It is now official, Nick Maxwell is an underrated Collingwood defender.

[PieLebo87]

Ow how the tide has turned.

I was watching the Port game, and I came to the realisation that if we didn't have Maxwell in our backline, we'd well and trully suffer. As has always been the case with him, that I've always pointed out, when we're down, and not covering our men properly, he plays pretty bad, but when the structure is in order, he absolutely kills it.

He adds so much grunt, toughness and direction to a young, inexperienced defence and is a great leader all round on the ground. He has been in remarkable form over the last month, since that St Kilda game, and would definitely have to be in the top 10 for the Copeland at the moment.

I know we shouldn't be praising every single player after a couple of wins, but I think that Maxwell really deserves it and has been doing very well, and is in career-best form at the moment.

Agree? Disagree?

 

[Shifty_sombolas]

nah luckily we have cristiano ronaldo in rookie list

 

[Frankie23]

Yep couldn't agree more, since the North game he has been outstanding, the thing that has impressed me is his new found ability to rack up the disposals.

He has shut down his opponent as well as providing some rebound out of defence.

NOTE: Averaging 22.6 possesions since rd 6 as well as 199.6 Champion Data points.

 

[Optimax]

Nup rubbish

no seriously i agree 100%

 

[smiddaz123]

Has definitely improved.

Last year it seemed to me like he was trying to back up his 'tough man' reputation.

At the moment he is just playing footy, and is one of our best when it comes to aerial contests. Always gets a fist in or takes the mark (and always manages to know when to spoil and when to mark well).

His rebound has improved as well. His skills have never been horrible, despite what some people say. His decision making and composure has appeared to be good lately, hopefully this will be the norm for him from here on in.

It almost seemed to me that he was caught up in being workman like once. Now he's just playing football.

Ever since Clement left we've lacked a proper general down back. Maxwell is, and never will be anything close to the player of Clement, but when it comes to leadership and organising the backline, he's as close as we have at the moment.

 

[magpies42]

Ow how the tide has turned.

I was watching the Port game, and I came to the realisation that if we didn't have Maxwell in our backline, we'd well and trully suffer. As has always been the case with him, that I've always pointed out, when we're down, and not covering our men properly, he plays pretty bad, but when the structure is in order, he absolutely kills it.

He adds so much grunt, toughness and direction to a young, inexperienced defence and is a great leader all round on the ground. He has been in remarkable form over the last month, since that St Kilda game, and would definitely have to be in the top 10 for the Copeland at the moment.

I know we shouldn't be praising every single player after a couple of wins, but I think that Maxwell really deserves it and has been doing very well, and is in career-best form at the moment.

Agree? Disagree?

I have always said that maxwells role in our team was under rated!
He is always helping out team mates, which often leaves him vulnerable when it comes to his own man. a team player and he is the glue tat holds that defense together

 

[#1 pies]

Has been great the last month.
Whenever the ball is kicked into our defence he always seems to be there and take the big mark.

 

[Kirby]

He's playing as well as I've ever seen him play and is having a very good season.

 

[Chase the Ace]

I've been waiting for this to be made official

 

[Pie eyed]

Agree.
He seems to have settled into the Captaincy after a fairly tumultuous start.
The novelty has worn off perhaps and now he's just down to business.
I think it has improved his game.

 

[Snag Breac]

He's doing a rare job. If only he wouldn't grab his head and rock back on his heels when he's arguing with the umps.

 

[Pie eyed]

He's doing a rare job. If only he wouldn't grab his head and rock back on his heels when he's arguing with the umps.

Hands on hips and red in the face like Bucks?.....

 

[Dylz48]

he has taken his game to another level after the suspension he has taken out the tough guy bullshit and has been very good in his sweeping role

 

[Quicky]

Yeah spot on!!! Some of his field kicking against port was top class. It's funny but after the Saints game when his form had been pretty average, particularly his constant turnovers, I was starting to think we need to get him into the midfield as a permanent tagger. So he could lead from the front, add some toughness in the middle and take care of a position we had a deficiency in. I'm glad he's turned it around because we look more assured in defense with him back there - when he is playing well. It's important he has tightened up on his direct opponent so he is not playing purely as a chop out defender and also that his rebound has improved. We've gone from having a guy that was turning over the ball, not winning enough defensive contests, and not creating any drive from defense to the opposite. I get the feeling he is finally settling into his role as captain which is great for the team.

 

[abs_of_STEELE]

Yeah, I think he was trying to do too much in the first few rounds, the captaincy got to his head.

He's been great the last few weeks though.

 

[Thommo 42]

he was a shining light in the two thumpings - and has maintained that level in our past 2 wins.

 

[sunnyTEE]

The improvement has been largely in his rebound and run & carry. He is daring and creates and makes excellent decisions with the ball in his hand. In previous years he seemed to place greater importance of efficiently delivering the ball out of the back 50 by foot, without ant real creative flavor. Now the bloke takes them on with dash and is playing fabulously.

 

[Camo1902]

He has been superb since returning from suspension.

I took a bet with a mate at the start of the year for $10 a round. Everytime Maxy gets 14 or more touches i get $10, everytime he gets 13 or less i lose $10. After the first couple of rounds i thought it may be an expensive bet for me, but its now panning out very nicely!

 

[Vampire013]

Even Big Bucks would have to agree that Maxwell is doing a good job.
He has surprised many I think in his last month.
Keep up the good work Hackwell.

 

[OniAu]

not many players attack the footy as hard as him, i think thats where he gets a lot of respect.

Just a couple of unfortunate incidents hes over stepped the line and put that attack on a player which has landed him in trouble and left people questioning his playing ability and value to the team.

In the wakes,clement and presti era the backline was all about helping each other and non selfish footy, maxwell is the key to getting back to this type of footy in our back line, hope he keeps up the good form

 

[Snoop Dog]

i think his form at the start of the year was bit ordinary to be honest. Particularly early in games. In Carlton, Ess and the Saints game he got touched up early but recovered late in game. Been terrific last 2 but needs to keep that consistency

 

[Quicky]

^^ Yeah true I was very disappointed with his early season form. Particularly his footskills - I remember one game he gave away about 3 goals directly from his turnovers in the first and second quarters. I think its really to his credit that he has turned it around. But then he seems to a pretty mentally resilient guy. I don't think its a coincidence that our form has picked up with his, that and better footskills by the team as a whole. When we are moving the ball quickly and hitting targets we look pretty damn good.

 

[shawthing09]

I think I was probably overly harsh on Maxwell at times last year. In hindsight a lot of his poor form individually was due to him being asked to play a team role that was totally wrong for him. Maxy often had to play the role of Key position defender which isn't suited for him as he is both undersized and one on one defence has never been his strength (although it is a hugely improved part of his game)

It is no coincedence that since Presti has been back Maxwell's form has generally been much better.

 

[magpie_militia]

Is it just me or have Maxwell's footskills improved? I have been very impressed with him lately

 

[Mickaman]

He's playing as well as I've ever seen him play and is having a very good season.

To all,

Yes I agree Maxwell has had pretty good form since coming back from suspension. But it took him 100 games to string a few good matches together. Should have been given the chop a few seasons ago. I still believe he is highly overated as a player. Should not be Pies captain and should never have made it to 100 games in the first place.