Defenders V Forwards

[Hartijon]

The ratio of Defenders to Forwards seems very biased towards defenders. Running off the HB flanks or BP we have players like Malceski,Mattner,Smith, Kenelly,Bevan, Shaw, Everitt, Meredith, Summner? Spangher. Then possible Key PP with Teddy, C Bolton, Reg and LRT.Thats 14 players for 6 positions. I know some can play midfield but then where do we put our midfielders. As far as forwards go we have on the Flanks and pockets, TDL,White, Rohan, Moore, Mc Glynne,Johnston and KPP in the forwards Bradshaw,Goodes and maybe Reid? That's 9 players even counting Goodes as a forward KPP . 14 defenders 9 forwards and the only two I regard as specialist forwards are Bradshaw and TDL. We have a few potential forward specialists in Johnstone,Reid and White but all are yet to prove it.

Is this a plan by the Swans or did it just happen? What are the consequences for us as a team with this kind of a list?

[707]

I can see your point (on a quick read) but let me mull it over and look through the full team list before I comment further.

[wolftone57]

The ratio of Defenders to Forwards seems very biased towards defenders. Running off the HB flanks or BP we have players like Malceski,Mattner,Smith, Kenelly,Bevan, Shaw, Everitt, Meredith, Summner? Spangher. Then possible Key PP with Teddy, C Bolton, Reg and LRT.Thats 14 players for 6 positions. I know some can play midfield but then where do we put our midfielders. As far as forwards go we have on the Flanks and pockets, TDL,White, Rohan, Moore, Mc Glynne,Johnston and KPP in the forwards Bradshaw,Goodes and maybe Reid? That's 9 players even counting Goodes as a forward KPP . 14 defenders 9 forwards and the only two I regard as specialist forwards are Bradshaw and TDL. We have a few potential forward specialists in Johnstone,Reid and White but all are yet to prove it. Is this a plan by the Swans or did it just happen? What are the consequences for us as a team with this kind of a list?

Todays footy is all about versatility. I disagree with you about 9 forwards. Richards, Bevo, Meredith, O'Keefe, Sumner, L Johno, A Johno & Heath are all capable of playing forward & you forgot Moore & he is virtually a a full time small forward. If you look at our list we have 17 players capable of going forward & that includes big Pyke & as he develops he may be used more in a forward role ala Pies with Brown. This also allows flexability in the mid field as well. With such strong backs & so many (something missing in years gone by) we can now start to develop the forward system. We have always had good defenders but not enough of them & a little on the short side (C Bolts v Riewoldt) but now we have plenty of talls. Teddy can play forward (he started off as a FF) & I think he will play farward much more in the twilight of his career, he was good in the games he had there last year when Braddy was injured but had to go back due to injury in that quarter. don't despair there are plenty of players to fill all possies & I think TDL will kick around 50 goals this year & if Braddy is really fit add another 50.

[swansrob]

I think TDL will kick around 50 goals this year & if Braddy is really fit add another 50.

I thought you were getting a bit ahead of yourself here, until I did the maths. TDL averaged 2.25 goals a game in the 8 he played; if he plays the full 22 at that average, that's 49.5 goals for the season...

[Hartijon]

Todays footy is all about versatility. I disagree with you about 9 forwards. Richards, Bevo, Meredith, O'Keefe, Sumner, L Johno, A Johno & Heath are all capable of playing forward & you forgot Moore & he is virtually a a full time small forward. If you look at our list we have 17 players capable of going forward & that includes big Pyke & as he develops he may be used more in a forward role ala Pies with Brown. This also allows flexability in the mid field as well. With such strong backs & so many (something missing in years gone by) we can now start to develop the forward system. We have always had good defenders but not enough of them & a little on the short side (C Bolts v Riewoldt) but now we have plenty of talls. Teddy can play forward (he started off as a FF) & I think he will play farward much more in the twilight of his career, he was good in the games he had there last year when Braddy was injured but had to go back due to injury in that quarter. don't despair there are plenty of players to fill all possies & I think TDL will kick around 50 goals this year & if Braddy is really fit add another 50.

I didn't forget Moore "TDL,White, Rohan, Moore, Mc Glynne,Johnston "
I don't see Teddy as a Forward in fact I see him used mainly as a "fix it " man if the best 22 have an injury to a KPP.I also didn't mean the post to come across as negative,just a bit unusual. It struck me as strange but not necessarily a bad thing. It's true ,we have good players everywhere but our forwards are less experienced than our backs. The top teams have STAR forwards (Didak,Riewold,Hall, Johnson). I think we are not quite there yet and Bradshaw's knee is very much crucial to us kicking winning scores.I am on the other hand,quite confident the backlines will keep the oppositions score down.

[aardvark]

Unfortunately we need somewhere to shove all the spare mids when they aren't "On Ball'. With them filling the hffs and pockets we dont need as many specialist forwards. However IMO we need more specialist forwards in the 22. At times last year we couldn't buy a goal and the forward line was full of Mids.

[Cephalik]

That's most likely the reason we went with both Lamb and Parker, Lamb a forward who's capable of going into the midfield. And Parker a midfielder capable of going forward.

[Hartijon]

That's most likely the reason we went with both Lamb and Parker, Lamb a forward who's capable of going into the midfield. And Parker a midfielder capable of going forward.

Good Point.It boosts our forwards with a potential "Didak" "Milne" type x factor player that all good teams seem to need to win a GF.Parker I have heard nothing but good about. So if these guys come good we are a pretty balanced side come 2012 although I think we will be showing something this year too.

[swansrob]

Good Point.It boosts our forwards with a potential "Didak" "Milne" type x factor player that all good teams seem to need to win a GF.Parker I have heard nothing but good about. So if these guys come good we are a pretty balanced side come 2012 although I think we will be showing something this year too.

Playfair has talked up Parker on the website, suggesting we could be seeing him this year

?He?s more advanced physically. He?s had a reasonably smooth preseason and physically, he almost looks ready to step up and play seniors, so we?re hoping that could be the case,? Playfair said.

Here's hoping.

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/106721/default.aspx

[aardvark]

Playfair has talked up Parker on the website, suggesting we could be seeing him this year

He looks in fantastic shape. I imagine he could become one of the "Girls" favourites very quickly.