Let's have a look at our '25 midfield.

[CHF 2,791]

…..and his time I will look at our midfield.

I am based in Europe and watch the game via live streaming no matter what the day no matter what the time. I am here in front of my screen giving advice. Not just advice to the team, coaches and players but also to the directors selecting camera shots and replays etc.

One thing that really, and I mean REALLY,  annoys me is that after a goal is scored they concentrate on the player and reactions and then after a time replay the goal leadup and score. This is usually just as the teams are setting up for the re-start. Unfortunately, as the goal replay is on the bounce setup is confined to a small supplementary screen in the bottom right hand corner. This does not allow me to see who is in the centre or how they are setting up. I hate that.

Now that I have that rant off my chest…….

Gawn, Oliver, Viney and Petracca our 4 Horsemen of the Midfield Apocalypse. Been doing it together for quite a while and I have enjoyed watching it. Each of them is very different to one another in where their strengths lie and the way they play the game. I see them as the ‘go to’ drivers of the midfield.

Last season the only one of four was there most of the time and playing to a high standard and that was Viney. He relishes the hard work and the responsibility and rarely disappoints. 30yo now and does not look like slowing down. Oliver, as we all know had a pretty torrid last half of the ’23 season and pre-season in ’24 and was but a shadow of himself all through the last season. Petracca had the big injury in the KB match and was out for the rest of the season and Max was out for a few matches and we were without any ruck backup.

Given the state of these four last season and how they look to be tracking in this preseason, I expect that we will have a much stronger and better structured midfield this season. One thing that did come out of last season was the chances that were given to a couple of players to have a run in the midfield. This has given the list a bit more depth than was and along with the drafting we look to have developing strength and depth for our midfield rotations.

Viney is in his prime and we always know what we will get from him, week in, week out.

Oliver is ticking all the boxes in training and looks fit, happy and ready to roll. Very different to last year.

Petracca has come back strong and fit into this pre-season and as long as his head is clear I can see him out there with a point to prove this year. I expect him to spend more time in the midfield on the ball than he did last year.

Rivers showed a lot of potential during his spells in the guts last year and I can see him getting more time there this year as long as he is not required to fill in in defence too much. He has  high midfield ceiling in my view.

Sparrow seemed to plateau a bit last season, and I would like to see him elevate his game a bit more this year. To me, he has always looked likely but has not taken he game to the highest possible level.

Pickett will get time in the middle this season but he may be required more up forward as the cupboard looks to be a bit bare when it comes to small forwards.

Those are the players that I think will get most inside, onball time and, if they can stay fit and build games playing together, I would see our midfield being one of the competition leaders.

As backup to this core, I can see a number of young developing players that will be hungry for a chance to impress.

Tholstrup had a good solid season last year in a losing team. Not an easy thing to do. Given a chance to back up a stronger midfield rotation I can see him learning quickly and a lot.

Bailey Laurie is one that I watch and think he should be playing better than what he is showing. Last couple of seasons he has been the ‘almost man’. Needs to get a run of games and turn those flashes of excellent play into a string of quality possessions across a full game.

Langford has stepped into the team training and looked at home from day one. He will feature early in the season if not R1. However, I hope that he is managed and brought along slowly with the older more experienced players shouldering  majority of the load. Maybe a forward pocket/HF with a couple of cameos in the middle to get a taste.

Lindsay is in a similar situation to Langford. Looks a natural footballer that could well start at HBF or wing with a little time in the middle this season. As with all young footballers, until they are under pressure week in week out, we don’t really know if we will end up with diamonds or dust.

Brown is one that I think will surprise a bit this season. Looks to be a tough little nut with a good turn of speed. Might be that he gets a run as a fillin small forward early. I see his future in the middle.

Sestan has been around for while and I think this will be a make or break season for him. I want him to succeed, and it might be as a small forward initially. Will be keeping a close eye on both him and Brown at Casey.

The wings are going to be an interesting watch. Not just to see who plays there but also how we use them. Langdon looks to be a lock on one wing with Sharp and Billings primary alternatives for the other. Windsor can slot back in there as required.

Langdon is the best wing player I have seen in quite a while. Ha incredible stamina, good speed and a very good footy brain.

Sharp has excellent stamina, speed but I have not really seen him play so not idea of his footy quality. Have been good reports about him in training….. but that is training. We shall see.

Billings will be better this season than he was last. I think he learnt a lot last year and will be fitter this year.

And the Rucks…

Max, the best ruckman of his generation and one of the best of all time. If he has a good run with injury, he will lead us deep into the pointy end of the season.

Campbell is a good get as back up to Max. It remains to be seen how and who we employ as second ruck on game days.

Verrall is still only 20 and has a bit of time to develop to his full potential. I hope that he gets some good time a Casey ruck to develop and gain confidence.

Fullaton is listed as a ruck but I do not think he is being developed there. We shall see…..

The old adage about the game being won or lost in the midfield is one of the turisms (I am sure that is a word) of footy. Last year our midfield lost manpower and structure and the team suffered. This year I can see us getting a hell of a lot more drive and both attacking and defensive cover from the midfield group.

Petracca to spend more time in the mid field this year. I think he will be a very determined young man along with Oliver who also has a bit to prove after last year. These two, along with Viney and the others in support will win us a lot more games than we lose. Jones assisting in the midfield coaching is a good look and, I hope, a good football decision.