Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

I spoke with Paul Dimattina two days ago and talked about what we need. When I said speed in the midfield, he mentioned Macrae as fast. I expressed surprise and he said he's also fast of mind and reaction.
Dimma also thought lack of replacement for Minnow, was not enthusiastic about Campbell, thought the main need was another tall CHB, we talked about Roughead, and my long lost cousin who was visiting me from Sydney and is a naturopath but knows nothing about sport, (although she used to work in television with Doug Walters) chimed in with "he (Roughead) needs a good sports surgeon"! No laughing from Dimma. He lamented our small following and said his brother played 49 games for Collingwoood yet experienced the might of their following and the thrill of playing in front of them.

[Avoid the rush]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

He has developed very well physically and while he isn't quick he won't get caught too often.



Excellent analysis and a fair indication of what he needs to work on.



I wonder now that we have a better forward structure if Macrae and others will lift their heads a bit more and take the longer option?



The assessments are fair and I do believe Macrae has another level he can reach. It might take more than one season though given he will need to adjust to the demands of a new coach.

I'm not sure about making him into a contested ball winner because I like the way he is playing but it is an area he can get better at.
Slight improvement in that area is what I would be aiming for, I don't think we need to change his style too much.

Totally and emphatically agree with GVGjr!!!! He has his own style! Let him use it. He will be elite!!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

Agree with what has been said. He needs to get better defensively - but that is more about consistent intent, because his technique for tackling is very very good and he has nailed several opponents often much bigger than he.

The other area as has been noted is his long kicking - definitely a weakness. They tend to float a little and certainly lack penetration, but he's a clever player and works around this issue by using his vision and excellent short kicking skills to good effect. It's an area he does need to address but I don't think Jack will ever be as penetrating/damaging as Bonti.

If we can add some quicker players around Macrae, with penetrating foot skills, he really won't have to change much at all. I've always seen him as a 'death by a thousand cuts' type of player, whereas Stringer/Bonti are the genuine match winners. You need both, but having said that, I am confident Macrae will continue to improve - he has a great attitude for such a young player.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

Agree with what has been said. He needs to get better defensively - but that is more about consistent intent, because his technique for tackling is very very good and he has nailed several opponents often much bigger than he.

The other area as has been noted is his long kicking - definitely a weakness. They tend to float a little and certainly lack penetration, but he's a clever player and works around this issue by using his vision and excellent short kicking skills to good effect. It's an area he does need to address but I don't think Jack will ever be as penetrating/damaging as Bonti.

If we can add some quicker players around Macrae, with penetrating foot skills, he really won't have to change much at all. I've always seen him as a 'death by a thousand cuts' type of player, whereas Stringer/Bonti are the genuine match winners. You need both, but having said that, I am confident Macrae will continue to improve - he has a great attitude for such a young player.

This is key. He copped a rough and unfair whack from Macca mid-season and responded beautifully. Others have copped a fair and overly soft whack and are now playing at Carlton. A great attitude is everything, as it means you're listening to the coach and your team instead of brushing off criticism. His attitude means if he can improve, he's certain to.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

This is key. He copped a rough and unfair whack from Macca mid-season and responded beautifully. Others have copped a fair and overly soft whack and are now playing at Carlton. A great attitude is everything, as it means you're listening to the coach and your team instead of brushing off criticism. His attitude means if he can improve, he's certain to.

It was reported that earlier in the season, at training, he had called senior players to order, including Matty Boyd, for not doing the right thing. This shows not just strength of character but also that he considers the team and the ethic as paramount.

[Bornadog]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

BUMP

Can Macrae develop his game to take the next step and go from being a well performed rookie to being a player that is capable inside and out, capable of beating a tag and generally becoming a big bodied midfielder with great skills and composure?

How have posters rated Macrae's season to date.

I think since being dropped to the VFL he has improved his defensive side. His tackling has gone up from an average of 4 to 6 per game.

Still needs to be a little more damaging with his kicking and his core strength needs to be built up, but I am pleased with his progress. He is an absolute ball magnet, and with experience he will become even better.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

Macrae has probably been a little disappointing, but that is a reflection of the high expectations generated from his first 2 seasons.

In my mind he has stagnated or even regressed slightly from 2014, but that is understandable as rarely is any trajectory permanently up.

He has dipped a little but I believe his performance graph will surge ahead as he puts the current lessons into practice.

He certainly knows how to find the ball and just needs to improve his disposal skills. Really needs to be able to get more than 40 metres with his kicking and to be able to be more precise with his delivery.

If he can't add distance he needs to adopt the Robert Harvey approach and become a fantastic short kick to a leading target.

[F'scary]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

I think he is a bit like Crameri. Last year, the team was playing so badly that they both stood out even more. They got the additional possessions and goals because others were not delivering. This year, the list seems stronger, team performances have been much better (to date), there is a greater spread of players sharing the output.

[comrade]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

He showed another dimension when he was thrown in the centre against the Lions.

An inside quartet of Libba, Wallis, Bonti and Macrae is pretty tasty. Size, strength, skill and smarts.

[Twodogs]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

He showed another dimension when he was thrown in the centre against the Lions.

An inside quartet of Libba, Wallis, Bonti and Macrae is pretty tasty. Size, strength, skill and smarts.

If you were negotiating with a ruckman from another club you'd just write those names on a piece of paper with something like How good are these blokes going to make you look? along with the financial offer.

[Sedat]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

Thought he was exceptional on the weekend. Clearly he has worked hard on his defensive game and without compromising his ball-winning ability.

[westdog54]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

Its almost unfair that he was picked up straight after Stringer. They'll always be assessed together.

He's developing as I'd expect a 3rd year player to. He's getting more consistent as he goes along. Hell be a very, very good player.

[Bornadog]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

Its almost unfair that he was picked up straight after Stringer. They'll always be assessed together.

He's developing as I'd expect a 3rd year player to. He's getting more consistent as he goes along. Hell be a very, very good player.

He will be an A Grade player. Already has a career average of 24 disposals per game with the last two years sitting on 26.

[Twodogs]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

I can see why people can see a bit of Robert Harvey in Jack. Jack is a better kick at the same age though.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Jackson Macrae - Can he take the next step in 2015?

Outstanding on the weekend. Adds so much to the side, getting the ball and linking. His tackling has really improved. He is an octopus like Bont in trapping the ball and can move into space with a step or two.