The Next Incarnation Of Our "Engine Room"

[LP]

Thomas needs to be doing the finishing IMO....I dont expect 30 possies a game anymore from him but 10-15 with 2-3 goals is what I want for my money..

I agree, I think despite his injury issues he should still be able to make good decisions and hit targets in the 30-40m range.

The new McLean!

[PassIt2Carrots]

Thomas can't kick 30m, how will he be able to finish? TBH I see him as an honest back pocket if/when he comes back.

[Jack Burton]

With MM gone I'd be surprised if he plays another game at AFL level. Will be handy in the NB forward line though

[DJC]

From what I've heard, Thomas is well respected by the playing group and his approach to training and games is a great example.  However, his all Australian days are well behind him.

If he can stay fit, I expect that he will play as a half forward with an occasional burst in the midfield rotations.  His pace and kicking may have dropped off but he still knows how to get the footy and he uses it pretty well.  Just don't expect too many goals from beyond 30 metres.

[Pratty]

We need another very good young mids this draft/trade period as a minimum.

One I rate and did in his draft year is former Murray Bushranger Nick Holman. Great size, good clean hands and now needs some time in the ones.

The absolute jets/classy ball users and movers we need now - Darcy Parish is one and Luke Partington is another for starters out of this year's draft class.

We need talls too, especially of the key forward kind and Schache, McKay and Weideman lead the way here.

I think we can add the 'new wave' of mids/runners to Cripps, Bell and Graham with the likes of Holman and Boekhorst in the mix along with possibly Whiley too. Can those guys become the next batch of AFL footballers will be the key. I'd like a large group of them to come through together.

Still maintain we need more class and skill in the midfield in the 'next wave'. The excitement machines to add to the grunt and experience (Murphy, Gibbs, Carrazzo) would be the next step for me.

[Baggers]

From what I've heard, Thomas is well respected by the playing group and his approach to training and games is a great example.  However, his all Australian days are well behind him.

If he can stay fit, I expect that he will play as a half forward with an occasional burst in the midfield rotations.  His pace and kicking may have dropped off but he still knows how to get the footy and he uses it pretty well.  Just don't expect too many goals from beyond 30 metres.

I've heard the same.

Realistic summation there, DJC. Like it.

[PassIt2Carrots]

I see him at HBF or BP, doing a job and possibly using his experience to make the right choice coming out of defence.

[cimm1979]

I see him at HBF or BP, doing a job and possibly using his experience to make the right choice coming out of defence.

I reckon he'll be a FP or HF.

Still got the smarts and can snag a goal or two. Hopefully his shoulder reco doesn't impair his ability to get his arms above his head.

With a shoulder, rehab is really the key. If he doesn't commit 100% he's finished.

[PassIt2Carrots]

The only thing that bothers me as a forward is that his set shot kicking is awful.

[ItsOurTime]

The only thing that bothers me as a forward is that his set shot kicking is awful.

We need someone to create the pressure that Eddie and Jeff used to and I thought he created a bit of energy when there so he could fill that gap to a point. See him as the opportunist now rather than a target as his leap isn't what it was, his shoulder is probably going to limit him and as you say, no hope at a set shot.

I don't think Barker is too upsetv that he's on the sidelines.