15 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Hodge sits in the back pocket and dictates to his opponent and importantly he still has the physicality required to go win a contest when needed.

Melksham and Tom McDonald didn't play together when the midfield had any semblance of fitness and two way ability. I'm very confident that if they were playing now - or really any time after the bye - when our backline has got it together and our midfield are working hard that they would have success. 

Apart from getting those 2 back bringing in a Langdon on the wing should allow Fritsch more time forward. Spargo showed in year 1 he was crafty and smart, hopefully he gets back to that. Lockhart has had good moments. And the hope would be a top 5 pick gives us a player who can impact in the front half. A summer training together would surely help as well.

Lewis couldn't play as a flanker who tags hard running defenders, they are going to be too quick for him, and he'd struggle as an attacking forward, any good defender will have no issues shutting him down. Cleverly minding an interceptor worked once, but will it really be a lasting move? Apart from speed he lacks the height and strength. I can't think of any other 30+ slow midfielder transitioning to a forward role and I think that's for good reason.

Gary Ablett Jr? Or would you argue that he's not slow? Mind you, I agree with your post overall. 

2 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Gary Ablett Jr? Or would you argue that he's not slow? Mind you, I agree with your post overall. 

He still has a burst of pace but otherwise I think the best player of the generation is a fair exception to the rule. Adam Goodes hung around for a while but he had key position size. As did Boomer Harvey but he kept his speed. They're all guys who played forward through long patches of their careers as well.

The list of consistently good forwards in the 30+ range is pretty slim - Riewoldt, Hawkins, Franklin when not injured and maybe Betts - and there's no one the wrong side of 32 apart from Gaz.

23 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

He still has a burst of pace but otherwise I think the best player of the generation is a fair exception to the rule. Adam Goodes hung around for a while but he had key position size. As did Boomer Harvey but he kept his speed. They're all guys who played forward through long patches of their careers as well.

The list of consistently good forwards in the 30+ range is pretty slim - Riewoldt, Hawkins, Franklin when not injured and maybe Betts - and there's no one the wrong side of 32 apart from Gaz.

I like the way you appear to describe Boomer Harvey as apparently having "key position size"!

Nevertheless, as always, a well-expressed opinion supported by clear explanation.

 

Edited July 23, 20196 yr by La Dee-vina Comedia

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I like the way you appear to describe Boomer Harvey as apparently having "key position size"!

Nevertheless, as always, a well-expressed opinion supported by clear explanation.

 

Maybe 2 boomer harvey's standing on top of each other? Sign them up.

On 7/22/2019 at 5:03 PM, Sir Why You Little said:

Leigh Matthews and Kevin Bartlett were gun forwards in their twilight years. 

It is worth considering. I hope Goodwin keeps him forward now...

Possibly first time that Jordan Lewis has been mentioned in the company of 2 of the all time greats of our game!

And thats not to to underplay his career. 4 flags and a best and fairest in a flag year.

Lewis just does not have many matchups left. He is now treacle slow and goes to ground too often.

We desperately need to add more speed and linebreaking run.  

14 minutes ago, demoniac said:

Possibly first time that Jordan Lewis has been mentioned in the company of 2 of the all time greats of our game!

And thats not to to underplay his career. 4 flags and a best and fairest in a flag year.

Lewis just does not have many matchups left. He is now treacle slow and goes to ground too often.

We desperately need to add more speed and linebreaking run.  

I don’t expect Lewis to run. Stay at home forwards should still be a weapon!!

He showed on the weekend that his footy smarts somewhat cover his lack of speed, could easily have kicked a bag if he summed up the conditions a little better. 

last 5 games if he can kick 10 goals in that time, average a couple a game and help the forward set up i'd personally give him 1 more year. he's not going to apply pressure so he has to kick goals. 

Lewis doesn't want one more year does he?   He's already said he will be retiring at the end of the season.  Moot discussion.

12 hours ago, demonstone said:

Lewis doesn't want one more year does he?   He's already said he will be retiring at the end of the season.  Moot discussion.

I am assuming that he was told he wouldn't be getting another contact and he accepted that. The club and player can always change their mind. Hodge announced he was retiring 2 years ago. (Not saying I want Lewis to go on)

I’d definitely give him one more year IF he wants it.

 

I’d be genuinely shocked if both he and the club wanted him to go one more year. The tea leaves are pointing to this being his last year.

Kudos for the job he did on the weekend though. His versatility gets undersold a little bit. His body work on McGovern was first rate.

I have no issue with him playing out the year in the 1s but I think he’s done after that and I think he knows that as well.

Yes I reckon he’d be good for another year, but I’m pretty sure he’s decided this is his last. 

FFS; Jordan Lewis is still one of our smartest players and most versatile - forward or defence. He even ran down and got a HTB tonight! He doesn't need to have speed with his positioning. Just looks like a completely different breed of player that sizes up the situation and applies the correct bodywork, tap, spoil etc, especially compared with the tactical immaturity surrounding him.

If we're a shambles by mid next year and he's not in any way associated with the club be it player or coach (replacing Rooke? Jennings?) - then i'm done with the club. Has been my favourite player these past 3 years and still has better claim to a spot on the list with his current form, than half the list. Heck, he's got more claim to next year than Hibberd and especially Jones. And jesus christ do we need players like Lewis, that can hobble around and still be far more useful than the dirth of headless chooks ball watching

Been supporting them in two stints ill admit, childhood age 4-21 and the last 7 years of my adulthood, settling down in 2013-2019 (Missed in between with other interests) - The hope of the club rebuilding and acquiring Roos got me back on board, but another poor year is just indefensible in terms of keeping footy in my priorities again.

Edited August 16, 20196 yr by John Demonic