Every couple of years I have a thread that looks at the number of players that are in the prime of their careers as a possible portent of how the team will go that year.

From 2013: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32853-optimist-prime/?hl=prime

22+ years of age with about 70 games of experience is the approximate measure with exceptions of course.

In 2013, we had Rodan, Jones, and Sylvia as the only midfielders in the prime of their careers. We have had a regrettable period since 2007, not least because of how few midfielders we have had in the prime of their careers...

In 2015, we have N Jones, Lumumba, McKenzie, Cross, Vince, Trengove, M Jones, and Bail as players that will run through the midfield that are also in, or extending, their prime years.

The numbers are healthier, but 3 of the 8 are peripheral players, another is injured for the season, and another is close to retirement...

But it is how they compare to other clubs - even middling ones - that I believe will determine how we go this season.

Note: We can absolutely include Tyson but he has only played 35 games, and his equivalent at other teams are not expected to deliver so early.

just makes it clear that in 2013, we had...... one N jones.

at least we know have Jones, Vince, Tyson, Cross and Lumumba = 5

(I'm including Tyson- similiar to how I reckon port would include Wines)

any idea how this compares with others? you would think, comparison wise, it would be bottom 4 material

Every couple of years I have a thread that looks at the number of players that are in the prime of their careers as a possible portent of how the team will go that year.

From 2013: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32853-optimist-prime/?hl=prime

22+ years of age with about 70 games of experience is the approximate measure with exceptions of course.

In 2013, we had Rodan, Jones, and Sylvia as the only midfielders in the prime of their careers. We have had a regrettable period since 2007, not least because of how few midfielders we have had in the prime of their careers...

In 2015, we have N Jones, Lumumba, McKenzie, Cross, Vince, Trengove, M Jones, and Bail as players that will run through the midfield that are also in, or extending, their prime years.

The numbers are healthier, but 3 of the 8 are peripheral players, another is injured for the season, and another is close to retirement...

But it is how they compare to other clubs - even middling ones - that I believe will determine how we go this season.

Note: We can absolutely include Tyson but he has only played 35 games, and his equivalent at other teams are not expected to deliver so early.

So, how do we compare, in your view?

Every couple of years I have a thread that looks at the number of players that are in the prime of their careers as a possible portent of how the team will go that year.

From 2013: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32853-optimist-prime/?hl=prime

22+ years of age with about 70 games of experience is the approximate measure with exceptions of course.

In 2013, we had Rodan, Jones, and Sylvia as the only midfielders in the prime of their careers. We have had a regrettable period since 2007, not least because of how few midfielders we have had in the prime of their careers...

In 2015, we have N Jones, Lumumba, McKenzie, Cross, Vince, Trengove, M Jones, and Bail as players that will run through the midfield that are also in, or extending, their prime years.

The numbers are healthier, but 3 of the 8 are peripheral players, another is injured for the season, and another is close to retirement...

But it is how they compare to other clubs - even middling ones - that I believe will determine how we go this season.

Note: We can absolutely include Tyson but he has only played 35 games, and his equivalent at other teams are not expected to deliver so early.

So do we have 5, 7, 11, 13, 17 or 19 midfielders? :)

Starting teams from the grand final and the Port prelim team. Brackets are young/inexperienced players I'm not going to look up ages, games, years on a list.

Hawks - Mitchell, Hodge, Burgoyne, Lewis, Smith, (Hill, Shiels, Langford)

Sydney - Kennedy, Parker, Jack, Hannebery, McVeigh, McGlynn, Jetta, (Cunningham, Lloyd) sub Bird

Port - Boak, Gray, Ebert, Cornes, Hartlett, White (Wines, Polec) sub Moore

8 seems a good starting number. Knowing that you can mix a half back or anywhere from 1-3 forwards through the mix is important as well but they are more bit part roles.

To answer a question of how many 'kids' as in first 2 seasons players can run through the midfields of best teams I think the answer is either none or 1. If they have the bodies and talent you can get 1 in. After that you're looking for guys who have done 3 or 4 preseasons and whether they've played 7 games or 70 doesn't matter so much.

As for Melbourne:

N Jones, Vince, Lumumba, Cross are the experience. Tyson, Viney the establishing young players who now have preseasons and a number of games under their belts. They aren't at the peak of their powers but they shouldn't feel they can't match it. Newton heads the cue to stake his claim as a legitimate regular player. He doesn't have games but he has the preseasons. If he can lock down a spot and make it 7 then we might be getting closer. Ideally we'd have 2 more experienced quality players. 1 gun speedy wingman and a half forward type. Give me Brad Hill and Robbie Grey and seriously we'd have midfield rotations to mix it with a lot of sides. We don't have those players.

If developed properly over the course of the next 24 months Crossy can retire, Brayshaw can step in to the mix to replace him, Petracca the forward who rotates and Stretch on a wing.

Until then it's Matt Jones or Toumpas (who if he fulfilled his talents would be a great complement to the side) as a winger. Maybe vandenBerg as the half forward. The Watts experiment seems to be canned. Dean Kent should get some midfield time as should JKH or Garlett on a wing but they are more the 5 minutes every now and then types than half a quarter.

Riley and Michie are a bit out of favour because they seem more suited to back ups to the core ball winning mids, they don't have the speed, fitness or skills (although Michie can be neat) to complement the starting guys. I like them both and think they should have a chance, but they aren't going to give us pace and run.

5 is my second favourite prime number.

5 is my second favourite prime number.

Well, don't keep us in suspense, what is your first favourite prime number then?

Well, don't keep us in suspense, what is your first favourite prime number then?

7

11

11

ixcellunt

Not sure if NZ or Scottish

My favourite prime number is whichever one the aliens used to record the Hitler message. Big nerd points if you get this reference.

My favourite prime number is whichever one the aliens used to record the Hitler message. Big nerd points if you get this reference.

Contact?

I remember something to do with the aliens sending a pattern of prime numbers with hitlers speech intermixed.

7 may not be enough, but 11 may be too many

7 may not be enough, but 11 may be too many

I think we're gonna need more maths.