Is Murphy in our best 22?

[Philhawk]

Question is self explanatory.

Do you feel Murphy is in our best 22? I've had this discussion with many other Hawkers and i've found it to be split in the middle. Half feel that when he isn't made to match up on a much bigger player, he does very well.

Do you think he is? I reckon that he certainly is - and when Gilly and Croad return, he'll become and even more important part of our defence.

 

[HFC082]

There is one spot left from last years 22, and that would be Whitecross for mine.

So no, he isn't in my best 22.

 

[Badesumofu]

To those who think he is, I'd like to know... do you think he's better than Tuck, Whitecross and Moss? If not, who of the premiership 21 does he replace?

 

[MuzzHawk]

whilst he will never be a kpp, his ability to play on 3rd talls and creative medium fwds will always give us the option of going 1on1, and shifting hodge into the guts, or playing brown fwd.

so yes from me

 

[HFC082]

Whitecross has better disposal and can play taller. He has an awesome leap and punch.

It's a very close one that i don't think we will have to worry about this year

 

[Gidddy_Up]

Right now he definitly is, and until/if we get Croad back he is because although he isnt quite a KPD he is the best we have after Gilham and BOB.

I dont think he can be compared to either of Tuck and Moss as they play different positions.

Whitecross still hasnt proved himself as being able to play on that 3rd tall and theres no way u could put him near the 2nd tall.

When finals come around and if we have a full list to choose from i think he will find himself in a similar position as in 2008, and it will come down to having the right match up that will decide whether he is picked. That is still 16 rounds away though.

For now and until we have a full list of back stocks to pick from he stays.

 

[Messenger]

No, but that is hardly a knock on him.

He has been good this year on balance. Thrown to the wolves a couple of times (Syd, PA) by necessity, but when he gets a role that better suits his skill set (a more accountable Danny Jacobs), he will flourish.

 

[bigbol069]

No, I said the same thing about Osborne, he's not a defenders seat warmer. Tom Murphy is not bad, he can play footy and should be used off half back or wing or even thrown forward. Not deep in defence. Then he can earn a right to be in the best 22 in another position. Hopefully when we get some premiership defenders back that may be the case.

 

[dp_ramas]

Yes I think Murphy is in our best 22. When he is played in his correct position as a third defender taking out the oppositions medium forward then imo he is in our best 22. His defensive skills when the match up is right is great. Players like Lecras, Medhurst, Milne, Betts etc are the player I see Tom playing well against with his lock down skills.

Just another comment, I also think Whitecross on what he has shown this year should also be in our best 22.

 

[B&YBlood]

He plays his best football when Croad and Gillham are in the side, so my opinion is no.

He is not great at reading the flight of the ball and is constantly out positioned. When the ball hits the ground he is ok, but I think Whitecross is better.

There are plenty of undersized backmen in the game that can play above their height and weight, murphy is NOT one of them.

 

[Flag08]

No. Our best 22 is the GF side minus Crawf plus McGlynn. If Ladson doesn't come back to full fitness (which is likely) then add either Whitecross or Tuck.

 

[Trickstar]

He's in the best 22, great game on Saturday and he is our best third tall option for a team like Geelong when he can play on a Steve Johnson type player. He's not a KPP but has been assigned that job every game this year. He has good skills, yes he has made a few mistakes but when you are playing on Barry Hall, Tredrea etc its going to be tough giving away 10 to 15 kilos!

 

[Brown Blood]

Didn't we play our best 22 based on matchups on saturday?

Anything else is hypothetical (a list is never completely available or in form) & you can't play hypothetical players.

 

[Philhawk]

Who would he replace?

For mine, our best backline is one where it's either,


Guerra Gilham Ellis


Birchall Croad Murphy

... or where Hodge replaces Murphy at HBF.

As someone mentioned above, playing Murphy there allows Hodge to move to the midfield.

At the same time, where does this mean Whitecross will play?

When we get our full team back, the coaches will have a tough decision on their hands...

Maybe it'll come down to the match-ups?

 

[cradle of filth]

No, i don't believe so. Murphy is a good player to have because he can play tall and small and is for the most part, reliable.

But when Gilham and Croad come back it's going to make it tough for Murphy to get a gig anymore. He might get a spot on the bench, but i would say he is more likely to be the number 23 of the side.

However, as along as either Croad or Gilham is out of the side, he has a place in the team.

 

[worthy]

Who would he replace?

For mine, our best backline is one where it's either,


Guerra Gilham Ellis


Birchall Croad Murphy

... or where Hodge replaces Murphy at HBF.

As someone mentioned above, playing Murphy there allows Hodge to move to the midfield.

At the same time, where does this mean Whitecross will play?

When we get our full team back, the coaches will have a tough decision on their hands...

Maybe it'll come down to the match-ups?

IMO

FB: Murphy - Gilham - Guerra

HB: Hodge - Croad - Birchall

With Ladson or Whitecross freeing up Hodge to spend some time in the middle.
I think Murphy has been OK playing out of his comfort zone, taking on bigger and better forwards than he should be expected to.
Seems to be the new whipping boy.

 

[Badesumofu]

Split right down the middle indeed, good call OP.

However, I am still yet to see anyone justify his spot in the best 22. I think the best 22 is the Premiership 22, minus Crawf, with probably Tuck taking his spot. Moss and Whitecross both pushing hard for selection. Possibly Taylor in for Renouf as well, depending on who we're playing, and how Renouf develops.

To put Murphy into the best 22, he either takes Crawf's spot, which i think is nonsensical, or he displaces another premiership player. I just don't see who is less valuable to the side than Murphy. Bear in mind also, our oldest players are now Dew at 29, and Croad, Bateman, around 27/28. There might not be many new spots up for grabs for a few years, and I believe there are better players than Murphy who are on the fringe.

 

[RickMylox]

I was never a fan of Murphy until the finals last year, when he strung together a number of really good games. I actually think he's been excellent this year playing against monsters and guys with hundreds of games experience on him.

Once Gilly and Croad come back it's hard to see a spot for him, especially since Brendan Whitecross is playing as well as he is. The X factor I think will be whether Croad, once he does come back, is anywhere near his best ever again. He's around my age, which means he's over the hill, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's never the AA backman again after 9 months out of footy at 28/29.

If that happens, then Murph might have a spot even in a full team.

 

[Harry Yorkie]

A definite yes from me.

Has done a great job on the small forwards in the last two weeks (Le Cras and Betts).

Don't judge him on his efforts when he is playing on blokes twice as big as him. Anyway, chances of having your best 22 all fit at one time are slim and none and who knows if Croady will be back this year.

If we do have a full list of backmen to choose from it will allow us to release Hodgy to the midfield or forward line when we need it. I know Hodgy has been great back there but who wants their best player running around playing loose man in defence, especially now that he is getting tagged.

 

[Hawk43]

It's a tough one. I don't think anyone is doubting his ability after seeing him beat Le Cras and Betts in 2 weeks, both were the in-form small forwards at the time, and he beat them both convincingly.

The key issue as others have pointed out is not if he's good enough, but who do you take out. From the premiership team crawf's out and you'd probably put Whitecross, Tuck, Moss in next, and what if Dowler keeps improving as much as he already has?

I still don't think you can justify dropping Whitecross, even if laddo gets back. There will be another position free up if Ellis doesn't get back.

I'd like to know, as another poster pointed out, if you're saying yes to the best 22, who does he replace from last years premiership team?

 

[Philhawk]

It's a tough one. I don't think anyone is doubting his ability after seeing him beat Le Cras and Betts in 2 weeks, both were the in-form small forwards at the time, and he beat them both convincingly.

The key issue as others have pointed out is not if he's good enough, but who do you take out. From the premiership team crawf's out and you'd probably put Whitecross, Tuck, Moss in next, and what if Dowler keeps improving as much as he already has?

I still don't think you can justify dropping Whitecross, even if laddo gets back. There will be another position free up if Ellis doesn't get back.

I'd like to know, as another poster pointed out, if you're saying yes to the best 22, who does he replace from last years premiership team?

I guess it depends on how he returns from injury, but i'd suggest that he might replace Ladson.

 

[Henry Jr]

Its funny - I voted Yes before reading the comments in the thread, yet now I want to change my mind.

I'm not bashing Tom, in fact, I was first up when he beat Cloke when he had no right to on Saturday and has a fantastic job bar the Swans game where he was hung out to dry (bit like Big Bob on the weekend).

Just from a team struture point of view, I agree with the others and just can't find a spot for him.

Out: Crawford
In: Tuck

Assuming Croad and Gilly come back, the only spot thats really up for grabs is Laddo's.

 

[willo_k]

I reckon all players fit our best 22 would shift about depending on how they lined up against the opposition, I could see him coming in for the sake of team balance against certain teams. But a simple answer is whats been asked for and then no.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Whitecross has better disposal and can play taller. He has an awesome leap and punch.

Agreed. Whitecross is already a better prospect than Murphy and I don't yet see Whitecross in our best 22.

Can't actually think of one aspect of Murphy's game that is better than Whitecross's. Brendan plays taller if required, is just as good at shutting someone down, finds the pill better, has better disposal and better decision-making. Nothing against Tom, I just think Whitecross is a better player with significantly more upside.

FF: Williams - Roughead - Rioli
HF: Brown - Franklin - Osborne
Ce: Lewis - Mitchell - Young
HB: Hodge - Croad - Ellis
FB: Guerra - Gilham - Birchall

Ru: Campbell
RR: Sewell
Ro: Bateman

I/C: Renouf, Dew, Ladson, Tuck

 

[Hawk43]

Agreed. Whitecross is already a better prospect than Murphy and I don't see Whitecross in our best 22.

FF: Williams - Roughead - Rioli
HF: Brown - Franklin - Osborne
Ce: Lewis - Mitchell - Young
HB: Hodge - Croad - Ellis
FB: Guerra - Gilham - Birchall

Ru: Campbell
RR: Sewell
Ro: Bateman

I/C: Renouf, Dew, Ladson, Tuck

I have the same team, except Whitecross in for Ladson. I also agree with WilloK that depending on matchups there might be a chance for him