Is there room for N.Abblet and Hawkins?

[linelefty]

In the long term, is there room for all these potential big blokes in the forward line? Can we really have a resting ruckman, N.Abblett, Tomahawk and Mooney all operating as big targets?

Poor old Daniel Bradshaw never seemed to fit in at Brisbane same story with Staker in the forward line at WCE........Freo seem to think Tarrant+Pavlich+Sandilands/Longmuir can work but that is a clear CHF/FF/Ruck combination, where as N.Abblet and Tomahawk a both Straight up full forwards are they not? Trade one for Judd!?

[year of the cat]

In the long term, is there room for all these potential big blokes in the forward line? Can we really have a resting ruckman, N.Abblett, Tomahawk and Mooney all operating as big targets?

Poor old Daniel Bradshaw never seemed to fit in at Brisbane same story with Staker in the forward line at WCE........Freo seem to think Tarrant+Pavlich+Sandilands/Longmuir can work but that is a clear CHF/FF/Ruck combination, where as N.Abblet and Tomahawk a both Straight up full forwards are they not? Trade one for Judd!?

Worked well against the Blues. Can definitely work. Nathan at CHF, Tommy at FF and Mooney is mobile enough to play as a HFF. Easy. None of them will be traded even for Judd.

[And_ROOS]

Nablett is bit more like a HFF but him and Mooney share CHF very well, when Tomahawk isnt there Mooney or Nabs can play FF with Ottens resting. I think timing and positional changes mean we will seldom see Hawkins, Nablett, Ottens and Mooney in the forward line at the same time.

And i really doubt there are many players WCE would accept for Judd, so i doubt they would accept Ottens or Mooney. Possibly Nablett or Hawkins though.

[thehoff]

Hell yeah there is... 3 big targets rotating through the forward line with 2 crumbers...

It's a mighty scarly looking forward line that will have opposition teams shaking in their boots should it be a potent as i beleive it will become.

[gocats88]

what people seem to be forgetting is that not many other teams have a backline like ours with 3 very good tall defenders as in egan, harley and scarlett. some teams don't even have two quality tall defenders. the only teams that i reckon have a good defense are adelaide, wce, freo and collingwood and thats about it. other teams have 2 good tall defenders like melbourne and st.kilda. so if we have hawkins, nablett and mooney we will stretch most teams defense.

[gocats88]

what people seem to be forgetting is that not many other teams have a backline like ours with 3 very good tall defenders as in egan, harley and scarlett. some teams don't even have two quality tall defenders. the only teams that i reckon have a good defense are adelaide, wce, freo and collingwood and thats about it. other teams that have 2 good tall defenders are melbourne and st.kilda. so if we have hawkins, nablett and mooney we will stretch most teams defense.

[Herbs]

In the long term, is there room for all these potential big blokes in the forward line? Can we really have a resting ruckman, N.Abblett, Tomahawk and Mooney all operating as big targets?

Poor old Daniel Bradshaw never seemed to fit in at Brisbane same story with Staker in the forward line at WCE........Freo seem to think Tarrant+Pavlich+Sandilands/Longmuir can work but that is a clear CHF/FF/Ruck combination, where as N.Abblet and Tomahawk a both Straight up full forwards are they not? Trade one for Judd!?

You are aware that Bradshaw kicked a bag last year and would still be in the forwardline if not for his knee?

[tiredcat]

In the long term, is there room for all these potential big blokes in the forward line? Can we really have a resting ruckman, N.Abblett, Tomahawk and Mooney all operating as big targets?

Poor old Daniel Bradshaw never seemed to fit in at Brisbane same story with Staker in the forward line at WCE........Freo seem to think Tarrant+Pavlich+Sandilands/Longmuir can work but that is a clear CHF/FF/Ruck combination, where as N.Abblet and Tomahawk a both Straight up full forwards are they not? Trade one for Judd!?

Definately room for the 3 at same time but no need to rest a ruckman there unless one is missing or on the bench As for Bradshaw he was always the player we couldn't match up on and probably the reason we where eliminated from finals a few years ago at MCG (prelim I think)

[Tristagi]

It should look something like this
FF: Stokes - Hawkins - Mooney
HF: Chapman - NAblett - S. Johnson

with Ottens rucking and resting in forward line swapping on anf off the bench between the 3 big guys

Agains the small forward position
Stokes
Prismall
GAblett
Byrnes
Varcoe
Djerrkura

[Mooney_d'King]

Yes.

[CatmanForever]

I think that as long as we can afford them they will play. But as Nathan and Tom become more sucessful I can see some salary cap problems in the future which I hope the club can juggle...really hope!

[Tristagi]

on good thing about the father and son picks is the history at the club will hopefully make it harder for them to leave.. my adice is to lock them in for 10 year deals now! :D

[linelefty]

You are aware that Bradshaw kicked a bag last year and would still be in the forwardline if not for his knee?

Of course, he's been the gun forward for Brizzy since Lynch retired, but I was talking about they halcyon days when Brown and Lynch were operating and Bradshaw seemed to be marginalised. Good backup for lynch though.

I like the idea of the resting ruckman allowing one of them some bench time, that woudl work pretty well given their youth.

West Coast have shown the damage that Hunter, Staker, Embley can do when 6-3ish part timer can pinch hit in offense. If we had a true utility player like that..............

[catters05]

It should look something like this
FF: Stokes - Hawkins - Mooney
HF: Chapman - NAblett - S. Johnson

with Ottens rucking and resting in forward line swapping on anf off the bench between the 3 big guys

Agains the small forward position
Stokes
Prismall
GAblett
Byrnes
Varcoe
Djerrkura


If S.Johnson stuffs up again, trade him, sell him, piss him off IMO.

[cats2rise]

Thats if he does, which he wont.
Bring back Steve! He will still finish in our B&F Top 10. I cant wait for my $10 or whatever it was Jess.

[thejester]

Yeah. If anything, it'll free up Mooney. Just off the last couple of games, he seems a bit wasted up forward.

[thegerman]

Yep there is heaps of room for this lot. Remember Mooney can just roam about, he is fit enough to do so. I'd put Nath up forward and Hawkins at FF (when he is fully fit and ready to play every game).

Then Otto starting in the ruck with King on the bench.

The other forwards will be out of Jnr, Chappy, SJ (When eligible to return), Kelly, Varcoe and Djerkurra. So there is a few to pick from there.

We definitely have a great lineup to choose from.

[cats2rise]

Stokes also. That list of smalls looks pretty much in order of preference. I'd have Stokes about even with Kel. I think in Stokes' absence people have forgotten what he brings to the team. The boy can KICK!!

[thejester]

Stokes also. That list of smalls looks pretty much in order of preference. I'd have Stokes about even with Kel. I think in Stokes' absence people have forgotten what he brings to the team. The boy can KICK!!
Kick? The boy can single handedly win us matches.

[cats2rise]

Kick? The boy can single handedly win us matches.
Yet people are prepared to leave him out for Byrnes.

[snr529jnr]

Is their room for both?

Do fat dog's fart?

[nananana catman]

Ottens is the only ruck who is likely to play forward, meaning it will only be on minor occasions their will only be four talls in the forward line if at all.

Hawkins can only play 2-3qtrs of a game, while Blake and Ottens need time on the bench to rest.

There is definetely room for both.

[Copernicus]

Bit of a silly question. Of course there is room. Nath and Tom are different types of players. Tom demands the ball on a lead, he's a bit of a bustling, pack-busting FF type. Nath is a little more agile and creative, can find more of the ball at ground level and is more of the roaming CHF/HFF.

Easily room for both, even with Moons up there at CHF or on a flank. Nath and Moons can quite easily alternate or share the forwardline as was shown against Carlton.

[Cat in Newcastle]

Of course, (BIG SMILE ON MY FACE)

[linelefty]

Yeah wasa stupid question :o .
Just thinking about how the forward line would work if all these options were up fit and firing.

[Albo's opinion]

i hope so they're both in my supercoach team:o but not this weekend.

[Boundary-Rider]

For nearly ten years we have wanted and needed at least two key forwards.
Not since garry Sen and Billy B and Stoneham have we had such a potent forward line, so surley we need them both in the team they will create the space and opportunities they need.

Yes I think we can easily fit both into the forward line and hopefully for many a year to come

[cat in sydney]

For nearly ten years we have wanted and needed at least two key forwards.
Not since garry Sen and Billy B and Stoneham have we had such a potent forward line, so surley we need them both in the team they will create the space and opportunities they need.

Yes I think we can easily fit both into the forward line and hopefully for many a year to come

Yeah, there's a reasonably good comparison there...

Gary Ablett Snr, Billy Brownless, Barry Stoneham
v v v
Nathan Ablett, Tom Hawkins, Brad Ottens

And the exciting thing is that on top of this current trio we have Hairy Cat, who is proving to be an awesome CHF/HFF.
The next few years could really be exciting.

In fact, in the late 80's/early 90's we had the firepower up forward and midfield (stars), but then a fair number of weaker players who were ordinary. This is potentially why we fell short in all those GFs.

Then, in the early 00's, we've had good evenness across the side, all contributors, but no stars. Again, maybe why we got so close (04, 05), but couldn't get the job done.

NOW however, looking a few years ahead, we could well have the most balanced side in the entire competition, with the star quality we need to go all the way! :cool:

[DanA]

Yeah, there's a reasonably good comparison there...

Gary Ablett Snr, Billy Brownless, Barry Stoneham
v v v
Nathan Ablett, Tom Hawkins, Brad Ottens

And the exciting thing is that on top of this current trio we have Hairy Cat, who is proving to be an awesome CHF/HFF.
The next few years could really be exciting.

In fact, in the late 80's/early 90's we had the firepower up forward and midfield (stars), but then a fair number of weaker players who were ordinary. This is potentially why we fell short in all those GFs.

Then, in the early 00's, we've had good evenness across the side, all contributors, but no stars. Again, maybe why we got so close (04, 05), but couldn't get the job done.

NOW however, looking a few years ahead, we could well have the most balanced side in the entire competition, with the star quality we need to go all the way! :cool:

2009 with see us with awsome balance across the feild IMO. I can't see a week spot.

I really think in two years time Hawkins & Selwood will be stars of the game while Djerkurra & Varcoe will be in our top 15 players.

If we get anything out of Grima, Hogan, Davenport, Bedford and our 07 draftees (Donohue maybe) we will have serious problems holding such a talented team together.

[gocats88]

2009 with see us with awsome balance across the feild IMO. I can't see a week spot.

I really think in two years time Hawkins & Selwood will be stars of the game while Djerkurra & Varcoe will be in our top 15 players.

If we get anything out of Grima, Hogan, Davenport, Bedford and our 07 draftees (Donohue maybe) we will have serious problems holding such a talented team together.

defence scarlett will be getting old, harley retired. hopefully we can get a decent full back in the next two drafts or hopefully grima or egan can take fullback. we would obviousy need another ruckman just in case blake or west doesn't live up to expectation. and also we need another mid tall for defence who can read the play and has great hands because milburn will also be getting old or be retired.

[DanA]

defence scarlett will be getting old, harley retired. hopefully we can get a decent full back in the next two drafts or hopefully grima or egan can take fullback. we would obviousy need another ruckman just in case blake or west doesn't live up to expectation. and also we need another mid tall for defence who can read the play and has great hands because milburn will also be getting old or be retired.

I still think that Scarlett has another 5 years left while Harley will probably still be around. Perhaps Bartel can go back and take Milburns spot. Like Milburn he's a fantastic overhead mark and hard footballer

We have so many quality midfeilders comming through:
Selwood, Prismall, Djerkurra, Varcoe, Stokes, Byrnes, Tenace
On top of:
Chapman, Ablett, Corey, Bartel, Rooke, Kelly, Ling
You would think that all bar about 3 would be in the starting 22.

My predicted 2009 team:
Stokes, Hawkins, Varcoe
N.Ablett Mooney, S.Johnson
Chapman, G.Ablett, Prismall
Wojcinski, Egan, Bartel
J.Hunt, Scarlett, Harley
Rucks: Ottens, Corey, Selwood
Bench: Blake, Djerkurra, Rooke, Grima, Kelly, Ling, Tenace, Byrnes, West

Harley & Dog need to have replacement though as I think they will be winding down.

[linelefty]

Agreed, tall defenders are the weakest area in the forseeable future. I reckon we look acquire to Jaymie Graham from WCE. Or maybe hawkins is suited to fulback :eek: Even tomahawks have a blunt side! Would probably do him good to spend a few games chasing backside.