Our Forward structure

[Bloody Hell]

IMHO the best forward line possible is:

TDL XXXXX Pyke
McVeigh Reid McGlynn

XXXXX = White or a defender (AJ, Grundy, Not LRT) or a player not yet drafted, or a player not yet traded.

That is all.

[BSA5]

IMHO the best forward line possible is:

TDL XXXXX Pyke
McVeigh Reid McGlynn

XXXXX = White or a defender (AJ, Grundy, Not LRT) or a player not yet drafted, or a player not yet traded.

That is all.

I like LRT forward. It doesn't show up in the stats, but almost every time the ball goes to LRT at FF, the ball doesn't rebound. He doesn't get on successful leads as often as you'd like for a FF, but he ALWAYS puts up a contest and keeps the ball dangerous. While he doesn't often mark the ball, I think I could count on one hand the number of times a defender has taken a mark against LRT. LRT almost always brings the ball to ground, and then he competes like a terrier at ground level to lock it in if the crumbers can't get to it.

I like Pyke most as a FF/second ruckman, as he has fantastic hands that could really come to the fore out of the goalsquare, as well as the tenacity to compete at ground level and lock the ball in. In that case, I'd be up for LRT moving to the backline and AJ moving to a FP/HFF, and when Pyke goes to the ruck, Reid resting in the goalsquare (remember the Richmond game where Reid turned so many heads? He was playing FF for that magical patch).

Who would have thought, even just a year ago, that we'd be having trouble fitting all our key position players into the side?! We've gone from having a desperate need to recruit talls to overflowing with them (at senior level at least). Guess that's what happens when both Richards and LRT are fit AND in form, you unearth gems like Reid and Johnson, and the sub rule means you have to rest your second ruckman in the forwardline rather than bench him.

[aardvark]

I like Pyke most as a FF/second ruckman, as he has fantastic hands that could really come to the fore out of the goalsquare, as well as the tenacity to compete at ground level and lock the ball in. In that case, I'd be up for LRT moving to the backline and AJ moving to a FP/HFF, and when Pyke goes to the ruck.

Hows about Pyke to FF, Teddy to back flank, LRT to FB and Tiger to the ressies ?

[Bloody Hell]

I like LRT forward. It doesn't show up in the stats, but almost every time the ball goes to LRT at FF, the ball doesn't rebound. He doesn't get on successful leads as often as you'd like for a FF, but he ALWAYS puts up a contest and keeps the ball dangerous. While he doesn't often mark the ball, I think I could count on one hand the number of times a defender has taken a mark against LRT. LRT almost always brings the ball to ground, and then he competes like a terrier at ground level to lock it in if the crumbers can't get to it.

I like Pyke most as a FF/second ruckman, as he has fantastic hands that could really come to the fore out of the goalsquare, as well as the tenacity to compete at ground level and lock the ball in. In that case, I'd be up for LRT moving to the backline and AJ moving to a FP/HFF, and when Pyke goes to the ruck, Reid resting in the goalsquare (remember the Richmond game where Reid turned so many heads? He was playing FF for that magical patch).

Who would have thought, even just a year ago, that we'd be having trouble fitting all our key position players into the side?! We've gone from having a desperate need to recruit talls to overflowing with them (at senior level at least). Guess that's what happens when both Richards and LRT are fit AND in form, you unearth gems like Reid and Johnson, and the sub rule means you have to rest your second ruckman in the forwardline rather than bench him.

LRT is a backman. Looks like a backman, kicks like a backman, plays like a backman. I agree he has held his position due to his defensive ability, but that's not a point I'd even consider in picking a FF.

If you've got your fullback as the full forward (not in the good way like Alister Lynch), it says alot about the mindset of the coach and the team. You're lauding the defensive ability of the FF. It's FF!!!!!! ATTACK!!!

[Big Al]

LRT is a backman. Looks like a backman, kicks like a backman, plays like a backman. I agree he has held his position due to his defensive ability, but that's not a point I'd even consider in picking a FF.

If you've got your fullback as the full forward (not in the good way like Alister Lynch), it says alot about the mindset of the coach and the team. You're lauding the defensive ability of the FF. It's FF!!!!!! ATTACK!!!

Modern footy requires the forwards to have defensive abilities. Any forward that just ATTACKs will be found out on the rebound by a decent defence.

The mind set of this team is to win games of football. We lack a big bodied forward so LRT was used. He's not a permanent solution but he was the best option available imo.

[Bloody Hell]

Modern footy requires the forwards to have defensive abilities. Any forward that just ATTACKs will be found out on the rebound by a decent defence.

The mind set of this team is to win games of football. We lack a big bodied forward so LRT was used. He's not a permanent solution but he was the best option available imo.

I agree.

I'm not saying the FF shouldn't defend, just that it shouldn't be the main criteria used for selection. When did FF become a defensive position?

I'd probably start with goal kicking ability.

It's a moot point anyway because LRT is the 2nd ruck, not the FF.

[Big Al]

I agree.

I'm not saying the FF shouldn't defend, just that it shouldn't be the main criteria used for selection. When did FF become a defensive position?

I'd probably start with goal kicking ability.

It's a moot point anyway because LRT is the 2nd ruck, not the FF.

Fair enough and no, it shouldn't be the main criteria but it's an important one as TDL is discovering.

[BSA5]

LRT is a backman. Looks like a backman, kicks like a backman, plays like a backman. I agree he has held his position due to his defensive ability, but that's not a point I'd even consider in picking a FF.

If you've got your fullback as the full forward (not in the good way like Alister Lynch), it says alot about the mindset of the coach and the team. You're lauding the defensive ability of the FF. It's FF!!!!!! ATTACK!!!

LRT kicks enough goals and creates enough goals to justify his place. At present, we don't have a FF capable of kicking bags of goals. That's just a fact. Richards or Grundy aren't going to kick more goals than LRT, but LRT is working as a resting ruckman and FF because at least he's trapping the ball in there, allowing other players a chance. That is an underrated ability. It's unconventional, but with our current forward stocks, unconventional is what we're going to have to go with.

And LRT doesn't kick like a backman at all. He is a very good set shot for goal.

[Mountain Man]

As this thread is "Forward Structure", IMHO some factors are

1. the resting ruckman is most often going to be there; best as a pocket - either Pyke or LRT
2. a 'tall' at CHF is a must - and how lucky we are to have Reid (who often gets too far away from goals I think)
3. a ' solid tall' at FF would be desirable - we wish for Jesse to prove himself; Spanger got one game and injury intervened; oh for Bradshaw this year; maybe a recruit will come to us
4. a permanent 'small' for the other pocket seems right; they need to learn how to work with the above mentioned as to space etc - I am undecided whether TDL is the answer as another marking option, or Benny as a terrier and opportunist and a defensive pressure player BUT one should be there all the time
5. and 6. the HFF positions are probably filled by either rotating midfielders or attacking wingmen who then become responsible for the pressure.

So my conclusions remain that we still do not have the "structure" in place, and until we do it with some continuity, the mid field are going to continue to bomb blindly, or the forward space is going to continue to be cluttered

[wolftone57]

LRT kicks enough goals and creates enough goals to justify his place. At present, we don't have a FF capable of kicking bags of goals. That's just a fact. Richards or Grundy aren't going to kick more goals than LRT, but LRT is working as a resting ruckman and FF because at least he's trapping the ball in there, allowing other players a chance. That is an underrated ability. It's unconventional, but with our current forward stocks, unconventional is what we're going to have to go with.

And LRT doesn't kick like a backman at all. He is a very good set shot for goal.

Even I have to admit that LRT's goal kicking has improved markedly & I am not a fan of him up forward

[Hartijon]

As this thread is "Forward Structure", IMHO some factors are

1. the resting ruckman is most often going to be there; best as a pocket - either Pyke or LRT
2. a 'tall' at CHF is a must - and how lucky we are to have Reid (who often gets too far away from goals I think)
3. a ' solid tall' at FF would be desirable - we wish for Jesse to prove himself; Spanger got one game and injury intervened; oh for Bradshaw this year; maybe a recruit will come to us
4. a permanent 'small' for the other pocket seems right; they need to learn how to work with the above mentioned as to space etc - I am undecided whether TDL is the answer as another marking option, or Benny as a terrier and opportunist and a defensive pressure player BUT one should be there all the time
5. and 6. the HFF positions are probably filled by either rotating midfielders or attacking wingmen who then become responsible for the pressure.

So my conclusions remain that we still do not have the "structure" in place, and until we do it with some continuity, the mid field are going to continue to bomb blindly, or the forward space is going to continue to be cluttered

Both will happen. The blind bomb is not the fault of the player! Its the fault of not having a forward structure. At least the blind bomb gives us a 50:50 chance

[wolftone57]

As this thread is "Forward Structure", IMHO some factors are

1. the resting ruckman is most often going to be there; best as a pocket - either Pyke or LRT
2. a 'tall' at CHF is a must - and how lucky we are to have Reid (who often gets too far away from goals I think)
3. a ' solid tall' at FF would be desirable - we wish for Jesse to prove himself; Spanger got one game and injury intervened; oh for Bradshaw this year; maybe a recruit will come to us
4. a permanent 'small' for the other pocket seems right; they need to learn how to work with the above mentioned as to space etc - I am undecided whether TDL is the answer as another marking option, or Benny as a terrier and opportunist and a defensive pressure player BUT one should be there all the time
5. and 6. the HFF positions are probably filled by either rotating midfielders or attacking wingmen who then become responsible for the pressure.

So my conclusions remain that we still do not have the "structure" in place, and until we do it with some continuity, the mid field are going to continue to bomb blindly, or the forward space is going to continue to be cluttered

I don't agree with all the half forwards being resting mids that's bull. A good HF is worth diamonds, like say Stevie J (even though he has played FF & FP he is essentially a HF) or Bruist for the Hawks or like Jarman for the Crows.

[stellation]

Hey BSA5 and Big Al, why don't you hep cats read this post and lemme know your thoughts?

[Big Al]

Hey BSA5 and Big Al, why don't you hep cats read this post and lemme know your thoughts?

Stats can be used to prove anything. 86.4% of people know that.

Statistically speaking there isn't a lot of difference between LRT and Jesse and your point is well made. However what the stats don't show is Jesse's poor positional play and decision making deficiencies. Something LRT has done, imo , much better. Having said that, I saw in the reserves on the weekend a glimmer of hope for Jesse. He worked hard and he worked smart. If he continues in this vein and I truly hope he does, the thread I started on Jesse will leave delicious egg on my face.

[stellation]

Stats can be used to prove anything. 86.4% of people know that.

Statistically speaking there isn't a lot of difference between LRT and Jesse and your point is well made. However what the stats don't show is Jesse's poor positional play and decision making deficiencies. Something LRT has done, imo , much better. Having said that, I saw in the reserves on the weekend a glimmer of hope for Jesse. He worked hard and he worked smart. If he continues in this vein and I truly hope he does, the thread I started on Jesse will leave delicious egg on my face.

Is it easier, though, to make good position or decisions against weaker opposition? I thought the split of top 10 vs. bottom 7 was interesting, ignoring the ability of Lewis' to play against varying levels of opposition one would also think that the team may run through the middle against weaker opponents to setup?