Position 2023: Midfield Discussion
- Thread starter KLo30
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Bit torn on Macrae. For some years been one of my first picked.
Has not missed a game in 4 years and almost an uber C. But in review the signs just might be there this year for another slight fall in ave. 2022 first time in 4 years he ave under 120. Also lowest TOG since 2014 at 80% (gentle decline since 2018). 2022 the least number of tackles per year since his debut in 2013 with last 3 years ave 4.2 compared to the previous 3 years 5.4.
Not saying he cannot jump back over 120 and Dunkley missing might see him get more opportunity than ever. But then nothing lasts forever.
Has not missed a game in 4 years and almost an uber C. But in review the signs just might be there this year for another slight fall in ave. 2022 first time in 4 years he ave under 120. Also lowest TOG since 2014 at 80% (gentle decline since 2018). 2022 the least number of tackles per year since his debut in 2013 with last 3 years ave 4.2 compared to the previous 3 years 5.4.
Not saying he cannot jump back over 120 and Dunkley missing might see him get more opportunity than ever. But then nothing lasts forever.
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Something was clearly off with him in the 2nd half of last season. He went from being one of the best 4-quarter players to completely fading out of games in the 2nd half. I remember one game he was sat on the bench for something like 20 minutes in a final quarter. I don't know if he was carrying an undisclosed injury but he certainly wasn't his usual self.
I'm willing to gamble that he was hampered by some sort of niggle and it wasn't just natural regression. If he's fit and firing, in an improved Bulldogs team, with no Dunkley to steal points/CBA time, I'm backing him in to get back to 120+ scoring.
I'm willing to gamble that he was hampered by some sort of niggle and it wasn't just natural regression. If he's fit and firing, in an improved Bulldogs team, with no Dunkley to steal points/CBA time, I'm backing him in to get back to 120+ scoring.
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I am prepared to be corrected on this.
L Neale is the only player to have ever recorded a season higher than 120, dip below 120, then get back over 120 again.
Fyfe nearly did it, getting back to exactly 120, but not over it.
When you think about how many 120+ season there have been, it shows you just how hard it is, to reclimb that mountain!!!
L Neale is the only player to have ever recorded a season higher than 120, dip below 120, then get back over 120 again.
Fyfe nearly did it, getting back to exactly 120, but not over it.
When you think about how many 120+ season there have been, it shows you just how hard it is, to reclimb that mountain!!!
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Most players, their 120+ season is an anomaly where everything just happens to go right for them that year, so it makes sense they never return to those heights. Montagna, Bartel, Titch, etc.
Macrae has done it 4/5 previous seasons. To me it's more likely that, like Neale in 2021, there were reasons he dropped off in scoring last year, not just a sudden regression. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe history is against him, but I can definitely see Macrae pushing back over 120. Even if he only hits 119, that's still a great pick.
Macrae has done it 4/5 previous seasons. To me it's more likely that, like Neale in 2021, there were reasons he dropped off in scoring last year, not just a sudden regression. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe history is against him, but I can definitely see Macrae pushing back over 120. Even if he only hits 119, that's still a great pick.
I actually hadn’t noticed the first time this was posted - the drop off is far more significant in SC than DT. If the DT stats were posted in isolation, we would barely notice.
I wonder if it was his contested possession percentage or disposal efficiency (or something else). I would wager the former.
I wonder if it was his contested possession percentage or disposal efficiency (or something else). I would wager the former.
I was wondering about a similar thing. Maybe when the game was won (or lost) Macrae moved into a more outside role and accumulated a few touches without impacting the game as much?
If that was the case, it would still suggest he was carrying something. The hope is that it’s something that is now resolved.
If that was the case, it would still suggest he was carrying something. The hope is that it’s something that is now resolved.
Not sure about that, the leading contested ball winners last year were Oliver, Neale, Miller, Cripps, Petracca and Laird. I'll admit they've got some other ways they score points but it's still the surest way to the top as a starting point.
The only other I know of that did it is Hodge and it's on a technicality as his 2005 season, the first 120+ season, was prior to SC existing.
The only other I know of that did it is Hodge and it's on a technicality as his 2005 season, the first 120+ season, was prior to SC existing.
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With Miller’s preseason being hampered, he’s now an upgrade target for me and I’ve finally settled on a starting 8 (for now anyways).
Oliver, Bont, Brayshaw, Cripps (Carlton Supporter Bias), Steele, Hopper, Ashcroft, Phillips.
I really want to start LDU as I have a feeling he will go HUGE this year but just feel my other 5 premiums are safer.
I like Green as well but the 27% ownership is a bit of a turn off… would prefer to risk him starting slow!
Banking on Laird, Neale, Miller and Macrae all being cheaper at some stage throughout the season also!
Oliver, Bont, Brayshaw, Cripps (Carlton Supporter Bias), Steele, Hopper, Ashcroft, Phillips.
I really want to start LDU as I have a feeling he will go HUGE this year but just feel my other 5 premiums are safer.
I like Green as well but the 27% ownership is a bit of a turn off… would prefer to risk him starting slow!
Banking on Laird, Neale, Miller and Macrae all being cheaper at some stage throughout the season also!
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Mackenzie's performance last night has forced a reshuffle in the engine room for my team.
Thinking 3 premos and then Hopper, Callaghan, Ashcroft, Mackenzie and Phillips.
The tough part is going to be able to fill the 3 bench spots at this stage.
Only a third of the way through the weekend games so I'm sure I'll change my structure multiple times over the coming days.
Thinking 3 premos and then Hopper, Callaghan, Ashcroft, Mackenzie and Phillips.
The tough part is going to be able to fill the 3 bench spots at this stage.
Only a third of the way through the weekend games so I'm sure I'll change my structure multiple times over the coming days.
With the forward rookies looking weak this year ATM I'm thinking similar of loading mid rookies (cheap down back) and gives me -
Backs - Stewart, Daniel (playing midfield so could be worth the punt???), Yeo, Ginbey, McKenna & Constable (Wilmot/Chesser)
Mids - Oliver (C), Neale (VC), Bont, Rozee, Hopper, Callaghan, Ashcroft & Mackenzie (McLean/Phillipou/Phillips)
Ruck - English & Darcy ($102k R/F) - would like Witts. Both injury prone but both can go big. Worried Marshall may play more forward than either of these 3.
Fwds - Dunkley, Taranto, Ziebell, Fyfe, Bruhn & O Allen (Sheezel/Greene).
Should be able to sit tight on both lines for a while without trading unless I miss rookie with my rookies on the bench going up in price as I think all should play round 1. Look at swinging Ziebell to defence once he gets B/F status after round 6 (Rozee forward/Phillips on in mids). On figures this at best gives me 10 keepers but I'll only have 3 rookies on the ground and my bench should all play thus go up in value quicker to hopefully upgraded early. Early upgrade targets will be Laird and a keeper in defence.
Good luck to everyone with less than 2 weeks to go.
Backs - Stewart, Daniel (playing midfield so could be worth the punt???), Yeo, Ginbey, McKenna & Constable (Wilmot/Chesser)
Mids - Oliver (C), Neale (VC), Bont, Rozee, Hopper, Callaghan, Ashcroft & Mackenzie (McLean/Phillipou/Phillips)
Ruck - English & Darcy ($102k R/F) - would like Witts. Both injury prone but both can go big. Worried Marshall may play more forward than either of these 3.
Fwds - Dunkley, Taranto, Ziebell, Fyfe, Bruhn & O Allen (Sheezel/Greene).
Should be able to sit tight on both lines for a while without trading unless I miss rookie with my rookies on the bench going up in price as I think all should play round 1. Look at swinging Ziebell to defence once he gets B/F status after round 6 (Rozee forward/Phillips on in mids). On figures this at best gives me 10 keepers but I'll only have 3 rookies on the ground and my bench should all play thus go up in value quicker to hopefully upgraded early. Early upgrade targets will be Laird and a keeper in defence.
Good luck to everyone with less than 2 weeks to go.