Midfield Ray

[Dominator]

I think Ray will move into the midfield this year and add the the already exciting mix that is already there.

[The Coon Dog]

I reckon you'll find he'll spend more time on the wing than anywhere.

[LostDoggy]

He would fit in nicely there it will be very competitive with all of them vying to get in there. Griffen has also said that is where he eventually want to be. It will create healthy competition amongst the players wanting to get into the midfield positions.

[bulldogtragic]

I reckon you'll find he'll spend more time on the wing than anywhere.

Second the notion.

[GVGjr]

I think Ray will move into the midfield this year and add the the already exciting mix that is already there.

Ray can play just about anywhere from half back, wing, centre square or on a half forward flank. I'd suggest that he is most at home on a wing. Two things that concern me about his game is his kicking into the forward line and his indecisions. If he improves in those areas then he will be a match winner for us.

[Sockeye Salmon]

But the wing already is the midfield

[GVGjr]

But the wing already is the midfield

Agreed but in this context I think they regard the centre square as the true midfield.

[alwaysadog]

I think Ray will move into the midfield this year and add the the already exciting mix that is already there.

I have a slight concern, and this is not a shot at you Dominator; 1010 because you are echoing a sentiment being widely expressed.

Without keeping an up to date count I think at least 13 players have been suggested as being in the midfield for 2007 (can anyone advance me on 13?). It's either going to be very crowded in there or they are going to rotate every 60 seconds or so.

I sometimes wonder if there is any value in having good players who can play other positions. I have a feeling that if we had 7 or 8 ruckmen on the list and the rest all midfielders we would have the perfect side.

OK... DR would still want us to draft a few talls, but they would probably not get past the bench.

[Go_Dogs]

Ray won about the 2nd least % of contested possessions last year. Ie. For every possession he had, only about 10% were won in traffic. Only the Powers Lonie was worse. I think Ray is definently more suited to a wing - I watched at numerous times last year while he stood by and didn't throw himself into a contest, where as players like Cross, Boyd etc were regularly throwing themselves into contests and tackles to win games. I don't know if its a confidence thing due to his size - but if he wants to play in the centre square and be a good inside midfielder, he has do to better, much better.

Ray's kicking also let's him down a lot - so if he wants to be a good wingman, he has to work on it. I want our wingmen kicking long goals, and penetrating as well as running the lines well. Too often Ray sprays the ball after a good run, even when he has time to compose. At the same time I have seen him spot up some pretty ridiculous kicks from difficult positions under pressure. He has it, he just needs to get it right much more often.
I think he will be a good player, but he has a lot of work infront of him to make sure he gets to that level and becomes a genuinely good player.

[Dry Rot]

Without keeping an up to date count I think at least 13 players have been suggested as being in the midfield for 2007 (can anyone advance me on 13?). It's either going to be very crowded in there or they are going to rotate every 60 seconds or so.

Anyone know our usual rotations and midfield combinations? Or is it more random than that?

[GVGjr]

Anyone know our usual rotations and midfield combinations? Or is it more random than that?

I think it is a random horses for courses approach to rotations. Eade did seem to stick with West coming off at the 20 to 25 min mark on each of the first three quarters last year though.

[alwaysadog]

DR that is a top question. There has to be a lot of thinking that goes into this, but I wonder if the club want it to be public knowledge. It's something I plan to try and take special note of this year.

I assume by the way that we are talking about centre bounces, but even then it gets complicated because someone might be in the centre for the bounce then not follow the ball but move to a forward or a back flank. I think they are trying to balance the need to win clearances with overall game matchups.

The players clearly know the rotation as you don't see too many frantic signals. On the other hand the odd combinations that appear in the center at times baffles me ie they might all be relatively light bodied or none part of the usual bounce routine.

[Dry Rot]

On the other hand the odd combinations that appear in the center at times baffles me ie they might all be relatively light bodied or none part of the usual bounce routine.

This bit really interests me NB bench players eg is there a particular set-up when say Boyd or Ray go on?

When McMahon is used in there is say Eagle usually on the bench etc?

Does the set-up depend upon whether Minson or street are rucking etc

[GVGjr]

This bit really interests me NB bench players eg is there a particular set-up when say Boyd or Ray go on?

When McMahon is used in there is say Eagle usually on the bench etc?

Does the set-up depend upon whether Minson or street are rucking etc

I'm not sure the set-up would be much different for Street or Minson but it might be something worth checking once the season starts.

[alwaysadog]

This bit really interests me NB bench players eg is there a particular set-up when say Boyd or Ray go on?

When McMahon is used in there is say Eagle usually on the bench etc?

Does the set-up depend upon whether Minson or street are rucking etc

Curioser and curiouser.

If we can get on top of this sort of detail then we will go a long way to better understanding what is being attempted and if it is working. Rather like last draft period when we knew the shape of the plan and just waited on the detail.

But we need to be careful; knowlege rather than prejudice might become the base of argument.