View Full Version : Key forward issues. Needs addressing
With Damon White wanting out it made me start thinking about our forwardline
Currently we have a good crop of small forwards going around such as Ebert, Motlop, Gray, Krakouer and then you an throw some other names in such as Pearce, Shaun, Rodan who are goal kickers. No problem there
The problem i am seeing is that we are quickly becoming very light on in Key Position Forwards (big guys).
Warren Tredrea is obviously our number 1 but everyone would have to agree he had a very average year due to injuries, lack of pre-season, and just getting his body right.
Then we have Justin Westhoff who is very very raw in my opinion. He had a great start to his career but the honeymoon is over. Opposition teams are putting better defenders on him and he started to struggle a bit towards the end of the season. He obviously needs to put some bulk on and will take some time to develop into a consistent big forward.
After that we are in strife. We have Ryan Willits who i am far from convinced that he will ever play another AFL game. He is big and gangly, clumsy, doesnt get himself into good positions, and has one of the worst kicks for goal i have ever seen. Both SANFL clubs he has played for have given up on him as a forward and are playing him in defense and even a bit in the ruck. Ryan has had a couple of seasons to develop now and i havent seen enough in him to convince me he will make it.
Then we have Adam Cockshell. He started pretty well in the pre-season and looked like he could be a good find. He played a couple of early games in the minor round and didnt do anything. He was sent back to the SANFL and he really struggled there as well and never really picked up any kind of good form for the Redlegs playing forward and a bit in the ruck. Granted he is only approaching his 2nd year on our list and big guys take a long time to develop but one would hope he would start dominating at Norwood next season and at least show he might make an impact at AFL level.
To my knowledge we have nothing else. This means if either Tredders or Westhoff get injured then we are in big trouble. We either play 1 big man short, or we bring in Willits or Cockshell which i dont know will help us at all really.
So do we trade and try and get another Key Forward to replace Damon? I think we have to. I dont want Port to become the new Western Bulldogs and have no big forwards
What are your thoughts guys?
johnnypanther
3 Oct 2007, 14:07
i think that you should have Chad Cornes in the CHF with Tredrea & Westhoff as the other 2 talls complemented by Ebert,Motlop & Gray which IMO is an awesome forward line with differing types there and then you have your midfielders running thru there such as Rodan, S Burgoyne (plus Krakouer?
That gives you a couple of years to unearth a big KPP via the draft or trade for one in a year or two if any around
TheFridge
3 Oct 2007, 14:08
I agree that we need to improve our Key Position Forward stocks and would hope that Port attempt to shore these up.
However, getting a "genuine" KPP forward (either in proven or potential status) will be very difficult as we don't have early picks and are unlikely to be able to trade into early picks. Every club can do with more KPP forwards meaning young likely types are heavily scrutinised and the cream is taken with early picks. Even with earlish picks you can miss out - despite the howls of protest last year when we took Boak, the only genuinely highly rated KPP taken after our pick was Mitchell Thorp. Guys like Everitt and Westhoff have limitations which need to be ironed out if they are to make it.
Proven KPP forwards are even harder to prise away from their clubs - even troubled souls like Fevola are highly valued if they can take a mark and kick straight.
Our first option will be to either draft the lesser rated KPP Forwards and hope/work hard on development (and thereby add to our developing group of Cockshell, Willits etc).
If we do this, we will need to be patient and I would hope we retain Damon White as a backup if Tredrea gets injured.
Our second option would be to seek to trade another clubs "possibles" who are in the same category of Damon and hope we can fast track their development or turn their career around. For example, trading for a Miller, Kennedy, Stiller, Grundy or Schulz. In this example, I would suggest that retaining Damon White becomes less important as this player would become the automatic backup.
Either way, I think we can and should look to hold onto Willits for one more season, and trust he will make the next step. For those clamouring to turn him into a backman, this may be an option, but we don't have a big gap in KPP backs, so I vote firmly to continue to push his development as a forward. Nonetheless, a decision on Ryan will be needed by the end of next season. This is, of course, unless someone makes us a very good offer for Ryan.
Coobk001
3 Oct 2007, 14:19
This was an issue last year when we picked Boak instead of a KPP.
At the moment that decision hasn't biten us too hard but ultimately Boak may just end up being another good midfielder which we could've extracted from anywhere in the draft, whereas Thorpe, Riewoldt, etc. are the KP forwards we skipped. We wont regret this decision until Tredrea goes but when he does the hole left will be huge so we need to find another KP forward now! Pick #16 must be the best available KP forward, if there are none that could ever make it then we focus on creating a killer midfield.
Predator.
3 Oct 2007, 14:29
I think just as important as the key forward issues is the need to find a way that players such as Ebert and Motlop don't go from being "reliable" forwards to being TOTALLY blanketed out of a game. I mean I was just gobsmacked at the total non-existence of these two in the GF.
I mean I was just gobsmacked at the total non-existence of these two in the GF.
if geelong midfield had kicked it to Ebert and Motlop instead of Chapman, Johnson and Mooney then they may have played better
remember the ball has to get down there to start with and the delivery to our forwards was also non-existant
TheFridge
3 Oct 2007, 14:38
This was an issue last year when we picked Boak instead of a KPP.
At the moment that decision hasn't biten us too hard but ultimately Boak may just end up being another good midfielder which we could've extracted from anywhere in the draft, whereas Thorpe, Riewoldt, etc. are the KP forwards we skipped. We wont regret this decision until Tredrea goes but when he does the hole left will be huge so we need to find another KP forward now! Pick #16 must be the best available KP forward, if there are none that could ever make it then we focus on creating a killer midfield.
Blasphemer!:D
A sobering thought for the school of thought that using pick 16 for a KPP forward should be mandatory to provide our future solution is that Ryan Willits was taken with a pick 19...
I believe that using a late first round draft pick on a KPP forward is not likely to provide our long term solution. We either need to:
1 - trade aggressively to improve our draft position (not that it appears any super potential KPP kids are available in this draft)
2 - trade aggressively for a proven KPP forward (a really, really difficult and expensive proposition)
3 - trade thoughtfully to take a chance on a recycled KPP from another club
or
4 - take a chance by using several picks specifically on KPPs and hope that we can develop one into a useful forward.
Personally, I think option 3 should be pursued. Failing that, time to take option 4 and start firing away at any and all KPP prospects in the draft....
Predator.
3 Oct 2007, 14:39
if geelong midfield had kicked it to Ebert and Motlop instead of Chapman, Johnson and Mooney then they may have played better
remember the ball has to get down there to start with and the delivery to our forwards was also non-existantSo they are both totally forgiven for having nearly-statless games?
Tredrea kicked a couple but those two didn't manage a single goal between them, did they?
TheFridge
3 Oct 2007, 14:42
Sorry, my bad, there is of course a fifth option that a few have seemed to skirt around:
5 - Just select Ryan Willits at FF every week in season 2008 and hope and pray that through exposure to AFL he will metamorphis into an AFL standard full forward. Some would argue this approach was used to great effect by West Coast with Quentin Lynch.
Dangerous tactic, but worth some consideration if the coaching staff truly believe in his talent.
So they are both totally forgiven for having nearly-statless games?
Tredrea kicked a couple but those two didn't manage a single goal between them, did they?
no they arent forgiven at all but you have to admit that the midfield didnt do them any favours did they
Brett was also carrying an injury and if it wasnt a GF he wouldnt have played
Motlop no excuse.. he had a stinker
Predator.
3 Oct 2007, 14:44
no they arent forgiven at all but you have to admit that the midfield didnt do them any favours did theyThat smells a bit like if it's not delivered on a silver platter you're excused. I don't quite buy it.
Brett was also carrying an injury and if it wasnt a GF he wouldnt have played Motlop no excuse.. he had a stinkerThat's not acceptable. If he was significantly injured to the point where he couldn't play properly he should not have been out there. Gray or someone else could have kicked zero goals just as effectively.
There have always been question marks for me over the mental toughness of both players. This is not an out and out criticism, as I am very happy with a lot of aspects of both of them - but when the chips are down, both of them have a tendency to be down too.
The gap between their best and worst games MUST become smaller.
dyertribe
3 Oct 2007, 14:53
Have we witnessed the birth of an ingenius new trolling technique?
Reply to a thread on a club board related to supporter concerns about an onfield division in an entirely positive manner, "nah it's not too bad, when everyone is fit and in form you're awesome... you'll be right, etc" while in your sig sporting a limerick-sized sledge of epic proportions. :D
manureid
3 Oct 2007, 15:08
Have we witnessed the birth of an ingenius new trolling technique?
Reply to a thread on a club board related to supporter concerns about an onfield division in an entirely positive manner, "nah it's not too bad, when everyone is fit and in form you're awesome... you'll be right, etc" while in your sig sporting a limerick-sized sledge of epic proportions. :D
I must admit to noticing that and thinking FiretrUCK Off!
It is an ingenious way to get your troll across without suffering the wrath of a boards mods. Or is it.......
Burninglevi
3 Oct 2007, 15:42
I guess the question is once we get another tall forward, what do we do with them in regards to positioning? Westhoff at FF and Tredders and CHF already. Do we move Westhoff? can we play another tall out of the FP or HFF? One area in which Geelong beat us was thir rebound out of defense. Won't another tall just hinder our options in restricting that? Lets not forget Lade tends to wander up forward as well. Do we now just rotate Lade off of the bench?
Do we see Westhoff as a potential CHF? someone to replace Tredders or just a FF? I'm not suire a three tall forward line would work. I think The Hof has to be groomed to take over CHF with Tredders moving to FF, rotating him with someone like Willits during the game. Limits our midfield rotation a bit, but most of our smalls can play in there as is. I don't think we lose a lot.
Yes, we've neglected it.
No, there are no easy options.
Yes, there are never any easy options.
Yes, Boak may well be `just another good midfielder'.
Even with this problem, it seems like people still think we should get Ebert or Greenwood if we can.
Westhoff isn't a full-forward, he's a forward pocket. No problem.
The guy we need to recruit is a structural player like Lloyd, Lynch, McPharlin, Mooney, Roughead, Neitz, Richo, Gehrig, Hall, Lynch; not a `you can play me everywhere, don't keep me in one spot' guy like Cornes, Pavlich or Hird.
Ebert and Motlop are shut down because smaller MARKING forwards need space and time to counteract their significant height deficiencies, particularly Ebert.
Ideally I would trade both White and Willits, grab Schulz from Richmond cheapish and use our first two picks on tall forwards, preferably with those first two picks upgraded through trading Symes or similar.
We should look at picking up Daniel Havelberg from Centrals with a later pick, that's if Adelaide don't snaffle him up with their first or second rounder. He kicked that bag of 14 earlier in the year and has been consistent all year. The boy isn't very mobile but has that traditional full forward thing about him.
Ford Fairlane
3 Oct 2007, 16:43
Havelberg kicked 37 goals in 18 matches, with 14 goals coming in 1 game. I'm not sure how consistent that goalkicking actually is ... :o
He's shorter than Motlop from what I read.
If the Crows pick him, it will be a further example of the AFC's fascination with medium-height forwards.
Ford Fairlane
3 Oct 2007, 16:52
Listed at 187cm 86kg. Turns 20yo next year (dob 21/3/88).
Havelberg kicked 37 goals in 18 matches, with 14 goals coming in 1 game. I'm not sure how consistent that goalkicking actually is ... :o
lol well I was way off. I saw him in 3 games this year, two which I umpired him in and he played pretty well, and the other the 14 goaler. I guess I should look into it more before I go trying to sound like en expert :o... maybe I should be the head of recruiting at West lakes :p
TheFridge
3 Oct 2007, 17:29
Ideally I would trade both White and Willits, grab Schulz from Richmond cheapish and use our first two picks on tall forwards, preferably with those first two picks upgraded through trading Symes or similar.
3 - trade thoughtfully to take a chance on a recycled KPP from another club
A proposed plan - Porthos has suggested Schulz from Richmond as a potential target. Other options could include:
Josh Kennedy (Carlton)
Beau Dowler (Hawthorn)
Cleve Hughes (Richmond)
Stephen Tiller (W.Bulldogs)
Adam Hartlett (Carlton)
Kepler Bradley (Essendon)
Barry Brooks (St Kilda)
Brad Miller (Melbourne)
All have some question marks over them, with Dowler and Kennedy probably having the greatest currency...
Predator.
3 Oct 2007, 17:34
Ebert and Motlop are shut down because smaller MARKING forwards need space and time to counteract their significant height deficiencies, particularly Ebert.That's right, but unfortunately in games such as the GF, where teams apply a large amount of pressure, such as Geelong did, that time and space is extremely limited.
What then?
Ford Fairlane
3 Oct 2007, 17:39
That's right, but unfortunately in games such as the GF, where teams apply a large amount of pressure, such as Geelong did, that time and space is extremely limited.
What then?
Porthos has been consistent on this as long as I've been on BF. Don't build a forward line around small marking forwards. Because when it matters, it will end in tears.
Have we witnessed the birth of an ingenius new trolling technique?
Reply to a thread on a club board related to supporter concerns about an onfield division in an entirely positive manner, "nah it's not too bad, when everyone is fit and in form you're awesome... you'll be right, etc" while in your sig sporting a limerick-sized sledge of epic proportions. :D
Didn't help me much, thus the yellow card. :D
Coobk001
3 Oct 2007, 18:03
Blasphemer!:D
A sobering thought for the school of thought that using pick 16 for a KPP forward should be mandatory to provide our future solution is that Ryan Willits was taken with a pick 19...
I believe that using a late first round draft pick on a KPP forward is not likely to provide our long term solution. We either need to:
1 - trade aggressively to improve our draft position (not that it appears any super potential KPP kids are available in this draft)
2 - trade aggressively for a proven KPP forward (a really, really difficult and expensive proposition)
3 - trade thoughtfully to take a chance on a recycled KPP from another club
or
4 - take a chance by using several picks specifically on KPPs and hope that we can develop one into a useful forward.
Personally, I think option 3 should be pursued. Failing that, time to take option 4 and start firing away at any and all KPP prospects in the draft....
I agree we are unlikely to get anyone good at pick 16, thats why using 5 on Boak is all the more astonishing. Lets just hope we can find a KP forward in the next couple years.
Coobk001
3 Oct 2007, 18:07
So they are both totally forgiven for having nearly-statless games?
Tredrea kicked a couple but those two didn't manage a single goal between them, did they?
If you were at the game you would understand the reason.
Our structure was completely wrong and ineffective. Our movement from the clearances was wide and under pressure and we never effectively went forward. Hence the thrashing. Coaching had a lot to do with the failure of our forward line, Mark Williams needs to develop a plan B, and sometimes trying to find space rather than win hard balls and keep it congested isn't the best way regardless of the superior size of the opposition.
Wildmanwok
3 Oct 2007, 18:12
That's right, but unfortunately in games such as the GF, where teams apply a large amount of pressure, such as Geelong did, that time and space is extremely limited.
What then?
I tend to agree with you, however, if Ebert had kicked his 2 first shots on goal the whole game could have been very different.
Sadly he didnt.
Coobk001
3 Oct 2007, 18:16
I guess the question is once we get another tall forward, what do we do with them in regards to positioning? Westhoff at FF and Tredders and CHF already. Do we move Westhoff? can we play another tall out of the FP or HFF? One area in which Geelong beat us was thir rebound out of defense. Won't another tall just hinder our options in restricting that? Lets not forget Lade tends to wander up forward as well. Do we now just rotate Lade off of the bench?
Do we see Westhoff as a potential CHF? someone to replace Tredders or just a FF? I'm not suire a three tall forward line would work. I think The Hof has to be groomed to take over CHF with Tredders moving to FF, rotating him with someone like Willits during the game. Limits our midfield rotation a bit, but most of our smalls can play in there as is. I don't think we lose a lot.
It was our rolling zone and their loose man in defence that allowed them to rebound easily, not the height or speed of the forwards. They then could get the ball much further forward much quicker making it very tough for our defenders. We should've been able to do the same thing however Geelong didn't employ a zone they went man-on-man, as we should've, and as such we weren't able to get the ball far forward without pressure and we certaintly didn't get the ball in deep like they did.
Alberton_Magpie
3 Oct 2007, 19:10
If Lachlan Henderson drops to pick 16 we should NAB Him (but I seriously doubt whether he would drop that low :mad:)
roger explosion
3 Oct 2007, 19:23
we have to find some more, but until we do we are safe because we have players like Tredrea, Westhoff, Thurstans, Cornes, Lade, Brogan and even Pettigrew who can go up forward if we need them to. although he's not a tall, Ebert sort of plays like one too.
We have to make the big decisions on players like White, Willits, Cockshell, etc. White and Willits still have trade potential at the moment however if we choose to persisit with them and they don't improve next year they will have zero value to other clubs. We need to decide whether those 2 in particular are going to make it in our side and if not then we need to move them on.
I would be extremely interested in getting Brad Miller to the club, lost his way a little at Melbourne but could be a workhorse CHF for us which could allow us to push Tredrea to a FF role. If we decide to go down that path White would definitely go and we may decide to trade Willits aswell although I think we should hang on to him at this stage.
On the other hand we do have an over supply of tall defenders IMO, C.Cornes, Chaplin, Thurstans, Carlile and even Willits could be KP defenders so maybe we should look at trading one of them for a good young KP forward.
Chaplin is going to be an absolute gun but if we could get a good forward for him (eg. Roughhead) would it be a terrible move?
Chaplin is going to be an absolute gun but if we could get a good forward for him (eg. Roughhead) would it be a terrible move?
You've answered your own question. (Yes. The answer is yes.)
Porthos has been consistent on this as long as I've been on BF. Don't build a forward line around small marking forwards. Because when it matters, it will end in tears.
With Westhoff and Tredrea out there and hopefully bigger and fitter respectively we aren't so small dependant next season.
Though having great small marking forwards is a good thing. It's another symptom of how you could describe our team at the moment though - "Too much icing, not enough cake"
ie. The cake - Quality tall forwards who can work together
The icing - Quality small forwards
The cake - Midfielders that can tackle hard and have strong bodies
The icing - Midfielders with great pace
The cake - Defenders who can shut down their opponents 1 on 1
The icing - Defenders able to set up rebounds from defense
When you have the cake, then the icing can make your team almost unbeatable, or if you don't have it then against crap sides you can look like you are gold, but as we've seen it can be illusionary gold.
If we trade White, we really need to get a KPP back in return through same or different trade.
Its why I think Pearce should be one we should listen to offers for. Would have excellent market value. Would have to be an excellent deal but maybe we should go after a Mitch Clarke, or for a lot less a Hughes/Schulz/Boyle.
Im not convinced Havelberg will even be drafted. Short for a KP, slow, not the most mobile. Well built though, good kick. I wouldnt be surprised if he was around in the 4th round. I think the two Adelaide teams would be the only teams looking at him. Depends how keen Adelaide is on him. From memory, he only kicked multiple goals in about 5 games. To go with his 14 was a mini bag of 5, so 19 goals in 2 games leaves 18 goals in 16 games. Not excellent.
There was a bloke a few years back called Nick Prokopec who played for Centrals and moved to West who was a similar type of player. Burst onto the scene for the Dogs and was that undersized well built FF type. He ended up not doing much.
I would be extremely interested in getting Brad Miller to the club, lost his way a little at Melbourne but could be a workhorse CHF for us which could allow us to push Tredrea to a FF role. If we decide to go down that path White would definitely go and we may decide to trade Willits aswell although I think we should hang on to him at this stage.
I dont see what we would gain through trading White and picking up Miller. Id rather White.
With Westhoff and Tredrea out there and hopefully bigger and fitter respectively we aren't so small dependant next season.
Though having great small marking forwards is a good thing. It's another symptom of how you could describe our team at the moment though - "Too much icing, not enough cake"
ie. The cake - Quality tall forwards who can work together
The icing - Quality small forwards
The cake - Midfielders that can tackle hard and have strong bodies
The icing - Midfielders with great pace
The cake - Defenders who can shut down their opponents 1 on 1
The icing - Defenders able to set up rebounds from defense
When you have the cake, then the icing can make your team almost unbeatable, or if you don't have it then against crap sides you can look like you are gold, but as we've seen it can be illusionary gold.
Speaking of icing and cake, we still need some effective crumbers up forward. Maybe our small marking forwards could do some yoga over the preseason -- work on flexibility and balance.
With Westhoff and Tredrea out there and hopefully bigger and fitter respectively we aren't so small dependant next season.Except that Westhoff basically plays like a giant small, which is good for making matchups difficult, but not good for a side in need of structural key forwards. He's got plenty of development to do beyond bigger/fitter to do that job.
Speaking of icing and cake, we still need some effective crumbers up forward. Maybe our small marking forwards could do some yoga over the preseason -- work on flexibility and balance.
I think Motlop has come on a lot this year when the ball hits the turf. I think this is where Gray or Krakouer could come in handy next year.
We havent had a crumbing forward for a long time.
I wouldnt think our fwd line is where we should be too worried about....
I still reckon its the best in the league. It's easily the most dynamic.
Wildmanwok
3 Oct 2007, 20:01
As good as Warren has been in the past I think his best days are past him.
I really believe relying on him and structuring our future around him is almighty risky.
Port_shadow11
3 Oct 2007, 20:40
I wouldnt think our fwd line is where we should be too worried about....
I still reckon its the best in the league. It's easily the most dynamic.
we might just have to make some position changes and do some tweeking of our forward line ..
Hoff at 199cm = in the forward pocket
Tredders at 193cm = Full forward
the opposition coach has to make a decision .. who does the number 1 defender go to Hoff or Tredders (who have a full pre season)
Motlop in the other forward pocket swapping with Ebo on the HFF
opposition coach which key small defender gets who ??? where will each player play ?????
Willits at CHF .. Willits big bodied 199cm playing a Darren Smith type role (and for those who read this and wonder who Darren Smith was he was the Port Magpies CHF during the 80's & 90's when the Port magpies won alot of permierships.. Smith use to take the 2nd tall defender, bring the ball down to the Port Magpie runners eg Bucky & Ebert and co).. we also give him heaps of game time
opposition coach .... where do u get a very good 199cm Key bodied Defender ??
The other HFF is where we have Rodan, Grey, Krak, S. Burgoyne (when resting), Pearce (when resting), a player we have got via the trade or draft etc
opposition coach where do i find another good small defender to stand any of the above
-----------------
we also have Alex Lee on the rookie list that we could promote to the main list to replace White
other talls that could go down in the forward line is Lade & Chad
King_Tredrea
3 Oct 2007, 21:27
big cockshell will hopefully step up, this guy is a big unit and i think is a better long term option than willits
we might just have to make some position changes and do some tweeking of our forward line ..
we also have Alex Lee on the rookie list that we could promote to the main list to replace White
Hasn't it been announced that Lee (as well as Hardy and Batsanis) were "delisted" off our rookie list??
Predator.
3 Oct 2007, 22:22
I think Macca may have a good point about trading Pearce, it at least needs to be given careful thought.
roger explosion
3 Oct 2007, 22:48
you just don't trade matchwinners like danyle pearce... he is a big part of our future. if you don't like that, get used to it. he was always going to have second year blues, but he's only 21 and is developing - something we tend to forget, because he's become an important part of our midfield you almost think of him as a senior player.
you just don't trade matchwinners like danyle pearce... he is a big part of our future. if you don't like that, get used to it. he was always going to have second year blues, but he's only 21 and is developing - something we tend to forget, because he's become an important part of our midfield you almost think of him as a senior player.
In a perfect world we wouldn't trade him, and i'm not saying 100% we should but i also think we should consider any offers put forward, and if that offer is likely to lead to us attaining a QUALITY key forward (either a current player at another club or a draft selection through an early pick) we would be silly not to consider it. Pearce would have quite a bit of trade value, and as such we'd be silly not to at least listen to offers, if only for the purpose of getting a good indication of the market at the very least.
roger explosion
4 Oct 2007, 00:23
so if you were offered pick 5 for Pearce? would you take it? i sure as hell wouldn't. there is no need to panic in terms of our key forward issues; yes we need one more youngster, but we have more than enough depth there to not panic into silly trades.
SupportMe
4 Oct 2007, 00:33
so if you were offered pick 5 for Pearce? would you take it? i sure as hell wouldn't. there is no need to panic in terms of our key forward issues; yes we need one more youngster, but we have more than enough depth there to not panic into silly trades.
I agree.
Also, whats with all the uproar with the fowardline our defence is in a much worst state IMO.
http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/portals/0/images/players/power/__Chad_Cornes_003.jpg
Chad CHF delenda est
Port_shadow11
4 Oct 2007, 06:57
Hasn't it been announced that Lee (as well as Hardy and Batsanis) were "delisted" off our rookie list??
i havent found any annoucement (Article) stating those 3 rookies have been delisted
RobbieGray17
4 Oct 2007, 11:44
What about trading Thurstans for Fevola, I don't think either one is better than the other, and he would do great for Carlton in defense. Thurstans has played well this year, and that could help us. I watched so many games this year where we had too many talls in defense, and even a team like Carlton killed us running into forward 50.
We do this and then start working on a tough nut smaller defensive player
Malibu#27
4 Oct 2007, 11:46
What about trading Thurstans for Fevola, I don't think either one is better than the other, and he would do great for Carlton in defense.
Zero chance of this happening. ..... in fact almost zero chance of Fev being at Port.
What about trading Thurstans for Fevola, I don't think either one is better than the other, and he would do great for Carlton in defense.
Hahaha. I think Fevola is a nut case and I laughed at that one.
Even if we offered Thurstans + pick #16 they'd laugh.
Fev is a much better player than Toby and even if we wanted Fev we would have to give up alot more than just Toby
Mr Magoo
5 Oct 2007, 12:25
so if you were offered pick 5 for Pearce? would you take it? i sure as hell wouldn't. there is no need to panic in terms of our key forward issues; yes we need one more youngster, but we have more than enough depth there to not panic into silly trades.
Can Pearce be replaced is the question you should be asking? i'm not saying we should trade him either, gee i hope that i wasn't the one who has opened up a can of worms on here all because i asked in the other thread was does Pearce put his body on the line for the ball (which is what Port Adelaide players are renown for).... i don't ever recall seeing him doing so... maybe i'm wrong. But it tends to stand out what you do & what you don't do out on the footy field when you're playing in finals.
I would considering trading Pearce if it meant we could lock in a key forward.
For example, if Pavlich was up for trade and we had to give up Pearce as part of the deal, yeah you could live with that.
Trading Pearce for `a pick'...yeah, don't think so. Not unless we were very confident of the tall forward we wanted being available then, and being worthy of that pick.
If trading Pearce meant we would receive the usual `dud+pick' deals bandied around at this time, no thanks.
Yeah, definitely wouldn’t trade Pearce for just a pick, nor dud + pick.
But if it would interest for example Hawthorn in Roughead or Essendon in Gumbleton then youd be silly not to look at it.
im not jumping on the trade Pearcey bandwagon at all
Remember this is just his second full season at the club, won the rising star in 06, then became a focus for taggers and better midfielders (2nd year blues).
He will overcome this and be a valuable (gun) part of our team for a long time
IMO Pearce is off limits come trade week
For a good, young key forward I'd trade Pearce, but as the chance of getting one is close to zero then I'm happy for him to stay. However this year has shown up several flaws in his game that need addressing for him to get to the level of a 'gun' midfielder.