Midfield tagger.

Harmes plays his best footy in the midfield, but so do Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw and Jones. Clearly we are trying to fit Petracca into the rotation as well. In saying this, I think Harmes is pretty important in terms of running with big midfielders such as Cripps, Fyfe, Yeo, Kennedy, Dangerfield etc. Maybe Brayshaw will be used in that role like he was against Yeo and WCE in Alice Springs.

I can see the reason why Harmes is being trialled elsewhere, but I think he would be better in the forward line given he is not an elite athlete and he doesn't have elite foot skills.

23 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Interesting to consider that after delisting JKH, Stretch and Maynard our midfield depth is quite thin.

I am unsure if its thinner than Last year? We intend on playing two players on a wing for 95%+ game time. We plan on rotating 4 players through the middle for nearly all game with a 5th position currently a combo of half forwards (Jones, AVB, Melksham) or possibly Harmes more permanently. If we have injuries to our wings we have an issue just like last year where we had no wings. If we have an issue in our middle Harmes plays more or possibly Jones, if not Sparrow or Jordan get well earnt game time. We have no depth on the wings but we now have quality to begin with. We have developing quality now as mid depth rather than mature players not quite up to it. 

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Personally I want him back i to the midfield. Felt like he really got us going when he was moved back into his natural position. I can see the need to put him down back to give us run, but if it means we can fit Lockhart in there for that same role then i am all for Harmesy to be playing around the midfield.

I'd like to see our prime movers able to play in multiple roles,  especially early in the season;  to prove they can if needed,  thru the season and finals.

I think our team balance will be fluent for most of this season.

 

2 hours ago, 58er said:

Yes great question. Not Any of the talls Omac Maysie and Jake if the 3 are necessary as in Round 1.

On exposed form Hibbo is the one under pressure. However Have the Selectors Got the balls to make a change?

Or is JayL in the 22 which seems the answer. Would be a good match up for Ryan who may be a bit quick for Jets or Salo. (Am I underestimating them?)

 

I think Lockhart is at the threshold of the 22, and Harmes'y will cause him to continue to improve his game.

Our key players/winners,  must be able to old down many roles, within the team.

2 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Midfeild and forward would be my preference, but so long as Harmesy can handle being thrown around different positions a bit, it might be a very handy thing to have up our sleave to throw the opposition off ballance in the middle of a game

I think you've nailed another RbG.

Deefensive forward in 2021 possibly.?

13 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

We have no depth on the wings but we now have quality to begin with. We have developing quality now as mid depth rather than mature players not quite up to it. 

Maynard, Stretch and JKH didn't add depth because they weren't really up to AFL standard with is why they are no longer on any list.  We have more depth now as Petracca is a genuine mid, Jordan and Sparrow are better now than last year and are as good or better than Maynard, Stretch and JKH.

As for wings I've been impressed with Baker both at training and at NM.  He's got some real attributes for a winger.  The other is Bedford who I think could play there.  He has the tank and he has speed, skills and is competitive.  Most importantly he now has some belief.

 

27 minutes ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

I'd like to see our prime movers able to play in multiple roles,  especially early in the season;  to prove they can if needed,  thru the season and finals.

I think our team balance will be fluent for most of this season.

 

I think Lockhart is at the threshold of the 22, and Harmes'y will cause him to continue to improve his game.

Our key players/winners,  must be able to old down many roles, within the team.

Agree

2 hours ago, Ohio USA - David said:

I understand your comments but in 2019 Hibbo averaged K 13.25 HB 8.36 M 5.28 and Disposals 21.69... Last game against Hawthorn I felt he was definitely one of our better players. Don't forget he has a wealth of experience too.

Lockhart has surprised everyone and I feel he will get better. Harmes to the Centre and that allows Salem to come back into the HB 

What do you thin ?  and if they go with this who goes out ???

Hard decision 

Yes fir sure but Locky in the 22 giving us Harmes and Salem plus that extra versatility seems the answer.

Also big question what if Langdon or Tommo are beaten or injured? Who goes wing? ( or half forward?)

I think Salem Or Harmes or  Lockhart would be among my first choices!!

Letd see what the selectors producer?

 

I want to see Petracca in the middle for as long as possible. If that means Harmesy goes to half back, so be it.

Lockhart's potential is huge but he's got a bit of work to do to get up to speed at AFL level. While he does that, I prefer him as a forward. 

2 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

Backline for now.

His best footy (at least numbers wise) might be better in the midfield, but looking at it from a team perspective rather than a personal performance one, I think we will function better as a team with him in the backline.

It's about roles and team effectiveness for mine, not individual performance.

I'm a Lockhart fan, but let's not get too carried away with his place in the team just yet. Got caught a lot and his disposal wasn't great in the preseason games. I think he will eventually grab a spot in the team, but it possibly won't be this year (would be rapt if it was though).

 

Pretty much my exact thoughts.

Although I also think if you stick with Lockhart through some up and downs he’d cut out some of those mistakes. 

Lockhart’s lack of tank might count against him as well. In the early rounds you want guys who will run all day. 

2 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

If Lockhart misses out then it's down to our depth, not because he would deserve to miss out.

Let's say Salem is fit - our back line will have May, Lever, OMac (we will go with three talls), Jetta, Hibberd, Harmes and Salem.  That's at least seven players who will be part of that rotation.  Lockhart would probably be next in line but may have to wait for the opportunity.

Lockhart will play. 

He is better than others who have played recently.

Not only can he play hbf or bp, he can play hff and fp better than others, so he is in.

6 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Lockhart will play. 

He is better than others who have played recently.

Not only can he play hbf or bp, he can play hff and fp better than others, so he is in.

I'm not against him playing.  In fact, I think he deserves a run based off his pre-season form.

However, where does he fit?  The only wrinkle I have is that we need to play three talls, while Jetta, Salem, Hibberd and Harmes are all locks for us at this stage.  Can we still fit him in?

18 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

I'm not against him playing.  In fact, I think he deserves a run based off his pre-season form.

However, where does he fit?  The only wrinkle I have is that we need to play three talls, while Jetta, Salem, Hibberd and Harmes are all locks for us at this stage.  Can we still fit him in?

Do you have Spargo and ANB in your 22? If you do, he is well ahead of them IMO.

He's the best tagger in the comp, in fact he's probably the best there's been for a long time. Completely shuts out his man while hurting the other way.

I was shocked that he wasn't used in this role for much of last year. Looks like he won't be again this year, although if he can do a similar job on the oppo's most dangerous small/medium forward it may be of benefit. I'd much prefer 'the nurry' didn't get down that way in the first place though.

Might be playing midfield out of necessity on Sunday week if Christian loses the plot with the Viney verdict.

3 hours ago, dl4e said:

Midfield tagger.

Yes please.

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Do you have Spargo and ANB in your 22? If you do, he is well ahead of them IMO.

I'd have one of them in the side. If Kossie plays then we don't have room for both. 

Plus they play in different positions, so comparing their spot in the side is a moot point. 

If Lockhart plays then I'm fine with that, but I'll be interested to see how they fit him in and who misses out. 

5 hours ago, hardtack said:

Harmes is your meat and potatoes kind of player, and I think is far more suited to a midfield role.  Lockhart’s creativity, pace and kicking, is something the backline could do with... but at who’s expense? 

Hibberd must be, on preseason showings, the one on the fringe?

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Lockhart will play. 

He is better than others who have played recently.

Not only can he play hbf or bp, he can play hff and fp better than others, so he is in.

No I don't think his (JAy) standard of hff or fp is better than others in those positions ahead of Spargo Kossie or ANB this season (hasn't played there has he? Or last year in only one game) he Doesn't  have the tricks of those 3 of kicking and turning.

Msybe we could also try him on the wing at Casey as insurance against Tommo or Ed bring injured or beaten on the day.

BUT absolutely deserves place in a 7 defenders named in the 22 fir Round1.

3 minutes ago, 58er said:

No I don't think his (JAy) standard of hff or fp is better than others in those positions ahead of Spargo Kossie or ANB this season (hasn't played there has he? Or last year in only one game) he Doesn't  have the tricks of those 3 of kicking and turning.

Msybe we could also try him on the wing at Casey as insurance against Tommo or Ed bring injured or beaten on the day.

BUT absolutely deserves place in a 7 defenders named in the 22 fir Round1.

Red in short Locky form not good enough last year in forward line to replace ANB Spargo or Kossie in  this years form! They play a better half forward or forward pocket role than Locky IMO.

with ball winners like Viney, Brayshaw, Oliver and Petracca in the middle its not like we really need a tagger most weeks though do we?

Harmes is not a first start mid, so has to find another position to play in. its not like he can sit on the bench waiting till the 3rd quarter then go into the midfield. Jones is in the same boat too. you need midfield depth but they cant all start in the guts at once.

HB is fine for him. he'll still push up to the back of the contest at times. or be used as a tagger if someone is getting off the leash, or go on ball himself to give the main guys an extended break, or even a run out on the wing. he's versatile enough so that's how he gets a game.

its not like he played badly the other night. was ok in defence then got a run through the guts and did alright there too, so I cant see what the problem is.

 

If they were gonna move him he should have trained all offseason as a half forward

Dont see the appeal at half back

6 hours ago, 58er said:

No I don't think his (JAy) standard of hff or fp is better than others in those positions ahead of Spargo Kossie or ANB this season (hasn't played there has he? Or last year in only one game) he Doesn't  have the tricks of those 3 of kicking and turning.

 

Jay played 12 games for the Dees kicking 9 goals 3 points last year and averaging 4.3 marks per game.

I can assure you he played more than one game in the forward line.

He is better than Spargo and ANB and even Kossie at this point in time.

Kossie however offers things that Spargo and ANB don't have and will play the first game or soon after.

3 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Jay played 12 games for the Dees kicking 9 goals 3 points last year and averaging 4.3 marks per game.

I can assure you he played more than one game in the forward line.

He is better than Spargo and ANB and even Kossie at this point in time.

Kossie however offers things that Spargo and ANB don't have and will play the first game or soon after.

I knew you would interpret my post wrongly Redleg.

I am saying In my opinion Locky's form last year AS A FORWARD in ONE GAME ONLY was better than ANB Kossie or Spargo this Marsh series and therefore he does not deserve to be selected In Round1.

However he has shown excellent Defender's traits and deserves his opportunity as a result of this form, as he offers the aggressive approach we need from the backline.

in fact I  am so bullish about JL that I believe he could have a 7/10 year career as a small defender for the Dees.

I also believe that the role of at least one of the small forward that we need is specifically a Kossie, Bedford  Or more Spargo style of crumbing type. Many if our resting  mids  and Vanders are able to perform the other role on the other flank or pocket, Better than Locky at this stage.

Lets see how our Selectors choose the team which will be at least 25 % better than in 2019 at this stage even more so later in the year with development and all players bar one or two available putting  pressure on each position.

Go Dees 

 

On 3/8/2020 at 10:03 PM, 58er said:

Yes fir sure but Locky in the 22 giving us Harmes and Salem plus that extra versatility seems the answer.

Also big question what if Langdon or Tommo are beaten or injured? Who goes wing? ( or half forward?)

I think Salem Or Harmes or  Lockhart would be among my first choices!!

Letd see what the selectors producer?

 

That injury problem  has not eventuated yet so I will pass on the decision to answer your question.. I am an optimist when it comes to that ....