It's not the be all and end all, but he is still averaging over 25 disposals a game.

I also like the way he directs the team on the field (others have started to make specific examples).

He's been a big tick this year for mine. Except the dumb suspension of course

Edited June 13, 20177 yr by Sigil

Demonland is a weird place. Lewis' kicking has been sensational all year, certainly in our top 5 or 6 kicks, but apparently he can't kick anymore. He's roundly been seen as a leader even by the current captains. But according to demonlanders, he's not a leader. Apparently he's slower now, and yet he gets high disposals every game. Maybe he was never that quick to begin with? 'Landers have even been sooking about how he doesn't lead or fly the flag of MFC, despite the fact he chose, out of 17 clubs, to come to us. Oh and he's arrogant, to boot. Even though A: He's earned it... and B: Arrogance and confidence are great agents in Aussie Rules football. One's we haven't had since Lyon retired.

We knew what we were getting. A former star on the decline, who at 50% is still better than most players at 100%. Get a grip.

Whilst I agree that Lewis has been instrumental in more than one win this season with his calm head and constructive direction, his ball handling against Collingwood was (imho) sub AFL standard. If he continues to be unable to cleanly collect simple footy (fumbling handball receives and ground balls) then he must be held to the same standards as the rest of the team. Best of luck Jordy, hope it was just an off day. 

  On 12/06/2017 at 12:00, bandicoot said:

You are an absolute [censored].

you can't measure what he brings to the side in experience and leadership.

he is like having another coach on the field.

We are very fortunate that you have absolutely nothing to do with the MFC. 

When people resort to personal abuse you know they are losing an argument

Try to be civil

OK, so moving away from the strange views of some of our posters, who sound like opposition suppporters trolling the site, back to the thread.

Is JL important? Yes. Leadership, kicking skill, experience. 

Is he perfect? No

Is he declining? Yes.

Edited June 13, 20177 yr by Maldonboy38

  On 13/06/2017 at 09:41, TGR said:

 

"Most of us think the earth is flat"

"Hang on, I think it might be round"

 

So a balanced view is what?  The earth is shaped like a banana?

 

Nothing balanced about this trade dichotomy.  The football world thought Melbourne got a steal.  Go back to November 2016...and only a few objective thinkers thought it was going to be a stinker.

 

pTGR

No I think he means balanced in reference to the black and white views that you have expressed.  Ie the spud or gun footy forum dichotomy to which you have subscribed.

 

I've been a fan and he has mostly been good this year with a few lapses, but what he brings us is leadership direction and experience, even getting into the heads of our younger players would build enormous self belief.

Should be great this year and next, but not sure about a third year as he is showing signs of slowing down.

He acknowledged that he had an absolute mare on 360 last night but highlighted that as a "proud person" he would definitely bounce back next week against the Dogs.

Start him in the guts this week.

  On 13/06/2017 at 01:20, Gorgoroth said:

6 minutes to go after the Petracca goal you see Lewis on the wing telling Clarry to move to a different spot at the centre bounce and clarry gets the kick out of th centre. 

Great pick up. I saw it on the replay and replayed it a couple of times. No doubt he was directing oliver as he turned to look at lewis, moved position and yes got the clearance. Great for oliver to have somone oh lewis' experience to learn his craft from

  On 13/06/2017 at 22:29, McQueen said:

He acknowledged that he had an absolute mare on 360 last night but highlighted that as a "proud person" he would definitely bounce back next week against the Dogs.

Start him in the guts this week.

He looked furious after the game. Im guessing at himself. Good call. Start him in the centre at the opening bounce. Or maybe running off tbe back of tbe square and through the contest

  On 13/06/2017 at 22:40, binman said:

Great pick up. I saw it on the replay and replayed it a couple of times. No doubt he was directing oliver as he turned to look at lewis, moved position and yes got the clearance. Great for oliver to have somone oh lewis' experience to learn his craft from

If you listen closely I'm positive you hear him yell Clarry a few times.

His worst game on Monday, by a mile.

The positive is that we won and he's now got an opportunity to have a response game in an arguably more important clash. 

I really am only expecting one win over the next three rounds given our continual one-quarter lapses. If we continue the trend, none of the next three teams will be as kind during those lapses. 

Any of the dogs, WC or Sydney could put us to bed in one quarter if we stink it up like we have been. I'm confident that our best can match it. But I'm not confident that we will play our best for long enough.

  On 13/06/2017 at 23:20, stevethemanjordan said:

His worst game on Monday, by a mile.

The positive is that we won and he's now got an opportunity to have a response game in an arguably more important clash. 

I really am only expecting one win over the next three rounds given our continual one-quarter lapses. If we continue the trend, none of the next three teams will be as kind during those lapses. 

Any of the dogs, WC or Sydney could put us to bed in one quarter if we stink it up like we have been. I'm confident that our best can match it. But I'm not confident that we will play our best for long enough.

Bulldogs and WC have been playing some pretty bad patches themselves lately, I think they've both been as bad as we have. 

  On 13/06/2017 at 23:27, Deestroy All said:

Bulldogs and WC have been playing some pretty bad patches themselves lately, I think they've both been as bad as we have. 

 

True.

But I'm a Melbourne supporter and have been programmed to think otherwise.

 

  On 13/06/2017 at 03:19, Vogon Poetry said:

Show me a game where Lewis has turned it?  And he hasn't shown leadership nor set an example by potting someone behind play and missing 3 games which we lost and could easily have won 2 if he'd been available.  That's leadership?

What are you saying ? you pot him saying he does nothing then say we would have won if we had him play,you have a foot in both camps or in your mouth.  

  On 13/06/2017 at 23:30, stevethemanjordan said:

 

True.

But I'm a Melbourne supporter and have been programmed to think otherwise.

 

All three teams are below us on the ladder Steve.  I know that doesn't necessarily mean we're better, but it does mean they have plenty of flaws to be exposed, just as we do.  Get around us!

I've been disappointed with his foot skills and physical presence, but I acknowledge his leadership and he's a versatile player that can go behind the ball, into a centre square stoppage, or even push forward.

Perhaps he's feeling his way with new teammates and a new game style.  I reckon he's got some good games left, but he's not someone I'm expecting to be in our top 4 or 5 players.

On Monday in the last quarter he directed Oliver to move his positioning at a centre square ball-up.  Oliver did and it resulted with a clearance (long kick into the forward-line).

So while I've been disappointed and expected more, I'm still glad we have him and doubt he's one of our major issues.  Lewis is well down the list of any concerns I might have.

  On 13/06/2017 at 23:31, old demon me!!! said:

What are you saying ? you pot him saying he does nothing then say we would have won if we had him play,you have a foot in both camps or in your mouth.  

I'm not a rap for Lewis although I recognize his value to the team.  I acknowledged that when I said " Now Lewis still has some value to the team and I'm not dropping him yet or saying useless."  That recognition leads me to believe that he would certainly have made us a 3 point better team against Freo and possibly a 14 point better team against Richmond. The fact that he wasn't there because he decided to hit someone behind play fracturing their face resulting in a 3 week suspension is galling and a appalling failure of leadership for which many here are applauding him for.

My comments were based around the adulation he gets and the comments like Abe (not the only one) saying " Lewis is our best leader, hands down."  I articulated why I dispute that view.  Viney and Jones have been very good leaders and have demonstrated that on the field.  Lewis hasn't.

And for the record I never said he did "nothing" so your "foot in both camps or in your mouth" is clearly misplaced.

 

  On 13/06/2017 at 10:37, rpfc said:

This group needs a coach on the ground.

That is my analysis with my coaches hat on and you are welcome to disagree but I am big believer in the intangibles of a player like Lewis.

 

  On 13/06/2017 at 10:42, bandicoot said:

He was voted by the players into the leadership group after 7 weeks. That says it all. 

He will be the one directing the plays when the game is in the balance and will be instrumental come finals time. 

That my friend is priceless and puts him in the top 5 most important players in the side.

Just ask Anthony Mcdonald what he thought about his role at GWS. 

It's commonly asserted that Lewis is the leader and coach we need on the ground.  That is, by and large, an intangible and reminds me of people who quote stats to support an argument and then when the stats don't support them discredit them as being misleading.  There are a number on here that do that. But those claiming "leader and coach" values are really just guessing because unless you're in the club you just don't know.  From what I've seen he's not someone I'd follow into battle in the way I would Jones and Viney and I can say that because I can see what the three of them bring on field, not some off field intangible psychobabble guessing of many here.

The assertion is also an insult to our other leaders.  Jones, Vince, Jetta, Vince, Tom McDonald and Watts have all played in excess of 100 and some many more. They are able to understand game plans and direct players.  We have had exceptional player development FD personnel like McCartney, Roos, Goodwin and others mentoring these guys for some time.  They have been successful in doing that and that would carry over to the "on field coach" attribute.  Lewis of course could do it as well and be very good but our development is seriously wrong if he is so valuable in this role primary to his playing performance.

First and foremost Lewis needs to get games because he's good enough to earn them.  There should be no gifts.  If he's not in the best 22 he doesn't play, his leadership should just be valuable garnish. 

My view is Lewis is lauded on this site beyond his contribution and he will fast become a player struggling for a place in the team, perhaps as early as next year. Oh, and for the record I'm glad we got him, he was cheap and he adds value but not to the extent asserted here.

  On 14/06/2017 at 00:37, Vogon Poetry said:

My view is Lewis is lauded on this site beyond his contribution and he will fast become a player struggling for a place in the team, perhaps as early as next year. Oh, and for the record I'm glad we got him, he was cheap and he adds value but not to the extent asserted here.

My experience is the opposite - the better your team becomes the easier you can 'hide' a leader with a declining game or body.

Lewis will decline but I don't think it will be rapid and it will be evened out with the continued ascension of those around him like Oliver, Petracca, Hunt, et al.

And intangibles are hard to quantify, I agree, but I can quantify his leadership because his captains mention it, his coach mentions it, and his direction on the field is plain to see and hear.

I said when we got Lewis that he will bring many things outside of his playing that we desperately need in terms of leadership and experience. I think he is bringing this. I also said in terms of his playing I hoped for a good first year (is on track, is not outstanding but is definitely good), and average second year, and a third year in and out of the team as the young ones overtake him. 

To me he is in the good bracket this year (just). I did expect him to be better but am happy with what he has brought so far (just). Hopefully he doesn't fall off a cliff form wise and he can keep playing through all of next year as well. 

  On 14/06/2017 at 01:44, rpfc said:

My experience is the opposite - the better your team becomes the easier you can 'hide' a leader with a declining game or body.

Lewis will decline but I don't think it will be rapid and it will be evened out with the continued ascension of those around him like Oliver, Petracca, Hunt, et al.

And intangibles are hard to quantify, I agree, but I can quantify his leadership because his captains mention it, his coach mentions it, and his direction on the field is plain to see and hear.

Well we'll see what happens, it would be very good for us if you're proven correct.

Unlike you I haven't heard Lewis' game mentioned much by coaches and captains much and I certainly haven't seen him turn a game. I recall Goody mentioning him in the second half of the Suns game but he played loose across half back which was a very easy gig.  But I'm well aware that we see what we want to see and I'm aware I don't like him so that probably taints my view.

But I am interested in your view of "hiding" him.  It suggests you recognize his declining abilities and "football" value to the team. Are you suggesting that we retain him in the team for his leadership capabilities (which I dispute) even if he isn't up to it and there are better alternatives?

FWIW I see a lot of Adem Yze in Lewis when Ooze was in decline.

 

  On 13/06/2017 at 11:02, The end is nigh said:

Whilst I agree that Lewis has been instrumental in more than one win this season with his calm head and constructive direction, his ball handling against Collingwood was (imho) sub AFL standard. If he continues to be unable to cleanly collect simple footy (fumbling handball receives and ground balls) then he must be held to the same standards as the rest of the team. Best of luck Jordy, hope it was just an off day. 

go watch the replay and concentrate on his defensive efforts, his positioning and being a key to stifling Collingwood in the second half. As someone on here said, you don't have to have the footy to be effective. He could do the same game again and he will not be dropped.

  On 14/06/2017 at 03:21, Bay Riffin said:

go watch the replay and concentrate on his defensive efforts, his positioning and being a key to stifling Collingwood in the second half. As someone on here said, you don't have to have the footy to be effective. He could do the same game again and he will not be dropped.

Yep...no 'stats' awarded for that either. There's a lot of subtlety in many things he does. 

  On 14/06/2017 at 03:29, beelzebub said:

Yep...no 'stats' awarded for that either. There's a lot of subtlety in many things he does. 

Its why Hawthorn were so effective yet not winning the clearances. You can shut down the opposition in other ways.

and when he gets his kicking game going he is vital to setting us up. will be top 5 in our B and F this year.

There was another piece of play in the third quarter when the ball came long into the Pies forward line. I have no idea where Omac and Frost but it left Moore on the edge of the square poised to mark. Lewis who gave away 13cm backed his body into Moore and the ball spilled. Moore should have marked it but the physical presence made him drop the pill .( they got a goal anyways - not the point). Little things go unnoticed. His value to us reminds me of the value Daniel Cross gave to us. Is his best behind him ? Probably. Does he add value ? Absolutely.