Analysis Rolling All-Australian team for 2021

[baby pluto]

Parish and Merrett are both borderline, have not had better seasons than Bont, Oliver, Wines, Steele, Miller. So fighting out those last 2/3 spots along with Walsh, Truck, Parker, Macrae and Guthrie.

 

[Stopher]

The pundits are big on the fact that AA should be the AA CHB and recruit of the year.

So what you're really saying is AA AA, ey?

 

[Red Black and Blue]

On pretty much any objective measure they both get in. And there’s a bunch of them.

Dogs were far better in general play today but Merrett, Parish et al absolutely smashed them in the centre clearances. You can’t tell me that was expected

Both Top 5 for goal assists, top 7 for score involvements, top 5 midfielders in metres gained, Parish is number 1 for clearances.

 

[00Stinger]

On pretty much any objective measure they both get in. And there’s a bunch of them.

Dogs were far better in general play today but Merrett, Parish et al absolutely smashed them in the centre clearances. You can’t tell me that was expected

There have been a lot of absolute standouts in the midfield this year. There are going to be a few unlucky ones

I would take both Merrett and Parish before Macrae personally but I don't think the selectors will for instance

Sent from my SM-G981B using Tapatalk

 

[HirdyLannister]

First time watching a full dogs match, Macrae is an ineffective stat padder. 38 touches with zero influence, if it wasn't for Wrights 7 goals bont would of been BOG.

 

[andrewb]

First time watching a full dogs match, Macrae is an ineffective stat padder. 38 touches with zero influence, if it wasn't for Wrights 7 goals bont would of been BOG.

Actually thought Macrae was really good, he did a lot of the tough stuff that I expected Libba and Dunkley to be doing.

libba had 4 contested possessions for the match(?)

Bont, Parish and Merrett were much more damaging with their touches though

 

[Ricmel]

Stringer wasn’t playing full forward? Weird comparison but ok fella

Doesn't matter does it? Your point was it was as good a 13 touch game as you will ever see. Or did you mean as good a 13 touch game by an Essendon player playing midfield/forward?

 

[LittleG]

First time watching a full dogs match, Macrae is an ineffective stat padder. 38 touches with zero influence, if it wasn't for Wrights 7 goals bont would of been BOG.

Macrae has been better than either Merrett or Parish this year.
IF you make an assessment of 1 player based on 1 game…. That is rather poor form.

 

[andrewb]

Macrae has been better than either Merrett or Parish this year.
IF you make an assessment of 1 player based on 1 game…. That is rather poor form.

Rubbish

Bont has been better than Merrett and Parish this year.

Parish is leading Macrae in Clearances, Contested Possessions and Score Involvements and he’s kicked more goals.

Macrae the clear leader in uncontested possessions but Darcy still better at creating scores.

 

[HirdyLannister]

Macrae has been better than either Merrett or Parish this year.
IF you make an assessment of 1 player based on 1 game…. That is rather poor form.

Full dogs game, seen halfs here and there.

Rubbish statement, Parish an Merrett have been more effective this year than Macrae.

I keep hearing each week, another 30+ disposal game from Macrae. After yesterday game teams let him get the ball, he has zero influence with it.

 

[LittleG]

Rubbish

Bont has been better than Merrett and Parish this year.

Parish is leading Macrae in Clearances, Contested Possessions and Score Involvements and he’s kicked more goals.

Macrae the clear leader in uncontested possessions but Darcy still better at creating scores.

You name stats were the difference is minor, like really minor. They are both having great seasons and the margins are small. I have watched 5 games of both. I would take Macrae, you would take Parish.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

I genuinely think Sean Darcy is the best ruck I’ve seen this year.

You not watched much footy this year?

Darcy has been good, and had a good second half of the year, but his body of work is a fair way of Nic Nat and Gawn.

 

[Northernsoul74]

You not watched much footy this year?

Darcy has been good, and had a good second half of the year, but his body of work is a fair way of Nic Nat and Gawn.

I watch way too much footy and I’m allowed an opinion. It’s far closer than you think it is in my opinion. Look past the names and critique the actual performances and there’s really not a lot split the three of them.

 

[Petrify]

Full dogs game, seen halfs here and there.

Rubbish statement, Parish an Merrett have been more effective this year than Macrae.

I keep hearing each week, another 30+ disposal game from Macrae. After yesterday game teams let him get the ball, he has zero influence with it.

Reminds me of the Dogs fans saying Libba had a better year than Parish lol.

 

[andrewb]

You name stats were the difference is minor, like really minor. They are both having great seasons and the margins are small. I have watched 5 games of both. I would take Macrae, you would take Parish.

Mate the only place where Macrae is having a better season than Parish and Merrett is dream team scores and in your head. Macrae is part of a superstar midfield led by the best in the business - Bont.

Parish and Merrett have been dominating sides with a supporting cast that includes Stringer, Will Snelling (admittedly underrated), a couple of rookies, Brayden Ham, Tom Cutler and Dylan Clarke.

Have a look what they did to your boys (Bont, Macrae, Libba, Dunkley, Treloar, Smith, Hunter) in the middle yesterday. Absolutely demolished them.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

I watch way too much footy and I’m allowed an opinion. It’s far closer than you think it is in my opinion. Look past the names and critique the actual performances and there’s really not a lot split the three of them.

Sean Darcy had one game with coaches votes through the first 7 rounds (didn't play round 1), he's been good since then. He's polled coaches votes in 8 games this year (*44% of games played), Gawn 10 (52% of games played), Nic Nat 12 (63% of games played).

If it wasn't for the slow start he'd be up there, but you can't just disregard the slow start he did make.

 

[Le Archie]

Doesn't matter does it? Your point was it was as good a 13 touch game as you will ever see. Or did you mean as good a 13 touch game by an Essendon player playing midfield/forward?

The second one

 

[LittleG]

View attachment 1200472
Mate the only place where Macrae is having a better season than Parish and Merrett is dream team scores and in your head. Macrae is part of a superstar midfield led by the best in the business - Bont.

Parish and Merrett have been dominating sides with a supporting cast that includes Stringer, Will Snelling (admittedly underrated), a couple of rookies, Brayden Ham, Tom Cutler and Dylan Clarke.

Have a look what they did to your boys (Bont, Macrae, Libba, Dunkley, Treloar, Smith, Hunter) in the middle yesterday. Absolutely demolished them.

View attachment 1200475

Draper had a party. Absolutely deserves the 3 Brownlow votes and will be competing next year with Sean Darcy for the best ruck in the game. His centre square work was fantastic.

 

[Petrify]

Draper had a party. Absolutely deserves the 3 Brownlow votes and will be competing next year with Sean Darcy for the best ruck in the game. His centre square work was fantastic.

Draper has limitless potential, given he only played his first game of footy at 17. Once he learns how to kick properly he'll be an absolute weapon. But I think Peter Wright deserves the 3 votes, hard to go past 7 goals

 

[Halftimehero]

Macrae has been better than either Merrett or Parish this year.
IF you make an assessment of 1 player based on 1 game…. That is rather poor form.

Why has Macrae been better? What are you basing it on?

 

[LittleG]

Draper has limitless potential, given he only played his first game of footy at 17. Once he learns how to kick properly he'll be an absolute weapon. But I think Peter Wright deserves the 3 votes, hard to go past 7 goals

Wright wasn’t the difference. Draper turned an opponents strength (centre square clearances) into a major loss.
Bruce kicked 10 earlier this year but I don’t think he should get the 3 votes. Draper had a bigger influence I this game.

 

[Pomsta]

D. Rioli for half back

Don't be silly Osh. How is he above Short, Mansell and Stack? Think man, think!!! Although I'm happy there is at least one Richmond player you rate.

 

[Milanista28]

Going to be 3 or 4 very unlucky elite mids who miss out this year.

 

[Pomsta]

Macrae has been better than either Merrett or Parish this year.
IF you make an assessment of 1 player based on 1 game…. That is rather poor form.

I'd say only 1 of these gets a spot in the starting 18 and that should be Merrett. The main reason would be his decision making as every time he gets it he seems to have time and chooses the right target. Unfortunately I can't find any bullshit stats to back this up so you'll just have to take my word for it.

 

[LittleG]

Why has Macrae been better? What are you basing it on?

Good question and I will attempt to explain why I have my view:

I regularly watch video of games using behind the goals. I find the free to air TV coverage of our games really bad, commentary is even worse. You don’t see lots of things that players do and the team structures without the ball. I am yet to watch yesterday’s game like that BUT I will.

Macrae gets to spots both defensively and provides options while moving forward that few other players do. He is like a winger who tracks back and also plays inside midfielder. He isn’t a liability in either role and is the glue that allows the bulldogs to dominate territory and possession. There are a few other players that do similar work off the ball at an elite level BUT they don’t get the stats going forward. The fact he does both, I find of immense value. Macrae isn’t always used in transition but he creates holes for other players.

I recommend to watch the football without following the ball a few times. Watch the structures behind and ahead of the ball. Watch the players change approach during transition. Watch how some just stand still / walk and don’t give a fu&k….


That is why I rate Macrae. His contribution towards winning games of football is exceptional.