New look midfield in 2008-Twice as good as 2007

[lamb22]

So the list will include ruckmen?

Eddie Betts is a forward pocket. Anyone putting him down as a midfielder should be shot. Houlihan is a flanker who either plays HBF or HFF. Ryan jackson is a flanker with a huge motor who can play a run with role like Polo. but they never do it from the centre square but play him off the HBF and then have him run with a player. he is not a midfielder yet and may never be. he also plays only half the time on the ground all said and done. It seems to come back to the old list of anyone under 190cms is a midfielder that people love to come up with.

Walker played down back as an attacking rebounding medium defender. He tagged Shaun Burgoyne against Port and was named BOG. He may become a midfielder in time but at this stage he is not played in there for anything other than 5 or 10% of his total gametime and is not a good enough kick or user of the ball for me to be named as a midfielder of quality yet. He has some exceptional skills in close at agthering the ball and holding off an opponent and is a great athlete and the best trainer at the club and a great young man. But it does not add up to an AFL midfielder in production or opportunities yet.

Newman played just about every minute of every game last year and still a few blokes playing off the flank/pockets who spent half the time off the ground won more CP's and clearances than Newman and I am meant to take you seriously?

Eddie betts had more CPs and clearances than Newman and so did Houlihan. Think about that for a second.

It's your discretion as to who you take seriously or not but I think your response might demoinstrate you are confusing posters. I merely posted a question and an observation.

On point however I think one could strongly argue that a ruckman will have greater opportunity to accummulate clearances as the probability is that they are at more ball ups and throw ins. Some ruckmen are quite effective as clearance palyers.

Anyway from my point of view all a bit academic as my posts on this thread shows I think Newman is a finsiher rather than originator; has had mixed results when played as a centre square player and is more outside than inside.

My belief is that he has been playing back pocket/back flank simply because we had no one else. With some flankers added to the list and others coming through and young Kingy popping up as small back, Newman's disposal skills can be utilised in a more forward position. I have concentrated on his late year performance 20 plus possession average last ten games and clearances and goals in his last couple while racking up very healthy stats playing across midfield and forward. He has been straight jacketed in the back half for years and I think a sustained run in a freer and more offensive position will benefit him and the team.

I dont think our positions are that different but if they are well good luck to you sir. we will both sit back and enjoy the footy and time will tell!

Cheers

 

[mojo31]

Montagna would be our second best midfielder behind Foley if he was at Richmond.

I am discounting the 6 clearances because it has only happned once and regrdless of what spot you are on the ground you are always in the mix for clearances. And if these six clearances are what Wallace based the Jordy trade on we are in more trouble then I thought.

Adding the 6 it comes to 27 for 22 games. Walker played a similar role and had 2.5 times that and is 4 years younger and I dont classify him as a midfielder yet. Betts kicked 4 goals (or 5) in the last game of the year and won a few clearances but the season was over and the game had no intensity or meaning in it and it just write it off. Makes supporters seem happy over the off season but all said and done wont amount to much.

I think a few posters need to read up on what a clearance actually is and what a contested possession is. You do not need to win a CP to win a clearance. If you are low in both categories then you are going to struggle to make it as a midfielder if you are already 25.

Not directed at you SCOOP as agree with what you are saying.

 

[lamb22]

I think a few posters need to read up on what a clearance actually is and what a contested possession is. You do not need to win a CP to win a clearance. If you are low in both categories then you are going to struggle to make it as a midfielder if you are already 25.

I dont think anyone on this thread has suggested or implied that. Why raise red herrings? You are the one concerned with Newman's low clearance and CP rates and your point has been taken and I think accepted by most.

What I do know, and I know I am a simple beast but Newman can get the ball when let off the leash and he can use it. The more times we get it into his hands the better and the more forward he pushes the more damaging he is likely to be.

Simple really, like me!

 

[AstuteTiger]

He's barely been played in the midfield :blah. So as usual those stats don't mean much at all.

Besides he doesn't have to be an inside midfielder. Wallace will be looking to use his excellent disposal around the ground & deeper into our forward line.

Have a look at the St Kilda game at the end of last season for what he might be capable of when played solely on the ball.

His game went up a notch last season despite coming back from a serious injury & I think Newmo can still become a good midfielder for us.

Time will tell..

Very Good post oldie, he has played most of his games in the back half and that last game against the saints he gave us a glimpse of what he can offer. He has the body, courage and kicking range to make it as a midfielder.

 

[Dyer'ere]

Excellent thread.

If our starting three are Sugar, Tuck and Foley, the #4 spot is an interesting one. It's been largely Tivendale's for a while now - who plays outside defensive mid. Not much to aim for, is it?

In my years of damning Newman (Mr Ninety Percent) with faint praise I've always been convinced of two things: that on exposed form he is not a midfielder's aerosol (can't win the ball) and that he doesn't give everything he's got- too conservative, lacks aggression with his decision making, doesn't run nearly hard enough or often enough and virtually never runs forward with the ball. Does not play on forward. Will lay it off rather than send it in and will not get to scoring range. Will not score. Oh and loose as gooseshit.

Quite a rap sheet, eh? This rap sheet is the key to his future. There is absolutely no chance that he will ever stop leaking IMO. But every other aspect of his game began to improve in 07 (despite ongoing injuries) and there is still a lot of room for improvement in these areas. Fact is I criticise Newman for these deficiencies because I believe they are easily addressed. He turned the corner IMO in 07 after he played with the fractured ribs. That was a 100% effort. (10% improvement.) And he started to chase harder and take some goal shots.

If Newman can learn to run forward with the ball and use the ball FORWARD as a matter of policy he can improve massively. Wallace's bench can teach him to do this, have already begun to, and Newman has the capacity to improve if only he will run harder and forward to dangerous places - while minding a man.

Maybe I'm wrong about Newman. Maybe he's giving it everything and he's just a plodder who lacks the smarts to use the ball incisively and the athleticism to run with the ball. But he began to show some of his stuff in 07 after several stagnant years.

A #4 midfield spot beckons. It's not a clearance position. It's a run-with role with counter-attack. Is Newman good enough to make it his, that is, as good as Tivendale? How could he be vice-captain if he's not?

 

[Scoop]

I would hope that by years end Sugar is pushed into second string onballer and Jakcson has taken his role.

It would be also be a delight if Connors had jumped into the number two spot with Tuck three and Jackson four. No doubt Connors will take that mantle, just a matter of when. Foley can lead the unit but we need to find him some foot soldiers to go with him.

At this point in time, I am going to stick my neck out.

Daniel Connors is the most important player on list for the team to be built around. Not the best player in it long term but the glue that brings it together.

 

[Willo]

I would hope that by years end Sugar is pushed into second string onballer and Jakcson has taken his role.

It would be also be a delight if Connors had jumped into the number two spot with Tuck three and Jackson four. No doubt Connors will take that mantle, just a matter of when. Foley can lead the unit but we need to find him some foot soldiers to go with him.

At this point in time, I am going to stick my neck out.

Daniel Connors is the most important player on list for the team to be built around. Not the best player in it long term but the glue that brings it together.

I reckon big things beckon for DC as well Scoop. Hope he gets fully fit and over his ankle/foot problems and really comes on this year. Small steps sure, but reckon he will be a beauty, all going well.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Daniel Connors is the most important player on list for the team to be built around. Not the best player in it long term but the glue that brings it together.

No doubt has the football ability to be a fine player but fitness and commitment will be the keys to Connors success.
Should chain him to Foley's ankle for a while.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Hayfever]

I would hope that by years end Sugar is pushed into second string onballer and Jakcson has taken his role.

It would be also be a delight if Connors had jumped into the number two spot with Tuck three and Jackson four. No doubt Connors will take that mantle, just a matter of when. Foley can lead the unit but we need to find him some foot soldiers to go with him.

At this point in time, I am going to stick my neck out.

Daniel Connors is the most important player on list for the team to be built around. Not the best player in it long term but the glue that brings it together.

Massive call SCOOP. Hope you are right!

 

[Scoop]

No doubt has the football ability to be a fine player but fitness and commitment will be the keys to Connors success.
Should chain him to Foley's ankle for a while.

Fingers crossed.

From all reports the lad has grown up and has done just about everything right this preseason. He has that mean streak and induval streak that we don't want to tame. More then anything at the minute he just needs a bit of luck with his body.

 

[craig]

The likes of Connors, Foley Edwards and Cotchin are hopefully are the beginning of the new tiger midfield.

Casserly could be an ace up the sleeve if the kid gets fit and fires up especially in regard to provide a strong body who wins contested footy. Hopefully he can stand up and get going however HBF is his best option for the near future. Players need to develop the neccessary endurance.


Some others dont fill me with the same confidence going forward long term.

Connors is going to become an important player for the RFC i agree, as will Trent there is no doubt thats a given.

 

[Tigers of Old]

From all reports the lad has grown up and has done just about everything right this preseason. He has that mean streak and induval streak that we don't want to tame. More then anything at the minute he just needs a bit of luck with his body.

Good news. Hopefully the ankle doesn't continue to haunt him for too long.