Who can step up in the Midfield?

[rjay 24,928]

I actually get nervous when frawley gets the ball deep in defence, often he'll back him self to run the ball out and break tackles when the situation seems to call for a long kick towards the boundary line?!

As for A graders i have high hopes for a great deal of our young players, but i sometimes think my one eye'd ness blurs my perception. All my mates dont rate hardly any of our players and reckon North & the Tigers etc have better young mids than us.

I offer Trengove, Moloney, Jones, Gysberts, McKenzie as our best 5. They rate Cotchin, Martin, Delidio, and Co or Swallow, Harvey, Ziebell, etc much higher than our crop.

All believe that the tigers will taste success before us

No i don't agree at all, I think the Tiges will stall this year. They have some cream at the top but are shallow for talent IMO over the list, I think we are a better balanced list but this year will show.

[BIG JIM 508]

Trade Watts for an Elite mid

Feasible and will solve 2 problems at once

Worst post ever

[Hells Gates 505]

Worst post ever

I did have a chuckle..

[PartyTimeJohnny 537]

When you look at Geelongs 2011 premiership side, their midfield has some phenomenal players, Barlet, Selwood, but also alot of just big bodied hard nuts in Ling, Chapman, etc

I would prefer to have a midfield like that, say we have a Trengove-Viney as the brownlow vote getters surrounded by hard,strong, skilled mids around them in Mckenzie, Gysberts, Bail, Nicholson etc etc etc etc etc etc etc

also, rewatched the Gold Coast game on the ol' IQ- Tynan is a natural and i back him to be one of our guns very soon

[Guest Thomo]

When you look at Geelongs 2011 premiership side, their midfield has some phenomenal players, Barlet, Selwood, but also alot of just big bodied hard nuts in Ling, Chapman, etc

I would prefer to have a midfield like that, say we have a Trengove-Viney as the brownlow vote getters surrounded by hard,strong, skilled mids around them in Mckenzie, Gysberts, Bail, Nicholson etc etc etc etc etc etc etc

also, rewatched the Gold Coast game on the ol' IQ- Tynan is a natural and i back him to be one of our guns very soon

I'll wait to see Viney play seniors before I pencil him in for Brownlow votes.

I have not seen him play, but from what I have read, at the moment he is short, not overly quick and has ok skills. His two great attributes are that he has a mature body compared to the under developed players around him, and he has an aggressive attack on the ball. Aside from going hard at kids, does he offer much more Valenti? Let’s see if he has an impact when the other kids catch up in their physical development.

Edited February 28, 2012 by Thomo

[Hannibal 5,814]

I used to play footy with Howie at Hobart... The boy can play the FF position very very well, dont you worry about that!!!

I think many will be surprised by his exploits in the midfield this year.

[Hells Gates 505]

I think many will be surprised by his exploits in the midfield this year.

Yep would play well anywhere.

[Hannibal 5,814]

I have not seen him play, but from what I have read, at the moment he is short, not overly quick and has ok skills. His two great attributes are that he has a mature body compared to the under developed players around him, and he has an aggressive attack on the ball. Aside from going hard at kids, does he offer much more Valenti? Let’s see if he has an impact when the other kids catch up in their physical development.

I'll never cease to be amazed how some supporters don't take into account a players footy IQ. There's a reason why Swan is so good, it's his reading of the play and ability to position himself. Why do you think some players that appear to have the exact same bio and very similar skill sets can be poles apart once they step onto a footy oval ?

Viney is a smart footballer, but it's his manic appetite for the contest combined with those footy smarts that will see him excel in the AFL. There's a reason why some avid junior footy watchers consider him the equivalent of a top 5 pick in this year's highly rated draft.

[BIG JIM 508]

Does no one think beamer can step it up and become A grade this year i really think its a chance with someone like magner around the ball helping to protect were the ball will fall and choping out with shepards i think it is a chance he is coming into his prime years

[PartyTimeJohnny 537]

I'll wait to see Viney play seniors before I pencil him in for Brownlow votes.

I have not seen him play, but from what I have read, at the moment he is short, not overly quick and has ok skills. His two great attributes are that he has a mature body compared to the under developed players around him, and he has an aggressive attack on the ball. Aside from going hard at kids, does he offer much more Valenti? Let’s see if he has an impact when the other kids catch up in their physical development.

Yeah agreed, he might be a dud, but you kind of missed my point

if one out of our basket of young hopefuls can step up into the selwood-bartel stratosphere i.e blease, gysberts, tynan, tapscott. then you surround them with strong bodied skilled midfielders, then there is no need for a star like Judd or Ablett.

also just on Viney, you mentioned you havent seen him play; he's definitely built in the same ilk as Valenti, as in short and grunty,but his skills, reading of the play and use of the ball is phenomenal. which is why he has been rated by Quayle as one of the top 5 picks

Edited February 28, 2012 by mephis

[dee-luded 2,959]

Nicholson won't become a top line Mid. There is no magical switch you can hit to make your disposal a-grade, just doesn't work like that. Don't get me wrong, he'll be a decent, steady player but his disposal will stop him friom being an A-Grade midfielder.

I've never said he'll become Gary Ablett jnr.

But I think he can grow his body and strength and has the athletic capabilitities & work ethic to develop into anything.

But trying to be a footy prophet re young players, is no more than he'll make it or not make it. They're ARE No guarantees with such unless you buy one already there.

[Demonsterative 3,020]

I'll never cease to be amazed how some supporters don't take into account a players footy IQ. There's a reason why Swan is so good, it's his reading of the play and ability to position himself. Why do you

think some players that appear to have the exact same bio and very similar skill sets can be poles apart once they step onto a footy oval ?

Viney is a smart footballer, but it's his manic appetite for the contest combined with those footy smarts that will see him excel in the AFL. There's a reason why some avid junior footy watchers consider himthe equivalent of a top 5 pick in this year's highly rated draft.

Exactly why I think Gys will be an A grader. A pure midfielder with massive footy IQ. Despite his short comings with natural fitness and body strength.

He is almost a project midfielder. Given time he will dominate consistently. The cameos have been exciting so far

[olisik 4,060]

Worst post ever

How is it the worst post possible?

A: Watts is still just potential, which nobody on this forum seems to even know where he should play. Forward line dosnt really need him with Clarke, Jurrah, Howe, Green, Sylvia, Tmac ect nor does he really fit into the midfield.

B: Everybody knows we need an elite mid fielder and to get one you need currency, in this trade the currency is potential. I would take a guarantee over potential anyday.

C: The Dees don't owe him anything, and by holding onto him his currency could go down as years pass. If the dees want something they need to offer something and a hardline approach is needed.

Theoretically would you decline a Watts for Pendlebury trade?

[Striker475 696]

Shocked that everyone is underrating Bail so, he does have a streak of class, but primarily as a tagger rather than the outright silk that's required.

Would we consider up-trading for the #1 GWS 17-year-old pick?

Edited February 28, 2012 by Striker475

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

How is it the worst post possible?

A: Watts is still just potential, which nobody on this forum seems to even know where he should play. Forward line dosnt really need him with Clarke, Jurrah, Howe, Green, Sylvia, Tmac ect nor does he really fit into the midfield.

B: Everybody knows we need an elite mid fielder and to get one you need currency, in this trade the currency is potential. I would take a guarantee over potential anyday.

C: The Dees don't owe him anything, and by holding onto him his currency could go down as years pass. If the dees want something they need to offer something and a hardline approach is needed.

Theoretically would you decline a Watts for Pendlebury trade?

Yet you think the other clubs are mugs willing to trade for someone who may be great.

Why don't we keep Watts and offer them magic beans, seeing as we are talking fairy tale here. Lol cheers for the laughs

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

I'm not under-rating Bail. The boy has some moves!

[olisik 4,060]

Yet you think the other clubs are mugs willing to trade for someone who may be great.

Why don't we keep Watts and offer them magic beans, seeing as we are talking fairy tale here. Lol cheers for the laughs

Other clubs would have an answer to 'Where should Watts play'

We don't

[olisik 4,060]

Yet you think the other clubs are mugs willing to trade for someone who may be great.

Why don't we keep Watts and offer them magic beans, seeing as we are talking fairy tale here. Lol cheers for the laughs

Would you prefer to keep waiting and hoping a player like Nicholson or Bail becomes Elite, or that we actually do find a position that Watts can excel in? Or get lucky in the draft and wait another 3- 4 years for them to become elite?

A lot of teams out there would value potential and make a trade. Unfortunately I don't value potential anymore as I think we have had enough of it over these last few years.

[Axis of Bob 11,826]

I think you make some very good observations in the OP, Thomo.

Personally, I have been in the WIMP (Watts In Midfield Proponents) camp during the summer. We don't have many players in the midfield who can really end up being that elite 'untaggable' style of midfielder. He has speed, he has class, he can actually win contested style midfield ball. Plus he can float forward to mark and be really damaging.

What we lack in our midfielders is real power. Not just strength, but strength with speed. Sylvia has it, but he hasn't been able to put anything together in a midfield sense. The only midfield type player we have that has a real blend of speed, power and endurance is Grimes. He has an ability to break lines and packs with his raw power, and do it for extended periods.

People talking about Moloney don't quite understand the level we are looking for. Moloney is a good player, but nowhere near the top class. McKenzie is the same, as he will be a really good player and really important to our side, but he'll only ever be able to achieve a level below that.

We need to look at players that are untaggable. Gysberts could well be if he gets bigger and improves his endurance, because he has the unbelievable Simon Black knack of being able of ghost through stoppages untouched and getting the handball out despite the bodies around him. I see Trengove as being taggable, despite being really, really good. From what I've seen of Viney, he has a knack of finding clean footy in contests - it just depends on whether it's an elite Sam Mitchell knack or a solid Brent Moloney knack.

The dark horse is Jeremy Howe. His running is sensational and he has the ability burst run. That is, long efforts at top speed. He has the skills, he has the size and he has the X-factor. This is especially so if he adds strength to his speed and endurance.

I think it's imperative to find a midfield star. We don't have many options that scream out that they could be it, which is why Scully is a loss. I think that Grimes, Watts and Howe are our best options.

[Guest oldman emubitter]

Would like to add to the Watts discussion.

Looking at our forward setup with Clark, Martin and Jamar alternating down there when not in the ruck, we have Jurrah, Howe, Sylvia as options, I just wonder where Watts will fit in. I think they've got to keep developing him by settling him in a position. I'm wondering if he would be better suited for a run down back (ie centre half back) rather than middle, by making him more accountable. He has efficient kicking, will be led to the ball, and will be able to set play up. Can mark, getting to contests and reading play will be his strong suit and hopefully gains confidence.

Clark is our go to forward now, it's clear. I'm of the view that Watts may provide more value across half back. For now.

I just recall him playing there against North and yeah he got caught out from behind once but he did ok and with the tall timber we have now I would like to see him tried there.

tom mcdonald and sellar could be part of that group.

would like to see nev jetta get a decent run. starred for swan district colts on a wing

[rjay 24,928]

I think you make some very good observations in the OP, Thomo.

The dark horse is Jeremy Howe. His running is sensational and he has the ability burst run. That is, long efforts at top speed. He has the skills, he has the size and he has the X-factor. This is especially so if he adds strength to his speed and endurance.

I think it's imperative to find a midfield star. We don't have many options that scream out that they could be it, which is why Scully is a loss. I think that Grimes, Watts and Howe are our best options.

I agree with you on Howe, he has the attributes to be a class mid and his marking ability makes him a good go to (get out of jail) option. Not so sure about Watts as a mid as I think he still has a lot to offer forward but I wouldn't rule it out. You missed Trengove in your mix of potential mid stars maybe an oversight maybe not but I think along with Grimes he is our best bet, has a lot of Bartel about him and has already been a match winner.

Gysberts injury from late last year unfortunately hampered his ablility to get a good pre season in the gym, strength ala Black will be a real asset for him in extracting and using the ball.

I'm really interested to see Taggart and was disappointed he is on the injury list, at 188 and 87 he is a big kid who can play mid or maybe release Grimes to the midfield. He is very strong overhead and has a good kick on him.

[BIG JIM 508]

How is it the worst post possible?

A: Watts is still just potential, which nobody on this forum seems to even know where he should play. Forward line dosnt really need him with Clarke, Jurrah, Howe, Green, Sylvia, Tmac ect nor does he really fit into the midfield.

B: Everybody knows we need an elite mid fielder and to get one you need currency, in this trade the currency is potential. I would take a guarantee over potential anyday.

C: The Dees don't owe him anything, and by holding onto him his currency could go down as years pass. If the dees want something they need to offer something and a hardline approach is needed.

Theoretically would you decline a Watts for Pendlebury trade?

Well i thought this post was a joke. I try hard not to get upset but im sorry this is bad we just lost a number 1 draft pick who we put 2 years of training into only to have him stolen and now you want to throw away another really ? We already have put 3 years in with this kid as a number 1 pick as a tall forward who all good judges no take time and he has elite skills and a great footy brain james hird like and to solve our mid problem you say trade him he is only potential im really amazed at this comment lets solve a problem by making another problem this kid will be a MFC champion and if you ever want to trade for a gun mid we have 40 other players and 2 compo picks but not our last number 1 pick please if you dont like watts or cant see he is a keeper just wait another 12-18 months and talk to me. And yes i would love pendlebury but not for the 2008 number 1 draft pick. some watts bashers will eat there words very soon.

[Axis of Bob 11,826]

From what I hear of Taggert I am heartened, but he'll take some work. He does have power and size, but he has some other aspects that he really has to work on. But I'll wait until I actually see him play live in a few matches before I get excited.

Bartel is a really good player, but he is definitely taggable. Ablett is untaggable, but Bartel is just really good. That's how I think of Trengove. He would be a top quality Robin, but he's not Batman. He doesn't have the speed to be untaggable, but if you give him some space then he'll kill you.

[DeeZee 7,397]

I think the new midfield looks exciting with, Bate, Magner,Nicholson,Gysberts,Trengove,Moloney Jones.

Magner is a machine so we are no longer solely reliant on Moloney.

Bail and Blease could also drift in there with Viney added next year.

forgot Couch , as a tagger and Tynan who also impresses

Edited February 28, 2012 by DeeZee

[BIG JIM 508]

Would you prefer to keep waiting and hoping a player like Nicholson or Bail becomes Elite, or that we actually do find a position that Watts can excel in? Or get lucky in the draft and wait another 3- 4 years for them to become elite?

A lot of teams out there would value potential and make a trade. Unfortunately I don't value potential anymore as I think we have had enough of it over these last few years.

I take it you would be no fun to fish with cause you need patience give the kid a chance talls take time its not like he has shown nothing at all and we still are the 4th youngest team last time i heard including GCS & GWS