Slow inside midfielder with excellent hands

[go_the_dockers]

We really lack an inside midfielder, and we are currently relying on pavlich and mundy to play this role, neither are true inside midfielders.

I think we should look to trade someone in like collingwood traded in ball.

Andrew Swallow would be an excellent pick up and i think North Melbourne would be prepared to trade him.

Would you give our first rounder for Andrew Swallow?

Is there a similar player you would trade for?

 

[Chris25]

Mundy, not a true inside midfielder? He sure has fooled me.

North, willing to trade Swallow? He is there best player by a long, long way.

The problem isn't the inside midfielders for me (which we have in Mundy, Barlow, Palmer and Lower), it's the lack of run and pace outside. Most of the Saints goals yesterday came from moving it quickly and running back with the ball. And the Richmond game was much the same. Yet another slow guy isn't going to help with that.

 

[Sman-21]

Palmer an Lower can play that role
but instead their played away from the midfield

 

[Ysaye]

Mundy, not a true inside midfielder? He sure has fooled me.

North, willing to trade Swallow? He is there best player by a long, long way.

The problem isn't the inside midfielders for me (which we have in Mundy, Barlow, Palmer and Lower), it's the lack of run and pace outside. Most of the Saints goals yesterday came from moving it quickly and running back with the ball. And the Richmond game was much the same. Yet another slow guy isn't going to help with that.

Agree Chris - probably is more associated with runners not under the pack guys. Also agree we will improve in the inside work when Barlow comes back, and when Palmer starts to go into the middle anyway.

 

[Belnakor]

Andrew Swallow would be an excellent pick up and i think North Melbourne would be prepared to trade him.

Would you give our first rounder for Andrew Swallow?

Is there a similar player you would trade for?

Swallow is their best player, i doubt they will be willing to trade him and if they were, they would want the earth for him.

he is like Wells, everyone knew he was underperforming at North but they refused to trade him unless it was an absolute dream deal (ie: judd for wells probably wouldn't have gotten over the line). He stayed because of potential and a club like North can't afford to lose a player with potential.

 

[EastcoastDocker]

Haselby!
Really what we need and have never really had at freo is a 2 way midfielder. I cannot recall us ever having one.

All our good mids have never really been able to negate and provide output at the same time.

 

[wehavethepassion]

M Barlow obviously people have short memories.l

 

[raffrox]

Ever since that years draft I've always monitored Swallow and Ibbo's careers. We chose Ibbo over Swallow

 

[Nickos66]

Swallow just signed after the sharks from GWS were circling. Keep searching.

 

[bluepride]

Plenty around the lower ranks such as WAFL and VFL, they just dont get take that extra step because of mainly fitness and injuries.

Ed Curnow perfect example, always had great hands not the quickest bloke but once he got over his injuries and built up a bit of a tank.....well we know how hes going.

There are plenty to find, you wouldnt waste a first rounder on that kind of player thats for sure.

 

[longsuffreosupp]

We just need some bigger midfielders. A fleet footed midfield is not going to win a premiership (unless playing another running midfield). Harvey was on the money with getting Mcphee.

 

[chinggis77]

I would of thought we have a lot that can play the inside mid role - Mundy, Palmer, Lower, Fyfe, De Boer.

If you look at some of the key indicators for your inside mids we are doing well in them. We won the clearances against the saints 45 to 42 despite no Sandi. Against Richmond we won the clearances comfortably also. West Coast beat us in clearances, but that has traditionally been their strength.

In contested possessions, we slaughtered Richmond 159 to 127. Lost 134 to 149 vs St Kilda and 140 to 161 vs WC. Losing the contested possession is not the fault of only inside mids but the whole team and IMO is more of a mental/application thing.

In all other games we have generally won the clearances and contested possession count.

I can't find the stats for it but I would bet my bottom dollar that where we do get thrashed, in our losses particularly, is in the handball receives area. In all our losses we have been stop-start, rarely played on, rarely had people running past for the linking handball. Get the ball slowly into the F50. Compare that style of play to the uptempo game style of Collingwood, where the ball is always moving and players are always presenting for the lead or handball and they get a lot of easy goals by getting it quickly through the zone to the back where players often run into open goals (St Kilda did this to us repeatedly on the weekend).

IMO the problem lies more in our stagnant play. Apart from Hill, who is always tagged, and Fyfe, there are actually not that many link up players in the team that are providing the run consistently enough to break the lines and get the ball forward quickly. Pav never runs hard these days. Mundy plays inside. Palmer would provide run if played in the middle. Broughton is a bit of a plodder. Duffield gets shut out of the game too often. Lower is a plodder/inside mid. Van Berlo is a tagger. Ditto for Crowley. De Boer is an inside mid. Where are the runners?

I guess thats why Mzungu is a bit of fresh air. He did try to provide run, link up play etc.

If you look at Collingwood they have Thomas, Swan, Wellingham, Shaw, Davis, Didak, Sidebottom, Beams - all are hard runners, constantly running to provide options on the lead/for the handball, and ensuring that play is continuous.

More inside mids are not the answer. We need more run. We generally have the cattle there (e.g. Hill, Fyfe, Palmer, Duff, possibly Broughton) however it comes down to attitude, preparedness to work hard, putting players in the right position (Palmer) and also team structures.

Just have a look at the replay of our game on the weekend/vs West Coast/vs Richmond (second half) and then watch the following highlights vid to see what we are missing - gut running, line breaking midfielders.

[YOUTUBE]caSa5gSbiVw[/YOUTUBE]

 

[prattsta]

I think we have the right players in the squad, we just don't have the right structures and/or balance at the moment. Some of it is injury related, some of it is form related and some of it is just baffling.

As for beating St Kilda in the clearances chinggis, take a look at the centre square clearances. They absolutely demolished us in that area and they are the most important stoppage situations in the game.

 

[Aliago]

Best in the VFL is Myles Sewell. Has been for the entirety of the Roosters hat trick of flags.

 

[kp junior]

Can you guys stop posting Palmer's highlights from 2008, it is just depressing. Where is that player?

 

[prattsta]

Can you guys stop posting Palmer's highlights from 2008, it is just depressing. Where is that player?

Generally standing on the HF line doing not much at all. Occassionally, he's allowed to saunter into the centre square when the opposition have the ball and he is following his man.

The more I see him play in person, the more I think Harvey has no plans for the future which include Palmer as a midfielder and/or in the team.

 

[Nickos66]

Chuck Sewell a 5th rd rookie draft lifeline and see if he's at all likely to waste away playing for Peel Thunder..

 

[Selggad]

Generally standing on the HF line doing not much at all. Occassionally, he's allowed to saunter into the centre square when the opposition have the ball and he is following his man.

The more I see him play in person, the more I think Harvey has no plans for the future which include Palmer as a midfielder and/or in the team.

You have to wonder, don't you. Harve's is not a fool. He is a success in his life outside of football as well as being a success as a footballer. It really gives creedence to the GWS runours.

 

[prattsta]

You have to wonder, don't you. Harve's is not a fool. He is a success in his life outside of football as well as being a success as a footballer. It really gives creedence to the GWS runours.

I have a few trains of thought on this-

1) Palmer is off to GWS and Harvey is only using him begrudgingly.

2) Harvey has no plans for Palmer as a full-time midfielder when we have a full side to pick from and as such is trying to develop him as a half-forward.

I'd like to think it's reason 2, but it doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense for a multitude of reasons.

 

[Scotland]

Did somebody say 'slow, inside midfielder'?

Won't come cheap, comes as a complete package including hair.

 

[Retzlaff]

Did somebody say 'slow, inside midfielder'?

Won't come cheap, comes as a complete package including hair.

I like your pants around your feet.

 

[332docker]

We should do everything we can to get Rich from Lions (he is out of contract and heard earlier he might be keen to come home) - i'd also be happy if we got Clarke to boot - both would complement our team and add more depth and they are WA boys

 

[332docker]

I would of thought we have a lot that can play the inside mid role - Mundy, Palmer, Lower, Fyfe, De Boer.

If you look at some of the key indicators for your inside mids we are doing well in them. We won the clearances against the saints 45 to 42 despite no Sandi. Against Richmond we won the clearances comfortably also. West Coast beat us in clearances, but that has traditionally been their strength.

In contested possessions, we slaughtered Richmond 159 to 127. Lost 134 to 149 vs St Kilda and 140 to 161 vs WC. Losing the contested possession is not the fault of only inside mids but the whole team and IMO is more of a mental/application thing.

In all other games we have generally won the clearances and contested possession count.

I can't find the stats for it but I would bet my bottom dollar that where we do get thrashed, in our losses particularly, is in the handball receives area. In all our losses we have been stop-start, rarely played on, rarely had people running past for the linking handball. Get the ball slowly into the F50. Compare that style of play to the uptempo game style of Collingwood, where the ball is always moving and players are always presenting for the lead or handball and they get a lot of easy goals by getting it quickly through the zone to the back where players often run into open goals (St Kilda did this to us repeatedly on the weekend).

IMO the problem lies more in our stagnant play. Apart from Hill, who is always tagged, and Fyfe, there are actually not that many link up players in the team that are providing the run consistently enough to break the lines and get the ball forward quickly. Pav never runs hard these days. Mundy plays inside. Palmer would provide run if played in the middle. Broughton is a bit of a plodder. Duffield gets shut out of the game too often. Lower is a plodder/inside mid. Van Berlo is a tagger. Ditto for Crowley. De Boer is an inside mid. Where are the runners?

I guess thats why Mzungu is a bit of fresh air. He did try to provide run, link up play etc.

If you look at Collingwood they have Thomas, Swan, Wellingham, Shaw, Davis, Didak, Sidebottom, Beams - all are hard runners, constantly running to provide options on the lead/for the handball, and ensuring that play is continuous.

More inside mids are not the answer. We need more run. We generally have the cattle there (e.g. Hill, Fyfe, Palmer, Duff, possibly Broughton) however it comes down to attitude, preparedness to work hard, putting players in the right position (Palmer) and also team structures.

Just have a look at the replay of our game on the weekend/vs West Coast/vs Richmond (second half) and then watch the following highlights vid to see what we are missing - gut running, line breaking midfielders.

[youtube]caSa5gSbiVw[/youtube]

Media have killed his confidence by bagging his kicking plus breaking mick B leg hasn't helped - not sure he'll ever be right - Top Gun quote - "You're holding on to tight - you've lost the edge"

 

[Sman-21]

I actually saw signs of the old Palmer in that 1 game where he was given a decent go in the midfield.
An when he played the WAFL game in midfield.

Maybe if he played a full game in midfield we would see the old Palmer.

Certainly would make sense for him to go to GWS
Lots of money,easy to make midfield spot his own.
An most of all can probably escape the media spotlight an go back to enjoying himself an doing what comes naturally an just playing football.

An there a signs that make u think its happeneing like coach not playing him in midfield despite its where he has looked best all year, players ignoring him when free an in space.
Could just be though that Harvs doesnt like real midfielders playing midfield just like he doesnt like real forwards playing forward.
Coz he forced out Hase
Theres no rumours about Lower going elsewhere but he also rarely plays in midfield despite the fact they recruited him because he was an experienced solid bodied inside mid.

 

[GoldenboyHird_5]

Jobe Watson?