Is Melbourne's midfield one of the best of all time?

[Ethan Tremblay 28,358]

19 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Would the powder help or hinder I wonder? I personally doubt it would be performance enhancing 

If certain pills were passed around at half-time… most likely performance enhancing.

Either way, I midfield will be number 1.

[Wrecker46 2,653]

9 hours ago, monoccular said:

West coast 2006 had Cox, Judd, Cousins, Kerr plus “the good stuff” at least for two of them. 

I would say at least 3 of them. I don't know about Cox.

[IRW 1,224]

Not enough opposition supporters hate us for them to qualify yet.

Opposition coaches will actually be putting more work into the backline ( ours and theirs) and  over Christmas  and still  backing their own midfield to break even.

 

 

[PaulRB 5,919]

I’d actually like Goody to develop a second midfield group or rotation with Sparrow, Picket and … maybe Rivers, Bowey, Laurie. 
Both Kozzie and Sparrow have the tools to be damaging, and when switched on can add another dimension. 
 

Lets say a rotation of Gawn with Jackson (Oliver), Sparrow (Trac), Picket (Viney) at his feet… next gen.

Edited December 14, 2021 by PaulRB

[dazzledavey36 48,707]

I agree with @PaulRB. I would like to see the next wave of up and coming midfielders start to stamp their authority next year and beyond. There is always talk of Gawn, Petracca and Oliver as the 3 big dogs, but there is never a mention of that 1 extra midfielder who clubs should be putting time into also. Viney is probably that extra 3rd mid, but just hasn't been on the park on a consistent basis. 

There are two names imo that have the potential to really thrust their names as that genuine 3rd A grade midfielder and that's Tom Sparrow and Trent Rivers.

I do know for a fact that Sparrow is rated enormously high by the coaching staff for his work ethic and professionalism. I heard Adem Yze get interviewed after the GF win and he stated that his favorite player that he loves working with was Sparrow and James Jordon just because of their willingness to just do the teams things and their off field standards was extremely high. He went on to mention that Sparrow has the potential to be an A grade midfielder and i genuinely believe this also. I reckon his finals series was hugely underrated and even the Geelong game in round 23 where he took some really crucial marks to get us going again. He's an absolute brute and an animal around the contests, and some of his tackling pressure was immense. He's got that real power to be able to break away from the contest and roost it 60m dead straight. Having watched the grand final over and over again, his game just stuck out more, and he could have easily kicked 3 goals for the day. What i also like about Sparrows game is that he has shown that he can also rest up forward and kick goals. I love midfielders who are able to add an extra layer to their game by pushing forward and kicking goals.

Sparrow imo has been developing just fine under Petracca, Oliver and Viney, but I think next year will be the year he steps up and becomes more of a solid midfielder for us instead of a bit player like he did this year. I would like to see his midfield time increase significantly, and at times start games in the center circle. 

I mentioned Rivers because I think he's the full prototype package as a midfielder. 188cm 88kg who's tough, courageous and has some genuine speed and power to be able to break away from the contest and once again roost a footy 60m forward. Those meters gain midfielders aren't easy to find. I think River's does play down back next year, but Goodwin/Yze have shown this year they aren't afraid to throw a different mix in the midfield rotation like a Kozzie or ANB. I would like to see Rivers get some midfield minutes next year just to really throw teams out wack, but also add another layer to his game. 

I do remember that when River was playing as a midfielder for WAFL colts level at East Fremantle, he was nearly averaging 30 disposals a game. So he's obviously shown that he's certainly capable of playing in the midfield and winning some big numbers.

[Hatchman 485]

Good call on Sparrow. I had my doubts including him over Jordan (and even Jones), at the pointy end of the season but his prelim and GF were huge

[DeeZone 7,701]

10 hours ago, DubDee said:

Would the powder help or hinder I wonder? I personally doubt it would be performance enhancing 

We don’t know what they were taking but Cousins and Kerr apparently would try anything.😢😢

As for our 2021 side they beat the second best side by 74 points and had a 100 point turnaround in the second half. As mentioned above we are a Champion Team, our Backline shade all those teams. Max, LJ, Tracc, Clarry & JV are the equal of any team running around and they are well supported by Harmes, Langdon,  Gus, Sparrow, Jordon, Dunstan. If we can keep this group together and out on the park we will be up there with the best for some time and then we can compare Who was as good as us. We have great depth as well, that still sounds a bit foreign to me.

[leave it to deever 15,317]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Rivers because I think he's the full prototype package as a midfielder. 188cm 88kg who's tough, courageous and has some genuine speed and power to be able to break away from the contest and once again roost a footy 60m forward

Would love to see him in the middle but I think hes just too valuable down back at present. He has the strength,  speed, confidence and presence of mind to break through tackles and packs.

He's only just started so you never know. Perhaps his future is in latching onto Luke Jacksons taps, shrugging the odd tackle and roosting them 60 m through the middle.

[Fork 'em 6,507]

Rivers reminds me of James Hird.

There .... I said it.

[Fork 'em 6,507]

11 hours ago, DubDee said:

Would the powder help or hinder I wonder? I personally doubt it would be performance enhancing 

The whole side were built like juiced up tanks compared to the rest of the competition.
And there are question marks on Geelongs drought breaking side with Danks involvement pre essendon.
It was Thompson who told Hird his side wasn't strong enough and got across both Dank and "the Weapon".
But the AFL did a leftie media job on that and smothered the story with a pillow.

Edited December 15, 2021 by Fork 'em

[Wrecker46 2,653]

1 hour ago, Fork 'em said:

The whole side were built like juiced up tanks compared to the rest of the competition.
And there are question marks on Geelongs drought breaking side with Danks involvement pre essendon.
It was Thompson who told Hird his side wasn't strong enough and got across both Dank and "the Weapon".
But the AFL did a leftie media job on that and smothered the story with a pillow.

Thompson was out at Home House, Geelong's nightclub famous for party drugs and late nights during his tenure.

[Dante 2,562]

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I agree with @PaulRB. I would like to see the next wave of up and coming midfielders start to stamp their authority next year and beyond. There is always talk of Gawn, Petracca and Oliver as the 3 big dogs, but there is never a mention of that 1 extra midfielder who clubs should be putting time into also. Viney is probably that extra 3rd mid, but just hasn't been on the park on a consistent basis. 

There are two names imo that have the potential to really thrust their names as that genuine 3rd A grade midfielder and that's Tom Sparrow and Trent Rivers.

I do know for a fact that Sparrow is rated enormously high by the coaching staff for his work ethic and professionalism. I heard Adem Yze get interviewed after the GF win and he stated that his favorite player that he loves working with was Sparrow and James Jordon just because of their willingness to just do the teams things and their off field standards was extremely high. He went on to mention that Sparrow has the potential to be an A grade midfielder and i genuinely believe this also. I reckon his finals series was hugely underrated and even the Geelong game in round 23 where he took some really crucial marks to get us going again. He's an absolute brute and an animal around the contests, and some of his tackling pressure was immense. He's got that real power to be able to break away from the contest and roost it 60m dead straight. Having watched the grand final over and over again, his game just stuck out more, and he could have easily kicked 3 goals for the day. What i also like about Sparrows game is that he has shown that he can also rest up forward and kick goals. I love midfielders who are able to add an extra layer to their game by pushing forward and kicking goals.

Sparrow imo has been developing just fine under Petracca, Oliver and Viney, but I think next year will be the year he steps up and becomes more of a solid midfielder for us instead of a bit player like he did this year. I would like to see his midfield time increase significantly, and at times start games in the center circle. 

I mentioned Rivers because I think he's the full prototype package as a midfielder. 188cm 88kg who's tough, courageous and has some genuine speed and power to be able to break away from the contest and once again roost a footy 60m forward. Those meters gain midfielders aren't easy to find. I think River's does play down back next year, but Goodwin/Yze have shown this year they aren't afraid to throw a different mix in the midfield rotation like a Kozzie or ANB. I would like to see Rivers get some midfield minutes next year just to really throw teams out wack, but also add another layer to his game. 

I do remember that when River was playing as a midfielder for WAFL colts level at East Fremantle, he was nearly averaging 30 disposals a game. So he's obviously shown that he's certainly capable of playing in the midfield and winning some big numbers.

Rivers hates losing a contest and even though it doesn't happen often you can see it in his reaction.

Sparrow can be anything, he's one of my favourites, courage and strength galore.

Rivers is 20 and Sparrow is 21, they play like they've been in the system for 5 or 6 years.

I used to feel sorry for good players that got drafted by Melbourne because we'd wreck their careers, now I feel sorry for them because we have so many good players they struggle to get a game, look at who we have on the sidelines. Jordon is an example. very good but had so many games as medical sub. How do you fit Hunt, Tomlinson and Melksham and Smith in?

 

 

[dazzledavey36 48,707]

7 minutes ago, Dante said:

Rivers hates losing a contest and even though it doesn't happen often you can see it in his reaction.

Sparrow can be anything, he's one of my favourites, courage and strength galore.

Rivers is 20 and Sparrow is 21, they play like they've been in the system for 5 or 6 years.

I used to feel sorry for good players that got drafted by Melbourne because we'd wreck their careers, now I feel sorry for them because we have so many good players they struggle to get a game, look at who we have on the sidelines. Jordon is an example. very good but had so many games as medical sub. How do you fit Hunt, Tomlinson and Melksham and Smith in?

 

 

I can see Jordon becoming our version of a Daniel Cross/Brad Sewell type player. Sort of a no frills midfielder who isn't flashy but quietly goes about his business playing the team first role, but also getting his hands dirty to release our more Hollywood style midfielders.

Wont win a lot of external praise, but will be incredibly valued internally by coaching staff and players.

[Demonised 1,201]

Apologies in advance for being grumpy, but can we please change the title of this thread to ' Is Melbourne's midfield one of the best of the 21st Century?' or maybe 'Is Melbourne's midfield one of the best of the last thirty years?' because clearly none of us can compare our mids to midfields of seventy, eighty, ninety years ago, which would necessarily be encompassed by the 'of all time' question. Besides, all of the discussion is about midfields of the last few decades, ignoring the rest of football history as if it didn't happen. Historical perspective is important, given the parameters of the thread title, and what could be a worthwhile discourse becomes misleading.

It just irks me. Sorry.

[Dante 2,562]

26 minutes ago, Demonised said:

Apologies in advance for being grumpy, but can we please change the title of this thread to ' Is Melbourne's midfield one of the best of the 21st Century?' or maybe 'Is Melbourne's midfield one of the best of the last thirty years?' because clearly none of us can compare our mids to midfields of seventy, eighty, ninety years ago, which would necessarily be encompassed by the 'of all time' question. Besides, all of the discussion is about midfields of the last few decades, ignoring the rest of football history as if it didn't happen. Historical perspective is important, given the parameters of the thread title, and what could be a worthwhile discourse becomes misleading.

It just irks me. Sorry.

It is hard to compare, I remember the great Polly Farmer who had a huge leap and could handball as far as most could kick, but was he as fit as they are today, I doubt it.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,133]

The 2013 big 4 of Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Matt Jones and Jordie Mckenzie with Rohan Bail and Jimmy Toumpas providing able support would also come close.

[Wrecker46 2,653]

22 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

The 2013 big 4 of Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Matt Jones and Jordie Mckenzie with Rohan Bail and Jimmy Toumpas providing able support would also come close.

I reckon Jordie McKenzie could play a role now. He fits alot of our criteria.

[leave it to deever 15,317]

Oh hell...why not

 

Best Midfield ever ever ever forever.

[faultydet 7,593]

3 hours ago, Dante said:

Rivers hates losing a contest and even though it doesn't happen often you can see it in his reaction.

Sparrow can be anything, he's one of my favourites, courage and strength galore.

Rivers is 20 and Sparrow is 21, they play like they've been in the system for 5 or 6 years.

I used to feel sorry for good players that got drafted by Melbourne because we'd wreck their careers, now I feel sorry for them because we have so many good players they struggle to get a game, look at who we have on the sidelines. Jordon is an example. very good but had so many games as medical sub. How do you fit Hunt, Tomlinson and Melksham and Smith in?

 

 

Sparrow - Scott Thompson. Except he's staying (for now at least)

 

[faultydet 7,593]

1 hour ago, Demonised said:

Apologies in advance for being grumpy, but can we please change the title of this thread to ' Is Melbourne's midfield one of the best of the 21st Century?' or maybe 'Is Melbourne's midfield one of the best of the last thirty years?' because clearly none of us can compare our mids to midfields of seventy, eighty, ninety years ago, which would necessarily be encompassed by the 'of all time' question. Besides, all of the discussion is about midfields of the last few decades, ignoring the rest of football history as if it didn't happen. Historical perspective is important, given the parameters of the thread title, and what could be a worthwhile discourse becomes misleading.

It just irks me. Sorry.

Sad sack.

 

[Macca 16,173]

Well on the way but we'll need a few more super productive years to be amongst the very best (all time)

Didn't witness but Spencer, Ridley, Mithen, Dixon, Adams, Barassi and Big Bob did quite well (5 flags in 6 years)

[dazzledavey36 48,707]

1 hour ago, Wrecker46 said:

I reckon Jordie McKenzie could play a role now. He fits alot of our criteria.

Don't think so.

While he was an honest battler, he was also a diabolical kick and barely had other strings to his game other then being a one paced tagger.

[Watson11 1,882]

Viney looks like he has stacked on more muscle over preseason which I think is good. If Viney stays fit then I suspect they will be talking about Gawn, LJ, Tracc, Oliver and Viney for the next 50 years but it’s all in front of them.

Viney at training Monday.

[picket fence 15,101]

1 hour ago, Wrecker46 said:

I reckon Jordie McKenzie could play a role now. He fits alot of our criteria.

Um Um NO! I swear I saw him not make the distance for goal from 30 m out once!

Dazzle, serious question for you, where do you see Luke Dunstan fitting in??

Edited December 15, 2021 by picket fence

[DeeZone 7,701]

2 hours ago, faultydet said:

Sparrow - Scott Thompson. Except he's staying (for now at least)

 

Yes agree faultydet could be, I really like this kid and needs to be locked in long term ASAP.!!