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Preferred Midfield Mix

Adam The God
in Melbourne Demons

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21 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

I wonder how Spargo would go.

 

He's been in a couple of centre bounces, but too early to comment. I know he played junior footy in the middle so it shouldn't be completely foreign.

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    I’d only be opposed to spargo getting involved because of the risk of injuring him. I believe he’s established himself as a quality flanker, who controls that area well. Maybe in years to come, post jones’ career and possibly viney’s, he fills that top up rotation. For now I just hope he keeps owning this role and proving the game has a place for anyone. 

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    After watching the Bulldogs and Swans, we do need another 1-2 quick mids to play wing or rotating half forward.  Role currently played by Jones or Vandenburg but they don’t have the pace or energy to fill that role.  
     

    We have the contested bulls. Viney. Trac. Clarry.  Gus and Harmes also probably more inside mid. Sparrow and Jordan are strong at the footy. We have the contest covered. 

    It’s the run and carry and spread.  We have Langdon but he’s roaming the wing. I’d like a Bailey Smith type to have another burst of pace to get clear.  It sounds like a few in this years draft pool but we probably won’t get a first-10 draft pick. 

    Edited by spirit of norm smith
    G

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    Would like to see Baker get another shot in a wing but I fear he's a bit one dimensional in what he offers. We'll be running a few through that spot this year it seems.

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    On 8/3/2020 at 3:51 PM, WERRIDEE said:

    Viney, Petracca and Harmes. Harmes to tag the other 2 to get it out. The reason I don't want Oliver there is because he can't kick and I don't want Brayshaw there because he is no good. 

    Clarry is not a bad kick W is a very good pass Over 39/40 m and the call goes quickly. 

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    3 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

    After watching the Bulldogs and Swans, we do need another 1-2 quick mids to play wing or rotating half forward.  Role currently played by Jones or Vandenburg but they don’t have the pace or energy to fill that role.  
     

    We have the contested bulls. Viney. Trac. Clarry.  Gus and Harmes also probably more inside mid. Sparrow and Jordan are strong at the footy. We have the contest covered. 

    It’s the run and carry and spread.  We have Langdon but he’s roaming the wing. I’d like a Bailey Smith type to have another burst of pace to get clear.  It sounds like a few in this years draft pool but we probably won’t get a first-10 draft pick. 

    Yep, Hunt to HF, Bowey to wing, Hibbo to HB 

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    8 hours ago, adonski said:

    Yep, Hunt to HF, Bowey to wing, Hibbo to HB 

    That's what the draft picks of 2020 are selected for To improve our outside run and carry and small forward  play.

    Hive them some Casey games and watch our depth !!! 

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    • 1 year later...
     

    I know it's a bit of an old thread, but the title still  relates to our core midfielders and the question of prefered mix and rotational pieces. The midfield mix has a few interesting questions to be answered in the next few months.

    With the addition now of Hunter on a wing, how will it shift all of the pieces? Will Gus be at half back again, or into the midfield mix like in the late stages of 22? Will Clarrys persistent finger injury heal or could we see him play an outside mid/fwd burst role in the middle like Tracc, Which allows Gus more midfield minutes? Are we going to see the sub rule be used in relation to all these Questions?

    Wait and see,  but what are DL's thoughts?

     

    Edited by John Demonic

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    39 minutes ago, John Demonic said:

    I know it's a bit of an old thread, but the title still  relates to our core midfielders and the question of prefered mix and rotational pieces. The midfield mix has a few interesting questions to be answered in the next few months.

    With the addition now of Hunter on a wing, how will it shift all of the pieces? Will Gus be at half back again, or into the midfield mix like in the late stages of 22? Will Clarrys persistent finger injury heal or could we see him play an outside mid/fwd burst role in the middle like Tracc, Which allows Gus more midfield minutes? Are we going to see the sub rule be used in relation to all these Questions?

    Wait and see,  but what are DL's thoughts?

     

    In my mind the optimal centre bounce mix looks something around the lines of this, in order of midfield minutes:

    1. Oliver - The best mid (player) in the comp, should be in the middle every second he's on the field.
    2. Viney - Will continue to be a midfield mainstay but would give him a slight haircut in his midfield minutes to allow someone like Pickett with a touch more speed to be thrown into the mix. Viney is capable as a pressure forward in short stints.
    3. Petracca - The third horseman of the apocalypse, again will have stints up forward to allow for the guys below to run through. 
    4. Brayshaw - Would rotate him between half back & midfield, not sure about the % split but the Oliver, Trac, Viney combination do too much of the heavy lifting and we need someone like Brayshaw who is a strong accumulator to take the load off. Would utilise him similarly to how the Pies use Crisp.
    5. Pickett - Want/expect to see him utilised more, but don't expect him to be getting large midfield minutes or we'd be taking one of our best forwards away from goal too much.
    6. Harmes - The forgotten man. Would have him play his natural tagging game every once in a while against sides who have a clear best midfielder who does the bulk of the heavy lifting (think pre Dunkley Brisbane Lions). Otherwise he's a capable backup for when one of the big dogs is on the bench.

    I don't see room for Jordon or Sparrow in the inside midfield mix barring injuries - should they be serious about giving Pickett more midfield time that is. Expecting Jordon to be a utility sort who pinch hits everywhere, with Sparrow predominantly playing up forward as usual....assuming they both play.

    Wings are easy as Langdon & Hunter will be the first choice options. Would love to see Howes at some stage too given he looks like he has a fair bit of X-Factor. Contrary to popular opinion I'd have Jordon over Gus on a wing should injury strike. Would love to see Bowey on a wing too to add a bit more class but a touch too leftfield for Simon I'd suggest.

    Edited by adonski

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    2 hours ago, adonski said:

     

    2. Viney - Will continue to be a midfield mainstay but would give him a slight haircut in his midfield minutes to allow someone like Pickett with a touch more speed to be thrown into the mix. Viney is capable as a pressure forward in short stints.

    I haven't seen anything to suggest that Viney can play any other role than inside midfield. 

    Viney had a great year. He is underrated outside of Demon fans and maybe even underrated a little on here by a few too. He is excellent in the inside midfield position. The problem is that Oliver, Petracca and Viney don't have great disposal by foot. We may continue to lament our forward delivery while continuing to celebrate our contested midfield domination.

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