attack on the ball

 

[goreds]

If Gibbs gets his shit together, he will be the pre-eminent mid bar Ablett. Has it all.

Would love to see Yaz on that list by the end of this season.

Is that you Mick???

 

[BM123]

Is that you Mick???

What is your opinion about Gibbs?

 

[goreds]

What is your opinion about Gibbs?

Elite, IS our best mid because he is a goal kicker who has the best vision and disposal on our list...

When 100%, look out!

 

[I AM CARLTON]

Yep Gibbs will win BnF this year!

Must re-sign him.

Agree with previous comments get Cripps and Graham into the engine room get The Juddster and Carrots back also and looking more tasty.

Robinson and McLean May need to make way as Curnow appears to be locking himself into the best 22.

So midfield of Murph, Gibbs, Daisy, Judd, Carrots, Curnow, Cripps, Graham, Bell.

Can we play all 3 of Bell, Cripps & Graham in same team?

 

[thylacine60]

Elite, IS our best mid because he is a goal kicker who has the best vision and disposal on our list...

When 100%, look out!

Date?

 

[goreds]

Date?

Ahhh, thy, you're such a sceptic!!

Let's say when he's fit!

 

[Juddalenko]

Thought I would rate our midfield for this season (not overall career) by placing them in order and see who a youngster like Cripps will replace.

With everyone fit I rate them like this:

1. Murphy
2. Gibbs
3. Thomas
4. Judd
5. Bell
6. McLean
7. Carazzo
8. Curnow
9. Robinson

Based on this I have Robinson making way in the team for Cripps, then Curnow would come out if we wanted to play either Graham or Holman or someone else in the midfield.

What do others think?

I think you seriously underrate Curnow.

 

[thylacine60]

What's it say that Davey Ellard and Ed Curnow were 2 of our best? Well?

 

[I AM CARLTON]

I think you seriously underrate Curnow.

You're right I have and he proved me wrong on Sunday, played a really good game full credit to him has definitely improved and stepped up.

 

[skadoosh]

What's it say that Davey Ellard and Ed Curnow were 2 of our best? Well?

That they have the right mentality when playing...especially Curnow.