Who is our best midfielder?

[one-eyed]

I stumbled on the BF Essendon forum for some reason discussing who was our best midfielder (maybe they are jealous  ). Some liked the leadership of Cotchin; some liked the versatility and matchwinning ability of Martin; others liked the all-round ability and consistency of Deledio; or maybe one of the younger cubs will step up/in and surprise this year. So why not ask the same question here. Who do all think is our best midfielder?

[Mr Magic]

Cotchin

[YellowandBlackBlood]

I stumbled on the BF Essendon forum for some reason discussing who was our best midfielder (maybe they are jealous  ). Some liked the leadership of Cotchin; some liked the versatility and matchwinning ability of Martin; others liked the all-round ability and consistency of Deledio; or maybe one of the younger cubs will step up/in and surprise this year. So why not ask the same question here. Who do all think is our best midfielder?

At this stage Cotchin. Martin has the brute force and supreme talent to surpass him. They both compliment each other.

[Judge Roughneck]

I'd argue deledio.

If any of the 3 were playing for Geelong Or collingwood I think deledio would be the best (in a good team).

I get the feeling ifids was playing alongside ball/pennders/swan or bartel/selwood/joelcorey he would be a machine.

[mightytiges]

Cotch for me is our classiest ballwinner so I'd vote for him as our best mid followed obviously by Dusty. Lids has played mostly across HB so we don't get the chance to see him burst out of traffic as Cotch and Dusty do.

Hopefully the likes of Conca, Ellis and others step up in time as top class ballwinners so this question in say 2-3 years time will be tough to answer.

[Judge Roughneck]

You should take into account lids has not asked to play hbf.

If dusty was playing fwd pocket and cotchin back pocket, lids in the guts (with maybe tuck / foley / conca) for last 18months people might view it another way?

[tony_montana]

What a question to have the luxury of not being able to answer.... Cotch, Dusty or Deledio?  whoa, thats not a midfield thats a dynasty.

If you ask razor on BF he'll tell you none of the above - Jackson

[Stripes]

How great would it be if after a full preseason and a full year without injury, if Foley can recapture his midfield form to add to the debate. The 2012 midfielders I'm most interested in observing next year is Lids, Conca and our captain - Newman. If Newman and Lids can work off the wings and do there fair share around the contests then all of our midfielders will step up.

The easiest way to judge who is our best midfielder is to see who the opposition try and tag most weeks and the answer is Cotch followed by, for a brief stint at least, Martin. 

[camboon]

1) Cotchin
2) Martin
3) Tuck
4) Foley
5) Lids
6) Jackson
7) Conca
Helbig
9) Ellis
10) Newman

IMHO - we need one more 1st grader to step up in the midfield to make us feared ! I'm hoping that one on the backmen ( Lids Newman etc) will step up and  assuming Axel will have a good year we are not the far away.
I hope Tucky keeps feeding the ball out and doesn't revert to the kick and pray strategy. 

[mightytiges]

You should take into account lids has not asked to play hbf.

If dusty was playing fwd pocket and cotchin back pocket, lids in the guts (with maybe tuck / foley / conca) for last 18months people might view it another way?

Bents, I'm a fan of Lids and reckon he gets judged harshly at times compared to others on our list because he was a No.1 pick. However in saying that if he was a ready-made gun midfielder who from early on in his career regularly won clearances from stoppages then he would already be playing in the midfield alongside Cotch and Dusty. 2012 is a chance for Lids to take his game to a whole new level. Dusty plays fwd pocket btw when he is resting as well as in the guts.

[WilliamPowell]

Cotch

[Judge Roughneck]

You should take into account lids has not asked to play hbf.

If dusty was playing fwd pocket and cotchin back pocket, lids in the guts (with maybe tuck / foley / conca) for last 18months people might view it another way?

if he was a ready-made gun midfielder who from early on in his career regularly won clearances from stoppages then he would already be playing in the midfield alongside Cotch and

I don't agree. I like hardwick but he's Geez, without fault. 

[eliminator]

For me Brett, Dustin and Trent are on an even par. They all have their particular strengths. I think it is unfair to single one above the others. I am really happy as for the first time in a while we have real depth in the midfield and have top class players there. 

[The Big Richo]

Daniel Jackson for mine.

[tdy]

Daniel Jackson for mine.

Cmon Connors for sure   What a gun just unfairly denied game time.  Give him a scotch, wind him up and let him go go go

hehe