I’d happily experiment with him as a tall wingman a la what Richmond regularly did with Richo. Big blokes with elite endurance levels running up and down the wing make a fantastic switch option. 
yes his field kicking is sometimes questionable but gee wiz it should open up channels into the forward line if he keeps his width on the ground.

 

 

30 minutes ago, Sideshow Bob said:

I’d happily experiment with him as a tall wingman a la what Richmond regularly did with Richo. Big blokes with elite endurance levels running up and down the wing make a fantastic switch option. 
yes his field kicking is sometimes questionable but gee wiz it should open up channels into the forward line if he keeps his width on the ground.

 

 

I know you are not comparing Richo with Tmac (because that is a stretch way too far), but you do realise Richo last played wing about 12 years ago, an eternity in modern day football?

1 minute ago, Moonshadow said:

I know you are not comparing Richo with Tmac (because that is a stretch way too far), but you do realise Richo last played wing about 12 years ago, an eternity in modern day football?

Nick Riewoldt also spent most of his final season dominating games from a wing, and that was 2017. Obviously Tmac is nowhere near those guys in terms of ability, but the precedent is definitely there. There's absolutely no reason why a tall, marking endurance beast shouldn't be effective on a wing in modern footy.

The problem is that the same issues that affect him up forward won't magically disappear on the wing. He won't get any faster or hold marks better just because he's in a different part of the ground.

That said, if he can get his body right, it's definitely something that would be worth exploring IMO. He won't get a look in up forward unless Weideman or Brown get injured, and he's probably behind Jackson as well. There's not a lot to lose from trying. 

8 minutes ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

Nick Riewoldt also spent most of his final season dominating games from a wing, and that was 2017. Obviously Tmac is nowhere near those guys in terms of ability, but the precedent is definitely there. There's absolutely no reason why a tall, marking endurance beast shouldn't be effective on a wing in modern footy.

The problem is that the same issues that affect him up forward won't magically disappear on the wing. He won't get any faster or hold marks better just because he's in a different part of the ground.

That said, if he can get his body right, it's definitely something that would be worth exploring IMO. He won't get a look in up forward unless Weideman or Brown get injured, and he's probably behind Jackson as well. There's not a lot to lose from trying. 

WAS a marking endurance beast. He has two dodgy ankles as well. Tmac is a tall leading forward at $600k pa, or nothing at all, unfortunately. Now 4th in line as a tall forward. But hope springs eternal, eh!

13 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

 

The opposition would run it out of our backline at will.  We would get slaughtered.

Tom needs to make it his aim to take back the CHB position.

Maybe but what if the midfield ran hard defensively 

The suggestion of playing TM off the wing and changing with Tomlinson at CHB is possible.

How would he go with a run in at the centre bounce and as an onballer?

On 11/15/2020 at 4:12 AM, deanox said:

I do wonder how much the shortened quarters affected that this year

Underexamined in my opinion, especially for the run-all-day players.

4 hours ago, Sideshow Bob said:

I’d happily experiment with him as a tall wingman a la what Richmond regularly did with Richo. Big blokes with elite endurance levels running up and down the wing make a fantastic switch option. 
yes his field kicking is sometimes questionable but gee wiz it should open up channels into the forward line if he keeps his width on the ground.

 

 

defensively TMac is too much of a liability.  A 90 year old granny could side step him. 

I am looking forward to seeing exactly what happens with TMac this coming season. We might get some insight into what the plans are on where and how to play him from our track watchers in the pre-season. I will be looking for all the usual posters doing their much appreciated work to keep us all informed.

Personally, I do not see Him changing his role very much. I do not see him moving back into the back half of the ground and taking up a defensive role. I just do not see him as nimble enough.

Lose a few kgs, re-build the tank and get his feet/ankles right and I could see him adding to the forward mix quite well. 

Playing second fiddle to Brown would give him a chance to get a second or third defender and that may help his form and confidence. While I want to see Weideman develop his game I think with TMac on the list as well a Jackson it will give us plenty of options to structure our attack to suit the different circumstances that opposition teams will present.

I could see TMac also as backup for Max in the ruck.

This trade period has been a wake up call for him and he wisely, isn't just preparing for a spot in mfc team next year, he is preparing for his footy career post 2021. 

With a decent season (VFL or AFL) and barring injury he will attract trade interest next year.  One year of his salary will be a lot more palatable to another club than two this year.  Moreso with a sal sweetner from us. 

Hope he can prove the naysayers wrong.

11 hours ago, Every Game in '64 said:

The suggestion of playing TM off the wing and changing with Tomlinson at CHB is possible.

How would he go with a run in at the centre bounce and as an onballer?

Both are the same height, and do offer a huge tank - as long as TMac can get fit again. TMac also started on the wing in many games in 2018/2019, then went forward, so if we could work it that either TMac or Tomlinson works to get a direct advantage on their opponent then tactically I think it could work. If we're on top then put TMac on the wing and send him forward, while if we're getting beaten then Tomlinson to the wing and he drifts back to assist. Having a tall wingman is a point of difference that can be a real asset if used correctly, it means on kick outs (against) it's easier to defend the non-ruck side, and when we kick out there's an additional outlet, just need them to hold their positions. 

At stoppage situations they'd both have to hold their positions on the defensive side, while Langdon can be used as more of an offensive weapon. 

I still dont know how or why T Mac lost his fitness and agility

You cant tell me that the FD requested he put on weight  strength ye weight no

Its a mystery and almost too late for Tmac given the club encouraged his potential departure

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but theres a video of Tmac doing agility training on his instagram story yesterday. 

 

https://www.instagram.com/blackivyfitness/

 

If you look at the above IG and some of the recent posts he's been training with Weed and Lever.

(don't know how to embed from IG sorry - but click below)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHg5hJSHxVd/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHg2xpGHTol/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHZcPiPH-[censored]/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHUIpHtndx_/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHozybjnauA/

Edited November 17, 20204 yr by roy11

13 hours ago, CHF said:

 I do not see him moving back into the back half of the ground and taking up a defensive role.

isn't he a better option in defence than Smith and OMac?

Edited November 17, 20204 yr by one_demon

TMac looks to be moving pretty well. We know he can be a very good player if he can get his mobility back to what it was. If Tiger Woods can win a major with a fused back, I wouldn’t completely rule out TMac yet. 

On 11/15/2020 at 2:19 PM, Bobby McKenzie said:

Langdon not a speedster? How fast do you want him to be? Moves like Jayden Hunt across the ground. He's quick mate have no doubt.

Thanks Bobby. I probably underrated him, I was more impressed by his endurance.i 

 

 

With reduced interchange and longer quarters I could see him becoming a true utility who could come off the bench and play 10-15 minutes a quarter to give a rest to key forwards, key backs, max and possibly on the wing - assuming he recaptures his endurance and at least some of his mobility - and also be a backup to any in-game injury.

if he mastered this he could from being one of the most overpaid players in the league (relative to value) to being a very valuable point of difference for us 

Hard to believe posters saying TMac should take a salary cut because he's not performing to expectations.

AFL is a very tough business, injuries happen and it's a risk clubs and players share.  I've heard a number of cases where players can't even walk a round of golf post-AFL because their bodies are so stuffed - they have to use a cart.  Have a think about it ...

If a player performs above expectations are we going to be rushing to give him an extra $200K in his current contract?  I doubt it.

3 hours ago, spalding said:

assuming he recaptures his endurance

Endurance is not something you lose (easily). Tom has always been able to run all day. It's the other areas that have let him down.

Even though the last two years have been pretty concerning, I haven’t written TMac off yet.

CHB looks to be the most obvious position for him. He simply must regain some agility though - his turning circle this year seemed to resemble that of the Bismarck on or about 26 May 1941. And that isn’t exactly what we need in a KPP.

 

Edited November 17, 20204 yr by Ron Burgundy

On 11/17/2020 at 6:54 PM, Ron Burgundy said:

Even though the last two years have been pretty concerning, I haven’t written TMac off yet.

CHB looks to be the most obvious position for him. He simply must regain some agility though - his turning circle this year seemed to resemble that of the Bismarck on or about 26 May 1941. And that isn’t exactly what we need in a KPP.

 

Who you gonna drop to put him at cub?

On 11/17/2020 at 6:54 PM, Ron Burgundy said:

Even though the last two years have been pretty concerning, I haven’t written TMac off yet.

CHB looks to be the most obvious position for him. He simply must regain some agility though - his turning circle this year seemed to resemble that of the Bismarck on or about 26 May 1941. And that isn’t exactly what we need in a KPP.

 

Can confirm he has lost 6kg and is absolutely flying on the track.

Goody considering playing him on the wing next year.

1 minute ago, Beetle said:

Can confirm he has lost 6kg and is absolutely flying on the track.

Goody considering playing him on the wing next year.

If he gains that mobility, I'd love to see him tried on a wing. 

Not interested in seeing him up forward unless covering an injured player.

1 hour ago, Beetle said:

Can confirm he has lost 6kg and is absolutely flying on the track.

Goody considering playing him on the wing next year.

Hope he is given a crack over the praccie matches