We were only obliterated because the big bodied players we had were both useless at winning the ball and at pressuring opposition.
In fact the whole team dropped off pressure wise as evident from our tackle stats which went from like 40 in 1st to 9 in 2nd IIRC
You look at Brisbane with Rocky, Beams and Zorko as best mid setup and they still rack up the footy without being remotely close to brutes.
We might not always get first possession with new midfield mix but we sure as hell won’t let them waltz away with it thus causing turnovers / winning ball back.
Agree, and I think we’ll see some gradual improvement in him. But he is still very young and has a small frame.
It’s why I think we’ll see Myers play most games despite him not being the most talented player out there. He’d want to have a ■■■■■■ good pre-season though just quietly. In an ideal world we have a 1 or 2 guys who are of his size but use it better.
It’s why for the last 12-18 months we have all been clinging onto the hope that Langford and Laverde make it as genuine midfield contributors. They may well but there are question marks at this stage.
He is 186 (suspect he is a little taller) and 85kg +
He had an interesting year in the VFL where they mostly played him out of position at half forward when he is very much an inside mid. Having said that I think he was still top 5 in the B &F. His kicking is still a problem though it seemed to improve a little.
He is a natural competitor and it will be interesting to see how he develops.
I’d certainly think Kobe Mutch is way ahead of him and though blitz is torn on the issue I think Mutch is a natural enough footballer to be able to evolve an inside game to become a real good inside midfielder. He has the attitude, appetite for the contest and good vision.
He was not played on ball in the vfl. Needs to next year, hence why I reckon his kicking looked ordinary most of his career and was evident this year. In the guts he can dish off the handball Cripps like.
His greatest weapon is his aerobic endurance. The kid is a Forrest Gump. The Tigers had plenty of these running all day types in their premiership winning side. Needs plenty of work, however, fitness won’t be much of an issue.
I’m with you on that. I see Mitch being inside.
Begley will play inside mid also, I reckon. Another bigger body.
Parish may be shorter, but his frame isn’t ‘slight’. He’ll physically develop into a strong, shorter mid, like Selwood.
Langford really came on towards the end of the season and another inside mid. Very excited about him.
