List Mgmt. Fix our defence

[dogsuperfan]

Haven't seen how he is going in the VFL, but Sam Frost looks like the only genuine KPD on the market out of contract. He will be 32 next year, but anything else other than looking at second tier is going to require some more significant capital.

Is there no one in the state leagues we could look at? If only Keath and Jones aged a little bit better we would have an insane backline with Lobb.

 

[Frewy]

Is there no one in the state leagues we could look at? If only Keath and Jones aged a little bit better we would have an insane backline with Lobb.

I'm not a major second tier connisseur but I had a look around, most of at least the 2024 VFL/WAFL/SANFL team of the year lockdown KPD players from I what I looked at were slightly undersized except for Nathan Cooper 195cm/95kg+ KPD (28 next year). Was in Werribee's premiership side last year, decided to go back home playing for Wangaratta Rovers who surprise, are #1 in the Ovens and Murray. For the record Box Hill (Sam Frost) and Footscray are the two highest Victorian teams on the ladder in the VFL right now with lowest points against.

 

[Foxman98]

Personnel isn’t the issue we were the best defence in the league last year due to work rate and structure,

1 - we simply don’t work hard enough the amount of times you see our guys jogging behind their opponents who are sprinting to space is infuriating

2 - Structure JOD/Lobb especially have to be being coached to play so far in front of their forward which is the complete opposite of what we did last year, the Walker snap in the 2nd was just mind boggling how JOD wasn’t near him when they had the clearance and the ball on the wing

I don’t think we can fix it in time for this year but when we get it right we do well

 

[CarnTheScray]

We’ve never been willing to dig deep and spend the money (salary cap space or draft picks) to get quality. I appreciate holding the first round pick in high importance but as a result we’ve had to go for guys like Trengove, Gardner, Keath O,Brien to fix our defence.

 

[cecil]

The structure can probably be tweaked. We were one of the best defensive teams last year. We've probably just overcorrected to be more attacking.

In season moves:

• McNeil and VDM need to play every game as pressure forwards. JJ forward is the other option.
• Sanders cannot play wing. Needs to be Davidson/Harmes/Williams or similar who can cover ground and keep structure.
• Freijah back to the backline.
• We need to figure out who the 3rd tall in the backline is. Coffield is cooked, Cleary not quite there, Khamis may be the best option but is poor defensively.

FB: Khamis, JOD, Freijah
HB: Dale, Lobb, Bramble
C: Williams, Libba, Davidson
HF: Harmes, Naughton, Kennedy
FF: West, Darcy, VDM
R: English, Bont, Richards
Int: JJ, McNiel, Sanders, Garcia
SUB: Hynes/Dolan

That gives us speed in the forward line to shut down outlets (VDM, McNeil, Harmes), Running machines on both wings to help both defensively and offensively, and flexibility with Williams being able to go back and Khamis forward.

 

[Frewy]

Personnel isn’t the issue we were the best defence in the league last year due to work rate and structure,

1 - we simply don’t work hard enough the amount of times you see our guys jogging behind their opponents who are sprinting to space is infuriating

2 - Structure JOD/Lobb especially have to be being coached to play so far in front of their forward which is the complete opposite of what we did last year, the Walker snap in the 2nd was just mind boggling how JOD wasn’t near him when they had the clearance and the ball on the wing

I don’t think we can fix it in time for this year but when we get it right we do well

I'd say last year was a sweet spot after the Lobb swing, because we weren't that great before then. It may not seem like it now, but as it sits regardless of structure our defence against Top 8 sides for 2026 will unfairly probably live and die on JOD.

On paper he will be our best 1v1 defender at 23 still underdone kilos wise with a 35 year-old Jones as coverage if he plays on, Lobb, Buss, Buku are all intercept defenders. I just hope Sam Power and team have a plan at the ready, because I can't see many options out there and see very little growth in small/mid defenders other than what structural changes can bring.

 

[dogsuperfan]

How is Jordan Croft in his one on one contests?

 

[maddog37]

Lobb is a second tall playing the first defender role and JOD at this stage is a third defender playing as a second.

The loss of Jones has forced everyone to shuffle upwards and we are not able to cope. No intercept marking and no third man zone assistance.

Compounded by the aerial weakness of JJ, Bramble and to a lesser extent Dale.

Each of our defenders is not strong one on one and opponents just need to isolate one of our back six and we suffer.

 

[Graeme Cook]

How do we do it? We are clearly attempting to contend, so drafting a kid who who won’t have major impact is probably off the cards, considering we don’t even play Buss, so what are our options? Is it game plan? Lack of defensive pressure from our mids? Structure?

I feel like we need to put Fridge back in the defence , and Hope Liam Jones comes good.

I feel we’re desperately in need of a number one KPD considering Jones drop off, we need one so JOD can play second string and Lobb can play interceptor.

Lobb is starting to get out worked by these younger strong KPDs, don’t think it’s a role good for him.

Yes Lobb better suited to CHB where he can fly for marks and intercept he's not a fullback.

 

[BEaston]

Whatever we changed half way through last year, do that again.

 

[DognBones]

How is Jordan Croft in his one on one contests?

Croft is as skinny as a stick of macaroni. He's been playing forward in the VFL and is not strong enough to hold his marks yet. He shows glimpses but is way off the pace until he builds up his body.

 

[BEaston]

Personally I'd bring Buss in. I'd also move Freijah back - he's played his best footy back there this year.

Williams can go back to a wing.

Lobb JOD Buss Dale JJ Freijah Bramble - would be my 7 for now.

From there we need to figure out a better system, but you've got me if you think I know what that is.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Haven't seen how he is going in the VFL, but Sam Frost looks like the only genuine KPD on the market out of contract. He will be 32 next year, but anything else other than looking at second tier is going to require some more significant capital.

No I would rather a younger one

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

I would go for Riccardi from GWS. Is a third tall but has not really locked down a role. Is big and a real competitor - play him at FB (he has done well when back but behind a really resettled tall back three).

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

We have looked at Petty from Melb and Cox from Freo in the past. Both big bodies and behind other players. We should not be chasing high cost mids wheee we already have strength but be ruthless where we aren’t - we are one player away from top 4 - KPD or small forward.

If I were JUHs manager - I would get him to play KPD to get to work and quickly earn his teams respect - has has played back as a junior and was excellent. Chris Grant did this and it made him an even better player and legend. Also - fastest way back into the team.

Croft should develop as a hard running third forward for now but he is a long term option - he has genuine mongrel and could be a very great or defender but right now doesn’t have the size.

Selwood is more a smaller defender but Zac Walker’s one game should a lot of talent - his marking timing is outstanding - but not a lot of KGs.

Long term I do think Buss at FB, O’Donnell at CHB and Croft as third tall defender could be great and can all develop together. Problem is more now where all three are 30 games+ short of minimum experience.

If this can be added to a forward line of:

West Darcy Weightman

JUH Naughton Dolan/Hynes

Plus hopefully another small defender recruit.

 

[Frewy]

No I would rather a younger one

Me as well, but there aren't any that I can see in the context of actually playing KPD well recently and that our club would have a genuine shot at them. We might even need two if Buss goes.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Me as well, but there aren't any that I can see in the context of actually playing KPD well recently and that our club would have a genuine shot at them. We might even need two if Buss goes.

Buss is contracted don’t think we will trade him even if he wanted to leave

 

[Chalky White]

Croft is as skinny as a stick of macaroni. He's been playing forward in the VFL and is not strong enough to hold his marks yet. He shows glimpses but is way off the pace until he builds up his body.

Dustin Fletcher was pretty skinny

 

[VogonProsthetnic]

There is always plenty of good tall and small defenders on the market each trade period- usually guys who miss out playing for a top 8 team.

Gardiner (Bris), Aleer (GWS), Bews(Geel), Doodee (Bris) should be players we need to be talking to.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

I feel sorry for our defenders, it's not (on the most part) their fault.

Its mostly down to our system, and lack of defensive pressure in our mids and forwards some weeks (including this week).

Increasing our defensive efforts across the ground is an easy enough fix (and we do it some weeks).

But system change is more complicated. Our system is also why we score well which I wouldn't want to give up. But if we do play this system then the whole team needs to be up for a big defensive effort because it leaves our defenders exposed.

 

[Frewy]

Buss is contracted don’t think we will trade him even if he wanted to leave

True, but he can head home to the Eagles at the end of next year to fill a McGovern sized hole, which will be ironically when we need him most as Lobb edges to retirement and he finally closes in on his prime years. I don't expect him to extend, I think the Eagles would be in his ear and his managers this year to make sure of that, but you can be hopeful.

 

[Bulldogs85]

True, but he can head home to the Eagles at the end of next year to fill a McGovern sized hole, which will be ironically when we need him most as Lobb edges to retirement and he finally closes in on his prime years. I don't expect him to extend, I think the Eagles would be in his ear and his managers this year to make sure of that, but you can be hopeful.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Buss gets more games next season anyway

 

[dogwatch]

Buss is contracted don’t think we will trade him even if he wanted to leave

I gather that's what he and his suitors have been told by the club.

Of course if he and his manager wanted to tough play hardball he might still find a way out.

 

[Frewy]

Wouldn’t surprise me if Buss gets more games next season anyway

I'm hopeful because someone like Croft will need another three years of off-season gym before he is close to ready. Much like Jones I don't think we should hang our hat on a 33-35 year old Lobb for the future, as fun and great as his late career swing has been.

 

[RWnBluey]

I said it at the time and still stand by it, we really should’ve picked up Sam Collins when Freo delisted him and he was left playing in the VFL. He’s been highly reliable for GC and wouldn’t have cost us much