We have them where we want them, everything is going according to plan!
During the last NEAFL game that was played outside the SCG, I thought I saw some Swans staff paying considerable attention to the Lions forward line, I sort of assumed they were watching Ben, but with the benefit of hindsight it looks like it was Lewis Taylor that was the subject of the scrutiny.
2 observations:
I've nothing against giving Mills a run in the middle, but I also think some may be underestimating his value to the backline. I wonder whether he could well become the equivelant of Hodge in the Hawks teams, quarterbacking from the back half. My first choice to give someone extended midfield time would be young Isaac.
I'm also far from convinced that JPK is finished, he's most effective at first receiver, which he should be able to do if we actually play SamN.
I've never argued that Mills is not a good defender and very useful in the backline. I see the issue being what to do with those quick outside players we recently drafted, especially Stoddart and Ling, both of whom have been played primarily in the backline in the NEAFL. So it's more a matter of who best fits in the midfield, Mills or the likes of Stoddart, Ling, McInerney, etc. My vote goes to Mills, who I've compared to Pendlebery in his style of play.
Watching the highlight tape of Will Gould I can't believe he is only listed at spot 12. I would love to have him on our team!
I still think mills hasn’t spent much time in the midfield for two reasons:
1. We have a fairly slow inside midfield in Parker, JpK and hewett and we have heard several times this season how the coaching dept wants to speed it up not slow it down hence Mills not his time as yet hence Ollie and JB (james bell) being touted as faster inside mid rotation players
2. Some continuity in the backline has been key with Grundy, macca, Smith etc less games last two seasons and blooding new backline players. We are seeing a change of the guard in the backline and we will see a change in the mids next season or two. Depending on a few backs developing we may see Mills get more midfield time
We can’t forget Mills was first picked by melb as a serious young midfielder and his games pre draft were pretty awesome when I watched him play inside mid.......he was relentless and outplayed Heeney in two games I watched when he was a year younger
Just wondering if we bid on Green, can he choose us rather than go to GWS like the father/son?
That's what frustrates me the most about all this! Mills was probably the most highly rated midfielder in his draft year. I understand that we like to develop kids slowly by playing them either at half forward or half back but for him not to have had a real opportunity in the midfield coming into his 5th season is an indictment on Longmire as a coach!
And I don't care how "important" they think he's been as a half back! You don't win games by having a good small defender, you win them by winning the contest in the middle!
If he doesn't start there next season, serious questions need to be asked of the coaching panel.
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