Building the "Brute" midfield

[btdemon 482]

It would appear that in selecting the powerful Clayton Oliver over Darcy Parish, that the Dees are building a midfield for the future based on the Freo/Swans model. This makes sense when you consider the Roos/Lyon influence. Parish is without a doubt, a pure ball winner and a natural footballer and I'm confident he will be class act in the future. There is a part of me that wanted to take him at pick 3. On the other hand, I was wary that he was too small, given of the other mids on our list. Two of our main ball winners are Jones and Viney (180 & 179 cm respectively). The prospect of another 180cm prime engine room player concerned me.

Oliver reminds me a little of Michael Voss (from the highlights package admittedly). He barges through packs, stands up in tackles and delivers the ball well under pressure, by hand and foot. He also appears to have a great footy brain and good evasion and lateral movement. This may help compensate for his self-confessed lack of pace. He also has good hands and likes a goal. He's fierce at the ball and the man.

The decision to take Oliver over Parish appears to be very considered. Bernie Vince is a great ball winner and smart user but won't be around when this list is at its peak. Jones will probably be in the twilight of his career and not the force he has been up until now. This midfield will be based on the big bodies of the guys following: Tyson (186 cm), Brayshaw (187 cm), vandenberg (188 cm), *Trengove (185 cm), Oliver (187 cm), Petracca (186 cm), Harmes (185 cm). All of these guys are powerful through the core and legs as well and stand up pretty well when tackled.

Then there are a smaller bunch: Viney (179 cm but plays like he's much bigger), Neal-Bullen (182 cm), Stretch (180 cm), Salem (183), Newton (183 cm) - all of whom have shown a genuine toughness around the ball.

There are other smaller players who may end up in the middle at times like Kent, JKH, Kennedy.

With development Brayshaw and Oliver will end up with bigger and harder bodies than they have at this stage. We still could do with a bit more outside speed but Brayshaw, Vandenberg, Harmes and Petracca are all quick. This all points to a physically powerful midfield with players who can also kick goals. With the right development and a ounce of good luck this may be a feared midfield group in the not too distant future.

This is why I'm glad we picked Oliver over Parish.

* Providing that Trenners gets back successfully.

[Fat Tony 5,279]

Good post. Hopefully players like Stretch, Watts, Kennedy, Kennedy-Harris and Hunt can develop to give us some outside run.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

Looking at the some of the predicted best 22's the pace side of things actually isn't all that bad

Melksham, Jetta, Lumumba, Garlett, Kent, Petracca, Watts can all run and carry the ball

[Fat Tony 5,279]

Looking at the some of the predicted best 22's the pace side of things actually isn't all that bad

Melksham, Jetta, Lumumba, Garlett, Kent, Petracca, Watts can all run and carry the ball

I think we would be bottom quartile for speed in the AFL.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

I think we always look slow because a lot of the time (not as much as it was), we are chasing screw ups. Its hard to look fast when the ball lands at your forwards feet, bounces in the opposite direction, is gathered by the opposition ran thru our zoned defense and delivered to their forwards with precision. We get carved up with run and carry because of lack of numbers due to work ethic or footy smarts before speed IMHO.

[The Stigga 1,094]

I think we would be bottom quartile for speed in the AFL.

How fast are Hawthorn? Not very.

Their speed comes in the form of quick ball movement and superior kicking skills.

[DeeZee 7,445]

Geez....Imagine Viney, Vandenberg,Brayshaw,Petracca and Oliver in a few years time, monstering the opposition to our first flag in 40 years, with Hogan and Weideman picking em off in the air.

We have a plan , and I like it.....alot.

[DubDee 26,129]

Geez....Imagine Viney, Vandenberg,Brayshaw,Petracca and Oliver in a few years time, monstering the opposition to our first flag in 40 years, with Hogan and Weideman picking em off in the air.

We have a plan , and I like it.....alot.

you're livin in the past man

[Chris 2,892]

I think we always look slow because a lot of the time (not as much as it was), we are chasing screw ups. Its hard to look fast when the ball lands at your forwards feet, bounces in the opposite direction, is gathered by the opposition ran thru our zoned defense and delivered to their forwards with precision. We get carved up with run and carry because of lack of numbers due to work ethic or footy smarts before speed IMHO.

I think the work ethic is there it is just the skill we lack. It looks like we have no work ethic as players are out of position due to the stuff ups and turn overs.

[DeeZee 7,445]

you're livin in the past man

Ha ha , how is discussing the future living in the past?...lol

[rjay 25,100]

How fast are Hawthorn? Not very.

Their speed comes in the form of quick ball movement and superior kicking skills.

They added a bit of outside pace with Smith & Hill 'The Stigga', we will need to look at this but we needed to build a strong midfield first.

Agree that the Hawks midfielders in general are not renowned for their speed, kicking skills do make the difference.

[Chris 2,892]

Ha ha , how is discussing the future living in the past?...lol

Just a smart asre shot at you saying the first flag in 40 years, that was 11 years ago.

[What 18,810]

How fast are Hawthorn? Not very.

Their speed comes in the form of quick ball movement and superior kicking skills.

Same with Geelong when they were dominating

Edited November 26, 2015 by Petraccattack

[DeeZee 7,445]

Just a smart asre shot at you saying the first flag in 40 years, that was 11 years ago.

Yeah I thought the same Chris....it's weird what people focus on in a post and miss the main message.

[jnrmac 20,189]

I think we always look slow because a lot of the time (not as much as it was), we are chasing screw ups. Its hard to look fast when the ball lands at your forwards feet, bounces in the opposite direction, is gathered by the opposition ran thru our zoned defense and delivered to their forwards with precision. We get carved up with run and carry because of lack of numbers due to work ethic or footy smarts before speed IMHO.

You look a lot faster when, you don't turn the ball over, hit targets, have players running and spreading etc. Confidence in the game plan and better skills will transform the way our team looks. As Roos has said previously, the Dees needed more talent, bigger bodies and competetive players.

I think the past 3 drafts have largely done that. Certainly within the restrictions of trading/drafting rules.

[What 18,810]

The non competitive days are gone. As Jesse said in a recent interview the club is targeting players who are self driven and have the will to win.

Good times are coming.

[P-man 13,366]

Definite hints of Sydney/Freo in the build. I hope we're more attractive to watch in the long run though.

Granted that Hogan alone is worth the price of admission.

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

If we're quick enough to get hold of the opposition and mercilessly drive them into the turf , the rest should take care of itself.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Hawthorn have Hill and Smith, and to a lesser extent Rioli, who play on a wing and have lightning speed and can really take advantage of the space when it is there. Freo have Hill, Pearce and now Bennell as well.

IMO, we only need one or two, but I don't think we have any at this stage. Garlett plays closer to goal, other guys like Hunt are still speculative and some way off, Kent is more of a forward and I don't think he has the top end speed those listed above have, JKH isn't quick enough etc etc.

A young Aaron Davey would be handy.

[Fat Tony 5,279]

How fast are Hawthorn? Not very.

Their speed comes in the form of quick ball movement and superior kicking skills.

Hawthorn have a balance and are much faster than you think. They have Smith, Hill and Burgoyne who are good on the outside, as well as a forward line with three nippy small forwards and two very mobile talls. These players compliment the lack of pace of Mitchell, Lewis and Hodge.

[watchtheeyes 1,422]

Don't sleep on Jayden Hunt!!

[Chook 15,022]

I hope we've learned not to place all our faith in unknown teenagers by now. These kids are just kids, so let's not assume too much based on who we've picked—at least until we see them play.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Looking at the some of the predicted best 22's the pace side of things actually isn't all that bad

Melksham, Jetta, Lumumba, Garlett, Kent, Petracca, Watts can all run and carry the ball

we really don't want pace just for its sake.

we do not need pacy players like bennell who can't do the other requirements. or runners who won't tackle, or even chase.

If we had the choice of the fastest kid who could kick, but that's all, or the 15 fastest kid still with pace, but was tough & loved the competition. Give me the physical competitor each & every time.

Relish the chance to compete, otherwise run along.

[dee-luded 2,959]

How fast are Hawthorn? Not very.

Their speed comes in the form of quick ball movement and superior kicking skills.

& pressured turnovers, catching the opposition wrong footed.

[monoccular 17,578]

Speed isn't all in the legs

Speed of ball movement comes with skill and awareness and with having players working hard (not necessarily fast) off the ball to create options.

If you KNOW there is always a target who has made themselves ready to receive the whole perception of speed is there. On the other hand the fastest player who has nobody prepared to receive will always look slow.

Would you rather Sam Blease or Diesel Williams: leg speed or quick precise thinking?