Position 2023: Midfield Discussion

Joined
13 Apr 2012
Messages
6,024
Likes
15,759
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Any Bombers fans care to shed a bit of light on Setterfield re his role/preseason etc. Curious as to why he hasn’t been discussed a bit more? Seems to be right up the pecking order for CBAs and has gone at 90 for a stretch in a similar role in 2019.
 
Joined
5 Feb 2014
Messages
1,354
Likes
6,817
AFL Club
Carlton
Any Bombers fans care to shed a bit of light on Setterfield re his role/preseason etc. Curious as to why he hasn’t been discussed a bit more? Seems to be right up the pecking order for CBAs and has gone at 90 for a stretch in a similar role in 2019.
Many don't rate him as a player (I do)

Few scared of when coaches mention he can rotate through wing (I don't really think he will much)

No Stringer in the early rounds - possibly no Caldwell for Round 1. Caldwell is probably the most influential in terms of stealing his CBA's, although they could co-exist, it would be much better for Setterfield if Caldwell was out for a few rounds (especially if Setterfield can cement his importance in Rounds 1-2)
 
Joined
13 Apr 2012
Messages
6,024
Likes
15,759
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Many don't rate him as a player (I do)

Few scared of when coaches mention he can rotate through wing (I don't really think he will much)

No Stringer in the early rounds - possibly no Caldwell for Round 1. Caldwell is probably the most influential in terms of stealing his CBA's, although they could co-exist, it would be much better for Setterfield if Caldwell was out for a few rounds (especially if Setterfield can cement his importance in Rounds 1-2)
I quite like the pick, as you said - shifting him out to a wing doesn’t make a huge amount of sense with all their outside runners. Their first 6 weeks is about as good as it gets too - might struggle against the Dees but Collingwood consistently gave up big points to inside mids last year.

I’ll let this one steep overnight but he’s shot to the front of my Yeo reshuffle list.
 

Bomber18

Leadership Group
Joined
11 Nov 2012
Messages
27,409
Likes
65,138
AFL Club
Essendon
Any Bombers fans care to shed a bit of light on Setterfield re his role/preseason etc. Curious as to why he hasn’t been discussed a bit more? Seems to be right up the pecking order for CBAs and has gone at 90 for a stretch in a similar role in 2019.
I quite like the pick, as you said - shifting him out to a wing doesn’t make a huge amount of sense with all their outside runners. Their first 6 weeks is about as good as it gets too - might struggle against the Dees but Collingwood consistently gave up big points to inside mids last year.

I’ll let this one steep overnight but he’s shot to the front of my Yeo reshuffle list.
He played about half the praccy game on a wing (with no CBAs in the second half).

Think he could be on wing/HFF at times
 
Joined
19 Jan 2016
Messages
1,929
Likes
6,564
Any Bombers fans care to shed a bit of light on Setterfield re his role/preseason etc. Curious as to why he hasn’t been discussed a bit more? Seems to be right up the pecking order for CBAs and has gone at 90 for a stretch in a similar role in 2019.
Shiel, Parish and Merret to take the bulk CBAs, and scraps fir setters is the main fear. Unlike Hopper and Worpel who are the ma8n men this year.
 
Joined
3 Feb 2021
Messages
2,410
Likes
13,067
AFL Club
Essendon
Many don't rate him as a player (I do)

Few scared of when coaches mention he can rotate through wing (I don't really think he will much)

No Stringer in the early rounds - possibly no Caldwell for Round 1. Caldwell is probably the most influential in terms of stealing his CBA's, although they could co-exist, it would be much better for Setterfield if Caldwell was out for a few rounds (especially if Setterfield can cement his importance in Rounds 1-2)
Good to see you're now a Bombers fan, AT :p
 
Joined
18 Feb 2019
Messages
1,370
Likes
5,768
AFL Club
Carlton
Who was that guy we had in SCE years ago that used to post injury news like a day later than when everyone knew about it @bluebloods - I used to think he just did it every time for ****s and giggles and was his own personal joke :)
Bit of a rumour going around Yeo is injured, not sure if confirmed yet.
 
Joined
18 Jul 2016
Messages
3,769
Likes
26,255
AFL Club
Sydney
Personally think that GWS are still a very talented side, they will surprise many this year given Kingsley has already shown he will be playing his best players in their correct positions unlike Leon....

Ash to half back where he played as a junior & excelled
Whitfield to half back to provide the run & carry
Ward to the fwd line/ transitioned out of the midfield now

Yes Hopper & Taranto are real losses but GWS had a surplus of quality midfielders previously along with Leon adding Ash in there as a run with player when he is a very good half back (just one of many bizarre Leon moves)

Backing my boy to get very close to the 120 mark this year myself, endurance has really improved/ will run out games better this year.
I'd actually argue that both of Taranto and Hopper are addition by subtraction.

Not so much because of them as players, they're both perfectly capable players but more because of what they forced the coaches to do.

There was clearly an intention to keep them, which meant prioritising their roles over better players, Hopper especially is utterly one dimensional so the guys who could play other roles end up playing them so that he can fit into the side. Taranto I actually think is much better as a forward where his disposal isn't as toxic but he was also getting a prime role.

Basically Coniglio and Kelly, both much better players were forced out of the midfield for large periods. Throw in Green who was pushed to fringe roles as well once both were back in the side (midfield for Taranto once Toby was back).

They should actually be a better side by having their three best midfielders actually playing genuine midfield roles. Preuss also looks to actually be fit and might get a run at it this year without Cameron playing musical chairs with the ruck spot.

I'm still not sold on Green though, his first 7 weeks were great last year but there's not really any great reason for his drop off, his CBA and role were both pretty consistent through the year, he just stopped scoring really. The question is if he can produce that first 7 weeks for a season or if that was more the anomaly for him. About the best "positive" I can find outside that purple patch was that his last 6 weeks with Hopper in the side were pretty horrible but I have to temper that with it also being the time when Coniglio started to get strong midfield minutes also. He was much better late when Perryman played though.

He's a really conflicting study, he could average 90, 100, 110 or 120 and I think you can make just about as good a case for all 4 of those. Looking at the pack this year, I can't help but feel like 115 is the target line and 110 is the bare minimum for him.
 
Top