We all know that our midfield is by far our biggest downfall, what do you think can be done this year by Neeld to restrict the damage. We have one decent midfielder at present being of course Nathan Jones probably followed at present by Grimes. This is an issue as currently I do not rate Grimes very highly, he is committed but predictable and lacks any amazing qualities (not particularly strong, good kick or fast). So this year our main midfield group looks to be: Jones, Grimes, Trengove (little preseason - and showed nothing last year), Sylvia (forward/midfield - lacks consistency), Mckenzie (yet to know where this kid fits in - lack of foot skills) Rodan (can't expect much), Nicholson (Ordinary player), Howe (forward/midfield - not sure where he should play), Blease (forward/wing - not sure what impact he will have this year. Now I must have forgotten someone but still not a formidable midfield.

I just wonder what Neeld plans are for the midfield this year, I did not include Viney and Toumpas as it is their first year and as Neeld says they don't expect much from them this year. It appears that we have quite a few players who play multiple roles ie Sylvia and I wonder if this is Neelds plan to have lots of flexible players that play midfield, forward and back. Using these players such as Sylvia (forward), Nicholson (back), Howe (forward), Blease (forward), Jetta (back/forward) may actually be our only chance of beating opposition midfields - DEPTH.

Could we look at developing players into midfield roles this year to steam the bleeding? - players such as Jetta, Strauss, Taggert, Kent, Tapscott etc. I think using playing multiple midfielders in the team is the only way we could match other teams midfields - the only key position midfielders we have are Jones, Grimes and Trengove (off the top of my head). The depth I guess makes up for the lack of midfield talent and although the midfielders will not always be the best they will be relatively fresh).

If tapscott can slim down therefore quicker/fitter possible Neeld could mould him, Jetta and Strauss into playing stints in midfield whilst playing forward or back? (They would provide much needed execution going forward! - as opposed to bombing it into the forward 50)

Is this what will make or break us this year? - the midfield.

Heres a possible line up for round one.

FB: Watts (possible stints on wing), Frawley, Stauss (possible stint midfielder?)

CHB: Dunn, McDonald, Jetta (stint midfielder/wing)

C: Blease (wing/rest forward), Jones, Toumpas (wing/forward - can't expect much)

CHF: Howe (forward/wing-rotate Blease), Clark, Sylvia (forward/onballer)

FF: Davey/Kent (stints on wing), Dawes, Byrnes (stints as outside midfielder)

FOLL: Jamar, Grimes, Trengove

INT: Viney, McKenzie, Tapscott (high forward/ wing?)

EMER: Sellar, Rodan, Gawn, Taggert

Is this idea of depth/versatility going too far? or could it stem the bleeding this year and give us time to develop our young guns (Trengove/Viney/Toumpas).

The core of your post seems to be: We Have Depth!

Depth is a peripheral benefit, needless to the terrible, a glove to a hooved creature.

We need very good players.

Depth can never replace them, whether they are injured or in our case not in existence.

We don't need to dwell on the luxury of depth, we need to hope for talent fulfilled, and pull that some join Jones and Grimes as players of decent talent putting together seasons defining that talent.

That is what will make us relevant.

Awesome Spine!

You're posting about depth, but have made no mention at all of the other Jones - I'd put him in for round 1 ahead of Trengove or even McKenzie; the former hasn't played a game yet and the latter has very little to offer. And why name Kent in a pocket, when he clearly can run and has a great long left-foot kick?

You're posting about depth, but have made no mention at all of the other Jones - I'd put him in for round 1 ahead of Trengove or even McKenzie; the former hasn't played a game yet and the latter has very little to offer. And why name Kent in a pocket, when he clearly can run and has a great long left-foot kick?

I can not yet rate Jones as I have not really seen much onf him. As for Kent it was him vs (sylvia and Howe) but yes I agree with you thats why I said "(stints on wing)", although the ideal place would be a high forward/stints on wing

The core of your post seems to be: We Have Depth!

Depth is a peripheral benefit, needless to the terrible, a glove to a hooved creature.

We need very good players.

Depth can never replace them, whether they are injured or in our case not in existence.

We don't need to dwell on the luxury of depth, we need to hope for talent fulfilled, and pull that some join Jones and Grimes as players of decent talent putting together seasons defining that talent.

That is what will make us relevant.

Well thats the point its TEMPORARY so we can win games and develop our youth.

or could it stem the bleeding this year and give us time to develop our young guns (Trengove/Viney/Toumpas).

With that said - there is merit in the line above.

We cannot continue to harbour potential talent is spades. We have jettisoned projects like Martin, Morton, Bennell, and Gysberts because we have young talent ahead of them in all positions and they were too much work for too little reward.

Exmaple: Gawn is worth the time and resources to develop over Martin because he is 4 inches taller and is 5 years younger. The other three were all trying to fit into a midfield or backline that didn't need them or had many other young talents ahead of them.

Well thats the point its TEMPORARY so we can win games and develop our youth.

That's fine, but I wouldn't call it depth.

We have drafted experienced players to hold down integral roles to lessen the pressure on the kids.

I see Rodan, Byrnes, M Jones, Magner, Dawes, Clark, Terlich, and Pedersen were recruited with an eye to them seeing a lot of minutes in the AFL in roles that would otherwise go to kids not ready for the exposure.

We all know that our midfield is by far our biggest downfall, what do you think can be done this year by Neeld to restrict the damage. We have one decent midfielder at present being of course Nathan Jones probably followed at present by Grimes. This is an issue as currently I do not rate Grimes very highly, he is committed but predictable and lacks any amazing qualities (not particularly strong, good kick or fast). So this year our main midfield group looks to be: Jones, Grimes, Trengove (little preseason - and showed nothing last year), Sylvia (forward/midfield - lacks consistency), Mckenzie (yet to know where this kid fits in - lack of foot skills) Rodan (can't expect much), Nicholson (Ordinary player), Howe (forward/midfield - not sure where he should play), Blease (forward/wing - not sure what impact he will have this year. Now I must have forgotten someone but still not a formidable midfield.

I just wonder what Neeld plans are for the midfield this year, I did not include Viney and Toumpas as it is their first year and as Neeld says they don't expect much from them this year. It appears that we have quite a few players who play multiple roles ie Sylvia and I wonder if this is Neelds plan to have lots of flexible players that play midfield, forward and back. Using these players such as Sylvia (forward), Nicholson (back), Howe (forward), Blease (forward), Jetta (back/forward) may actually be our only chance of beating opposition midfields - DEPTH.

Could we look at developing players into midfield roles this year to steam the bleeding? - players such as Jetta, Strauss, Taggert, Kent, Tapscott etc. I think using playing multiple midfielders in the team is the only way we could match other teams midfields - the only key position midfielders we have are Jones, Grimes and Trengove (off the top of my head). The depth I guess makes up for the lack of midfield talent and although the midfielders will not always be the best they will be relatively fresh).

If tapscott can slim down therefore quicker/fitter possible Neeld could mould him, Jetta and Strauss into playing stints in midfield whilst playing forward or back? (They would provide much needed execution going forward! - as opposed to bombing it into the forward 50)

Is this what will make or break us this year? - the midfield.

Heres a possible line up for round one.

FB: Watts (possible stints on wing), Frawley, Stauss (possible stint midfielder?)

CHB: Dunn, McDonald, Jetta (stint midfielder/wing)

C: Blease (wing/rest forward), Jones, Toumpas (wing/forward - can't expect much)

CHF: Howe (forward/wing-rotate Blease), Dawes, Sylvia (forward/onballer)

FF: Davey/Kent (stints on wing), Clark, Byrnes (stints as outside midfielder)

FOLL: Jamar, Grimes, Trengove

INT: Viney, McKenzie, Tapscott (high forward/ wing?)

EMER: Sellar, Rodan, Gawn, Taggert

Is this idea of depth/versatility going too far? or could it stem the bleeding this year and give us time to develop our young guns (Trengove/Viney/Toumpas).

I like the way you think young dee but by focussing on the midfield, you have left out a few valuable talls in Sellar and Garland (leadership team). You also have got Dawes and Clark in opposite positions that Neeld has suggested he intends however I am sure that there are merits both ways. Finally i think Terlich shoud start Round 1 possibly in lieu of Strauss (I am assuming the fact that you have not nominated a sub, that you think Kent may play this role?).

If you wanted to increase the midfield depth you would play Rodan and rest him forward instead of playing forwards and giving them stints in the midfield.

We all know that our midfield is by far our biggest downfall, what do you think can be done this year by Neeld to restrict the damage. We have one decent midfielder at present being of course Nathan Jones probably followed at present by Grimes. This is an issue as currently I do not rate Grimes very highly, he is committed but predictable and lacks any amazing qualities (not particularly strong, good kick or fast). So this year our main midfield group looks to be: Jones, Grimes, Trengove (little preseason - and showed nothing last year), Sylvia (forward/midfield - lacks consistency), Mckenzie (yet to know where this kid fits in - lack of foot skills) Rodan (can't expect much), Nicholson (Ordinary player), Howe (forward/midfield - not sure where he should play), Blease (forward/wing - not sure what impact he will have this year. Now I must have forgotten someone but still not a formidable midfield.

I just wonder what Neeld plans are for the midfield this year, I did not include Viney and Toumpas as it is their first year and as Neeld says they don't expect much from them this year. It appears that we have quite a few players who play multiple roles ie Sylvia and I wonder if this is Neelds plan to have lots of flexible players that play midfield, forward and back. Using these players such as Sylvia (forward), Nicholson (back), Howe (forward), Blease (forward), Jetta (back/forward) may actually be our only chance of beating opposition midfields - DEPTH.

Could we look at developing players into midfield roles this year to steam the bleeding? - players such as Jetta, Strauss, Taggert, Kent, Tapscott etc. I think using playing multiple midfielders in the team is the only way we could match other teams midfields - the only key position midfielders we have are Jones, Grimes and Trengove (off the top of my head). The depth I guess makes up for the lack of midfield talent and although the midfielders will not always be the best they will be relatively fresh).

If tapscott can slim down therefore quicker/fitter possible Neeld could mould him, Jetta and Strauss into playing stints in midfield whilst playing forward or back? (They would provide much needed execution going forward! - as opposed to bombing it into the forward 50)

Is this what will make or break us this year? - the midfield.

Heres a possible line up for round one.

FB: Watts (possible stints on wing), Frawley, Stauss (possible stint midfielder?)

CHB: Dunn, McDonald, Jetta (stint midfielder/wing)

C: Blease (wing/rest forward), Jones, Toumpas (wing/forward - can't expect much)

CHF: Howe (forward/wing-rotate Blease), Dawes, Sylvia (forward/onballer)

FF: Davey/Kent (stints on wing), Clark, Byrnes (stints as outside midfielder)

FOLL: Jamar, Grimes, Trengove

INT: Viney, McKenzie, Tapscott (high forward/ wing?)

EMER: Sellar, Rodan, Gawn, Taggert

Is this idea of depth/versatility going too far? or could it stem the bleeding this year and give us time to develop our young guns (Trengove/Viney/Toumpas).

Depth is a good description and it does appear to be an aspect that we are developing.

It also allows a more flexible structure so you can rest players or select to counter opponents structures

I have also promoted a tactic of rotation like a basketball key where the players rotate around the ball movement to create space and unsettle opposition structures. It can provide movement within zone structures to find holes and can break man on man structures Of course it requires greater movement therefore fitness although if done smoothly in coordinated fashion it can be done at a slower pace with burst features.

It is all part of the excitement that I see is possible with the players we have I will be watching Neelds structures and tactics with anticipation