Toast The midfield

[Kong]

Despite fading in the last quarter, our midfield more than held our own for the first three quarters last night.

To do so against without doubt the most mature and greatest midfield in the comp is very encouraging.

We won the contested possession count, as well as the clearance count, and if we can perform like that for the entire game against other sides, we'll give ourselves the chance to beat every other side.

 

[DaSawx]

They just need a little more confidence in their kicking entering F50.

Saw too many leads ignored due to the reluctance of a simple stab pass, then we would just hesitate and bomb to a contest.

Some cooler heads when moving forward is what we need to kill off teams, or not lose to teams like the Kangaroos or Richmond.

 

[YouveBeenReimered]

Very bullish about our future midfield group.

Watson, Stanton, Prismall, Zaharakis, Reimers, Winderlich, Ryder/Hille.

Plus when the likes of Melksham and Howlett mature and are ready (Not that Howlett looked out of his depth last night).

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

I agree, but Winderlich was the only one to hit any targets. We still need to lift our disposal efficiency.

 

[Frothies Mcveigh]

Yeah Winderlich was kicking well, Howlett was good and some of Stantons kicks were deadly.

 

[Boucks09]

Fanatastic OP. Could not agree with you more.

If McVeigh can start to have an impact then I think with Watson and Stanton we have 3 key players who are both inside and outside players.

The clearances were the key stat for me. Once we got on top there the game changed. All of this with Watson not having a major impact possession wise.

 

[Slattery_20]

Vastly, vastly under-rated.
Capable of matching almost any side. Dogs and Cats were the only two who had smashed us time after time. 1 down.

 

[Godzke]

Offensively our midfield looked good but lack of accountability and man marking by our midfielders cost us dearly in the final quarter. It was a huge issue last year and tbh nothing looks to have changed. Sure we're faster, fitter, better skills (mostly) and winning more contested ball but we're not doing enough defensive running and that's my biggest concern along with our forward structure.

 

[saladin]

the thing about getting to top 4 status is that it's a holistic outlook. the whole package has to work. at the moment, the defence is better than the forwards, and so we're trying to get goals from smalls and mids. in trying to create these goals, we're leaving the defence exposed when our sub-par skills create the almost innevitable turnovers. for 3 quarters, we were able to hold the ball at the stoppages against the best midfield in the comp, and create options going forward from those stoppages. but when geelongs mids started to break the ball free, and we were forced to commit more players to the contest to try to win the stoppage (and failing) it leaves the likes of Ablett to run forward of the play and cap off selwoods outstanding grunt work. once they break free, the defence then have to go to meet the man and leave the over-the-top option free. the result is that mooney gets to stroll into open goals. but if you start sagging off the contested ball to protect the defenders, then you lose the contested ball and all chance of going forward effectively is gone. with the non-functioning key forwards, you have to proceed forward in a precise manner that simply isn't going to happen with everyone flooding defence.

because we lost, no one is talking about the geelong defence being panicky and forced into making poor decisions. or about a bunch of supposed midfield plodders knocking off the leagues blue-chip clearance machine whilst our only genuine clearance star is well held. but they did. it's worth keeping in mind that some parts of the game is really coming together. everyone is ranting and raving this morning about knights and a supposed lack of defensive actions, yet completely ignoring that we're trying to implement a savage defence via the midfield actually winning the bloody ball. this side will either taper away and need to start again, or all the parts will come together and create an awesome footy side. we won't be a long-term middle-range side. which is as it should be.

 

[Slattery_20]

Our forward structure would have looked a lot better if the particular structures in jumpers 29 and 1 could have structured the ball through the big stick structures in the 3rd, and if structure in jumper 3 wasn't as much rusty as seized.

 

[Childish Gambino]

I think we are severely underrating how bad Geelong was for the first 3 quarters. A top 4 side like St Kilda, Collingwood or WBD would have been at least 5 goals up at three-quarter time. They were missing targets and not running hard enough. When they decided to play in the final quarter the really showed just how far away we are from being a top 4 side.

When we needed our midfield the most they all went missing, notably Prismall and Winderlich.

There are positives to take from the performance. Our defence is as solid as ever and Stanton played a blinder of a game. But lets be honest… if we’re going to become a top 4 side we MUST take our chances. If not we will be punished like we were on Friday night.

Geelong didn’t come out to play until half way through the third quarter and when they did wasn’t that a big wake up call.

 

[Knight Ryders]

Nice work Saladin.

It was disappointing that we lost, but to beat Geelong in the contested possession count after they have absolutely dominated us in this area in the last 3 years is a HUGE step forward. Ling is the perfect match up for Watson, so I would expect him to have a greater influence on the match in the forthcoming matches. The big question in the two matches I've seen thus far this year, what the hell is going on with Winderlich? He seems to be playing limited time in the midfield. Is he struggling with some niggling injury or is Knights just trying to make him a forward option?

The forward line was dysfunctional at times and we definitely need a presence at CHF to implement our game plan better. Monfries and Zaharakis did a great job as small forwards, but we need Gumby or Hurley to step into this position to provide a strong lead in this area of the field. Gumby obviously filled this void in the PS so I'm not entirely sure where that Gumby went on Friday night - just looked a little overwhelmed and may be too nervous. Williams is going to provide a match up nightmare if we can get the other big forwards working.

 

[Knight Ryders]

I think we are severely underrating how bad Geelong was for the first 3 quarters. A top 4 side like St Kilda, Collingwood or WBD would have been at least 5 goals up at three-quarter time. They were missing targets and not running hard enough. When they decided to play in the final quarter the really showed just how far away we are from being a top 4 side.

When we needed our midfield the most they all went missing, notably Prismall and Winderlich.

There are positives to take from the performance. Our defence is as solid as ever and Stanton played a blinder of a game. But lets be honest… if we’re going to become a top 4 side we MUST take our chances. If not we will be punished like we were on Friday night.

Geelong didn’t come out to play until half way through the third quarter and when they did wasn’t that a big wake up call.

It's called pressure. Our tackling pressure was outstanding for 2.5 quarters then it fell right away.

 

[Childish Gambino]

It's called pressure. Our tackling pressure was outstanding for 2.5 quarters then it fell right away.

I agree our pressure was very good but that doesn't cause you to be disinterested for almost three quarters and not run hard.

The only Geelong player that could honestly say he ran hard for 100% of the game was Shannon Byrnes. The rest of the team were just going through the motions.

I'm as pleased with the performance as any other supporter I just don't want us to get carried away with a 31pt loss to Geelong. We need to put it into perspective a little bit.

At the end of the day we lost due to inexperience and lack of fitness. We are no longer the Baby Bombers, that tag was lifted at the start of the season so inexperience can no longer be used as an excuse. Lack of fitness? Apparently our fitness had improved heaps over the preseason getting in a new fitness coach if I recall correctly? So that shouldn't be used as an excuse either.

So it comes down to that we were simply not good enough.

 

[Mad Bomber Sean]

Totally stoked by our midfield on Friday. Winning the clearances & hard ball against the best team in the comp - simply awesome.

Desperately need to improve our kicking into fwd50 & shots on goal in general play.

I though the mids in traffic were also pretty good, however the overuse of the HB caught us out a bit, like the dogs last night.

 

[Knight Ryders]

I agree our pressure was very good but that doesn't cause you to be disinterested for almost three quarters and not run hard.

The only Geelong player that could honestly say he ran hard for 100% of the game was Shannon Byrnes. The rest of the team were just going through the motions.

I'm as pleased with the performance as any other supporter I just don't want us to get carried away with a 31pt loss to Geelong. We need to put it into perspective a little bit.

At the end of the day we lost due to inexperience and lack of fitness. We are no longer the Baby Bombers, that tag was lifted at the start of the season so inexperience can no longer be used as an excuse. Lack of fitness? Apparently our fitness had improved heaps over the preseason getting in a new fitness coach if I recall correctly? So that shouldn't be used as an excuse either.

So it comes down to that we were simply not good enough.

All really valid points and it's good you've got high expectations as do I after Friday's match. One thing about Geelong is they know how to get the job done. 10 years ago it was us doing that to teams with Hirdy, Mercuri, Johnson etc putting the acid on teams when it really mattered.

Some of the young guys still probably need a year or two to truly get their endurance levels up to bonafide AFL elite level. Blokes like Dempsey, Reimers, Howlett, Welsh/Prismall/Winderlich/Hille/Gumby/Neagle(because of injury) will benefit from another solid preseason and some more game time. After all, there is nothing that compares to match day.

 

[Towno78]

A lot to like from the midfield on the weekend. 1 of those for mine was Reimers.
Didn't rack up the numbers by any stretch, and nor do I expect him to until he does a truckload more work on his conditioning. But I just thought he looked sharp and dangerous when he was near the footy. I haven't really seen that in him since 2008.

Writing this post just reminded me of the blatant holding the ball on Stevie J that the umpires ignored for a goal to Geelong. Blood is boiling all over again!

 

[Slattery_20]

A lot to like from the midfield on the weekend. 1 of those for mine was Reimers.
Didn't rack up the numbers by any stretch, and nor do I expect him to until he does a truckload more work on his conditioning. But I just thought he looked sharp and dangerous when he was near the footy. I haven't really seen that in him since 2008.

Writing this post just reminded me of the blatant holding the ball on Stevie J that the umpires ignored for a goal to Geelong. Blood is boiling all over again!

I don't know how that bloke gets away with it.
Not the cleanest around, umps just love the hoops.
That said, probably the worst call of the match, and only one I remember, so they were pretty good!

 

[Lance Uppercut]

because we lost, no one is talking about the geelong defence being panicky and forced into making poor decisions. or about a bunch of supposed midfield plodders knocking off the leagues blue-chip clearance machine whilst our only genuine clearance star is well held. but they did. it's worth keeping in mind that some parts of the game is really coming together. everyone is ranting and raving this morning about knights and a supposed lack of defensive actions, yet completely ignoring that we're trying to implement a savage defence via the midfield actually winning the bloody ball. this side will either taper away and need to start again, or all the parts will come together and create an awesome footy side. we won't be a long-term middle-range side. which is as it should be.

really excellent points

 

[clees]

The reason we died off in the last quarter wasnt because they started finding their top form, it because our midfielders dont yet have the mature bodies needed. Geelong looked like they were playing terribly because our midfielders were so much faster and were able to get to the ball quicker and place more pressure on Geelong. In the forth they hit more targets because they had so much more time to make decisions. When the bodies mature abit more they will be able to keep up that intensity and pressure for an entire match.

Havn't heard anybody say this yet, but i also think Davey had a great match. Almost had him written off last year. He didn't get a heap of possessions in the match, but the constant pressure he was placing Geelong under caused several turnovers

 

[OB1]

I think we are severely underrating how bad Geelong was for the first 3 quarters. A top 4 side like St Kilda, Collingwood or WBD would have been at least 5 goals up at three-quarter time. They were missing targets and not running hard enough. When they decided to play in the final quarter the really showed just how far away we are from being a top 4 side.

When we needed our midfield the most they all went missing, notably Prismall and Winderlich.

There are positives to take from the performance. Our defence is as solid as ever and Stanton played a blinder of a game. But lets be honest… if we’re going to become a top 4 side we MUST take our chances. If not we will be punished like we were on Friday night.

Geelong didn’t come out to play until half way through the third quarter and when they did wasn’t that a big wake up call.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who saw it that way. Before the game there was talk about how this was a good time to get Geelong because they will be rusty & they've had a shorter pre-season & there may some some hangover etc. Well that was exactly right - they were very rusty. Ablett kicking out on the full & only getting 12 1st half touches in unheard of. This is a guy who thrives in grand final pressure so its silly to suggest we had him rattled.

I think we did play well & we certianly threw everything we had at them but ultimately it took their midfield only about 25min to wake up & dispose of our second rate midfield. In the end Geelong's midfielders all had high disposals & all had a significant impact. For us only Stanton played at the level we need to compete against the best. Guys like Hocking & Dyson are honest triers but just don't compare with the good midfielders in the league. Prismal is a good ball winner but he just doesn't have the standout class like a Bartel, Jnr or Selwood. Jobe is as good as anyone at getting 1st hands on it but his complete lack of pace is a huge problem - more than any other mid in the league. Stants is the closest we have to a top allround mid but the lack of support means his weaker defensive side is often exposed. Winders has some class & dash about him but since his back problems he just doesn't get anywhere near enough of it to be damaging. We are still a long way from having the midfield we need to be to challanger. We have better depth than in previous years but still desperately missing that standout mid to help take us to the next level. If we can replicate the effort we put in against Geelong we will be more competitive against lesser teams but we don't really have the weapons to regularly challenge.

We can all see a bright future for our kp's because this is the area the club has focussed on BUT its come at the expence of our midfield. Geelong for example had 3 top 10 drafted mids (Bartel, Corey & Selwood) line up Friday night. The closest we had is Stanton (drafted at 13) & surprise surprise he was clearly our best. Using your best picks doesn't guarantee you get good players but its the best chance you have. Geelong decided to mainly focuss on mids & its paid dividends. Essendon have focussed on talls & we have a poor midfield as a result. With the r*ped drafts to come Melksham is our best hope to find a genuine star or hope we find a hidden gem (or by some miracle we manage to trade for one).

Overall its hard to question the efforts of our mids but we just don't have the class & skills that can get you through even when the full effort isn't there.

 

[Deeksy]

I agree, but Winderlich was the only one to hit any targets. We still need to lift our disposal efficiency.

Amen to that.

 

[OB1]

Bump.

Our midfield is, was & will continue to be poor until this club does something drastic about it. Relying on late picks & rookies has lead us to this farce.

 

[BrunoV]

Toast to the recruiting staff in the last 2 years for bring in quality talent both inside and outside of the top 20.

What Melksham and Colyer did last night was very exciting and heralds the dawning of an era of midfield quality. In two years time we will have the following midfield group that should be matching it with the best.

There is a very nice balance of players who can do a job in the midfield. The pure ball winning and grunt work will come from Watson, Hocking and the wildcard Myers (I'm going to back the judgement of a recruiting team who has had huge success in recent years by bringing Zaharakis, Pears, Hooker, Melksham, Hurley, Colyer and Howlett all of whom have shown that they will be part of the long term future. Myers needs fitness and confidence).

Our ball carrying department will enought class to make the most of a forward line that will have too many options to bother naming here. Winderlich, Zaharakis and Melksham will be the blue chip players all of who can win their own ball but will be at their most devestating running through the corridor. Stanton will continue to be the link between defence and midfield and accumulate huge numbers.

Dempsey, Dyson, Riemers, Ryder, Colyer, Prismall, Lovett-Murray, Howlett, Lonergan and Houli are all capable of adding to the midfield whether as depth on the list or as flankers rotated into the midfield.