Tweet
Following on from Lantern’s excellent analysis of Sam Fisher last week (somewhat like going on stage after the Stones with a 3 string guitar), I thought I’d take a look at one of Essendon’s danger players for this Friday night’s game. While there have been a number of players from the Don’s who have taken us apart over the years (thankfully Hird is retired and Lucas injured), I thought I’d take a look at Mark McVeigh, who has emerged in recent times as one of the Dons most important players for his ability to both create and shut down. He is capable of winning the ball in and under but is also often the guy who receives the handball and releases players running past
D.O.B: 26th January, 1981 (Age 27)
Recruited from: Pennant Hills / NSW – ACT U18’s
Height and Weight: 184cm / 85 kg
Drafted: Pick 9, 1998
Debut: 1999
Games: 165
Player Profile: (From bombersfc.com.au):
Had a superb 2007 season to be equal third (with Scott Lucas) in the best and fairest. Often used as a tagger, but wins plenty of the ball himself and is now regarded as a fine midfielder in his own right. Has the ability to kick vital goals and is a superb overhead mark. Determined and consistent
Up until the last couple of years McVeigh was stuck back in the queue of Essendon midfielders, behind the likes of Hird, Johnson and Mercuri and better known for his tagging abilities, he spent as much time in the backline as he did in the middle. However in recent times he has become a strong ball winner and creative midfielder, good in the clearances but also used as a linkman. In 2007 he was the Bomber’s 6th leading disposal winner, 4th in inside 50’s, 5th in hard ball gets and 1st in loose ball gets. Averaging 25 possessions per game this year McVeigh is still often sent to the opposition’s most dangerous player or onto a player having an influence, as he was against Carlton, being sent to play on Betts when he was on fire and going to Judd later when he was turning it on. Deceptively good overhead (in evidence in the video below) he is not the most penetrating kick, but given time and space is dangerous and can often sneak forward to kick a goal :
Where I think McVeigh will be most dangerous is in the clearances, getting the ball out to the quicker Essendon runners. He will also most likely be assigned to one our mids, possibly Cooney to begin with, but along with the general rotations, will I’m sure be moved around to players having an influence on the game. Also don’t be surprised to see him start out of the square potentially on Gilbee trying to shut him down and make him accountable. However with Essendon’s lack of midfield depth I don’t think they can afford to leave him out of the midfield for the whole game.
The key to beating him is nothing complicated or new. Our midfielders like Cooney, Cross, Griffen and Boyd need to get first hands on the ball and be strong in the contest as they were last week. McVeigh isn’t overly quick so someone like Cooney should be able to exploit him with his pace as well as being strong enough overhead and in close to match him. We definitely need to be aware of him sneaking forward and stop him from picking up cheap goals. His versatility and ability to play different positions are very dangerous but on the other hand I think we have a group of midfielders who if they continue to play the hard nosed pressure football they have recently should be fully capable of negating his influence.
D.O.B: 26th January, 1981 (Age 27)
Recruited from: Pennant Hills / NSW – ACT U18’s
Height and Weight: 184cm / 85 kg
Drafted: Pick 9, 1998
Debut: 1999
Games: 165
Player Profile: (From bombersfc.com.au):
Had a superb 2007 season to be equal third (with Scott Lucas) in the best and fairest. Often used as a tagger, but wins plenty of the ball himself and is now regarded as a fine midfielder in his own right. Has the ability to kick vital goals and is a superb overhead mark. Determined and consistent
Up until the last couple of years McVeigh was stuck back in the queue of Essendon midfielders, behind the likes of Hird, Johnson and Mercuri and better known for his tagging abilities, he spent as much time in the backline as he did in the middle. However in recent times he has become a strong ball winner and creative midfielder, good in the clearances but also used as a linkman. In 2007 he was the Bomber’s 6th leading disposal winner, 4th in inside 50’s, 5th in hard ball gets and 1st in loose ball gets. Averaging 25 possessions per game this year McVeigh is still often sent to the opposition’s most dangerous player or onto a player having an influence, as he was against Carlton, being sent to play on Betts when he was on fire and going to Judd later when he was turning it on. Deceptively good overhead (in evidence in the video below) he is not the most penetrating kick, but given time and space is dangerous and can often sneak forward to kick a goal :
Where I think McVeigh will be most dangerous is in the clearances, getting the ball out to the quicker Essendon runners. He will also most likely be assigned to one our mids, possibly Cooney to begin with, but along with the general rotations, will I’m sure be moved around to players having an influence on the game. Also don’t be surprised to see him start out of the square potentially on Gilbee trying to shut him down and make him accountable. However with Essendon’s lack of midfield depth I don’t think they can afford to leave him out of the midfield for the whole game.
The key to beating him is nothing complicated or new. Our midfielders like Cooney, Cross, Griffen and Boyd need to get first hands on the ball and be strong in the contest as they were last week. McVeigh isn’t overly quick so someone like Cooney should be able to exploit him with his pace as well as being strong enough overhead and in close to match him. We definitely need to be aware of him sneaking forward and stop him from picking up cheap goals. His versatility and ability to play different positions are very dangerous but on the other hand I think we have a group of midfielders who if they continue to play the hard nosed pressure football they have recently should be fully capable of negating his influence.
Comment