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Who is our midfield leader?

Hellish Inferno
Hellish Inferno
in Melbourne Demons

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I don’t know that this midfield group will ever really figure out the balance to enable a serious tilt at the flag. No one in there seems to sense the moment and stem the tide of an opposition run.

We don’t bat deep enough and we have 6-7 of the same or very similar player rolling through.

We desperately need a Jack McCrae/Scott Pendlebury/Lachie Whitfield type to open games up with precise kicks to advantage.

I fear we might lose out with the rule changes also (again)

 

 

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    • Like 2
     
    On 3/21/2021 at 2:49 AM, Jjrogan said:

    Oliver. Close thread. 

    OLIVER 

    DAYLIGHT

    CLOSE THREAD! PERIOD!

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    I suggested on another thread that our mds all have different styles.

    Gawn as dominant ruckman should be like quarterback in Gridiron and call play to match the specific attribute of the key player on each stoppage.

    egs

    one play drop ball at feet for Viney. Other mids protect him by forming a wedge to shepherd his collection and then spread and  run forward to get to drop of wild kick

    one play tap to left where Oliver receives in a ring of protecting players who shepherd him and spread to receive handpass.

    one play tap to right for protected Brayshaw  who then side steps around blockers to deliver low ball to leading forwards

    one play tap backwards to Trac who charges through with outside runners and releases next disposal to best advantage

    There are more plays that can be added and the ruckman captain calls it at the huddle before the bounce.

    Defensive role for midfield commences as soon as play fails and involves pressuring opposition release to assist downfield deep defenders.

     

     

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    On 3/21/2021 at 8:38 AM, Lord Nev said:

    We don't have one.

    Petracca is too busy trying to do everything for us.

    Oliver is chasing stats instead of the opposition.

    Viney wants to kill everybody.

    Gawn is more worried about hitouts than clearances.

    Love them all as blokes and players, but not one of them is a 'directional' type leader. Viney isn't a communicator and Gawn still has a bad habit of going for a massive random punch forward when he's frustrated.

    Max is the one that needs to add this to his leadership. He's a great front man for our club, a sensational player, but gut feel is he's classed as a leader because he's a great trainer and a great bloke. Not the 'ruthless' leader we really need.

    See, this is nonsense mate. Oliver was 6th highest tackler in the league last year.

    I swear people don't actually watch Oliver play the game...

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    • Like 3

    We have no midfield leader at present. We have some rare talents with unique tricks, but leaders they are not. A leader would have the midfield functioning like a well oiled machine. Best tap ruck in the league. Midfield get slaughtered by weaker - better led - midfields.

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    On 3/22/2021 at 6:15 PM, Queanbeyan Demon said:

    Um . . . who is our leader full stop?

    I'd think that this is too tangential to actually worry about. All players, despitie roles and placements on the field, should have developed and inate awarenesses, realisations and known responses (from coaching) to onfield circumstances. I don't imagine players just loitering around awaiting (more senior) instructions and cues to perform their respective roles. Our player strengths and weaknesses in relative terms are already known and observable, surely? (If he does that then I must do this.) I'd rather think that each player can determine how to support the playmakersat any time - or most times - to best effect and thus, join the playmakers' group. Is that not the role of teamwork?

     

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    2 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

    I'd think that this is too tangential to actually worry about. All players, despitie roles and placements on the field, should have developed and inate awarenesses, realisations and known responses (from coaching) to onfield circumstances. I don't imagine players just loitering around awaiting (more senior) instructions and cues to perform their respective roles. Our player strengths and weaknesses in relative terms are already known and observable, surely? (If he does that then I must do this.) I'd rather think that each player can determine how to support the playmakersat any time - or most times - to best effect and thus, join the playmakers' group. Is that not the role of teamwork?

     

    Yep, good teamwork and well drilled coaching - sadly two things we seem to lack right now.

    Address this and we're top 4

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    7 hours ago, dpositive said:

    I suggested on another thread that our mds all have different styles.

    Gawn as dominant ruckman should be like quarterback in Gridiron and call play to match the specific attribute of the key player on each stoppage.

    egs

    one play drop ball at feet for Viney. Other mids protect him by forming a wedge to shepherd his collection and then spread and  run forward to get to drop of wild kick

    one play tap to left where Oliver receives in a ring of protecting players who shepherd him and spread to receive handpass.

    one play tap to right for protected Brayshaw  who then side steps around blockers to deliver low ball to leading forwards

    one play tap backwards to Trac who charges through with outside runners and releases next disposal to best advantage

    There are more plays that can be added and the ruckman captain calls it at the huddle before the bounce.

    Defensive role for midfield commences as soon as play fails and involves pressuring opposition release to assist downfield deep defenders.

     

     

    Seems simple dpositive but in reality no body seems to know where he will tap it.

    On Saturday many taps went no where near the advantage to our players no matter what their style

    On a number of occasions he tapped it forward away from our midfielders and to the advantage of Freo

    Max really need to lift his game in my opinion

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    8 hours ago, A F said:

    See, this is nonsense mate. Oliver was 6th highest tackler in the league last year.

    I swear people don't actually watch Oliver play the game...

    Because he's an inside mid in the thick of the action. How many run down tackles can you remember him doing?

    Also, tackles isn't the only indicator of defensive running. I've been on my high horse about our mids, namely Oliver & Brayshaw, for a long time about their two way running so I watch them VERY closely in this regard.

    Interesting you chose a stat to try and back up 'watching' him play.

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    Great thread, and as I think it through we clearly don't have one. People have misinterpreted the question and are talking about our best players. Not what the OP is getting at. 

    None of Gawn/Vines/Trac/Clarry appear to have the footy IQ required to be the midfield leader. Maybe I'm being harsh but they just don't appear to. Not questioning talent of effort. 

    I think Gus could be that leader if he spent more time at centre bounces and less on the wing. He has the smarts. 

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    • Love 1

    A leader often emerges.  appointing and anointing often fails as there is not always internal group recognition. 

    I believe there is merit in the quarterback model but as Nev points out Max really needs to be able to direct his tap.

    That may be difficult with the unpredictability of the bounce etc.

    offensive and defensive tactics also have to have a number of options which are flexible again dependent on the variables of bounce, opposition and the speed and excitement of our game.

    But certainly the dynamics of the mid field need to be instinctive and collective.

    i just despair with the lack of protection to some of our players provided by blocking and shepherding without reference to umpires.

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    10 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

    Because he's an inside mid in the thick of the action. How many run down tackles can you remember him doing?

    Also, tackles isn't the only indicator of defensive running. I've been on my high horse about our mids, namely Oliver & Brayshaw, for a long time about their two way running so I watch them VERY closely in this regard.

    Interesting you chose a stat to try and back up 'watching' him play.

    Sure, tackles aren't the only indicator of defence, but you said Oliver just chases stats.

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    20 minutes ago, A F said:

    Sure, tackles aren't the only indicator of defence, but you said Oliver just chases stats.

    I said he's chasing stats when he should be chasing the opposition.

    He's not by himself in not running both ways hard enough, but the topic is about who is our midfield leader, so I was having a quick look and who most would consider the main candidates.

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    14 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

    ?

    Too cryptic for me Rusty

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    8 hours ago, dpositive said:

    Too cryptic for me Rusty

    Failed attempt to point at my Avatar DP

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    Ah just needed a few more spaces and it would have been excellent for me.

    Probably understood as intuitive to other readers, (Anyone under 30).

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