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[KevJen5]

I don't think Thomas is suited to an inside role, although I think he could perform it. Another thing is we don't need him to play an inside role.


Different players improve at different rates and different stages in their careers. Look at Mark McGough for example.

mark mcgough was a one game wonder only good in the wet. Steele however 10 goals tac cup grand final in our top 3 in the grand final where was dane swan on grand final day. etc andrew mcleod, gary ablett, dermott breteron, leigh matthews, wayne carey all made there names from big performances on the big stage. rip leon davis worst finals player ever thankgod for goldsack

 

[loki04]

Can we stop this myth that Steele is slow, if any of you watch him chase loose balls, players ect he actually keeps up with nearly all of them.

People are only going off his DC time and who knows what could of been wrong with him he is ave paced not fast but not slow.

I have seen him beat blokes to the ball and run down opponents who tested faster at DC.

 

[Ed D]

mark mcgough was a one game wonder only good in the wet. Steele however 10 goals tac cup grand final in our top 3 in the grand final where was dane swan on grand final day. etc andrew mcleod, gary ablett, dermott breteron, leigh matthews, wayne carey all made there names from big performances on the big stage. rip leon davis worst finals player ever thankgod for goldsack

My point is you can't say one player will be better than another just because he's ahead of where the other one was at a similar age. Steele has shown more than Gary Ablett jnr did when he was 19, I'd be happy if he did better than Ablett, but it's kinda dumb to compare them because like I said, different players start and stop to develop at different ages. For all we know Steele could be near his peak, or he could have a lot more improvement to go.

And that's nothing against Steele and he could be a Brownlow medalist in 5 years time, but I don't think you should be expecting it just because he's started his career well. He's got a fair bit of improvement to go to match the greats of the game IMO.

 

[FAIRANDBALANCED]

I don't think Thomas is suited to an inside role, although I think he could perform it. Another thing is we don't need him to play an inside role.

He's only not suited to an inside role because of his size. If he continues to bulk up, he will have all the attributes.

And we don't need him to play an inside role? So you're saying we curtail his progress as a footballer because we only need him as an outside mid right now??

 

[mdc]

He's only not suited to an inside role because of his size. If he continues to bulk up, he will have all the attributes.

All the attributes? His hands are good, but not particularly quick. One-on-one he's average at best. Reading where the ball will go has never been a strength.

His height, pace and tenacity would ensure he'd be competent, but he's so much better suited elsewhere.

And we don't need him to play an inside role? So you're saying we curtail his progress as a footballer because we only need him as an outside mid right now??

It has nothing to do with curtailing progress. There are several better inside mid prospects at the club than Thomas. There are no better outside mid prospect. It's just logical.

Developing Thomas as an inside mid is akin to developing Pendles as an outside mid. I.e. madness.

 

[Ed D]

What mdc said. We have better/other options as inside mids and Thomas is doing a great job as an outside mid which not as many at the club can take over from. You need guys who run quickly and have flare as your outside mids, that suits Thomas and not many others. Inside mids you can get away with slower guys like Ball because they're the extractors who dish the ball out to guys like Thomas or can break through and stand up in the tackles, or alternatively lock the ball in if the opposition have it.

It's not so much about whether Thomas can do it or not, it's about playing Thomas in the best role for him and the team. Having him bulk up and spend a year or two learning to be an inside mid is a waste of time when we already have guys playing those roles as good as any in the AFL.

And it's nothing to do with curtailing his progression as a footballer. You could say us not playing him as a pure defender is curtailing his progression, even though we don't need him as a defender and have others who do a better job. He's grown up as a running player, developed as a running player and is required as a running player. Why mess around with that just because he could do it?

 

[FAIRANDBALANCED]

All the attributes? His hands are good, but not particularly quick. One-on-one he's average at best. Reading where the ball will go has never been a strength.

His height, pace and tenacity would ensure he'd be competent, but he's so much better suited elsewhere.



It has nothing to do with curtailing progress. There are several better inside mid prospects at the club than Thomas. There are no better outside mid prospect. It's just logical.

Developing Thomas as an inside mid is akin to developing Pendles as an outside mid. I.e. madness.

Pendles is great inside, but he is not purely an inside footballer. He is a run and carry player/link up player too.
That is all I'm saying with Thomas, develop him so he can be good at all facets of the game. I disagree that he is ordinary one on one, I also think his hands in and around the contest will be quick enough to win clearances when he starts around the ball more often, but I guess we will have to wait and see.

There are very few mids who make a whole career as playing on the outside these days, most will round their game to include winning contested ball/clearances as well. This is what I think will happen with Daisy.

 

[kevind]

Greg Williams didn't have a great reach or exceptional speed either, he also wasn't the hardest at it player going around.

Thats who Steele reminds me of.

I couldn't agree more.

He has exceptional football smarts and is a one touch player. I think he is miles in front of Beams. Just compare their performances on the big stage. No contest. Steele has performed in every final he has played in, a remarkable achievement , given his age. No wonder he has already been a recruiting target for opposition clubs.