Grimes: midfield or half-back?

[P-man 13,366]

This topic seems to keep popping up in various threads. Perhaps it's time we get Demonland's official stance, Rangey style.

Note that the question is around what position he is best suited to next season and beyond, not what his position should be by default or due to a lack of options.

Feel free to outline his exact role below.

Edited October 21, 2013 by P-man

[Young Dee 1,303]

It's a tough one but I just don't think he is built to be a midfielder. I just get the feeling that he is not a natural mid.

Played some great footy down back early and was forced into the midfield due to lack of mids.

Hard one to call because 1. he is always in and out of injury and 2. because I don't know his true influence on the midfield (behind the ball stuff).

Only time will tell.

Edited October 21, 2013 by Young Dee

[beelzebub 23,254]

Back flanker definitely for mine. Hes actually a very good reader of the play and despite the occasional stuffing of his deliveries is very good at instigating rebounds. Gets a bit lost in the hectic traffic of the midfield..leave him back please.

[Adam The God 29,679]

I put Grimes on the back flank in my 2014 team, but I think if he's going to make it, it'll be as a mid. His disposal is too ordinary to be playing off half back. In the midfield, if he can win clearances, disposal by foot will be less important.

[Adam The God 29,679]

Back flanker definitely for mine. Hes actually a very good reader of the play and despite the occasional stuffing of his deliveries is very good at instigating rebounds. Gets a bit lost in the hectic traffic of the midfield..leave him back please.

This is the one thing that I agree with. He does read it very well. If Roos can limit those errors by foot, he serviceable and becomes damaging if he can chop of opposition play and rebound effectively.

[Carlos Danger 380]

Maybe it's Brian Royal's fault but he really appeared to have much less of an impact in the midfield than he did off the back flank.

And the more Grimes can impact a game, the better the team is for it.

[Swampfox 190]

If this was 1970 i would say half back flank

In todays game flankers are basically defensive or attacking midfelders

Rotations allow for teams to share the work load and adjust to the conditions and the scoreboard

Even a flanker needs a decent tank these days

[beelzebub 23,254]

Given that flankers by their very nature work to the periphery of the midfield anyway Grimes can and would have some impact there. But i see him doing so as an instigator /rebounder coming into that fray rather than trying to earn his quid from the guts

[Biffen 12,937]

HBF

Hope he does not win the "sideways metres gained" stat.

[old dee 23,558]

Back flanker definitely for mine. Hes actually a very good reader of the play and despite the occasional stuffing of his deliveries is very good at instigating rebounds. Gets a bit lost in the hectic traffic of the midfield..leave him back please.

10 out of 10 bb that covers it perfectly.

[thevil1 421]

Didn't Roos or one of the coaches already mention a return to the HBF for Grimsey? Or did I just imagine that?!? Can't find it so I probably did.

I reckon his disposal like a lot of our defenders will be a lot better off half back with better midfield spread this year & our recruits bar Cross are all decent overhead too. I reckon he needs to read/see the play coming rather than get lost in the middle to play his best footy, I have a sneaky suspicion his awareness is not quite elite but his reading of the play can be. When he wins the ball in the middle I rate him as a midfielder, off the ball to me he seems lost. Much easier to tidy up his kicking off HB IMO then his awareness & natural instincts. Could be our right footed Hodge (who was sensational in the Granny but still fluffed a few field kicks early on).

[Red and Bluebeard 2,081]

Back flanker definitely for mine. Hes actually a very good reader of the play and despite the occasional stuffing of his deliveries is very good at instigating rebounds. Gets a bit lost in the hectic traffic of the midfield..leave him back please.

Snap, BB (without the -sy ) Back flank by a mile. He is pretty good one-on-one as well, and his instincts are generally good. Could do with improved disposal, like about 35 others on the list ...

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

half back.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Now we've added to our midfield talent, its time to go back Jack.

rotate thru the mids on occasion to keep the hand in.

work on you kicking Jack.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Half back. He has courage and throws himself at any contest and as has been mentioned he finds the right spot to fill when floating off half back. In saying that he will probably get injured playing there again.

[ashdemons22 235]

Half back. He sets up the play way better down back he gets lost in the midfield.

I remember watching him in his first or second season down back smothering kicks pealing of his man to help out the defenders in contests that's where we need him.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,136]

The best footy I have seen Grimes play is out of the back. He can mark, he can gather, he has shown that he can run and deliver. It seems a no brainer to me.

[Biffen 12,937]

The best footy I have seen Grimes play is out of the back. He can mark, he can gather, he has shown that he can run and deliver. It seems a no brainer to me.

Put up the avatar again.

The one of the lads relaxing.

Everybody is agreeing with each other.

We need some controversy.

I consider you the Banksy of Demonland in the avatar dept.

[Guest]

Not even close

[Bitter but optimistic 22,136]

Sorry old mate - I cannot unload

[Gippsland Dee 367]

he has played his best footy on the half backline. When in the midfield he has seemed struggle to some extent. And now considering the recruits we have picked up during the trade period and now cross as a DFA i think that further solidifies his place as being along the halfback line.

[Earl Hood 6,067]

Sorry old mate - I cannot unload

Unload or upload?

[monoccular 17,355]

Good question.

No longer can a HBF just be a negator; they have to be a link man and therefore have awareness, quick decision making and pinpoint disposal - Hawthorn and Geelong in particular have shown this.

Can his disposal be improved to allow him to play on HBF? Big question and challenge both for Jack and for Mr Roos.

[gsmith12 491]

If Jack's performances in either position during 2013 are a guide, hbf wins hands down.

[jnrmac 19,940]

Gotta be midfield.

Hard to kick out on the full when you are in the middle of the ground