the Matrix Men improved front half

[Bojangles17]

If our defence and midfield can lift a cog(pardon the pun:D) then I really dont believe the front half will be a problem...Perhaps the only concern I do have is we have 3 similar types that could work with as much cohesion as 3 mangy rottweilers fighting over a bone...Ok , here I go...

HF...Browny...looks to be moving beautifully at this time of year when he is typically still in first gear...quite capable of kicking 40+ with an occasional burst off a wing

Pettifer...wins alot of the pill for a HFF, has improved his lot at this level and can hurt the opposition...another capable of a 40+ season

Lids....188cm , quick , great hands and the best kick in the side, where the %^$# else would you play a guy like this. ...pplay across HF, can kick 40+

Richo....Coming off good year in 2007, if theire is a footy god out there they will shine for the great man...Matty would be first to say hed be happty to kick 30-40 if it meant the above all came off to plan

Tambling/Edwards will play small..

Polak will get first dibs at CHF...but honestly , how much of the pill will come his way with the first 4 scrambling for every forward thrust

There you have it my friends...enough talent there to finish it off...Somore crash and bash required, perhaps or perhaps not...with skilled HFF..should be delivered lace out...

In any case if we can set up like this R1 we will give the Blues a task to contain this lot:thumbsu:

[Magic17]

Opposition defenders are set to clear with ease.

Add Hughes to it and the Metrosoftos would be complete.

That forward line is as soft as butter B17.

[Bifrost]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - we need some knuckle men.

Dead-hard, solid players who can hold their own skills-wise, but who are really out there to knock shit out of the opposition's stars.

In the 70s, we had Neil Balme in the forward line keeping the opposition backs in check (or on the deck more to the point) and while Balme's technique would certainly not work these days, having a soild hard man delivering very heavy knocks as legitimately as possible to opposition stars is perfectly all right. You just don't want to have the whole team trying to do it like Hawthorn tried on Brent Harvey in the finals last year (because when an entire team has a singluar focus, the rest of the opposition runs roit).

[TigerTroy0055]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - we need some knuckle men.

Dead-hard, solid players who can hold their own skills-wise, but who are really out there to knock shit out of the opposition's stars.

In the 70s, we had Neil Balme in the forward line keeping the opposition backs in check (or on the deck more to the point) and while Balme's technique would certainly not work these days, having a soild hard man delivering very heavy knocks as legitimately as possible to opposition stars is perfectly all right. You just don't want to have the whole team trying to do it like Hawthorn tried on Brent Harvey in the finals last year (because when an entire team has a singluar focus, the rest of the opposition runs roit).It sounds like its time to unleash Collins. At 184cm and 72kg Collins has the build and the ability to be an enforcer. He'd put the breeze up most players in the League just because of his hardness at the ball and professionalism to do the 1% ers 100% of the time.

Andy's 1% efforts are actually 10% compared to most people because he is 100% disciplined and hard at the ball. It makes sense to play him on some one who isn't hard in round 1 (Bryce Gibbs is a good option or Nick Steven or Peter Hellier as he is know known)

[Bojangles17]

Opposition defenders are set to clear with ease.

Add Hughes to it and the Metrosoftos would be complete.

That forward line is as soft as butter B17.

Not a bad point , not sure who they could add to improve the balance there:confused:...Jacko has worked well in F50 and toils hard...there's a fine line in positioning a useless ^&%$ on account of his size v a talented player that will run rings around a defender..Take McQueen as an example for those with long memories:o

[Kyusss]

hows collard as a defensive forward?

[Bojangles17]

hows collard as a defensive forward?

thats where may of these indigineous players often double up as good tacklers...such as andy krak...have never seen collard play:confused:

[Rayzorwire]

Not a bad point , not sure who they could add to improve the balance there:confused:...Jacko has worked well in F50 and toils hard...there's a fine line in positioning a useless ^&%$ on account of his size v a talented player that will run rings around a defender..Take McQueen as an example for those with long memories:o

I've been putting either Jackson or Connors in the forward line for precisely the reason Magic mentioned Bo. We need at least one bloke who can/will chase hard and pressurise defenders.

Wallace often plays a 3-4 man forward line and allows the opposition to clear the ball as far as the wing where we have a zone set up. Too often last year the opposition didn't kick to the zone, they ran up to it then through or over, because typically, no pressure was coming from behind.

I'd prefer one forward who is dangerous in their own right, but can also put some decent pressure on.

[Bojangles17]

I've been putting either Jackson or Connors in the forward line for precisely the reason Magic mentioned Bo. We need at least one bloke who can/will chase hard and pressurise defenders.

Wallace often plays a 3-4 man forward line and allows the opposition to clear the ball as far as the wing where we have a zone set up. Too often last year the opposition didn't kick to the zone, they ran up to it then through or over, because typically, no pressure was coming from behind.

I'd prefer one forward who is dangerous in their own right, but can also put some decent pressure on.

Looks like Jacko might be a certain starter, he's now placed as prime tagger and now the junk yard forward...he's the man:eek:

[Roachy8]

I've been putting either Jackson or Connors in the forward line for precisely the reason Magic mentioned Bo. We need at least one bloke who can/will chase hard and pressurise defenders.

Wallace often plays a 3-4 man forward line and allows the opposition to clear the ball as far as the wing where we have a zone set up. Too often last year the opposition didn't kick to the zone, they ran up to it then through or over, because typically, no pressure was coming from behind.

I'd prefer one forward who is dangerous in their own right, but can also put some decent pressure on.

Agreed...
I'd be playing Connors in the forward half at this stage. He does not have the motor for the middle & would be wasted down back.
He has excellent offensive skills and that bit of lair factor that we love. With Browny & Petts there as well Connors would not attract the best defenders & would easily hurt.
Does he not remind of a young Nathan G Brown?

[Bojangles17]

Agreed...
I'd be playing Connors in the forward half at this stage. He does not have the motor for the middle & would be wasted down back.
He has excellent offensive skills and that bit of lair factor that we love. With Browny & Petts there as well Connors would not attract the best defenders & would easily hurt.
Does he not remind of a young Nathan G Brown?

is connors known for being a hard working player, Not sure about that...we're after a player here that does the 1%ers...tackles, shepherds, blocks

[Rayzorwire]

Looks like Jacko might be a certain starter, he's now placed as prime tagger and now the junk yard forward...he's the man:eek:

He's got a big body and is flexible, which is a good start to having a career.

His kicking has improved out of sight since his early days...just needs to work himself into the game more consistently and when he has a strictly defined role he seems to play better. He's got a way to go, but he's a very smart kid from all reports and I reckon he'll continue to improve.

Agreed...
I'd be playing Connors in the forward half at this stage. He does not have the motor for the middle & would be wasted down back.
He has excellent offensive skills and that bit of lair factor that we love. With Browny & Petts there as well Connors would not attract the best defenders & would easily hurt.
Does he not remind of a young Nathan G Brown?

Maybe not as much flair, but he's a superior high pack mark Roachy, took some spectacular contested marks last year. With he, Richo and Pettifer/Reiwoldt deep, we've got a fair bit of pack marking power to bomb to when needed.

[Roachy8]

is connors known for being a hard working player, Not sure about that...we're after a player here that does the 1%ers...tackles, shepherds, blocks

Honestly... I dunno?
But if he won't do the 1%ers then that is a bigger problem if he plays down back or in the middle. IMO any AFL player should be coached to do those things as a minimum. (Has been our achiles heel for ages I reckon)
At least Connors does not look like a soft clock.