I thought Scott put him on the ‘welcome to explore other options’ list ?
Reading all the training reviews, I’d say:
- Durham is being groomed to take over Stringer’s old role of hybrid deep forward/burst midfielder. This provides game time in the midfield for someone else. Durham is a better team player, and has way more to give over the next 7+ years than Stringer.
- As we all know, we lack an elite ball user off half back. Hence, why Merrett is being tried there (Martin is a disaster when he kicks from half back). I feel, at least in the early part of the season, Merrett will split time between the half back and the midfield. This provides game time in the midfield for someone else.
- The midfield game time gaps from 1 & 2 allows for Tsatas to some into the team purely as a midfielder.
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Merrett should be given the Hird-role, just go where ever he thinks he needs to at any given point of the match
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Fans wont like it Durham said on the 7 news today they are aiming to play finals they want to rise up the ladder like Hawks did haha
I reckon Zerrett would be great in the forward line.
In true Essendon fashion - Durham shows great signs as an on baller in 2024…… let’s now move him to play more forward in 2025.
Real smart.
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There are a couple of other issues to consider as well.
- In the midfield he is a candidate to average close to 30 possies/game. As a defender he might average half as much.
- Opposition coaches would prefer to see Zack, in defence rather than in the midfield. Edited.
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How do you know where they would prefer to see him?
People wanting to move our best mid forward or back are loco.
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Is Merrett training with the backline?
Or is he doing what good fielders do and roll back to help the backline?
I’m just trying work out if the Merrett in the backline talk is a Blitz wish we’re trying to bring into fruition.
No, he isnt. He’s spending more time drifting forward. But his goal kicking is still ordinary. Mind you…it’s Tullamarine….
Apologies, l had point 2 around the wrong way and have edited it. Opposition coaches would prefer to see Merrett in a position where he has less influence in a game, that is in defence.
I want the group to be ambitious and hungry I just don’t want team selection to compromise long term development goals for short term objectives
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And are they right or wrong to think he would have less influence in defence?
Because if they’re right, and he would have less influence, why would we want him there? Surely he’s best for us in the position in which he has most influence. After all, he’s our best player.
On the other hand, if the opposition coaches are wrong, and he’d actually have more influence in defence, then you’re saying that opposition coaches are stupid. I’m prepared to accept that probably a few are a bit dim, but most opposition coaches have so far shown a lot more tactical nous than our coach.
That moment when Laverde gets a call up before Hayes or Goldy over an opportunity to debut Vigo, we know its coming.
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I agree with this, and was the point l had intended to make in the first place.
His snapping has been pretty handy in pre season. And it hinestpy couldn’t be worse than Greshams conversion rate in 2024.
Christ on a bike. Wtf is this club doing?
Duz was a standout as an inside mid last year. His game then went to crap when we played him on a wing and gave his role in the team to Darcy Parish and Dylan Shiel in the final six weeks of the season. I don’t mind the idea of trying something new but as much as I’m a huge fan, I now suspect versatility mightn’t be a string Duz has to his bow.
But yeah, let’s play him in the Stringer role.
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I think the way the game is played now you need players in the team that can play mutliple roles
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