I think most would agree that Fyfe has not been fully fit since his corkie in Round 15 2015. (He had 9 30+ disposal games in the first 13 games of 2015, has missed 6 games and only had 30+ twice since then). When I have discussed injuries to the midfield, I have spoken of the importance of 211 with Fyfe, Neale, Mundy, Barlow, Hill and D.Pearce. Since Round 14 of 2015, rarely has that combination been available and fit. 211, Mundy, D.Pearce and Barlow are nearing the ends of their careers. I am afraid that we have seen the best of our midfield, during which time we won plenty, when our midfield has been in tatters, we have lost plenty.
Before Johnno got injured in our first loss of the season, I think Richmond already had a 6 or 7 goal advantage in that game. So once again Bizkit, you're using very poor examples to support your opinion. Freo also won in Rounds 6 & 7 when McPharlin and Dawson were both missing.
Regarding 30+ disposals, again you just throw up your opinions without checking the data. GWS had less disposals than Freo in the 2015 H&A season. As usual, when I check your arguments, I find little evidence supporting your claims. The facts that none of those kids, you listed, have yet proven themselves in AFL or WAFL, in regards to high disposal numbers, means one should be at least a little wary when claiming them as future midfielders. And how is it that you dismiss the GWS 30+ disposal capable players that I listed, because some are not true mids, but you then list Freo youth who some of, have been recruited as forwards and defenders. You can't have it both ways Bizkit.
In any case your listed mids may or may not become quality mids in years to come, just the same as the young KPPs that I have listed, may or may not become quality KPPs.
"In any case we have many, many mids coming through and almost all with plenty of youth. What we don't have are KPP's and certainly not many with a long future. It is what we need most."
I listed just as many (actually more) possible KPPs on Freo's list as you listed mids. A team needs only a few KPPs, but they need many quality mids. I have provided many posts showing the statistics backing this up and I have yet to see anything in reply with any substantial examples or data supporting otherwise.
