The Midfield

[POKsPies252]

Ok so I'm just trying to get over the fact that Beams is leaving, this is honestly devastating. I'm trying to find even the smallest of positives to come from this.

We all know that we have a very young side and with so many experienced players leaving, these young blokes have to step up and take the responsibilities that will come upon their young shoulders. Our midfield has long been the envy of many but it has quickly disintegrated from one full of guns to one with many unproven proven players. Beams automatically had one of the starting on ball decisions. Hopefully his departure will see a competition for that spot which will hopefully urge each other to become better.

Players I'm putting the spotlight on -

Taylor Adams -

You had a poor start to the year but just before injury you showed us that you have the capabilities to become a very good player. Full time midfield spot is there for you, none of this back pocket crap. If we're to make the top 8 you have to be on the verge of the AA squad of 40.

Josh Thomas -

Shown that you have the ability at the top level but you must start to become consistent against everyone (not just the bottom teams). Should be aiming to play every game and avg almost 25+ possies.

Nathan Freeman -

Can't put any expectations on a guy who has just finished his first year without playing a game at any level. We know your not going to come in and dominate but if injury free, you will play plenty of games and we need to see the rising of a potential star.

Steele Sidebottom -

You were amazing at the end of the season when experienced players went down with injury. You are officially our 2nd best midfielder and your game simply must continue to rise. The form you showed in the last half of the season must be seen all of 2015 + a growth in on and off field leadership.

Dane Swan -

You're on your last legs but we need at least one more year out of you at your very best. Theres going to be no fading into retirement from a fwd flank, we desperately need the brownlow winning Dane Swan firing in a depleted midfield.

 

[Shaneprice97]

Our midfield is bottom 5 in the AFL now, probably worse.

 

[Baird]

Feel bad for Scott Pendlebury. He's gonna be carrying the midfield for the next 6 years.

 

[boxy99]

Our midfield is bottom 5 in the AFL now, probably worse.

Our team is bottom 5 mate

 

[BoxMatrix]

I love how at the start of the year, people were saying we had one of the best midfields in the comp. They weren't wrong, I mean with names like Pendles, Swan, Beams and Sidebottom who would disagree?

Now everyone is saying how much our midfield sucks. It's gone downhill since 2012 with our horrible ball use.

 

[ksardog]

Feel bad for Scott Pendlebury. He's gonna be carrying the midfield for the next 6 years.

Probably why he shoulder was fkd at seasons end

Im sure swan can come back and hav a big year next year. He looked severely hampered most of the year. Feet, groin, wrist, back.... Anything else?

 

[Shaneprice97]

Swan will only be as good as he was in 2014, hes cooked.

When he was a liability defensively, and barely damaged the opposition with the footy when he got it.

All our players in recent time have turned to shit when they hit 30.

 

[ThisIsJake]

I don't see Thomas having a future with us, even his best games don't impress me all that much. He fumbles too much and isn't great by hand or foot.

 

[Shaneprice97]

I don't see Thomas having a future with us, even his best games don't impress me all that much. He fumbles too much and isn't great my hand or foot.

Hes also a bit of a flat track bully, i can only think of 1 good game he's played against a good team.

Like you said, he butchers the ball worse than Taylor Adams does, except he escapes the criticism.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Adams is actually a pretty decent AFL mid.

Our depth is shot though now with Beams gone, Swanny probably playing as a forward these days and Bally retiring. Oh how times change. Hopefully Marley can play there next year, I think he'd surprise a few in there.

 

[Bring_Back_Brad]

Good chance Elliot will get a run in the midfield next year.
Karnezis was drafted to be a tall midfielder, so might get some action there too.
I think Fasolo will find his best football in the midfield.
If a Freeman gets his body right he will be straight in.
Plenty of options.
We can survive without beams. Get a good trade for him and were laughing.
More worried about the forward line.

 

[Shaneprice97]

Adams is actually a pretty decent AFL mid.

Our depth is shot though now with Beams gone, Swanny probably playing as a forward these days and Bally retiring. Oh how times change. Hopefully Marley can play there next year, I think he'd surprise a few in there.

Adams is now our second best on baller.

 

[Shade]

I don't see Thomas having a future with us, even his best games don't impress me all that much. He fumbles too much and isn't great my hand or foot.

Tend to agree i dont think Josh Thomas will ever establish himself as a first 22 at any club.

 

[DrDavoren]

Good chance Elliot will get a run in the midfield next year.
Karnezis was drafted to be a tall midfielder, so might get some action there too.
I think Fasolo will find his best football in the midfield.
If a Freeman gets his body right he will be straight in.
Plenty of options.
We can survive without beams. Get a good trade for him and were laughing.
More worried about the forward line.

Yes the forward line is our Achilles heel, we should trade Trav whilst he has some currency.
Go for #1 get Petracca and Moore this year and top up the war chest to get Cameron next year.
Pump some more games into the under 23's to get a team to compete in three years when Sydney, Hawthorn are in the decline.
By then we would have the best rucks in the comp, hopefully a decent midfield and a great forward l line.
Going to be hard for silverware in the next 5-10 years with GC, GWS, Port and not forgetting Sydney.

 

[collwood]

Feel bad for Scott Pendlebury. He's gonna be carrying the midfield for the next 6 years.

Unless someone seriously steps up next year, Pendles will have two taggers following him around each game. Maybe three.

 

[HFF]

We need Josh Thomas to take his game to the next level and IMO he is capable. He will now be a starting mid. The rest is up to you Josh.

Broomhead has the goods. We know this. He will come good at some point. Give him a couple more seasons yet.

Kennedy should also be a starting mid. He has the tools and can play. We need serious improvement from him.

Taylor Adams- with Bally gone, he will get the minutes. He needs to also take his game to a new level.

No expectations for Freeman other than play a couple of games.

 

[Vicky Park]

Marley Williams says hi.

 

[HFF]

Marley Williams says hi.

Just no.

If he improves as a player it' a bonus.

We need genuine quality midfielders. Picturing him in the centre square is laughable.

 

[Shaneprice97]

Moving Marley Williams and Patrick Karnezis into the midfield looks likely

 

[mike123]

Marley Williams says hi.

Jamie Elliot also says high

 

[Alexander323bc]

Seedsman and the whipping boy (not young the other one) now become critical to our team on the wings.

 

[half_back_flank]

Marley Williams says hi.

It's only a matter of finding someone to replace him down back. It's definitely going to happen in the next couple of years though and he will thrive.

 

[mike123]

Seedsman and the whipping boy (not young the other one) now become critical to our team on the wings.

Armstrong?

 

[danielnajdek]

Pendles sorry to do this to you mate

 

[Good_Old]

How young is our team going to be next year? D: