Player Watch Sam Berry

[Rank]

You always have a role for Berry or Peatling as the defensive midfielder. What we need to decide by the end of the year is if we prefer Berry and by how much. We're committed to Peatling contractually, so if the difference is negligible you probably bite the bullet and lose Berry. If we think Berry is significantly superior, that becomes an interesting list decision.

Peatling

 

[cmndstab]

I prefer that player to be Peatling. Dawson, Rankine, Rachele, Curtin, Soligo and Draper is the midfield going forward. Will trade Berry for pick in the 20s and especially for late 1st rounder, he will get offer more money elsewhere.

Why would he get more money elsewhere? We've got one of the weakest midfields in the comp. Hopefully Curtin, Soligo and Draper become A graders but they're not there yet. Curtin and Draper haven't played ten midfield games between them at AFL level. Rankine and Rachele only rotate between the midfield, between them they maybe play one complete midfield game. None of the players you've mentioned play a Berry kind of game.

I think he is useful to us, and wouldn't get decent value for trading him anyway.

 

[Eddie Murphy]

Why would he get more money elsewhere? We've got one of the weakest midfields in the comp. Hopefully Curtin, Soligo and Draper become A graders but they're not there yet. Curtin and Draper haven't played ten midfield games between them at AFL level. Rankine and Rachele only rotate between the midfield, between them they maybe play one complete midfield game. None of the players you've mentioned play a Berry kind of game.

I think he is useful to us, and wouldn't get decent value for trading him anyway.

We don’t have the top end talent of some midfields but we’d have as many B tier mids as any in the comp.

The way things stand, if you’re Berry looking at 2027 and beyond you’re fighting for a single pure mid spot against Soligo, Draper and Peatling (assuming Dawson, Curtin, Rankine & Rachele hog up the rest of the minutes). Lots to play out of course.

 

[Eddie Murphy]

And a guy who just put up 26 and 2.

Really, this whole "best position is a midfielder" is a real mouthbreather argument.

Our best midfielders happen to be the ones that can chop out in different roles, whilst our weaker mids are our purest mids. Meaning if they’re playing, they’re playing midfield and taking away from our best mids. Ideally you want it flipped.

It’s fine if we’re talking about a single player each side but we’re talking about all of our best mids (Daws, Rankine, Rachele) and all of our weaker mids (Soligo, Berry, Peatling).

 

[ABAB]

Why would he get more money elsewhere? We've got one of the weakest midfields in the comp. Hopefully Curtin, Soligo and Draper become A graders but they're not there yet. Curtin and Draper haven't played ten midfield games between them at AFL level. Rankine and Rachele only rotate between the midfield, between them they maybe play one complete midfield game. None of the players you've mentioned play a Berry kind of game.

I think he is useful to us, and wouldn't get decent value for trading him anyway.

If it's a pick in the 40s then there's no way you would trade if he wants to stay on $550K as depth which I don't see him doing, he can get offers of $650-700K from clubs like Melbourne or Richmond since he is still young enough to be part of their rebuild, we shouldn't pay him that much especially if Bailey come.

Like you said Curtin and Draper haven't played a lot of midfield minutes yet which they need to do and won't be able to with both Berry and Peatling in there. Peatling is more like Berry with suspect disposal but less fumble and burst pace.

 

[Golumless]

Our best midfielders happen to be the ones that can chop out in different roles, whilst our weaker mids are our purest mids. Meaning if they’re playing, they’re playing midfield and taking away from our best mids. Ideally you want it flipped.

It’s fine if we’re talking about a single player each side but we’re talking about all of our best mids (Daws, Rankine, Rachele) and all of our weaker mids (Soligo, Berry, Peatling).

Whilst I see the logic you've used, evidence has suggested the opposite, the game has trended (and is continiously trending) towards where you want your best midfielders to be able to be double up and be A graders in other roles. Not so much you want to use your midfielders in those other roles, but any genuine specialisation in terms of skillsets with "pure" midfielders is slowly withering away. The push towards inside midfielders needing to be able to do damage on the outside (whether through ball use, or explosive pace) and not just be a crash and bash ball winner will see that your best mids are going to be very capable in other roles because well, every position wants that damage/skills.

Heck, your so called weaker mids in Soligo and Peatling are quite solid half forward flankers in their own right. After all, if you can't survive anywhere, you don't have a future as a midfielder.

Too much stock is placed on the idea of "pure midfielders", however, it means little in this game; outside of a prospect having a higher floor, because they had a well rounded enough game to be midfielders in the first place. Footballer only becomes a game about specialisation when you are a key position or ruck. For everyone else, it's put your most capable footballers as midfielders and work your way down the chain from there (though you want to hit on some other key stone positions, such as small forward or half back).

 

[Eddie Murphy]

Whilst I see the logic you've used, evidence has suggested the opposite, the game has trended (and is continiously trending) towards where you want your best midfielders to be able to be double up and be A graders in other roles. Not so much you want to use your midfielders in those other roles, but any genuine specialisation in terms of skillsets with "pure" midfielders is slowly withering away. The push towards inside midfielders needing to be able to do damage on the outside (whether through ball use, or explosive pace) and not just be a crash and bash ball winner will see that your best mids are going to be very capable in other roles because well, every position wants that damage/skills.

Heck, your so called weaker mids in Soligo and Peatling are quite solid half forward flankers in their own right. After all, if you can't survive anywhere, you don't have a future as a midfielder.

Too much stock is placed on the idea of "pure midfielders", however, it means little in this game; outside of a prospect having a higher floor, because they had a well rounded enough game to be midfielders in the first place. Footballer only becomes a game about specialisation when you are a key position or ruck. For everyone else, it's put your most capable footballers as midfielders and work your way down the chain from there (though you want to hit on some other key stone positions, such as small forward or half back).

I get what you mean. Like I said, it’s normal to have one player who plays other roles better than midfield in your key mid rotations and a weaker midfielder that can only play that position. The issue for us is that all our current midfielders fit these moulds. We’re robbing our best mids of midfield time through this.

I liked Soligo’s game at half forward last week, but I’m not yet convinced he’s a premiership half-forward, or able to fill the void Rachele leaves (noting he’s an upgrade on Taylor but it shouldn’t be hard to upgrade this spot). I’m not sure Peatling is a requirement in the forward-line so long as ANB and Keays are there.

In the context of this being the Berry thread, I think it’s a valid point raised as trading away Berry offers a solution to this issue.

 

[Soggy2112]

And a guy who just put up 26 and 2.

Really, this whole "best position is a midfielder" is a real mouthbreather argument.

Yep, it doesn’t really matter. Having mids that can also be elite level in other areas is a positive, not a negative.

Bailey, Daicos, Bolton, Holmes, Petracca, Greene, Watson, Sheezel, Horne-Francis, NWM, Heeney all fit in to that category.

 

[Golumless]

I get what you mean. Like I said, it’s normal to have one player who plays other roles better than midfield in your key mid rotations and a weaker midfielder that can only play that position. The issue for us is that all our current midfielders fit these moulds. We’re robbing our best mids of midfield time through this.

I liked Soligo’s game at half forward last week, but I’m not yet convinced he’s a premiership half-forward, or able to fill the void Rachele leaves (noting he’s an upgrade on Taylor but it shouldn’t be hard to upgrade this spot). I’m not sure Peatling is a requirement in the forward-line so long as ANB and Keays are there.

In the context of this being the Berry thread, I think it’s a valid point raised as trading away Berry offers a solution to this issue.

I don't think it's as drastic as you are making out. Dawson for instance is a 71% CBA attendance, Rachele is 48% (with 2 >60% attendances) and Rankine is probably just a watch this space as he gets back to playing and settled (seeing no doubt his transgression has probably slowed him in the last few weeks). I wouldn't be too surprised if the dust settles at the end of May with Rachele at 65% and Rankine pushing 35-40% (and might be 50+% if we go on another losing streak).

And what is a premiership half forward? We're so deep into the quality chart here that really, it's just a solid footballer that meets the bill (lets be real, premierships are won at the top end, not the bottom). Something that a recovering Soligo can achieve, let alone a fully fit one. However, Soligo can't replace Rachele (however, lets remember no one has to fully replace Rachele as he'll be providing some output from the midfield), but really, there is no genuine reason that as a worst case, he couldn't be a Ben Keays/Alex Neal-Bullen type of operator as a 4th-6th forward option. At best case he forces his way back into the midfield rotation, which is certainly possible in the back end.

I think we're two years too early from trading Berry, if his last few weeks are the norm for 2026-2027. Mainly just to give coverage as a defensive midfielder/tagger (as much as this kind of role is an omission you can't keep up with the big boys) until Curtin and Draper are settled and performing at a good click as inside midfielders. It's a shame both of them got hit with the injury stick in the early part of this year. Afterwards, it's a play it where it lies kind of deal.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

Collingwood are right into him , but he is happy here.
I can see him re-signing for 2 more years

 

[MrBarry]

Going to give this a bump, he has copped criticism this year - but I've remained bullish on Berry. He has lifted his standard significantly from last year. He's never going to be an elite player, but **** me he is imporant.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Why isn't he working exclusively on his ball handling during the week? It's the one thing holding him back from being a quality mid. Has everything else. Even a 5-10% improvement is all it needs to be.

 

[Redline]

Going to give this a bump, he has copped criticism this year - but I've remained bullish on Berry. He has lifted his standard significantly from last year. He's never going to be an elite player, but **** me he is imporant.

Two different debates.

He is playing some great football. Is never going to be an a grade midfielder but doing his role really well and I would like to keep him.

The challenge the club has is what we offer to keep him as there will be other clubs with more money than us and who maybe are prepared to go with a longer contract. Someone might offer five years, we probably won't unless it's for average money.

 

[Soggy2112]

Why isn't he working exclusively on his ball handling during the week? It's the one thing holding him back from being a quality mid. Has everything else. Even a 5-10% improvement is all it needs to be.

It’s a growth area, but credit to Berry, he is clearly a guy who is willing to do the work. He has added a lot of speed and his kicking on both feet has gotten a lot lower and flatter. The tackling dropped off at times last year as he was trying to find more footy and he’s brought that back into his game.

He’s quietly becoming a very well rounded footballer, even if he’ll never be an out and out star.

Two different debates.

He is playing some great football. Is never going to be an a grade midfielder but doing his role really well and I would like to keep him.

The challenge the club has is what we offer to keep him as there will be other clubs with more money than us and who maybe are prepared to go with a longer contract. Someone might offer five years, we probably won't unless it's for average money.

Agreed, he’s absolutely a player we want, it’s whether the price is something we can manage.

I’m not sure if there’s interest but I think he would be a perfect fit for West Coast and they’d have the flexibility to give him a long term, front end deal that would significantly eclipse what we could manage.

 

[cmndstab]

I'm a fan. I think there is always room in any midfield for a hard-working grunt player who tackles, get in an under, uses his strength, and works his guts out.

Not the cleanest player but that's not his role. If we can put some clean players around him, he can work the ball to them.

 

[Dewy006]

Why isn't he working exclusively on his ball handling during the week? It's the one thing holding him back from being a quality mid. Has everything else. Even a 5-10% improvement is all it needs to be.

I posit that being a one touch player is something you inherently are or are not. It’s instinctual and not something that can be meaningfully improved over the course of your career, like other areas of your game can be. It should be a big red flag when evaluating junior footballers.

 

[119others]

Collingwood are right into him , but he is happy here.
I can see him re-signing for 2 more years

the obvious situation is sign for another 2 years up until he becomes a (likely) RFA in 2028. We can match offers from other clubs. Not sure what sort of dosh he is on but if it takes 550-650k (or a little more) for 2 years just do it

 

[Danger Zone]

If Berry is your 4th best mid then you are looking good. Problem for us is that he is being forced to be our #1 guy right now. To his credit he's giving it a red hot go. Has improved out of sight.

 

[Cromulant]

If Berry is your 4th best mid then you are looking good. Problem for us is that he is being forced to be our #1 guy right now. To his credit he's giving it a red hot go. Has improved out of sight.

Ideally he'd be 5th.

Rankine, Rachele, Curtin, Bailey and if not Bailey, then Draper.

 

[BunjiMac]

Last night was the blueprint for berry and the perfect role.

Needs to be played like that.

Tackle hard and make life difficult.

Also, the reality is he's going to be the midfielder that the opposition kind of leave loose. He's not getting a Drew on him. So he will have ample opportunity for clearances should the ball fall his way. He needs to make use of these opportunities, but if there's better kicks near him give up the ball.

The same would apply to Peatling.

Rankine, Dawson, Rachelle are likely to be very closely checked so that's where we need these guys to play their roles, but aim to get it back in the hands of those others.

That to me is the perfect role for both Berry and Peatling.

 

[Cromulant]

The frustrating thing is he's one or the other.

Fumbles it 5 times or gets a pure clearance out and gone

 

[BunjiMac]

The frustrating thing is he's one or the other.

Fumbles it 5 times or gets a pure clearance out and gone

I don't mind that, just needs to look for better options when he breaks from centre. Know your limits.

Him and Peatling are going to get the most opportunities to break away, so they both need to learn to use the possession effectively.

Don't just long kick, especially when they both have average long kicks.

 

[WeeBlake]

Berry is way better this year, and our year would be even worse if he hadn’t stepped up hugely, but he’s still fumbly as ever.

We all seem to agree he’s not a viable long term #1 mid first touch mid, but that’s what he’s playing as.

It would be good if we can somehow get Soligo’s hands on the ball first more often. He’s cleaner taking possession, has agility in tight, and is a better user. He’s just terribly hit and cold tho. the most frustrating player on our list.

 

[hugecannon]

It was great to see him have a really strong game defensively as it hasn’t been as consistent the last 12 months or so IMO.

I think this is his best role for us, being more the defensive sweeper at CBA set ups to allow the more attacking players to try and get forward of the play.

Ideally he shouldn’t be our no. 1 mid as he’s too fumbly.

 

[BunjiMac]

Berry is way better this year, and our year would be even worse if he hadn’t stepped up hugely, but he’s still fumbly as ever.

We all seem to agree he’s not a viable long term #1 mid first touch mid, but that’s what he’s playing as.

It would be good if we can somehow get Soligo’s hands on the ball first more often. He’s cleaner taking possession, has agility in tight, and is a better user. He’s just terribly hit and cold tho. the most frustrating player on our list.

I think their roles are going to be very important Soligo and Berry, mainly because they will be the mids with the least attention. So will have more opportunities than our stars who will get heavily tagged.

We need to take advantage of that.

As I said above the key is to get it back in the hands of our stars when they get first touch.

I think the long kick out of the middle had been our biggest flaw and weakness this season.

Basically relying on TT to out wrestle his opponent every time or for the ball to fall luckily to a crumber.

Our first choice should be hit a leading player or kick to advantage of a contest. Peatling, Berry and Soligo are not great at this so they need to give to those who can if they are running past.

This is the improvement we need if we are any chance of climbing the ladder.