Walters to midfield

[kp junior]

Lyon has mentioned the possibility of Walters ending up a midfielder before, and it looked to me that he was playing midfield towards the end of yesterday's game, with Crozier forward (and Pearce subbed out). I wonder if this could be a permanent move, with Duffy or Pearce taking Crozier's spot as sub.

I think we need more class in the midfield, and Walters is obviously 2-3 classes ahead of D Pearce. We also have Crozier and Duffy in the wings as forward options. Walters is obviously super creative in the forward line, but he's fantastic in traffic as well, and is fit enough these days to run in the midfield.

 

[Kunna17]

Lyon has mentioned the possibility of Walters ending up a midfielder before, and it looked to me that he was playing midfield towards the end of yesterday's game, with Crozier forward (and Pearce subbed out). I wonder if this could be a permanent move, with Duffy or Pearce taking Crozier's spot as sub.

I think we need more class in the midfield, and Walters is obviously 2-3 classes ahead of D Pearce. We also have Crozier and Duffy in the wings as forward options. Walters is obviously super creative in the forward line, but he's fantastic in traffic as well, and is fit enough these days to run in the midfield.

could spend more time in midfield, still playing forward for patches though. Around 50/50 maybe.

 

[Freeeoo]

Worth considering as long as his fitness is up to it.

 

[apuchar]

Not sure if he is the elite clearance player we need. Stats suggest we won the clearances against Sydney in the end, but it didn't really seem that way when watching. I thought we were outclassed for most of the game. Quality versus Quantity I guess. And i thought our quality of clearances was generally less effective than Sydney.
He will play more midfield though in the future.

 

[The Black Sheep]

Worth considering as long as his fitness is up to it.

Not an issue anymore. Apparently Ross says he's in the top 5 for trainers and preparation at the club now. I think the term "training beast" might even have been used. Perhaps, he should be a mentor to Sylvia in the pre season.

 

[Allikat]

I can see some merit in this because he is a fast freaky little footballer. But I think, barring the Sydney anomaly of a game, him & ballas are such a powerful small forward unit it'd be counteractive to rob our game of it.

 

[yakka man]

Robbing Peter to pay Paul.

 

[Kunna17]

I can see some merit in this because he is a fast freaky little footballer. But I think, barring the Sydney anomaly of a game, him & ballas are such a powerful small forward unit it'd be counteractive to rob our game of it.

But what if Duffy comes on? Surely Crozier could be more than handy forward too?

 

[Allikat]

But what if Duffy comes on? Surely Crozier could be more than handy forward too?

I could see all 3 of Duffy Crozier & Walters rotating through the mid & forward. It'd be great to have players that flexible in their positions too. That way if the walters/ballas attack isn't working we can move walters into the mid & Crozier into the forward line

 

[Purple Jesus]

Players don't really have set positions any more. They rotate and have running patterns. He's in the midfield for a % of the time and then rolls forward depending on the play. As with everyone else, they have their own patterns to follow.

 

[Purple Jesus]

Players don't really have set positions any more. They rotate and have running patterns. He's in the midfield for a % of the time and then rolls forward depending on the play. As with everyone else, they have their own patterns to follow.

 

[Nickos66]

Cameo appearances, sure. Not full time obviously. He can't, nor shouldn't be used as the bustling inside extractor with his size.

 

[Taylor]

Funnily enough I feel that if Pearce slowed down a touch it would improve his kicking and they would essentially be the same player.

 

[Bicco]

It should definitely be an option, just not the first one. In exactly the same way Buddy played the last quarter on the wing. He would be a great option if things are stagnating like they did on the weekend.

 

[Freo Dr]

When I first heard RTB mention this it was with the idea of replacing him in the forward line with Simpson. Still want to hold onto to this dream because if Simpson can come on then I am happy for Son Son to play wherever is best. Crozier deserves game time but maybe not forward all the time and Duffy not 100% on yet. Coming pre-season will sort all this out.

 

[GilG]

Lyon has mentioned the possibility of Walters ending up a midfielder before, and it looked to me that he was playing midfield towards the end of yesterday's game, with Crozier forward (and Pearce subbed out). I wonder if this could be a permanent move, with Duffy or Pearce taking Crozier's spot as sub.

I think we need more class in the midfield, and Walters is obviously 2-3 classes ahead of D Pearce. We also have Crozier and Duffy in the wings as forward options. Walters is obviously super creative in the forward line, but he's fantastic in traffic as well, and is fit enough these days to run in the midfield.

Funny. I raised this exact point on my call after the game to 6PR.

 

[Alfonz]

Elite mids are far more valuable than elite small forwards. Guys like Harvey and Ablett would be the best small forwards in the game if they played there, but they are kept in the midfield, with small bursts up forward.

So it depends on how good a mid he can be. I'm not convinced he can be a superstar midfielder, but really have no idea. By all means give it a try, but if he's going to be say a Neale/Mzungu type level, then leave him in the forward line.

 

[Freoforever86]

I think it would be silly not to move him into the middle. His creativity & skill with the ball is elite. Delivery i50 is one of our best too. Rarely misuses the ball.
Got Crozier & Duffy in small fwd stocks so not an issue of cover.
Could have tried against Syd to change it up & get him in the game. Ballaz too

 

[kingswood71]

I would love to see this!...such an exciting footballer!
Heres an idea: Leroy Jetta in our forward line with Ballas and Walters, with all of them rotating into the middle at some stage

 

[Steinfreo]

I don't think its a good idea. He is a wonderful player but im not sure he quick enough or strong enough for the midfield. We missed him so much when he went up the ground during the sydney game. The guy just has to much goal scoring/setting up power to not be up there.

One guy i was thinking about last night for a try in the midfield for when crowley/mundy go is sutcliffe ala how mundy moved from hb to midfield.

 

[free at last]

Probably end up getting belted from pillar to post,result,spending a lot of the time sitting in the stands injured.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Next year I would like him to play a high half forward role with small stints in the middle with Duffy and Ballas playing the deeper just like Stevie J did in 2006, and then as his career develops he can move into the middle more and more should it go well.

Let's not kid our self, he is very quick, has brilliant core strength, and has great skills so their is no reason he can't make it in the middle, he just needs experience playing there. This year he stays in the fowrard line.

 

[Alfonz]

Let's not kid our self, he is very quick, has brilliant core strength, and has great skills so their is no reason he can't make it in the middle, he just needs experience playing there. This year he stays in the fowrard line.

Walters is not "very quick". He isn't slow, but he isn't lightning. For pure pace he is a bit behind the likes of say Ballantyne. He has good footy smarts to read the play, fast reaction time, good agility, evasiveness, etc. ... up forward this makes him appear to have great foot speed, because he is already one step ahead of his opponent upstairs. In the midfield he wouldn't look anywhere near as quick, as you are invariably in heavily pressured congestion (where big bodies shine), or it is pure speed on the outside break (e.g. Jetta, Hill, Smith). Walters does not have their speed.

He doesn't have brilliant core strength either. He would get smashed in any core strength contests against the likes of Mundy, Fyfe, Barlow ... simply because of his height and slender build.

That's why I'm not sure he could be an elite mid ... it's very hard to reach that level without sufficient height/size/strength, if you aren't lightning fast. And there's no point sacrificing an elite forward to become a non-elite midfielder.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Walters is not "very quick". He isn't slow, but he isn't lightning. For pure pace he is a bit behind the likes of say Ballantyne. He has good footy smarts to read the play, fast reaction time, good agility, evasiveness, etc. ... up forward this makes him appear to have great foot speed, because he is already one step ahead of his opponent upstairs. In the midfield he wouldn't look anywhere near as quick, as you are invariably in heavily pressured congestion (where big bodies shine), or it is pure speed on the outside break (e.g. Jetta, Hill, Smith). Walters does not have their speed.

He doesn't have brilliant core strength either. He would get smashed in any core strength contests against the likes of Mundy, Fyfe, Barlow ... simply because of his height and slender build.

That's why I'm not sure he could be an elite mid ... it's very hard to reach that level without sufficient height/size/strength, if you aren't lightning fast. And there's no point sacrificing an elite forward to become a non-elite midfielder.

I would argue Walters is quick, just like Pendlebury or Sam Mitchell is quick which is by being Agile, have 2-3 quick paces and a very good side step.

I am aware Walters does not have top end pace, but I don't think that is as important in the midfield as 2-3 quick steps, a strong core and agility.

How is Michael Walters right foot?

If he is one sided that would hold him back in the midfield. From memory he is ok on the right foot but definitely favours the left.