The last time our midfield was at full strength

[cwrcyn]

Sometime in 2020. Since then we've not had our best midfield available at any stage. I'm excluding Hannebery for obvious reasons. Wouldn't it be nice just to have a run of games where all these guys are fit and available?

I classify our starting midfield (including ruck men) as follows

Marshall
Ryder
Steele
Gresham
Jones
Ross

So here's who we had missing of those guys during each of the past 24 matches

2021

Rounds

1. Marshall Ryder Crouch Jones
2. Marshall Ryder Crouch
3. Marshall Ryder Gesham (injured by half time)
4. Ryder Gresham
5. Ryder Jones Gresham
6. Ryder Jones Gresham
7. Gresham
8. Gresham Ross
9. Marshall Gresham Jones
10. Marshall Gresham Jones
11. Marshall Gresham Jones
12. Marshall Gresham Jones
13. Marshall Gresham Jones
14 Bye
15. Gresham Jones
16. Gresham Jones
17. Gresham
18. Gresham
19. Marshall Gresham
20. Ryder Gresham
21. Ryder Gresham
22. Ryder Gresham
23. Ryder Gresham

2022

1. Ryder Jones
2. Ryder Jones

[Vortex]

The last full strength midfield in a red white and black jumper was in 2009.

This current bunch wouldn't have been allowed to carry the oranges for that midfield.

It just annoys me that the club has neglected this area of recruiting. I remember thinking at least 2 years ago that our list development would stall if they didn't get some serious midfield talent in and here we are.

[cwrcyn]

From 2012 to 2014 they were there for the picking, but the picking didn't happen thanks to Pelchen and Elshaug. It was definitely an indictment on those two guys.

We played catch up from 2018 onward, but the damage had been done. When clubs have issues with the quality of their list, the problems go back 5 to 7 years, not because of what happened yesterday.

We now have Bytel, Byrnes, Owens, Clark, Windhager, and Wanganeen - Milera all vying for midfield/wing roles. Four of those guys have to make a real impact in the next two years or things could get rather precarious.

[shanegrambeau]

Sometime in 2020. Since then we've not had our best midfield available at any stage. I'm excluding Hannebery for obvious reasons. Wouldn't it be nice just to have a run of games where all these guys are fit and available?

I classify our starting midfield (including ruck men) as follows

Marshall
Ryder
Steele
Gresham
Jones
Ross

So here's who we had missing of those guys during each of the past 24 matches

(I cut the writers fantastic table and pasted below!) thanks C

2022

1. Ryder Jones
2. Ryder Jones

Fantastic data..

I added some wind losses prior to the bye….

When we were effectively toast.

2021

Rounds

1. W8. Away. GWS. Marshall Ryder Crouch Jones
2. L18. Home. Melb. Marshall Ryder Crouch
3. L75. Home. Ess. Marshall Ryder Gesham (injured by half time)
4. W20. Home. WC. Ryder Gresham
5. L86. Home. Rich. Ryder Jones Gresham
6. L54. Away. PortA. Ryder Jones Gresham
7. W69. Home. Haw. Gresham
8. W9. Away. GoldC. Gresham Ross
9. L21. Home. Geel. Marshall Gresham Jones
10. L111 Home. WBul. Marshall Gresham Jones
11. W20. Home. North. Marshall Gresham Jones
12. L9. Away. Syd. Marshall Gresham Jones
13. L6. Away. Adel. Marshall Gresham Jones
14 Bye
…and Bye Bye Saints.
We were 5 and 8.


15. Gresham Jones. Won
16. Gresham Jones won
17. Gresham won
18. Gresham. Lost
19. Marshall Gresham lost
20. Ryder Gresham lost to Carlton
21. Ryder Gresham
22. Ryder Gresham
23. Ryder Gresham

[st.byron]

The last full strength midfield in a red white and black jumper was in 2009.

This current bunch wouldn't have been allowed to carry the oranges for that midfield.

It just annoys me that the club has neglected this area of recruiting. I remember thinking at least 2 years ago that our list development would stall if they didn't get some serious midfield talent in and here we are.

Yep and they may also regret by year's end not coughing up a future second for Xerri.

[D.B.Cooper]

I classify our starting midfield (including ruck men) as follows

Marshall
Ryder
Steele
Gresham
Jones
Ross

Really interesting post cwrcyn.

Firstly we have to add Crouch IMO.

That is a bottom 6 competition midfield at full strength.
The only area that midfield would be elite is the rucks if both were fully fit.
Given Paddy is 34 with achilles issues I doubt that can get back to 2020 level.

Our only A grader is Steele, the X factor is Gresham & Jones provides some line breaking pace.

Steele, Jones, Crouch & Ross should be at the peak of their powers with a little upside in Gresh.
Compare this to the Grand Finalists from last year and the gap is frighteningly large.

We have failed to recruit young high end midfield talent and develop it and we are paying the price.

[saynta]

I classify our starting midfield (including ruck men) as follows

Marshall
Ryder
Steele
Gresham
Jones
Ross

Really interesting post cwrcyn.

Firstly we have to add Crouch IMO.

That is a bottom 6 competition midfield at full strength.
The only area that midfield would be elite is the rucks if both were fully fit.
Given Paddy is 34 with achilles issues I doubt that can get back to 2020 level.

Our only A grader is Steele, the X factor is Gresham & Jones provides some line breaking pace.

Steele, Jones, Crouch & Ross should be at the peak of their powers with a little upside in Gresh.
Compare this to the Grand Finalists from last year and the gap is frighteningly large.

We have failed to recruit young high end midfield talent and develop it and we are paying the price.

Sinclair is elite and an A grader

[D.B.Cooper]

I classify our starting midfield (including ruck men) as follows

Marshall
Ryder
Steele
Gresham
Jones
Ross

Really interesting post cwrcyn.

Firstly we have to add Crouch IMO.

That is a bottom 6 competition midfield at full strength.
The only area that midfield would be elite is the rucks if both were fully fit.
Given Paddy is 34 with achilles issues I doubt that can get back to 2020 level.

Our only A grader is Steele, the X factor is Gresham & Jones provides some line breaking pace.

Steele, Jones, Crouch & Ross should be at the peak of their powers with a little upside in Gresh.
Compare this to the Grand Finalists from last year and the gap is frighteningly large.

We have failed to recruit young high end midfield talent and develop it and we are paying the price.

Sinclair is elite and an A grader

Yes, he hasn't been included as largely he is a half back.
I'd like to see him play more midfield minutes.

[saynta]

I classify our starting midfield (including ruck men) as follows

Marshall
Ryder
Steele
Gresham
Jones
Ross

Really interesting post cwrcyn.

Firstly we have to add Crouch IMO.

That is a bottom 6 competition midfield at full strength.
The only area that midfield would be elite is the rucks if both were fully fit.
Given Paddy is 34 with achilles issues I doubt that can get back to 2020 level.

Our only A grader is Steele, the X factor is Gresham & Jones provides some line breaking pace.

Steele, Jones, Crouch & Ross should be at the peak of their powers with a little upside in Gresh.
Compare this to the Grand Finalists from last year and the gap is frighteningly large.

We have failed to recruit young high end midfield talent and develop it and we are paying the price.

Sinclair is elite and an A grader

Yes, he hasn't been included as largely he is a half back.
I'd like to see him play more midfield minutes.

Me too mate.

[Vortex]

The last full strength midfield in a red white and black jumper was in 2009.

This current bunch wouldn't have been allowed to carry the oranges for that midfield.

It just annoys me that the club has neglected this area of recruiting. I remember thinking at least 2 years ago that our list development would stall if they didn't get some serious midfield talent in and here we are.

Yep and they may also regret by year's end not coughing up a future second for Xerri.

Totally, I said somewhere else it's going to be fascinating tracking his progress this year.

[cwrcyn]

For half of our last 24 games we played without our two quickest midfielders. For all but one game, at least one one of them was out. It's no wonder we look pedestrian a lot of the time. Gresham is the only truly creative mid we have. He's a massive loss when he's out. Any team missing two of its quickest and best mids is going to find it difficult to cover

[Yorkeys]

Jack Steven was playing for us.

[Banger9798]

Everytime I see Petracca I just feel depressed