#18 Finlay Macrae

[Pebbles Rocks]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he requests a trade at seasons end if he doesn’t cement a spot in the seniors.

As much as I don't like to see us invest in a young player who was a second round lick from memory, he has not shown the ability to break games open in the VFL. He is like his brother who accumulates the ball but does not damage you with it. At this stage, whilst he is a different player, I would say Ryan, Allen and Bianco are ahead of him in terms of the impact they have when they have the ball.

[Beavis]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he requests a trade at seasons end if he doesn’t cement a spot in the seniors.

As much as I don't like to see us invest in a young player who was a second round lick from memory, he has not shown the ability to break games open in the VFL. He is like his brother who accumulates the ball but does not damage you with it. At this stage, whilst he is a different player, I would say Ryan, Allen and Bianco are ahead of him in terms of the impact they have when they have the ball.

He's not really competing with any of them at least long term, because none of those players are coal face players who can win contested ball at stoppages (Allan isn't that yet). This team has only one player who is a truly elite contested/clearance player, based on both historical numbers
and numbers this season (especially if you ignore his horrible last game) and that's Mitchell.

The only other player we have on our team who has even been in the top 20 in the AFL in contested possessions and clearances in the last 10 years is Adams. The others who have been in that list for us were Grundy and Treloar. Last time Pendles was top 20 in both categories was 2013.

Basically this team has a complete dearth of truly elite coal face players and if Macrae can be that type of player then given Mitchell's age and Adams injury issues, he will provide something the others can't.

Also I def wouldn't call Jack Macrae not damaging. He's a excellent user of the footy. But he's able to showcase it by being super calm under pressure, which is something Finn has not shown much of. If he can't develop into that, IMO it's going to be a pretty big area of need in the medium to long term.

[Pies2016]

Fun fact - Jack MacRae and Finlay MacRae are not true brothers. They are half brothers.

[Mr Miyagi]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he requests a trade at seasons end if he doesn’t cement a spot in the seniors.

Yep I’ve been saying the same. I don’t think he’ll be at the club next year.

[Charlie Oneeye]

It is hard to see Fin curtailing an elite AFL player atm. I love his work in the VFL, but he needs to become more dangerous and damaging. Right now, I see him as a really good player in the lower ranks... but NQR AFL. Yet.
We see his ability every week just needs to get better in a couple of aspects to complement the rest of his game. Otherwise, he remains on the cusp, and should he leave, he will be in the exact same position at another club.
Having said that, some people need AFL game time to hone their game. Maybe he is in that category. Certainly, I think he has elite potential.

[BazBoy]

Some questions on Fin please??
How many seasons has he been at the club?
If he felt being ignored for AFL can he just nominated another club to pick him up?

[Dark Beanie]

Fin was drafted in 2020 and this is his 3rd season.

He did have a bit of a interrupted pre-season with a back issue.

He could ask to be traded at the end of the season or the club could delist him.

[LaurieHolden]

42% kicking efficiency in the VFL this season...
Given the vitriol Adams gets for his disposal by foot, don't expect Macrae to be commanding a spot in our midfield anytime soon.
He hasn't gone above 50% since round 4.

https://vfl.aflmstats.com/player/Finlay_Macrae

[Pies4shaw]

I've watched a lot of him in the VFL. He really doesn't do anything much, ever, that makes you think he could be (let alone is) a senior footballer.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

Yep, fairly bland footballer from what I've seen

[RudeBoy]

Yep, fairly bland footballer from what I've seen

Hard but fair.

[Culprit]

The Bombers are very keen on him. He needs a Senior opportunity as he's becoming stale in the VFL. Unfortunately, this is what happens at a lot of clubs.

[Jezza]

Been named for the Essendon match.
Although, he start the game as the sub.

[WhyPhilWhy?]

Him and a 2nd rounder to the Dogs for Bailey Smith, who wants more midfield time...

[derkd]

Him and a 2nd rounder to the Dogs for Bailey Smith, who wants more midfield time...

Dreaming, he is worth easy a first rounder (Smith). At any rate he (Smith) is off to Geelong , is the strong mail i am hearing. You can't package lose parts together to get a diamond in return.