2007 AFC midfield rotation

[Alex99]

are you aware just how long he's been part of our first choice team for?

if we get a better option, great. but he's played every game available to him for quite some time now.

And as you are a wear we have lost 3 preliminary finals and a second semi final in 5 years, when do we say his best is just not good enough and cut our losses.

Something in our midfield is not right and we have to try and find a solution for that problem, maybe it to move Johncock into the midfield and have Doughty play as a back pocket defender. His best in the midfield is just not good enough and changes have to be made.

 

[tribey]

And yet we are still waiting for your solution on how we can give some game time to Chris Knight, Darren Pfieffer and Richard Douglas so they can find there feet at AFL level

You let them earn their spot or they come in when opportunity knocks.

What message does it send to guys like Doughty and Massie who have clearly reevaluated and improved their games and workrates so they can continue as AFL footballers, if we tap them on the shoulder because we have a couple of kids who have shown a bit in the SANFL?

 

[Crow-mo]

And as you are a wear we have lost 3 preliminary finals and a second semi final in 5 years,

I think we're all aware. but some of us are lead to different conclusions

when do we say his best is just not good enough and cut our losses.

probably when we think it's true. sound fair?

Something in our midfield is not right and we have to try and find a solution for that problem, maybe it to move Johncock into the midfield and have Doughty play as a back pocket defender. His best in the midfield is just not good enough and changes have to be made.

but you have this wacky idea that removing someone from our midfield, automatically makes it better.

but what do you propose to do to actually make these improvements?

 

[Crow-mo]

Biglands is being told 'nicely' to retire, Doughty is going to play for South Adelaide and Massie will be playing for Norwood

so it seems. but where are the in's coming from?

I'm sure we all want an even better midfield, but just dumping players doesn't make us better.

 

[maccas_no1]

And yet we are still waiting for your solution on how we can give some game time to Chris Knight, Darren Pfieffer and Richard Douglas so they can find there feet at AFL level

Do you want a tilt at the flag or to rebuild???

 

[maccas_no1]

so it seems. but where are the in's coming from?

I'm sure we all want an even better midfield, but just dumping players doesn't make us better.

Exactly and nor the suggestion of just 'throwing' players here, there and everywhere, we might aswell go dust off Ayres if we want to travel down that path

 

[maccas_no1]

You let them earn their spot or they come in when opportunity knocks.

What message does it send to guys like Doughty and Massie who have clearly reevaluated and improved their games and workrates so they can continue as AFL footballers, if we tap them on the shoulder because we have a couple of kids who have shown a bit in the SANFL?

Exactly right

Bull**** threoy

 

[Crowmaniac]

The real question is will Knights, Douglas, Pfieffer etc be a better player than Doughty and Massie in the next 2 years when we still have the core list to attack a flag?
These young players will not yet have the same strength in their bodies as the more experienced options and so will be smashed in the contested ball. If they are pushing for selection then play them but youth cannot be picked purely becauser they will be better in five years time. Give them game time if they deserve it like VB or if injuries demand it but to challenge for a premiership we must select our best side. we are not in a stage like Port where they will leave out Kingsley and Walsh because they will not be in their side come next premiership window.
Our premiership "window" is the next two years and then probably 2-3 years after that it will re-open. If we play the youth we may re-open the "window" in 3-4 years but we will slam it shut over the next 2 if we do this.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

He most definetly has the talent to be AA midfielder. No question about it. He breaks tackles, has exceptional evasive skills, is hard at it, reads the play exceptionally well and has some real break away pace. He has all the tools to be a gun midfielder of the competition.

As for robbing Peter to pay Paul, I would be rather making my attacking moves from the midfield than defence . Also if you have McLeod, Torney, Bassett, Bock, and Doughty in defence, there is a lot of creative and rebounding capacity there.

Bingo - post of the month. Can you send this in to Craigy marked RE: Johncock and Mattner.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

The real question is will Knights, Douglas, Pfieffer etc be a better player than Doughty and Massie in the next 2 years when we still have the core list to attack a flag?
These young players will not yet have the same strength in their bodies as the more experienced options and so will be smashed in the contested ball. If they are pushing for selection then play them but youth cannot be picked purely becauser they will be better in five years time. Give them game time if they deserve it like VB or if injuries demand it but to challenge for a premiership we must select our best side. we are not in a stage like Port where they will leave out Kingsley and Walsh because they will not be in their side come next premiership window.
Our premiership "window" is the next two years and then probably 2-3 years after that it will re-open. If we play the youth we may re-open the "window" in 3-4 years but we will slam it shut over the next 2 if we do this.

Good question.

IMO the answers are: Douglas yes, Knights and Pfieffer maybe.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Good question.

IMO the answers are: Douglas yes, Knights and Pfieffer maybe.

Natural evolution ( want of a better word ) says that realistically players in our current backbone group (such as Doughty, Reilly, Shirls, Thommo, Mattner )should be stepping into the shoes of Roo, Goody, Edwrads etc and the current crusher group of (Dopuglas, Pfeiffer, Van berlo etc )should be stepping up to replace the backbone group. However, the current backbone group have shown they aren't up to the standard of Roo etc and now we are relying on the crusher group to replace the likes of Roo etc. Therein lies the problem.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Natural evolution ( want of a better word ) says that realistically players in our current backbone group (such as Doughty, Reilly, Shirls, Thommo, Mattner )should be stepping into the shoes of Roo, Goody, Edwrads etc and the current crusher group of (Dopuglas, Pfeiffer, Van berlo etc )should be stepping up to replace the backbone group. However, the current backbone group have shown they aren't up to the standard of Roo etc and now we are relying on the crusher group to replace them. Therein lies the problem.

Of the backboners mentioned, I still believe Reilly, Thompson and Mattner can become consistent top level midfielders (we have to believe that!).

Doughty, Massie and Shirley are solid contributors who are good 2nd string AFL midfielder/utility types but wont improve any further. Because of our specific weakness re hardness and getting first possession and clearances at stoppages, one of these should retain their position in the midfield rotations, but no more. For mine, Shirley currently holds the edge.

This opens up a spot for Douglas and, depending on your philosophy, more time for Porplyzia or Johncock in the middle.

Doughty/Massie probably fighting with Torney for a permanent mid-sized defenders role.

 

[Eggzoi]

With regards to the size of the younger bodies I keep seeing brought up. Knights and VB will have completed their third pre-season(although IIRC only the second on the legs for Knights) and Douglas with Pfeiffer their second. We saw this year that Douglas can mix it with the big boys despite misgivings from a lot of people.

 

[maccas_no1]

No but make it know to him he is not a first choice player

Why would the AFC do that when he has just signed a new 2 year contract