Position 2022: Midfield Discussion
- Thread starter KLo30
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If you’re an optimist, watch on YouTube the Blues Abroad player profile on Patrick “Brownlow 2022” Cripps 
in light of that, I genuinely wouldn’t know what to make of it if Cripps came out and blitzed the preseason. still think he’s a got a big season in him
in light of that, I genuinely wouldn’t know what to make of it if Cripps came out and blitzed the preseason. still think he’s a got a big season in him
1). We have had prior preaseasons where Cripps lost weight to increase run and then another where he put weight on, back to being an inside bull. Pretty confident that is the comment from the last two seasons.
2). Maybe he had an injury he is over. In his 1st season, game 3 he didn't fly to Perth because of a back issues, some traded him out before he went on a tear. Even then some doubted his body.
3) SC points. Question is does he suit the game today which benefits those who have a inside and outside game. The pure outsiders like Gaff are struggling and the pure insiders like Cripps are too. We also are use to seeing 2-3 players hanging off Cripps as he makes a handball (have this image he is 3 foot taller than everyone else) which under modern tackle rules there is a risk it goes against Cripps.
Think picking the injured premium is a game where a player misses large part of season gets a 20% discount and maybe had a poor score on injury, picking turnarounds is a different game.
For Carltons sake, lets hope Cripps shows us more than last year, would be good for their fans who haven't had much joy and for Vossy who finally getting a second chance as a coach.
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Not sure about Petracca being complacent, if anything he couldve cruised through the 2nd half of the year as Melb were locked into top 4, but he went crazy. He also went at 118 in 2020 so there's no question he can do it for a whole year.
I think position is the biggest concern. His scoring clearly improved when playing more mid minutes. Does Dunstan make the best 22? if so he can only play mid so there could be less time for someone like Petracca.
Fair point re extra attention. Im sure some will try, although he looks untaggable to me.
I think position is the biggest concern. His scoring clearly improved when playing more mid minutes. Does Dunstan make the best 22? if so he can only play mid so there could be less time for someone like Petracca.
Fair point re extra attention. Im sure some will try, although he looks untaggable to me.
Cripps is $4,800 too expensive to be included in the 'Midpiced Madness' Comp, maybe saved a few Coaches there?
I wouldn't be surprised at all if he bounces back well this year. I'd consider starting him, but he doesn't fit the structure I'm running at this stage with so many promising midfield rookies. He might still sneak into my team - I wasn't burned by him last year like many were, but I doubt it.
Happy to sit and watch with Cripps, if he starts well he'll still be cheap enough to grab come round 6 and you don't have the risk.
Problem is he's had back, knee, ankle and just about every other body part injuries and the back is a recurring thing that has struck multiple times now.
I love his ability to play when hurt but it severely impacts his scoring and also makes him a lot harder to dump mentally.
Problem is he's had back, knee, ankle and just about every other body part injuries and the back is a recurring thing that has struck multiple times now.
I love his ability to play when hurt but it severely impacts his scoring and also makes him a lot harder to dump mentally.
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The thing I find funny is Lachie Neale struggled with a back injury last year and averaged 35 points below the year before, 134 down to 99. Yet everyone is falling over themselves to pick him (including me).
Cripps struggled with a back injury and scored at 35 points below his established best (119 in 2018 and 117 in 2019), falling to 83. Yet he is broken and unpickable?
The complicating factor with Cripps is the in-between year 2020, where he averaged 98. That year he had 8 scores over 100 (from the 17 games) which indicated he was inconsistent. He likely had varying niggles and the hub life meant he was separated from his girlfriend, who was unwell back in Melbourne. The faster pace of the shorter games probably didn't help either.
Last year he scored over 100 twice - that's right - 2 SC tons from the 20 games he played. He was his own worst enemy in continuing to play with the state his body was in. One game he sat on the bench for the opening 7 minutes of the 3rd quarter discussing (arguing?) with one of the assistant coaches. When he finally went on the ground, he sat up forward and contributed nothing. Clearly should have been subbed off. Unlike Neale (who missed rounds 7-11 to "repair" himself), Cripps never got himself right - the 2 games he missed were in rounds 18 and 22. He was also subbed off in round 23.
Despite the horror year he was having, Carlton resigned Cripps at the bye to a 6 year deal. At that point they would have had all the available medical information. No club is irresponsible enough to sign a player to a 6 year deal if they know (or even suspect) he is cooked.
Teague's gameplan of run and spread will be replaced by a more contested style with Voss. There was clearly issues between Coach and Captain, and Cripps just seemed at times to do ridiculous things to make a point. I've mentioned before that Pickering (Teague's manager) directed some parting shots at Cripps during the outgoing press conference. The only coach to survive the review was Luke Power. The rest were all sacked, which tells us that Cripps probably had every reason to be frustrated..
What I want to see leading into the season is that a) he can move freely and get from contest to contest, and b) he can get back to winning contested ball and giving it off - not trying to run with it until he is inevitably caught. The first part seems to be on track from preseason reports, and the second should be helped by the addition of better players around him, who have more idea of where to position and run.
Hard to find a spot for Cripps unless he beasts preseason but I reckon the appeal of a pick like him is that he's NOT easy to jump on, and if he's successful as a starting pick the win is locked in.
If he starts fast you'd be brave to sideways correct to him, and if you wait till Rd 6 for upgrade period he's 100k more expensive. Inevitably there will be fallen premos who started in the 650k range available for a similar price to him, who may well seem like better bets at that point.
If you started him you have 150+ points over value + $100k head start on those bringing him. The win is banked.
If he starts fast you'd be brave to sideways correct to him, and if you wait till Rd 6 for upgrade period he's 100k more expensive. Inevitably there will be fallen premos who started in the 650k range available for a similar price to him, who may well seem like better bets at that point.
If you started him you have 150+ points over value + $100k head start on those bringing him. The win is banked.