bondiblue wrote:
We need a pack of about 8 gun midfielders in the game today to stem the flow, and give us an opportunity to dominate games.
We've got Walker who is ready to take on the responsibility in the midfield, and Murphy with a year and another preseason will be a gun in there too. That's 2.
Then there's Stevens as a proven quality midfielder, and Houla has stepped up too. That's 2. The plan from the Saints was to tag these two and that would shut down our supply, because that's all the class we had in there especially now that Kouta is at the end of his career.
Bentick and Blackers show good signs, Bettsy puts on pressure that causes turnovers (no stamina) but there is no mungrel (Moloney or McLean from Melb) types, ala Fraser Brown. No tough Ratten type, although Bentick shows some Ratten features. Can't count on these guys,they have a lot to prove, but let's say that with we have at least 2 of these guys. That's another 2.
We do need two more class midfielders that can take the game on within 2 years (ie competitive in 2008).
Win the midfield, and there's less pressure on the backline, hence less of a need to have Walker there, but as the Saints showed us on Sunday, we need a hungriness and pack mentality, regardless of the numbers we have; a ruthless attitude. Have a look at the melle Kouta was involved in, there were 3 angry Saints midgets showing the mungrel that's required to play the game, let alone in the midfield.
Well we might very get a PP this year and another 2nd round pick. But even if we do not I think we will be getting 2 good quality midfield prospects with our first first 3 picks. If we got a PP then that might very well extend to 3.
1/17/33 or 2/18/34 or 1/17/18/34 = 2 good quality midfield prospects.
Gibbs can be taken first up if assessed as best available and Collard, Proud, Jetta, Schmidt or Hislop for the 2nd pick. 3rd round pick will have the choice of Colbung, Moss, Petterd, Urquhart etc.
What we would normally have to take in the first round will be available in the 2nd round this year. What would notmally be a borderline 1st round pick/early 2nd round pick will be available at 30 odd and our third round.
Thats why trading for top 5 picks will be just about impossible. Trading to get a 2nd round pick will be more realistic and is a "quasi 1st round pick" in quality in comparison.
2006 pick 15 = pick 2 to 5 in 2005.
2006 pick 35 = pick 15 to 25 in 2005.