Is Foley worth a game? Rate our mids.

[Stripes]

I've been watching a few of the 2013 games over the last couple of weeks and one thing keeps jumping out at me - Foley isn't up to it. When I compared him to the other midfielders, even Flossy in his first year, Foley made the most errors, had the worst footskills and had the least output. I was really surprized because I have always rated Foley as one of our best midfielders hindered by injury. Now I'm not so sure 

When I try and rate our midfielders (even though many play off half back/forward) in order he is right down the list imo -
(Did I forget anyone?)

1. Cotchin
2. Martin
3. Lids
4.Conca
5. Edwards
6. Ellis
7. Vlaustin
8. Grigg
9. Newman
10. Foley
11. Arnot

I'm even unsure whether to put Arnot above Foley but will give him the benefit of the doubt at present.

Am I being too harsh? Will be be pushed out of the side next year? Where will this years draftee fit in?

[tony_montana]

Not being too harsh about his performances in 13, he struggled.. but imo that was purely due to conditioning. Reckon with a full preseason he'll be one of our better mids again in 14.

[Judge Roughneck]

lids > martin

[Stripes]

Foley used to have that explosive pace out of stoppages and was a good ball winner but I think he has lost that - especially the run. I'm not certain he will get that back with a good preseason either. He can't kick over 30m either. I just think we may have seen his best already and it is a long way of for Nathan.

[Stripes]

lids > martin

Thought Martin had a better year than Lids Bents. Mayber that was because Lids was defended more closely but Martin had a greater output imo.

[tony_montana]

Foley used to have that explosive pace out of stoppages and was a good ball winner but I think he has lost that - especially the run. I'm not certain he will get that back with a good preseason either. He can't kick over 30m either. I just think we may have seen his best already and it is a long way of for Nathan.

We'll know soon enough I guess, just recall seeing the size of his leg compared to the other about 4 weeks before he was picked in the side - crazy difference, cant expect someone to just get back all that explosive power without getting a good period of conditioning back into it.

He was similar in 2011 coming back, just so so then after a full preseason in the first 10 rounds of 2012 before he did the Achilles again he was burning them.

[tony_montana]

lids > martin

Thought Martin had a better year than Lids Bents. Mayber that was because Lids was defended more closely but Martin had a greater output imo.

Jackson> all 

[tigs2011]

Yep, you left our best mid in Jacko. The DBR (Dirty Big Ranga) 

[Judge Roughneck]

IMO

Jackson is not superior to Cotchin, Deledio, Martin  (crazy, i know)

I would select Vlastuin, Conca, Ellis ahead of Jacko, too.

[WilliamPowell]

IMO

Jackson is not superior to Cotchin, Deledio, Martin  (crazy, i know)

I would select Vlastuin, Conca, Ellis ahead of Jacko, too.

Scary as it may seem I agree with you Bents, those 6 are IMO2 ahead of Jacko, they give more variety whether is resting up forward as marking targets or being released from HB

[tigs2011]

IMO

Jackson is not superior to Cotchin, Deledio, Martin  (crazy, i know)

I would select Vlastuin, Conca, Ellis ahead of Jacko, too.

I was only taking the pee. 

[Coach]

Taken some of you years to work this out.

[(•))(©™]

Taken some of you years to work this out.

Indeed.

Even his best "matches" are in reality just him doing something to negate his prior errors of the day.

I question Hardwicks belief in him...i question Hardwick

[YellowandBlackBlood]

This preseason will define him.
This year his right calf was half the size of his left.  He should be able to build that up again and gain both speed and strength.

If he can regain full fitness, he will be in our top 6 mids.  If he can't, he won't make the squad.  As simple as that!

[Andyy]

Gun player when he's fit, but I wonder if his best is behind him.

Fondly remember his all-star performance. Smashed them in the midfield.

Hopefully just a poor year for him and he improves next year. I still rate him better than the likes of Grigg. At least Foley will win the hardball.

Cotchin > Martin > Lids > Jackson > Conca > Foley > Grigg

That's this year IMO. Ellis I see as more of a wing for now and Vlastuin as more of a half back. I'm sure they'll play more mid later. And Jackson was a better mid than any of those 3 kids this year. Not as much skill or potential but certainly more mature, tougher, hit the scoreboard more etc.