Player Watch Reef McInnes

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I’m glad he’s got a contract because I do think he’s got some forward craft. He’s definitely had moments that show it, kicked 3 on a couple occasions.
But he just needs to produce more of, get confidence and shank a few less shots on goal.
But I fear he’ll still turn into an Ash Johnson story.

I’m surprised at the calls for him to go to defence as I haven’t seen that kind of accountability in him.
Maybe the VFL watchers have.
 
So the enigmatic Reef has been retained. Is he a forward? A midfielder who lacks a tank? Or suddenly a defender?

Dunno about him, but wish him well and hope I’m wrong. He could do an ‘Oleg’ and have a very surprising year when we win the flag in 2025.🙏
 

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Vicky Park said:
So the enigmatic Reef has been retained. Is he a forward? A midfielder who lacks a tank? Or suddenly a defender?

Dunno about him, but wish him well and hope I’m wrong. He could do an ‘Oleg’ and have a very surprising year when we win the flag in 2025.🙏
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Nailed it - thanks VP!
 
The Phantom said:
I’m surprised at the calls for him to go to defence as I haven’t seen that kind of accountability in him.
Maybe the VFL watchers have.
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It's more just what you do with forwards who have some talent but aren't cutting it as forwards - see how they go in defence.
 
sr36 said:
It's more just what you do with forwards who have some talent but aren't cutting it as forwards - see how they go in defence.
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I think there's some reason for optimism. He's got an excellent combination of height and pace, so he's got the potential to be very handy as a defender on more leading/3rd tall forward types.

He's a good but not great mark, but he might be suited to intercepting in that respect, where there isn't always someone trying to come through with a fist on every marking attempt.

I don't think it's as brainless as the old Robert Walls "give the big fella a run in the ruck" - He's talented, and I think we're all pretty convinced that he's not going to make it as a key forward, so it's about whether the development process at the club can find a way to get viable performances somewhere on the field from a talented player.
 
sr36 said:
It's more just what you do with forwards who have some talent but aren't cutting it as forwards - see how they go in defence.
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What are we going to do with Markov if reef is earmarked for defence. That'll be TJ, DeMattia, Parker and reef all vying for the same single spot. I'd rather get games into those guys
 
Vinnie Vegas said:
I think there's some reason for optimism. He's got an excellent combination of height and pace, so he's got the potential to be very handy as a defender on more leading/3rd tall forward types.

He's a good but not great mark, but he might be suited to intercepting in that respect, where there isn't always someone trying to come through with a fist on every marking attempt.

I don't think it's as brainless as the old Robert Walls "give the big fella a run in the ruck" - He's talented, and I think we're all pretty convinced that he's not going to make it as a key forward, so it's about whether the development process at the club can find a way to get viable performances somewhere on the field from a talented player.
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I wasn't criticising it - I think it's way to go. Heaps of defenders started as forwards or mids before finding their niche in defence.

I hope it works, but despite his attributes looking ideal, I suspect he just doesn't see the game well enough and will be a bit Billy Framptonesque - who is too slow to react and gets lost if he's not on the last line with a big bloke to anchor him. Hope I'm wrong.
 
Vinnie Vegas said:
I think there's some reason for optimism. He's got an excellent combination of height and pace, so he's got the potential to be very handy as a defender on more leading/3rd tall forward types.

He's a good but not great mark, but he might be suited to intercepting in that respect, where there isn't always someone trying to come through with a fist on every marking attempt.

I don't think it's as brainless as the old Robert Walls "give the big fella a run in the ruck" - He's talented, and I think we're all pretty convinced that he's not going to make it as a key forward, so it's about whether the development process at the club can find a way to get viable performances somewhere on the field from a talented player.
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Do we know who will be our defensive coach for 2025? He could hold the key to Reef…
 
Vinnie Vegas said:
I think there's some reason for optimism. He's got an excellent combination of height and pace, so he's got the potential to be very handy as a defender on more leading/3rd tall forward types.

He's a good but not great mark, but he might be suited to intercepting in that respect, where there isn't always someone trying to come through with a fist on every marking attempt.

I don't think it's as brainless as the old Robert Walls "give the big fella a run in the ruck" - He's talented, and I think we're all pretty convinced that he's not going to make it as a key forward, so it's about whether the development process at the club can find a way to get viable performances somewhere on the field from a talented player.
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He's got everything but a natural brain for footy. He's lost out there. He's just not a natural footballer like someone like Parker. Coming up to his 5th year in the system. He won't make it as a defender because he has no idea what he's doing. It's unlikely that after 4 pre seasons that he's going to make it at all. We've kept a few this year because it's either that or load up with long shot draftees. I wouldn't get your hopes up.
 
Vicky Park said:
Do we know who will be our defensive coach for 2025? He could hold the key to Reef…
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I was suggesting yesterday that Reef's a bit like a wind up toy that seems to run out of puff really quickly.

Perhaps the defensive coach could move from using this key:

1730240027401.png
To this key:

1730240084685.png
 
manicpie said:
He's got everything but a natural brain for footy. He's lost out there. He's just not a natural footballer like someone like Parker. Coming up to his 5th year in the system. He won't make it as a defender because he has no idea what he's doing. It's unlikely that after 4 pre seasons that he's going to make it at all. We've kept a few this year because it's either that or load up with long shot draftees. I wouldn't get your hopes up.
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That's my thoughts too. I think he'd be OK in an old fashioned defence where he could just lock in as a trailer to follow his man, but I think modern defence will be too hard for him.
 

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manicpie said:
He's got everything but a natural brain for footy. He's lost out there. He's just not a natural footballer like someone like Parker. Coming up to his 5th year in the system. He won't make it as a defender because he has no idea what he's doing. It's unlikely that after 4 pre seasons that he's going to make it at all. We've kept a few this year because it's either that or load up with long shot draftees. I wouldn't get your hopes up.
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There are plenty of passable AFL defenders who just do their job and are otherwise not particular geniuses on the field. He won't ever be a gun defender, but if Liam Jones and Rory Lobb can both make effective moves to the backline, there are no players too stupid to make the move.

Steven May is a complete idiot and he's a gun defender.
 
sr36 said:
That's my thoughts too. I think he'd be OK in an old fashioned defence where he could just lock in as a trailer to follow his man, but I think modern defence will be too hard for him.
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I hope I am wrong, but I can't see how Reefy's big apparent weakness - inability to deliver repeat efforts - will be hidden in the backline.
 
sideswipe said:
I hope I am wrong, but I can't see how Reefy's big apparent weakness - inability to deliver repeat efforts - will be hidden in the backline.
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agree

think we should persist with him as a forward with a few minutes each qtr in the middle, possibly changing over with DeGoey
but looks like the consensus is that he is to be developed as a backman
 
sideswipe said:
I hope I am wrong, but I can't see how Reefy's big apparent weakness - inability to deliver repeat efforts - will be hidden in the backline.
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manicpie and I have formed a breakaway school of Reef bleaching. We've left the School of No Tank (NT) and formed the School of No Idea . We're looking for fresh enrolments, if you're interested.
 
ksardog said:
agree

think we should persist with him as a forward with a few minutes each qtr in the middle, possibly changing over with DeGoey
but looks like the consensus is that he is to be developed as a backman
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I also think he’s not suited to defence, shows no stamina or endurance for such role.
Spurt player, 4th forward interchangeable
Needs to find a way to increase tank over pre season.
Has traits but needs to find a way to get through a full game somehow.
Repeat efforts, let’s see.
 
sr36 said:
manicpie and I have formed a breakaway school of Reef bleaching. We've left the School of No Tank (NT) and formed the School of No Idea . We're looking for fresh enrolments, if you're interested.
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Given his Scotch College education, there is also the School of No Ticker option.
 
ElliottsMaggies said:
Likely Matthew Boyd?

I thought Nathan Murphy was coming back in some capacity too. I think he'd be a great mentor for Reef.
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Agree, was watching the prelim from last year (I know, get a life) and kept an eye on Murphy. When our defenders got together, he was doing all the talking and directing, even Moore was just listening.
 
BEEG said:
Please start him day 1 down back.
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Totally agree. How many times in the past have we seen promising young players struggle at VFL/AFL level when initially placed in the forward line. Then when re-positioned to the backline, they have felt more comfortable & often flourished. Billy Picken was one such example. So I hope that they try McInnes from Day 1 & for a number of games down in the backline. Perhaps he could even be groomed to take over the role that Nathan Murphy did so well for us in the recent past. Goodbye & good luck.
 

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Player Watch Reef McInnes

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