Wanted... A Forward Line

[Plugger46]

We're middle of the road, simple. The forward line will function fine against teams below us because we're better than them. Collingwood is a bloody good side and stitched us up.

Do people realise that Jesse White's played about 30 games? Not too many key forwards have a significant impact with that sort of experience. He looks down on confidence and we're asking a lot of him. With the way we moved the ball on Saturday night, any forward would have struggled. If he's still at the same level in a season or two I'd be concerned but give the guy some time. As for Henry and LJ - the former shouldn't be a part of our future and the latter is a mile off being a key forward.

Has to be TDL time.

[dimelb]

Before we start worrying too much about the forward line, we need a midfield that can deliver the ball in properly. Saturday nights delivery was slow, sloppy and indirect and allowed Collingwood to cover the wholes while many of their goals were scored from quick rebound out of the centre with a pass to a leading forward about 1 metre off the ground which gave LRT and others no chance.

I agree that White is playing totally without confidence in his own ability. This guy should be able to outbody most of his opponents in a one on one and he couldnt even do it once on the night. His leading was terrible to non existent and he doesnt seem to have any nous for finding space in any sort of traffic. It was hard when you watch somone doing exactly what he should be doing up the other end (ie Dawes).

Goodes positioning for a mark is terrible. He dropped so many marks on Saturday night that were either due to running too far under the ball (a timing thing ) and one even hit him on the head.

Unfortunately the only real answer to the problem is bradshaw and he is obviously not right. I agree that the likes of TDL and Vez should be given a go but dont expect them to be difference. They are both still relatively new to this level and would be lucky to kick two goals a game at this stage.

And unfortunately they are likely to get the same lousy delivery. Didn't we do better at the start of the season? What's gone wrong?

[aardvark]

Goodes is not a kp forward now or ever. He is a midfielder.White, well you cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear.There is no rule book that says a FF has to be tall but they must be able to mark and kick goals.And at the moment, unless they play LJ, henry is probably our best option at chf.
Heres an idea how about we try Reg at CHF.

[Plugger46]

Heres an idea how about we try Reg at CHF.

Beacuse he's struggled up forward at senior level before and is now a quality backman.

[aardvark]

Beacuse he's struggled up forward at senior level before and is now a quality backman.

Agree, but that was before he realised he could actually play, just a thought.

[Plugger46]

Agree, but that was before he realised he could actually play, just a thought.

Fair call but I don't think we can afford to lose him down back.

[magic.merkin]

We're middle of the road, simple. The forward line will function fine against teams below us because we're better than them. Collingwood is a bloody good side and stitched us up.

Do people realise that Jesse White's played about 30 games? Not too many key forwards have a significant impact with that sort of experience. He looks down on confidence and we're asking a lot of him. With the way we moved the ball on Saturday night, any forward would have struggled. If he's still at the same level in a season or two I'd be concerned but give the guy some time. As for Henry and LJ - the former shouldn't be a part of our future and the latter is a mile off being a key forward.

Has to be TDL time.

EXACTLY!

We failed to rebound off our half back line, our midfield was beaten for clearances and struggled delivering the ball cleanly into the F50. The forwards can for the majority of the time only deal with what they are given. Clearly White has to stay home so if the ball is being kicked in short or poorly he is severly limited to having an fair crack at it. Goodes needs to be doing better with what opportuinites he is given, but in saying that I think he should still be in the midfield. And if he isnt then when they are being beaten and he's barely getting near it make the change SOONER.

Bird shouldnt have played if he wasnt to be in the midfield.

And if we are trailing our opponents to the ball consistently then we are going to lose. They just lead up and marked with ease all the way up the side of the ground all night. We tried and had a man a foot off us.

[Dalai Lama]

Put the Rhesus Monkey up forward - he can then run into the open and spray it - aka Hawks game MCG?

[Hartijon]

What was uncanny about Collingwood watching them play,they seem to have the type of players we are trying to develop.How was Dawes??? Exactly what Jesse White should be like.! Thomas ,a link player that Jetta should be with pace to burn. O'Brien and Shaw did better rebounding than our half backs. We don't seem to have a Didak ,probably would not pass our "no dick heads" policy. Malthouse seems to have strict team structures yet allows flair. Compare their kick outs to ours. In many ways it was not shameful to lose,it was the pathetic way we lost irks me.

[sWAns63]

What was uncanny about Collingwood watching them play,they seem to have the type of players we are trying to develop.How was Dawes??? Exactly what Jesse White should be like.! Thomas ,a link player that Jetta should be with pace to burn. O'Brien and Shaw did better rebounding than our half backs. We don't seem to have a Didak ,probably would not pass our "no dick heads" policy. Malthouse seems to have strict team structures yet allows flair. Compare their kick outs to ours. In many ways it was not shameful to lose,it was the pathetic way we lost irks me.

We certainly lost an oppurtunity to try a different structure hope we don't do the same against Geelong

[Hartijon]

Why is there no analysis of why the midfield misses their marks whereas Colling wood hit the mark nearly every time? Are they simply better kicks? I don't think so. Forwards need to present but in a way that midfields can see clearly where to place the ball. Just racing straight up the ground gives the deliverer a high downside to his kick. If he doesn't hit thechest,its a turnover. Sideways movement is essential and then (like Collingwood) you can kick the ball to the natural left or right side of the forward. This both lowers the risk of turnover if the mark spills and makes it harder for the backman to spoil. This skill is coachable,Collingwood did it,we didn't! I feel,as others have already suggested ,we need a new forward coach.

[Wazza]

Why is there no analysis of why the midfield misses their marks whereas Colling wood hit the mark nearly every time? Are they simply better kicks? I don't think so. Forwards need to present but in a way that midfields can see clearly where to place the ball. Just racing straight up the ground gives the deliverer a high downside to his kick. If he doesn't hit thechest,its a turnover. Sideways movement is essential and then (like Collingwood) you can kick the ball to the natural left or right side of the forward. This both lowers the risk of turnover if the mark spills and makes it harder for the backman to spoil. This skill is coachable,Collingwood did it,we didn't! I feel,as others have already suggested ,we need a new forward coach.

Its not just the pass its how well the lead is made, timing confidence etc then you have to consider zoning a sweeper coming across etc I dont always blame the MF our FWDs have to lead with conviction and not just wave a hand in the air - kick it to me...inside fwd 50 is a very specialised area.

Watching Jesse pretty close this year and IMHO he isnt timing his leads and when he does lead it is with no confidence or conviction. This in turn lowers the confidence of our guys when seeing him on a half hearted lead they dont really want to go to him. Worse is when Jesse and Goodes both stand deep and wave their arms saying kick it deep to me.... useless. I think we can persist with Jesse but we need a fast /strong leading forward maybe LJ or TDL?? I have not seen either play but a couple of you guys who watch the ressies have mentioned how well
both guys move - would either of these two fit the bill?? Bradshaw back will make a difference but probably time to try TDL or LJ. I like the suggestion of trying Jesse down back - he doesnt get outmarked to often and it might suit him being lead to the contest.

Cheers

Waz

[wearebloods]

Surprised the absence of Moore hasn't got a mention.

For sure we've missed Bradshaw & McGlynn up forward, but the lovely RWO stats page also indicate that up until Moore finally succumbed to his ankle injury in Round 7, he had 13 goal assists to his name. If he had continued on that trajectory, it's pretty likely he would be topping the goal assists charts.

Moore's intelligence, tenacity & leadership shouldn't be wasted in the Reserves, if he's fit enough to play out a game, he should come back into the side.

[Hartijon]

Its not just the pass its how well the lead is made, timing confidence etc then you have to consider zoning a sweeper coming across etc I dont always blame the MF our FWDs have to lead with conviction and not just wave a hand in the air - kick it to me...inside fwd 50 is a very specialised area.

Watching Jesse pretty close this year and IMHO he isnt timing his leads and when he does lead it is with no confidence or conviction. This in turn lowers the confidence of our guys when seeing him on a half hearted lead they dont really want to go to him. Worse is when Jesse and Goodes both stand deep and wave their arms saying kick it deep to me.... useless. I think we can persist with Jesse but we need a fast /strong leading forward maybe LJ or TDL?? I have not seen either play but a couple of you guys who watch the ressies have mentioned how well
both guys move - would either of these two fit the bill?? Bradshaw back will make a difference but probably time to try TDL or LJ. I like the suggestion of trying Jesse down back - he doesnt get outmarked to often and it might suit him being lead to the contest.

Cheers

Waz

I agree with all your points and your analysis of our current problems. I would just say that if you can't lead,your can't play as a forward! Bazza,even at his worst,led and led and led,getting incresingly frustrated all the time!

[rojo]

It is damn frustrating though. Can hardly a remember a moment on Saturday night when we hit a target i50 on the chest. And after all the frustration of seeing Jesse and Adam failed to mark a contested possession, the ball would go down the other end, come in a little lower and hit a leading target. It felt like Jesse didn't even attempt to lead at all. He was happy to stand toe-to-toe and hug his opponent. He wasn't even paid a free once so what was going on. I know the delivery hasn't been great but gee, at least present yourself and make it tough for the other team.

[url]http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/swans-never-in-the-picture/story-e6frexwr-1225884929117[/url]
Article suggesting Jesse, Jets and Bluey under the microscope for the next game and TDL coming in to equations. Did Roos actually say he was tempted to strongly look at TDL or is this journo just making it up?

Curious that Jesse, Jets and Rohan are singled out. True, they may all benefit from a few games back in the ressies without the intense pressure and it would give an opportunity for TDL and Vez in particular to get a game in the seniors. But it reads as though they were the only ones who where not up to scratch.