Bryce Gibbs & Marc Murphy

[madbluboy]

In his post match presser, Bolton emphasized that with our young list and injuries, guys like Murph and Gibbs are carrying a heavy load, particularly through the midfield.

I think the problem is as number 1 picks we expect them to be elite and in Murphy's case he was earlier in his career. We just have to accept them as B+ players or ship them out.

[flyboy77]

Murphy to GWS as part of a trade for Kelly & Hopper. Sell it to Smurf as the chance to win a flag before his time's up....

Gibbs to Crows/Port for Ollie Wines or high picks...

Ben Saunders taken as a low (3rd/4th rd) draft pick.

Cripps or Doc as Captain.

Worse case, if Murphy stays, he's not Captain. I don't think he enjoys the role tbh.

Not sure how it all gets done but we need significant change 'at the top'....

[Gointocarlton]

I watched Murph in the last - he doesn't stop - he was also tagged heavily and blocked off the ball - that would have to wear you down near the end of a tough season, coming after years of tough seasons.  And I like him - I think he does BLEED blue.

Gibbs I watched and I don't know why he does this - but if he's going after an opponent and they get rid of the ball, he keeps at them to push them rather than go to the next contest - so he's expending energy for no reason, there's no real effect because he doesn't push the guy much, just a nudge - and he gets caught out.  I saw him do it time and again.

Maybe it was just frustration on Gibbs' part, but it just seemed like a waste of time and energy to me.

Its a tactic alot of our players use, watch them, its an instruction as far as I can see. Its to stop the opponent getting to the next contest. Too often in the past Ive seen 1-2 plays and we just watch. Now, we seem to block the guy from getting another involvement in the next play. I see too many other of our blokes do it to suggest its a Gibbs thing. Watch our blokes manning the mark from on a oppo kick in. As soon as he kicks it, man on the mark goes and blocks his run.

[Gointocarlton]

Don't underestimate the absence of both Cripps AND Ed Curnow at the moment. Curnow' ability to stop a player and win his own ball these days , has been invaluable. When you lose you extractor and the guy who makes sure their main man ain't getting the clearsnce, then you are heading for Struggle Street.

Interesting to see Ed in the grandstanding writing down notes in note pad.

[pinot]

Murphy - Gold Coast on four year contract @ $800k = Pick 19 + 23
Gibbs - Adelaide pick 17 + player
Casboult - (hypothetical) pick 25

Take to draft - Pick 2, 17, 19, 23, 25, 38

Draft Ranking

2 = Uniacke
17 = Petrucelle
19 = Lachlan Fogarty
23 = James Worpel
25 =  Hunter Clark
37 = the best available slider

[blue4life]

Not sure how it all gets done but we need significant change 'at the top'....

I don't agree.
Any side will struggle without two of their best four midfielders, especially a young side in year two of a four year rebuild.
Our problem isn't our top six or eight players, it's our bottom six or eight.

[flyboy77]

Good size....

14. Toby Wooller (VIC)
Best position: Key forward/inside midfield
Height, weight: 193cm, 90kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh
Projected draft range: first to second round
Similar to: Charlie Curnow
May Ranking: 11
Rationale: Strong performer as a key forward and through the midfield.
Strengths: Clean at ground level
Agility
Acceleration
Reading of ruck taps
Wins contested ball in close
Scoreboard impact
Equally comfortable forward or through the midfield
Reading of ball in flight
Weaknesses: Presence up forward

[BluePhantom]

I don't agree.
Any side will struggle without two of their best four midfielders, especially a young side in year two of a four year rebuild.
Our problem isn't our top six or eight players, it's our bottom six or eight.

I don't expect them to win a game for us like yesterday, with all the outs it was virtually impossible for us to eek out a win.
However, I do expect the leaders to lead from the front, support and protect the younguns. Maybe they do do it but it is certainly not visible.

[JonHenry]

I don't agree.
Any side will struggle without two of their best four midfielders, especially a young side in year two of a four year rebuild.
Our problem isn't our top six or eight players, it's our bottom six or eight.

I don't agree.
We need to add 3x quality players to our midfield.
It just doesn't stack up against the best sides as soon as one player is out.
The reason, we have far too many one dimensional players.
Our mids don't tackle, harass and chase well at all.

[blue4life]

I don't agree.
We need to add 3x quality players to our midfield.
It just doesn't stack up against the best sides as soon as one player is out.
The reason, we have far too many one dimensional players.
Our mids don't tackle, harass and chase well at all.

There's no argument from me about any of that, my point is that the three midfielders we add would replace Kerridge and Graham and allow Gibbs to play outside where he's better suited, there's no need to replace Murphy or Gibbs who are both very good footballers in my opinion.
We have to accept some pain while Petrevski-Seton, Fisher and Cunningham develop and Cripps and Curnow are unavailable.