Rooster Midfield Stocks Looking Thin

[sus]

Kurzel - out for season with a knee
Wise - gone to QLD
Wintle - hamstring problems reported in the Advertiser! Doesnt he have a history of these?

They were looking vulnerable in the midfield anyway before all these events. And no-one can win a premiership with a weak or shallow midfield. All these gun key-position forward players will be starved of opportunity. And other teams will just read off any dominance OHara "might" have in tap work. If their midifeld woes continue Im writing them off

[drebin]

Trying to stir shit hey sus!

Wintle will be fine - just being monitored given he is in the veteran class and the policy is no risks with injured players this year given our increased depth.
Kurzel wasn't a league regular at this point in his career and would have battled to be in our first 21.
Wise is a loss but he was a wingman/tagger, not a hard at it on baller and with our depth we should have no problem replacing him. So what about...

Ladhams, Krieg, Howard, Walker, Younie, Speedsters in M. Campbell, Ryswyk and Bamford. Throw in the developing youngsters Delvins and Edwards for starters. Now who else....Ivens is often thrown onto the ball for a quarter in most matches so he is another option, Gatto played on ball towards the latter part of last season - another versatile option. Brett White and Daniel Ebert also play on ball from time to time depending upon match ups so more versatility there. You can throw in Josh Coulter when he returns as he has been earmarked to play on the wing to provide run and toughness through the midfield. Word from the Power is that Lounie may need a run at North and he will play on the wing or half back, Francou is also short of a run and he may be back via North too - guess where he plays?

Yep the stocks are thin. Keep trying Sus!

[sus]

You can think what you like about my motive drebin but the fact is that Ladhams is the ONLY proven talented midfielder in your list. In fact you contradicted yourself - on one hand you tell me that Wise is not a true midifielder - and then you go and list Bamford of all people on your list? Go figure. The fact is that North Adelaide have a poor midfield!!! The blokes you listed are just either second raters or unproven compared to the strong midfield players of other clubs. And forget about the AWFL players - every team can list three or four of those. Maybe we should include Roo in Westies list of likely midfielders too? Come on please - your grapsing at straws old son!!!! Admit your side's weakness!

[drebin]

You never specified, in your words "proven talented" in your original post ?- If that was the case you would have not mentioned Kurzel and Wise in that category then as both are talernted but neither proven - would that be right.

So Ladhams is the only proven midfielder - well you listed Wintle and surely he is proven and talented and he is still playing? He only has a minor strain - he is not out for the year or moved interstate! So defining midfielders - that doesn't include wingman then because if it does you cannot tell me Bamford is not a proven talented midfielder? Of course being on 3 AFL lists plus well over 150 SANFL games doesn't count??? He has actually played more AFL games than Ladhams 59 to 54 overall. So what does not make him proven and talented?

Younie - look up his stats - he is only behind Ladhams as the biggest posession gatherer in our team plus a B&F winner and vice captain. Yep no talent and not proven? Luke Ivens - not proven and talented? You would have to include Dean Howard as proven - he played State Football so does that not prove his talent and he was recruited to add experience and toughness to our on ball brigade and he is playing in the midfield for us - not in attack or defence. Kinglsey Walker is also proven but via the WAFL - 138 games so I guess he is an unknown to most people at this stage. He is also very versatile by by way of being able to play all over the ground. The others you could debate as to whether they are proven but what is your criteria of proven. List the other clubs with more than 3 proven talented midfielders according to your criteria (whatever that is?) if you don't count wingman. Fair point re the AFL listed players - we will leave them out in this debate. In fact you list the proven and talented midfileders at each club via your criteria.
P.S. Ryswyk will suprise and prove himself on the WING this year - must have some talent as he managed to play an AFL game for the Lions.

[MST]

Trying to stir shit hey sus!

Ladhams, Krieg, Howard, Walker, Younie, Speedsters in M. Campbell, Ryswyk and Bamford. Throw in the developing youngsters Delvins and Edwards for starters. Now who else....Ivens is often thrown onto the ball for a quarter in most matches so he is another option, Gatto played on ball towards the latter part of last season - another versatile option. Brett White and Daniel Ebert also play on ball from time to time depending upon match ups so more versatility there. You can throw in Josh Coulter when he returns as he has been earmarked to play on the wing to provide run and toughness through the midfield. Word from the Power is that Lounie may need a run at North and he will play on the wing or half back, Francou is also short of a run and he may be back via North too - guess where he plays?

Yep the stocks are thin. Keep trying Sus!

Unlike Sus I am reluctant to suggest North's midfield is 'Weak'. Most of those names mentioned are talented and skilled. What I will say is that of that list only Howard stands out as a hardened, in and under 'ball winner'. The rest of the list would fall into the 'link man' category, so although the likes of Campbell, Younie and Krieg will use the footy efficiently WHEN they get hold of it, Dean Howard is the only true possesion earner to feed these others, which may present a problem no matter how many times O'Hara gives you first look. Coulter adds some toughness but as you suggested drebin, he may find himself on the wing more than in the thick of things.

Having said that, North are a top three potential and will be hard to beat if they get their mix right.

[Jimmy]

Sturts PROVEN midfielders

Squire, Whiteman, Weatherald, Sheedy, Colreavy, Nelson etc etc

GUN midfield...too bad Nelson had to play a KP last year due to injuries and squire is getting on but bagging goals at HF or sweeping up at HB.

wouldnt mind having a Pearce, Eckers and Thommo in their too

[Jimmy]

just to get back on topic, i think their midfield will be fine. Ivens, Younie, Bamford and Howard with Wintle in there as well they can match it with most teams in the league. Their defense will be shaky if they suffer some injuries but look to be a well evened out side all over the ground. A plethora of forward options with hargs by the looks of things down the list there...

My favs for the flag. If they dont win it this year, its a choke and they never will

come on, bite you bitches

[redandblack]

Dean Howard didn't play in the midfield much last year and he's now a year older.

Genuine query, is he injured, as he's not listed to play tomorrow.

[drebin]

Fair points there MST and Jimmy - my bait to sus re lisitng the other teams midfield was to see how he rated those teams - I had Sturt in mind re their proven midfielders. I would say apart from Centrals with the Gowans - most midfields have only one or two at the most hard in and under types although you could argue Sturt have a handy couple of tough at it players. That is not to say those palyers are not fearless or courageous - it more relates to their playing style. This is the case at most clubs. It is stretching it to include Squire as an in and under hard at it type - more so he is a penetrating running type as an example of my last point.

Weatherald, Whiteman and Colreavy for sure, Nelson is more a defender - is he not a HBF with the occasional run on the ball?. He did have to bear quite a burden last year playing in a key possie.

Re our defence - injuries will weaken any defence especially key position players but I think ours will be better re depth and versatility than last year (except for losing Roe who is hard to replace). We will have Schubert, Cox, Koops and more than likely Hargraves for the tall KP spots as well as grooming McEntee who has played in defence for our 2 trials so far and will tommorow as well. Hasledine also proved himself to a degree as a reliable, honest mid sized 3rd tall option last year - he kept Chambers almost goalless twice last year plus Coulter can play as a third tall defender as well - so I think we are okay and more versatile this year (save for injuries of course).

Re Dean Howard - he is in Victoria tommorow for Ed Richardson's wedding - he is fighting fit and looking good.

[ca]

I can't see North struggling this year, I don't think Kurzel or Wise are really going to make any difference, good solid players but not the core of the team. To me their only concerns are Koops, Cox and Hargraves and how their bodies stand up. There still my favourite for the flag in a cake walk.

[doggies4eva]

I can't see North struggling this year, I don't think Kurzel or Wise are really going to make any difference, good solid players but not the core of the team. To me their only concerns are Koops, Cox and Hargraves and how their bodies stand up. There still my favourite for the flag in a cake walk.

In a cake walk? They have choked the last couple of years in finals. It seems that they will have to take the next step - not what I'd call a cake walk.

[drebin]

I agree doggies4eva - there is alot of hype about North but most of us at Prospect are quietly confident re this year and why not? I don't hear too mnay talking premierships except for others like ca. We should at least improve on the past 2 years otherwise our recruiting etc and the last 2 years will be wasted - and we will lose all credibility and be labelled chokers (hey Jimmy !). From my point of view as I said all along the comp will be closer than many think this year and Centrals are still the measuring stick and until someone beats them they remain favourites.

[Wedgie]

In 2005 Wintle, Ladhams, Bamford and Ivens all averaged over 20 touches a game (in the minor round, probably higher in the major), you throw in the fact they're going to get the ball shoved down their throad this year with O'Hara in ruck as opposed to having to read the opposition ruckman and all is rosy.
I was only concerned about not having a fast onballer but Ryswyk will take that spot nicely, Walkers been very impressive early on too.

Ive actually had more worries about defence. There's going to be some high scoring games involving North this year.

Disregard ca d4e, he's got a boner about North this reason, I think he's just stirring to claim North are chokers if they don't win the whole shindig despite the fact they're only 3rd or 4th in the line of the betting which IMHO and most experts is fair.

[ca]

I really think North will win it this year. A bit harsh to call them chokers the last couple of years, there is a difference between choking and being beaten by a better team.

I agree with Drebin and Wedgie I haven't heard anyone from North talking up their premiership chances. God, I can't win, I pick them to win the premiership and I am accused of trying to talk them up so I can turn it back on them later.

[am Bays]

Wintle will be fine - just being monitored given he is in the veteran class and the policy is no risks with injured players this year given our increased depth.

Didn't Collingwood say for the first 12 weeks last year that Buckley's hamstring was only a week away?? Just being cautious by monitoring it. I think Buckley broke the record last year for the most "tests" on the one injury in a year!!

[Wedgie]

Didn't Collingwood say for the first 12 weeks last year that Buckley's hamstring was only a week away?? Just being cautious by monitoring it. I think Buckley broke the record last year for the most "tests" on the one injury in a year!!

Wintle usually misses some early games, last year he missed 3 early games and only played 15 games for the minor rounds, word is he's better this time this year than last and he absolutely starred in the finals last year so I'm not concerned. Talked to his old man last week and he said if Darryl had his way he'd be lining up this week, only a twinge but better to play it safe with the Cap'n.

[am Bays]

Didn't Collingwood say for the first 12 weeks last year that Buckley's hamstring was only a week away?? Just being cautious by monitoring it. I think Buckley broke the record last year for the most "tests" on the one injury in a year!!

Wintle usually misses some early games, last year he missed 3 early games and only played 15 games for the minor rounds, word is he's better this time this year than last and he absolutely starred in the finals last year so I'm not concerned. Talked to his old man last week and he said if Darryl had his way he'd be lining up this week, only a twinge but better to play it safe with the Cap'n.

Good for North and good for the comp, always wary though when you hear those close to the club use the words resting/testing/monitoring when it comes to thigh injuries

[sus]

I could list each midfielder from North head to head with teams like CDs, Eagles, and Norwood even - but its pointless because it all comes down to opinion. And in my opinion North Adelaide has a weak midfield. Compared to other teams they lack depth, talent, balance and work ethic. That's my opinion and whether North supporters agree or not only time will tell I guess.

[Wedgie]

I could list each midfielder from North head to head with teams like CDs, Eagles, and Norwood even - but its pointless because it all comes down to opinion. And in my opinion North Adelaide has a weak midfield. Compared to other teams they lack depth, talent, balance and work ethic. That's my opinion and whether North supporters agree or not only time will tell I guess.

You don't have to convince us, CA (Norwood supporter) is the only one proclaming North as a certainty to win the flag. I and as far as I know most other North supporters are quite happy to agree with the experts and bookies who have us on the 3rd line of betting.

[Jimmy]

I could list each midfielder from North head to head with teams like CDs, Eagles, and Norwood even - but its pointless because it all comes down to opinion. And in my opinion North Adelaide has a weak midfield. Compared to other teams they lack depth, talent, balance and work ethic. That's my opinion and whether North supporters agree or not only time will tell I guess.

You don't have to convince us, CA (Norwood supporter) is the only one proclaming North as a certainty to win the flag. I and as far as I know most other North supporters are quite happy to agree with the experts and bookies who have us on the 3rd line of betting.

dont forget me wedgie, im tipping north for the flag too and thats genuine too....well, someone ELSE has to stop the dogs too