Average Time on Ground % to Rnd 4, 2022

Player	TOG%
A Tomlinson	99.00
Steven May	98.50
Ed Langdon	98.25
Max Gawn	89.00
Petracca	88.75
Joel Smith	87.33
Jake Lever*	87.00
C Oliver	85.75
Alex N-Bullen	84.75
Ben Brown	84.50
A Brayshaw	84.00
B Fritsch	84.00
Jayden Hunt	83.00
L Jackson	80.25
K Pickett	79.00
Jack Viney	77.50
S Weideman	77.00
Jake Bowey	76.75
T McDonald	74.75
James Jordon	74.25
James Harmes	71.00
Trent Rivers	69.00
Charlie Spargo	68.50
Tom Sparrow	66.25
Toby Bedford*	55.00

* Only played one match not an average

Stats courtesy of footywire.com

On 4/7/2022 at 8:36 AM, Lucifers Hero said:

Just listening to the Yze podcast and he talks about mids/rucks going forward.  It was once a 'resting' role but we expect those players to contribute when forward which means do all the defensive work, GA and if poss kick goals themselves.

Its another way to make max use of our rotations.

Looking at our raft of goal kickers these days notice Viney Clarry Jacko Harmesy and Lingers have developed significantly since 2021 at this time. With ANB Kossie  Tmac and Spargs slightly down we are well serviced by many capable and versatile players who are all up for a 100% buy in to team ethos. 

On 4/7/2022 at 10:53 AM, Skuit said:

During his five years at Fremantle, Lingers only clocked more than 89% game time on three occasions - two of those being 91% in his last four games at the club. Debut for Melbourne: 100% ToG - and last season he only dipped below 89% once while averaging around 94%. Worth also noting that he's only missed two games since early in 2018, and I think one of those was to concussion. 

So is it maturity, Burgess, or role?

All 3 probably and a dose of Lingers positivity!!! 

On 4/7/2022 at 10:53 AM, Skuit said:

So is it maturity, Burgess, or role?

Could also just be the coach’s preparedness to ask him to do it. How many other coaches would say “hey I’ve got an idea. Let’s ask our winger, who already does more running than anyone else, to stay on the field 100% of the time so our more bursty players can get more rest”?

I’d say it’s combination of coaching staff, fitness staff and Ed himself all having a deep understanding of his capabilities. 

It’s incredible in any case!

On 4/7/2022 at 8:18 AM, Demonstone said:

Steven May can't be far off 100% either.

 

On 4/7/2022 at 8:22 AM, Demonland said:

R1: 97%

R2: 100%

R3: 100%

Particularly impressive from May as he always seems to cop pleanty of hits to the body crunching packs and backing into on comming traffic to effect a spoil.  Get's off the ground, sucks it up and goes again.

Love his hardness, effort and intensity.  Easily one of my favorite MFC players of all time and the best full backs we've had in my lifetime.  Bloody Legend.

Great article on Ed, the (underrated and misunderstood) role of a wingman and the role others play eg Spargo in our defensive strategy:  on-a-wing-and-a-prayer

It shows how differently fans and coaches view player roles, in this case the wingmen and support roles.

"...with Ed Langdon – who has played nearly 100 per cent game time this season, all on a wing – seen as being the prime example of a modern wingman".

"Melbourne's half-forwards, though, also play a crucial role in assisting Langdon. A player like Charlie Spargo enables him to transition defensively by using his own tank to get high up the field and hold the width on one side of the ground".

"Rival clubs believe this is why the Demons have rapidly become one of the game's best defensive teams, due to their effort and cohesion both individually and collectively..."

I just finished reading that article too. I actually love wing play. And an interesting side note was the reference to Charlie Spargo who gets a lot of criticism on DL for his low stats, but as you can see from the quoted passage, he is playing a role. No wonder he is picked every week. 
 

But we have 3 terrific wingers in Ed, Gus and now JJ. And full credit to Goody and his team for resurrecting this role. Of course, Robbie used to do it to perfection - down back to mark the relieving kicks, and often the kickins, then long runs around the wing, beautiful entries into the forward line,  and kicking a fair few goals as well. Maybe Ed Langdon isn’t Robbie Flower, but he too is a joy to watch.

Langdon was interviewed in the ‘Off the track’ segment the club puts up on its site during the week. I laughed when he said he’s still trying to find his groove this year, imagine when he does.