[Tarkyn_24]

The Magpies ultimate stopper to a 2008 premiership has to be the fact that the midfield is often one sided and, whilst generally consistent, lacks a game breaker. This has to be noticed when you have a player of Dane Swan's calibre being the first player tagged each week.

Whilst Pendlebury is a gun midfielder who will go places, he isn't ready to shoulder the responsibility of a number 1 tag, week in, week out. Sparky still lacks the motor to play 100% game time, or even remotely close, in the middle. When Heath doesn't play off the half back flank, we miss his dash and dare, and Didak has value only as an occasional midfielder who can use pace to determine a game.

Lockyer, Burns and O'Bree have been serviceable, and their consistency is what put the Pies within a goal of the 2007 premiership, but they can't shoulder the load themselves. The Pies must look at improving this area of the game to consider themselves serious contenders.