Position 2023: Midfield Discussion

[Such is Fyfe]

Surprised not too much love for Josh Kelly. Priced at $582,300, a guy that has gone 114+ for 4 consecutive seasons, now priced at 105 to start.

Durability was always a concern with him, but he's played 21 games in both 22 and 21 seasons (and his 1 game missed last year was an unlucky knock in play).

He went over 100 12 times last year for an average of 122. Showing when given the right role, he will score well.

For a guy that is a proven top tier SC scorer, has only just turned 28 this week, will get more opportunity in his preferred role with new coach (averaged 110 after Leon left last year, not including 1 injury game) plus Taranto and Hopper leaving, I think he represents huge value and can see him going 120

Good shout! GWS draw early is very juicy with Adelaide, WCE, Essendon & Hawthorn all in the first 5 rounds. The news out of the preseason is that GWS' midfield will be Kelly, Cogs, Green & Perryman, so with fewer guys running through he should see an increase in CBAs, but will need to wait for the preseason games to confirm. If he's looking like getting 65% CBAs I think he could do a 115 average which is value at his price. However, many have been burnt by his durability in the past.

I'd be willing to roll the dice on him though if we get confirmation of the decent inside-mid role in the preseason games. So he's on the watchlist for me.

 

[Socrates2]

Dom Sheed, will be a starting mid but he doesn't seem a popular pick.

 

[PressurePoint]

Dom Sheed, will be a starting mid but he doesn't seem a popular pick.

Have to see the role but he will be competing for midfield time with Kelly, Yeo, Shuey, Gaff + Culley, Ginbey and Hewett rotating through and never averaged over 95. If Hopper wasn't an option I think he would be picked in a few more teams

 

[Shaunpro1]

Haven't seen Menegola mentioned.

Had post season surgery to fix his knee and has been in full training since they've come back, think he'll be best 22 now he's fit was a very important player at his best, dont think hes a SC option though, those really big seasons hed float onto the ball and thats pretty hard to see happening after adding Bruhn and Bowes to an already deep midfield.

 

[Connoisseur]

Surprised not too much love for Josh Kelly. Priced at $582,300, a guy that has gone 114+ for 4 consecutive seasons, now priced at 105 to start.

Durability was always a concern with him, but he's played 21 games in both 22 and 21 seasons (and his 1 game missed last year was an unlucky knock in play).

He went over 100 12 times last year for an average of 122. Showing when given the right role, he will score well.

For a guy that is a proven top tier SC scorer, has only just turned 28 this week, will get more opportunity in his preferred role with new coach (averaged 110 after Leon left last year, not including 1 injury game) plus Taranto and Hopper leaving, I think he represents huge value and can see him going 120

J Kelly:
0-79 SC points:
2017-2021: 3/85
2022: 2/21

0-89 SC points:
2017-2021: 10/85
2022: 7/21

Matches with less than 20 disposals:
2017-2021: 10/85
2022: 5/21

 

[AngryAnt]

Will Setterfield - $348k MID
25 years old and about to cross the 60 game 'breakout' area

One I've not seen discussed a lot at all, even in articles specifically looking at the viability of mid pricers
I think the argument can definitely made that he can be the best mid price pick of the year based on his numbers at Carlton when used predominately as a centre bounce midfielder

In 2020, Setterfield averaged 89.7, however its from rd5 onwards that is most interesting about this year.
Through the first 4 rounds he had 21% cbas for an average of 61.3. From round 5 onwards he had 53% cbas for an average of 99.2, including an average of 104 post bye
This stretch of 12 games is the last stretch of games with regular cbas that he has had

He is now playing on the same team as Merrett and Parish in match sim which would suggest he is part of the starting midfield at the dons

Currently at 1% ownership, is there any interest around here?

The only issue with 2020 stats is the shortened quarters which affected scoring, but the logic is sound.

If we use post 2020 games as a reference, he only attended +50% CBAs five times in two seasons, in those games he averaged 58.4% CBAs at 80.6ppg. 80.6 isn't good enough at his price, however using this (admittedly limited) sample size, he'd be averaging 92 (+30 on his current price) with an increase to 66.67% CBAs. Of course there isn't a fully concrete correlation and there are other variables at play, but there is definite scope for scoring improvement with increased CBAs with him.

I'm still of the opinion that there is a solid inside midfielder there if he is utilised in this way, which he (and many others) were not at Carlton. I doubt Essendon brought him in either to languish on a wing or a back flank. Definite watch.

 

[Ginty22]

The only issue with 2020 stats is the shortened quarters which affected scoring, but the logic is sound.

If we use post 2020 games as a reference, he only attended +50% CBAs five times in two seasons, in those games he averaged 58.4% CBAs at 80.6ppg. 80.6 isn't good enough at his price, however using this (admittedly limited) sample size, he'd be averaging 92 (+30 on his current price) with an increase to 66.67% CBAs. Of course there isn't a fully concrete correlation and there are other variables at play, but there is definite scope for scoring improvement with increased CBAs with him.

I'm still of the opinion that there is a solid inside midfielder there if he is utilised in this way, which he (and many others) were not at Carlton. I doubt Essendon brought him in either to languish on a wing or a back flank. Definite watch.

Thanks for the insights

I feel like he and/or Perkins, who I'm also interested in, need big minutes in their midfield, they're both big bodies and their midfield has been far too small for far too long

 

[Shaunpro1]

Thanks for the insights

I feel like he and/or Perkins, who I'm also interested in, need big minutes in their midfield, they're both big bodies and their midfield has been far too small for far too long

I just think Perkins has a much higher ceiling and will surely be given the chance to realise it, you dont pick a bloke with a top 10 pick, pump pre seasons into them then either put them in the VFL or sit them forward when they are ready for a genuine midfield role for the sake of a guy you've picked up off the scrap heap that has only really shown glimpses of decent football ability.

 

[Ginty22]

I just think Perkins has a much higher ceiling and will surely be given the chance to realise it, you dont pick a bloke with a top 10 pick then either put them in the VFL or sit them forward for the sake of a guy you've picked up off the scrap heap that has only really shown glimpses of decent football ability.

To be fair Setterfield was also a top 10 pick but I agree they should or would be wanting to develop Perkins in that role. In saying that, one getting opportunity doesn’t mean the other automatically doesn’t get opportunity. The best midfields have multiple big bodies rolling through them

 

[baz_machine]

I doubt Perkins gets major midfield minutes. Can see him splitting time with Hobbs / Cadwell / Langford / Durham

Parish / Merrett / Shiel / Setterfield / Nic Martin would be getting the most midfield minutes

 

[Shaunpro1]

To be fair Setterfield was also a top 10 pick but I agree they should or would be wanting to develop Perkins in that role. In saying that, one getting opportunity doesn’t mean the other automatically doesn’t get opportunity. The best midfields have multiple big bodies rolling through them

Shiel,Merrett and Parish aren't going anywhere, Caldwell can really only play midfield, Stringer will continue to burst in there as he gives them some real power from the stoppage that they just don't get from anyone else, Perkins,Langford and Hobbs float from a flank onto the ball and are all strong in the contest, only so many mids are getting picked in one side and Setterfield's complete inability to play another position at anything close to AFL standard isn't going to do him any favours.

 

[AngryAnt]

Shiel,Merrett and Parish aren't going anywhere, Caldwell can really only play midfield, Stringer will continue to burst in there as he gives them some real power from the stoppage that they just don't get from anyone else, Perkins,Langford and Hobbs float from a flank onto the ball and are all strong in the contest, only so many mids are getting picked in one side and Setterfield's complete inability to play another position at anything close to AFL standard isn't going to do him any favours.

Except it might typecast him specifically for an inside role, with an emphasis on simply winning pre-clearance possessions and on the defensive aspects of stoppage work (he is a good tackler). His lack of variety could be an advantage. Which Essendon mids in recent seasons have shown any average to above average defensive qualities?

 

[Ginty22]

Shiel,Merrett and Parish aren't going anywhere, Caldwell can really only play midfield, Stringer will continue to burst in there as he gives them some real power from the stoppage that they just don't get from anyone else, Perkins,Langford and Hobbs float from a flank onto the ball and are all strong in the contest, only so many mids are getting picked in one side and Setterfield's complete inability to play another position at anything close to AFL standard isn't going to do him any favours.

Shiel, Merrett and Parish are small, Caldwell is small and has trained forward this preseason with the fluro cap, Hobbs is small and currently injured, Stringer is a big body but multiple teammates have said he will transition more forward this year, Langford a big body but he has said he will play wing and half forward, Perkins is the logical younger big body to be developed for that role but he's still young and reports are also he will play high half forward and pinch hit in the midfield. My point still stands that they need big bodies regularly through there, Setterfields a big body and his one dimensional style is an advantage for him at Essendon, whereas it was a weakness for him at Carlton, and he's been match simming in their first choice centre bounce setup. Signs are there that he's gonna be filling that role regularly enough

 

[baz_machine]

Which Essendon mids in recent seasons have shown any average to above average defensive qualities?

Oh man, that's a funny one.

 

[Feerits Elf]

Which Essendon mids in recent seasons have shown any average to above average defensive qualities?

 

[aj74]

Shiel,Merrett and Parish aren't going anywhere, Caldwell can really only play midfield, Stringer will continue to burst in there as he gives them some real power from the stoppage that they just don't get from anyone else, Perkins,Langford and Hobbs float from a flank onto the ball and are all strong in the contest, only so many mids are getting picked in one side and Setterfield's complete inability to play another position at anything close to AFL standard isn't going to do him any favours.

Bull. Parish is coming to Collingwood as an FA at the end of the year. Heard it here first.

He's then going to spend all of 2024 running around in circles with Tom Mitchell handballing and short passing to each other. Hard to watch but fantasy gold

 

[GrainFedBeef]

Shiel, Merrett and Parish are small, Caldwell is small and has trained forward this preseason with the fluro cap, Hobbs is small and currently injured, Stringer is a big body but multiple teammates have said he will transition more forward this year, Langford a big body but he has said he will play wing and half forward, Perkins is the logical younger big body to be developed for that role but he's still young and reports are also he will play high half forward and pinch hit in the midfield. My point still stands that they need big bodies regularly through there, Setterfields a big body and his one dimensional style is an advantage for him at Essendon, whereas it was a weakness for him at Carlton, and he's been match simming in their first choice centre bounce setup. Signs are there that he's gonna be filling that role regularly enough

Initially thought Caldwell forward and pushed out of mids, however, comments from him suggest he played forward because of coming back from injury and wearing fluro cap.

 

[Courtesans]

Just going the fab four, Laird, Oliver, Miller and Bont, with Green, Hopper etc..see what happens after that.

 

[GrainFedBeef]

Just going the fab four, Laird, Oliver, Miller and Bont, with Green, Hopper etc..see what happens after that.

How do you afford this Fantastic Four + Green?

 

[PC]

How do you afford this Fantastic Four + Green?

ND at D1, someone rubbish at R2.