The Jack Macrae Thread

[Romey 148]

[Farmer 820]

On 12/09/2024 at 10:13, ignition. said:

I wouldn't call ANB quick either, he has an excellent tank and running patterns. Macrae also has excellent tank, running patterns, as well as superb awareness and evasive skills.

My point is we've lost senior depth and certainly lack it with Billings (Macrae is a far superior upgrade to him). Likewise, he's a better player than Sparrow who also gets time at the centre bounce. Macrae had 1 bad year after 10 excellent years (stats below). For a player like him to come in at a cheaper price, allowing more salary cap allocation elsewhere, the club would be silly not to look at him. And if they're incapable thinking about how a player of his caliber can be utilised elsewhere on the field we certainly do have a problem with the football program.

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-western-bulldogs--jackson-macrae

 

Thanks for posting this data. It confirms what I’ve always liked about McRae, notably his effective disposals . I agree, much depends on the price , but at the right price I think he could be very useful 

[DeeSpencer 24,682]

On 12/09/2024 at 10:13, ignition. said:

I wouldn't call ANB quick either, he has an excellent tank and running patterns. Macrae also has excellent tank, running patterns, as well as superb awareness and evasive skills.

My point is we've lost senior depth and certainly lack it with Billings (Macrae is a far superior upgrade to him). Likewise, he's a better player than Sparrow who also gets time at the centre bounce. Macrae had 1 bad year after 10 excellent years (stats below). For a player like him to come in at a cheaper price, allowing more salary cap allocation elsewhere, the club would be silly not to look at him. And if they're incapable thinking about how a player of his caliber can be utilised elsewhere on the field we certainly do have a problem with the football program.

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-western-bulldogs--jackson-macrae

 

Unless we overpay via draft pick Macrae will come with a hefty contract. The dogs won’t let him go if they aren’t getting the cash off the books.

So he has to be best 22 to really be a positive for the cap.

Some guys who have lost pace can play half back, but we already have Salo in that spot. Some can play wing, I’m shocked the dogs didn’t try that with him. But we have 2 starting wingers.

He can play half forward but he’s a defensive liability. That’s why you get dropped for Harmes for a final.

Getting value out of him requires him to start on ball. We’re probably lining up with Viney, Oliver, Rivers and by the end of the year hopefully Tracc on ball. To have another starting midfielder would be wise. But that group packs speed and hard running as is. He doesn’t help the balance that we need in there. 

[ignition. 1,454]

On 14/09/2024 at 13:40, Farmer said:

Thanks for posting this data. It confirms what I’ve always liked about McRae, notably his effective disposals . I agree, much depends on the price , but at the right price I think he could be very useful 

You're welcome. I've always rated him and watched him many times. For many years people questioned us taking Toumpas ahead of Wines, well we also took Toumpas ahead of Macrae who is arguably more to the playing style then-coach Mark Neeld wanted in the team, a "Swan (Viney) and Pendlebury (Toumpas/Macrae), instead of two Dane Swans (Viney & Wines)" (quoted something to that effect). The stats alone show Macrae is certainly not just a "first-possession" midfielder but rather a magnet. 

[Wells 11 5,264]

On 14/09/2024 at 16:52, DeeSpencer said:

Unless we overpay via draft pick Macrae will come with a hefty contract. The dogs won’t let him go if they aren’t getting the cash off the books.

So he has to be best 22 to really be a positive for the cap.

Some guys who have lost pace can play half back, but we already have Salo in that spot. Some can play wing, I’m shocked the dogs didn’t try that with him. But we have 2 starting wingers.

He can play half forward but he’s a defensive liability. That’s why you get dropped for Harmes for a final.

Getting value out of him requires him to start on ball. We’re probably lining up with Viney, Oliver, Rivers and by the end of the year hopefully Tracc on ball. To have another starting midfielder would be wise. But that group packs speed and hard running as is. He doesn’t help the balance that we need in there. 

Let’s say Trac doesn’t get bk to playing on ball in 25. For arguments sake let’s also say Oliver and or Viney miss a chunk of games. Both scenarios seem more likely than not. Plus, while Rivers was a great addition,  we also missed him off half back… and it might be better for our overall balance if he wasnt mainly an on baller. Given all of this is Macrea a decent choice? 

[DemonWheels 998]

Think I heard on the radio he’s requested a trade to the Sainters

[Lord Travis 10,454]

Reportedly requesting trade to the Saints.

[ignition. 1,454]

On 14/09/2024 at 16:52, DeeSpencer said:

Unless we overpay via draft pick Macrae will come with a hefty contract. The dogs won’t let him go if they aren’t getting the cash off the books.

So he has to be best 22 to really be a positive for the cap.

Some guys who have lost pace can play half back, but we already have Salo in that spot. Some can play wing, I’m shocked the dogs didn’t try that with him. But we have 2 starting wingers.

He can play half forward but he’s a defensive liability. That’s why you get dropped for Harmes for a final.

Getting value out of him requires him to start on ball. We’re probably lining up with Viney, Oliver, Rivers and by the end of the year hopefully Tracc on ball. To have another starting midfielder would be wise. But that group packs speed and hard running as is. He doesn’t help the balance that we need in there. 

The intricacies of his contract and any trade currency requested is just speculation for us outside of the trading circles. It's no different to us letting go Grundy while still having to pay some his contract. I doubt the difference that can be negotiated is not far off what ANB is about to free up.

From a midfielder perspective, three above are stated. Oliver had a terrible year and we're hoping he gets back to his former self in 2025. Rivers showed promise and can certainly take another step forward in that position but is not guaranteed. He is also sensational off the half-back. Trac is still very much of an "if" and if he does get back one can argue his brilliance up forward if someone like Macrae is working his brilliance on ball. So what else do we have for 'elite midfield depth'? Nothing really. Sparrow also spends time at the centre and can pinch hit in there as does Pickett. Brayshaw was forced into early retirement. I also have to disagree that Macrae is a defensive liability. Likewise, former quotes from others that he's merely a first-touch midfiedler. It's always amusing at this time of year when people disagree with a player they're often labelled as 'slow, one-touch, one-dimensional'.

For me, Macrae is a gun and if a good deal can be struck he'll slot right in where he can fill the void left by either Brayshaw or ANB whilst keeping us competitive trying to push for another premiership while we have the likes of May, Gawn and Viney in the team.