Analysis The midfield

[GoTigers2015]

From the AFl Web site, a summary of our midfielders.
RICHMOND

Matt Arnot: The Tigers have been impressed with how the 21-year-old has responded to being moved on to the rookie list, noting a change in his training intensity this summer. Booted two goals in the opening NAB Challenge match.

Daniel Butler: Drafted as a midfielder and a forward, Butler will be used primarily in attack in his first season. Played half a game against the Western Bulldogs and impressed with his speed and tackling intensity.

Reece Conca: Conca was the standout performer on the track before he had a knee operation in January. He could manage two pre-season games, with the Tigers keen to rotate him through midfield, half-back and half-forward roles.

Trent Cotchin: Yet to feature in the first two rounds of the NAB Challenge, Cotchin is being carefully managed with hamstring soreness. The Tigers are not concerned about his availability for the season proper, however, and he could squeeze in one pre-season game.

Brett Deledio: Has been held back this pre-season for an ongoing Achilles tendon problem. However, the vice-captain was unveiled in the second round of the NAB Challenge and will take up a regular role across half-forward.

Nathan Drummond: Recruited as a midfielder, Drummond is likely to settle in the backline in his first season after spending most of the summer with Ben Rutten's group. Suffered some pre-season niggles but was ready for the Tigers' first pre-season game, winning nine possessions.

Brandon Ellis: Has completed more pre-season work than any midfielder, leading the club's time trials and setting the bar in all aspects of training. Continues to work on becoming a duel inside-outside threat.

Corey Ellis: The No.12 draft pick arrived at Punt Road with a foot issue and had surgery late last year. Returned to full training in March and is unlikely to be rushed into AFL action.

Nathan Foley: Hasn't been able to get any consistency in his training, having a knee cleanout before a recent foot injury that sidelined him for up to nine weeks.

Shaun Grigg: Earmarked to help the Tigers' inside midfielders in an expanded ball-winning role. Has the size and toughness to play a contested game and has recovered from a plantar fascia injury earlier in the pre-season.

Shaun Hampson: After a full pre-season, Hampson was one of the Tigers' best in their opening NAB Challenge match with 38 hit-outs. Has been challenged to win more possessions and has enjoyed an even battle in training against Ivan Maric.

Taylor Hunt: The former Geelong tagger was one of Richmond's best in its opening NAB Challenge match, winning 18 possessions. The Tigers don't want him to be a tagger and are hopeful he can thrive on a wing after running second in time trials all summer to Brandon Ellis.

Kane Lambert: Showed his ball-winning ability in the opening NAB Challenge match, making a strong case for elevation off the rookie list. A star in the VFL, he has adjusted quickly to AFL demands and has been the surprise packet of the summer.

Ivan Maric: The No.1 ruckman started pre-season early alongside the Tigers' young players after avoiding off-season surgery. He has enjoyed an injury-free run, benefiting from a more tailored training program.

Dustin Martin: After a more consistent 2014 season, Martin has focused on building his engine to increase his time in the midfield. A weapon when forward, he has also been challenged to win more contested ball in the midfield and run smarter.

Matt McDonough: Earned his seven senior games last year as a running defender but starred in the VFL later in the year as a half-forward. Going into his third season, the Tigers are looking to settle him in the midfield based on his solid clearance and contested possession numbers when used there.

Connor Menadue: The Tigers will be patient with the No.33 draft pick, whose priority will be to fill out after joining the club weighing 69kg. An elite endurance athlete, he has spent more time on the track than any of the club's first-year players.

Anthony Miles: A revelation in the second half of 2014, the former rookie has not lost any momentum going into this season, starring on the track. He shapes as a key player for the Tigers in 2015, starting the new campaign with23 possessions and five clearances in the Tigers' opening NAB Challenge match.

Ricky Petterd: Has settled in the midfield group, spending an entire pre-season with one line for the first time at Punt Road. Had 15 possessions in the opening round of the NAB Challenge, with the Tigers excited about the toughness he can add to the midfield.

Ivan Soldo: The former basketballer is still learning the game in his first pre-season at Punt Road. A non-registered category-B rookie, the ruckman will spend most of the season in the TAC Cup.

Matt Thomas: Had a knee operation at the end of last year and is just returning to full training. Has the best skinfolds at the club and kept himself in top condition through his rehab, so could feature in the final NAB Challenge match. - Nathan Schmook

2014 revelation Anthony Miles will be looking to build on last year's impressive finish. Picture: AFL Media

 

[THE_GUN]

Still 2 Quality Midfielders short imo, Not sure if the younger brigade will be able to take that step but need 2 ready to go mids to get us to the next level of being a top 4 team and serious flag contender.

Time to bite the bullet and go hard for a classy mid like Dangerfield via FA and Trade for a ready to go GWS/GC Kid with our 1st round selection at the end of this year.

Our time is 2016-2022 ............ Dont waste it about time we got a Gun mid through FA and not just soldiers like grigg,hunt,thomas etc

 

[TheProwler]

Still 2 Quality Midfielders short imo, Not sure if the younger brigade will be able to take that step but need 2 ready to go mids to get us to the next level of being a top 4 team and serious flag contender.

Time to bite the bullet and go hard for a classy mid like Dangerfield via FA and Trade for a ready to go GWS/GC Kid with our 1st round selection at the end of this year.

Our time is 2016-2022 ............ Dont waste it about time we got a Gun mid through FA and not just soldiers like grigg,hunt,thomas etc

Sloane & Shiel should do the job. Time to open the war chest........

 

[GoTigers2015]

Still 2 Quality Midfielders short imo, Not sure if the younger brigade will be able to take that step but need 2 ready to go mids to get us to the next level of being a top 4 team and serious flag contender.

Time to bite the bullet and go hard for a classy mid like Dangerfield via FA and Trade for a ready to go GWS/GC Kid with our 1st round selection at the end of this year.

Our time is 2016-2022 ............ Dont waste it about time we got a Gun mid through FA and not just soldiers like grigg,hunt,thomas etc

Can't see Thomas getting a look-in this season. Too many ahead of him now and including on the Rookie list.
I agree we lacked the extended midfield strength, but the team the way the moved the ball yesterday from defence are starting to address this. Movement starts from our key position and small defenders winning the ball and freeing up our half back runners which then extends to our wingers, centres, forwards. Development of the skills in our list should help also to address this. I wouldn't class Hunt as a soldier and would expect him to play a more attacking role with us then he did at the Cats.

Would be great to get guns through Free Agency or trades but would expect big improvements from our list also.

 

[kozi]

My boy Brando the Jet is primed for a huge season.

 

[Football Tragic]

I think we have depth now through our midfield but are just lacking a little bit with the top line talent. Cotchin is a standout in the midfield. After him I would suggest Miles is our best extractor and hopefully Dusty quickly joins them. Ellis is our outside runner.

After these guys I start to worry. Grigg is a good role player, Lambert possibly fits this mould too. Hunt could be the surprize package and take the other wing role away from Grigg this year.

Flossy, Conca, Lids and Edwards will all rotate through there and all four of them are good midfielders in their own right.

Dusty's evolution will be the single biggest factor in our midfield improving again this year. Following this is the inclusion of Hunt and perhaps the elevation of Lambert.

I think we will have a very strong midfield this year as long as Maric stays fit to silver service them

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Thomas best skin folds ??? Do they mean largest skin folds ?

 

[El Tigre]

Thomas best skin folds ??? Do they mean largest skin folds ?

They're referring to his head. Its as hard as a rock. Theres not an ounce of fat there.

 

[THE_GUN]

We simply cant just wait for the likes of Conca,Vlastuin,Ellis,Lennon,Menadue,Butler etc to become guns
We need to actively chase gun players both through FA and trade in the next draft to complete our midfield while our existing guns are still at an age where we can compete for the flag.

We are currently 2 elite Midfielders short of where we want to be to be at the top level fighting it out with the Hawks,Swans,Freo,Port and GC/GWS in the next 2 years

Western Australia/South Australia/NSW/Queensland - Anywhere we need to get top line players to come
Dangerfield,Sloan,Hannerbury,Shuey,Swallow,Steven etc these are the types that will get us to the next level

 

[Royce Hafey]

Moving Dusty to the midfield makes so much more sense in the light of all this.