Midfield Depth
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Midfield Depth
We’ve had a far more star studded midfield (96-98, 04-06 and 08-11)
But not sure I’ve seen a deeper midfield at StK
Rucks
Ryder (AA)
Marshall (RU B&F)
Mids
Crouch (B&F 2019)
Steele (AA, B&F 2020)
Ross (B&F 2017/2019)
Jones
Gresham
Hill (B&F 2017)
Billings
Hannebery (3 x AA)
Clark
Dunstan
Bytel
Higgins
Byrnes
That’s what you call ‘batting deep’
But not sure I’ve seen a deeper midfield at StK
Rucks
Ryder (AA)
Marshall (RU B&F)
Mids
Crouch (B&F 2019)
Steele (AA, B&F 2020)
Ross (B&F 2017/2019)
Jones
Gresham
Hill (B&F 2017)
Billings
Hannebery (3 x AA)
Clark
Dunstan
Bytel
Higgins
Byrnes
That’s what you call ‘batting deep’
- skeptic
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Re: Midfield Depth
That list pales in comparison to both the star quality and depth mentioned in the OP.
Hard to say it bats deep when Byrnes, Bytel and Dunstan need to improve markedly to be top 22
When Jones, Hannebery and Crouch are all higher on the injury prone scale
Ross and Hill are considered in some circles to be past their best
Higgins and Clark have primarily been played in other positions and are looking to cement spots on the midfield team
And Gresham and Billings are routinely criticised for being inconsistent
Steele is the only star there after his break out year and we’re completely dependent on him to back up if we’re to go anywhere this year
The midfield for us IMO certainly has class and potentially but it’s a touch a go prospect.
If Steele or Crouch go down and or any/a few of Gresh/Billings and Hill misfire... one would suggest we won’t have the fire power to push
Hard to say it bats deep when Byrnes, Bytel and Dunstan need to improve markedly to be top 22
When Jones, Hannebery and Crouch are all higher on the injury prone scale
Ross and Hill are considered in some circles to be past their best
Higgins and Clark have primarily been played in other positions and are looking to cement spots on the midfield team
And Gresham and Billings are routinely criticised for being inconsistent
Steele is the only star there after his break out year and we’re completely dependent on him to back up if we’re to go anywhere this year
The midfield for us IMO certainly has class and potentially but it’s a touch a go prospect.
If Steele or Crouch go down and or any/a few of Gresh/Billings and Hill misfire... one would suggest we won’t have the fire power to push
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Re: Midfield Depth
It's very promising
If another one or two can follow Steele arc we will be right up there.
Billings and Gresham, and maybe Bytel in next couple of years, could complement Hannaberry Steele Hill and Crouch in the guts.
Not sure Ross and Jones will actually improve much but are certainly good depth.
If another one or two can follow Steele arc we will be right up there.
Billings and Gresham, and maybe Bytel in next couple of years, could complement Hannaberry Steele Hill and Crouch in the guts.
Not sure Ross and Jones will actually improve much but are certainly good depth.
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Re: Midfield Depth
I agree skeptic. We still need to target elite midfielders. Perhaps Merrett or Kelly?
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Re: Midfield Depth
How are Ross and Hill past their best?
They are 27yo
Hill suffered a bit due to shortened quarters and Ross played a different role (negating)
Hannebery maybe at 30 and with injuries, but an 80% DH is still a quality player, considering at his best he was elite
Crouch is a gun
Steele is a gun and then some
Gresham, Billings and Clarke provide class
Zac Jones grunt
And of course the dual ruckmen
The rest are purely depth.
Believe me, the midfield is stocked
They are 27yo
Hill suffered a bit due to shortened quarters and Ross played a different role (negating)
Hannebery maybe at 30 and with injuries, but an 80% DH is still a quality player, considering at his best he was elite
Crouch is a gun
Steele is a gun and then some
Gresham, Billings and Clarke provide class
Zac Jones grunt
And of course the dual ruckmen
The rest are purely depth.
Believe me, the midfield is stocked
- saintsRrising
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Re: Midfield Depth
Yes great depth at present....and with Crouch added our quality has improved.
If Hill can fire up and be the player we know he can be, and Hannas stay on the park we could have an excellent midfield. Moreso if say Gresh and Higgins can both be good mids rotating through the FP. And then if Bytel could arrive.... There is a lot to be excited about if it all clicks this year.
But look at say 97:
Everitt
Vidovic
Harvey
Burke
Winmar
Aussie Jones
Joel Smith
Rod Keogh
Andrew Thompson
Tony Brown
Jayson Daniels
Dean Anderson
Justin Peckett
If Hill can fire up and be the player we know he can be, and Hannas stay on the park we could have an excellent midfield. Moreso if say Gresh and Higgins can both be good mids rotating through the FP. And then if Bytel could arrive.... There is a lot to be excited about if it all clicks this year.
But look at say 97:
Everitt
Vidovic
Harvey
Burke
Winmar
Aussie Jones
Joel Smith
Rod Keogh
Andrew Thompson
Tony Brown
Jayson Daniels
Dean Anderson
Justin Peckett
Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
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Re: Midfield Depth
Agree with the OP. Exciting times.
I want Clark and Gresham heavily involved. Don’t want them consigned to back flank and forward pocket. That would be a waste of two potential future A-Grade midfielders.
Only wish would be for Ryder to be younger. We need him to stand up so Marshall can fill CHF. If either of them fall over, we can still contend but it will make it harder.
How do we look for ruck depth?
I want Clark and Gresham heavily involved. Don’t want them consigned to back flank and forward pocket. That would be a waste of two potential future A-Grade midfielders.
Only wish would be for Ryder to be younger. We need him to stand up so Marshall can fill CHF. If either of them fall over, we can still contend but it will make it harder.
How do we look for ruck depth?
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Re: Midfield Depth
There are 18 names in BMs OP, you only need 6 to take the field. If you put the debate about quality and availability to one side, that is some serious depth.
What it does do is create serious competition and that could be the best outome of all.
Flag contenders generally have at least 4 genuine A grade midfielders and one A grade ruckman. That's what we don't have yet, however the ground has never been more fertile for the midfield factory we currently possess to produce cogs in the machine.
What it does do is create serious competition and that could be the best outome of all.
Flag contenders generally have at least 4 genuine A grade midfielders and one A grade ruckman. That's what we don't have yet, however the ground has never been more fertile for the midfield factory we currently possess to produce cogs in the machine.
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Re: Midfield Depth
OP is about midfield depth, not midfield class
But anyway
Class
Steele, Hannebery, Hill, Billings, Gresham, Clark
Marshall, Ryder
Workhorses
Crouch, Ross, Jones, Dunstan, Bytel
But anyway
Class
Steele, Hannebery, Hill, Billings, Gresham, Clark
Marshall, Ryder
Workhorses
Crouch, Ross, Jones, Dunstan, Bytel
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Re: Midfield Depth
Raises the question in an old debate, would you rather have all your eggs in one basket and say have one marquee player like a Dusty or Danger and a supporting cast of GOPs. Or would you be better having an even class of depth that allows you to apply the strategy: when one soldier goes down you just bring in another soldier.
It seems like we have the latter.
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- Ghost Like
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Re: Midfield Depth
Thankfully we do have the latter after a rich history of marquee players netting us one solitary flag.Vortex wrote: ↑Wed 27 Jan 2021 12:54pmRaises the question in an old debate, would you rather have all your eggs in one basket and say have one marquee player like a Dusty or Danger and a supporting cast of GOPs. Or would you be better having an even class of depth that allows you to apply the strategy: when one soldier goes down you just bring in another soldier.
It seems like we have the latter.
Let's embrace the sum of the parts.
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Re: Midfield Depth
Honestly, take off your rose-coloured glasses. This is how they went last year - not years ago.B.M wrote: ↑Tue 26 Jan 2021 11:09am We’ve had a far more star studded midfield (96-98, 04-06 and 08-11)
But not sure I’ve seen a deeper midfield at StK
Rucks
Ryder (AA)
Marshall (RU B&F)
Mids
Crouch (B&F 2019)
Steele (AA, B&F 2020)
Ross (B&F 2017/2019)
Jones
Gresham
Hill (B&F 2017)
Billings
Hannebery (3 x AA)
Clark
Dunstan
Bytel
Higgins
Byrnes
That’s what you call ‘batting deep’
Rucks
Ryder (AA) - 8th in B&F
Marshall (RU B&F) - 4th in B&F
Mids
Crouch (B&F 2019) - not in the top 10 in B&F
Steele (AA, B&F 2020) - 1st in B&F
Ross (B&F 2017/2019) - 10th in B&F
Jones - 6th in B&F
Gresham - injured
Hill (B&F 2017) - still running
Billings - 12th in B&F (I think)
Hannebery (3 x AA) - somewhere in the teens I think
Clark - 9th in B&F
Dunstan - injured and lucky to be still on the list
Bytel - struggling to get a game
Higgins - couldn't get a game
Byrnes - just a kid
That’s what you call ‘batting deep’ ???
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- skeptic
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Re: Midfield Depth
17 players listed in the OP
8 of them don’t primarily play in the midfield
3 are highly injury prone
Only 4 of them weren’t available to play in the team smashed by Richmond on the semifinal... 2 due to injury, 2 were elsewhere
It’s a little early to start boasting IMO
8 of them don’t primarily play in the midfield
3 are highly injury prone
Only 4 of them weren’t available to play in the team smashed by Richmond on the semifinal... 2 due to injury, 2 were elsewhere
It’s a little early to start boasting IMO
- mad saint guy
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Re: Midfield Depth
Our midfield depth is a lot deeper than it was a few years ago, although I think our depth in defence is much better. Outside of Sinclair, no one from my depth team is close to challenging the starting midfield for a spot.
My best 22
B: Paton, Howard, Wilkie
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Long
C: Hill, Steele, Jones
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Butler, King, Membrey
Foll: Ryder, Crouch, Clark
Int: Battle, Hannebery, Higgins, Ross
Depth
B: Geary, Frawley, Highmore
HB: Roberton, Clavarino, Webster
C: Connolly, Dunstan, Sinclair
HF: Kent, Allison, McKenzie
F: Joyce, McKernan, Lonie
Foll: Alabakis, Bytel, Byrnes
My best 22
B: Paton, Howard, Wilkie
HB: Coffield, Carlisle, Long
C: Hill, Steele, Jones
HF: Billings, Marshall, Gresham
F: Butler, King, Membrey
Foll: Ryder, Crouch, Clark
Int: Battle, Hannebery, Higgins, Ross
Depth
B: Geary, Frawley, Highmore
HB: Roberton, Clavarino, Webster
C: Connolly, Dunstan, Sinclair
HF: Kent, Allison, McKenzie
F: Joyce, McKernan, Lonie
Foll: Alabakis, Bytel, Byrnes
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Re: Midfield Depth
Depth means people who can roll through the middle
Marshall, Gresham, Clark, Higgins, Battle (wing)
Will start forward or HB and rotate through
The rest will start in the midfield (inside or wing) or on the bench and be a part of the midfield rotation
Others will play at Sandy as mids and be midfield depth
Marshall, Gresham, Clark, Higgins, Battle (wing)
Will start forward or HB and rotate through
The rest will start in the midfield (inside or wing) or on the bench and be a part of the midfield rotation
Others will play at Sandy as mids and be midfield depth
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Re: Midfield Depth
Defenders
Howard, Carslile, Battle, Wilkie, Long, Clark, Coffield, Geary, Paton
- Plenty of depth with Webster, Robbo etc
Rating B Grade - 6th - 8th in AFL
Lack another tall key defender, Clark and Coffield may transition up field.
Wouldn't be surprised to see Ross & Billings play through half back
Some real class with Wilkie, Howard, Coffield, Paton & Clark who all have some elite qualities.
Midfield
Steele, Crouch, Jones, Hannebery, Ross, Hill, Sinclair
Rating B grade - between 6th - 9th in AFL. Plenty of depth to spread the load but outside of Steele there are no A graders and Steele has only hit that level in one season. A couple of butchers in the group but lot's of outside run and some potential class users in Hill, Clark & Billings.
- Plenty of depth with Clark, Gresham, Billings, Higgins all looking capable of running through the midfield, then there is Dunstan, Bytel & Byrnes who appear true mids outside the best 22.
Rucks
Ryder & Marshall
Rating A grade - 1st - 4th in AFL - where a force when combining well in the latter part of 2020 and troubled all opposition.
- Depth - falls away very, very quickly if one of these two are injured with McKernan only real back up and Alabakis a long way off being ready. Would love to rookie a young 200+ cm ruck for development such as Heath or Walsh.
Forwards
King, Marshall, Membrey, Butler, Billings, Gresham, Higgins
Rating - B+ - 3rd -5th in AFL
- Plenty of depth in the small forward department with starting 22 players from 2020 Lonie & Kent looking outside the best 22 for mine. Battle, Wood, Sinclair, Geary, Hannebery etc could also play through the forward line.
Pretty bullish on our forwards but we lack a back up key tall should King or Marshall go down, but our small & mid sized forwards match any club in the competition IMO.
Howard, Carslile, Battle, Wilkie, Long, Clark, Coffield, Geary, Paton
- Plenty of depth with Webster, Robbo etc
Rating B Grade - 6th - 8th in AFL
Lack another tall key defender, Clark and Coffield may transition up field.
Wouldn't be surprised to see Ross & Billings play through half back
Some real class with Wilkie, Howard, Coffield, Paton & Clark who all have some elite qualities.
Midfield
Steele, Crouch, Jones, Hannebery, Ross, Hill, Sinclair
Rating B grade - between 6th - 9th in AFL. Plenty of depth to spread the load but outside of Steele there are no A graders and Steele has only hit that level in one season. A couple of butchers in the group but lot's of outside run and some potential class users in Hill, Clark & Billings.
- Plenty of depth with Clark, Gresham, Billings, Higgins all looking capable of running through the midfield, then there is Dunstan, Bytel & Byrnes who appear true mids outside the best 22.
Rucks
Ryder & Marshall
Rating A grade - 1st - 4th in AFL - where a force when combining well in the latter part of 2020 and troubled all opposition.
- Depth - falls away very, very quickly if one of these two are injured with McKernan only real back up and Alabakis a long way off being ready. Would love to rookie a young 200+ cm ruck for development such as Heath or Walsh.
Forwards
King, Marshall, Membrey, Butler, Billings, Gresham, Higgins
Rating - B+ - 3rd -5th in AFL
- Plenty of depth in the small forward department with starting 22 players from 2020 Lonie & Kent looking outside the best 22 for mine. Battle, Wood, Sinclair, Geary, Hannebery etc could also play through the forward line.
Pretty bullish on our forwards but we lack a back up key tall should King or Marshall go down, but our small & mid sized forwards match any club in the competition IMO.
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Re: Midfield Depth
So are you concerned our midfield is a weakness in 2021skeptic wrote: ↑Wed 27 Jan 2021 10:42pm 17 players listed in the OP
8 of them don’t primarily play in the midfield
3 are highly injury prone
Only 4 of them weren’t available to play in the team smashed by Richmond on the semifinal... 2 due to injury, 2 were elsewhere
It’s a little early to start boasting IMO
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Re: Midfield Depth
Was our midfield a weakness last season?
Because we’ve just added Crouch to the mix
Gresham is available
Hannebery maybe available
Clark will spend more time in there
Bytel and Byrnes are a year older
No losses out of the midfield, not sure it is worse than last year
Unless Steele gets injured
Because we’ve just added Crouch to the mix
Gresham is available
Hannebery maybe available
Clark will spend more time in there
Bytel and Byrnes are a year older
No losses out of the midfield, not sure it is worse than last year
Unless Steele gets injured
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Re: Midfield Depth
I reckon we have most of the ingredients to rise into top 4 contention, what we will need is luck with injuries to allow this list to play as much game time as possible to develop cohesion.B.M wrote: ↑Thu 28 Jan 2021 10:56am Was our midfield a weakness last season?
Because we’ve just added Crouch to the mix
Gresham is available
Hannebery maybe available
Clark will spend more time in there
Bytel and Byrnes are a year older
No losses out of the midfield, not sure it is worse than last year
Unless Steele gets injured
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Re: Midfield Depth
It wasn't a weakness.
I don't know the stats, but Ratten said we're generally quite good from stoppage, especially score from stoppage, which is why Richmond towelling us up in that category in the last game of the year was ironic.
If everything goes right, nobody is injured and everyone improves, maintains, or drops off as expected, it's a good unit. There's not much tolerance to carry passengers (by contrast, when you have R Harvey and N Winmar the rest of the team can have a shocker and you still might win) but likewise, if other teams are off their game just a little we can beat them soundly.
From a pure archetypal point of view, what I think we need is
- a Dal Santo type > meaning clean, clean, clean with foot and hands, good with space, never rushed, two sided, will murder you in space. If H Clark continues, he is in this mould
- a big link man, actually a forward-mid but doing damage through the middle of the ground > I'd really like to see Battle in this role, maybe changing with Membrey intermittently in terms of distance from goal
I don't know the stats, but Ratten said we're generally quite good from stoppage, especially score from stoppage, which is why Richmond towelling us up in that category in the last game of the year was ironic.
If everything goes right, nobody is injured and everyone improves, maintains, or drops off as expected, it's a good unit. There's not much tolerance to carry passengers (by contrast, when you have R Harvey and N Winmar the rest of the team can have a shocker and you still might win) but likewise, if other teams are off their game just a little we can beat them soundly.
From a pure archetypal point of view, what I think we need is
- a Dal Santo type > meaning clean, clean, clean with foot and hands, good with space, never rushed, two sided, will murder you in space. If H Clark continues, he is in this mould
- a big link man, actually a forward-mid but doing damage through the middle of the ground > I'd really like to see Battle in this role, maybe changing with Membrey intermittently in terms of distance from goal
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Re: Midfield Depth
Agree. Ryder being hamstrung for the semi against Richmond cost us. Not only did we miss his influence in the middle, it affected our forward structure with Marshall having to take the bulk of the ruckwork.Joffa Burns wrote: ↑Thu 28 Jan 2021 9:45am
Rucks
Ryder & Marshall
Rating A grade - 1st - 4th in AFL - where a force when combining well in the latter part of 2020 and troubled all opposition.
- Depth - falls away very, very quickly if one of these two are injured with McKernan only real back up and Alabakis a long way off being ready. Would love to rookie a young 200+ cm ruck for development such as Heath or Walsh.
I don’t know enough about McKernan to make a judgement on his worth as a replacement, but hopefully he is at least adequate.
Surely with a bit of left-field thinking there is someone else on the list who can also step in a worst-case scenario. I can’t think of who at the moment though.