Easton Wood to the midfield?

[Igloo]

Anyone else think this is a good idea? We all know he is pretty fast, and that is exactly what we need more of in our midfield. Speed.

You could put Easton in there, at the expense of someone like Cross (unfortunately). Then We could bring in Howard to cover Wood's spot, as he is seen as having a future in our backline, why not speed the process up a bit and put him in there? What is there to lose?

 

[jaxie1]

Anyone else think this is a good idea? We all know he is pretty fast, and that is exactly what we need more of in our midfield. Speed.

You could put Easton in there, at the expense of someone like Cross (unfortunately). Then We could bring in Howard to cover Wood's spot, as he is seen as having a future in our backline, why not speed the process up a bit and put him in there? What is there to lose?

sounds a better plan than any we tried on sunday

 

[spidermanbatman]

Good suggestion, Cross in the back pocket sounds good

Also should we try Tommy Williams up forward?

 

[Sharkey66]

i'v been wondering about tommy forward too,can anyone recall if he has ever been tried there yet?

 

[cooney]

i'v been wondering about tommy forward too,can anyone recall if he has ever been tried there yet?

I don't think we have, but if I recall was a forward before he came to us.

 

[the dog's kennel]

Anyone else think this is a good idea? We all know he is pretty fast, and that is exactly what we need more of in our midfield. Speed.

You could put Easton in there, at the expense of someone like Cross (unfortunately). Then We could bring in Howard to cover Wood's spot, as he is seen as having a future in our backline, why not speed the process up a bit and put him in there? What is there to lose?

Wood in the midfield is an excellent idea. He could well end up there.

But I have 3 arguments against:

1) He just got back in the team. Let him have a few rounds at least to get used to the game again. His kicking was all over the place this week. Once he's back in touch, then it might be worth a shot.

2) There is nowhere we need pace more than off the half-back line. Our backline is incredibly slow right now - Gilbee, Hargrave, Markovic etc. Our only pace other than Wood is from Picken & Stack, and I think most people would love Stack to not be in the 22 when we have a full team to pick from. When we cop the forward press, it's actually the HB line where pace is most crucial, so if Howard's good enough I'd love to see Howard, Wood and Picken creating some serious rebound.

3) If we are going to move one of the speedsters from the HB line, I'd prefer it to be Picken, who I would LOVE to get into the Forward line again. Picken's got a great nose for a goal - he's a good crumber. And best of all he and Jones could combine to place some serious defensive pressure on our opposition up there. And that will obviously not happen unless Wood is holding down the HB line (hopefully with Howard).

Having said all that, I reckon a bit of sensible experimentation is just what we need this year. So I wouldn't object if Rocket tried it. Nice suggestion.

 

[Dazb86]

Bringing some pace into the team should be a priority IMO. It seems we are too slow and in turn are under a heap of pressure when we get the ball/can't pressure the opposition enough without it.

Even just getting Schofield in to do a job on someone would be worthwhile it could free up Picken to play elsewhere. Having Dalhous get a run is worth a chance and he's deserving of it IMO. These kids both have pace and real desire. Something that we are lacking.

One of Gia or cross should be out of the team due to being too slow. I'd personally prefer Gia to take crosses role on a wing/occasionally in the guts. Uses the ball much better than crossy. I can't see this happening though.

We need to decide whether we rebuild or have a crack this year bloody quickly or this season will have been a complete waste of time.

If we go down the rebuilding path I'd look at replacing Gilbee, cross, Hudson and Hall for the rest of the year.

 

[Sharkey66]

Still a bit early to go into rebuild mode,i think by round 14 v goldcoast we will know whether we're there or not.We are almost in rebuild mode now as it is with so many young guys playing,with Wood,Grant,Jones,Libba,Marco all playing regurly and a few others getting games.We are still only two games out of the eight, remember, and a lot can change between now and the end of the season.

 

[5 Bucks]

When will you morons realise that Cross played as a tagger on Priddis and did a good job? He isn't the problem. Taking him out and replacing us with Gia is the worst idea i've ever heard.

The problem isn't that Boyd and Cross are too slow. The problem is that there isn't enough support around them. The fast hard running outside mids are the problem. Cross and Boyd have had to try to pick up the slack because there isn't anyone else. Cooney didn't play. Ward got SMASHED. Griffen was okay. We need more of these types of players to support the good work of of Cross and Boyd.

Is Cross any slower than Luke Ball? No. Is Boyd any slower than Pendlebury? No. Ward is meant to be our Dale Thomas. Griffen is meant to be our Swan. Then what? On the weekend Collingwood also had Wellingham, Sidebottom, Krakouer, Didak, Beams, Blair, MacCarthy and Heath Shaw all spending time in the middle. They add hard running and speed to their team. We have what? Sherman, Picken and Moles - who was the sub and bought on when the game was over. Not enough of these types of players. This is terrible coaching, and the reason why out midfield sucked.

Wood is a part of our back 6, and they shouldn't be stuffed around with too much. A few minutes on the ball wouldn't hurt too much though. Same goes for Robert Murphy. They will both add some pace, and hard running to the team.

Gia is too slow in the middle, and there is no place for small forwards who cannot play on ball in modern football. This applies to Gilbee too. Higgins isn't fit. All 3 should be cut, and we NEED to bring in players who can rotate through the middle. I don't care if Gia is a decent forward. That is of little use when we cannot even get the ball down there.

 

[Morris Major]

When will you morons realise that Cross played as a tagger on Priddis and did a good job? He isn't the problem. Taking him out and replacing us with Gia is the worst idea i've ever heard.

The problem isn't that Boyd and Cross are too slow. The problem is that there isn't enough support around them. The fast hard running outside mids are the problem. Cross and Boyd have had to try to pick up the slack because there isn't anyone else. Cooney didn't play. Ward got SMASHED. Griffen was okay. We need more of these types of players to support the good work of of Cross and Boyd.

Is Cross any slower than Luke Ball? No. Is Boyd any slower than Pendlebury? No. Ward is meant to be our Dale Thomas. Griffen is meant to be our Swan. Then what? On the weekend Collingwood also had Wellingham, Sidebottom, Krakouer, Didak, Beams, Blair, MacCarthy and Heath Shaw all spending time in the middle. They add hard running and speed to their team. We have what? Sherman, Picken and Moles - who was the sub and bought on when the game was over. Not enough of these types of players. This is terrible coaching, and the reason why out midfield sucked.

Wood is a part of our back 6, and they shouldn't be stuffed around with too much. A few minutes on the ball wouldn't hurt too much though. Same goes for Robert Murphy. They will both add some pace, and hard running to the team.

Gia is too slow in the middle, and there is no place for small forwards who cannot play on ball in modern football. This applies to Gilbee too. Higgins isn't fit. All 3 should be cut, and we NEED to bring in players who can rotate through the middle. I don't care if Gia is a decent forward. That is of little use when we cannot even get the ball down there.

This man speaks the truth. I'd probably give Higgins and Gilbee one more chance but Gia has to go. But players like Gia, Gilbee and to some extent Boyd and Cross are examples of our complacency, needs to improve mentality

 

[tonydean]

This man speaks the truth. I'd probably give Higgins and Gilbee one more chance but Gia has to go. But players like Gia, Gilbee and to some extent Boyd and Cross are examples of our complacency, needs to improve mentality

Tell the f**king coach that!

 

[nicko77]

When will you morons realise that Cross played as a tagger on Priddis and did a good job? He isn't the problem. Taking him out and replacing us with Gia is the worst idea i've ever heard.

The problem isn't that Boyd and Cross are too slow. The problem is that there isn't enough support around them. The fast hard running outside mids are the problem. Cross and Boyd have had to try to pick up the slack because there isn't anyone else. Cooney didn't play. Ward got SMASHED. Griffen was okay. We need more of these types of players to support the good work of of Cross and Boyd.

Is Cross any slower than Luke Ball? No. Is Boyd any slower than Pendlebury? No. Ward is meant to be our Dale Thomas. Griffen is meant to be our Swan. Then what? On the weekend Collingwood also had Wellingham, Sidebottom, Krakouer, Didak, Beams, Blair, MacCarthy and Heath Shaw all spending time in the middle. They add hard running and speed to their team. We have what? Sherman, Picken and Moles - who was the sub and bought on when the game was over. Not enough of these types of players. This is terrible coaching, and the reason why out midfield sucked.

Wood is a part of our back 6, and they shouldn't be stuffed around with too much. A few minutes on the ball wouldn't hurt too much though. Same goes for Robert Murphy. They will both add some pace, and hard running to the team.

Gia is too slow in the middle, and there is no place for small forwards who cannot play on ball in modern football. This applies to Gilbee too. Higgins isn't fit. All 3 should be cut, and we NEED to bring in players who can rotate through the middle. I don't care if Gia is a decent forward. That is of little use when we cannot even get the ball down there.

Not a lot I can disagree with here. Although there is still clearly a place for small forwards (Betts, Milne, Le Cras are perfect examples).

We lack pace and polish on the outside and we need to get our best ball users and players with pace and carry into the thick of the action. Guys like Murphy, Gilbee, Griffen, Giansiracusa, Moles, Hill, Hargrave, Wood and these types. We have to get them invovled. No point Moles and Hill being dropped when we don't have anyone left who can kick ball.

Also, I don't see the point of playing Ward as another inside midfielder (we have enough), he'd be better playing from the 50m arc and hitting the ball as the lead-up forward with Jones, he busts open the contest and creates defensive pressure. Picken is an interesting thought up forward, although I think Addison perhaps offers a better option in this forward press role, just got to keep him fit.

In terms of workrate, we just have to find it and it needs to be a collective effort. Too many weeks we have four or five put their hand up, then a massive drop off, it's just not going to win games of footy in this day and age. That drive has to come from the younger brigade, the acid needs to be put on them to drive the team forward, not the older blokes. They've (the older blokes) have carried the side for a long time and they're on the decline. If they see the younger blokes driving the bus they'll hop on board. The finger needs to be pointed at Griffen, Cooney, Higgins, Ward, Wood, Jones, Grant, Minson and Williams as a collective to take this side by the scruff of the neck and drive it forward. They have to be the ones leading by example, holding teammates to account, attacking the ball and attacking the game. There are no more excuses. This squad is good enough to be playing finals and they need to just take the game on.

There has to be changes this week, and they have to be about structure. Lake and Hall have to play. One of Markovic or Williams has to go and Grant must go for a spell. They need to get their best ball users back in the fray by bringing in Moles and Hill to the 21, and they have to start getting their key ball users in the thick of the action and moving the ball quickly. It's no good Murphy, Gilbee and Gia hiding on the flanks when there's noone who can kick the football.

 

[Borgsta]

Is Cross any slower than Luke Ball? No. Is Boyd any slower than Pendlebury? No. Ward is meant to be our Dale Thomas. Griffen is meant to be our Swan. Then what? On the weekend Collingwood also had Wellingham, Sidebottom, Krakouer, Didak, Beams, Blair, MacCarthy and Heath Shaw all spending time in the middle. They add hard running and speed to their team. We have what? Sherman, Picken and Moles - who was the sub and bought on when the game was over. Not enough of these types of players. This is terrible coaching, and the reason why out midfield sucked.

Is Cross as good with the pill as Ball? No, Is Boyd a better kick than Pendlebury? Not even close. I don't even understand the next 2 comparisons.

Gia is too slow in the middle, .

So how long left for Cross?

 

[5 Bucks]

Cross is as good with the ball as Luke Ball. Cross is the best ball user in the league by hand in a clearance situation. Boyd kicking sucks, but he is still extremely valuable to the team. These two have had to take on more responsibility in clearance situations, because they are lacking support. Cross should be able to fire off a handball to someone running past, but that someone simply isn't there. That is the problem. Judd runs at at about 60% efficiency in a clearance situation, so you cannot expect Cross to be at 100%.

The next two comparisons were that Ward is meant to be our hard running outside mid, and Griffen is meant to be a bit of outside and inside, with the potential to rip a game to shreds.

Giansiracusa isn't anywhere near as good as Cross in the middle, therefore Cross retains his position as one of our 'slow' mids. Every team has a couple.
I don't see Gia ever doing any defensive acts like Cross does. Cross always tops the tackle count, drops back into defense and takes marks in the hole. He is accountable for his opponent, and has experience and nous in clearance situations. Knowing when to go 3rd man up in the ruck is a prime example.

Compare Cross and Boyd to their opponents this week. Mitchell, and Sewell. Neither are particularly quick, or highly skilled by foot. The hawks players have a shitload of hard running players around them, which is why they are able to function well as a midfield unit. We had Ward, who got annihilated, Griffen who was okay, Moles who came on when the game was over, and Picken who was tired due to not getting a rest due to a lack of rotations.

 

[Prem87]

The only shining light in your team was Woods, what a gun he was. Keep him on the HBF. You're other players need to step up. I hope something clicks over the next few weeks for you guys.