Our Forward structure

[neilfws]

Just browsing the stats from the Hawks game. Depressing across the board but a couple really jump out.

Clearances: 36 each. Inside 50s: 49 to the Hawks 51. Yet they were 8 goals to the good. I think that's a good summary of our forward issues.

[liz]

Just browsing the stats from the Hawks game. Depressing across the board but a couple really jump out.

Clearances: 36 each. Inside 50s: 49 to the Hawks 51. Yet they were 8 goals to the good. I think that's a good summary of our forward issues.

Including lots of eminently gettable behinds, which makes things worse.

I reckon raw inside 50 counts is, together with ruck hit-outs, one of the most useless stats.

[Wardy]

At present there is no forward structure - I am surprised this thread received any replies.

I'm sure we could find something to help build a forward structure at Bunnings! I agree ORB - we dont have one and thats it. I fear that the North game will be a nightmare - kind of glad I'm going out for lunch instead of watching it.

[neilfws]

I reckon raw inside 50 counts is, together with ruck hit-outs, one of the most useless stats.

Totally agree with you on hit-outs! "What happened next?" is always my question.

Stats are often meaningless and frequently abused (I know, I work for CSIRO's stats division!). I think inside-50 combined with scoring shots or goals is at least some indication of conversion.

[ugg]

A better stat is inside fifty conversion ie the percentage of inside
fifties that result in a goal. We are near the bottom end in this regard. Conversely, our opponents also find it hard to convert their inside fifties against our defence

[Swanner]

lots of good comments here, the main issue though is our forwards play far too much up the ground. I sit in the bradman and for all three losses the problem was obvious - no target up forward as they were way up the ground and we tried to hit targets running backwards towards goal - basically a lottery.

Between Reid, White, Lewis Johnston, Pyke, Seaby, Moore, Goodes, O'Keefe, McGlynn and TDL we have a very good forward line - we just have bad coaches who think the only way to win football games is to stack the midfield. It may be an unfair comparison but even Roos maintained a forward line (he did have Hall). The problem is not the cattle its the coaching staff. I predict our non-structure will work against North, brisbane etc and everyone will say its no problem - then we will play carlton,collingwood in a months time and get found out again - they need to change the game plan and use the fact we have an easy month to get our forward structure right - if we don't welcome to mid table medicority for the next few years.

[blinddog]

The potential issue I have with TDL is that these days so much of the game is keeping the ball in the forward 50. So for those that have been watching the reserves how has the defensive side of his game been.

[Hartijon]

lots of good comments here, the main issue though is our forwards play far too much up the ground. I sit in the bradman and for all three losses the problem was obvious - no target up forward as they were way up the ground and we tried to hit targets running backwards towards goal - basically a lottery.

Between Reid, White, Lewis Johnston, Pyke, Seaby, Moore, Goodes, O'Keefe, McGlynn and TDL we have a very good forward line - we just have bad coaches who think the only way to win football games is to stack the midfield. It may be an unfair comparison but even Roos maintained a forward line (he did have Hall). The problem is not the cattle its the coaching staff. I predict our non-structure will work against North, brisbane etc and everyone will say its no problem - then we will play carlton,collingwood in a months time and get found out again - they need to change the game plan and use the fact we have an easy month to get our forward structure right - if we don't welcome to mid table medicority for the next few years.

I watch the games on TV so I don't see the big picture that often but when you do get a birdseye view what you say is entirely correct. Your analysis of the problem would also seem to be correct because we do have the players this year, its how they are being used is the problem which gets back to coaching.While I am prepared to say the failure of White as a forward has had huge repercussions on the side there must always be Plan B. Your solution is also the best way to go IMO.Lets formulate a forward line,try and test it against the weaker sides and start to have a structure up there that the midfield can target .You will know it is working when ROK's quick kicks out of the pack go to our players not the opposition because he knows where they will be!

[Cheer Squad]

Here's a bit on our forward line problems in today's Herald:

"The Swans were seventh for points scored during last year's home and away campaign but this season they are 14th - ahead of only St Kilda and strugglers Brisbane and Gold Coast."

Read more: Rookie Johnston waiting in the wings to boost Swans attack

[Chilcott]

That's good news about Johnston.

With Reid and Everitt as our key fowards over the past couple of weeks, we were lacking in strength/power.

If we bring in Seaby and Johnston, along with Reid we'll have some big targets to kick to, which, will help our structure.

I would give Everitt and Jetta a rest this week and play LRT in the backline.

It's then just a matter of juggling the side to balance the smalls with talls.

[Hartijon]

Plan b

My plan B forward line given LRT's return to the backlines!

FF: TDL Seaby Mc Glynne

HF: Reid Grundy Bolton

Lets work on Seaby as a logical replacement for Pyke and White.Lets exploit his height and marking power. Reg's field kicking has been poor but he is a good set shot and has played in the forwards before. Move him from CHB to CHF. Give this forward line 3 weeks to settle

[liz]

That's good news about Johnston.

With Reid and Everitt as our key fowards over the past couple of weeks, we were lacking in strength/power.

If we bring in Seaby and Johnston, along with Reid we'll have some big targets to kick to, which, will help our structure.

I would give Everitt and Jetta a rest this week and play LRT in the backline.

It's then just a matter of juggling the side to balance the smalls with talls.

I am very excited that we might get to see Johnston finally unleashed, but replacing Everitt with him isn't going to increase our height / power factor in our forward line. He is probably about an inch shorter than Everitt and is still relatively slight. He is not going to provide the big bodied presence up forward that we had all hoped White would be providing. Even at reserve level, his best forward line contributions have been more as a half-forward flanker than a true key forward.

What he will - hopefully - bring to the team is good kicking skills. Those who saw him in the NAB Cup will remember the beautiful goal he kicked from a set shot outside the 50. His field kicking, particularly forward 50 entries to the true advantage of a team mate, can be equally as delicious at times.

[Chilcott]

I am very excited that we might get to see Johnston finally unleashed, but replacing Everitt with him isn't going to increase our height / power factor in our forward line. He is probably about an inch shorter than Everitt and is still relatively slight. He is not going to provide the big bodied presence up forward that we had all hoped White would be providing. Even at reserve level, his best forward line contributions have been more as a half-forward flanker than a true key forward.

What he will - hopefully - bring to the team is good kicking skills. Those who saw him in the NAB Cup will remember the beautiful goal he kicked from a set shot outside the 50. His field kicking, particularly forward 50 entries to the true advantage of a team mate, can be equally as delicious at times.

With respect to a straight Johnston/Everitt swap, you would be correct.

However, if we throw Seaby into the mix, along witth Reid, that gives us some much needed height/power in the forward line. Also, we would be less reliant on Goodes as our key forward.

Wouldn't mind adding in TDL, but who would we leave out. It might be Parker (as he needs a full game) or Johnson????

[aardvark]

. His field kicking, particularly forward 50 entries to the true advantage of a team mate, can be equally as delicious at times.

Liz you're not really Bruce in disguise are you ?

[nomae]

That's good news about Johnston.

With Reid and Everitt as our key fowards over the past couple of weeks, we were lacking in strength/power.

If we bring in Seaby and Johnston, along with Reid we'll have some big targets to kick to, which, will help our structure.

I would give Everitt and Jetta a rest this week and play LRT in the backline.

It's then just a matter of juggling the side to balance the smalls with talls.

This.