The need for speed in our midfield

[cwrcyn]

We saw last week the lack of leg speed from Crouch and we witnessed a poor game from Seb Ross. Now that Crouch has been dropped, is it possible that the need for speed could see those guys struggling to get games for the remainder of 2024?

Steele is a lock. But every other midfield position is up for grabs. It's out of

Ross
Crouch
Jones
Phillipou
Clark (inj)
Dow (inj)
Owens
Windhager

Could Ross Lyon soon think to himself, "Damn it, there's no future in playing these two old guys. I need to see who else can play and if it means we sacrifice a game or two, then so be it"

Seb Ross has been a fine player for this club, and Crouch has been good for us. If they continue to play just so-so games, it could mean some time at Sandy for both

[skeptic]

I’m a little perplexed as to why Crouch was dropped and Seb wasn’t.

[hamborger]

I’m a little perplexed as to why Crouch was dropped and Seb wasn’t.

From what it seems Crouch is still a bit sore. Might need a little comeback through the VFL to get back to his best form. As for Ross, it really just comes down to he's all we have at the moment, even if he was painfully average against Geelong. Who knows, he might back up with a solid 20+ disposal game for his 200th. At the end of the day I'd rather have an underperforming Seb Ross than an injured Brad Crouch. Once Clark and Dow are fit again he'll definitely be fighting for his spot.

[meher baba]

That makes more sense in relation to Ross than Crouch. When he's fit and in form, Crouch is a A minus quality mid. Ross used to be that too, but he's been struggling a bit more in the last couple of years.

But are any of the possible alternatives going to be better? Jones on his day just might be. We know that Phillipou as a full-time mid isn't going to work at this stage in his career. Garcia looked to have some potential in the two practice games, but I don't feel I've seen enough of him yet to form a strong view. Horton hasn't made any sort of an impression yet. Owens might one day be our own version of De Goey, but he's nowhere near it just yet.

[Scollop]

What a great opportunity for some one to step up. Will it be Jones or will it be one of the youngsters in Henry, Windy, Mich or even Byrnes.

Can Ronnie win centre clearances? Has he ever been tried in the centre?

All he needs to do is get first hands on the footy with his fast twitch muscles. Use your leg speed to break out of congestion and quickly dish it off by hand to Steele or RoMa

Even better if we have 2 whippets in there. Jones wins it in tight and dishes off to Byrnes who flashes through the centre and boots it long inside 50 to Skunk or King 1 on 1.

[mickey]

We all have to remember that Paddy Dow was recruited for that reason, he has the speed and the inside players will be needed to feed him. In every position (apart from the ruck) we have depth now. It's a long season, the players that are currently underdone will play a role. Wilson, Henry, Bonner and Dow are great inclusions... just give them time. We have an unbelievable group coming through and RTB is playing them.

[Scollop]

While Dow is out, Henry, Windy, and Ronnie have an opportunity to see if they can win centre clearances.

We know Owens can, so I'd have him in there more often than not.

[hamborger]

We all have to remember that Paddy Dow was recruited for that reason, he has the speed and the inside players will be needed to feed him. In every position (apart from the ruck) we have depth now. It's a long season, the players that are currently underdone will play a role. Wilson, Henry, Bonner and Dow are great inclusions... just give them time. We have an unbelievable group coming through and RTB is playing them.

Good to see someone with a bit of positivity, most people on here just start bashing half the players thinking they could coach the club themselves

[SydneySainter]

Are we really that slow?

We have pace around the ground in wing and halfbacks.

I think our Achilles is more in the depth of our rovers.

[Impatient Sainter]

We saw last week the lack of leg speed from Crouch and we witnessed a poor game from Seb Ross. Now that Crouch has been dropped, is it possible that the need for speed could see those guys struggling to get games for the remainder of 2024?

Steele is a lock. But every other midfield position is up for grabs. It's out of

Ross
Crouch
Jones
Phillipou
Clark (inj)
Dow (inj)
Owens
Windhager

Could Ross Lyon soon think to himself, "Damn it, there's no future in playing these two old guys. I need to see who else can play and if it means we sacrifice a game or two, then so be it"

Seb Ross has been a fine player for this club, and Crouch has been good for us. If they continue to play just so-so games, it could mean some time at Sandy for both

Excellent post and I agree 100%. Its time to find our next midfield core and move past Ross and Crouch. Crouch was good last year but he would average about 150 metres gained a game. He is an extractor only and useless when the ball gets out. We need need 5-6 well rounded quick mids who can win their ball both on the inside and out and use it well. At present we have -

Very Good
Steele is a good clearance, accumulator and pressure player.
Windhager is our most natural young mid talent with a huge work eithic - has to be the future.
Henry what we saw against Geelong was really promising, hopefully he can start doing it for 120 minutes.

Good to average
Ross extremely limited, a poor clearance player and ball user.
Crouch is a very good extractor but slow and a poor kick.
Clark see above (really poor runner and gets exposed on the spread)
Jones has speed but is not a natural clearance player and inconsistent by foot. Too injury prone.
Dow yet to be assessed - but was recruited for his clearance work and speed in close. Kicking ?????
Owens developing big bodied mid, dynamic but not quick and kicking is questionable.
Phillipou a young developing player who could become an excellent midfielder.
Wilson see Phillipou.

Garcia & Hotton yet to be tried but promising.

If we are to become a challenger whilst the rest of the list is ready we need elite to very good mids right across the board.

[Otiman]

Our midfield didnt kick more points than goals, we won the non centre stoppage clearances.

Our game broke down with failure to present targets out of defense.

There is plenty of scope for our midfield to improve but out game plan does not rely on it.

The key is hitting targets and fast ball movement out of defense. Guys like Hill and Wood went missing more than Crouch and Jones.

[shrodes]

I’m a little perplexed as to why Crouch was dropped and Seb wasn’t.

Ross played half a game going into a 5 day break, with an uninterrupted preseason.

Crouch played the full game, off an interrupted preseason and looked underdone.

Not sure there’s much to read into here

[Scollop]

Guys like Hill and Wood went missing more than Crouch and Jones.

Buy harsh on poor Zaccy. He wasn't even selected last week

You meant Seb...right?

[Impatient Sainter]

Our midfield didnt kick more points than goals, we won the non centre stoppage clearances.

Our game broke down with failure to present targets out of defense.

There is plenty of scope for our midfield to improve but out game plan does not rely on it.

The key is hitting targets and fast ball movement out of defense. Guys like Hill and Wood went missing more than Crouch and Jones.

Why do you think the ball lived in our defence - because our midfield and wings were getting slaughtered. We had to flood heavily to stop the bleeding and when we did win clearances most of them were in defence and we were so compressed we had no where to go. Because our mids were so poor it allowed Geelong to play a loose man in defence and that just fed the ball back and the cycle started again. It allowed them to set up in defence exactly how they wanted.

You are right re Wood and Hill they were really poor, but if you look back at the last 6 or so games last year and Mason was struggling. Obviously he battled a shoulder injury most of the year, but he has carried that form into this year even in the 2 x practice matches he was very ordinary. Hopefully both can bounce back this week.

[Otiman]

Guys like Hill and Wood went missing more than Crouch and Jones.

Buy harsh on poor Zaccy. He wasn't even selected last week

You meant Seb...right?

Yep. Seb 'jones' Ross

[Yorkeys]

Maybe the penny has finally dropped that the team is going nowhere with aging Seb and Crouchy in the middle. Great and honourable servants but the current crop of opposition mids has gone past. Now we can start experimenting to try to come up with a more winning combination and give others experience. Two steps forward, one back......rob peter pay paul.....and pay due respect to Seb and Crouchy in the process. Messers Dow and Clark, please get well soon.

[Nick DalSanto Claus]

I heard a rumour that RTB took Seb and Crouchie out hunting the other day. RTB allegedly said, "Three go out, but only two come back."

Can anyone confirm? Tony 74?