I reckon he could easily have gotten a game before Myers & could do exactly what Myers has only better. Last year he was racking up decent clearance numbers as well a lot of tackles. Compare that to what Myers has produced in his 6 games & Bird looks a better option. I get that we needed to give the returning guys an opportunity but Hocking only got 1 chance & was dropped so Iām not sure why Myers holds his spot.
I guess one of the reasons is because there hasnāt been a decision yet on Myers, and where he goes from here. He excelled in the VFL, but we know that doesnāt always translate into AFL success. Myers seems to be in a bit of rut. He certainly hasnāt ever really reached the heights he may have. He also hasnāt really ever had the sustained opportunity. We all would concede itās a real shame.
I doubt he will be given the entire season - but I wouldnāt be surprised, either.
Myers isnāt really playing significant inside mid time though. Heās not in at many centre bounces IIRC.
Bird doesnāt cover the ground anywhere near as well as him (to spread from contest/pressure), nor have the attacking weapons Myers does in terms of kicking.
If it was pure extractor inside mid vs inside mid role then yes agreed Bird would do a better job.
The coaches definitely needed to see what Myers brings to table though, heās been given a good run at it. And has Langford breathing down his neck.
Myers & Bird are like for like. Same size, same career stats profile, height, weight. Both play midfield.
Both with good VFL form.
Would be interested to know if any VFL watchers could say whether Bird offers any more onfield weapons (I didnāt see them in 2016), i.e. flexibility to play multiple roles on field i.e. or could he offer more line breaking capacity or more run off half back than Myers or be a goal kicking midfielder.
Looking forward to not seeing Adam Goodes holding, diving, sniping, staging and pushing people off the ball.
Also looking forward to getting back at a few Swans supporting mates who gave me a very hard time over the SAGA.
TIPPA going to go berserk.
CORGI to get those legs pumping and kick 4
RAZ to carve them up through the middle
Hooksey to Clunk all night
JOEDAN to take MOTY on some swans head
TBELL to monster all night
On balance 6 of the 10 returning players are in the best 22 at half way is prety good.
Of the others Myers is probably the one with the most upside, so I would think 1-2 more games to see if he comes up to standard. Otherwise , bring in a kid.
would love to see that happenā¦ except that Howe sewed that car up on Monday and aint nobody is getting it off him now. That was possibly the best mark Iāve seen this decade.
Except of course Myers is 11cm taller, 5kg heavier, and whilst disposals are almost the same, Myers takes more marks but Bird lays more tackles. But apart from that they are the same.
This is why I reckon he is ahead of Bird, Hocking & Howlett. In Wooshaās mind, he hasnāt seen the best of Myers (which he hasnāt), but he knows exactly what heās going to get with the other 3.
Itās obvious Woosha doesnāt rate Bird, he pretty well played every game last year & has played zip this year. Woosha knows exactly what heās going to get with Bird & obviously he is not in his plans - his cards are marked, pretty well the same as Jerrettās.