Always Right Match Committee Thread Round 16, Vs Geelong

[GVGjr]

Maybe McLean was just dropped. Not dropped to work on anything, just dropped for poor performance? Was admittedly pretty stiff to have to be the 23rd man but a game of VFL is probably worth more to the other emergencies than McLean (plus, ya know, what if we actually needed to use the emergency).

I think there was a mention that he needed to work on some aspects of his game (and he probably did) but it loses a bit in the translation when you make him the non playing emergency against Collingwood

[Happy Days]

I think there was a mention that he needed to work on some aspects of his game (and he probably did) but it loses a bit in the translation when you make him the non playing emergency against Collingwood

Could've just been boilerplate for the fans to be honest. When you drop a "good" premiership player you're probably going to need to have something to say to inevitable questions about it.

[FrediKanoute]

What was his deficiency though - if it was 'show us you can still be in the play for 120 minutes' than I'd suggest he's done that.

Given he was the travelling emergency when dropped I don't think it was a flaw-fixing exercise like (for example) Lipinski who had to work on his inside game before getting another shot at the seniors.

McLean was dropped for team balance. WIth Dicko and Reid there is limited space available for him in the forward line; With a midfield that has Hunter, Bont, Macrae, Richards, Dunkley, Smith (both), Williams rolling through it there is no spot for him. McLean is a victum of a guy who hasn't really ever nailed one position - he is a modern day Ricky Olawrenshaw - a good skillful player, not quite a forward and not quite a mid.

[Danjul]

McLean was dropped for team balance. WIth Dicko and Reid there is limited space available for him in the forward line; With a midfield that has Hunter, Bont, Macrae, Richards, Dunkley, Smith (both), Williams rolling through it there is no spot for him. McLean is a victum of a guy who hasn't really ever nailed one position - he is a modern day Ricky Olawrenshaw - a good skillful player, not quite a forward and not quite a mid.

McLean had over 500 possessions last year, twice as many as Richards (who has not had a good season this year either ).

[bornadog]

McLean had over 500 possessions last year, twice as many as Richards (who has not had a good season this year either ).

That was last year, this year he has had some poor games. He will be back. Players get dropped, it is all part of playing footy.

[FrediKanoute]

McLean had over 500 possessions last year, twice as many as Richards (who has not had a good season this year either ).

I don't see how 500 possessions this year is relevant to him being dropped, other than to suggest he is capable of much better than what he is showing. I will say though that neither Richards or McLean have particularly impressed this year.

[Danjul]

I don't see how 500 possessions this year is relevant to him being dropped, other than to suggest he is capable of much better than what he is showing. I will say though that neither Richards or McLean have particularly impressed this year.

Exactly my point.
The guy has ability and should be among the best players.

The logical next step is to ask why his contributions have halved.
Personally I think it is the beard.

[Axe Man]

McLean was dropped for team balance. WIth Dicko and Reid there is limited space available for him in the forward line; With a midfield that has Hunter, Bont, Macrae, Richards, Dunkley, Smith (both), Williams rolling through it there is no spot for him. McLean is a victum of a guy who hasn't really ever nailed one position - he is a modern day Ricky Olawrenshaw - a good skillful player, not quite a forward and not quite a mid.

Who?

I think you are right though. We have a glut of players that are good in the midfield but not that good forward. We can't play them all in the mids all the time, but by and large they are too talented not to be getting a game, despite their lack of forward craft.

[hujsh]

That was last year, this year he has had some poor games. He will be back. Players get dropped, it is all part of playing footy.

No Danjul is right on here. You said we needed Richards a d Williams in the midfield but McLean has shown more as a mid than either of them. He clearly struggles to get involved as a forward when plonked there but plays seriously good footy in the middle. Also hard to understand why room was made for Smith over McLean. Don’t get me wrong it’s been great to see him play and grow but is he really a better midfielder NOW than McLean?

[bornadog]

You said we needed Richards and Williams in the midfield

Did I, I can't remember.

[Mofra]

McLean was dropped for team balance. WIth Dicko and Reid there is limited space available for him in the forward line; With a midfield that has Hunter, Bont, Macrae, Richards, Dunkley, Smith (both), Williams rolling through it there is no spot for him. McLean is a victum of a guy who hasn't really ever nailed one position - he is a modern day Ricky Olawrenshaw - a good skillful player, not quite a forward and not quite a mid.

No disrespect, but sometimes I think 'team balance' is a cop-out.
He just wasn't staying involved enough in the play (was he carrying a niggle?) and going back and dominating at VFL level shows he can do it.

Roarke mentioned he and Williams were swapping wing/forward, surely Williams can go back and McLean can play that role. He actually had a bit of attacking flair at u18 level and was predominantly a forward in 2016. I actually think he's a lot better overhead than he's shown this year so if he can start getting a run and jump at the ball it might help him show what he can do.

[hujsh]

Did I, I can't remember.

My bad. Wasn’t you. Conflating two posters in one.

[Mantis]

That was last year, this year he has had some poor games. He will be back. Players get dropped, it is all part of playing footy.

If I was Toby I'd be putting out feelers for a new club given both Wallis & Gowers were preferred to him in midfield rotations earlier in the year.

I have no idea on how he performed in the pre-season, but given how good he was in the midfield last year before injury the push back into playing as a forward has done absolutely nothing for his development.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

If I was Toby I'd be putting out feelers for a new club given both Wallis & Gowers were preferred to him in midfield rotations earlier in the year.

I have no idea on how he performed in the pre-season, but given how good he was in the midfield last year before injury the push back into playing as a forward has done absolutely nothing for his development.

If I was Toby, I'd take on board coaching feedback, and work my butt off to get back in the side.
It's not like the coaching group have a vendetta against him; he's clearly in the club's preferred best 22.
He hasn't performed this year. He's being asked to play a role he has plaued before. Clearly the club is aware of his performances last year, and I suspect notwithstanding his possession count last season still saw fit to move him. I'd say given the crap year we had last season the club have reviewed his output and thought it was lacking in some areas, and that we'd be better served with others in that primary role.

[Bulldog4life]

Jack Macrae was dropped and took it on the chin. I am sure Toby will too.