Position 2022: Midfield Discussion
- Thread starter KLo30
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Think Macrae is a decent comparison with a similar growth trajectory as that wingman turned inside mid type of player (who tends to take a little longer to reach elite status as they build their contested game).
Macrae broke out in his 6th season (127 average), McCluggage is entering his 6th season.
Macrae broke out in his 6th season (127 average), McCluggage is entering his 6th season.
Would need to see McCluggage has a definite role change to inside before picking him. The wing role is pretty capped at 100 avg for the top wingers and McCluggage didn't exactly storm home last year, avg of 93 after the bye. Could easily see him being stranded on that wing and staying around 100 avg
By comparison Macrae avg of 111 post bye the year before his breakout along with that definite move inside was a much better indicator of a breakout coming
By comparison Macrae avg of 111 post bye the year before his breakout along with that definite move inside was a much better indicator of a breakout coming
I can't see myself picking McCluggage despite how successful Walsh's move to inside midfield was last year.
I think McCluggage similar to Macrae's post bye form has demonstrated that he can be a top 10 midfielder if given the right role.
The problem is more so around the timing of his hot-patch, you definitely want his best games to be later in the year for him to carry that momentum to 2022.
Plenty of breakout candidates around that range, think Brayshaw will hit low 110s this year, just not sure if the uncertainty is worth the 30-50k you save over someone like Petracca/Mitchell/Parish.
I think McCluggage similar to Macrae's post bye form has demonstrated that he can be a top 10 midfielder if given the right role.
The problem is more so around the timing of his hot-patch, you definitely want his best games to be later in the year for him to carry that momentum to 2022.
Plenty of breakout candidates around that range, think Brayshaw will hit low 110s this year, just not sure if the uncertainty is worth the 30-50k you save over someone like Petracca/Mitchell/Parish.
If selecting McCluggage, then it would be for him to be a Keeper. There are 8 safer, proven Mids ahead of him that I prefer. Macrae, Mitchell, Steele, Neale, Miller, Walsh, Oliver and Petracca.
Regret can work both ways, if you do and if you don't.
Regret can work both ways, if you do and if you don't.
They can but Berry has one premium level season, Shiel a few just getting there but as a pure mid and Lipinski has always fallen short and out of the team when playing forward.
Basically they're guys who've tickled around the premium level for FWD when playing as genuine midfielders so to expect them to score premium when not playing midfield is harsh.
Having said that, if they did get DPP it would certainly extend their shelf life. The real dream is a guy like Shiel is eased into the season and then gets DPP and then moves midfield BUT if that's the path, you don't really gain anything by risking it doesn't happen and starting him over targeting him when everyone else does.
¿Por Qué No Los Dos?
Absolutely would need to see the permanent role change, Zorko missing actually makes this very difficult to judge as well so it's actually a negative in assessing.
It does make a lot of sense though, getting your best ball users more ball and chances is a good idea.
They've got Berry to push back onto a wing this year, assuming he's fit. Still got Robbo on the other wing. Bailey has the skillset to also play some wing as part of his midfield balance and tended to drift there last year when Clug went inside when Neale was missing (his purple patch last year).
Zorko is the key though, if he's at HB or HF then the opportunity is definitely there. Zorko himself can also play the outside role if they go that way.
It's worth noting that Clug, when he had the chance, was not far off that 111 level as a comparison and it happened to come earlier in the season with Neale out and Zorko easing into the season. After those two returned to the midfield he got shunted onto a wing and struggled a fair bit with consistency.
Not suggesting he's a strong pick but he's a guy worth watching, he's an incredible talent who does everything you could want in SC, except kick at goal well, and I do think he's got the profile of a 120+ midfielder in there with his contested skills, fitness and ball use.
Would definitely be a gutsy pick though!
Too many gun mids in the way for Caldwell, imo. He's not going to be ahead of Merrett or Parish, his footskills mean he's going to be very limited for outside targeting, especially given they've got a lot of good ball users going around. Throw in Shiel, Langford, Heppell, McGrath, Stringer and a few others and it's lots of competition.
I really like him but if he can push 95+ it would be an amazing effort.
Rowell, while I'm not a fan of the pick, has a strong case to be their 2nd best mid if he can produce similar to his first few games and no obvious name he's behind other than clearly Touk.
Caldwell just feels like too cute a pick, being unique in an already unique price range is just doubling down on the risks, imo.
I really like him but if he can push 95+ it would be an amazing effort.
Rowell, while I'm not a fan of the pick, has a strong case to be their 2nd best mid if he can produce similar to his first few games and no obvious name he's behind other than clearly Touk.
Caldwell just feels like too cute a pick, being unique in an already unique price range is just doubling down on the risks, imo.
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I seem to be on the other side of the argument of yours lately and I'm not doing it to be deliberately contrary, I promise.
Bombers gave up on pursuing Dunkley because of what the Dogs were asking & also because we picked up this guy.
If you think he's down the midfield pecking order I strongly disagree with this also. He's the only inside "bull" at the club we have until Hobbs (hopefully) takes over that mantle or at least shares it in a few years time. Stringer will steal a few CB's off him because of what Jake can do and Stringer's own body isn't in great nick at present. Shiels too.
We brought him back after missing basically the whole season for the do or die final with the Dogs which speaks volumes about how much we need this guy.
The only factor that stops Caldwell getting 95+ is his body, which is a huge risk as his body hasn't held up in the last 3 years of footy, but one I'm clearly willing to take.
Bombers gave up on pursuing Dunkley because of what the Dogs were asking & also because we picked up this guy.
If you think he's down the midfield pecking order I strongly disagree with this also. He's the only inside "bull" at the club we have until Hobbs (hopefully) takes over that mantle or at least shares it in a few years time. Stringer will steal a few CB's off him because of what Jake can do and Stringer's own body isn't in great nick at present. Shiels too.
We brought him back after missing basically the whole season for the do or die final with the Dogs which speaks volumes about how much we need this guy.
The only factor that stops Caldwell getting 95+ is his body, which is a huge risk as his body hasn't held up in the last 3 years of footy, but one I'm clearly willing to take.
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What makes you so confident that Evan if his body does hold up he goes 95+?
I recon he is a super talent aswel but 13 career games for a best score of 84, and Evan round 1 last year where he did look impressive with 22 disposals and 9 tackles that only got him 74, with 36 points coming from the tackles and only 38 points from the 22 disposals
I recon he is a super talent aswel but 13 career games for a best score of 84, and Evan round 1 last year where he did look impressive with 22 disposals and 9 tackles that only got him 74, with 36 points coming from the tackles and only 38 points from the 22 disposals