Jack Higgins

[Whispering_Jack 30,143]

The name Jack Higgins is associated more with espionage thrillers but this bloke goes well and being a quality mid, sounds very much like what we need -

Jack Higgins shines for Vic Metro at AFL Under-18 National Championships

[Devil is in the Detail 883]

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

The name Jack Higgins is associated more with espionage thrillers but this bloke goes well and being a quality mid, sounds very much like what we need -

Jack Higgins shines for Vic Metro at AFL Under-18 National Championships

Will he be available @ pick 18

[Smokey 4,389]

How many mids do we need?!

All I care about at the end of the year is Lever I think ...

[Moonshadow 17,676]

4 minutes ago, yoSMOKIE said:

How many mids do we need?!

All I care about at the end of the year is Lever I think ...

We need about 3 x A grade mids. Atm I think we have 1 (Oliver) or maybe 2 (Viney?). We need outside class and run in the style of Kelly.

To me that is the greater need. But I certainly wouldn't say no to Lever and absolutely trust Taylor/TViney 

[Smokey 4,389]

4 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

We need about 3 x A grade mids. Atm I think we have 1 (Oliver) or maybe 2 (Viney?). We need outside class and run in the style of Kelly.

To me that is the greater need. But I certainly wouldn't say no to Lever and absolutely trust Taylor/TViney 

The fact we're still a top 5 clearance team after 16 rounds and have been ravaged by injury effecting our midfield this year I'd argue our focus may better be served elsewhere. We're almost elite in this category already IMO, continue to let guys like Tyson develop and we'll be fine in this area of the ground. 

[ignition. 1,466]

19 minutes ago, yoSMOKIE said:

How many mids do we need?!

All I care about at the end of the year is Lever I think ...

As of the start of next season Vince, Lewis, and Jones will be 31, 31, and 30 years of age, respectively.

Aside from those we have Viney (23), Oliver (19), and arguably Tyson (24) as our three main "A-grade" on-ballers.

Additionally, we have Petracca (22) who is more likely to pinch hit between on-ball and half-forward, while Brayshaw (22) is an uncertainty at this stage. The rest either specialise in other positions (Hunt, Hannan, Salem, Melksham) or are depth (ANB, Harmes, Stretch, VB).

In short, while we don't have the most dominant on-ball brigade in the competition, additional "A-grade" midfielders are a must. Whether this Jack Higgins kid will dramatically improve ours or anyone's midfield is unclear to me.

Considering both our stocks of tall forwards and backs are relatively strong at the moment and in the foreseeable future, how much extra value will Lever bring? 

If the MFC were to acquire Lever I wouldn't be complaining as he is a phenomenal talent. However, if we had to choose out of say Lever and Z. Jones, I'd want the latter. Additionally, I wouldn't mind seeing the club target another small forward, such as D.Smith or Matera, to compliment Garlett as well as replace the likes of Kent, Kennedy, or JKH.

 

 

[Smokey 4,389]

2 minutes ago, ignition. said:

As of the start of next season Vince, Lewis, and Jones will be 31, 31, and 30 years of age, respectively.

Aside from those we have Viney (23), Oliver (19), and arguably Tyson (24) as our three main "A-grade" on-ballers.

Additionally, we have Petracca (22) who is more likely to pinch hit between on-ball and half-forward, while Brayshaw (22) is an uncertainty at this stage. The rest either specialise in other positions (Hunt, Hannan, Salem, Melksham) or are depth (ANB, Harmes, Stretch, VB).

In short, while we don't have the most dominant on-ball brigade in the competition, additional "A-grade" midfielders are a must. Whether this Jack Higgins kid will dramatically improve ours or anyone's midfield is unclear to me.

Considering both our stocks of tall forwards and backs are relatively strong at the moment and in the foreseeable future, how much extra value will Lever bring? 

If the MFC were to acquire Lever I wouldn't be complaining as he is a phenomenal talent. However, if we had to choose out of say Lever and Z. Jones, I'd want the latter. Additionally, I wouldn't mind seeing the club target another small forward, such as D.Smith or Matera, to compliment Garlett as well as replace the likes of Kent, Kennedy, or JKH.

 

 

The argument is far simpler in my mind right now - we already have 2-3 genuine elite midfielders, but we don't have any genuine elite KPDs. Ergo Lever.

Apologies to Frost and Omac who have been wonderful, but I don't see them as elite. Hope they prove me wrong in the years to come by continuing their development at current trajectory. Wouldn't bank on that though.  

 

 

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

We're a contested ball winning midfield that lacks balance. We have some of the best young up and coming contested players in the game with Viney, Oliver, Petracca (specialised player) and Brayshaw. 

Then we have a host of support players who are also strong inside the contest in Tyson, Trengove, Harmes, ANB, Vanders etc.

Stretch, Salem and Hunt provide our run and skill with only Salem being the elite kick in that group. Stretch I don't particularly rate and Hunt obviously provides some key elements.

As an example, Carlton have a much much better blend of attributes through their midfield. Whilst they don't have the same depth as us, they have a more balanced top group. Cripps is the specialised contested ball winner and whilst Murphy and Gibbs are also good inside, their outside game is far superior to any of our mids. Which is why they were able to move the ball so much better than us on the weekend with flow and smart decision making and execution. It was deja vu really. They outworked and maneuvered us earlier this season and the end of last year too.

Addressing our imbalance won't be hard through the draft and/or targeting players. Someone like Higgins could be a smart option although I am a fan of height through the midfield.

Edited July 12, 2017 by stevethemanjordan

[Moonshadow 17,676]

The game is won in the midfield. Our back are improving fine. That TMac is spending time in attack and there's talk of him staying there is further evidence of this. In two years time 3 of our better mids will be retired or close to. I'd take a mid with our first pick this year and in 2018 every day of the week, or I'd trade for an A grade mid. If Taylor thinks Jack Higgins is that person, great.

Kidding ourselves if we think we have enough midfield talent with elite decision making and disposal. 

[deebug 1,754]

Maybe we can raid GWS and GC again. We do need some A grader mids and another back man.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

He is a gun ps. 

I worry about size, but he is a super player and he has the attitude to match.

[Dante 2,739]

6 hours ago, stevethemanjordan said:

We're a contested ball winning midfield that lacks balance. We have some of the best young up and coming contested players in the game with Viney, Oliver, Petracca (specialised player) and Brayshaw. 

Then we have a host of support players who are also strong inside the contest in Tyson, Trengove, Harmes, ANB, Vanders etc.

Stretch, Salem and Hunt provide our run and skill with only Salem being the elite kick in that group. Stretch I don't particularly rate and Hunt obviously provides some key elements.

As an example, Carlton have a much much better blend of attributes through their midfield. Whilst they don't have the same depth as us, they have a more balanced top group. Cripps is the specialised contested ball winner and whilst Murphy and Gibbs are also good inside, their outside game is far superior to any of our mids. Which is why they were able to move the ball so much better than us on the weekend with flow and smart decision making and execution. It was deja vu really. They outworked and maneuvered us earlier this season and the end of last year too.

Addressing our imbalance won't be hard through the draft and/or targeting players. Someone like Higgins could be a smart option although I am a fan of height through the midfield.

Let's not forget that both Murphy and Gibbs were number one draft picks and have been around for a while. Plus they have a number one draft pick as the tall in the midfield, that helps.

Carlton collected midfielders at the expense of KPP and it's only in the last couple of years have tried to rectify that position.

We had three mids out and our midfield tall is coming back from a long lay off. Viney, Jones and Tyson play and Max is fully fit we would have creamed them. 

 

[Whispering_Jack 30,143]

Won the Morrish Medal last night.

[junk 342]

We do need more mids, Higgins should suit our club.

[whatwhat say what 22,757]

Genuine talent but pick 10 is going for Lever, isn't it?