Round 1 V Essendon

[Meg]

Good news, Franklin, K Jack, McVeigh all expected to be ok for Round 1.
Stars set for round one action - sydneyswans.com.au

[Meg]

In above interview Harley also says that Tippett and McGlynn are on track for Round 1 as well.

[Scottee]

I think Towers is ahead of Harry.

[Conor_Dillon]

Harry will be used a devensive mid though, predominantly on your Stephen Hill types etc.

Oh and K.Jack cleared by MRP too...it's been a great news day so far.

[Matt80]

I think that whatever happens ,Heeney has to play. He actually ads to the team. He uses every possession well. He also nailed five tackles. He is getting 15 possessions now. He will get up to 20-25 possessions in the seniors if he plays regularly.

He is giving more effective versatility that Tom Mitchell at the moment.

[0918330512]

I think that whatever happens ,Heeney has to play. He actually ads to the team. He uses every possession well. He also nailed five tackles. He is getting 15 possessions now. He will get up to 20-25 possessions in the seniors if he plays regularly.

Based on that, once Tommy gets regular senior games, he'll be up to 55-60 possessions in the seniors

He is giving more effective versatility that Tom Mitchell at the moment.

goody, getting back to trade Tom Mitchell soon, I suspect

[Auntie.Gerald]

the best part is the selection of players will be just as difficult for the coaches which is a blessing

there are 6 players or so who could all do equally well given some games week in week out in snrs

[Matt80]

Based on that, once Tommy gets regular senior games, he'll be up to 55-60 possessions in the seniors



goody, getting back to trade Tom Mitchell soon, I suspect

Tom Mitchell can play as an inside midfield extractor, but has not shown the versatility of Heeney. Heeney can play at half forward and give you a high marking presence. He is also at this stage a more accomplished kick that Mitchell. Heeney could also do a job at half back. I think he may have been playing at half back when he took the towering match saving mark. Heeney can also play in the midfield as was rated the 2nd best talent in the 2014 draft based on midfield capability.

I think Craig Bird is ahead of Mitchell based on pre-season performance and may get the nod for round one over Mitchell.

I would prefer a quick, versatile, high impact player to be the sub. I would prefer that job to go to Towers over Mitchell.

Mitchell needs to dislodge one of Kennedy, Parker and Bird to get a regular game.

This is just my opinion.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Mitchell needs to dislodge one of Kennedy, Parker and Bird to get a regular game.

If that really is the case then why didn't we trade him to Carlton for pick 6 or whatever it was? Having someone of Mitchell's calibre sitting on the sidelines for most matches until Bird retires doesn't make any sense.

[Matt80]

If that really is the case then why didn't we trade him to Carlton for pick 6 or whatever it was? Having someone of Mitchell's calibre sitting on the sidelines for most matches until Bird retires doesn't make any sense.

Stuart Dew was asked why Mitchell started as sub against GWS. He replied that Craig Bird had played well the previous game. They would appear to be in direct competition for a spot based on that comment.

It's also apparent that you can't have to many of the one type of player. Kennedy, Parker and Bird are three inside extractors. They need quicker and more versatile players like Jetta, Hanners, Lloyd, McGlynn, Cunninham and K.Jack to feed of their tough inside work and spread into space. I don't think you need a 4th inside extractor at the cost of a quicker and more versatile player.

[aguy]

Stuart Dew was asked why Mitchell started as sub against GWS. He replied that Craig Bird had played well the previous game. They would appear to be in direct competition for a spot based on that comment.

It's also apparent that you can't have to many of the one type of player. Kennedy, Parker and Bird are three inside extractors. They need quicker and more versatile players like Jetta, Hanners, Lloyd, McGlynn, Cunninham and K.Jack to feed of their tough inside work and spread into space. I don't think you need a 4th inside extractor at the cost of a quicker and more versatile player.

I think the solution is clearly to change the rules and make it a 23 player game. Problem solved !!

[Melbourne_Blood]

Stuart Dew was asked why Mitchell started as sub against GWS. He replied that Craig Bird had played well the previous game. They would appear to be in direct competition for a spot based on that comment.

It's also apparent that you can't have to many of the one type of player. Kennedy, Parker and Bird are three inside extractors. They need quicker and more versatile players like Jetta, Hanners, Lloyd, McGlynn, Cunninham and K.Jack to feed of their tough inside work and spread into space. I don't think you need a 4th inside extractor at the cost of a quicker and more versatile player.

It this a copy & paste job, It feels oddly familiar..

[Flying South]

Tom Mitchell can play as an inside midfield extractor, but has not shown the versatility of Heeney. Heeney can play at half forward and give you a high marking presence. He is also at this stage a more accomplished kick that Mitchell. Heeney could also do a job at half back. I think he may have been playing at half back when he took the towering match saving mark. Heeney can also play in the midfield as was rated the 2nd best talent in the 2014 draft based on midfield capability.

Mitchell has played 19 games and kicked 13 goals at an average of 0.7 goals per game. Not bad for a midfield extractor if you ask me. He also averages 3.7 marks along with 20.9 possessions and 5.7 tackles. Luke Parker averages 0.7 goals, 3.3 marks, 20.5 possessions and 4.5 tackles over 94 games. Luke is a gun and Mitchell will be to if we just give him another few years. I think you can see why we knocked back Carlton's advances. Stop trying to trade him out. Along with Parker, Hannebery, Heeney and Mills, they will be the backbone of our midfield in the years to come.

[graemed]

Franklin would come into the team at Robinson's expense likewise B. Jack would be left out for K Jack.
If both were available Lloyd would be the sub for this team, with Rohan, Jetta and Mitchell on the bench. Franklin in for Reid and Reid would go into the backline, probably to the third tall if they have one and K Jack into the followers.

[graemed]

Mitchell has played 19 games and kicked 13 goals at an average of 0.7 goals per game. Not bad for a midfield extractor if you ask me. He also averages 3.7 marks along with 20.9 possessions and 5.7 tackles. Luke Parker averages 0.7 goals, 3.3 marks, 20.5 possessions and 4.5 tackles over 94 games. Luke is a gun and Mitchell will be to if we just give him another few years. I think you can see why we knocked back Carlton's advances. Stop trying to trade him out. Along with Parker, Hannebery, Heeney and Mills, they will be the backbone of our midfield in the years to come.

Many of us who have seen Tom Mitchell performing in the seniors/reserves realise that beyond even these impressive statistics, there is so much more to his game.

His ability to be in space, read the game, be there for the cut out handball/kick, assist with a block, make a second tackle, create space for a teammate, be prepared to put himself into a contest, win a possession and then distribute wisely and effectively are significant features of his game.

I have no doubt on the little I've seen of Heeney both in the reserves last year and from his improvement since Henson Park, that he will be good for us in all the ways people have mentioned.

We still need to win more ball at stoppages, Mitchell can do that for us, as can Parker, Kennedy and Hannabery.

Underestimating the importance of clearances is why we lost Mumford. We cannot give up more grunt.

Those with pace like Harry and Lloyd were exposed last year through no fault of their own. We lost the battle in the middle of the ground and no amount of outside speed will fix that.