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Best Midfield Combo

SPC
SPC
in Melbourne Demons

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I know that there has been a few discussions in similar threads, but wanted to know who we can roll through the middle as the 3rd midfielder.

Both Trac and Oliver compliment each other, but I feel we just don’t have a third who can carry the weight and free these guys a little. 
 

For a while now I have been banging on about Salem or Rivers as an option, along with ANB. With Bowey playing back and looking at home in defence, might be time to complete the most powerful midfield in the comp.

 

Keen to hear people’s thoughts on who they think could offer some class, cleanness and defensive pressure. 

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    3 minutes ago, SPC said:

    I know that there has been a few discussions in similar threads, but wanted to know who we can roll through the middle as the 3rd midfielder.

    Both Trac and Oliver compliment each other, but I feel we just don’t have a third who can carry the weight and free these guys a little. 
     

    For a while now I have been banging on about Salem or Rivers as an option, along with ANB. With Bowey playing back and looking at home in defence, might be time to complete the most powerful midfield in the comp.

     

    Keen to hear people’s thoughts on who they think could offer some class, cleanness and defensive pressure. 

    Why try inventing when we have already used JJ Harmes and Sparrow plus cameos from Kossie .

    Let the players shine in their best positions and when Jack returns the selectors will make their intents public. 

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    10 minutes ago, SPC said:

    I know that there has been a few discussions in similar threads, but wanted to know who we can roll through the middle as the 3rd midfielder.

    Both Trac and Oliver compliment each other, but I feel we just don’t have a third who can carry the weight and free these guys a little. 
     

    For a while now I have been banging on about Salem or Rivers as an option, along with ANB. With Bowey playing back and looking at home in defence, might be time to complete the most powerful midfield in the comp.

     

    Keen to hear people’s thoughts on who they think could offer some class, cleanness and defensive pressure. 

    I actually wouldn't mind seeing Spargo have some time in the midfield. He is easily one of the best decision makers in the team. I think that playing in the middle will give him the chance to win more of the ball as he is a low-possession player.

    I wouldn't move Salem to another position as his performance across half-back this season has been All-Australian quality. 

    Edited by Hopeful Demon

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    46 minutes ago, SPC said:

    I know that there has been a few discussions in similar threads, but wanted to know who we can roll through the middle as the 3rd midfielder.

    Both Trac and Oliver compliment each other, but I feel we just don’t have a third who can carry the weight and free these guys a little. 
     

    For a while now I have been banging on about Salem or Rivers as an option, along with ANB. With Bowey playing back and looking at home in defence, might be time to complete the most powerful midfield in the comp.

     

    Keen to hear people’s thoughts on who they think could offer some class, cleanness and defensive pressure. 

    Have to try Salem in the middle one of the next 2 weeks. :-  is a low risk move - if it turns out he is more effective as a half-back flank, then back he goes in time for finals 

     

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    16 minutes ago, 1964_2 said:

    Have to try Salem in the middle one of the next 2 weeks. :-  is a low risk move - if it turns out he is more effective as a half-back flank, then back he goes in time for finals 

     

    Trouble is he's playing sore so wouldn't be the best time to try this...

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    39 minutes ago, Wrecker46 said:

    Judd, Cousins, Kerr. We need our Daniel Kerr alongside our superstars.

     

    1 hour ago, SPC said:

    I know that there has been a few discussions in similar threads, but wanted to know who we can roll through the middle as the 3rd midfielder.

    No, we need more than that, West Coast also had Embley, Chick, Braun, Banfield etc. So a good mix of at least 7 or 8 who can roll through the middle at various times. All great sides have more then just 2 or 3 great mids, they have have at least 7 or 8 guys per game who can at any time go into the midfield mix, I think between Trax, Clarry, Viney, Harmes, Gus, JJ, Sparrow, Kossie, ANB, Langdon, Salem and Rivers we've got a pretty good mix to throw in, with Trac and Oliver as the mainstays. 

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    15 minutes ago, rjay said:

    Trouble is he's playing sore so wouldn't be the best time to try this...

    Very good point. 
     

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    Not sure experimenting this close to finals is advisable.

    Rivers in time could be a good option. I don't think Salem has the physicality for the role plus he gives us such drive off half back.

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    The name missing in this discussion is Brayshaw. Got lots of Brownlow votes in this role.

    Trouble is that he is perhaps too valuable as a wingman playing up and down the filed and strong intercept marking.

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    • Author
    2 minutes ago, BDA said:

    Not sure experimenting this close to finals is advisable.

    Rivers in time could be a good option. I don't think Salem has the physicality for the role plus he gives us such drive off half back.

    I think we have to look at something, even if it is only for 30-40% game time. Viney might struggle to come back, Harmes is good, but limited unless he is tagging. Sparrow and JJ haven’t made the position theirs. 
     

    Rivers, Salem or even Spargo could be the master stroke. Perhaps not this week, but next week. If we win both, maybe against the cats. 

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    I think JJ was a lot better than people remember, he does a lot of grunt work and seems to get on the end of it quite a lot.

    I think we are two good mids short, don’t think we have enough firepower there at present, which would be much worse if either of Trac or Clarry go down

     

    Edited by BW511

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    2 hours ago, BDA said:

    Not sure experimenting this close to finals is advisable.

    Rivers in time could be a good option. I don't think Salem has the physicality for the role plus he gives us such drive off half back.

    Perfectly summed up 

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    • Like 1
    15 hours ago, tiers said:

    The name missing in this discussion is Brayshaw. Got lots of Brownlow votes in this role.

    Trouble is that he is perhaps too valuable as a wingman playing up and down the filed and strong intercept marking.

    He is doing his job on the wing wouldn't say he is dominating he is very hot and cold.   It is the only spot for him to play in the side.  Not sure what has happened but our coaches don't see him in the centre Square Mids.  I'm with you I thought he was an amazing clearance player, like the rest of our mids at the time his disposal by foot is extremely poor and defensively he was a one way runner.  He has shown on the wing he is still Kicking poor but at least he runs hard defensively.

    This third mid is a problem, we need a bit of class in there to compliment the grunt.  Really need a mid that can get it and kick it well.  I just don't see that player on our list at the moment.

     

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    • Shocked 1

    What I like about the Rivers/Salem options being proposed above is that they are great kicks when they receive the ball under immediate heat, meaning we're more likely to see a kick to our resultant advantage in the forward line.

    What I don't like about this option is that our backline is highly functioning and really settled; and I'd like to keep it this way.

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    18 hours ago, Billy said:

    Kozzie alternating through the midfields exciting 

    Agree with this also Bowey coz he is a very good ball user and has awareness of where the ballis going. Reads the play well

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    Bowey could potentially play the traditional centre role in years to come, he has poise and uses the footy well. Exactly what we need between the arcs.

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    Our mids are set for this year, but starting next year I think Bailey Laurie is the missing ingredient. Much needed skill and pace and can take a wing allowing Brayshaw back into the guts. 

    Like a few others I am sick of watching our mids hand the ball back to the opposition - Viney and Harmes being the worst offenders. 

    C: Langdon, Oliver, Laurie

    FOLL: Gawn, Petracca, Brayshaw

    INT: Sparrow, Jordon 

    Edited by Gouga

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    Petracca, Oliver and Brayshaw.

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    I agree, we need another quality midfielder, we may be able to trade for one in the coming years

    Brayshaw is the only one who can fill the void currently. Play JJ on wing, he's done it before

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