Player Watch Reef McInnes

[sr36]

Reef was recruited as a midfielder.

Howe was recruited as a forward/wing.

 

[Vicky Park]

Did he though?

Had McStay played, Frampton likely would not have, but I think Ginnivan’s inclusion was probably a reaction to Lipinski’s poor PF.

Ginni might have been the sub if McStay wasn’t injured. Anyway it’s water under the bridge, and this is the McInnes thread - and yes I do think Ginni has good footy IQ. It might have wobbled a little in 2023, but hopefully we benefit from it again in ‘24.

 

[manicpie]

Another reason I doubt we'll chase a Key forward is because I think the club will be expecting Reef and AJ to step up when BM retires

 

[sr36]

I think he has strong hands, I recall him taking a terrific one-handed mark possibly even on debut. He is very strong through the core and will be able to one day shed tacklers like Crisp can.

I definitely don’t think he lacks attributes, I am just not sure of his ideal role. His kicking is a bit too suspect for half-back like Crisp, so half-forward projecting to midfield seems most likely.

Also, “Ginnivan” and “footy IQ” shouldn’t be used in the same sentence after the finals series.

Ginni has got the unmeasurables - he thinks really quickly and has excellent spatial awareness, but yes the footy IQ thing is overblown - he initially looked completely lost with a move to a higher up the ground role at the start of the year and he still does dumb things. He'll end up with great "footy IQ" because he's got the unteachables, but he's nowhere near there yet.

 

[Fat Jesus]

I hope so and I love the idea of a tall, strong and quick mid but I am yet to see much ground ball/contested ball aptitude from Reef. Just don’t see him getting down and dirty at all. Maybe a wingman if he can build a tank?

Edward to get the midfield time next season and beyond.
Reef looks a juicy prospect up forward.
Beau another that needs to step up and play in the middle.
Hill is a natural forward. We do not need him on a wing.
Ginni and pick 19 could be a juicy prospect for another club.
Also happy to keep him.

 

[sr36]

Edward to get the midfield time next season and beyond.
Reef looks a juicy prospect up forward.
Beau another that needs to step up and play in the middle.
Hill is a natural forward. We do not need him on a wing.
Ginni and pick 19 could be a juicy prospect for another club.
Also happy to keep him.

I think Hill's a natural wingman. He's got serious weapons to play up forward, but his most damaging ones are the blistering runs. I want to see him running with the footy and shredding presses as often as possible. Peter Matera style.

 

[iGNITER]

Another reason I doubt we'll chase a Key forward is because I think the club will be expecting Reef and AJ to step up when BM retires

I was actually surprised when told that McInnes is actually a few cm's taller than Checkers.

 

[Mollythedolly]

I was actually surprised when told that McInnes is actually a few cm's taller than Checkers.

Taller but doesn’t (yet) have the workrate or the contested element that Checkers brings. Another preseason though….

 

[iGNITER]

Taller but doesn’t (yet) have the workrate or the contested element that Checkers brings. Another preseason though….

Yep still young too (I could be wrong but 20ish?).

Have high hopes for Reef. Another pre-season in the gym and who knows what can happen. We will have a few spots in the 22/23 opening up over the next couple of years. I fully expect the likes of McInnes, Macrae, Allan & Ryan to play significant roles in the future.

 

[vindaloo]

Another reason I doubt we'll chase a Key forward is because I think the club will be expecting Reef and AJ to step up when BM retires

I was going to post something similar. I reckon Reef is vying for Brody Mihocek's spot as much as anyones.
Another point is that with rumours that Adams wanted out in part due to being told he might be playing reserves to give Fin Macrae a go that the same could be said of senior players in light of Reef McGuiness' emergence. Reef showed a lot this year in the reserves and so at the least guys like Mihocek and Elliott should be rested and if their form drops off which it did at times in 2023, there place in the team could be in jeopardy, especially if Reef improves. Or Reef could just take that spot and become a really good player at AFL level which is what we all want from our young players. From what I saw in the reserves this year Reef has 'it' to achieve that in 2024.

 

[gouki88]

Could even be a big mobile winger patrolling HF to HB

Would need to improve his endurance a shit load

 

[pablo disco bar]

2024 is bloody crucial for Reef

Looking forward to what he can do

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Another reason I doubt we'll chase a Key forward is because I think the club will be expecting Reef and AJ to step up when BM retires

Beau McCreery what now?

 

[swoop42]

The Ginnivan departure should help McInnes to a degree and that's a positive as I feel he can add something different to our forward mix and potentially make it better.

He's not a marking tall like a McStay and Mihocek but he's still tall so you can't play a small defender on him and he's quick on the lead and has a ground level game so any lumbering tall wont do either.

If he can keep increasing his midfield minutes and just find that extra 10% over the preseason he can be a weapon.

I want him to be given every opportunity next year even if it means scheduling rests for our veterans to make sure it happens.

We need young players like him to step up before we step off the cliff.

 

[Mark W]

Another reason I doubt we'll chase a Key forward is because I think the club will be expecting Reef and AJ to step up when BM retires

I was actually surprised when told that McInnes is actually a few cm's taller than Checkers.

Reef might be tall, but he doesnt play tall. He is a good mark on the lead, quite decent one on one and can win a wrestling contest and take a mark, but I've never ever seen him take a pack mark. Check out a Reef highlights package from the VFL, all his goals are small man goals - from leads or snaps off the ground. I like Reef, but he is style of play is nothing like a KPP and wont ever be a Checkers replacement.

 

[manicpie]

Reef might be tall, but he doesnt play tall. He is a good mark on the lead, quite decent one on one and can win a wrestling contest and take a mark, but I've never ever seen him take a pack mark. Check out a Reef highlights package from the VFL, all his goals are small man goals - from leads or snaps off the ground. I like Reef, but he is style of play is nothing like a KPP and wont ever be a Checkers replacement.

I think the fact that he doesn't play tall is exactly the type of forwards that Fly wants, he wants us to be flexible with our forward entries. We have McStay as the big strong forward and I reckon that's what we'll go with

 

[ThePhantom777]

I was actually surprised when told that McInnes is actually a few cm's taller than Checkers.

Reef is a big unit. Hope he has a great pre-season.

 

[Kes1984]

I have high hopes for this bloke. Really want to see him succeed.

 

[Gone Critical]

I like some of the things he does and he looks a chance to become an AFL player. 4th year in the system and OOC at the end of 24 means it's the year to get going. He needs to crack the senior team in a pretty big way in 24 to ensure another contract. Of the young ones outside of the 22 it's Allan and Reef I really want to see step up. Allan especially as he is the one who looks like he is a chance to be very good. Reef also some chance.

 

[ksardog]

I have high hopes for this bloke. Really want to see him succeed.

if he stays injury free, can see him really take the next step in 2024, will start forward but gradually get spells in the midfield. Just needs belief, looks a bit uncertain when he has had opportunities previously. Hoping to see him from round 1 after a big pre season. Should be eyeing off WHE role

 

[stormskye]

He’s a forward. Played his best footy there. Haven’t seen it as a mid (yet).

If he has a great pre season and continues and progresses on his end of season form he will be very much in the best 23 conversation

 

[CPH12]

He’s a forward. Played his best footy there. Haven’t seen it as a mid (yet).

If he has a great pre season and continues and progresses on his end of season form he will be very much in the best 23 conversation

I see him as an Elliott replacement, fast and can take a grab, but also good at ground level.
Elliott had a very patchy year, started poorly, great mid season, very poor finals so may be on the decline. Been a great player though so glad he got a flag.

 

[Harry O]

I think we have lost a bit of depth for next year

I think we need to really focus on getting games in to lines of Reef , Finlay , HH, Allan , and J Ryan through next year to build our depth

Probably will look at 1 or 2 delisted free agents to build our depth too

 

[sr36]

I think we have lost a bit of depth for next year

I think we need to really focus on getting games in to lines of Reef , Finlay , HH, Allan , and J Ryan through next year to build our depth

Probably will look at 1 or 2 delisted free agents to build our depth too

I think they'll try to find a mature KPD. But other than that I think they'll back in the kids. They're our depth.

 

[Fat Jesus]

if he stays injury free, can see him really take the next step in 2024, will start forward but gradually get spells in the midfield. Just needs belief, looks a bit uncertain when he has had opportunities previously. Hoping to see him from round 1 after a big pre season. Should be eyeing off WHE role

Forget about it. WHE is a gut running gun midfielder. Reef a forward.