I rekon a role on the wing opposite to Gaff will suit him to a tee.
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AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Analysis Assessing the Midfield
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I rekon a role on the wing opposite to Gaff will suit him to a tee.
You may be right but the way he throws the arm out without really tackling seems a sure way to re-injure it. Get his body behind the damn tackle...
FreeTK
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Agree with this.
He went up a level when he stepped in to Gaffs role during finals last year.
Kelly’s inclusion means we could move ve masto on and have gaff and Sheed on each wing.
The whole midfield system looks so much better on paper with kelly in there.
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That's why i tend to avoid going south, but enough smut, we digress from the topic? (it is the off-season)
For sure, TK promises to make a difference-can restructure the midfield dynamics and the wings. He's another goalscorer, can take the game on, has skills, another Shuey or Yeo to the mix basically-you'd think someone is always going to get free...but there are definitely other areas need improving..opp coaches will be working on how to stop us, let alone us being 'equalised' by the AFL fixture gremlins.
Hope we play more attacking footy, enough of this along the boundary stuff.
Would like to see Gaff, Sheed and Redden add another string to their bow? Reds pretty good for his in+under work, goes unrewarded a lot. Gaff+Sheed showed glimpses of another level in the finals.
There was some exciting football revealed in the finals by other teams-all that run+gun, pressure, contested and chaos ball, busting structures open. Some good teams coming up for 2020.
With our current seniors, the window is closing, you'd think it HAS to be 2020?
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Heading north up the Khyber Pass on the other hand...
FreeTK
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We have a list that could have an open window for the next 2-3 years.
If we want to compete for flags beyond 2020 we need to be getting games into brander, Rotham And Allen this year.
They will be who we transition to after our older guns JK and Bunga retire.
The puzzle pieces are there, we just need to put them in place.
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2018 was an anomaly famTim Kelly, 3 inside bulls AND Spider Everitt wouldn't have won us the flag this year
We weren't switched on. Majority of the year we either won fairly unconvincingly or got completely destroyed and outplayed.
I refute Claims that Kelly would've won us anything, just like having him doesn't automatically mean we'll improve next year either. It should, but no guarantees.
Rioli Gone. Kennedy another year closer to the retirement village and will likely drop off again. Hurn due to start slowing as well.
Team needs to be ruthless and switched on before anything else.
Yes, it seems that way. We also had a list with an open window last season...that went well?
I watched the GF last night , first time in 6 months - such a great game, from both teams.
It made me realise that (relating back to that TK article) apart from Kelly and all the midfield buzz, we also have the possibility of an improved Cole, Duggan and Venables?
Was great seeing Lecras in there, which of course is why we didn't win last year!!
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Disagree about playing Sheed on the wing.
He isn't a wingman - he's a natural inside midfielder. His best assets are his ball winning ability and hands in close. He's a damaging kick in space but that doesn't make him a wingman.
The times that he has struggled since he has been at the club have been the ones where he has been played in outside roles. When he's away from the contest, he doesn't accumulate the ball and doesn't cover ground defensively in the way that the club expects its wingmen to. That's what got him dropped so often in 2018.
Sheed's output did increase in Gaff's absence but that isn't to say that Sheed played as a wingman. Gaff wasn't strictly a wingman in 2018 anyway - he played more in the centre square than he ever had before. From my recollection, the adjustment was Sheed going into the centre square and Redden playing a more outside role, something he did surprisingly well.
I'd play Gaff and Redden on the wings, with Redden the more defensively minded wingman (as Masten and Hutchings were this season).
Kelly, Yeo and Shuey are the first choice mids, with Sheed the first man in off the bench.
Cripps rotating up onto the wing and one of Venables/Ah Chee (in Rioli's absence) rotating onto the ball.
I wouldn't bother playing Hutchings - we'll struggle enough to get midfield time into our stars without having a tagger taking up space.
He isn't a wingman - he's a natural inside midfielder. His best assets are his ball winning ability and hands in close. He's a damaging kick in space but that doesn't make him a wingman.
The times that he has struggled since he has been at the club have been the ones where he has been played in outside roles. When he's away from the contest, he doesn't accumulate the ball and doesn't cover ground defensively in the way that the club expects its wingmen to. That's what got him dropped so often in 2018.
Sheed's output did increase in Gaff's absence but that isn't to say that Sheed played as a wingman. Gaff wasn't strictly a wingman in 2018 anyway - he played more in the centre square than he ever had before. From my recollection, the adjustment was Sheed going into the centre square and Redden playing a more outside role, something he did surprisingly well.
I'd play Gaff and Redden on the wings, with Redden the more defensively minded wingman (as Masten and Hutchings were this season).
Kelly, Yeo and Shuey are the first choice mids, with Sheed the first man in off the bench.
Cripps rotating up onto the wing and one of Venables/Ah Chee (in Rioli's absence) rotating onto the ball.
I wouldn't bother playing Hutchings - we'll struggle enough to get midfield time into our stars without having a tagger taking up space.
Problem with Gaff and Redden on the wings is that it gives us 0 marking power when coming out of defence, meaning we rely on Darling and Kennedy pushing right up. Yeo on a wing provides that outlet kick from defence.
FreeTK
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Brendan Goddard has ranked our midfield 2nd best behind the Giants: Number in brackets is ( # games played in 2019, average supercoach average)
The engine room is the heartbeat of any good team and there is no AFL midfield better than Greater Western Sydney’s.
How many teams could reach an AFL Grand Final without their inspiration captain and with a player as classy as Stephen Coniglio sidelined?
As lethal as West Coast will be with Tim Kelly and as dominant as Collingwood is around the ball, the Giants boast the best midfield mix in the AFL, according to Brendon Goddard.
Although the Dockers have Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe headlining their on-ballers, Goddard has doubts about Fremantle’s midfield under new coach Justin Longmuir.
1. GWS GIANTS
THE TOP-LINERS
Player, 2019 Games, 2019 SuperCoach average
Josh Kelly (18, 114), Lachie Whitfield (19, 107), Tim Taranto (26, 103), Stephen Coniglio (15, 101), Harry Perryman (19, 78), Matt De Boer (19, 72), Callan Ward (1, 4)
THE TOP-UPS
Jackson Hately (7, 62), Jye Caldwell (2, 50), Jack Buckley (0, 0), Xavier O’Halloran (0, 0), Nick Shipley (0, 0)
Goddard says: The Giants’ depth of A-Grade talent is simply outrageous and they were ranked No. 1 for clearances last season despite not having a dominant ruckman. The return of co-captain Ward from an ACL injury only further bolsters the midfield stocks, while Kelly could well take another step forward into the very top echelon of midfielders in the competition with a full pre-season under his belt.
2. WEST COAST
THE TOP-LINERS
Andrew Gaff (22, 107), Elliot Yeo (23, 106), Tim Kelly (25, 104), Luke Shuey (24, 101), Dom Sheed (24, 93), Jack Redden (23, 91), Mark Hutchings (18, 48)
THE TOP-UPS
Xavier O’Neill (0, 0), Hamish Brayshaw (0, 0), Brayden Ainsworth (0, 0)
Goddard says: The addition of Kelly from Geelong during the trade period gives the Eagles four genuine top-line stars. Kelly ranked as the 11th best clearance player in the competition last season, Gaff is arguably the best wingman in the game, Yeo is a legitimate run-with player and Shuey is the Eagles’ reigning best-and-fairest. Then there is Redden and Sheed, who are not a bad second-string at all. If everyone is fit and healthy, who starts in the centre bounce in Round 1?
3. COLLINGWOOD
THE TOP-LINERS
Adam Treloar (24, 111), Scott Pendlebury (24, 105), Steele Sidebottom (23, 96), Taylor Adams (12, 96), Tom Phillips (24, 83), Dayne Beams (9, 81), Chris Mayne (21, 75)
THE TOP-UPS
Rupert Wills (9, 71), Josh Daicos (5, 53), Brayden Sier (6, 50), Tyler Brown (0, 0), Tim Broomhead (0, 0)
Goddard says: An impressive array of A-Grade talent which will only be improved if Beams can get himself right and play a full season. The ever-consistent performers of Pendlebury, Treloar, Adams and Sidebottom are nicely complemented by the likes of Phillips on the outside, who is a top-five wingman in the competition. Having the best ruckman in the competition in Brodie Grundy giving the Magpies’ midfielders first use also helps.
4. RICHMOND
THE TOP-LINERS
Dion Prestia (25, 103), Dustin Martin (23, 102), Marlion Pickett (1, 97), Trent Cotchin (14, 77), Jack Graham (16, 73), Kamdyn McIntosh (16, 63)
THE TOP-UPS
Jack Ross (7, 63), Patrick Naish (2, 73), Oleg Markov (2, 49), Riley Collier-Dawkins (0, 0), Fraser Turner (0, 0)
Goddard says: The reigning premiership midfield and a group that is consistent, reliable and flexible. Reigning best-and-fairest Prestia is coming off a breakout year while Martin continued his dominance in the finals series. Pickett showed in the Grand Final what sort of player he could be in 2020 with a full pre-season under his belt, while the Tigers would dearly love captain Cotchin to have a better run at it after an injury-interrupted 2019 season.
5. BRISBANE LIONS
THE TOP-LINERS
Lachie Neale (24, 119), Dayne Zorko (24, 107), Jarryd Lyons (24, 101), Mitch Robinson (23, 94), Hugh McCluggage (23, 94), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (10, 93), Jarrod Berry (20, 86)
THE TOP-UPS
Rhys Mathieson (9, 60), Mitchell Hinge (2, 64), Jacob Allison (2, 46), Callum Ah Chee (1, 82), Tom Joyce (0, 0), Ely Smith (0, 0) , Toby Wooller (0, 0)
Goddard says: Hard to knock a midfield group that ranked second in the competition for clearances last season. The Lions have a good mix of inside ball winners through Neale, Lyons, Berry and now Adelaide recruit Ellis-Yolmen. Zorko has leg speed, Robinson is not slow on one win and McCluggage provides some serious class on the other wing. Might lack the out-and-out stars of some other teams but have certainly got the balance right.
6. GEELONG
THE TOP-LINERS
Patrick Dangerfield (24, 115), Mitch Duncan (23, 101), Joel Selwood (23, 89), Sam Menegola (12, 82), Brandan Parfitt (20, 79), Cameron Guthrie (20, 79), Jack Steven (7, 74), Jordan Clark (18, 61)
THE TOP-UPS
Charlie Constable (7, 81), Quinton Narkle (6, 80), James Parsons (4, 65), Lachie Fogarty (2, 50), Jacob Kennedy (0, 0), Sam Simpson (0, 0)
Goddard says: Would have been higher in the rankings had they not lost All-Australian Tim Kelly to West Coast during the trade period. The lack of a consistent dominant ruckman at the Cats also hurts the midfield group. While Selwood is ageing, Dangerfield and Duncan are still in their prime and they have a number of solid support acts in Menegola, Guthrie and Parfitt. There is a question mark over what St Kilda recruit Steven can produce, but at his best he could be something special for the Cats and add a great dynamic.
7. WESTERN BULLDOGS
THE TOP-LINERS
Jack Macrae (23, 122), Josh Dunkley (23, 116), Marcus Bontempelli (23, 113), Lachie Hunter (23, 95), Mitch Wallis (10, 84), Tom Liberatore (15, 82), Patrick Lipinski (14, 81), Bailey Smith (23, 76)
THE TOP-UPS
Will Hayes (9, 55), Roarke Smith (5, 53), Lin Jong (0, 0), Callum Porter (0, 0)
Goddard says: Based on Champion Data ranking points, Macrae, Dunkley and Bontempelli were three of the top eight midfielders in the AFL in 2019. The trio are all stars. However, it should be noted the Bulldogs still ranked 12th for total clearances, some of which could be put down to playing a developing young ruckman in Tim English. The return of Tom Liberatore from injury should help those numbers, while Bailey Smith is an exciting young talent.
8. MELBOURNE
THE TOP-LINERS
Clayton Oliver (22, 109), James Harmes (22, 94), Ed Langdon (22, 86), Angus Brayshaw (22, 84), Jack Viney (21, 81), Adam Tomlinson (25, 69)
THE TOP-UPS
Oskar Baker (9, 48), Kyle Dunkley (5, 48), Kade Kolodjashnij (2, 40), James Jordon (0, 0), Aaron Nietschke (0, 0)
Goddard says: Yes, the Demons had a season from hell in 2019. However, the midfield wasn’t to blame too much as Melbourne ranked eighth for clearances and fifth for inside-50s. A full pre-season for Viney will help and Brayshaw is more than capable of returning to his 2018 form which saw him finish third in the Brownlow Medal. Langdon from Fremantle and Tomlinson from Greater Western Sydney will slot in nicely on either wing and add some much-needed outside run after being picked up during the trade period. I would also like to see Christian Petracca run through the midfield a bit more to add to the rotation. The Demons need to challenge him to take his fitness to the next level so he can.
9. ESSENDON
THE TOP-LINERS
Zach Merrett (23, 105), Dylan Shiel (22, 98), Dyson Heppell (18, 95), Darcy Parish (21, 85), David Zaharakis (20, 79), Andrew McGrath (23, 75), Devon Smith (7, 69), Matt Guelfi (17, 56)
The Top-Ups
Tom Cutler (3, 78), Dylan Clarke (11, 65), Kobe Mutch (1, 0)
Goddard says: The Bombers are still lacking one inside ball winner – something that was not addressed during the trade period – but they have most other stations covered. Heppell is an ever-consistent performer and Merrett has serious all-round class. The return of 2018 best-and-fairest Devon Smith will certainly help, Parish’s development has been pleasing and McGrath and Zahararkis provide the run on the outside. Zaharakis just needs to continue to work on his stoppage craft.
10. HAWTHORN
THE TOP-LINERS
James Worpel (22, 97), Ricky Henderson (22, 95), Jaeger O’Meara (21, 91), Liam Shiels (19, 87), Isaac Smith (19, 83), Tom Scully (21, 66), Tom Mitchell (0, 0)
THE TOP-UPS
Daniel Howe (12, 74), James Cousins (12, 70), Harry Morrison (9, 53), Will Golds (0, 0), Harrison Jones (0, 0)
Goddard says: The Hawks onball brigade should be much-improved in 2020 with the return of Brownlow medallist Mitchell from a broken leg which saw him miss the entire season. Worpel’s development across the 2019 season was incredible, leading to a deserving best-and-fairest win. Tom Scully would be hoping to get a full pre-season in and build on his form of last season, while Ricky Henderson is coming off a career-best season at the ripe old age of 31. There is talent there, but I think the Hawks are just lacking one or two top-end inside players.
11. PORT ADELAIDE
THE TOP-LINERS
Travis Boak (21, 107), Tom Rockliff (18, 92), Ollie Wines (12, 88), Karl Amon (17, 77), Sam Powell-Pepper (19, 74), Xavier Duursma (20, 74)
THE TOP-UPS
Willem Drew (10, 73), Joe Atley (1, 74), Sam Mayes (0, 0), Jake Patmore (0, 0)
Goddard says: Could be considered a tad stiff to be ranked 11th, given the Power were third for total clearances and first for inside-50s last season. But they are lacking depth and top-end talent. Boak is coming off an outstanding year and I’m excited to see how Duursma continues to develop. Connor Rozee might also find himself playing more midfield time next year, as well as Dan Houston. A pre-season and injury-free run for Wines would be a major boost after a difficult 2019.
12. NORTH MELBOURNE
THE TOP-LINERS
Ben Cunnington (22, 102), Shaun Higgins (17, 94), Jack Ziebell (22, 91), Jared Polec (22, 87), Jed Anderson (17, 87), Trent Dumont (21, 84), Jy Simpkin (21, 70), Luke Davies-Uniacke (14, 63), Ben Jacobs (0, 0)
THE TOP-UPS
Aaron Hall (6, 76), Dom Tyson (3, 75), Kyron Hayden (1, 31)
Goddard says: The Kangaroos have a good core, with an ever-reliable top-three in Cunnington, Higgins and Ziebell. There is also plenty of upside with the improvement left in Anderson, Simpkin and Dumont and the potential return of one of the best taggers in the game in Jacobs, who has not played since Round 16, 2018. Based on the improvement in the second half of last season, North Melbourne could well exceed this ranking.
13. ST KILDA
THE TOP-LINERS
Seb Ross (22, 98), Dan Hannebery (5, 96), Jack Steele (20, 95), Jack Billings (22, 94), Luke Dunstan (18, 93), Zak Jones (17, 86), Bradley Hill (22, 84), Jade Gresham (19, 84)
THE TOP-UPS
Ed Phillips (4, 63), Doulton Langlands (3, 53), Jack Bytel (0, 0)
Goddard says: The Saints have a capable midfield, but it’s one that simply doesn’t have the A-Grade talent of other sides. In saying that, I wouldn’t be surprised if Billings or Gresham moved themselves up into that bracket next year. St Kilda will be hoping for much more out Hannebery after a disappointing, injury-interrupted year. Steele and Ross are ever consistent with their form and I like the recruitment of Hill from Fremantle, who adds some much-needed outside speed.
14. CARLTON
THE TOP-LINERS
Patrick Cripps (20, 117), Ed Curnow (22, 91), Marc Murphy (19, 91), Sam Walsh (22, 87), Jack Newnes (20, 71), Zac Fisher (21, 66), Will Setterfield (18, 61), Paddy Dow (19, 54), Lachie O’Brien (17, 45)
Goddard says: Cripps is the cream and a star of the competition. Walsh is a soon-to-be A-Grader on the back of winning the Rising Star award last season. But it drops away a bit after that. Murphy and Curnow are coming off great seasons and have been super reliable for many years but enter next season the other side of 30. Can they produce the same sort of campaigns again next year? Newnes comes in from St Kilda and should be a regular but is only rated average in every key statistical area. It is a waiting game over the development of Setterfield and Dow. It’s their time to step up and shine. The Blues have made no secret of the fact they think they lack another A-Grade midfielder over the past two years.
15. ADELAIDE
THE TOP-LINERS
Matt Crouch (19, 104), Rory Sloane (22, 103), Brad Crouch (22, 98), Rory Atkins (20, 75), Paul Seedsman (13, 72), Bryce Gibbs (12, 69), David Mackay (18, 67)
THE TOP-UPS
Patrick Wilson (1, 50), Ned McHenry (0, 0)
Goddard says: There is a real sameness about the Crows’ midfield. It lacks flexibility, with most of the players in there all like-for-like. Sloane is a competitor but doesn’t possess dynamic speed. Gibbs was dropped four times last season and is much the same player as Matt Crouch. There is simply not the depth of talent and not the leg-speed of other teams. Adelaide has to find someone to step up. Defenders Wayne Milera and Brodie Smith had rotations in the midfield at stages last season to try and find speed and penetration of ball use. Could one of them make a permanent midfield move?
16. SYDNEY
THE TOP-LINERS
Josh Kennedy (19, 107), Luke Parker (22, 105), Isaac Heeney (22, 94), George Hewett (22, 88), Oliver Florent (21, 69), Ryan Clarke (14, 57)
THE TOP-UPS
Lewis Taylor (5, 71), Justin McInerney (1, 21), Zac Foot (0, 0)
Goddard says: Kieran Jack is gone. Kennedy is ageing and will turn 32 in June. Who is going to step up and replace them? Is Heeney going to be the inside all-round elite midfielder we all hoped he would be? Parker will continue doing what he’s done for six or seven years. The Swans’ outside class is pretty good in young Florent and I expect Callum Mills and Will Hayward to join him and play more midfield minutes next season. There are clearly spots up for grabs.
17. FREMANTLE
THE TOP-LINERS
Nat Fyfe (20, 120), Michael Walters (22, 101), David Mundy (22, 88), Darcy Tucker (22, 73), Blake Acres (19, 71), Andrew Brayshaw (22, 71), Reece Conca (22, 68)
THE TOP-UPS
Stefan Giro (0, 0), Luke Valente (0, 0)
Goddard says: Reigning Brownlow medallist Fyfe is the standout along with Walters who is also a star of the competition. But after that the Dockers are still relying on Mundy too much and it drops right away after that. Brayshaw was taken at pick 2 in the 2017 draft and needs to step up and have a breakout year in 2020.
18. GOLD COAST
THE TOP-LINERS
David Swallow (22, 88), Brayden Fiorini (21, 88), Hugh Greenwood (14, 86), Touk Miller (18, 85), Anthony Miles (17, 84), Brandon Ellis (23, 82), Darcy MacPherson (22, 82), Jack Bowes (15, 76)
THE TOP-UPS
Wil Powell (13, 55), Sam Fletcher (0, 0), Mitch Riordan (0, 0)
Goddard says: Swallow remains the standout and there a couple of ever-reliable competitors in Miles and Miller. The additions of Ellis (Richmond) and Greenwood (Adelaide) will certainly make the Suns’ midfield better year-on-year, while the development of Bowes is also exciting. But there is still just a clear void of A-Grade talent. Could highly-rated youngster Izak Rankine return from injury and be added to the midfield mix in 2020 to help fill that void?
The engine room is the heartbeat of any good team and there is no AFL midfield better than Greater Western Sydney’s.
How many teams could reach an AFL Grand Final without their inspiration captain and with a player as classy as Stephen Coniglio sidelined?
As lethal as West Coast will be with Tim Kelly and as dominant as Collingwood is around the ball, the Giants boast the best midfield mix in the AFL, according to Brendon Goddard.
Although the Dockers have Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe headlining their on-ballers, Goddard has doubts about Fremantle’s midfield under new coach Justin Longmuir.
1. GWS GIANTS
THE TOP-LINERS
Player, 2019 Games, 2019 SuperCoach average
Josh Kelly (18, 114), Lachie Whitfield (19, 107), Tim Taranto (26, 103), Stephen Coniglio (15, 101), Harry Perryman (19, 78), Matt De Boer (19, 72), Callan Ward (1, 4)
THE TOP-UPS
Jackson Hately (7, 62), Jye Caldwell (2, 50), Jack Buckley (0, 0), Xavier O’Halloran (0, 0), Nick Shipley (0, 0)
Goddard says: The Giants’ depth of A-Grade talent is simply outrageous and they were ranked No. 1 for clearances last season despite not having a dominant ruckman. The return of co-captain Ward from an ACL injury only further bolsters the midfield stocks, while Kelly could well take another step forward into the very top echelon of midfielders in the competition with a full pre-season under his belt.
2. WEST COAST
THE TOP-LINERS
Andrew Gaff (22, 107), Elliot Yeo (23, 106), Tim Kelly (25, 104), Luke Shuey (24, 101), Dom Sheed (24, 93), Jack Redden (23, 91), Mark Hutchings (18, 48)
THE TOP-UPS
Xavier O’Neill (0, 0), Hamish Brayshaw (0, 0), Brayden Ainsworth (0, 0)
Goddard says: The addition of Kelly from Geelong during the trade period gives the Eagles four genuine top-line stars. Kelly ranked as the 11th best clearance player in the competition last season, Gaff is arguably the best wingman in the game, Yeo is a legitimate run-with player and Shuey is the Eagles’ reigning best-and-fairest. Then there is Redden and Sheed, who are not a bad second-string at all. If everyone is fit and healthy, who starts in the centre bounce in Round 1?
3. COLLINGWOOD
THE TOP-LINERS
Adam Treloar (24, 111), Scott Pendlebury (24, 105), Steele Sidebottom (23, 96), Taylor Adams (12, 96), Tom Phillips (24, 83), Dayne Beams (9, 81), Chris Mayne (21, 75)
THE TOP-UPS
Rupert Wills (9, 71), Josh Daicos (5, 53), Brayden Sier (6, 50), Tyler Brown (0, 0), Tim Broomhead (0, 0)
Goddard says: An impressive array of A-Grade talent which will only be improved if Beams can get himself right and play a full season. The ever-consistent performers of Pendlebury, Treloar, Adams and Sidebottom are nicely complemented by the likes of Phillips on the outside, who is a top-five wingman in the competition. Having the best ruckman in the competition in Brodie Grundy giving the Magpies’ midfielders first use also helps.
4. RICHMOND
THE TOP-LINERS
Dion Prestia (25, 103), Dustin Martin (23, 102), Marlion Pickett (1, 97), Trent Cotchin (14, 77), Jack Graham (16, 73), Kamdyn McIntosh (16, 63)
THE TOP-UPS
Jack Ross (7, 63), Patrick Naish (2, 73), Oleg Markov (2, 49), Riley Collier-Dawkins (0, 0), Fraser Turner (0, 0)
Goddard says: The reigning premiership midfield and a group that is consistent, reliable and flexible. Reigning best-and-fairest Prestia is coming off a breakout year while Martin continued his dominance in the finals series. Pickett showed in the Grand Final what sort of player he could be in 2020 with a full pre-season under his belt, while the Tigers would dearly love captain Cotchin to have a better run at it after an injury-interrupted 2019 season.
5. BRISBANE LIONS
THE TOP-LINERS
Lachie Neale (24, 119), Dayne Zorko (24, 107), Jarryd Lyons (24, 101), Mitch Robinson (23, 94), Hugh McCluggage (23, 94), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (10, 93), Jarrod Berry (20, 86)
THE TOP-UPS
Rhys Mathieson (9, 60), Mitchell Hinge (2, 64), Jacob Allison (2, 46), Callum Ah Chee (1, 82), Tom Joyce (0, 0), Ely Smith (0, 0) , Toby Wooller (0, 0)
Goddard says: Hard to knock a midfield group that ranked second in the competition for clearances last season. The Lions have a good mix of inside ball winners through Neale, Lyons, Berry and now Adelaide recruit Ellis-Yolmen. Zorko has leg speed, Robinson is not slow on one win and McCluggage provides some serious class on the other wing. Might lack the out-and-out stars of some other teams but have certainly got the balance right.
6. GEELONG
THE TOP-LINERS
Patrick Dangerfield (24, 115), Mitch Duncan (23, 101), Joel Selwood (23, 89), Sam Menegola (12, 82), Brandan Parfitt (20, 79), Cameron Guthrie (20, 79), Jack Steven (7, 74), Jordan Clark (18, 61)
THE TOP-UPS
Charlie Constable (7, 81), Quinton Narkle (6, 80), James Parsons (4, 65), Lachie Fogarty (2, 50), Jacob Kennedy (0, 0), Sam Simpson (0, 0)
Goddard says: Would have been higher in the rankings had they not lost All-Australian Tim Kelly to West Coast during the trade period. The lack of a consistent dominant ruckman at the Cats also hurts the midfield group. While Selwood is ageing, Dangerfield and Duncan are still in their prime and they have a number of solid support acts in Menegola, Guthrie and Parfitt. There is a question mark over what St Kilda recruit Steven can produce, but at his best he could be something special for the Cats and add a great dynamic.
7. WESTERN BULLDOGS
THE TOP-LINERS
Jack Macrae (23, 122), Josh Dunkley (23, 116), Marcus Bontempelli (23, 113), Lachie Hunter (23, 95), Mitch Wallis (10, 84), Tom Liberatore (15, 82), Patrick Lipinski (14, 81), Bailey Smith (23, 76)
THE TOP-UPS
Will Hayes (9, 55), Roarke Smith (5, 53), Lin Jong (0, 0), Callum Porter (0, 0)
Goddard says: Based on Champion Data ranking points, Macrae, Dunkley and Bontempelli were three of the top eight midfielders in the AFL in 2019. The trio are all stars. However, it should be noted the Bulldogs still ranked 12th for total clearances, some of which could be put down to playing a developing young ruckman in Tim English. The return of Tom Liberatore from injury should help those numbers, while Bailey Smith is an exciting young talent.
8. MELBOURNE
THE TOP-LINERS
Clayton Oliver (22, 109), James Harmes (22, 94), Ed Langdon (22, 86), Angus Brayshaw (22, 84), Jack Viney (21, 81), Adam Tomlinson (25, 69)
THE TOP-UPS
Oskar Baker (9, 48), Kyle Dunkley (5, 48), Kade Kolodjashnij (2, 40), James Jordon (0, 0), Aaron Nietschke (0, 0)
Goddard says: Yes, the Demons had a season from hell in 2019. However, the midfield wasn’t to blame too much as Melbourne ranked eighth for clearances and fifth for inside-50s. A full pre-season for Viney will help and Brayshaw is more than capable of returning to his 2018 form which saw him finish third in the Brownlow Medal. Langdon from Fremantle and Tomlinson from Greater Western Sydney will slot in nicely on either wing and add some much-needed outside run after being picked up during the trade period. I would also like to see Christian Petracca run through the midfield a bit more to add to the rotation. The Demons need to challenge him to take his fitness to the next level so he can.
9. ESSENDON
THE TOP-LINERS
Zach Merrett (23, 105), Dylan Shiel (22, 98), Dyson Heppell (18, 95), Darcy Parish (21, 85), David Zaharakis (20, 79), Andrew McGrath (23, 75), Devon Smith (7, 69), Matt Guelfi (17, 56)
The Top-Ups
Tom Cutler (3, 78), Dylan Clarke (11, 65), Kobe Mutch (1, 0)
Goddard says: The Bombers are still lacking one inside ball winner – something that was not addressed during the trade period – but they have most other stations covered. Heppell is an ever-consistent performer and Merrett has serious all-round class. The return of 2018 best-and-fairest Devon Smith will certainly help, Parish’s development has been pleasing and McGrath and Zahararkis provide the run on the outside. Zaharakis just needs to continue to work on his stoppage craft.
10. HAWTHORN
THE TOP-LINERS
James Worpel (22, 97), Ricky Henderson (22, 95), Jaeger O’Meara (21, 91), Liam Shiels (19, 87), Isaac Smith (19, 83), Tom Scully (21, 66), Tom Mitchell (0, 0)
THE TOP-UPS
Daniel Howe (12, 74), James Cousins (12, 70), Harry Morrison (9, 53), Will Golds (0, 0), Harrison Jones (0, 0)
Goddard says: The Hawks onball brigade should be much-improved in 2020 with the return of Brownlow medallist Mitchell from a broken leg which saw him miss the entire season. Worpel’s development across the 2019 season was incredible, leading to a deserving best-and-fairest win. Tom Scully would be hoping to get a full pre-season in and build on his form of last season, while Ricky Henderson is coming off a career-best season at the ripe old age of 31. There is talent there, but I think the Hawks are just lacking one or two top-end inside players.
11. PORT ADELAIDE
THE TOP-LINERS
Travis Boak (21, 107), Tom Rockliff (18, 92), Ollie Wines (12, 88), Karl Amon (17, 77), Sam Powell-Pepper (19, 74), Xavier Duursma (20, 74)
THE TOP-UPS
Willem Drew (10, 73), Joe Atley (1, 74), Sam Mayes (0, 0), Jake Patmore (0, 0)
Goddard says: Could be considered a tad stiff to be ranked 11th, given the Power were third for total clearances and first for inside-50s last season. But they are lacking depth and top-end talent. Boak is coming off an outstanding year and I’m excited to see how Duursma continues to develop. Connor Rozee might also find himself playing more midfield time next year, as well as Dan Houston. A pre-season and injury-free run for Wines would be a major boost after a difficult 2019.
12. NORTH MELBOURNE
THE TOP-LINERS
Ben Cunnington (22, 102), Shaun Higgins (17, 94), Jack Ziebell (22, 91), Jared Polec (22, 87), Jed Anderson (17, 87), Trent Dumont (21, 84), Jy Simpkin (21, 70), Luke Davies-Uniacke (14, 63), Ben Jacobs (0, 0)
THE TOP-UPS
Aaron Hall (6, 76), Dom Tyson (3, 75), Kyron Hayden (1, 31)
Goddard says: The Kangaroos have a good core, with an ever-reliable top-three in Cunnington, Higgins and Ziebell. There is also plenty of upside with the improvement left in Anderson, Simpkin and Dumont and the potential return of one of the best taggers in the game in Jacobs, who has not played since Round 16, 2018. Based on the improvement in the second half of last season, North Melbourne could well exceed this ranking.
13. ST KILDA
THE TOP-LINERS
Seb Ross (22, 98), Dan Hannebery (5, 96), Jack Steele (20, 95), Jack Billings (22, 94), Luke Dunstan (18, 93), Zak Jones (17, 86), Bradley Hill (22, 84), Jade Gresham (19, 84)
THE TOP-UPS
Ed Phillips (4, 63), Doulton Langlands (3, 53), Jack Bytel (0, 0)
Goddard says: The Saints have a capable midfield, but it’s one that simply doesn’t have the A-Grade talent of other sides. In saying that, I wouldn’t be surprised if Billings or Gresham moved themselves up into that bracket next year. St Kilda will be hoping for much more out Hannebery after a disappointing, injury-interrupted year. Steele and Ross are ever consistent with their form and I like the recruitment of Hill from Fremantle, who adds some much-needed outside speed.
14. CARLTON
THE TOP-LINERS
Patrick Cripps (20, 117), Ed Curnow (22, 91), Marc Murphy (19, 91), Sam Walsh (22, 87), Jack Newnes (20, 71), Zac Fisher (21, 66), Will Setterfield (18, 61), Paddy Dow (19, 54), Lachie O’Brien (17, 45)
Goddard says: Cripps is the cream and a star of the competition. Walsh is a soon-to-be A-Grader on the back of winning the Rising Star award last season. But it drops away a bit after that. Murphy and Curnow are coming off great seasons and have been super reliable for many years but enter next season the other side of 30. Can they produce the same sort of campaigns again next year? Newnes comes in from St Kilda and should be a regular but is only rated average in every key statistical area. It is a waiting game over the development of Setterfield and Dow. It’s their time to step up and shine. The Blues have made no secret of the fact they think they lack another A-Grade midfielder over the past two years.
15. ADELAIDE
THE TOP-LINERS
Matt Crouch (19, 104), Rory Sloane (22, 103), Brad Crouch (22, 98), Rory Atkins (20, 75), Paul Seedsman (13, 72), Bryce Gibbs (12, 69), David Mackay (18, 67)
THE TOP-UPS
Patrick Wilson (1, 50), Ned McHenry (0, 0)
Goddard says: There is a real sameness about the Crows’ midfield. It lacks flexibility, with most of the players in there all like-for-like. Sloane is a competitor but doesn’t possess dynamic speed. Gibbs was dropped four times last season and is much the same player as Matt Crouch. There is simply not the depth of talent and not the leg-speed of other teams. Adelaide has to find someone to step up. Defenders Wayne Milera and Brodie Smith had rotations in the midfield at stages last season to try and find speed and penetration of ball use. Could one of them make a permanent midfield move?
16. SYDNEY
THE TOP-LINERS
Josh Kennedy (19, 107), Luke Parker (22, 105), Isaac Heeney (22, 94), George Hewett (22, 88), Oliver Florent (21, 69), Ryan Clarke (14, 57)
THE TOP-UPS
Lewis Taylor (5, 71), Justin McInerney (1, 21), Zac Foot (0, 0)
Goddard says: Kieran Jack is gone. Kennedy is ageing and will turn 32 in June. Who is going to step up and replace them? Is Heeney going to be the inside all-round elite midfielder we all hoped he would be? Parker will continue doing what he’s done for six or seven years. The Swans’ outside class is pretty good in young Florent and I expect Callum Mills and Will Hayward to join him and play more midfield minutes next season. There are clearly spots up for grabs.
17. FREMANTLE
THE TOP-LINERS
Nat Fyfe (20, 120), Michael Walters (22, 101), David Mundy (22, 88), Darcy Tucker (22, 73), Blake Acres (19, 71), Andrew Brayshaw (22, 71), Reece Conca (22, 68)
THE TOP-UPS
Stefan Giro (0, 0), Luke Valente (0, 0)
Goddard says: Reigning Brownlow medallist Fyfe is the standout along with Walters who is also a star of the competition. But after that the Dockers are still relying on Mundy too much and it drops right away after that. Brayshaw was taken at pick 2 in the 2017 draft and needs to step up and have a breakout year in 2020.
18. GOLD COAST
THE TOP-LINERS
David Swallow (22, 88), Brayden Fiorini (21, 88), Hugh Greenwood (14, 86), Touk Miller (18, 85), Anthony Miles (17, 84), Brandon Ellis (23, 82), Darcy MacPherson (22, 82), Jack Bowes (15, 76)
THE TOP-UPS
Wil Powell (13, 55), Sam Fletcher (0, 0), Mitch Riordan (0, 0)
Goddard says: Swallow remains the standout and there a couple of ever-reliable competitors in Miles and Miller. The additions of Ellis (Richmond) and Greenwood (Adelaide) will certainly make the Suns’ midfield better year-on-year, while the development of Bowes is also exciting. But there is still just a clear void of A-Grade talent. Could highly-rated youngster Izak Rankine return from injury and be added to the midfield mix in 2020 to help fill that void?
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I don't think marking ability is particularly important on a wing. Very few teams, if any, put emphasis on it. In any event, Redden is the second best mark in our midfield after Yeo.
Wanting marking ability on a wing is not worth removing the league's best tackler and one of its most dynamic clearance players from the contest.
We should be keeping Yeo's hands as grubby as they can possibly be. His marking ability is the icing, not the cake.
If we want marking ability up on the wings, we ought to 1) play Waterman as the high leading HFF or 2) play Brander on the wing, as he has in the WAFL.
I don’t think marking ability is critical for a winger but it would provide the side with a point of difference compared to what we’ve had with Gaff and Masten on the wings.
We’ve struggled to get the ball out of defence because it’s too easy to double team Darling and then the players around him lose the contested spillage.
Yeo would help us retain possession in these situations more often - that’s not a minor thing, it’s a factor as to why we lost games this year.
I was just thinking about it when thinking about Embley’s role back in the day and how much we miss something similar.
Good point - we still miss what Embley provided; don't want Yeo on a wing though too often as he is so damaging in the center square. I would like to see a Waterman or a Rotham trailed on a wing in preseason.
Yeah Waterman is a good idea. Just needs to get his tank sorted. Prefer him up the ground than clogging up the forward line. His ground level work would need to improve a lot though
Doubt Rotham moves out of defence now
Doubt Rotham moves out of defence now
I think we have Brander earmarked for that role next year.
I'm still really confused with what WC plan for Brander. Anyone more in the know have a feel for this after watching him at WAFL?
It seems strange for me to jump at drafting one of the projected best KPP in the draft because he was too good to pass up when we had the chance, only to not really play him as a KPP in the WAFL at either end and try to turn him into a wingman or whatever. Particularly with an aging Kennedy. Have they just played him up the ground to make him more versatile/until he fills out or is he really projected to be a wingman?
suntagonal
Team Captain
Ala Gehrig, hopefully.
Would be nice and I am not doubting the club or the player, just the lack of direction that is clear to my eyes. Not that the club needs to explain everything to me but I just wonder what the real plan is.
The wily weagle
Premiership Player
- Oct 16, 2014
- 3,288
- 7,541
- AFL Club
- West Coast
The Brander talk gives me a chuckle, because it's a classic West coast scenario when it comes to midfielders:
-lets draft a halfback, and makes him a midfielder!
-lets draft a small forward, and make him a midfielder!
And in Branders case
-let's draft a key position player and make him a midfielder!
Here's a crazy thought: how about we develop Brander as a forward where he has always played and make him the successor to Josh Kennedy. And then we can draft a midfielder, and (drumroll).......actually play him in the midfield.
We nail our key position guys, but by God for the last few years we suck at drafting and developing on ballers. Particularly when we try to play them out of position at half forward
-lets draft a halfback, and makes him a midfielder!
-lets draft a small forward, and make him a midfielder!
And in Branders case
-let's draft a key position player and make him a midfielder!
Here's a crazy thought: how about we develop Brander as a forward where he has always played and make him the successor to Josh Kennedy. And then we can draft a midfielder, and (drumroll).......actually play him in the midfield.
We nail our key position guys, but by God for the last few years we suck at drafting and developing on ballers. Particularly when we try to play them out of position at half forward
RookiePick
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 13, 2014
- 27,828
- 50,258
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Sending him to St Kilda to win a couple of Colemans sounds like a bad plan for Brander IMO.
Yeah I doubt we have plans for him to be a wingman, particularly so next year. Waterman maybe, given he’s played a bunch of games already and is somewhat proven
Poor kid.
I with Kelly in and him coming back from a serious concussion, I kinda hope we treat him like a first year player again. Would like to see him playing full time wing with a bit of on ball for the 2's. Maybe push into a full time on ball role later into the year.
