Did anyone think the loss of Byrnes hurt us last weeekend?

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,366]

I didn't.

To be brutally honest, he's played 2 good games (V GWS and Brisbane) and 5 poor to ordinary games.

He's influence has been very minimal as he fades in and out of games pretty badly. Probably averaging about 10 touches a game.

A very underwhelming start.

Thoughts?

[MadAsHell 4,209]

Here we go again.

As has been discussed on several different threads, Byrnes has come to the club for just as much if not more his off field influence and leadership as much as his on-field due to our severe lack of senior players.

Any games that Byrnes (or Rodan) play should be seen purely as a bonus. Byrnes has played a role as far as forward pressure goes and we do lack small forwards. I expect Kent to push for Byrnes spot in the team as early as next season. But Byrnes influence can't be measured on stats alone. I would be suprised if he didn't come into the 22 next week.

[hardtack 10,413]

Pointless thread, produced with the sole intent of simply bagging one of our own again!

[monoccular 17,321]

I didn't.

To be brutally honest, he's played 2 good games (V GWS and Brisbane) and 5 poor to ordinary games.

He's influence has been very minimal as he fades in and out of games pretty badly. Probably averaging about 10 touches a game.

A very underwhelming start.

Thoughts?

FCS what a ridiculous thread. No, we didn't miss Michael Newton, Brent Grgic or Darren Kowal either. Can we have a thread for these as well?

[Chook 14,998]

I reckon he's played four good games, 1 average game and 2 poor games. As others have said, he's been brought to the club for more than just his onfield performances anyway, so as long as he is helping us reform our "culture" (whatever that is) then he's doing his job.

[rpfc 28,048]

He is our only small forward on the list. Many want Davey forward while others talk wistfully about him being behind the ball...

Byrnes is a small forward in a team that struggles to get the ball forward.

I have been impressed with what he has done and he will slot straight back in when he is right.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

He is our only small forward on the list. .

Davey and Jetta had a growth spurt apparently.

Given situation of the game I don't believe Byrnes was missed. Has only been prominent against 16th and 18th teams on the list. Has been invisible against other sides.

[Nasher 33,607]

Here we go again.

As has been discussed on several different threads, Byrnes has come to the club for just as much if not more his off field influence and leadership as much as his on-field due to our severe lack of senior players.

Any games that Byrnes (or Rodan) play should be seen purely as a bonus. Byrnes has played a role as far as forward pressure goes and we do lack small forwards. I expect Kent to push for Byrnes spot in the team as early as next season. But Byrnes influence can't be measured on stats alone. I would be suprised if he didn't come into the 22 next week.

Byrnes was brought to the club in the expectation that he would be best 22. His leadership was certainly a huge drawcard, but it's not *the* reason. It's patently false to claim that games played are just a "bonus" - FCS he's a player, his primary role is to play.

As for how he has actually played - I agree with rpfc. He's our best (only) small forward and I'm not too unhappy thus far given that he plays in starvation corner.

[titan_uranus 24,626]

Byrnes might not be one of the AFL's best players, but unfortunately he's one of ours.

Didn't play well the first two/three weeks, but then again, neither did anyone else.

Thought he lifted for the GWS and Brisbane games, and I felt he was slowly settling into his role as a FP/HFF. His foot skills were noticeably better than most.

With Bail, McKenzie, Nicholson and Strauss in the side, Byrnes has places available to come back in.

[Gorgoroth 12,711]

They say small forward is one of the hardest places to play, add to the fact we get 35 inside 50s a game, sure, he should be kicking 5 a week with our sublime kicking ability.

[Gorgoroth 12,711]

They say small forward is one of the hardest places to play, add to the fact we get 35 inside 50s a game, sure, he should be kicking 5 a week with our sublime kicking ability.

[jumbo returns 6,703]

I think he's good.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I think he's been better in the middle than up forward.

[kieranbj 111]

I think Davey stood up and played the high half forward/ forward pocket role that Brynes has been playing all season tremendously well on the weekend. For me he was our best player for the day and relished finally being given some freedom and responsibility from Neeld.

That is not to say I think Davey has taken Brynes spot, I see no reason why they can't play in the same side. Having those two kicking inside 50 / for goal is a good thing for the side. Ro Bails HFF role could be in jeopardy if Brynes returns.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

I have no idea about Shannon's leadership abilities and I am fairly ambivalent towards him as a player, but I do feel confident that when he has the footy that the next bloke to have the footy will also be wearing red and blue. This is more than I can say about a lot of our team

His stats are better than I expected; Ave 15 disp, 4 marks and just under 3 tackles a game

So to answer the OP, yes we probably did miss him

[Ted Lasso 18,783]

See it's hard to judge guys like this, his talk, direction and even his presence alone might have a strong effect on the team, for me he needs to play more in the middle though.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

With Bail, McKenzie, Nicholson and Strauss in the side, Byrnes has places available to come back in.

I don't see him competing with any of these players for a spot in the side. But it's noted that the players you mentioned all have perform each week otherwise they will be replaced by better candidates who can actually fill those roles.

The small forward role is a list weakness at MFC. My concern is that Davey appears to be our best option but is not a good option. I don't believe Byrnes is that player no matter how well he apparently does on the training track. In a few years Dom Barry might develop into an option but we are starved of capable realistic options.

Rather unbelievable when we are planning a forward line of Clark, Dawes, Hogan and we have no one of any real calibre to play at their feet.

[McQueen 17,864]

Still think his most dominant display was 5 goals in the intraclub.

Seriously though, I wasn't excited by his signing last year and he's done nothing to really change my mind. He might add some polish once the team starts to click a little more in the future but for now he's struggling just like the rest of the boys under Neeld.

Hope he turns out to be a handy contributor but not holding my breath.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Byrnes was brought to the club in the expectation that he would be best 22. His leadership was certainly a huge drawcard, but it's not *the* reason. It's patently false to claim that games played are just a "bonus" - FCS he's a player, his primary role is to play.

.

Agree. I am sure this type of reasoning where we recruit a player and any game they is bonus is a definite symptom of the MFCSS.

I disagree that he is our only small forward option. He is one of a number NQRs who could play that position but can't nail it.

[rpfc 28,048]

Davey and Jetta had a growth spurt apparently.

Given situation of the game I don't believe Byrnes was missed. Has only been prominent against 16th and 18th teams on the list. Has been invisible against other sides.

Again, Davey remains one of the few who can kick straight and in form he is more use behind the ball and Jetta...

Jetta is not a small forward.

I think I have typed that about 100 times on here.

Byrnes is our best option at small forward and he is value when we can get it down there - oddly enough when we play against the poorer sides.

I refuse to let him be a scapegoat on here for our issues.

[DeeSpencer 24,762]

What exactly did Tapscott, Toumpas, Bail and Jetta produce up forward in his absence? Davey obviously was good but the other 4 provided nothing. Of course none of them nor Byrnes are stars but you'd think in at least an average side that has some idea how to retain the footy you'd see much higher disposal counts and more goals.

[Ted Lasso 18,783]

What exactly did Tapscott, Toumpas, Bail and Jetta produce up forward in his absence? Davey obviously was good but the other 4 provided nothing. Of course none of them nor Byrnes are stars but you'd think in at least an average side that has some idea how to retain the footy you'd see much higher disposal counts and more goals.

I think Tapscott provides a perceived pressure which is good, he hits bodies very hard which is fantastic to see, i thought Toumpas didn't get the ball much but looked composed and classy when he had it which is a welcome change, and Jetta adds abit of zip, certainly better than Nicholson but output isn't quite as high as i would have hoped, granted it was his first game for a while

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Again, Davey remains one of the few who can kick straight and in form he is more use behind the ball and Jetta...

Jetta is not a small forward.

I think I have typed that about 100 times on here.

Byrnes is our best option at small forward and he is value when we can get it down there - oddly enough when we play against the poorer sides.

I refuse to let him be a scapegoat on here for our issues.

Against superior opposition, Davey kicked 3 from the FP and if not a brain fade should have 4. He can't play up the ground regularly because he does not have the tank.

And its a self serving misnomer in the modern game where players cover both ends of the ground that because you play predominantly the small forward role that you have a cheap excuse for poor performance.

And when you find Byrnes scapegoated for our issues, tell us all because that definitely happened in this thread.

[Longsufferingnomore 1,612]

Pointless thread, produced with the sole intent of simply bagging one of our own again!

After listening to Patrick Smith and Kevin Bartlett this morning, don't we have enough people (term loosely used) media and other club supporters bagging us on the outside without MFC supporters doing the same. All the players are struggling in that we know that they are better than what they are now. The players know what is going outside of their office. They know what is being said and don't be fooled by "I don't read the newspapers" quotes.

I don't mind a relevant discussion regarding a players game but with regard to Shannon Byrne he has come into a team that is floundering. Even with any good team it takes time to gel with the style of play. We need his type whilst we develop other players. We need back up players and you can see by the Casey result we do not have the luxury of back up players that the other better teams have.

I've got a sore head this morning listening to other team supporters ringing in to tell the world what is wrong with the Club from the FD to the total administration. What would they know only for what is being fed to them on a daily basis. And for CW to say that Peter Jackson more or less told her that the whole Administration of the Club was a shambles well, just typical CW. Even if Peter Jackson thought this why on earth would he give CW a tell all. Peter Jackson is right we need clear air - less media interference. Rodney Eade's comment to Robbo is also telling me that within the other Clubs there is a bit of sympathy for the MFC and the constant targeting and negative reporting. I need to lie down now.

[Redleg 40,207]

Davey and Jetta had a growth spurt apparently.

Given situation of the game I don't believe Byrnes was missed. Has only been prominent against 16th and 18th teams on the list. Has been invisible against other sides.

Agree. I think if anything he was missed by Casey, where he should finish off this year.