- Oct 16, 2008
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A Graders who will never be elite is the only heading he fits under.
ELITE MIDFIELDERS 2013
- Thread starter Hamshamiltonhocking
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A Graders who will never be elite is the only heading he fits under.
Strapping Young Lad
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It's like he's invisible.
I'm not going to bother reading to see if Burgoyne is mentioned if people are querying Mitchell.
How is Mitchell over the hill? He's averaging 29.6 possessions this year!
- Oct 16, 2008
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How can Mitchell be an elite midfielder in 2013 when he has spent most of the year on the half back flank?
- Aug 29, 2006
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Well that would mean we don't any true midfielders in 2013. This year we have been rotating up to 15 players through midfield each game. Its obviously a tactic we are using to keep the players fresh.
Yes Mitchell has spent more time on the HBF this year, but he is still spends the majority of time in middle. I am also expecting as we hit the pointy end of the season, Mitchell's time in the midfield will increase.
This thread is evidence that Mitchell is one of the most underrated players in the history of the game. 4 x B&F, 2nd in the Brownlow the last 2 years. Yet still only 1 AA, and considered by many to only be 'very good' but not elite.
- Oct 16, 2008
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He hasn't and to be one of the elite midfielders of 2013, it's a prerequisite.
That's not to say he isn't an elite player (he is), but he'll need to up his midfield minutes substantially in the last half of the season to be considered an elite midfielder of 2013.
Caroline_Wilson
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Judd is not elite he struggles to get 20 possessions a game, he can barely kick 20 meters and when he does his disposal is disgusting, The guy can't lift his arms above his head. Its embarrassing watching every week he should retire before he disgraces himself even more.
forwardflanker
Cancelled
Don't worry I think he along with Ablett are the two most valuable mids in the AFL. Whereas everyone loves the athletic outside players nobody seems to have much time for the little fat bloke in the guts. It doesn't matter though, nobody gets near to him in terms of winning clearance and delivering the ball under high pressure imo.
Also I'm not sure how endearing he is to the general public. I know that it took me a while to get past my dislike for him and rate him as highly as I do now.
forwardflanker
Cancelled
I think there's a perception out there that Hawthorn's midfield is an area in which they can be exploited when in reality it's probably the strongest in the comp. They have a strong group of gut runners. Sewell is solid, Mitchell is about the best clearance player in the comp and people forget that Burgoyne as a Port player was in the top couple for clearances as well. You wouldn't find many clearance mids in the AFL who have better decisions and skills than Mitchell and Burgoyne.
forwardflanker
Cancelled
I think it's very debatable whether Pendlebury can be considered elite based on this seasons form and his form for most of 2012.
I wonder if players lay awake at night after they retire disappointed in the fact they could never close the gap from being an A grader to elite.
forwardflanker
Cancelled
Johnson has been elite since the beginning of their dynasty. Excluding Ablett and Scarlett, and perhaps Selwood by the time he finishes, he's about the best of that team era imo
- Oct 16, 2008
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The poster said he should be in somewhere and that's where Johnson fits in best imo.
He's never going to be an elite midfielder, he has made the change too late. It's a credit to him that he is an A-Grader considering made the move to permanent midfield at 28.
As a midfielder though?
There were only 8 elite spots in Surkin's evaluation, there are definitely 8 midfielders I'd take before Johnson.
Yeah, I'm not really arguing with you. Although the title says '2013' so I guess he could be considered elite this year if he keeps going the way he is.
More just commenting on how much fans like to break every facet of the game down whereas I don't think players would care at all - especially if they are 3 time All Australian with 3 premiership medals and a Norm Smith.
- Oct 16, 2008
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Fair point. I'm sure some would, however SJ stikes me as one that would give less of a shit than most.
It helps that they get to fill that football void with getting paid to play in front of thousands though.
forwardflanker
Cancelled
oops forgot about the midfield part. Still since 2011 I think he could be right on the borderline of top 8, he's just so damaging for them when he gets it and their gamestyle suits him so much. I suppose a lot of it comes down to what traits people value the most in a midfielder.
I would only have Ablett, Judd, Pendlebury and Watson as Elite mids in the league.
Lids is an outside mid and can be tagged. Cotchin is inside and outside and is untaggable. Lids was underrated last year when he had his best season because it was in the shadow of an even better one by Cotch. Cotch is being underrated at the moment because he's been injured for three weeks.
Senatorguesty
Cancelled
Laughable you have pendles and judd ahead of selwood, particularly on 2012/13 form.
Judd hasn't been elite for 5 years.
BUTTON 92
Cancelled
No Thompson or Sloane is laughable.
what? deledio got toweled up by crowley
Lids is either, he can play inside, outside, half back flank, forward. There;s not much he can't do.
Cotchin is slightly overrated, he's like a better version of Nat Fyfe. I'd take Deledio.
tigs2010
Pick 1...
Jarrod McVeigh would be the most underrated player going around. Gun
tigs2010
Pick 1...
being built like a chode would probably be enough wouldn't it?
