Is it time for Daniel Bell to go in the midfield?

[occo 2]

Its time for Bell to go to another one of the 15 clubs

[Lord Travis 10,793]

whelan was tried as a midfielder earlier in his career n failed miserably. Bell's being tried there n has failed miserably. Some ppl just can't play whilst being in the thick of it. I'm happy for him being a stopper/defender n running out of defence.

Bell has a harder body than Whelan, has more pace, and has one of the best kicks in our side. He was recruited as a midfielder, and could very well play there. He played one of his best games for the club solely in the midfield against Adelaide late-ish last year. He could play there, but only part time IMO. He is not designed to follow the ball around all game. Doesn't have the awareness and concentration to stick to it a full match. He'll play in defence the majority of his career, with stints int he midfield, and I'd be happy with that.

Happy to see him finally up and running and having an impact. Let's hope Syliva can follow suit eh

[Lord Travis 10,793]

Its time for Bell to go to another one of the 15 clubs

Why? Because he is hard at it and playing with some heart? We don't like players like that at Melbourne do we...

[Nasher 33,617]

Its time for Bell to go to another one of the 15 clubs

Damn. And you had been doing so well lately.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Its time for Bell to go to another one of the 15 clubs

Twit.

Damn. And you had been doing so well lately.

[Jaded No More 68,975]

Bell is the only bloke in our back line at the moment who isn't causing sieve-like leaks. He has to stay there, he's irreplaceable at present.

I agree, and I understand your point, however...

With no Farmer and no Medhurst, who do you think Bell should play on?

He could always play a more sweeping role, taking over in the absence of Rivers.

Alternatively, he could be put in the middle and throw his weight around.

Put it this way, with such a depleted midfield, our backline is going to come under serious fire this weekend. But if we could somehow minimise the midfield damage, it will make the job of our defenders a lot easier. I'd be keen to see Belly tried in the midfield this week. Maybe not all game, but definitely for periods throughout.

Occo, Daniel Bell is top 3 in our B&F at this point in time. The way he's going compared to the rest of the side, he could very well win the damn thing.

[Don24 103]

occo and jacey do you even watch the games? occo go to another club? he has been in our best 10 players easily thus far and has a huge upside too. You extreamly foolish (we cant call people idiots any more)

And jacey he has hardly been tried in the midfield...maybe ever so briefly when he was first at the cclub but a lot has changed since then. And i think all of you underestimate his work amongst traffic. He has done some good work in close clearing it from the blackline and DEFINATLY has the skills to make it in the midfield. I look forward to telling both of you "i told you so" before the season is out!

Don

[grazman 7,504]

whelan was tried as a midfielder earlier in his career n failed miserably. Bell's being tried there n has failed miserably. Some ppl just can't play whilst being in the thick of it. I'm happy for him being a stopper/defender n running out of defence.

When was Bell played in the midfield?

[The HuLK 139]

Great topic... Fitness would be the biggest concern. Alot more running involed. But i think if any1 has too stand up belly would.. If he does i would like to see yze go back.. playing a role like Luke Hodge does..

[Guest dee'viator]

With reports that Moloney are out as well as Brock & Col, it appears we are going to be missing some "grunt" in the midfield. The only player that springs to mind with a bit of hardness who could play in the midfield is Bell. No one can question his endeavour or hardness at the footy. He is a solid kid, with good pace, and good skills, when he takes the first option! From memory I thought he was also drafted as a midfielder.

C'mon rev, think outside the square and take a risk. With Ward and Whelan in the team the smalls from the opposition forward line are covered. Who does Freo have anyway without the wiz?

What does everyone else think?

NO. I think we need him where he is.

[Still Waiting 94]

Whilst Bell has played well he is not a midfielder and would not get enough leather to justify a more permanent mid field job.Don't destroy any confidence he now has with this move.Perhaps give him a few minutes here and there in the rotation but let him continue to develop into a player that can feed the pill into the forward line (with a bit more accuracy than others).By the way ,why dont we kick the ball a bit wider or even shorter to leading forwards?We have mastered the art of delivering the ball just high enough over our players heads so as to enable any half good defender to spoil.Lets get the forwards running hard to a slightly wider or shorter delivery.Danners also has to be prepared to make early moves to stop dominating midfielders with our taggers.

[occo 2]

I dont rate bell. I never have. Although my statement of trading him was a little extream...even for me. I just dont think he is everything everyone says he is. There are people on here calling for players like bate get traded but in the end i think bate is better than Bell and that has lead to some of my dissopointment of bell - the fact that people are prepared to crusify bate but rave on about how good bell is. The fact that bell was drafted at 14 and players like Troy Selwood, Rivers, Staker, Watson, Ebert, L.Fisher are all higher picks than him yet show more than him.

[davey_magik 1]

I dont rate bell. I never have. Although my statement of trading him was a little extream...even for me. I just dont think he is everything everyone says he is. There are people on here calling for players like bate get traded but in the end i think bate is better than Bell and that has lead to some of my dissopointment of bell - the fact that people are prepared to crusify bate but rave on about how good bell is. The fact that bell was drafted at 14 and players like Troy Selwood, Rivers, Staker, Watson, Ebert, L.Fisher are all higher picks than him yet show more than him.

Won't argue on Ebert, Watson or Rivers (Who we have thankfully), but the others?

What has Staker ever done? Selwood played a few good games in 2005 but hasn't done much since, L Fisher is a good handy defender but Belly has showed far more than him.

Bell is quick, strong, hard at it, accountable and has excellent footskills. His awareness is poor, but I'd prefer him to stay on the HBF and be told to run up the ground as much as possible as he is a very good user of the ball.

[DEES 0]

I am betting that bell will get his shot in the midfield. From what i have heard, he has been wanting to play in the midfield, and he is a pretty determined hard nut with pace. From our recent recruiting, you should pick up that we are drafting players with versatilty. With bell running in the midfield, this will give us a look at how he plays in this position and how he could be used there in the future. We can always rotate other players through the midfield if he isn't good enough, so what have we got to lose.

Also i reckon green as our main target up foward isn't enough, as you could see from last weeks game. We have to bring dunn, newton or garland in. My fingers crossed that newton gets a game.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

The fact that bell was drafted at 14 and players like Troy Selwood, Rivers, Staker, Watson, Ebert, L.Fisher are all higher picks than him yet show more than him.

OP?

Had he not been restricted, would his career achievements to date be rated differently than those others you mentioned? Those guys have put together 2 good seasons. Bell only started getting regular games in the last half-dozen rounds last year after overcoming his OP mid year. What more do you want from him occo?

I look forward to reminding you of how good he is in the years to come, I'll say that much.

[occo 2]

Won't argue on Ebert, Watson or Rivers (Who we have thankfully), but the others?

What has Staker ever done? Selwood played a few good games in 2005 but hasn't done much since, L Fisher is a good handy defender but Belly has showed far more than him.

Bell is quick, strong, hard at it, accountable and has excellent footskills. His awareness is poor, but I'd prefer him to stay on the HBF and be told to run up the ground as much as possible as he is a very good user of the ball.

I have to say Staker is a very underrated footballer and would be in our 22. Leigh Fisher is a superbe defender and not in the same class as bell. Fisher has and has been known to play FB - something we need. Watson, well he showed a lot last year second half and will be a great player at essendon. None of the players i mentioned are in the same class as bell

[occo 2]

OP?

Had he not been restricted, would his career achievements to date be rated differently than those others you mentioned? Those guys have put together 2 good seasons. Bell only started getting regular games in the last half-dozen rounds last year after overcoming his OP mid year. What more do you want from him occo?

I look forward to reminding you of how good he is in the years to come, I'll say that much.

No worries. it wouldnt be the first time i have been wrong. Melb have defenatly had the devel on our back. Sylvia, bell, moloney (who was healthy at geel). Our fitness staff i certainly question

[Johnny Karate 559]

I have to say Staker is a very underrated footballer and would be in our 22. Leigh Fisher is a superbe defender and not in the same class as bell. Fisher has and has been known to play FB - something we need. Watson, well he showed a lot last year second half and will be a great player at essendon. None of the players i mentioned are in the same class as bell

You're thinking of Sam Fisher.

Leigh Fisher is about 5'6 & has played about 10 games. God help the Saints if L.Fisher has to line up at full back!

As for the thread topic I think Bell should get a shot in the midfield especially if Beamer is out. I think he would step up and play a simlar role to Moloney - hard at it, rough as guts and long penetrating kicks (a couple of goals would be nice too).

[Rogue 585]

in the end i think bate is better than Bell and that has lead to some of my dissopointment of bell - the fact that people are prepared to crusify bate but rave on about how good bell is. The fact that bell was drafted at 14 ...

The round a player went in the draft means essentially zero once a player is at the club - akin to your high school score once you're at university.

I wish people would forget about draft picks when it came to team selection/judging players etc.

To give another example, if Sylvia was drafted at #62 I doubt people would be as excited about him. I also doubt there'd be the same comparisons between McLean and him in terms of their development.

[occo 2]

You're thinking of Sam Fisher.

Leigh Fisher is about 5'6 & has played about 10 games. God help the Saints if L.Fisher has to line up at full back!

As for the thread topic I think Bell should get a shot in the midfield especially if Beamer is out. I think he would step up and play a simlar role to Moloney - hard at it, rough as guts and long penetrating kicks (a couple of goals would be nice too).

No im thinking of leigh. I know sam fisher, hes in my dream team and yes sam is better than leigh but both are very talanted footy players

[occo 2]

The round a player went in the draft means essentially zero once a player is at the club - akin to your high school score once you're at university.

I wish people would forget about draft picks when it came to team selection/judging players etc.

To give another example, if Sylvia was drafted at #62 I doubt people would be as excited about him. I also doubt there'd be the same comparisons between McLean and him in terms of their development.

Thats all well and good but currently we do have a draft pick system and im not going to start pretending we dont when we do

[Axis of Bob 11,898]

Watson and Ebert were both father-son picks and would be excluded.

It's like complaining about Petterd because he was taken before Tom Hawkins.

[Little Lucifer 2]

Its time for Bell to go to another one of the 15 clubs

Before he goes would you mind letting him know which of the other 15 clubs you actually barrack for so he can avoid that one. After viewing quite a few of your ill informed posts you can't seriously believe that we all think you are a genuine supporter of this club but rather one of those rogue people from another club who comes in purely to stir. Move on or get your facts right.

[occo 2]

Before he goes would you mind letting him know which of the other 15 clubs you actually barrack for so he can avoid that one. After viewing quite a few of your ill informed posts you can't seriously believe that we all think you are a genuine supporter of this club but rather one of those rogue people from another club who comes in purely to stir. Move on or get your facts right.

Sorry i was under the impression that this site allows people to express their feelings about melbourne. I am a melbourne supported and although i havnt been for long, i have had membership each year and donated around $400 on top of membership. I have read trates on here abusing bate and asking for him to be traded. And yet you attack me. I have witnessed players sledging against Holland and Nicholson. I seriously dont rate Bell - thats my opinion. I just dont see anything in him because

a) he is slow. ok on record he is quick but over time i have witnessed players running him down who are 2/3 less than his speed

bb) i dont feel he reads the ball that well

c) His kicking skills are ok, but he doesent deal with pressure well and instead makes terrible disposals.

I am not one who is going to lie - i speak my mind, a always have. Ask me for an opionion and i will tell u the truth so like it or not, thats where i come from

[Rogue 585]

Thats all well and good but currently we do have a draft pick system and im not going to start pretending we dont when we do

Bell's position on the list is, essentially, the same as anyone else. The method of getting on the list means nothing once you're there. To want him drafted, or to criticise, because he hasn't lived up to what you'd expect out of a #x draft pick is illogical.

I fail to see how his draft # should enter into any sort of discussion on whether we should make the decision to axe him or how good he is, unless you're talking about it in reference to what you could get for him or his potential (in which case I suggest looking more at his deeds than what some Melbourne recruiter thought he was worth).