Jump to content

Featured Replies

Lindsay = Billings

And we've already got a Billings.

Edited by Adam The God

 
24 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

Lindsay = Billings

And we've already got a Billings.

Not imv. Lindsay kicking at 82% in disposal efficiency at Coates league.  Averages 27 disposals per game. Averages 4.2 tackles.  
He compares more to Josh Kelly in my view.  
Billings went at 60% kick efficiency this year and 1.8 average tackles. 
Dees need elite kickers. 
 

2 hours ago, 58er said:

The Duke ?

This seems to come up a lot on here. 

I really really like Caleb Windsor, but is he a very good ball user?

Maybe I'm completely missing it, but from what I've seen, his reputation before the draft has proved pretty well spot on: adequate by foot. 

 
2 minutes ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

This seems to come up a lot on here. 

I really really like Caleb Windsor, but is he a very good ball user?

Maybe I'm completely missing it, but from what I've seen, his reputation before the draft has proved pretty well spot on: adequate by foot. 

His ball use is just solid, it's his ball use through the big sticks that is a weapon

36 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Not imv. Lindsay kicking at 82% in disposal efficiency at Coates league.  Averages 27 disposals per game. Averages 4.2 tackles.  
He compares more to Josh Kelly in my view.  
Billings went at 60% kick efficiency this year and 1.8 average tackles. 
Dees need elite kickers. 
 

Billings was a x2 u18 AA player, highly rated, pick 3.

I guess the point I'm making is that 60% kicking efficiency and 1.8 tackles at AFL level could well be Lindsay's ceiling too.

It appears to me that the contest is not natural to Lindsay's game.

Anyway, agree to disagree.


2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

No.


Salem is certainly up and under kicks. Certainly not sharp in the last 3 years. Often kicked it 15 metres sideways. Windsor is too early to call. I would say he runs and gets metres etc and love that but disposal efficiency this year was low at around 55% 
Mcvee was composed and assured but I wouldn’t say his kicking is elite.  Definitely good with ball in hand and around the 70/75% level. 

We need midfielders with high kicking efficiency to deliver forward connection

What % do you think the elite players are kicking at? McVee was at 75% in 2024 which is elite.
 

Some caparisons:  Bont 57% and Gulden 58%
 

Edited by Demons11

1 hour ago, adonski said:

His ball use is just solid, it's his ball use through the big sticks that is a weapon

That and his want to move the ball forwards.

1 hour ago, Adam The God said:

Billings was a x2 u18 AA player, highly rated, pick 3.

I guess the point I'm making is that 60% kicking efficiency and 1.8 tackles at AFL level could well be Lindsay's ceiling too.

It appears to me that the contest is not natural to Lindsay's game.

Anyway, agree to disagree.

Billings was ostensibly a lead and mark medium forward for Vic Metro. Didn't get an extended run in midfield (injury limited opportunity for extended mf time with Chargers), was speculated that he would eventually become a good midfielder.  He and Lindsay not super similar as players at the same point in time, Lindsay has more exposed form in multiple parts of the ground and midfield production at the equivalent stage in his draft year.

Maybe Salem is a better comp.

Edited by ChaserJ

 
39 minutes ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

This seems to come up a lot on here. 

I really really like Caleb Windsor, but is he a very good ball user?

Maybe I'm completely missing it, but from what I've seen, his reputation before the draft has proved pretty well spot on: adequate by foot. 

Agree. Caleb wasn’t recruited for his disposal efficiency which was average 55% at best.  It’s his run and carry and metres gained, as well as his competitive nature.  He’s a ripper.  Just need to compliment him with other mids including an elite ball user.  

3 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Agree. Caleb wasn’t recruited for his disposal efficiency which was average 55% at best.  It’s his run and carry and metres gained, as well as his competitive nature.  He’s a ripper.  Just need to compliment him with other mids including an elite ball user.  

Serious question: these different characteristics that a midfield needs to provide - inside / outside / run & carry / ball use / etc - If players don't have all or most of them, how is a game plan based on a particular combination of them sustained through rotations?

My point: Players need all or most of the characteristics; so, for example, 'elite ball user' (just using this as an example, sons; it could have been any of the 'needs' that come up herein) isn't enough by itself.

Discuss?


22 minutes ago, ChaserJ said:

Maybe Salem is a better comp.

I agree with this. His way of playing just screams half back at the next level. He links well, is composed with the play in front of him, and uses it well but he just doesn’t have the tricks in tight to play as an inside midfielder at AFL. He looks a lock to be a good, long term AFL half back but I also think that’s his ceiling. Salem is a great role comparison, even if his style is a bit more conventional for that role than Salem.

4 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

I agree with this. His way of playing just screams half back at the next level. He links well, is composed with the play in front of him, and uses it well but he just doesn’t have the tricks in tight to play as an inside midfielder at AFL. He looks a lock to be a good, long term AFL half back but I also think that’s his ceiling. Salem is a great role comparison, even if his style is a bit more conventional for that role than Salem.

Salem was pick 9 too wasn't he?

1 hour ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Serious question: these different characteristics that a midfield needs to provide - inside / outside / run & carry / ball use / etc - If players don't have all or most of them, how is a game plan based on a particular combination of them sustained through rotations?

My point: Players need all or most of the characteristics; so, for example, 'elite ball user' (just using this as an example, sons; it could have been any of the 'needs' that come up herein) isn't enough by itself.

Discuss?

Teams often need a blend in the midfield.  Inside contested bulls.  Running skilled mids.  Smart footy IQ decision makers.  You can rotate various ways depending on opposition and your strengths.  
example. Lions. Neale. Ashcroft. Berry.  McCluggage. Rayner. Dunkley. Fletcher.  They all have various skills to compliment each other.  
Dees are loaded for inside bulls.  JV7, Trac, Clarry, Sparrow.  Need to add the class and running power.  That’s why we grabbed Windsor. Thats why we are looking to convert Rivers.   Hope we add two more guns to our midfield.  

9 hours ago, Axis of Bob said:

I agree with this. His way of playing just screams half back at the next level. He links well, is composed with the play in front of him, and uses it well but he just doesn’t have the tricks in tight to play as an inside midfielder at AFL. He looks a lock to be a good, long term AFL half back but I also think that’s his ceiling. Salem is a great role comparison, even if his style is a bit more conventional for that role than Salem.

Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't see it with Lindsay. 

Salem actually far harder at the contest too, for what it's worth 

13 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

No.


Salem is certainly up and under kicks. Certainly not sharp in the last 3 years. Often kicked it 15 metres sideways. Windsor is too early to call. I would say he runs and gets metres etc and love that but disposal efficiency this year was low at around 55% 
Mcvee was composed and assured but I wouldn’t say his kicking is elite.  Definitely good with ball in hand and around the 70/75% level. 

We need midfielders with high kicking efficiency to deliver forward connection

Disagree do who is elite consistently ? Sons ? 


33 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't see it with Lindsay. 

Salem actually far harder at the contest too, for what it's worth 

You guys when talking about alleged faults with recruits are so over the top e we the faults. Part of a young players role is to be developed  by the Club. 18yo’s are not ready made players usually. They need upskilling etc.

Granted disposal is hard to change sometimes but you ou would not have 44 on your list if you only look results and not the upside on young draftees. 

9 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Teams often need a blend in the midfield.  Inside contested bulls.  Running skilled mids.  Smart footy IQ decision makers.  You can rotate various ways depending on opposition and your strengths.  
example. Lions. Neale. Ashcroft. Berry.  McCluggage. Rayner. Dunkley. Fletcher.  They all have various skills to compliment each other.  
Dees are loaded for inside bulls.  JV7, Trac, Clarry, Sparrow.  Need to add the class and running power.  That’s why we grabbed Windsor. Thats why we are looking to convert Rivers.   Hope we add two more guns to our midfield.  

Agree with you sons on this fact that we have to get 2 high skilled outside running mids to change our midfield mix.
The defence and contest mantra has resulted in an imbalance of our team and also finishers up forward are perhaps needed . 

11 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

My point: Players need all or most of the characteristics; so, for example, 'elite ball user' (just using this as an example, sons; it could have been any of the 'needs' that come up herein) isn't enough by itself.

Discuss?

If a player doesn't have enough of the required 'needs' they should instead take up a track and field sport.

Discus? 

1 hour ago, 58er said:

You guys when talking about alleged faults with recruits are so over the top e we the faults. Part of a young players role is to be developed  by the Club. 18yo’s are not ready made players usually. They need upskilling etc.

Granted disposal is hard to change sometimes but you ou would not have 44 on your list if you only look results and not the upside on young draftees. 

Once you hit 15 to 16 years old changing your kicking biomechanics is extremely hard and as soon as pressure comes on you revert back to bad habits.

What can improve is decision making and other skills, but kicking near on impossible to improve field kicking.


14 hours ago, Demons11 said:

What % do you think the elite players are kicking at? McVee was at 75% in 2024 which is elite.
 

Some caparisons:  Bont 57% and Gulden 58%
 

Disposal efficiency is not a good measure of effective kicking. It is a measure which is too easily skewed by clearances, kick-ins etc. 

A half back that kicks side ways would have very high DE% but minimal damage i.e., Salem

A clearance midfielder that can be highly damaging with ball in hand may have a middling DE% i.e., Bont

 

Meters gained in the back half, and score involvements in the forward half are the best metrics for effective ball use IMO

13 minutes ago, MrFreeze said:

Disposal efficiency is not a good measure of effective kicking.

Exactly. 

Fun question: Of the 71 players who had a disposal efficiency over 80% across at least 10 games, how many of them do not play as defenders?

A: There are only 2. James Jordon (66th best) and Karl Amon (51st best).

According to Disposal Efficiency, the 4 best kicks in the AFL are Harris Andrews, Luke Ryan, Ben McKay and Buku Khamis. Not exactly a list of 'who do you want kicking for your life'.

2 hours ago, No10 said:

I know this isn’t a phantom, but how is the widely expected No 1 draft player ranked 6?

The dreaded 'P' word. No not phantom.

 
13 hours ago, Axis of Bob said:

I agree with this. His way of playing just screams half back at the next level. He links well, is composed with the play in front of him, and uses it well but he just doesn’t have the tricks in tight to play as an inside midfielder at AFL. He looks a lock to be a good, long term AFL half back but I also think that’s his ceiling. Salem is a great role comparison, even if his style is a bit more conventional for that role than Salem.

He played half back on the G in the futures game last year and he looks excellent distributing the ball. We drafted Bowser off a similar performance (with no under 18 year due to covid).

I’d like him to have just a little more height or natural aerial ability, or a little more high end speed so he can be a more complete flanker. Hopefully he has at least high end endurance to keep linking up.

But as is should be a quality half back kicker, not as reliable getting out of trouble as prime Salo but with more penetration.

 

2 hours ago, drdrake said:

Once you hit 15 to 16 years old changing your kicking biomechanics is extremely hard and as soon as pressure comes on you revert back to bad habits.

What can improve is decision making and other skills, but kicking near on impossible to improve field kicking.

This is the reason why the best soccer academies, focus on ball control and skill in until around 12. They play on smaller fields to remove physical advantages more developed kids might have (speed, endurance, etc), so that all kids develop the needed technique and skill. Once they get to 15, the chance for technique and skill improvement is marginal. 


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Featured Content

  • FEATURE: 1925

    A hundred years ago today, on 2 May 1925, Melbourne kicked off the new season with a 47 point victory over St Kilda to take top place on the VFL ladder after the opening round of the new season.  Top place was a relatively unknown position for the team then known as the “Fuchsias.” They had finished last in 1923 and rose by only one place in the following year although the final home and away round heralded a promise of things to come when they surprised the eventual premiers Essendon. That victory set the stage for more improvement and it came rapidly. In this series, I will tell the story of how the 1925 season unfolded for the Melbourne Football Club and how it made the VFL finals for the first time in a decade on the way to the ultimate triumph a year later.

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: West Coast

    Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 1 reply
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 08

    Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

    • 148 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: West Coast

    The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Thanks
    • 563 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Richmond

    The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Richmond

    The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

      • Clap
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland