SuperFooty rates the depth of every AFL club’s midfieldAdam Baldwin and Gilbert Gardiner
Herald-Sun
February 06, 2015 12:56PMWhile every club has the resources to field a squad of 12 that can play midfield minutes, the best sides run just as smoothly when the engine room is manned by the B team.
Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Sydney and North Melbourne played in preliminary finals last year with 10-12 midfielders who would walk into another other side.
In an era of constant rotations, an interchange cap and the green substitute’s vest, players who can’t run, won’t survive in the game and teams won’t contend.
It’s no surprise that the Power has made such a dramatic rise up the AFL ladder given it’s glut of aerobic beasts who can transition through the middle.
We’ve assessed the depth of every AFL club’s midfield by breaking down the 10 players likely to spend the most time in that part of the ground, into three brackets.
The top shelf — Tier 1 players — would get games in the best 22 of most sides,
while the relievers — Tier 2 — help with rotations.
A third — the nursery — tier is reserved for those in a development phase, but good enough to warrant senior selection.
RICHMONDTop shelfBrett Deledio
Dustin Martin
Trent Cotchin
Brandon Ellis
RelieversAnthony Miles
Shane Edwards
Nathan Foley
Reece Conca
Shaun Grigg
Matt Thomas
Verdict: Unearthed a nugget in Miles last year but depth would be tested should one or more of Cotchin, Deledio and Martin spend time on the sidelines. Recycled pair Hunt and Petterd remain on the fringes, while Richmond’s top pick in last year’s draft, Corey Ellis, is coming off foot surgery. Tigers need Conca and Nick Vlastuin to fulfil their potential to not only play but win finals.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/superfooty-rates-the-depth-of-every-afl-clubs-midfield/story-fnelctok-1227210307602