List Mgmt. The Midfield Thread

[hayes]

Seems like a good time to see how we're tracking in the most important area on the ground after watching two unbelievable midfields square off in the GF. Particularly given most of our other positions look pretty set.

Potential A graders to go along with Steven:

Armo
Ross
Billings
Gresham
Acres
Dunstan?
Newnes?

Guys we're not sure about but then again could be anything:

Steele
Stevens
Sinclair
McKenzie
NO'K
Freeman
White?

HF's who do stints in the midfield:

Weller
Lonie
Minchington

Some will disappointment and others will surprise because that's usually the way it goes but to me we still don't have enough potential and particularly proven A graders in there to make sure we'll be able to match it with the GWS/Dogs/Swans midfields in the future. Going by past GF teams if you've got 5 or 6 A grade mids you're in with a chance.

Forget defenders or anything like that, we need to go all out for midfielders. Two for one deals, homesick youngsters, all early draft picks used on mids, everything we can to make sure we're just as good if not better than anyone else in the most important area of the ground.

Thoughts? How do you all think we're tracking?

 

[JG22]

Seems like a good time to see how we're tracking in the most important area on the ground after watching two unbelievable midfields square off in the GF. Particularly given most of our other positions look pretty set.

Potential A graders to go along with Steven:

Armo
Ross
Billings
Gresham
Acres
Dunstan?
Newnes?

Guys we're not sure about but then again could be anything:

Sinclair
McKenzie
NO'K
Freeman
White?

HF's who do stints in the midfield:

Weller
Lonie
Minchington

Some will disappointment and others will surprise because that's usually the way it goes but to me we still don't have enough potential and particularly proven A graders in there to make sure we'll be able to match it with the GWS/Dogs/Swans midfields in the future. Going by past GF teams if you've got 5 or 6 A grade mids you're in with a chance.

Forget defenders or anything like that, we need to go all out for midfielders. Two for one deals, homesick youngsters, all early draft picks used on mids, everything we can to make sure we're just as good if not better than anyone else in the most important area of the ground.

Thoughts? How do you all think we're tracking?

Really like how were tracking in this area, but most of the guys didn't come in until 2013 onwards and are thus still developing. Tank and body the issues covering nearly every one of the boys.

Don't forget we should add Steele and pick 10 (Florent...) which will help perfectly with our midfield depth.

Confident Acres, Gresham, Steele and Billings can excel in the midfield. We need acouple to break out next year to play finals.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Good thread. Templeton is one that, if he stays, might make a surprising transition to the AFL midfield.

 

[lewdogs]

An area of interest will be how we use the plethora of half back types that we're accumulating.

McKenzie, Rice, Webster, White, could probably all transition to the midfield at some stage.

 

[Ricmel]

Potential A graders to go along with Steven:

Armo
Ross
Billings
Gresham
Acres
Dunstan?
Newnes?

There are A graders and then there are A graders.

If you look at the list above versus

Sydney - Parker, Hannebury, Kennedy, Mitchell
WB - Bontimpelli, McCrae, Daniels, Liberatore
GWS - Coniglio, Sheil, Whitfield, Scully

The only Saints midfielder at that level of A grade is Steven. Ross may be on the edge. If you then think that each of the teams above has another 3 or 4 mids the equivalent of Gresham, Acres, Dunstan etc it is clear to me that we are a Paddy Dangerfield short of having a midfield that can really challenge the best.

But put a genuine A grade mid - Dangerfield, Kennedy, Hannebury etc - into our midfield and I think we are just about there. Add another KPD and I think we are real challengers - two players, that's all we need.

 

[Saintbloke]

I think Steven just scrapes in as an A grade, and we do need more class in that midfield. Don't forget Acres who will keep improving and probably become an important clearance player. Fyfe would be the type we need..genuine line-breakers who have X-factor.

 

[crasha301]

Good thread. Templeton is one that, if he stays, might make a surprising transition to the AFL midfield.

Seems to have really matured mentally and physically this year.

Could be that outside mid we are after.

 

[JG22]

There are A graders and then there are A graders.

If you look at the list above versus

Sydney - Parker, Hannebury, Kennedy, Mitchell
WB - Bontimpelli, McCrae, Daniels, Liberatore
GWS - Coniglio, Sheil, Whitfield, Scully

The only Saints midfielder at that level of A grade is Steven. Ross may be on the edge. If you then think that each of the teams above has another 3 or 4 mids the equivalent of Gresham, Acres, Dunstan etc it is clear to me that we are a Paddy Dangerfield short of having a midfield that can really challenge the best.

But put a genuine A grade mid - Dangerfield, Kennedy, Hannebury etc - into our midfield and I think we are just about there. Add another KPD and I think we are real challengers - two players, that's all we need.

Because Gresham, Acres, Billings, Steele and 21 and under

Bont is a freak

 

[Shiel Be Right]

There are A graders and then there are A graders.

If you look at the list above versus

Sydney - Parker, Hannebury, Kennedy, Mitchell
WB - Bontimpelli, McCrae, Daniels, Liberatore
GWS - Coniglio, Sheil, Whitfield, Scully

The only Saints midfielder at that level of A grade is Steven. Ross may be on the edge. If you then think that each of the teams above has another 3 or 4 mids the equivalent of Gresham, Acres, Dunstan etc it is clear to me that we are a Paddy Dangerfield short of having a midfield that can really challenge the best.

But put a genuine A grade mid - Dangerfield, Kennedy, Hannebury etc - into our midfield and I think we are just about there. Add another KPD and I think we are real challengers - two players, that's all we need.

Gresham is as good a player as Caleb Daniel FFS

 

[JG22]

Gresham is as good a player as Caleb Daniel FFS

Will go past him next year and beyond

 

[saint_]

I'd say Acres & Gresham are the best chances for A grade. The difference of those two players compared to the others they genuinely get people excited every play they make. Billings I believe could have the potential to be A-grade, but not for the midfield.

 

[JG22]

I'd say Acres & Gresham are the best chances for A grade. The difference of those two players compared to the others they genuinely get people excited every play they make. Billings I believe could have the potential to be A-grade, but not for the midfield.

We're will he play then?

 

[saint_]

We're will he play then?

I don't see him as a clearance player or using his speed to break away. Personally I'd play him in the Montagna role, which would give him the role to do whatever he wants to create plays.

 

[hayes]

I don't see him as a clearance player or using his speed to break away. Personally I'd play him in the Montagna role, which would give him the role to do whatever he wants to create plays.

Montagna was an A grade mid though?

 

[saint_]

Montagna was an A grade mid though?

I was alluding to Billings playing Montagna's role off the half back.

 

[theprospect]

Gresham is as good a player as Caleb Daniel FFS

No chance...Gresh is a freak but Daniel was amazing for Dogs this year, especially in the finals

 

[Shiel Be Right]

No chance...Gresh is a freak but Daniel was amazing for Dogs this year, especially in the finals

Daniel had one good final the other he was so so. In fact against GWS he was poor at best.

 

[theprospect]

Daniel had one good final the other he was so so. In fact against GWS he was poor at best.

Was poor in the first halves against GWS and Sydney but he was able to work his way into the game and have an impact

 

[Shiel Be Right]

Was poor in the first halves against GWS and Sydney but he was able to work his way into the game and have an impact

So he was amazing now to having a impact. Daniel is a great decision maker make he in way A Grade and I fully expect Gresh to be a better player nad have greater impact.

 

[theprospect]

So he was amazing now to having a impact. Daniel is a great decision maker make he in way A Grade and I fully expect Gresh to be a better player nad have greater impact.

Throughout the home and away season he was amazing, yeah. BOG in the final against West Coast, as well. Will likely finish top 10 in the Dogs B&F. Not bad for a 168cm player with 24 games experience. I hope Gresham can eventually go past Daniel but you said that he's currently as good as Daniel - which based on both their outputs so far you have to say Daniel has been better. That's not to say Gresham won't be a star though.

 

[plugger66]

Still 3 mids short IMO. Obviously if nearly everyone mentioned becomes A grade then we have to many A graders but it just wont happen. Not sure who will and wont make it but knowing the average of failed picks about 50% wont make it certainly to A grade. If we get one or two potential A graders this year and one or two next year then we are on track in that area. The area we also need to look at is running backs. We need a potential JJ from somewhere.

 

[Shiel Be Right]

Throughout the home and away season he was amazing, yeah. BOG in the final against West Coast, as well. Will likely finish top 10 in the Dogs B&F. Not bad for a 168cm player with 24 games experience. I hope Gresham can eventually go past Daniel but you said that he's currently as good as Daniel - which based on both their outputs so far you have to say Daniel has been better. That's not to say Gresham won't be a star though.

Dont see what his size has to do with how he is judged. Daniel is a nice icing on the cake type but Gresh will provide far better value as a mid fielder.

 

[plugger66]

Dont see what his size has to do with how he is judged. Daniel is a nice icing on the cake type but Gresh will provide far better value as a mid fielder.

Hope you are right but at the moment Daniel has him covered. The rest is just guess work. They should both improve by big margins. Anyway it doesn't matter.

 

[Smoke_Me_AKipper]

Still 3 mids short IMO. Obviously if nearly everyone mentioned becomes A grade then we have to many A graders but it just wont happen. Not sure who will and wont make it but knowing the average of failed picks about 50% wont make it certainly to A grade. If we get one or two potential A graders this year and one or two next year then we are on track in that area. The area we also need to look at is running backs. We need a potential JJ from somewhere.

JJ's speed in the GF and especially the last qtr was a real factor. Agree we need an out and out line breaker.

Also agree 3 mids short. I think Acres/Gresham have shown enough that they will make it (IMO of course). I think Steele is one, a pick in the first round (be it pick 10 or a downgrade to late 1st round) will be another. I think it will take at least two drafts and ideally we grab a great free agent end of next season which will be the cherry on top to mount the initial assault on a flag from 2018 onwards....

 

[Flandersss]

JJ's speed in the GF and especially the last qtr was a real factor. Agree we need an out and out line breaker.

Also agree 3 mids short. I think Acres/Gresham have shown enough that they will make it (IMO of course). I think Steele is one, a pick in the first round (be it pick 10 or a downgrade to late 1st round) will be another. I think it will take at least two drafts and ideally we grab a great free agent end of next season which will be the cherry on top to mount the initial assault on a flag from 2018 onwards....

Shai Bolton plz.