This has to be the worst thread of the year.

Contested possessions today were virtually even.

We got beaten in uncontested possessions by about 60. Also well beaten in uncontested marks.

It's kind of funny isn't it, a thread about our lack of inside mids, in a game when we were smashed on the outside,

Our errors and lack of skill has cost us 100 points in the last 2 weeks imo

We just don't have enough natural midfielders. Players who can find the ball, win it, and use it.

Riley looms as one. We need about 7 or 8 more, enough to play some on the flanks like the better teams do.

I think trengove will become a genuine inside mid who can use the ball well

But we have far too many flankers

Todays game actually showed the exact opposite to the point of your thread. We actually held our own in contested possession but were outclassed. It was outside on the spread and effectiveness when we had it that cost us. We lack class and run.

Killed on the outside today.

AGAIN this proves why Picket Fence is clueless and shouldn't be taken seriously.

SA member attending the interstate members day. Very well run by the Club.

Great seeing the whole field not just the TV screen. Why did we break-even in the midfield? Because we rolled-up 2 HF flankers in the first half and 1 in the second. Our on-ballers still can't be trusted to win possession in their own right. So we kick to an undermanned forward line.

Our on-ballers also do not spread at pace. Geelong gave us a lesson in this area. They mauled us in the uncontested mark/possession counts.

Which of course brings me to Jack Watts! On the small screen at home, I have been perplexed watching his lack of endeavour at the contest. Today, with the vision of the whole field, I am totally bemused at his half-hearted leads at nothing but jogging pace. 12 disposals for a wing/high hf and 2 tackles (which I did not see). Run flat out or run away!

Todays game actually showed the exact opposite to the point of your thread. We actually held our own in contested possession but were outclassed. It was outside on the spread and effectiveness when we had it that cost us. We lack class and run.

Not so sure it showed this at all. The stats may but the game itself didn't really. We ran an extra player around the stoppages whilst Geelong just sat an extra back waiting for us to kick it to them which we did more often than not.

We have a fair few players that just aren't up to it, some of these guys actually work pretty hard but if we are to go forward they are not the answer. We do need players who can win their own ball, get there fair share and use it when they get it.

As for this thread, well we all know it was a little bit loaded.

I was at the interstate event too.

Word from one SA rep was that Toumpas is homesick and wants back to an Adelaide club, and Ben Kennedy wants out of Collingwood too.

Tell me more Demon Drew, you do tantalise!

This has to be the worst thread of the year.

Contested possessions today were virtually even.

We got beaten in uncontested possessions by about 60. Also well beaten in uncontested marks.

Just roll the tape from about the 20+ min mark of the first quarter and there it was in stark black and white centre clearances something like 9 -3 !

and as you so rightly say smashed outside as well! Point is what comes first, The chicken or the egg??

Edited July 12, 201411 yr by picket fence

Hmm, would we let toumpas walk, if so what for?

Gee, it's picket fence again, starting a thread about his own views that he's mentioned in every other thread 2,000 times. Great.

I'm beginning to think you're related to Saty.

And for the record we clearly need help all over the ground, not just in terms of 'inside grunt'.

Anyone else want to buy the notion that we need outside run as opposed to inside grunt need look no further than todays contested footy and first use count till half time! We are getting killed!

So once and for all this should send a reality check to all you posters out there that think that we need outside run as opposed to INSIDE MID GRUNT! as our first recruiting priority!

So as I was saying spend our first two picks on that need, THEN maybe look at Billy Stretch to appease that outside need as a third round pick.

The other startling need is for a key Forward and as I have said throw a package to Richmond for Riewoldt which they cannot refuse!

Till half time this display has been diabolical!

You had me until Reiwoldt. Overrated mino specialist.

Edited July 12, 201411 yr by Al's Demons

Amazing a professional football side could consistantly make such basic skill errors

Final counts (Melbourne then Geelong

Clearances - 34 to 42

Contested Possessions - 126 to 138

Tackles - 79 to 88

Hmm, they win on each count, but not by large margins.

Kicks - 165 to 229

Handballs - 130 to 145

An indication of just how well Geelong used space and controlled the ball around the ground.

Clangers - 48 to 36

Compounded by the fact that 3 of our top 6 disposal winners were delivering at 60% or less efficiency.

Inside 50s - 30 to 57

Golly gee whiz. At this point I'm going to suggest that Stephen Motlop would be a handy addition to our team, eh.

Add it all together with the fact that Melbourne have been routinely destroyed by turnovers from goals throughout the season, and it all points to Melbourne's top list priority being class, poise, decision making and good kicking. We need to get ourselves someone like Heppell or Fyfe a lot more than we need even a similarly rated gun like Rockliff or Hannebury.

We'd be unlucky to be forced to use our early second round pick (early 20-something) on Stretch, but by the same token, he is PRECISELY the kind of player we need more of, so deal with it.

Anyone else want to buy the notion that we need outside run as opposed to inside grunt need look no further than todays contested footy and first use count till half time! We are getting killed!

So once and for all this should send a reality check to all you posters out there that think that we need outside run as opposed to INSIDE MID GRUNT! as our first recruiting priority!

So as I was saying spend our first two picks on that need, THEN maybe look at Billy Stretch to appease that outside need as a third round pick.

The other startling need is for a key Forward and as I have said throw a package to Richmond for Riewoldt which they cannot refuse!

Till half time this display has been diabolical!

Lord Byron, I have aggregated the last 2 weeks, us vs opponent:

goals: 9-29

I-50s: 62-118

disposals: 609-767

clearances: 72-84

now, we are all each allowed to interpret stats in our own way, but to me, I look at that and say we are getting SMASHED in every key department EXCEPT for clearances, where our deficit is relatively minor. To me the clearance stat is the best indicator of inside mid effectiveness.

Two time Coleman medallist in a very very ordinary Team. Have we ever had a Coleman Medalist??

On that I'll Rest my case.

Would part with many to secure his services and I'm confident Paul Roos can "Get his head Right"

As Barry Hall said today in his column He needs a change of Scenery!

He can kick multlple goals and is in some ways "Jacovich Like"

Would take him in a heartbeat!

David Neitz. We ALL rest our case.

You had me until Reiwoldt. Overrated mino specialist.

Two time Coleman medallist in a very very ordinary Team. Have we ever had a Coleman Medalist other than David Nietz??

TIme to be bold

Would part with many to secure his services and I'm confident Paul Roos can "Get his head Right"

As Barry Hall said today in his column He needs a change of Scenery!

He can kick multlple goals and is in some ways "Jacovich" Like He is EXACTLY what we need to spark the joint up

He is the type of player that people come to see play!

Would take him in a heartbeat! For a change lets be bold at trade and offer Richmond something to think about!! Eh?

Edited July 12, 201411 yr by picket fence

Bring one of the most selfish footballers of the modern era into a team first culture, could work, or could spell disaster

So many ill-informed cliches in one thread...

Hmm, would we let toumpas walk, if so what for?

Ollie Wines lol

Anyone else want to buy the notion that we need outside run as opposed to inside grunt need look no further than todays contested footy and first use count till half time! We are getting killed!

So once and for all this should send a reality check to all you posters out there that think that we need outside run as opposed to INSIDE MID GRUNT! as our first recruiting priority!

So as I was saying spend our first two picks on that need, THEN maybe look at Billy Stretch to appease that outside need as a third round pick.

The other startling need is for a key Forward and as I have said throw a package to Richmond for Riewoldt which they cannot refuse!

Till half time this display has been diabolical!

Almost totally disagree. It was Geelong's outside run that killed us today. We severely lack outside run. We don't need to take speedsters with early picks necessarily, but we need players with good skills, who can take the game on from half back.

Edited July 12, 201411 yr by AdamFarr

Jack Riewoldt is one of the absolute last players I want walking into a club trying to build a culture.

We did not have a Motlop