Analysis 2019 List, Game Plan and Best 22?

[caesar88]

I am not sure you can count Parker. I mean in reality is he anymore effective in the midfield than 2 or 3 other players not including Kennedy? We act like Parker is our second best midfielder but I would argue he isn't, or if he is, then that is a very sad state for our midfield as no opposing team goes into a game against the Swans worried about stopping Parker.

Either that or they do try to stop Parker with tremendous success. At least in the midfield. Inside 50 he’s still a total weapon.

 

[RUNVS]

Either that or they do try to stop Parker with tremendous success. At least in the midfield. Inside 50 he’s still a total weapon.

He is? He averages 22 disposals a game. He has also kicked only 1 goal in 3 games and is only averaging 2.7 inside 50's per match as well (7 in total this year, 6 of which happened against Adelaide). He only got a combined total of 1 inside 50 against the Bulldogs and Carlton.

Also just checked. Parker only got 30 disposals twice last year. He played 23 games and only got over 30 disposals twice.

 

[caesar88]

He is? He averages 22 disposals a game. He has also kicked only 1 goal in 3 games and is only averaging 2.7 inside 50's per match as well (7 in total this year, 6 of which happened against Adelaide). He only got a combined total of 1 inside 50 against the Bulldogs and Carlton.

Also just checked. Parker only got 30 disposals twice last year. He played 23 games and only got over 30 disposals twice.

He kicked 25 goals or something last year didn’t he? See no reason that wouldn’t be in the 40 range if he was more a forward

 

[TheMase]

Parker is equal 13th in the AFL for clearances in the first three rounds (20). He could get more of the ball but it’s not the end of the world.

Kennedy is 7th (24).

 

[RUNVS]

He kicked 25 goals or something last year didn’t he? See no reason that wouldn’t be in the 40 range if he was more a forward

Something like that yes. I am not saying Parker is a bad player, or that he should be dropped or anything. I even think his best is elite. The problem is that we don't see that elite level from him anywhere near enough. He is in the prime of his career but he just hasn't become the player we thought/hoped he would back in 2012/2013. He isn't a dominant midfielder who controls stoppages, he doesn't find the ball that much, he isn't super damaging with his disposal and more often than not he doesn't really impact games.

I think he is a B grade player at best, and I don't think his own field performances warrant the likely large salary he is on. I think he is a $500,000 a year player at best, probably a $450,000 a year player.

 

[RUNVS]

Parker is equal 13th in the AFL for clearances in the first three rounds (20). He could get more of the ball but it’s not the end of the world.

Kennedy is 7th (24).

Kennedy is much older than Parker. How many clearances was Kennedy averaging at 26 years old?

 

[TheMase]

Kennedy is much older than Parker. How many clearances was Kennedy averaging at 26 years old?

7.5

I didn’t say he held a candle to Kennedy, he just isn’t as good, but he still winning plenty of the ball.

 

[RUNVS]

7.5

I didn’t say he held a candle to Kennedy, he just isn’t as good, but he still winning plenty of the ball.

I still say 22 disposals per game just isn't enough for the type of player we know Parker can be.

Again, I don't think he is a bad player, or he should be dropped, but he should be the Swans best midfielder, he should be winning close to 30 disposals a match and taking charge in the midfield and he just isn't doing that.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Something like that yes. I am not saying Parker is a bad player, or that he should be dropped or anything.

...

I think he is a B grade player at best, and I don't think his own field performances warrant the likely large salary he is on. I think he is a $500,000 a year player at best, probably a $450,000 a year player.

Wow. Well I disagree with that...

Who in our side is ahead of him?

 

[RUNVS]

Wow. Well I disagree with that...

Who in our side is ahead of him?

In no particular order

Buddy
Sinclair
Jones
Aliir
Lloyd
Heeney
Jones
Hewett
Kennedy

Again, Parker is not a bad player, and I am not suggesting we drop him, but he isn't the player we all hoped he would one day become.

 

[caesar88]

Something like that yes. I am not saying Parker is a bad player, or that he should be dropped or anything. I even think his best is elite. The problem is that we don't see that elite level from him anywhere near enough. He is in the prime of his career but he just hasn't become the player we thought/hoped he would back in 2012/2013. He isn't a dominant midfielder who controls stoppages, he doesn't find the ball that much, he isn't super damaging with his disposal and more often than not he doesn't really impact games.

I think he is a B grade player at best, and I don't think his own field performances warrant the likely large salary he is on. I think he is a $500,000 a year player at best, probably a $450,000 a year player.

I half-agree. As a midfielder yes, I actually don't rate him anymore. His skill level, decision-making and composure in traffic is just not up to standard. That's fine, they're not qualities of his. But let's look at the qualities he does possess: great overhead mark, very good goal sense, brutal pressure, consistent goal-kicking routine. All the hallmarks of a very handy small forward. He kicked 25 goals last year only as a resting mid, imagine what he could do if he was permanently inside 50. Perhaps the reason we can only ever muster one quarter at best of great footy out of Parker in the midfield is because maybe he's just not supposed to be in there!

 

[GotTheGoodes]

In no particular order

Buddy
Sinclair
Jones
Aliir
Lloyd
Heeney
Jones
Hewett

Again, Parker is not a bad player, and I am not suggesting we drop him, but he isn't the player we all hoped he would one day become.

Not only do you think Jones is ahead of him but you think he's ahead of Parker twice!?

Well I'd happily have Parker ahead of Jones.

And while I see Jones, Aliir & Hewy being the future, Parker isn't just a better more well rounded player than them (IMO) but he provides leadership these guys do not.

And while Sinclair is vital due to our depth, in terms of pure player .v. player & comparing to opponents in the same position I think Parker is the better pure player & game changer than Sinkers (who I rate highly btw).

Comparing his role to Lloyds is almost impossible however I feel like Parker is held to a higher standard, in a more important, high pressure & difficult role.... IMO.

 

[RUNVS]

I half-agree. As a midfielder yes, I actually don't rate him anymore. His skill level, decision-making and composure in traffic is just not up to standard. That's fine, they're not qualities of his. But let's look at the qualities he does possess: great overhead mark, very good goal sense, brutal pressure, consistent goal-kicking routine. All the hallmarks of a very handy small forward. He kicked 25 goals last year only as a resting mid, imagine what he could do if he was permanently inside 50. Perhaps the reason we can only ever muster one quarter at best of great footy out of Parker in the midfield is because maybe he's just not supposed to be in there!

To be honest I would much much rather have Heeney move into the midfield full time and Parker take Heeney's current role. I think that would be better as like you said, Parker has the tools to be a good medium(ish) sized forward in a similar style to Heeney, but Heeney seems to be better at finding the ball than Parker does (at least in the midfield)

 

[caesar88]

To be honest I would much much rather have Heeney move into the midfield full time and Parker take Heeney's current role. I think that would be better as like you said, Parker has the tools to be a good medium(ish) sized forward in a similar style to Heeney, but Heeney seems to be better at finding the ball than Parker does (at least in the midfield)

Because Heeney is clean and composed, the opposite of Parker, which is why I'd totally be in favour of reversing their roles. Parker can still have small portions of the game where we need his bull-ish nature to just charge through and win it out of the middle, and Heeney can still have portions where he goes forward and makes a big impact (a la his screamer in round 1), but just looking at what each of them offer as players it's clear Parker is suited to the forward 50 and Heeney is suited to the midfield.

 

[TheMase]

Again, Parker is not a bad player, and I am not suggesting we drop him, but he isn't the player we all hoped he would one day become.

Absolutely, but is that his fault that he didn’t reach our expectations or our fault for over estimating his capabilities?

At the end of the day he was pick 40. If at the time you were told he would average mid 20 disposals, average over 6 clearances, kick around a goal a game and would have the leadership capacity to become a captain of a club you’d take that in a heartbeat and be stoked with it.

 

[RUNVS]

Absolutely, but is that his fault that he didn’t reach our expectations or our fault for over estimating his capabilities?

At the end of the day he was pick 40. If at the time you were told he would average mid 20 disposals, average over 6 clearances, kick around a goal a game and would have the leadership capacity to become a captain of a club you’d take that in a heartbeat and be stoked with it.

To me though the problem is that every so often he shows he can be an A grade player, a quarter here and there he shows it, but we don't see that anywhere near enough. That is the frustrating thing. He is sort of like Sam Reid in that way, as Reid has all the talent to be a really good player, but we don't see it enough. He is capable of randomly kicking 3 goals in a single quarter and then disappearing for the next month. It is frustrating as we know both can do better, and odds are both are on big contracts simply based on how well we know they can sometimes play, rather than how they play most of the time.

Parker is probably a bit more consistent than Reid, but generally speaking his consistent level is the level of an average midfielder, not an elite one.

 

[Punts]

Parker a fantastic player but it’s clear as day that he isn’t capable of getting to the heights of a few years back now that he gets more attention and more reliance as the number 1 or 2 mid.

Agrade mid when he is the 3rd or 4th

IMO

 

[RUNVS]

Parker a fantastic player but it’s clear as day that he isn’t capable of getting to the heights of a few years back now that he gets more attention and more reliance as the number 1 or 2 mid.

Agrade mid when he is the 3rd or 4th

IMO

Agree with that. Parker is a good 3rd or 4th midfielder, but he isn't a 1st or 2nd midfielder, he can't cope with the attention and he isn't anywhere near damaging enough to warrant the tag as a very good midfielder.

 

[TheMase]

To me though the problem is that every so often he shows he can be an A grade player, a quarter here and there he shows it, but we don't see that anywhere near enough. That is the frustrating thing. He is sort of like Sam Reid in that way, as Reid has all the talent to be a really good player, but we don't see it enough. He is capable of randomly kicking 3 goals in a single quarter and then disappearing for the next month. It is frustrating as we know both can do better, and odds are both are on big contracts simply based on how well we know they can sometimes play, rather than how they play most of the time.

Parker is probably a bit more consistent than Reid, but generally speaking his consistent level is the level of an average midfielder, not an elite one.

Ha. Funnily enough, I almost included Reid as an example of a player that we have put expectations on that he hasn’t delivered on that has disappointed us.
Another almost pick 40 player.

Most players can turn it on for a quarter or a day. Consistency at a high level is what separates the elite players and why they are a minority.

 

[cfc44]

Thought I’d have a look at comparisons between Kennedy and Parker.

Kennedy 2017
83% mid 17% forward
Parker 2017
64% mid 36%forward

Stoppages
Kennedy ave 3.8
Parker ave 3.8
Centre clearance
Kennedy ave 3
Parker ave 2.5

2018
Kennedy
83% mid 17% forward
Parker
67% mid 33% forward

Stoppages
Kennedy ave 3.6
Parker ave 3.5
Centre clearances
Kennedy ave 2.5
Parker ave 1.9
Over those 2 years
Kennedy 26 goals
Parker 39 goals
I think Longmire goes to Parker when our young forward line collapses,taking him away from increasing his clearances and disposal numbers.
I would easily say he is our 2nd best midfielder IMO

 

[RUNVS]

Stoppages
Kennedy ave 3.6%
Parker ave 3.5%

Centre clearances
Kennedy ave 2.5%
Parker ave 1.9%

What do these stats mean, as it can't be percentage of the time they are at stoppages, or percentage of times they win a centre clearance?

 

[cfc44]

Win clearances

 

[RUNVS]

Win clearances

Are you sure as Kennedy usually wins about 6 clearances a game, so if he had a win rate of 2.5% that would mean there would need to be 240 ball ups a match.

 

[caesar88]

Ha. Funnily enough, I almost included Reid as an example of a player that we have put expectations on that he hasn’t delivered on that has disappointed us.
Another almost pick 40 player.

Most players can turn it on for a quarter or a day. Consistency at a high level is what separates the elite players and why they are a minority.

Do you not think that Parker could turn it on for a full match and be a consistent high level performer if he was a permanent forward? I could see him causing havoc all day with his freakish marking, freakish goals and freakish tackling inside 50.

 

[TheMase]

Do you not think that Parker could turn it on for a full match and be a consistent high level performer if he was a permanent forward? I could see him causing havoc all day with his freakish marking, freakish goals and freakish tackling inside 50.

Possibly. But for all his faults he would still leave a hole in our midfield that we just don’t currently have the capacity to fill to the same level across four quarters.

Having him forward with smaller midfield minutes would be a blessing but we just don’t have the capacity for that just yet.