The Doctor
11 Feb 2003, 11:55
Matthew Croft is a top footballer. Very under rated by most footy fans. But he is a highly accomplished player and very effective where ever you play him.
A while back we discussed the merits of where we should play him. I was very firmly of the view we needed him in the last line of defence as I rate him one of the best full backs in the competition. My view was also that we needed to steady our defence. While some other posters suggested he went forward.
My view until now has been our defence in 2003 should look something like this
B: Kretiuk, Harris, Croft
HB: Smith, Grant, Hargrave
that leaves Bassett, Harrison and possible Skipper as other options. Murphy, Power and Brown could also be called back if needed. There is plenty of experience in Grant, Smith and Kretiuk down there to help out the emerging players. Grant going back gives us a lot backline power and creativity.
But our forward lines needs some repair work with Grant no longer the main man. I reckon we should send Croft to Full Forward. :eek:
Having discussed this recently with Dogboy, Sig, Rocco and B54, I'm more convinced than ever.
As good as he is at Full Back we desperately need a big guy down there. Please stand up Brian Harris. It is time to start developing our key position talent and we have to start placing faith in some of these guys. We really don't have a lot of choice. Croft started out as a forward and knows how to play the forward line and would be better if given a prolonged run up there.
10 benefits of Croft going forward are
1. He adds experience to what would be an otherwise inexperienced forward line.
2. He would represent another tall forward option along with Bandy. He would have to be worth 2-3 goals a game.
3. He is a power player. Tough, uncompromising, does not shirk any issue and gives everything of himself.
4. Croft is also a smart player. Knows how to use his body to either mark or move the ball to our advantage.
5. His presence and unselfishness will bring smaller forwards into the play a lot more. Brown, Guido, McMahon, Johnno and others will revel in the forward line with a rampaging Croft doing the hard bullocking work.
6. Croft knows how to defend and tackle. This will help keep the vall in the forward half a lot more. It will not be so easy for the ball to come out.
7. He will take a quality defender with him this will free up K-Mac, Wiggo, Bowden etc. They will now get a 3rd or 4th best defender giving them greater opportunity to establish themselves and beat opponents.
8. Croft is a fairly accurate kick for goal.
9. I believe that Croft is a naturally attacking player and not the dour defender some may preceive him to be.
10. With a reliable forward target to aim at the Bulldogs will move the ball into the forward line more quickly. Defences will not set so quickly and give us more chance to win one on one contests.
I can see Croft being our Lynch style forward. A real power player who will pack some grunt and muscle into the forward line and bring many others into the play.
What do you think folks?
A while back we discussed the merits of where we should play him. I was very firmly of the view we needed him in the last line of defence as I rate him one of the best full backs in the competition. My view was also that we needed to steady our defence. While some other posters suggested he went forward.
My view until now has been our defence in 2003 should look something like this
B: Kretiuk, Harris, Croft
HB: Smith, Grant, Hargrave
that leaves Bassett, Harrison and possible Skipper as other options. Murphy, Power and Brown could also be called back if needed. There is plenty of experience in Grant, Smith and Kretiuk down there to help out the emerging players. Grant going back gives us a lot backline power and creativity.
But our forward lines needs some repair work with Grant no longer the main man. I reckon we should send Croft to Full Forward. :eek:
Having discussed this recently with Dogboy, Sig, Rocco and B54, I'm more convinced than ever.
As good as he is at Full Back we desperately need a big guy down there. Please stand up Brian Harris. It is time to start developing our key position talent and we have to start placing faith in some of these guys. We really don't have a lot of choice. Croft started out as a forward and knows how to play the forward line and would be better if given a prolonged run up there.
10 benefits of Croft going forward are
1. He adds experience to what would be an otherwise inexperienced forward line.
2. He would represent another tall forward option along with Bandy. He would have to be worth 2-3 goals a game.
3. He is a power player. Tough, uncompromising, does not shirk any issue and gives everything of himself.
4. Croft is also a smart player. Knows how to use his body to either mark or move the ball to our advantage.
5. His presence and unselfishness will bring smaller forwards into the play a lot more. Brown, Guido, McMahon, Johnno and others will revel in the forward line with a rampaging Croft doing the hard bullocking work.
6. Croft knows how to defend and tackle. This will help keep the vall in the forward half a lot more. It will not be so easy for the ball to come out.
7. He will take a quality defender with him this will free up K-Mac, Wiggo, Bowden etc. They will now get a 3rd or 4th best defender giving them greater opportunity to establish themselves and beat opponents.
8. Croft is a fairly accurate kick for goal.
9. I believe that Croft is a naturally attacking player and not the dour defender some may preceive him to be.
10. With a reliable forward target to aim at the Bulldogs will move the ball into the forward line more quickly. Defences will not set so quickly and give us more chance to win one on one contests.
I can see Croft being our Lynch style forward. A real power player who will pack some grunt and muscle into the forward line and bring many others into the play.
What do you think folks?