"Melbourne wins less clearances from stoppages than any side. Only 36 per cent of stoppages are cleared by the Demons – the lowest such percentage in the league. They average five fewer clearances per game than their opposition; a stat for which they are also ranked last." afl.com.au

This is definitely a major reason why we are losing games so convincingly.

What frustrates me is that we've recruited in past seasons to try and rectify this problem, yet we still cant work it out. is it our ruckman? White gets huge number of tapouts but not many to advantage. is it because we havnt got good set plays? are our players maybe just not hard enough at the ball?

at the end of the day, if the opposition is taking the ball away from stoppages 64% of the time how can u expect to win? how can we improve this?

Our best midfield IMO:

McLean, Jones, Moloney, Sylvia, Bruce, McDonald, Johnstone, Green, Bartram.

This looks good on paper however we still get crushed in the stoppages? What is going wrong?

I know we havn't had our best midfield on the park most of the year, but our injuries really have no affected our midfield that much at all. not to the extent that we are annihilated at stoppages each week.

This is definitely an area the new coach must address! how can we fix it? I dont think its the ruckman fault, because some team lose hitouts yet their midfielders are able to read the stoppages and still win clearences.

This is definitely an area the new coach must address! how can we fix it? i dont think its the ruckman fault, because some team lose hitouts yet their midfielders are able to read the stoppages and still win clearences.

Correct

.....

Good post.

A couple of points our ability in the clearances this year has been negatively impacted by the injury and lack of fitness of a number of key players and the disappearance of AFL capability of one of two others.

You quite rightly observe that our midfield has been poor this year despite on a couple of occassions White absolutely towelling the opposition rucks.

Lets look at our midfield stocks:

McLean - Injured this year with little pre season but still has been a major disappointment this year. Could believing the hype and not delivering. Regardless has been a massive disappointment this year.

Jones - A lone soldier who at 19 is great in the clinchs and should get better as he matures. Could deal with more assistance. Moloney- Nearly two years out of the system and was a little one dimensional with little defensive capability. Will have to work hard to survive in AFL.

Sylvia - Only starting to emerge from OP and has had little time in the midfield.

Bruce - Wins alot of the ball but used all over the ground but disposal ineffectual.

McDonald - Works hard but is in the twilight of his career. Influence cannot be expected to be significant this year.

Johnstone- Skilful but lazy and I thought lacking interest in the contest this year. Cannot handle being tagged

Green - Workmanlike with good footskills but lacking influence in a game

Bartram - injured and sadly missed. Godfrey has filled his role in absentia. Tries hard but horrendous disposal and lack of vision highlights Godfrey as not AFL standard.

Pickett - Pathetic. Enough said

In 2008, it will be McLean and Sylvia's fifth year in AFL as top draft picks in 2003 it is time to deliver. Together with Bell in his sixth year, they really need pay back on the investment.

MFC needs to really focus on quality hard running, line breaking midfielders with good disposal in the draft.

On the fricking money there Rhino!

Against sydney White had 7% of his tapouts to our advantage, Jamar 0% compared to 20 odd% for jolly and i think everitt as well.

Good post.

As was yours Rhino.......

MFC needs to really focus on quality hard running, line breaking midfielders with good disposal in the draft.

I agree with you assessment of our midfield options, and your opinion on what we need to improve this vital part of our game.