Remove this Banner Ad

List Mgmt. Our Midfield

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Does anybody here think that Kennedy, Cripps, Setterfield and Stocker can all play in the same side?
Ignoring the back half if it was going to happen in round 1 it could look something like this:

FOL: Kreuz/Lobbe/Phillips, Kennedy, Fisher
C: Murphy, Cripps, O'Brien
HF: Dow, Curnow, SPS
FF: McGovern, McKay, Polson
INT: Curnow, Setterfield, Walsh, Stocker

More or less means Stocker would be getting picked ahead of Jack, Willo, Cuningham, Bugg, Garlett, etc.

I'd think we'd want a Polson, Cuningham, Garlett or someone else with a bit of pace (Pickett down the track?) to be in the team, maybe in that forward pocket.

Maybe it starts getting harder if we're trying to fit Cripps, Kennedy, Setterfield, Stocker and Jack all as bigger-bodied mids as well as the 7 big men at each end of the ground in Jones, Weitering, Marchbank, Plowman, Harry, Charlie, & Mitch.


Or is this how we start to evolve towards SOS's eventual goal?

FB: Goddard (196), Jones (198), BSOS (196)
HB: Macreadie (195), Weitering (195), Marchbank (193)
C: Setterfield (190), Cripps (195), Charlie (194)
HF: McGovern (190), Levi (201), Kerr (194)
FF: TDK (200), McKay (203), Finbar (190)
FOL: Kreuzer (200), Kennedy (188), Jack (191)
INT: Phillips (201), Lobbe (200), Plowman (191), Schumacher (190)
 
Does anybody here think that Kennedy, Cripps, Setterfield and Stocker can all play in the same side?

You couldn't give a definitive answer either way without seeing it in action. And you'd certainly want to complement their selection with the right player type, ie. outside speed in particular.

Gut feel is early on in the year you'd expect not, but beyond that depends entirely on whether they show themselves capable of having an impact in secondary positions.

If they can drift forward in particular and be of value then I don't see why not.
 
Stocker and Setterfield aren't slow. Don't see the issue there tbh.

We definitely need more legspeed in the side, but I don't see these guys being replaced for that.

They may not be slow but I wouldn't call them quick.

Burst speed =/= speed on the outside and if you're going into a game with 4 players who are primarily inside options, you certainly want to make sure you've got the right type of player around them. Otherwise they'll be run off their feet.
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

Stocker and Setterfield aren't slow. Don't see the issue there tbh.

We definitely need more legspeed in the side, but I don't see these guys being replaced for that.

A best 22 means little until you see all the parts of the machine in work, as Jeremias said.

I don't know about others but when I do my 'Best 22' I tend to hide the players I can't really find a spot for on the Interchange.
Would look something like - e.g. IC - Setterfield, ECurnow, Stocker and Thomas. It doesn't quite work this way but that sort of flexibility would be great.
 
Correct. Most teams have bigger bodies in the middle. Speed gets injected on the HFF and HBF.

Hawks won many flags with a midfield of Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Sewell and Shiels. None of whom are known for their speed, although perhaps Shiels is fairly nippy.

The likes of Hill, Smith, Rioli and Burgoyne, though, that is bloody lethal.

I think our contingent of Cripps, Dow, Setterfield, Kennedy and Stocker can build toward something special. Likewise, the group of Fisher, Walsh, O'Brien and SPS have the skillset required.
 
Hawks won many flags with a midfield of Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Sewell and Shiels. None of whom are known for their speed, although perhaps Shiels is fairly nippy.

The likes of Hill, Smith, Rioli and Burgoyne, though, that is bloody lethal.

I think our contingent of Cripps, Dow, Setterfield, Kennedy and Stocker can build toward something special. Likewise, the group of Fisher, Walsh, O'Brien and SPS have the skillset required.

Good point and not just because of the Hawthorn example, which has merit on its own rights.
Good players in a good system will find a way.

Hawthorn may have been slow on the inside but quick on the outside.
We're some way towards that ideal but a little more quality outside speed wouldn't go astray.

I see Essendon having a good year for mostly this reason. They have that speed and nippiness we're currently lacking. Would love to be wrong....
 
Does anybody here think that Kennedy, Cripps, Setterfield and Stocker can all play in the same side?
Yep. Two big bodied inside mids at every single contest of the match.

Happy with that.
 
Or is this how we start to evolve towards SOS's eventual goal?

FB: Goddard (196), Jones (198), BSOS (196)
HB: Macreadie (195), Weitering (195), Marchbank (193)
C: Setterfield (190), Cripps (195), Charlie (194)
HF: McGovern (190), Levi (201), Kerr (194)
FF: TDK (200), McKay (203), Finbar (190)
FOL: Kreuzer (200), Kennedy (188), Jack (191)
INT: Phillips (201), Lobbe (200), Plowman (191), Schumacher (190)

I hope not way too tall. We would get carved up by quick smalls.
 
If Paddy Dow develops into the Dangerfield type mid he was compared to when he was drafted, in 3 or 4 years time, our core midfield of Crippa, Setters, Paddy Dow and Sam Walsh seriously will be the next 'Fab 4' of the AFL.

If we happened to jag a Josh Kelly along the away, god help the rest of the AFL!!!
 
If Paddy Dow develops into the Dangerfield type mid he was compared to when he was drafted, in 3 or 4 years time, our core midfield of Crippa, Setters, Paddy Dow and Sam Walsh seriously will be the next 'Fab 4' of the AFL.

If we happened to jag a Josh Kelly along the away, god help the rest of the AFL!!!

Don't need him. We've got O'brien. They've got very similar attributes. Almost identical players.

Just give him a few more preseasons to add size and strength and he'll start to flourish.
 
Don't need him. We've got O'brien. They've got very similar attributes. Almost identical players.

Just give him a few more preseasons to add size and strength and he'll start to flourish.
Love your work Eiffel....if one of LO'B, Kennedy, Stocker, Fisher or the like take that next step, it will be the 'Fab 5'. LO'B may well be the one.

Fisher is the other one that has got my blood flowing...in games last year when our foot/hand skills were woeful, Fisher really stood out....his hands were so clean, one touch, and ball use excellent. Maybe the 'Fab 6' then :thumbsu:
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Love your work Eiffel....if one of LO'B, Kennedy, Stocker, Fisher or the like take that next step, it will be the 'Fab 5'. LO'B may well be the one.

Fisher is the other one that has got my blood flowing...in games last year when our foot/hand skills were woeful, Fisher really stood out....his hands were so clean, one touch, and ball use excellent. Maybe the 'Fab 6' then :thumbsu:

Love how he has the confidence to take the game on, both with his kicking and running when the opportunity is there.
 
People rating our untried midfield atm are full of hope n dreams … whilst I agree it has potential … we need to get a grip on the midfield stemming the tide which is what has led to countless thumpings last year.

Until that defensive side of the midfield is sorted we will continue to have a situation whereby we are heavily scored against.
 
People rating our untried midfield atm are full of hope n dreams … whilst I agree it has potential … we need to get a grip on the midfield stemming the tide which is what has led to countless thumpings last year.

Until that defensive side of the midfield is sorted we will continue to have a situation whereby we are heavily scored against.
Likely LOB and Walsh, both in upper levels of endurance play on the wings (Murphy other likely one), joining Ed Curnow as two way running machines. Fisher, Kennedy and SPS all have superior defensive traits to Gibbs and our former skipper. Setterfield is a tackling machine.

Yes, a couple will be a little under done and need maturity, but our depth of numbers to rotate through as opposed to being paper thin should allow the group to maintain the defensive rage. 6-6-6 creates a whole new dynamic, and will place more emphasis on skill and the ability to think on your feet around stoppages, particularly centre bounces. Couple of bulls and a couple of elite readers, led by Fisher and the difference will be far greater than many realise.
The game is going to, somewhat, return to individualism over system with clubs unable to start big numbers behind the ball. "Readers" are going to be imperative as the game will open up, and we do not have a dominant tap ruckman. Will be interesting to see if Kreuzers second efforts as an "extra midfielder" can become a major positive. I actually believe we will be well served when Harry takes some ruck minutes, taller and showed some great traits working on tapping to advantage in his short stints last season. He is a big, big key both forward and pinch hitting.
 
Last edited:
I think most would be rating potential (that dirty word)

What I am buoyed about is that we have a 23 year old leader, showing the young guys the way.
We also have a pretty determined, self-motivated group of quality footballers on hand which should make it somewhat easier for Cripps to guide them.

No matter though, we are missing another quality mid at this stage of proceedings. Can't avoid that now but it may force a couple to grow into their game, sooner than may have been afforded otherwise. I reckon Dow & Walsh will take the challenge on.
 

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Is JSOS still in-line for a midfield role?

Will be interesting to see where bolts plays him this JLT.

Sounds like he has dramatically increased his tank.

I can't help but remember that half off footy through the midfield last year.

How would a wing suit him?
 
Will be interesting to see where bolts plays him this JLT.

Sounds like he has dramatically increased his tank.

I can't help but remember that half off footy through the midfield last year.

How would a wing suit him?
Don't think he has the leg speed. If he makes the 22 (should be a lot harder this year) he's a bench utility player for mine; HHF/inside mid/3rd tall fwd/3rd tall defender.

I just can't see him being a first choice forward ahead of Charlie, Harry, Mitch and I'm not sure we'd want to name 4 taller guys starting up front considering we've got Cripps, Kennedy & Setterfield who'll be rotating through as well.

I also don't think he's a starting defender, realistically we're not naming him ahead of a fit Plowman or Marchbank and he certainly ain't taking the spot of one of the big boys like Weiters, Jones or even a Goddard or Macreadie (if named and fit). McGovern's ability to swing back might not help Jack either.

What might play out is that if we've got 3 taller guys starting at each end of the ground - lets say for now Charlie, Harry, Mitch & Weiters, Plow & Jones - then Jack might be a good bench option to give us some coverage across the ground as well as having a few rotations through the middle when one of Cripps or Kennedy have moved forward or having a rest on the pine.

It's also about getting that balance right in the middle, we don't want too many of the heavy hitters in there at once. Thinking about the starting 5 mids (3 in the square plus wings) I'd say a good structure might at any given moment might be 1 or 2 big guys (Cripps, Kennedy, Setterfield, Jack and lets count Ed for arguments sake), 1 or 2 runners (Ed, O'Brien, Walsh) and no less than 2 'more dynamic' players (Murph, Fish, SPS, Dow, Cuningham, Stocker, etc). The last thing you'd want is those 5 mids to be Cripps, Kennedy, Setters, Jack and Ed.... they're going to seriously bully opposition in close but get murdered on the spread.
 
Maximum we can fit in is 10 mids. 3 in the middle, 2 on a wing, 2 forward and 3 on the bench. Other option is to have one off HB which some clubs do. SPS for example could be a weapon off there.

IMO our best mids are Cripps Kennedy Dow Curnow in the guts. Murphy & O’Brien on the wings, Fisher & SPS up forward and Walsh Setterfield & Gibbons on then bench. They can all rotate through any position.

Haven’t even included Stocker Lang Cuningham Pickett Cottrell or Polson [emoji15] and Thomas could easily play small forward swapping with Murphy. Charlie can go in for bursts.

If we had Docherty & Williamson along with Garlett running out of defence it’s a very dangerous group
 

Remove this Banner Ad

List Mgmt. Our Midfield

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top