Gram The Midfielder
Moderators: Saintsational Administrators, Saintsational Moderators
- Statsman
- Club Player
- Posts: 1775
- Joined: Tue 09 Mar 2004 12:46pm
- Location: Aisle 37, Level 1, Telstra Dome
Gram The Midfielder
What do people think of developing Gram into a midfielder?
Clearly we need pace in our midfield and Gram could certainly provide that. He also lacks a bit of accountability as a half back flank and therefore may be a better option further up the ground. With Sam Fisher, Gilbert and Raph Clarke all now playing as running backmen we have the option to releases Gram to play up the ground.
As a start you'd play him on the wing, much as we've done with Montagna. Over time, as he builds up his base fitness and endurance, he could move into the centre square as a true midfielder. He'll need to improve his decision making and disposal on the run, but he's not Robinson Crusoe there. Gram has the pace and evasive skills for Judd-like bursts out of the pack and into space which can be invaluable. He can also break out the middle and kick goals from 50m, which again is something our other midfielders lack.
I'd play both Gram and Montagna on the wings in 2008 with the two of them working into the midfield rotation to spell the core unit of Hayes, Harvey, Ball and Dal Santo.
Clearly we need pace in our midfield and Gram could certainly provide that. He also lacks a bit of accountability as a half back flank and therefore may be a better option further up the ground. With Sam Fisher, Gilbert and Raph Clarke all now playing as running backmen we have the option to releases Gram to play up the ground.
As a start you'd play him on the wing, much as we've done with Montagna. Over time, as he builds up his base fitness and endurance, he could move into the centre square as a true midfielder. He'll need to improve his decision making and disposal on the run, but he's not Robinson Crusoe there. Gram has the pace and evasive skills for Judd-like bursts out of the pack and into space which can be invaluable. He can also break out the middle and kick goals from 50m, which again is something our other midfielders lack.
I'd play both Gram and Montagna on the wings in 2008 with the two of them working into the midfield rotation to spell the core unit of Hayes, Harvey, Ball and Dal Santo.
"Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates." - Earvin 'Magic' Johnson
-
- Club Player
- Posts: 394
- Joined: Tue 27 Sep 2005 10:08pm
-
- Club Player
- Posts: 1636
- Joined: Wed 29 Mar 2006 5:24pm
- Location: Sunshine, Vic
Gram on one wing with Fiora/Montagna on the other could work. However, I cannot imagine (at this stage anyway) Gram winning the ball out of the contests, playing as an inside midfielder.
Trust the Midas Touch
"My heart is at St.Kilda, I've been here seven years, I only wanted to play for them." (Fraser Gehrig, 27/11/2007)
"My heart is at St.Kilda, I've been here seven years, I only wanted to play for them." (Fraser Gehrig, 27/11/2007)
-
- SS Life Member
- Posts: 3465
- Joined: Fri 29 Oct 2004 1:01pm
- Has thanked: 91 times
- Been thanked: 162 times
Re: Gram The Midfielder
That's where I want to see him. That's where he wants to play. Given he was put in the centre a few times in the last two weeks, I wouldn't be surprised if Ross wants to see him move in there.Statsman wrote:What do people think of developing Gram into a midfielder?
- mad saint guy
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 7077
- Joined: Tue 26 Jul 2005 9:44pm
- Location: Melbourne
- Has thanked: 52 times
- Been thanked: 366 times
- evertonfc
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 7261
- Joined: Mon 08 Mar 2004 9:11pm
- Location: 'Quietly Confident' County
- Has thanked: 115 times
- Been thanked: 267 times
- Contact:
I've been thinking about this very issue for a while and it's (another) great thread by statsman.
With Goddard returning from a knee injury, Maguire and L Fisher back to full-fitness, plus Sam Fisher already in defence - we are very, very well stocked with running players in the back third.
Can we think about converting Gram into a midfielder? Definitely - but would we be better off converting L Fisher or Goddard? All worth a thought.
I actually think we could better use Goddard as a HFF in the Hamill role, leaving the others as is. His kicking is so good and he can take a grab - he could become a 50-goal a year forward and, with his height, provide a third tall option.
I'm open to change that view, but for now, I say that's worth thinking about. It's partially inspired by our lack of player for that role, and equally inspired by the fact I think Gram - probably the most equipped to become a F/T midfielder - has genuinely found his niche running out of defence.
Where will we find more midfielders? Trade hard and fast for 19-24 year old midfielders who are looking to step up their careers. There's heaps of them at West Coast and Port Adelaide.
We also need to get them via the draft, in the long term anyway.
There's no doubt about it - it's a massive trade week.
With Goddard returning from a knee injury, Maguire and L Fisher back to full-fitness, plus Sam Fisher already in defence - we are very, very well stocked with running players in the back third.
Can we think about converting Gram into a midfielder? Definitely - but would we be better off converting L Fisher or Goddard? All worth a thought.
I actually think we could better use Goddard as a HFF in the Hamill role, leaving the others as is. His kicking is so good and he can take a grab - he could become a 50-goal a year forward and, with his height, provide a third tall option.
I'm open to change that view, but for now, I say that's worth thinking about. It's partially inspired by our lack of player for that role, and equally inspired by the fact I think Gram - probably the most equipped to become a F/T midfielder - has genuinely found his niche running out of defence.
Where will we find more midfielders? Trade hard and fast for 19-24 year old midfielders who are looking to step up their careers. There's heaps of them at West Coast and Port Adelaide.
We also need to get them via the draft, in the long term anyway.
There's no doubt about it - it's a massive trade week.
Clueless and mediocre petty tyrant.
-
- Club Player
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Fri 23 Feb 2007 9:34am
- Unforgiven
- SS Life Member
- Posts: 3258
- Joined: Wed 23 Feb 2005 9:48pm
- Location: Full Forward
- Animal Enclosure
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Mon 04 Apr 2005 2:37pm
- Location: Saints Footy Central
I've been on this bandwagon for a while. Agree with all of your points Statsman, GRAM is the answer.
I'd also like to add that I think Gram is terrible as a defensive defender. He's a ripping attacking defender but struggles when his man is on the lead which is surprising given his pace.
It was a ridiculous waste to have him deep on the goal sqaure yesterday.
I reckon Goddard up forward as he recovers is also an excellent idea. We could do with his football brain there too as our forward line doesn't operate as smartly as it should (no room, 3 big blokes flying for the same ball, blokes running into space that should be left for Roo/Kosi/G to lead into). BJ is a very smart operator & would be great in that role (combined with his marking & kicking).
I'd also like to add that I think Gram is terrible as a defensive defender. He's a ripping attacking defender but struggles when his man is on the lead which is surprising given his pace.
It was a ridiculous waste to have him deep on the goal sqaure yesterday.
I reckon Goddard up forward as he recovers is also an excellent idea. We could do with his football brain there too as our forward line doesn't operate as smartly as it should (no room, 3 big blokes flying for the same ball, blokes running into space that should be left for Roo/Kosi/G to lead into). BJ is a very smart operator & would be great in that role (combined with his marking & kicking).
- riccardo
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 6952
- Joined: Wed 10 Mar 2004 7:44am
- Location: Jason Gram - Michael Tuck Medalist 2008
I think he is fast enough and, as clean disposal is now the rule rather than the exception where he is concerned, I think an outside wingman role is perfect for my boy.
He is not an in and under player, so even as a midfielder would need to be an outside player, second or third in line for the HB to deliver that beautiful raking kick into the sweet spot inside 50.
That would be awesome, and I think we've seen the makings of this the last few weeks.
He is not an in and under player, so even as a midfielder would need to be an outside player, second or third in line for the HB to deliver that beautiful raking kick into the sweet spot inside 50.
That would be awesome, and I think we've seen the makings of this the last few weeks.
- Animal Enclosure
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Mon 04 Apr 2005 2:37pm
- Location: Saints Footy Central
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 4243
- Joined: Thu 25 Mar 2004 2:47pm
- Location: incarnate
- Has thanked: 286 times
- Been thanked: 694 times
I reckon his fitness is already there....he runs out games better then any others in the side.
Goddard off HBF with Sam Fisher and Gramy on a wing....don't mind Gilbertr developing into a midfielder either!
Hayes, Ball and hopefully Armo to be the grunts in the the middle with Monty, Gram, Fiora outside players and Dal Santo doing a bit of everything!
Fiora's development and Gilbert's emergence are the 2 best results of an ordinary year!
Goddard off HBF with Sam Fisher and Gramy on a wing....don't mind Gilbertr developing into a midfielder either!
Hayes, Ball and hopefully Armo to be the grunts in the the middle with Monty, Gram, Fiora outside players and Dal Santo doing a bit of everything!
Fiora's development and Gilbert's emergence are the 2 best results of an ordinary year!
Nee!
-
- SS Life Member
- Posts: 3465
- Joined: Fri 29 Oct 2004 1:01pm
- Has thanked: 91 times
- Been thanked: 162 times
He doesn't get a lot of contested footy, but do you think that's the way he naturally plays or is it the way he's been told to play? It's a chicken and the egg type thing. To me, he's been used in an outside role for the past two years. I think if he were put on the ball more often he'd win more contested footy, kind of like Montagna did this year. He's a class player, and I have confidence that he'd do well no matter where he was selected.riccardo wrote:He is not an in and under player, so even as a midfielder would need to be an outside player, second or third in line for the HB to deliver that beautiful raking kick into the sweet spot inside 50.
Personally, I think he could be a 20-goal running midfielder if we put him in there. People complain that we don't have enough speed in the midfield and we don't kick enough goals. I think Gram would help solve both those problems. Yes, we'd miss his run off HB, but I think that's a lower pressure position that a young up and coming player with good disposal would be able to fill just as well. Gilbert would be my first choice to play that role if Gram were moved.
- BAM! (shhhh)
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2134
- Joined: Thu 24 May 2007 5:23pm
- Location: The little voice inside your head
GT used to play him there in his early appearances for St. K. He looked good, but every time he got a chance, he'd injure himself. Personally, I've been saying for a while (don't know if on here) that I think once goddard comes back, Gram on the wing will be a natural and winning move.
He'll be on the right what Black used to be on the left for us with long kicks. He's got pace, and is time at HBF will make him a good option for pushing back when we're getting defensive.
From there it's a natural step to part of the on-ball rotation, which I suspect might have happened in '07 if not for the decimated backline.
He'll be on the right what Black used to be on the left for us with long kicks. He's got pace, and is time at HBF will make him a good option for pushing back when we're getting defensive.
From there it's a natural step to part of the on-ball rotation, which I suspect might have happened in '07 if not for the decimated backline.
"Everything comes to he who hustles while he waits"
- Henry Ford
- Henry Ford