Opinion Premiership Midfield

[AFC979810]

So what your saying is they are different players.

Well - what I said is that Soligo was giving me Rory Laird vibes.

Then big footy did what big footy does and here we are.

They may end up in the same tier of really solid 2-4 inside midfielders, but it's pretty clear they'll take different paths to get there.

Mind you, I don't know if I'd be betting on Soligo capping out in that tier. The ball winning will probably get to a similar point to peak Laird's in a year or so, and should the kicking skills hold up? He may blow right past that point. There aren't a lot of lads who can combine top tier ball winning with being a reliable field kick.

It's not a knock on Soligo (or Laird). I don't think anyone would be upset if Soligo won 3 B&F's and was a 2 time all Australian whilst playing 250+ games for the Crows.

 

[Coopers]

Why? He isn't an establish A grade midfielder let alone elite and we have Draper to develop.

I'd be happy with him.

However he's not the "solution".

 

[Go the Guts]

Huh?

Cripps and Bont don't possess genuine speed, JHF sure.

Perhaps not as much these days, but their burst ability is some of the best in the league.

 

[spenze]

I'd be happy with him.

However he's not the "solution".

Yeah if that was the path we were going down I’d rather get the Poo as I think he has the attributes our midfield needs.

 

[Golumless]

To add to the it's time to get Jordan Dawson

12

Jordan Dawson

Age

28

Ht

190cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.0

4star

K

11.4

4star

HB

5.7

4star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.8

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

15.7

4star

K

10.9

4star

HB

4.9

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

D

11.8

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

5star

CL

0.6

3star

out of the inside midfield conversation, Jordan is the third worst kick in the AFL in 2025 (CD said going for harder kicks, and missing regularly).

 

[SellarStardom]

After watching again the game against the Pies, it's reinforced to me that Hinge is bloody effective around the ball.

I think the midfield mix is going OK without being great. Rankine and Rachelle need to be constantly

 

[Golumless]

After watching again the game against the Pies, it's reinforced to me that Hinge is bloody effective around the ball.

I think the midfield mix is going OK without being great. Rankine and Rachelle need to be constantly

Giving this thought, I like this as it looks like an answer to our looming Dawson problem, because Hinge has the ball winning skills Jordy doesn't have and it keeps that big meter gained player.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Giving this thought, I like this as it looks like an answer to our looming Dawson problem, because Hinge has the ball winning skills Jordy doesn't have and it keeps that big meter gained player.

In regards to accumulation or contested ball winning? Because I’m unsure about either

 

[Golumless]

In regards to accumulation or contested ball winning? Because I’m unsure about either

Contested ball winning, and mostly it's because Dawson completely sucks at it - so the bar is not high here for improvement.

 

[Coopers]

Giving this thought, I like this as it looks like an answer to our looming Dawson problem, because Hinge has the ball winning skills Jordy doesn't have and it keeps that big meter gained player.

As soon as you put him in the midfield full time though he'll drop off too... because it's not at half back and it's more congested there.

Still, he's pretty good. Should get a midfield rotation for a point of difference.

 

[steve9798]

After watching again the game against the Pies, it's reinforced to me that Hinge is bloody effective around the ball.

I think the midfield mix is going OK without being great. Rankine and Rachelle need to be constantly

I find it hard to believe that Hinge has never had a run out of the middle. Looks a midfielder type to me. At least give it a try.

 

[imagifED]

Like the Hinge idea, could be that big bodied midfielder we need and is reasonably quick and skilled. Soligo, Rankine, Peatling, Draper collectively is a bit soft and undersized. Prefer Hinge's physicality over Dawson. Potential turnovers in contested situations won't also be punished as much. Could be our Hugh Greenwood

1

Hugh Greenwood

Age

33

Ht

190cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.9

4star

K

8.8

3star

HB

8.1

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

6.8

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

17.4

4star

K

10.4

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

1.5

2star

T

8.9

5star

CL

5.6

5star

D

16.4

4star

K

8.6

4star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.2

3star

T

7.6

5star

CL

4.4

5star

when we played some of our best footy in 2017/early 2018.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Contested ball winning, and mostly it's because Dawson completely sucks at it - so the bar is not high here for improvement.

To be honest I’m not sure Hinge would be a whole lot better, inside mid is a completely different kettle of fish, but worth a trial

We really need one more dynamic clearance winner. Still hoping Soligo can consistently become that, he’s not there just yet. Draper too, but he’s even further off

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Does Hinge have any stoppage craft?

I'd guess no. I don't see him as an inside mid.

I know we've tried him on the wing for a period previously with average results but I wouldn't mind him having another crack there.

 

[SellarStardom]

Does Hinge have any stoppage craft?

I'd guess no. I don't see him as an inside mid.

I know we've tried him on the wing for a period previously with average results but I wouldn't mind him having another crack there.

For those wondering about Hinge, go watch the replay from last week and the number of ground ball gets he accumulated. He was far higher than Dawson, higher than Peatling equal with Soligo and only Rankine was higher

On clearances he was equal with Dawson and Rachelle and higher than Peatling.

Playing off HB! He goes in hard and is very effective in congestion. It's worth a try, possibly just rotating he and Dawson off HB and Centre

 

[conVINCEd]

I was hopeful of Charlie Edwards becoming our big crash and bash midfielder but he doesn't really seem to play that way. A little outside leaning perhaps. I thought he looked good on the weekend at half back (first sanfl game I've seen this year) but I was a little disappointed they moved him out of the middle. His frame looks perfect for building serious strength and size.

When we have half-backs up the whazoo, it is crazy that we’re not running Edwards through the middle in the SANFL. He’s exactly the type we need.

 

[GreyCrow]

When we have half-backs up the whazoo, it is crazy that we’re not running Edwards through the middle in the SANFL. He’s exactly the type we need.

How dare you take midfield minutes away from a shape keeper

 

[adelaidecrows]

How dare you take midfield minutes away from a shape keeper

how dare you be so insensitive! The term they prefer is 'non-statistical shape runner'!!

Do you even football! God!