Sheil is our only mid with break away pace(ham maybe but he’s a level below). I think he is needed for team balance.
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Maybe in defence or forward line using his break away pace. It would also take the pressure of him as he has been relied on as our number 1 inside mid. Apparently has a long way to go with his serious injury sadly.
McGrath?
McGrath says hi.
I don’t think he throws off the balance that much if at all, when we all buy in and play well everything clicks and all players contribute, We don’t lose games because Shiel is getting too many midfield minutes.
I agree though that his role should change a bit more to outside and half forward but he’s played that role before at AFL level.
.
McGrath does have some toe(not this year yet, but I assume that’s a hangover from his injury). But still ok, we have two players with break away pace.
We need both of them.
Nah…he is an on-baller. We changed the mix on the ball…it worked. Dylan maybe have to settle as a 2nd string on-baller now to keep the mix right…thats all.
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Goldfish memories.
Did we need Shiel while getting absolutely smashed by the Lions midfield? Or when Luke Parker and a bunch of 12 year olds controlled every clearance late?
Our two best midfield performances have been against 16th and 17th, outside of that we have probably lost them all. Absolutely required in the midfield.
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yeah, he would have made all the difference
he’s best 22 clearly, but he’s clearly not a centre square player (at least first choice) and imo he has to play wing and be part of the second centre square rotation. its not a argument of if he’s best 22 (he is) its how we use him. using him as a first choice centre square midfield rotation isn’t his go. we are far better off running with merrett/parish/mcgrath with stringer in for centre clearances occasionally too. you’ve also got caldwell to come back in, our first pick this year is surely a midfielder and who knows if we target dunkley again
I think its a pretty simple conversation - he’s best 22 but its how we use him to get the most value out of our midfield going forward
Average centre clearances per game 2021:
https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tr-essendon-bombers?year=2021&rt=TA&st=CC
Average centre clearances per game 2020:
https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tr-essendon-bombers?year=2020&rt=TA&st=CC
Average centre clearances per game game 2019:
https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tr-essendon-bombers?year=2019&rt=TA&st=CC
He’s literally been our best centre clearance player since arriving at the club while rucking to the likes of Zac Clarke.
There’s an argument others haven’t had as much time in there that’s valid but even still, if I was going to make room for them to come in I wouldn’t be taking out our most effective and impactful centre clearance player over the last 2 seasons first.
Especially when a guy like McGrath plays so well off the half back line.
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You’re also more hungover than I am so I win.
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If Parish,Merret,McGrath continue to lead the midfield then Shiel will become a valuable player where he can play on the outside where he’s is damaging
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Parish, McGrath & Caldwell & Perkins on the inside.
Merrett, Langford, Ham & Cox on the outside.
Shiel trade bait.
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100% spot on.
He’s a very, very, very good player. I’d love to see him for an extended period in both this new game plan and with an actual key forward in Hooker vs what he did have when he came.
He’s an All Australian midfielder FFS!
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on the flip side, parish is now top 5 in the league for clearances and leads us for contested possessions, clearances and score involvements and has the second most disposals to merrett
And should stay there! So instead of Shiel carrying everyone for two seasons we can share the load.
Not saying we don’t need a reshuffle it’s just not him I’d be taking out.
LOL. Shiel has not been carrying everyone for the past two seasons.
Give it a rest.
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Did you look at the clearance numbers?
Yes. Those numbers are not ‘carrying’ a team.
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