#26 Reef McInnes

[Marvelos]

Went into the draft with tank issues, massive red flag IMO, building a tank doesn’t get easier as the years pass, the very best players love the work, it isn’t a chore, the majority of those would commit to that lifestyle regardless with a few exceptions.

[warburton lad]

Next year will be a break-out year for McInnes.

Has the height and speed to be a dominant midfielder.

It was reported recently that the fitness team had been working on his running and endurance whilst he has been out.

I am very bullish about his progress and that of Fin MacRae in 2023.

[Mr Miyagi]

Hopefully the injury he suffered doesn’t set him back. He’d be posting this week otherwise.

[VicParkTragic]

Could reef play on the wing?? Sidebottom won’t be around much longer so we will need someone to play that role. Especially if poulter goes or doesn’t develop.

[inxs88]

His most impressive game was as a speedy leading forward against the Lions in Brisbane early in the year. Think he kicked 2.2 from memory and burnt off his opponent with great leads a few times.

[3rd degree]

Will be very handy this lad.

[Pies2016]

We need to be very patient with McInnes because his age has been lost amongst this conversation. He was the youngest player selected in his draft and if he had been born 2 weeks later, he would have been selected a year later in amongst the 2021 N Daicos draft. Right now we still have a 194cm teenager who is growing into his body.
There is also an urban myth that tells of Reef being a promising mid fielder at AFL level, which is ironic, because he never played mid field at the Chargers. I saw a bit of him in his first year of U18s and took note because he was an NGA prospect. He mainly played high half forward and was a good contributor most weeks. In the same team was Rowell, Anderson, Bianco, MacRae and Will Phillips ( # 3 pick ) so he never got a look in. He would have received some midfield minutes the following year after Rowell, Anderson and Bianco were all drafted but Covid wiped the following year out for the U18s. He does have some important midfield attributes but he is a long way off from learning the role.

Agree with INXS about his best short term role, at least. Hes super quick on the burst ( he led the times at the Combine for 20 metre sprint ) he’s got a good second effort, decent hands and is still growing.
We waited for Nathan Murphy to mature and find his position in the team and I think the same patience will be required for McInnes

[David]

[BBHS]

has enormous talent this kid, could actually be anything.

[The General]

I think if Ollie Henry leaves, Reef will fill his spot nicely. What exactly that spot is, is anyone's guess.

[neil]

HBF as Maynard type
If his engine develops then a inside mid Adams replacement

[stui magpie]

I don't know what position he'll play but he's too good a prospect to stay in the VFL for long.

[LaurieHolden]

Agree with INXS about his best short term role, at least. Hes super quick on the burst ( he led the times at the Combine for 20 metre sprint ) he’s got a good second effort, decent hands and is still growing.
We waited for Nathan Murphy to mature and find his position in the team and I think the same patience will be required for McInnes

Further to this observation, I'll track down the footage from pre-season training, but there was some great vision of exactly this. Reef led up beautifully, and to mark truly.

This isn't the footage I was after but some nice lead up play all the same.
https://twitter.com/Jen2310/status/1615 ... Q80qhD5j6Q

If indeed he's not competing with Fin Macrae as an incumbent for midfield minutes in 2023, perhaps it'll be against Johnson for the effectively vacant / up for grabs Half Forward flanker spot.
I think where Oliver started to fall out of favour given his lack of defensive accountability, Johnson needs to improve this aspect as well. Watching Reef in the VFL games, this part of his game appears sound.

We need a third tall to come on as a lead up option, if McIness or Johnson fill this void, the prospect of a forward line 'clicking' along the lines of the following, it starts to get the bung fizzing.

Johnson / McInness, McStay, Ginnivan / Elliott
Hill / Harrison, Mihocek, McCreery

Some nice rotation options there, and a forward line with some real pace.

[stui magpie]

Apparently he's been training with the forward group.

With DeGoey looking to spend more time midfield, there could be a spot for Reef to wax with Jordy as Midfield/Forward.

194cm rocket propelled leading full forward who can spend time midfield anyone?

[Pies2016]

^^^
Who just turned 20 years old a month ago.

The AFL is a graveyard of former 192cm mid field talents who dominate U18s but come crashing back to earth in the AFL. So many of these hybrids end up being not agile or fit enough for the AFL midfield but also to short and not strong enough for a key position. The club needs to correctly identify his best position and modify his fitness program accordingly. Leave him there to learn the position and give him every chance to make it his own.