The 'hard' midfield

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

A few years back, it was pretty much unanimous for those in and around the club that our midfield was a weak, recieving, outsiders midfield with some flair but no guts. The upcoming period saw us nab Moloney, Sylvia and McLean in response to this. Since then Brock is gone but we now have:

Moloney

Jones

Sylvia

Magner

McKenzie

Now in my mind that is 5 players wo go very hard. Each of them is tough/physically strong and puts the head over the ball no matter how much it is going to hurt. If there is a top category of hardness I believe all 5 of them are in it.

So... how is it that we are struggling so badly in the middle? We appear to have assembeled the hard midfield we have longed for, you would be expecting this group to be really destroying sides - Jordie is the only one who is 'sub-mature' the other 4 are right in the zone for their prime football years. Why isn't it working?

[red and blue forever 1,001]

magner has been great, first year player,

sylvia has played a quarter of football

moloney 2 games

mckenzie as you said is sub mature, will come on

that leaves jones, who has been working his guts out all season, but with little support

[rpfc 28,280]

A few years back, it was pretty much unanimous for those in and around the club that our midfield was a weak, recieving, outsiders midfield with some flair but no guts. The upcoming period saw us nab Moloney, Sylvia and McLean in response to this. Since then Brock is gone but we now have:

Moloney

Jones

Sylvia

Magner

McKenzie

Now in my mind that is 5 players wo go very hard. Each of them is tough/physically strong and puts the head over the ball no matter how much it is going to hurt. If there is a top category of hardness I believe all 5 of them are in it.

So... how is it that we are struggling so badly in the middle? We appear to have assembeled the hard midfield we have longed for, you would be expecting this group to be really destroying sides - Jordie is the only one who is 'sub-mature' the other 4 are right in the zone for their prime football years. Why isn't it working?

They are doing better in the tough stuff. Beat StK in clearances...

But spread and loose possies are paramount these days and our mids don't work hard enough to get the 'cheap' footy.

Hell, we decry it here on Land, but if Geelong/Coll/Haw get 400 touches - 250 will be uncontested, 'cheap' footy, we get around 150 of these touches.

[monoccular 17,417]

They are doing better in the tough stuff. Beat StK in clearances...

But spread and loose possies are paramount these days and our mids don't work hard enough to get the 'cheap' footy.

Hell, we decry it here on Land, but if Geelong/Coll/Haw get 400 touches - 250 will be uncontested, 'cheap' footy, we get around 150 of these touches.

Its a good start and (haven't checked the stats) I believe a big advance over last year.

It would seem a natural progression from clearances to uncontested possessions - hard to get an uncontested possession without a clearance.

[Cheesecake 92]

Yep, as stated, its a combination of lack of quality outside players and the fitness/input from those inside players you mentioned.

It's no surprise that the improvement in the last two games has coincided with an improvement in the form of players like Bail, Morton, Bate and Davey, and more outside work from Jones.

If we can get the 5 you mentioned to stay fit, Moloney and Sylvia back to top form, and get more outside run and spread out of the 4 I've mentioned, plus maybe Bennell and/or Blease, we'll start to look the goods.

Oh yeah, and Capt Jack T back into form won't hurt.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Yep, as stated, its a combination of lack of quality outside players and the fitness/input from those inside players you mentioned.

It's no surprise that the improvement in the last two games has coincided with an improvement in the form of players like Bail, Morton, Bate and Davey, and more outside work from Jones.

If we can get the 5 you mentioned to stay fit, Moloney and Sylvia back to top form, and get more outside run and spread out of the 4 I've mentioned, plus maybe Bennell and/or Blease, we'll start to look the goods.

Oh yeah, and Capt Jack T back into form won't hurt.

Spot on mate spot on. We need as much improvement from the inside mids to make our outside mids get the pill.

[monoccular 17,417]

Spot on mate spot on. We need as much improvement from the inside mids to make our outside mids get the pill.

....and, add in what we should all reasonably hope to be a significant improvement in fitness and endurance over the next 12-18 months.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Not enough pace. Or class.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Not enough pace. Or class.

I would say Sylvia and Jones both have a fair bit of class. The latter is becoming the player myself and many others have been heralding for years, he is becoming a Sam Mitchell. You're right though the other 3 are basically all grunt and none of them are quick. Would love to see Blease worked into the equation or for the penny to drop for Morton. Has not borne a passing resemblance to the athletic ball magnet we thought we were drafting. I really hate to say it but I'm starting to feel the same about Trengove. I wonder what his role will end up being. Where does everyone think Gysberts fits in? I have seen some brilliant clearance work from him though not in abundance.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Yep, as stated, its a combination of lack of quality outside players and the fitness/input from those inside players you mentioned.

It's no surprise that the improvement in the last two games has coincided with an improvement in the form of players like Bail, Morton, Bate and Davey, and more outside work from Jones.

If we can get the 5 you mentioned to stay fit, Moloney and Sylvia back to top form, and get more outside run and spread out of the 4 I've mentioned, plus maybe Bennell and/or Blease, we'll start to look the goods.

Oh yeah, and Capt Jack T back into form won't hurt.

IMO to get high no's of Lose ball, you have to have everyone playing with a higher intensity than we've been used to to get there first. Higher Intensity & the fitness to match.