I also think he would thrive on the challenge and possibly show us that he is a better player than we thought.

Better than we thought? Hmmm.

Reply to Tingay02

A lot of good options there but no Trengove....Interesting, probably just an oversite.

I like bate with 5kg less.

I remember when he first started. His runs off the wing were superb.

Then our "Old FD" decided to try and make him a lead up forward.

This slowed him down because he had to gain more size.

Let's see if Misson and co. can trim him down and get some pace back into him.

Would it help if he lost about 5 kgs?

Bate played in the midfield at Casey late last season and got a stack of it. He also spent some time rotating thru the middle in 2010. Losing 5 kilos would bring him back to about 87 kgs - the average weight for an AFL footballer.

It doesn't sound much, but try carrying 5 extra kilos around a big paddock for 3 hours on a sunday afternoon.

This could be one of the re-design projects for Misson and Craig.

It would certainly help, but what he needs to work on are what professional AFL footballers work on. That is fine tuning both sides of the body, for all the little things that make an AFL midfielder. Also, the ability to be accountable and not let his man roam around unchecked.

I'd like to see him prosper and do well. It remains to be seen if he is being set for midfield shifts, but he will need to be a lot more agile for the role as far as I can tell.

I've seen a number of posters decry our lack of size and strength in the midfield. But I don't agree that's the problem. We have that with Moloney, Sylvia and Jones. And we have other in and under types in McKenzie and Gysberts. So I think we are fine for distributors. What I think we lack is outside class, or deliverers. I'd like to see Trengove, Bennell, Morton, Bail, Blease and maybe Nicholson turned into classy deliverers. And, really, Sylvia should be moved to this group, too. Can they do it? I don't know. But that's what I want to see.

Reply to Tingay02

A lot of good options there but no Trengove....Interesting, probably just an oversite.

I like bate with 5kg less.

I remember when he first started. His runs off the wing were superb.

Then our "Old FD" decided to try and make him a lead up forward.

This slowed him down because he had to gain more size.

Let's see if Misson and co. can trim him down and get some pace back into him.

wow. sorry Trenners was definately an oversight and in fact I was surprised some had not mentioned him in earlier posts. My bad though. will edit.

I've seen a number of posters decry our lack of size and strength in the midfield. But I don't agree that's the problem. We have that with Moloney, Sylvia and Jones. And we have other in and under types in McKenzie and Gysberts. So I think we are fine for distributors. What I think we lack is outside class, or deliverers. I'd like to see Trengove, Bennell, Morton, Bail, Blease and maybe Nicholson turned into classy deliverers. And, really, Sylvia should be moved to this group, too. Can they do it? I don't know. But that's what I want to see.

We get pushed off the ball in the middle. Moloney is a big body, Sylvia is rarely in there, and Jones I don't see as a big body. Both Jordies get thrown aound a bit by bigger mids.

I dont understand why anyone would want to move Garland from the backline. With Frawley we have a really solid backline pairing which IMO doesnt need to be tinkered with. Guys like Grimes, Tapscott and blease, yes try them else where if you want, but dont break up Garlo and Chip!

Garland is just not quite tall enough or hasn't the bulk(weight) to play a key positional role.As I have stated many times,Garland would be a sensational winger,able to defend & attack.

Garland is just not quite tall enough or hasn't the bulk(weight) to play a key positional role.As I have stated many times,Garland would be a sensational winger,able to defend & attack.

For someone that isnt "tall enough or hasn't the bulk(weight) to play a key positional role" he sure does a good impression of a KPB!

His go-go-gadget arms on the spoil are a sight to behold.

That game againt the lions in 2010 was great to watch. Garlo gave Fev an absolute bath and Chippa towled up JB too

I agree with JCB to an extent. Although he does a pretty good job as KPD at the minute, I think it's not his ideal role. But I wouldn't play him on the wing, I would slot him into HBF, similar to the way Joel Mac is played now. He would almost never lose a contest in that position.

Are we talking about the same Garland who had good games against Buddy and Goodes?

I would have thought the midfield will rotate more this year under the new coaches. I can see it being a more 'horses for courses' approach. I think we have a good mix of guys who can run through the midfield. Some may forget the form of Bail and to a lesser extent Nicho before their injuries.

For me the midfield could consist of any of the following guys:

Moloney

Sylvia

Trengove

Gysberts

Jordie

Jones

Bail

Nicholson

Tapscott

Blease

Grimes

Petterd

Howe

and just maybe....

Bate

At least we have options. I think Neeld will be looking very closely at these guys over preseason to see what he has to work with. Should be an interesting time come rd 1 NAB cup.

I must say that I liked the look of Evans also. A bit rough around the edges and lacking experience but a real goer.