Unbelievable midfield depth

[Kenny_01]

Ok, say we have our back 6 of Dawson, McPharlin, Johnson, Ibbotson, Spurr and Duffield, and our 6 forwards + ruckman as Pavlich, Sandilands, Clarke, Mayne, Ballantyne and Walters.

That leaves 10 spots which require running through the midfield. I realistically see 17 players competing for 10 spots.

Fyfe
Mundy
Sylvia
Barlow
C Pearce
Crowley
Sutcliffe
Neale
Mzungu
Hill
Morabito
D Pearce
Sheridan
Crozier
De Boer
Suban
Simpson
Michie

All I can say is there are going to be some unlucky boys if we don't get any injuries next season. And plenty of rests.

Would not be against packaging 2 or 3 players for pick 2 (Melbourne need midfielders) then sweetening that for pick 1.

 

[Minz]

My first feeling was that I would hate to see this group broken up, as they seem really tight and have played so well in the last couple of years. On reflection, more forward structure and another big marking forward would make a difference, and improvement is required to maintain a high position in the competition, so I couldn't really say no to some sort of trade. But who? Fyfe, Mundy, Barlow, C. Pearce, Crowley, Hill would all be off-limits if it was up to me. Who would you trade?

 

[Rob]

Mundy is tradeable. For no other reason than that he's a free agent next year, and if he wants to leave then we're better off if he does it this year.

 

[Scotland]

Mundy is tradeable. For no other reason than that he's a free agent next year, and if he wants to leave then we're better off if he does it this year.

Why would he leave now? He's been around for a mediocre decade, makes no sense to bail when you're a top 4 contender.

If you don't want him we'll have him - our midfield stinks.

 

[Midnite65]

Mundy is not tradeable. Fyfe, Barlow, and Mundy offer one of our core strengths in the competition, all tall, big bodied midfielders which is exactly what West Coast does not have with it's midfield short people. If we have to trade any midfielders it would have to be Suban, D Pearce, De Boer, Mzungu, or even S Hill before we trade any of our big 3. Also Mundy is an elite kick which is the biggest skill we lacked in the Grand Final.

Also with all of the expectations from Freo fans about Morabito replacing Pav as our forward messiah or slotting straight back into a core midfield I think after that many knee problems the safest thing for him might be to put him in the back line where he can attack the ball and contests running forward and not have to constantly run forward and double back as either a forward or in the congested midfield.

 

[kenny whiffen]

.

Also with all of the expectations from Freo fans about Morabito .

There's some very unrealistic expectations being expressed in this forum about Morabito in 2014. I too hope he can recover and make his way back into the team, but will be a huge ask after not playing at afl level since 2010. In 2012 I think Ross had him in the WAFL for 7 or 8 games before he broke down again. It's very hard to see him having much influence in 2014. Reckon they're just hoping he can get himself right and play some steady footy at Peel. maybe play an afl game or two towards the end of the season, like the saints game this year. If he handles his recovery well in 2014, expect a contract extension and a hopeful return to stardom in 2015. Will be interesting to see how it turns out.

 

[FrancisX]

There's some very unrealistic expectations being expressed in this forum about Morabito in 2014. I too hope he can recover and make his way back into the team, but will be a huge ask after not playing at afl level since 2010. In 2012 I think Ross had him in the WAFL for 7 or 8 games before he broke down again. It's very hard to see him having much influence in 2014. Reckon they're just hoping he can get himself right and play some steady footy at Peel. maybe play an afl game or two towards the end of the season, like the saints game this year. If he handles his recovery well in 2014, expect a contract extension and a hopeful return to stardom in 2015. Will be interesting to see how it turns out.

This.

A realistic view point.

 

[Rob]

Why would he leave now? He's been around for a mediocre decade, makes no sense to bail when you're a top 4 contender.

If you don't want him we'll have him - our midfield stinks.

Money most likely. I don't know the guy, hopefully he's a top bloke that has no intention of leaving. But if he is considering going down that path, then i'd much rather he do it this year than next.

It certainly wouldn't surprise me if a club offers him a 4 year deal at close to a million a year. He's the sort of player you can build a midfield around. If we're only offering 2 or 3 years at 6-700k, then just about any player in the league would have a hard think about it.

 

[SHill Shall]

Its most unrealistic in terms of ever happening, but I keep thinking that a straight swap of Mundy for Hogan would just about be fair and win/win. Trading Mundy's A grade status for another three years or so for Hogan's potential KPF dominance over 10 years. We've now seen Hogan perform at VFL level so the risk that he doesn't step up to AFL level is one notch lower than drafting a kid with only colts experience.

 

[theGav56]

Regarding Mundy, we are going to lose a very good player to FA at some stage. It is the way it works now. And I am in favour of having a chat with his manager and seeing if it is his intention to test the market next year. He had a good year and was the best midfielder in the GF.

 

[Lach72]

We lose Mundy we're not winning a premiership while Pav is here.

 

[SHill Shall]

We lose Mundy we're not winning a premiership while Pav is here.

Everything's a trade off. Sylvia may be able to replace some of what Mundy currently does, we lose the FA risk at the end of 2014 and we go forward massively having another tall marking forward to support Pav?

That said, would love to see Mundy keep taking big finals by the scruff of the neck. Damn this perma-ban we have in getting another quality KPF!

 

[Bradesmaen]

Mundy is tradeable. For no other reason than that he's a free agent next year, and if he wants to leave then we're better off if he does it this year.

He has a kid and his wife is from Perth.. somehow I doubt he's moving back.

 

[Arcassius]

He could have left, but chose to stay. Pav style. He's not going anywhere

 

[awaremind]

midfield depth is insane, all our players will be and can afford to be playing their hearts out every game they get... look out for some tweaking of the game plan next year

 

[manny100]

Sylvia is a well thought out pick up by Recruiting/Lyon. He is built like a brick outhouse and is very quick so he will fit in well with a midfield that can already bully the opposition mids. His real strength for Freo will be up forward where he will pick up defender number 4 or 5 as he is capable of taking a great grab and hold the ball in. He is also a good kick, mostly uses it well but does not rack up possessions. He will be the bargain of the year IF, IF, IF and IF Lyon can get him to play to his potential as surrounded by good forwards and GOOD delivery he could at times be almost unstoppable or at worst make it much easier for the other forwards. Looks like Lyon realised what he needed after the GF. His weakness is that at times he can be 'sucked in' by verbals/excess attention from the opposition - which leads to some inconsistency - perhaps the 'team ethos' can get him to overcome this - if so watch out!!!!.

 

[free at last]

He has a kid and his wife is from Perth.. somehow I doubt he's moving back.

And that's our saving grace IMO.

 

[raffrox]

Everything's a trade off. Sylvia may be able to replace some of what Mundy currently does, we lose the FA risk at the end of 2014 and we go forward massively having another tall marking forward to support Pav?

That said, would love to see Mundy keep taking big finals by the scruff of the neck. Damn this perma-ban we have in getting another quality KPF!

Im really happy we got Sylvia but to say there is any comparison between what he will bring the team and what Mundy brings the team is crazy talk.

Mundy is a legit elite mid in this league.

 

[Rob]

He has a kid and his wife is from Perth.. somehow I doubt he's moving back.

I hope you're right. But let's not kid ourselves that no other clubs will be talking to his manager now about potential contracts in 2015. If the manager is competent he'll probably have contacted them first.

 

[FreoGirl]

I believe Ross doesn't really care. He uses his players like pieces on a chess table, but doesn't specifically label them with specific positions. I think you have to be more flexible with him, and go where he decides to put you. You could be this week's midfielder, and next week's back pocket super star. He looks at abilities like speed and courage etc

 

[Ripper]

I believe Ross doesn't really care. He uses his players like pieces on a chess table, but doesn't specifically label them with specific positions. I think you have to be more flexible with him, and go where he decides to put you. You could be this week's midfielder, and next week's back pocket super star. He looks at abilities like speed and courage etc

That's it Freogirl , you have nailed it!

 

[free at last]

I believe Ross doesn't really care. He uses his players like pieces on a chess table, but doesn't specifically label them with specific positions. I think you have to be more flexible with him, and go where he decides to put you. You could be this week's midfielder, and next week's back pocket super star. He looks at abilities like speed and courage etc

Which in the modern game means running all over the ground.

 

[FreoGirl]

Which in the modern game means running all over the ground.

yes

 

[jedi mind tricks]

I love Freo it's raining mids

 

[FreoGirl]

I love Freo it's raining mids

mids are so sexy