SPS

[ElwoodBlues1]

Really don’t think our midfield options are too bad at all (excluding Kennedy, Newnes and OBrien all of whom I rate as depth only)

SPS has never been a defender, so could be viewed as having been played out of position for a couple of years and my fingers are crossed that he’s released into the midfield. Great user.

Dow has all the attributes and I haven’t lost hope, but 21 is critical for him.

Not yet sure what to make of Kemp, Stocker, Philp and Honey, but one or more could surprise.

Of the blue chip midfield options in 2021 Cripps, Setterfield & Silvagni are all capable of performing the big body mid role, Curnow or Silvagni can tag and we have a plethora of other general midfielders such as Martin, Williams, SPS, Walsh, Murphy, Dow, Cunningham & Gibbons. I’d also like to see Tom Williamson on a wing in 21.

Plenty of choices and a first choice midfield of
Tom DeKoning (Ruck) Cripps (Ruck Rover) SPS (Rover) Williams (Wing) Walsh (Center) & Martin (Wing) is exciting.

Bigger concern is key defensive depth, CCurnow and our small forward stocks - I’d expect Murphy to move into fwd 50

I think Jack is a decent player but not a true mid, he is a competitor but I wouldnt call him a class big bodied mid.
More of a 3rd string rotation when you have injuries or need a lift and something different. I also see his future at the club unknown and I wouldnt be counting on him being on the list long term.
Setterfield is a good B grader but doesnt get real big numbers or have that real class disposal, probably along the lines of Dunkley from the Dogs who plays his role but isnt at the level of the Bont or MacRae.
Think we need another decent sized mid with a bit of class, the real good teams have three or four A graders in the middle and we fall away after Cripps and Walsh IMO...Martin has that class but doesnt seem ever destined for a FT midfield role but more of a shock trooper who you throw in the middle for a lift when we are in trouble but will play more time forward.
Agree on the defensive depth and we will be forced to take Oscar McDonald as insurance Imho.....I think Durdin and Fogarty will give us a lift in the small forward area and my personal view is that Durdin will be a very exciting player who can fill Eddies position.
Charlie Curnow remains a player who is a bonus if he plays but I wouldnt be building a game plan around him just yet until he proves he can stay on the park. Like your thoughts on Williamson, I like tall wingers and he is such a good kick he could be our Issac Smith providing he too can remain injury free..