Lonergan

[rockhole]

Round about this time of year, I take a look at the previous seasons matches not only to get the blood stirring, but to try and determine where the improvement may come from.

The one player I tended to focus on was Sammy Lonergan.

Much was said about losing Winderlich and Dempsey against Carlton in round 2, but the loss of Lonergan later in the season was just as hurtful, if not more. I did not realise just how much heavy work he did in the packs and the number of times he would somehow get the ball out to our advantage. This, of course, gave great assistance to Jobe and obviously made life a lot more difficult for him when Sammy went down.

Lonergan is not blessed with great foot skills or blinding speed, but the work he did in and under was invaluable, and his return will be a major plus for us this year.

[Windy_Hill]

Round about this time of year, I take a look at the previous seasons matches not only to get the blood stirring, but to try and determine where the improvement may come from.

The one player I tended to focus on was Sammy Lonergan.

Much was said about losing Winderlich and Dempsey against Carlton in round 2, but the loss of Lonergan later in the season was just as hurtful, if not more. I did not realise just how much heavy work he did in the packs and the number of times he would somehow get the ball out to our advantage. This, of course, gave great assistance to Jobe and obviously made life a lot more difficult for him when Sammy went down.

Lonergan is not blessed with great foot skills or blinding speed, but the work he did in and under was invaluable, and his return will be a major plus for us this year.

And he kicks goals - highly underated player imo

[Jazz_84]

he stepped up big time when Watson and Hocking were out of the team... ill never forget him evading to players on the wing down low to kick the ball inside 50

[j-mac31]

I love how hard he works and goes into the packs.

But I think we have too many other clearance players who are better all-round players for him to be in the 22. Or else our midfield is still plain shit.

[Windy_Hill]

I love how hard he works and goes into the packs.

But I think we have too many other clearance players who are better all-round players for him to be in the 22. Or else our midfield is still plain shit.

I think any club needs at least 3, maybe 4 genuine in and under types. The work load is immense when you are in the clinches and I reckon having Lonergan in form allows us to run Jobe through the forward line every now and then - very important given the limited rotations available under the new interchange rules.

Hocking, Howlett, Watson and Lonergan gives us some real depth on game day. Then you have your outside types like Zaka, Stanton, Winderlich, Jetta, Melksham etc to add pace and run.

I defintiely think Lonergan has a place in our best 22 if he can continue to show the form he did in 2011 prior to injury

[Sismis]

Considering the amount of players you need to have going through the midfield I definately think Sammy has a spot. He is also a capable small forward so can rotate through their as well.

[j-mac31]

Considering the amount of players you need to have going through the midfield I definately think Sammy has a spot.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

I think if he's a walk-up start in the best 22 though, we're not looking like a top 4 side.

[Windy_Hill]

Considering the amount of players you need to have going through the midfield I definately think Sammy has a spot.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

I think if he's a walk-up start in the best 22 though, we're not looking like a top 4 side.

Even Collingwood has got junk, just look at their captain

[Crazyman]

Even Collingwood has got junk, just look at their captain

and their supporters...

[bomberdonnie]

Considering the amount of players you need to have going through the midfield I definately think Sammy has a spot.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

I think if he's a walk-up start in the best 22 though, we're not looking like a top 4 side.

Even Collingwood has got junk, just look at their captain

Do a twitter search under #thingsthatarebetterthannickmaxwell me and a few mates were having some fun yesterday

[robrulz5]

Considering the amount of players you need to have going through the midfield I definately think Sammy has a spot.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

I think if he's a walk-up start in the best 22 though, we're not looking like a top 4 side.

Even Collingwood has got junk, just look at their captain

Do a twitter search under #thingsthatarebetterthannickmaxwell me and a few mates were having some fun yesterday

Nothing comes up.

[bomberdonnie]

#thingsbetterthannickmaxwell sorry

[j-mac31]

Considering the amount of players you need to have going through the midfield I definately think Sammy has a spot.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

I think if he's a walk-up start in the best 22 though, we're not looking like a top 4 side.

Even Collingwood has got junk, just look at their captain

Yes, but their midfield is so good they can cover a dud back man. Not to mention N. Brown and Reid.

[ZeroEffect]

Maxwell really isn't that bad of a player, sure he was crud towards of the end of last year but overall he has been good for Collingwood. If he was at Essendon he would probably be our second best defender. Don't get me wrong I hate Collingwood and I hate Maxwell but you guys have to put things into perspective. J-Mac was spot on, if Lonergan is in our best 22 we're not a top 4 side. I love the way he is in and under and has a dip week in week out but his skills are limited and he's too slow. How often do you see him get caught and only just manage to scramble a kick away? At best he's a good back up for when Watson or Hocking are injured. If we want to be a top 4 team I don't think we can afford to be too slow through the midfield in today's footy.

[Windy_Hill]

. Windy_Hill was spot on, if Lonergan is in our best 22 we're not a top 4 side. I

I think you'll find that J-Mac said that.

[ZeroEffect]

. Windy_Hill was spot on, if Lonergan is in our best 22 we're not a top 4 side. I

I think you'll find that J-Mac said that.

Oh, he did too, sorry Windy_Hill.

[j-mac31]

. Windy_Hill was spot on, if Lonergan is in our best 22 we're not a top 4 side. I

I think you'll find that J-Mac said that.

Thanks to both.