Position 2023: Midfield Discussion
- Thread starter KLo30
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I have been doing some research on Andrew Brayshaw (615K) - really like him as a player, works hard both ways all game. Tag issues have been a concern but last year he improved in his ability to deal with it. Scores ranged from a monster 189 v saints to a low of 77. 13 x 100+ scores & 6 scores in the 90s so only 3 sub 90 scores out of 22.
23 years old, about to enter his prime & playing for a team on the rise that has 2 very good rucks feeding it's midfield in Darcy & Jackson.
Freo have a very nice start to the season, can see them winning their first 4 games to set their season up:-
Round 1 v Saints - scored 189 v them last year
(Windhager played that game but obviously didn't tag him) 112 & 122 the previous 2.
Round 2 v North - scored 134 v them last year, 112 & 86 previous 2.
Round 3 v WCE - scored 96 v them (Redden run with role/ now retired), 121 & 102 previous 2.
Round 4 v Adelaide - scored 127 v them last year, 117 & 144 previous 2.
Last 13 scores at his home ground Optus Stadium :- 94, 134,104, 95, 96, 189, 93,190, 97, 92, 120, 121 & 112. Average of 118
Thoughts?
23 years old, about to enter his prime & playing for a team on the rise that has 2 very good rucks feeding it's midfield in Darcy & Jackson.
Freo have a very nice start to the season, can see them winning their first 4 games to set their season up:-
Round 1 v Saints - scored 189 v them last year
(Windhager played that game but obviously didn't tag him) 112 & 122 the previous 2.Round 2 v North - scored 134 v them last year, 112 & 86 previous 2.
Round 3 v WCE - scored 96 v them (Redden run with role/ now retired), 121 & 102 previous 2.
Round 4 v Adelaide - scored 127 v them last year, 117 & 144 previous 2.
Last 13 scores at his home ground Optus Stadium :- 94, 134,104, 95, 96, 189, 93,190, 97, 92, 120, 121 & 112. Average of 118
Thoughts?
Does his role change to be more contested or can he become more effective and damaging? Or does he get the golden ticket from CD to basically get it without changing things given both the contested and effective are largely subjective.
Those are really the only two paths he has to moving 120+, there's definitely a strong case that either or both are possible.
Realistically I'd say that everyone down to basically Wines has a very strong case for starting them this year and then there's a strong group of other names that are also options further down from there.
I'd definitely say that my early feel on Brayshaw is that I think his pathway to 120+ isn't as clean as all 9 names above him and probably isn't better than Cripps, Parish, Steele or Jelly behind him either without factoring in a couple of guys are probably out on bad preseason already.
Midfield premiums are going to be hard this year. I think there's a strong 20 options, as we saw last year the start is the most important part. Miller outscored Macrae but was a considerably worse starting pick and getting that decision the wrong way around put you 200k behind, for example. You basically want to start the best defensive choices, the guys you think are least likely to be cheap in round 6 or 7. Good luck
Ridley, Redman, Heppell and Merrett are the names that stand out to me as guys who work could benefit from it. Ridley needs to want the ball but if he finds that desire again it's huge for him, generally it's the best kick that ends up being the guy to take the important kicks for short kicking sides, you essentially shift the zone until it lands in their hands so they can break the line.
Redman also ticks that box. Heppell and Merrett both work really hard to find space for shorter kicks and both generally hit short targets reliably. Basically could easily go the Lloyd path of super high efficiency translating +6s into similar SC amounts.
Neither at this time for mine. New coach is too much of a question mark at that level of pick. Only takes Merrett to a wing or Parish forward a bit too much because Scott (who always has done weird things) sees that as their best positions. I just have no idea how they'll play stylistically or if he'll do funky things role wise.
Also the fact that both are allergic to a tag which can make them excellent upgrade targets. Merrett has been available for 540k or lower in each of the last 4 seasons for example.
Also the fact that both are allergic to a tag which can make them excellent upgrade targets. Merrett has been available for 540k or lower in each of the last 4 seasons for example.
Yes, it would good, but I do not think he will. Probably learnt more tricks from being in gaol with the inmates. It is one of his traits and I think it lets him down sometimes in terms of the need of coaches to interact with the public. But he will still improve the Saints on field. Finals maybe 2024.
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Talk has been that Sheeds and Yeo were rotating with each other through the mids, so potentially each getting 50% time there. Yeo as a defender is very good although don't have the stats on splits. Sheed not in the mids is a. lower scorer, particularly in this Eagles side, yet I expect them to rebound at least from losing by 60-80 points to being competitive.
Yeo currently in, Sheed has been in and out. When you allow for declining magic number, 95-100 is probably needed from Sheeds.
Given all the comments on Steele on BF and how he was coming back from injury last year, think he needs to perform preseason to pick with confidence.
Yeo currently in, Sheed has been in and out. When you allow for declining magic number, 95-100 is probably needed from Sheeds.
Given all the comments on Steele on BF and how he was coming back from injury last year, think he needs to perform preseason to pick with confidence.