O'Keefe role moving forward

[hammo]

Assuming O'Keefe does end up leaving us to chase premiership glory elsewhere, what are our options to fill his role as a hard running half forward flanker?

Personally I hope we don't fall into the trap of trading to replace him (is this where the Wheatley talk has come from?).

O'Keefe's marking ability will be impossible to replace, and his workrate is also second to none. We don't lose much in goal scoring power as O'Keefe really let himself down in this area in recent seasons. His most dangerous was probably illustrated in the North final with his quick and long delivery into the forward line.

Therefore, I wonder if Malceski may be tried as a half forward as he can probably fulfill O'Keefe's long kicking role quite well. Malceski has always been a bit iffy as a defender and there is no doubt he would be more dangerous for us closer to goal.

Thoughts?

[NMWBloods]

I think we can replace ROK by putting Malceski and Mattner on the wings. Both have great long kicks so are able to put the ball into F50 and are better kicks than ROK so have more chance of hitting targets. The main thing we lose is ROK's marking ability, but I think we could cover that with some combination of Playfair and Brennan.

[Plugger46]

Agree entirely about replacing him hammo. He's in the elite bracket, when it comes to taking contested marks so it's virtually impossible to find someone like him.

I'd also like to see Malceski used forward. We obviously didn't see the best of him this year because of the injury, but I think there's enough run off half-back without him. He's one of the better kicks we've got, so I reckon he could be a very effective half-forward.

[Donners]

Barlow has the size and pace to play a dangerous flanking role, doesn't he?

[NMWBloods]

Barlow has the size and pace to play a dangerous flanking role, doesn't he?

I believe he does.

[Plugger46]

Big enough to be a CHF really. Not sure he has enough natural mongrel in him to play there though.

[NMWBloods]

Big enough to be a CHF really. Not sure he has enough natural mongrel in him to play there though.

Even if not, neither did ROK, so he could potentially fill the wandering half forward role.

[ugg]

We'll probably trade someone in. Wonder if that's why we're looking at Green.

[AnnieH]

We'll probably trade someone in. Wonder if that's why we're looking at Green.

... or Lovett.

EDIT:

Scratch that - apparently Lovett doesn't want to come to Sydney. He's too scared of the big city. Mamma's boy.

[Triple B]

Believe me, we have his replacement in the squad at the moment, but unfortunately he can't get his bloody hamstrings right.

Matthew Laidlaw.

I posted this in June '07

"DST, Laidlaw is not really a run with type of player.

If I had to describe him , I reckon he's very much like ROK. Similar size and build, a solid kick and he's a really really strong overhead mark.

Obviously hasn't got ROK's motor, but ROK never had ROK's motor in his second year in grade either."

Unfortunately '08 was a wasted year so I'll have to wait another year at least to see if my hopes can be met, but I'm still bullish on this bloke.

[giant]

Good question - in essence, he kinda took the role Goodsey used to play, as that link man between D50 & F50. Don't know whether Goodsey has the ability to play that any more tho.

It's a tuff gig and there's probably only a handful of AFL footballers with combination of engine & strong hands who can do it - he's obviously a very different footballer but you wonder whether Monty could polay the link role? Or perhaps a Schmidt? Not easily replaced that's for sure.

[Glenn]

Wouldn't be to upset in a deal which see Green coming to Sydney.