So who will be our Thomas, Milne or Betts?

[Roachy8]

You can argue that we are slowly getting some areas of our structure in order with our midfield coming together, key forward optoins available (JR8, Griff & Astbury), backline mix is getting there (more work to do) but what of the small goal-sneak catagory?

Though I believe Robbie Nahas has a place on our list at the moment it seems unlikely that he will ultimately produce the numbers and consistency to really step right up.

Love Benny Nason but his ability to get to the contest and therefore the ball all over the park places him more on the wing or at least HFF for mine.

Troy Taylor perhaps but from the little I have seen, he looks like a mercurial performer who will do some really freaky stuff rather than nip in and out of the play and give defenders (and opposition supporters the shits)... & yes I could be quite wrong about TT... I hope I am!

Who else have we got who could be our own tip rat?

 

[Greggy]

It's a very early call, but I think Hicks has got what it takes if he can bulk up a little, has mercurial speed, good hands and great goal sense.

Gilligan was a possibility but does he ever play, anywhere??

Relton is also a possibility if he could get his fitness right, but I'm not convinced that will happen.

Morton is also a possibility, he fits the bill but isn't as nippy as Thomas, Milne or Betts.

They're all options, but not obvious choices.

Taylor though is perfect for this role, reads the ball beautifully off the pack, has amazing goal sense, one thing is he doesn't look explosive.

 

[ToroHombre]

It should be Morton if he wasn't such a lazy s**t

 

[shububu]

Taylor if he can channel his belief of being able to bash everyone into taking satisfaction in beating an opponent on the field then he will be something special.

Thats a big if from what i have heard of him so far...will be a big test to see if our off field group has really turned the corner and can make him want it.

 

[Tas]

Nahas could be that kind of player, I think the ultimate difference is North, Saints and Carlton look for Thomas, Milne and Betts a lot and those players mentioned have a lot more confidence to present and be creative. From the games I have seen I think Nahas is just doing more traditional roving and it can be very difficult to fire or be consistent when you rely a lot on the crumbs.

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

Hicks seems the player to do this role.

 

[Puntroad]

Taylor if he can channel his belief of being able to bash everyone into taking satisfaction in beating an opponent on the field then he will be something special.

good call

 

[Danog]

Hicks is looking good.

 

[captain blood 17]

You can argue that we are slowly getting some areas of our structure in order with our midfield coming together, key forward optoins available (JR8, Griff & Astbury), backline mix is getting there (more work to do) but what of the small goal-sneak catagory?

Though I believe Robbie Nahas has a place on our list at the moment it seems unlikely that he will ultimately produce the numbers and consistency to really step right up.

Love Benny Nason but his ability to get to the contest and therefore the ball all over the park places him more on the wing or at least HFF for mine.

Troy Taylor perhaps but from the little I have seen, he looks like a mercurial performer who will do some really freaky stuff rather than nip in and out of the play and give defenders (and opposition supporters the shits)... & yes I could be quite wrong about TT... I hope I am!

Who else have we got who could be our own tip rat?

Nahas or Webberly.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Hopefully we don't have one as neither of those blokes have played in a flag . I'd prefer a Johnson , Bryne comparison and in that case Morton and Nason fit the bill !!

 

[Spluff]

Nahas is inconsistent, but what small forward isn't? I think he's still got a lot to offer at AFL level, as his incredible pace and tenacity are real attributes. He's not as highly skilled as some of the others, he doesn't dribble goals from the boundary line every few games, but as we've seen time and time again, that kind of stuff doesn't stand up in finals.

Hicks and Roberts are both good prospects, but they've each got aspects to work on. Hicks needs to bulk up and get more ball, but he's got brilliant skills, good goal sense, and good pace. Roberts needs to slim down and get some genuine AFL fitness into him, but he too is highly skilled and capable of the freakish.

Morton is also an excellent crumber as and he can snap goals from anywhere, as can Taylor though both have question marks over their attitude, and Taylor's a shocking set shot.

 

[Tigerland]

Very good post, I was thinking the same thing last night when I was watching the game.

I was excited by Nahas last year. This year, the more I see, the less I like.

You would think at least one of Taylor, Gilligan, Hicks or Relton will make it.

The good thing for us is that a whippy small forward doesn't take 5 years to develop. They can have an impact early in their careers - like Rioli. So when KP players like Griffiths, Astubury, Post and Vickery are ready in 3 years, we should be able to get one then (if we don't already)

We certainly need that small x factor so we don't become too Reiwolt reliant.

 

[coke_zero]

Nahas or Webberly.

Webberly will be played in the midfield.

If no one on the list fits this role we can always draft a few more this year. But Hicks looks real good and Taylor has alot of up side.

 

[Mr Magic]

Re: So who will be our Thomas, Milne or Betts?
Hopefully we don't have one as neither of those blokes have played in a flag . I'd prefer a Johnson , Bryne comparison and in that case Morton and Nason fit the bill !!

Pac to Freeze is spot on.

Why lower the bar?? I we get one he will need to be better than Byrnes though as I doubt the rest of our list will be as good as Geelongs.

I like what I read of Taylor, Hicks but it is too early to tell. Morton may improve. There will be other options later I am sure. We might even pinch Peterson back if Hawthorn falls over or even Rioli Ha HA

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

Very good post, I was thinking the same thing last night when I was watching the game.

I was excited by Nahas last year. This year, the more I see, the less I like.

You would think at least one of Taylor, Gilligan, Hicks or Relton will make it.

The good thing for us is that a whippy small forward doesn't take 5 years to develop. They can have an impact early in their careers - like Rioli. So when KP players like Griffiths, Astubury, Post and Vickery are ready in 3 years, we should be able to get one then (if we don't already)

We certainly need that small x factor so we don't become too Reiwolt reliant.

I feel thats because he doesnt put enough forward pressure.

 

[Ruanaidh]

Hicks is looking good.

Spot on

 

[folester41]

yeah i agree on hicks, he looked really good today, obviously needs to add size, but he is quick, can kick and actually uses his brain rather than trying to be superman

 

[guruisatiger]

robbie hicks not nly does he create goals he kicks them himself great pace skills and has great pedigree

 

[LOZWILDA]

H i c k s !

 

[Roachy8]

I must admit, from what I could see on the ABC stream of yesterdays Coburg game, Hicks seems likely. (I hadn't seen him play before)

He even looks like your typical pesky forward goal-sneak... + good skills apparently.

Webberly definitely looks promising but more around the wing I would say and as I said in my OP, Nahas can play so provides an option for a year or so until he is passed or perhaps keeps improving himself. (I guess he has actually got two 'bags' before, 1 of 5 & 1 of 4... and in poorly performing Tiger sides to boot!)

Morton? I really don't know how he may fit in.

If (as we all hope) Griffiths, Astbury & Riewoldt are our front half 'talls' going forward (+ Post as a forward/back swingman) and Taylor, say Hicks + a resting mid etc... fill our 'prefered' line up, it leaves Morton as a back-up only, perhaps.