Yeah, I had Merrett above Hepp and Goddard.
Would he be in the top ten mids in the game?
Did anyone see year 3 Jobe reaching Jobe heights?
I sure as heck didnāt
Do you see Parish reaching that level?
Iād like to see one of Francis or Ridley eventually play midfield.
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Have you been drinking with Adrian again?
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I think I misinterpreted your original post slightly.
I think Merrett is certainly in the conversation regarding top 10 mids. If we start making top 4 there will not be any doubt.
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Francis would have to almost be no chance, never going to have the tank.
Is Ridley (192cm/84kg) being spoken about as possible mid?
Interesting.
As a quick idea of smooth moving skilled player. He is the same size as the Bont (192cm/85kg)
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If Merrett can more damaging forward of centre then I would definitely have him top ten.
I believe he has it in his arsenal but heās been asked to go back to start off our attacking moves from deep.
Nailing the kick out of 50 is just as important, if not more so, than making the kick into 50
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I agree and hence why I say we need another top grade midfielder to compliment Merrett.
Hepp and Parish arenāt reliable kicks and I doubt will ever be.
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I suspect both hepp an be parish hit the ball a bit high on their foot. I think parish has a better technique to work with though.
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Donāt think youāll get any argument on that first sentence. Iād give up all our biscuits in the next trade period for that one exceptional young mid.
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McGrath will become that person.
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Yep, we are crying out for another elite mid.
I understand that people like Parish and I agree he has has some great qualities but I donāt think heās the guy.
McGrath on the other hand can certainly be that player.
I have faith in Dodoro to pinch one off another team but then it becomes a question of salary cap. Elite mids donāt come cheap.
Hang on!? Merrett doesnāt have game shaping ability and Heppās (189cm) the same size as Parish (180) etc? Thatās not right.
With McGrath you can see his line breaking ability which will only improve with more exposure / experience
Same with Parish who hits packs at speed and drives the ball forward. Those 2 have some genuine game shaping traits that will come to the fore in time. Donāt forget Champion Data rate Essendonās 23 and under list the best in the comp!
I think the whole give more kids a go (which I agree with) is hamstrung by where the club think theyāre at ā¦ premiership window.
Do you think Merrett can take over a game off his own boot like the stars of the comp can?
Joe in my opinion is the only one that can.
You can compare Hepp and Parish in terms of cmās if you like but Iām talking about the physical side of the game and neither are bulls.
My whole argument around Parish is that I donāt believe he has game changing ability and I stand by it. I hope you are right though.
As far as Champion Data is concerned I have no idea how they come up with those ratings. I agree we have a very talented list but I donāt think its in midfield.
Iām open to suggestions from you on how we test out the young guys we have waiting in the VFL.
Also, remember Anzac Day 2017 when Merrett went down and Parish filled the breach with 28 possies, 5 score involvements, 8 contested possies, 10 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances. In the Sydney final he proudly flew the flag with 14 contested possessions! Just give the kid more midfield responsibility ffs
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I found it interesting in Hirdyās podcast this week he said heād have Hepp spending some time across halfback because you need good ball users back there. Makes me think he didnāt watch the weekendās game!
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In terms of taking over a game like the stars of the game canā¦ who would you have said that about from the Hawks teams of 2014/2015?
Hepp was far more reliable early on so maybe James hasnāt watched much of the last couple of seasons.
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