2007 AFC midfield rotation

[Alex99]

The West Coast Eagles (2004 +), Brisbane Lions (2001-04), Essendon Bombers (2000-2001) and dare I say it Port Adelaide Power (2001-2004) were able to consistently put a very damaging midfield out on the park week after week. This gave them the impetuous to challenge for the top 4 spots and then to win that elusive flag.

The Adelaide Crows second tier midfield players would the area of most concern and most definitely an area that we need to rectify to become a legitimate premiership threat over the next 4 or 5 years.

The challenge I would like you to do is to come up with list of 10 players who you consider would be out best midfield options. The bench mark would the West Coast Eagles so they would have to have the ability to compete with them and any other top ranked midfields currently in the AFL.

Try and consider who is going to be in the AFC midfield for 2007 and possibility beyond that as it is important that we develop new player and keep a constant balance of talent (or someone you would like to given a go – Darren Pfieffer or Graham Johncock).

We need to find a spot for 1 half forward and 1 half back flanker; 2 wingers and a centreman. Rover and Ruck rover and 3 interchange player (Ruckman not included)

10 midfielders

1) Simon Goodwin
2) Tyson Edwards
3) Brent Reilly
4) Brett Burton
5) Martin Mattner
6) Scott Thompson
7) Robert Shirley
8) Nathan Van Berlo
9) Richard Douglas
10) Chris Knights

I didn’t select Mark Ricciuto as a midfield option as I believe that he should spend 85% of the game in the forward 50 now as a key forward and developing a new generation of player has to be a priority.

Andrew Mcleod adds more value to the side running of the half back flank and as a defender now, that’s why I didn’t include him as a primary midfield player. If he was needed he could go on the ball but like Mark Ricciuto it is imperative that we start to develop a new generation of hard on ball players.

Graham Johncock has more versatility as a back pocket and his creative run out of defence could be stifled if he was roaming around in the midfield. I don’t believe that every player has to be tried in the midfield especially if they have found a niche role in the side.

With Ricciuto, Mcleod, Goodwin and Edwards moving into there twilight years we need to make sure the Mattner, Thompson’s and Shirley’s get more on ball responsibility and then the Knights, Van Berlo and Douglas’s can slowly find there feet over the next 30 – 40 odd games.

Apologies to: Michael Doughty, Darren Pfeiffer, Bernie Vince, Jason Porplyzia, and John Hinge

 

[maccas_no1]

Apologies to: Michael Doughty, Darren Pfeiffer, Bernie Vince, Jason Porplyzia, and John Hinge

Has had a very good 2006 and would easy be in our midfeild rotation

 

[crowsarethebest]

Doughty would be between SHirley and Scotty Thompson or between VB and Shirley..

 

[Eggzoi]

Like the look of that, would be almost tempted to swap Shirley with Doughty. I think VB should be our number 1 tagging option next year.

 

[Alex99]

Has had a very good 2006 and would easy be in our midfeild rotation

Isn’t that problem with the Adelaide Crows midfield some of our player best is simply not good enough. Michael Doughty has had a stand out year but his best is not making our midfield better.

Nathan Van Berlo is not ready to become the number 1 stopper in the side so that why Robert Shirley stays in but he has shown enough to be given that opportunity to be the second or third (see ya latter Massie). Chris Knight and Richard Douglas have to be given an opportunity to find there feet, if they are not they will never become better players.

Why did we lose the preliminary final? Because out midfield was simply not as good as the West Coast Eagles yet we are not willing to make any changes to ultimately get better because a few player have had a good year.

Let not make any changes at all and keep the same 18 every week because we are happy to finish 3rd. I do not know about you but I was pissed that we lost and I want to win the premiership sooner rather than latter but keeping the same player year in and year out is not the answer. Change is a good thing.

 

[bus24]

If we're to win a Flag the Young guys must be given a significant opportunity.

The side we've got on the Park is good enough to finish 3rd, but I cartaintly don't want to finish 3rd and I'm sure most crows fans don't either.

Its time for some changes.

 

[maccas_no1]

Isn’t that problem with the Adelaide Crows midfield some of our player best is simply not good enough. Michael Doughty has had a stand out year but his best is not making our midfield better.

Nathan Van Berlo is not ready to become the number 1 stopper in the side so that why Robert Shirley stays in but he has shown enough to be given that opportunity to be the second or third (see ya latter Massie). Chris Knight and Richard Douglas have to be given an opportunity to find there feet, if they are not they will never become better players.

Why did we lose the preliminary final? Because out midfield was simply not as good as the West Coast Eagles yet we are not willing to make any changes to ultimately get better because a few player have had a good year.

Let not make any changes at all and keep the same 18 every week because we are happy to finish 3rd. I do not know about you but I was pissed that we lost and I want to win the premiership sooner rather than latter but keeping the same player year in and year out is not the answer. Change is a good thing.

So where do you see Doughty playing next year??? Or are we retiring him also???

Massie after a standout year getting the chop also?????

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

If we can't find at least 1, preferably 2, 1st tier midfilders in our list than we aint going nowhere in 2007.

 

[Redline]

If we can't find at least 1, preferably 2, 1st tier midfilders in our list than we aint going nowhere in 2007.

Spot on, hopefully Douglas and Pfeiffer can come along as at this stage they have the potential.

Guys like Shirley, Thompson, Doughty ect are servicable but are not the real class you need for premierships. If Craigy expects to get enough improvement from these guys in 2007 to take us all the way then we are in a bit of trouble I feel.

 

[Alex99]

So where do you see Doughty playing next year??? Or are we retiring him also???

Massie after a standout year getting the chop also?????

So in your eye with keep the same 22 player and cross out finger and hope for a bit of luck? Please and you have the audacity to say I make crazy responses on Big Footy. I am happy you enjoy finishing 3rd.

Obviously I talk crappolla and just want the Adelaide Crows to finish bottom because I am retiring this player and sacking that player so there must be no other answer So Marty can you please enlighten us with your pearls of wisdom how we can become a better midfield if we keep the same player as this year (Massie, Doughty, Shirley, Skipworth)

BTW – Biglands is 30 year old and it’s not unreasonable to ask him to retire (tough decision have to be made for improvement) and I didn’t suggest that Doughty or Massie should be delisted.

 

[glengowan]

It is time for Graham Johncock to step up into the midfield in 2007. Probably our best talent coming to the prime of his career. You don't win games from a back pocket.

 

[GoSarge]

So where do you see Doughty playing next year??? Or are we retiring him also???

Massie after a standout year getting the chop also?????

So instead of bringing problems to the table, why dont you put forward some ideas to be part of the solution.

Or is our current midfield adequate enough to get us to, and ultimately win, the GF ?

 

[Alex99]

Spot on, hopefully Douglas and Pfeiffer can come along as at this stage they have the potential.

Guys like Shirley, Thompson, Doughty ect are servicable but are not the real class you need for premierships. If Craigy expects to get enough improvement from these guys in 2007 to take us all the way then we are in a bit of trouble I feel.

Scott Thompson has the ability to take the next step; along with Reilly and Mattner those three could become A grade midfielders next year.

Douglas and Knights are like year 8 students, talented but not taken all that serious at the moment.

 

[Alex99]

It is time for Graham Johncock to step up into the midfield in 2007. Probably our best talent coming to the prime of his career. You don't win games from a back pocket.

Correct but do we have someone good enough to replace him in the back 6 and give us the same run and desperation as he does?

I wouldn’t mind seeing Johncock move into the midfield if it gave someone like Darren Pfieffer, John Hinge Nathan Van Berlo an opportunity to play on the half back flank and then move into the mid field in 2 or 3 years.

 

[Eggzoi]

Spot on, hopefully Douglas and Pfeiffer can come along as at this stage they have the potential.

Guys like Shirley, Thompson, Doughty ect are servicable but are not the real class you need for premierships. If Craigy expects to get enough improvement from these guys in 2007 to take us all the way then we are in a bit of trouble I feel.

Shirley and Doughty I agree with you there, Thompson however I don't. If he can get some consistancy and improve his disposal a bit next year he will be a major force. The only one of the 3 you named that can win a game off his own boot and do it regularly.

 

[maccas_no1]

So instead of bringing problems to the table, why dont you put forward some ideas to be part of the solution.

Or is our current midfield adequate enough to get us to, and ultimately win, the GF ?

I think our midfeild in in pretty good shape our forwardline is where our problems still lie we can have the best midfeild in the AFL but if we have nobody to take a catch whats the point???

To make huge huge changes is going to upset team balance and to say Doughty is not a key ingredient in our midfeild rotations is ridiculous, one of our best in and under players through the midfeild.

Our midfeild will be better when our current group decide to play better and smarter football such as Reilly and Thompson both go in and out of games but both are potential match winners and great midfeilders.

 

[maccas_no1]

Correct but do we have someone good enough to replace him in the back 6 and give us the same run and desperation as he does?

I wouldn’t mind seeing Johncock move into the midfield if it gave someone like Darren Pfieffer, John Hinge Nathan Van Berlo an opportunity to play on the half back flank and then move into the mid field in 2 or 3 years.

Johcock doesnt have the 'engine' to play midfeild, he never will look at what a classy midfeilder Riccuito was, but his fitness is lacking so they wont even play him in the midfeild.

 

[maccas_no1]

BTW – Biglands is 30 year old and it’s not unreasonable to ask him to retire (tough decision have to be made for improvement) and I didn’t suggest that Doughty or Massie should be delisted.

Biglands wont be delisted if he requires a knee reco and misses next year, the AFC doesnt work that way and you should refer to your signature, the AFC is about loyalty to not only its supporters but its players also.

So where are you going to play Massie and Doughty next year???

 

[Alex99]

I think our midfeild in in pretty good shape our forwardline is where our problems still lie we can have the best midfeild in the AFL but if we have nobody to take a catch whats the point???

To make huge huge changes is going to upset team balance and to say Doughty is not a key ingredient in our midfeild rotations is ridiculous, one of our best in and under players through the midfeild.

Our midfeild will be better when our current group decide to play better and smarter football such as Reilly and Thompson both go in and out of games but both are potential match winners and great midfeilders.

Where and basically at what time did we lose the game last Saturday?

It was in the first 13 mins of the 3rd quarter, the West Coast won clearance after clearance and continued to pound the ball in to there forward 50, after that we lost all momentum and control of the game. Centre clearances, stoppages and rebound out of the defensive 50 was what killed us and there defensive pressure on our midfield when we tried to enter the ball into our forward line.

How many time did the ball get bombed into the forward line for Perrie, Welsh or Bock to try and take a pack mark. When the defensive midfield pressures the attacking midfield, the ability to pin point a pass to a forward is enormous so it’s no wonder the forward line found it so difficult.

First half we controlled the game and the scoreboard reflected this, in the second half there mid field got on top and consequentially won the game as we continued to turn the ball over.

The forward line didn’t help by dropping marks or kicking goals but because out midfield pressure dropped away this gave the West Coast Eagles Midfield the ascendancy it needed top power away.

 

[Alex99]

Biglands wont be delisted if he requires a knee reco and misses next year, the AFC doesnt work that way and you should refer to your signature, the AFC is about loyalty to not only its supporters but its players also.

So where are you going to play Massie and Doughty next year???

Norwood and South Adelaide respectively unless a few player get injured.

 

[Alex99]

Johcock doesnt have the 'engine' to play midfeild, he never will look at what a classy midfeilder Riccuito was, but his fitness is lacking so they wont even play him in the midfeild.

You do understand the principals of a rotation policy? 10 mins a quarter and then move back to a half back flank or back pocket.

He doesn’t need to spend all day in the guts, just enough time to give the opposition a different look or to shack a tag.

He doesn’t need to have a V8 engine like Simon Goodwin or Mark Ricciuto at the moment because he would currently have a V6 this year and then upgraded over the next 3 or 4 pre season it could turn into a V8.

 

[maccas_no1]

Norwood and South Adelaide respectively unless a few player get injured.

Your ****ing kidding me right????

 

[maccas_no1]

You do understand the principals of a rotation policy? 10 mins a quarter and then move back to a half back flank or back pocket.

He doesn’t need to spend all day in the guts, just enough time to give the opposition a different look or to shack a tag.

He doesn’t need to have a V8 engine like Simon Goodwin or Mark Ricciuto at the moment because he would currently have a V6 this year and then upgraded over the next 3 or 4 pre season it could turn into a V8.

So we take on of our key defenders away to play him in 10 min bursts in the midfeild when we have enough midfeilders to do that already

 

[Alex99]

Biglands wont be delisted if he requires a knee reco and misses next year, the AFC doesnt work that way and you should refer to your signature, the AFC is about loyalty to not only its supporters but its players also.

Where did I ever say that they would or it is likely to happen? I said “they should” as in the long run it would be in the best interest to the football club.

I never said the AFC would or may even consider it but if all the critical decision came down to this board we wouldn’t have Neil Craig as coach or half board as they have come under fire before.

It’s simply my option and it’s something that I would consider a good move in the long run. If it was done correctly the club would not lose any integrity pride or be in an uncompromising position.

 

[maccas_no1]

Where and basically at what time did we lose the game last Saturday?

It was in the first 13 mins of the 3rd quarter, the West Coast won clearance after clearance and continued to pound the ball in to there forward 50, after that we lost all momentum and control of the game. Centre clearances, stoppages and rebound out of the defensive 50 was what killed us and there defensive pressure on our midfield when we tried to enter the ball into our forward line.

How many time did the ball get bombed into the forward line for Perrie, Welsh or Bock to try and take a pack mark. When the defensive midfield pressures the attacking midfield, the ability to pin point a pass to a forward is enormous so it’s no wonder the forward line found it so difficult.

First half we controlled the game and the scoreboard reflected this, in the second half there mid field got on top and consequentially won the game as we continued to turn the ball over.

The forward line didn’t help by dropping marks or kicking goals but because out midfield pressure dropped away this gave the West Coast Eagles Midfield the ascendancy it needed top power away.

So none of that would have to with the lack of ruck rotations we had and that Clarke was virtually dead on his feet, due to the injury to Biglands???

Give Cox the credit he deserves he is a great ruckman.