Jump to content

Mitch Hannan - wing?

old55
old55
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

23 minutes ago, A F said:

Have an ability to give us a kicker at stoppages ala Bontempelli. If he can play a Merrett like role, that will provide us with increased flexibility and diversity. So he can be moved from half back to a wing to the midfield and back again.

Isn't that because of the role he is given: defender and not midfielder.  Also most of our field stoppages are taken by the midfielders which would be by design rather than inability on Salem's part.

I recall in the 2019 preseason/season he trained/played in the midfield but after a few games he was moved back.  imv that was because our 4/5 starting midfielders are so inflexible they can't play other roles (except Petracca) rather than Salem lacking the ability for midfield/stoppages. 

I'm not sure how he can take the 'next step' you suggest without a positional change.  Maybe if we recruit Saad it would free Salem up to play a wing role like Langdon.  He could then be the outlet player at stoppages, roam the backline like Langdon and pop up for a few goals. 

Edited by Lucifer's Hero

  • Quote
    •  
    21 hours ago, nosoupforme said:

    Yes! good call..........Polly.  

    He probably hasn't  the endurance that Langdon has but who does.  Hannan is a good mark and a good size for a wing position.. His pinpoint  passing is almost perfect. He will be 27 at the start of the  2021 season with a mature body.

     Could be a masterstroke !   It would probably come down to a strong pre season from him.   Is Goody listening.

    Trouble with him is thinks he's in the army. He then goes awol far too often. Plays 1 good impact game in 5, hard to carry someone like that. He's always done it and probably always will. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    3 hours ago, Lace Out said:

    I’d strongly consider moving Melksham to the wing. He has the legs and the distribution. 
     

    Struggled to get into games this year but also played some defensive roles, my enjoy the freedom. I think if we shifted him to the wing, Hunt could cover the role up forward.

    I’m a fan of trying Melk as well if we don’t bring in Polec or similar. The defensive work on the wing is often less intense than at half forward, not as many quick changes of direction and less congestion. I get the feeling Melkshams work rate is find, it’s his intensity that goes missing.

    Plus he’ll find more of the ball and it opens up a half forward spot for a better defensive player or another tall. 

  • Quote
    •  
    1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

    Isn't that because of the role he is given: defender and not midfielder.  Also most of our field stoppages are taken by the midfielders which would be by design rather than inability on Salem's part.

    I recall in the 2019 preseason/season he trained/played in the midfield but after a few games he was moved back.  imv that was because our 4/5 starting midfielders are so inflexible they can't play other roles (except Petracca) rather than Salem lacking the ability for midfield/stoppages. 

    I'm not sure how he can take the 'next step' you suggest without a positional change.  Maybe if we recruit Saad it would free Salem up to play a wing role like Langdon.  He could then be the outlet player at stoppages, roam the backline like Langdon and pop up for a few goals. 

    My read on this, which could be wrong, is that we're not sure if Salem's contest game and ability to win ball himself is good enough to play mid. As we know, a lot easier to play the half back role than win your own ball in the middle.

    I want him to utilise his kicking more than he does. If he ever pushes up to the 50m arc, he usually hits a leading target that results in a score. We need more of that from midfield. For this reason I think Fritsch and Melksham (if both are playing), should play high half forward, because their delivery is usually brilliant. Salem is another I'd like to try between centre wing and forward 50. 

    The inflexibility of the midfield is absolutely a problem, which is why I'd play Viney in the forward pocket and be open to trading Gus if we could land an A grader (Merrett).

    I think if we land Saad he'll almost certainly move up the ground, but even without Saad, I'd like to see Rivers given more responsibility and even bring in Lockhart to play deeper and allow Rivers a bit of latitude to attack.

    If Salem played on a wing, I think you'd have to try and stretch him defensively (as an opposition), but I think playing at half back for as long as he has, he's a lot better defensively these days and often wingers are a bit on the softer side by nature, so tackle and run hard and use your kicking to set up scoring chains and you'll be doing your job. I'd like to see it tried. (and I'm not claiming Salem is inherently soft at the contest)

    If you let Salem get a look from just outside 50 he'll hit up a leading target or kick the goal himself. He could become a weapon. 

    Edited by A F

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    In general our half forwards need to work up the ground more and consistently impact games and connect our attacks. We have too many low possession half forwards who will have their day in the sun every 4 or 5 weeks, but give us nothing in between. A player like Hannan should be averaging ~15 touches a game with a bunch of inside 50s and score involvements, but I’m guessing he wouldn’t even average 10 touches.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    33 minutes ago, A F said:

    My read on this, which could be wrong, is that we're not sure if Salem's contest game and ability to win ball himself is good enough to play mid. As we know, a lot easier to play the half back role than win your own ball in the middle.

    I want him to utilise his kicking more than he does. If he ever pushes up to the 50m arc, he usually hits a leading target that results in a score. We need more of that from midfield. For this reason I think Fritsch and Melksham (if both are playing), should play high half forward, because their delivery is usually brilliant. Salem is another I'd like to try between centre wing and forward 50. 

    The inflexibility of the midfield is absolutely a problem, which is why I'd play Viney in the forward pocket and be open to trading Gus if we could land an A grader (Merrett).

    I think if we land Saad he'll almost certainly move up the ground, but even without Saad, I'd like to see Rivers given more responsibility and even bring in Lockhart to play deeper and allow Rivers a bit of latitude to attack.

    If Salem played on a wing, I think you'd have to try and stretch him defensively (as an opposition), but I think playing at half back for as long as he has, he's a lot better defensively these days and often wingers are a bit on the softer side by nature, so tackle and run hard and use your kicking to set up scoring chains and you'll be doing your job. I'd like to see it tried. (and I'm not claiming Salem is inherently soft at the contest)

    If you let Salem get a look from just outside 50 he'll hit up a leading target or kick the goal himself. He could become a weapon. 

    That's a long list of improvements, Ah1

    Just not sure Salem is being played in his best position so see it difficult for him to go 'to the next level' until that changes.

  • Quote
    48 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

    That's a long list of improvements, Ah1

    Just not sure Salem is being played in his best position so see it difficult for him to go 'to the next level' until that changes.

    I reckon they'll play him up the ground. We'll see who we bring in to improve our forward entries and ball use out of midfield, then we'll know about where Salem would best fit.

  • Quote
    •  
    5 hours ago, Lace Out said:

    I’d strongly consider moving Melksham to the wing. He has the legs and the distribution. 
     

    Struggled to get into games this year but also played some defensive roles, my enjoy the freedom. I think if we shifted him to the wing, Hunt could cover the role up forward.

    A good option if he could gut run both ways LO.  I've seen him do some good things out wide but only in small doses.

  • Quote
    9 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Well he actually didn't..

    If you'd had watched some of the Casey games last year like i did, you would know that Bedford spent major of his time as a forward pocket. In those games Baker, Stretch and JKH were our lock in wingers at VFL level last year.

    Played through the midfield and wing in majority of games I watched, did see him play some time forward as well.
    Which was every home game and every away game south side of the city. 

    Edited by Ham

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • NON-MFC: Round 10

      The Sir Doug Nicholls Round kicks off in Darwin with a Top 4 clash between the Suns and the Hawks. On Friday night the Swans will be seeking to rebound from a challenging start to the season, while the Blues have the Top 8 in their sights after their sluggish start. Saturdays matches kick off with a blockbuster between the Collingwood and Kuwarna with the Magpies looking to maintain their strong form and the Crows aiming to make a statement on the road. The Power face a difficult task to revive their season against a resilient Cats side looking to make amends for their narrow loss last week. The Giants aim to reinforce their top-eight status, while the Dockers will be looking to break the travel hoodoo. The sole Saturday game is a critical matchup for both teams, as the Bulldogs strive to cemet their spot in the top six and the Bombers desperately want break into the 8. Sundays start with a bottom 3 clash between the Tigers and Kangaroos with both teams wanting to avoid the being in wooden spoon contention. The Round concludes with the Eagles still searching for their first win of the season, while the Saints look to keep their finals hopes alive with a crucial away victory. Who are you tipping and what are the best results for the Demons?

        • Like
      • 87 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: Brisbane

      And just like that, we’re Narrm again. Even though the annual AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round which commemorates the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to our game has been a welcome addition to our calendar for ten years, more lately it has been a portent of tough times ahead for we beleaguered Narrm supporters. Ever since the club broke through for its historic 2021 premiership, this has become a troubling time of the year for the club. For example, it all began when Melbourne rebranded itself as Narrm across the two rounds of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round to become the first club to adopt an Indigenous club name especially for the occasion. It won its first outing under the brand against lowly North Melbourne to go to 10 wins and no losses but not without a struggle or a major injury to  star winger Ed Langdon who broke his ribs and missed several weeks. In the following week, still as Narrm, the team’s 17 game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Dockers. That came along with more injuries, a plague that remained with them for the remainder of the season until, beset by injuries, the Dees were eliminated from the finals in straight sets. It was even worse last year, when Narrm inexplicably lowered its colours in Perth to the Waalit Marawar Eagles. Oh, the shame of it all! At least this year, if there is a corner to turn around, it has to be in the direction of something better. To that end, I produced a special pre-game chant in the local Narrm language - “nam mi:wi winnamun katjil prolin ambi ngamar thamelin amb” which roughly translated is “every heart beats true for the red and the blue.” >y belief is that if all of the Narrm faithful recite it long enough, then it might prove to be the only way to beat the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday. The Lions are coming off a disappointing draw at Marvel Stadium against a North Melbourne team that lacks the ability and know how to win games (except when playing Melbourne). Brisbane are, however, a different kettle of fish at home and have very few positional weaknesses. They are a midfield powerhouse, strong in defence and have plenty of forward options, particularly their small and medium sized players, to kick a winning score this week after the sting of last week’s below par performance.

        • Thumb Down
      • 9 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Hawthorn

      There was a time during the current Melbourne cycle that goes back to before the premiership when the club was the toughest to beat in the fourth quarter. The Demons were not only hard to beat at any time but it was virtually impossible to get the better them when scores were close at three quarter time. It was only three or four years ago but they were fit, strong and resilient in body and mind. Sadly, those days are over. This has been the case since the club fell off its pedestal about 12 months ago after it beat Geelong and then lost to Carlton. In both instances, Melbourne put together strong, stirring final quarters, one that resulted in victory, the other, in defeat. Since then, the drop off has been dramatic to the point where it can neither pull off victory in close matches, nor can it even go down in defeat  gallantly.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Footscray

      At twenty-four minutes into the third term of the game between the Casey Demons and Footscray VFL at Whitten Oval, the visitors were coasting. They were winning all over the ground, had the ascendancy in the ruck battles and held a 26 point lead on a day perfect for football. What could go wrong? Everything. The Bulldogs moved into overdrive in the last five minutes of the term and booted three straight goals to reduce the margin to a highly retrievable eight points at the last break. Bouyed by that effort, their confidence was on a high level during the interval and they ran all over the despondent Demons and kicked another five goals to lead by a comfortable margin of four goals deep into the final term before Paddy Cross kicked a couple of too late goals for a despondent Casey. A testament to their lack of pressure in the latter stages of the game was the fact that Footscray’s last ten scoring shots were nine goals and one rushed behind. Things might have been different for the Demons who went into the game after last week’s bye with 12 AFL listed players. Blake Howes was held over for the AFL game but two others, Jack Billings and Taj Woewodin (not officially listed as injured) were also missing and they could have been handy at the end. Another mystery of the current VFL system.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Brisbane

      The Demons head back out on the road in Round 10 when they travel to Queensland to take on the reigning Premiers and the top of the table Lions who look very formidable. Can the Dees cause a massive upset? Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Sad
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 270 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Hawthorn

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 12th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect the Demons loss to the Hawks. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.

      • 53 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All