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whattagun07 said:
Hope Schoenberg can have a decent crack this year, despite sneaking a few puddings (maybe i'm just reading between the lines)
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Good to see Schoenberg having a decent preseason... as he would know he needs to show something this season or he won't stay on the list. Healthy to have competition for spots.
 
1970crow said:
I won't be surprised if Berry replaces Crouch. Matt gets it 32 times but Berry only needs 25 to be more damaging. Agree he's fringe going into the season, but if Matt misses and Berry gets another crack, I reckon he could go past him.
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Disagree. Berrys skills not good enough and too fumbly.
 

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1970crow said:
I won't be surprised if Berry replaces Crouch. Matt gets it 32 times but Berry only needs 25 to be more damaging. Agree he's fringe going into the season, but if Matt misses and Berry gets another crack, I reckon he could go past him.
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Be interesting to see where our midfield transforms this year and whether the extra pace keeps Matt relevant. People seem to be giving him a lot of credit for four decent games at the end of the season two years ago. Not sure Berry is the answer but I do see the game going past Matt, like opposition mids on a turnover.
 
spenze said:
Be interesting to see where our midfield transforms this year and whether the extra pace keeps Matt relevant. People seem to be giving him a lot of credit for four decent games at the end of the season two years ago. Not sure Berry is the answer but I do see the game going past Matt, like opposition mids on a turnover.
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Still our best clearance machine in 2024 both for clearances per game and centre clearances per game even when coming off an injury lay off later in the season

Average clearances per game.

Ranked 13th amongst all AFL midfielders for total clearances

Matt Crouch 5.93
Rory Laird 4.96
Jake Soligo 3.91
Izak Rankine 3.67
Sam Berry 3.61
Reilly O'Brien 3.19
Jordan Dawson 3.14

Ranked 11th for centre clearances amongst all AFL midfielders
Matt Crouch 2.60
Jake Soligo 1.83
Rory Laird 1,65
Jordan Dawson 1.50
Izak Rankine 1.27
Sam Berry 1.06
Reilly O'Brien 1.00

AFL Player Statistics

AFL player statistics.
www.wheeloratings.com

Capture.PNG
 
Mutineer said:
Still our best clearance machine in 2024 both for clearances per game and centre clearances per game even when coming off an injury lay off later in the season

Average clearances per game.

Ranked 13th amongst all AFL midfielders for total clearances

Matt Crouch 5.93
Rory Laird 4.96
Jake Soligo 3.91
Izak Rankine 3.67
Sam Berry 3.61
Reilly O'Brien 3.19
Jordan Dawson 3.14

Ranked 11th for centre clearances amongst all AFL midfielders
Matt Crouch 2.60
Jake Soligo 1.83
Rory Laird 1,65
Jordan Dawson 1.50
Izak Rankine 1.27
Sam Berry 1.06
Reilly O'Brien 1.00

AFL Player Statistics

AFL player statistics.
www.wheeloratings.com

View attachment 2206255
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There's a bit more to being a good midfielder than raw clearance stats. We booted Laird out and he was a clear second in that stat.
 
FullyBigKPro said:
Don't understimate a fully fit Tex....

*IF TT and Fog can take their games to another level this year, Tex becomes a total bonus and nightmare matchup for the opposition.

His leadership, presence and gameday support of teammates is absolutely huge for the team.

I hope he has another 2023 level year, he absolutely deserves it.
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Just hope they don't play him if he's not properly fit, lots of pressure free counter attacks were launched off ball directed to Tex 1 on 1. As they get older, carrying injuries gets harder and harder, seems a simple fact that our selectors are yet to cotton to.
 
I think Nankervis has to play best 22 from round 1.

He’s as brave as anyone, super quick, very very good in traffic, good attacking disposal.

Curtin is ready, he must play every game he is fit for.

Peatling, Nibbler and Cumming are locks too if injury free.

So, to me, the ones on the edge have to be Berry, Taylor, Jones, Milera, Cook, Murphy, Pedlar, Dowling, Bond.

Ryan sounds like he deserves a shot, with his point of difference being speed and a great kick … but there is fair competition for spots!!

I hope we don’t just revert to our normal selection criteria … but if Murphy gets picked for round 1 we will at least know where the coaches heads are at going into the season.
 
baldandbroke said:
I think Nankervis has to play best 22 from round 1.

He’s as brave as anyone, super quick, very very good in traffic, good attacking disposal.

Curtin is ready, he must play every game he is fit for.

Peatling, Nibbler and Cumming are locks too if injury free.

So, to me, the ones on the edge have to be Berry, Taylor, Jones, Milera, Cook, Murphy, Pedlar, Dowling, Bond.

Ryan sounds like he deserves a shot, with his point of difference being speed and a great kick … but there is fair competition for spots!!

I hope we don’t just revert to our normal selection criteria … but if Murphy gets picked for round 1 we will at least know where the coaches heads are at going into the season.
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If Murphy is picked for round 1, Nicks should be sacked.

Not in our best 30.

I would play Nankervis ahead of Milera.
 

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1970crow said:
Just hope they don't play him if he's not properly fit, lots of pressure free counter attacks were launched off ball directed to Tex 1 on 1. As they get older, carrying injuries gets harder and harder, seems a simple fact that our selectors are yet to cotton to
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Interesting that you are happy for him to play if he is fit. Last I remember in 2024 you wanted him gone.

List Mgmt. - 2024 List Mismanagement and Trading

Opinions on players are allowed to change after they've played a season or 2. Way to miss the point, Jones looked like one of the options for our pick that year along with several others, on the Adelaide board Jackson Hately was the most favoured. The point is most of this board didn't think...
www.bigfooty.com

And this is 4 years after you wanted him to retire in 2020

1970crow said:
Strong Walker. Just retire.
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Now you want him in the best 22 as long as he is properly fit?
 
AFC979810 said:
Interesting that you are happy for him to play if he is fit. Last I remember in 2024 you wanted him gone.

List Mgmt. - 2024 List Mismanagement and Trading

Opinions on players are allowed to change after they've played a season or 2. Way to miss the point, Jones looked like one of the options for our pick that year along with several others, on the Adelaide board Jackson Hately was the most favoured. The point is most of this board didn't think...
www.bigfooty.com

And this is 4 years after you wanted him to retire in 2020



Now you want him in the best 22 as long as he is properly fit?
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I didn't think we should have extended him into this year. There'd be a lot of posts where I was saying whatever we decide, we shouldn't do it until the season, trade and draft had concluded. But yeh, I don't think his season warranted extension. And nor did others, particularly those tat used I'm mentoring Welsh as te reason he should continue. The club is aiming for finals, so if he's fit and performing then he'll be selected. I just hope they don't play him injured like they did last year.

And Tex himself said he was lucky he was contracted to 2021 otherwise end of 2020 might have been interesting. Thanks for reminding me how good a judge I am.
 
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1970crow said:
I won't be surprised if Berry replaces Crouch. Matt gets it 32 times but Berry only needs 25 to be more damaging. Agree he's fringe going into the season, but if Matt misses and Berry gets another crack, I reckon he could go past him.
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Cmon dude, Berry plays in a different time zone to Crouch with slow he is to release the ball.
 
1970crow said:
I reckon Matt holds onto the ball longer than Berry.
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Well they probably have the ball for the same time but Berry fumbles for the first second where as Matt has it
 
1970crow said:
I won't be surprised if Berry replaces Crouch. Matt gets it 32 times but Berry only needs 25 to be more damaging. Agree he's fringe going into the season, but if Matt misses and Berry gets another crack, I reckon he could go past him.
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This is plausible.
But I'm happy with any of the younger fringe players deservedly winning their spot from an incumbent.

Ryan, Milera, Nankervis, Laird, Smith, Hinge, is another tight selection with similar pressures.

Although it's slightly simplistic and requires some nuance, the incumbents did only manage 15th last year.

We currently have a deeper list than any for the past 7 years. And more potential on our list than I can remember for ages. I hope only about 10 on our list feel safe. I like the genuine pressure from below. Selection is critical and dropping a bigish name after our first loss sets a standard. We have options and I hope we utilise them.

Crouch almost certain for round 1. But one single slowing of play caused by his old style and he'll hear all about it.
 
Mutineer said:
Still our best clearance machine in 2024 both for clearances per game and centre clearances per game even when coming off an injury lay off later in the season

Average clearances per game.

Ranked 13th amongst all AFL midfielders for total clearances

Matt Crouch 5.93
Rory Laird 4.96
Jake Soligo 3.91
Izak Rankine 3.67
Sam Berry 3.61
Reilly O'Brien 3.19
Jordan Dawson 3.14

Ranked 11th for centre clearances amongst all AFL midfielders
Matt Crouch 2.60
Jake Soligo 1.83
Rory Laird 1,65
Jordan Dawson 1.50
Izak Rankine 1.27
Sam Berry 1.06
Reilly O'Brien 1.00

AFL Player Statistics

AFL player statistics.
www.wheeloratings.com

View attachment 2206255
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I notice Matt’s meters gained is the worst on the page for the mids. 🫣

I find the defence of Crouch somewhat refreshing because I don’t really enjoy a pile on, if somewhat surprising this season.

That said - For me Crouch’s stats didn’t really change all that significantly between being dropped and coming back in, they (AFC) just changed the narrative about him and spoke about him being more positive.

My concern with Crouch is his limitations - slow, does not defend that well, not a defensive mid. Add his inflexibility to play in any other position means he blocks opportunities for more talented players.

His best football was in 2017 which is now 7 years ago,

If he can’t help prevent opposition run ons and defend then they need to move on from him, and find a defensive balance for the more attacking mids the crows are developing.
 
Flip Side said:
I notice Matt’s meters gained is the worst on the page for the mids. 🫣

I find the defence of Crouch somewhat refreshing because I don’t really enjoy a pile on, if somewhat surprising this season.

That said - For me Crouch’s stats didn’t really change all that significantly between being dropped and coming back in, they (AFC) just changed the narrative about him and spoke about him being more positive.

My concern with Crouch is his limitations - slow, does not defend that well, not a defensive mid. Add his inflexibility to play in any other position means he blocks opportunities for more talented players.

His best football was in 2017 which is now 7 years ago,

If he can’t help prevent opposition run ons and defend then they need to move on from him, and find a defensive balance for the more attacking mids the crows are developing.
Click to expand...
Opinions be like ......
 
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