On 09/04/2018 at 7:40 AM, ProDee said:

There are very few mids with no weaknesses.  Even some of the greats have weaknesses.  Sam Mitchell - slow/contested marking, Simon Black - slow, Dangerfield - kicking, so on and so forth.

Oliver has speed, great hand and foot skills, marking ability, agility, body size, aggression, vision, decision making, etc.  He has no weakness.  None.

That's not to say he'll end up as good as some of those players, as they have a level of sheer brilliance that can't be measured.

And that is the only query.  Can he show he's capable of the regular sheer brilliance of the greats.

I hope so.

So you prefer him over Pedo PD?

To DV8's point.

The old style ruck-rovers were based on RDB - hard nosed mongrels but not known for their sublime skills or versatility.

In the 70s and 80s Brownlow medallists such as Blight, Quinlan and Healy improved their image as on ballers and became proven goalkickers when played permanently in the forward line.

But no team could boast three who were so versatile and could rotate through the positions.

To Pro Dees point.

Add tackling to the list. He is only in his third season so let's be patient and hope he develops progressively and that his team learns to play off his abilities.

I recall that Greg Williams, Black and Mitchell took many years to develop and they played in teams that were both strong and able to leverage off their skills to make them look even better.

 

10 hours ago, small but forward said:

So you prefer him over Pedo PD?

Glad you asked.

Obvious question is obvious, but let me say this.

I respect Cameron Pedersen for what he's achieved in football.

I have no respect for Jack Watts the footballer.

Follow ?

On 4/9/2018 at 11:16 AM, sisso said:

Gawn Viney Oliver Petracca thats a ridiculously talented A grade center square unit when Jack comes back in

When Viney comes back I hope we only play one of Oliver and Trac in there at a time and rotate them through forward. Probably 60:30 Oliver to Trac midfield time with 10 spent off the ground. I would have Jones and Salem as the other main rotation in the middle with others to float through. 

14 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

When Viney comes back I hope we only play one of Oliver and Trac in there at a time and rotate them through forward. Probably 60:30 Oliver to Trac midfield time with 10 spent off the ground. I would have Jones and Salem as the other main rotation in the middle with others to float through. 

I don't mind them rotating but when it comes to the centre bounce I hope Oliver is in there.

He's far and away our best option and draws opposition attention opening it out for the others if he doesn't get it and with his hands if he does...

His disposal choice has improved dramatically.

Absolute Gun.

12 hours ago, tiers said:

To DV8's point.

The old style ruck-rovers were based on RDB - hard nosed mongrels but not known for their sublime skills or versatility.

In the 70s and 80s Brownlow medallists such as Blight, Quinlan and Healy improved their image as on ballers and became proven goalkickers when played permanently in the forward line.

But no team could boast three who were so versatile and could rotate through the positions.

To Pro Dees point.

Add tackling to the list. He is only in his third season so let's be patient and hope he develops progressively and that his team learns to play off his abilities.

I recall that Greg Williams, Black and Mitchell took many years to develop and they played in teams that were both strong and able to leverage off their skills to make them look even better.

 

And therein lies the beauty. Multiple talented individuals in the midfield help you as the individual out, a la Brisbane in the early 00's - Geelong now - I'd argue that if Nate dog had a few sublimely skilled mids throughout his career - he'd be valued a lot more in wider afl circles. 

The football club and its supporters are lucky due to birth dates and drafting that we have these 3 (and 4 with viney) to rotate being the individual talents that they are. 

On 08/04/2018 at 8:05 PM, Forest Demon said:

I was thinking about this yesterday and I can't think of a better midfielder we've had in my time, which is mid 90s onwards. And that doesn't even factor in any improvement left in him.

Next to impossible to compare some of our 'centremen' with Clarry. However, never forget that Brian Wilson was exceptional, too. As for Greg Wells, with different and advanced skills on display most of the time, that man was an absolute champion with 'the lot'. I used to really like Denis Clarke, as well. We have had a few really goodies...

22 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Next to impossible to compare some of our 'centremen' with Clarry. However, never forget that Brian Wilson was exceptional, too. As for Greg Wells, with different and advanced skills on display most of the time, that man was an absolute champion with 'the lot'. I used to really like Denis Clarke, as well. We have had a few really goodies...

All of those mentioned are slightly before my time. Since I've followed we have some very good players like Neitz, Schwarz, Lyon, Stynes, but no real superstar midfielders. Woewodin won a Brownlow, and then you have very serviceable players like Cameron Bruce and James McDonald, but unless I'm forgetting someone off the top of my head, none are as good as Oliver imo. If Petracca continues to play more midfield minutes, he could go past them as well.