Analysis Best Young Key-Forward in the Competition

[Bulldog Joe]

Of the lesser fancied players, Shannon Neale has 23 goals (2.6 per game) and 56 score involvements (6.2 per game) over his last 9 games. Not bad for a 39 gamer.

I really like Neale.

His speed is also amazing for a guy of his bulk.

As an irrelevant aside, I do object to the laziness of his nickname.

Robert "Scratcher" had a family nickname for Tasmanian Spud Farmers.

I doubt that Shannon has ever had to scratch around picking spuds.

 

[Soggy2112]

Of the lesser fancied players, Shannon Neale has 23 goals (2.6 per game) and 56 score involvements (6.2 per game) over his last 9 games. Not bad for a 39 gamer.

He’s really impressed me this year. Early this year I saw him as a good marking target who could be a good complement to other forwards and would have a solid career as a 30-40 goal per year player.

It seems his ceiling might be a bit higher than that though. Good on him, and annoyingly, the Cats seemed to have found another core group that will carry them for the next 5-6 years.

 

[Cleric]

Actually it's quite easy to counter that argument. He'll have to prove himself in finals



I'd take Darcy as a pure forward.

I still don't think TT is been played in his best position. Hybrid ruck-forward, starts around the aground then pushes forward and creates mismatches.

When he was drafted he said he wanted to have some games on the wing. Thing is, he could play wing. Came second in the Crows time trials, so has a massive tank, has a turn of speed, elite by foot and great below his knees and with handballs.

But when you have someone so elite in the forward lines you leave them there.
We kinda did that with Rankine. Took him out of the forward line and into the midfield. Sure he was an excellent mid, but the opportunities he provides in the forward 50 are just so much more valuable.

 

[M Malice]

I'd take Riley Thilthorpe in a parallel Universe, he's everything the Lions need right now.

Been a slow burn but he is going to be an absolute weapon KPF over the next decade.

 

[Cleric]

I'd take Riley Thilthorpe in a parallel Universe, he's everything the Lions need right now.

Been a slow burn but he is going to be an absolute weapon KPF over the next decade.

Hes only been a slow build due to injuries really. His first game he kicked 5 goals, and put up a number of huge highlights in his first season. His 2024 preseason was massive and he was set for a breakout year, then he had his injury.

For a big man he has come in pretty hot.

 

[M Malice]

Hes only been a slow build due to injuries really. His first game he kicked 5 goals, and put up a number of huge highlights in his first season. His 2024 preseason was massive and he was set for a breakout year, then he had his injury.

For a big man he has come in pretty hot.

I haven't watched a lot of the Crows over the last few years but gee you have some elite players now, love Thilthorpe plus you have others like Curtin(will eventually be top 10 player in the comp IMO), Dawson, Worrell, Rankine, Keane(underrated) who are or will be AA quality players.

If back2back is not to be for us this year I wouldn't mind a Crows flag, you have x Lions boys Hinge and Keays, also a non Victorian team winning again would be delicious.

 

[MrBarry]

There is very little between Darcy and RT, that left foot goal outside 50 from RT in the wet was a thing of beauty.

 

[Cleric]

There is very little between Darcy and RT, that left foot goal outside 50 from RT in the wet was a thing of beauty.

Both elite. They are a bit different to each other but both teams supporters are going to be entertained for the next 10 years by these two.
Great to see them land where they did as well.
Sam Darcy third generation of Darcy's to play for Bulldogs. This is why father son should continue.
Thilthorpe just such as Crows tragic as a kid, got to stay home and play for the team him and his nanna used to sit together and watch and cheer on. Its a fairytale for him and the club.

 

[Nunez]

Morris 40 goals and counting in his second season. What a talent!

 

[The Inbetweener]

Darcy averaging over 3 goals per game and only 2 contested marks behind Gawn for most contested marks in the league, despite missing 7 games.
For me:
1. Darcy
2. Thilthorpe
3. Morris

 

[jackag24]

Morris is a rare talent too..

Very smart forward and works super hard.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Pretty special crop we've got coming through as supporters, headed by Darcy, Thilthorpe, and Morris at the top of the tree.

If guys like Treacy, Cadman, Neale, and Voss are considered a fair way down the pecking order, then the game is in a really good place for young talls.

 

[Cleric]

Pretty special crop we've got coming through as supporters, headed by Darcy, Thilthorpe, and Morris at the top of the tree.

If guys like Treacy, Cadman, Neale, and Voss are considered a fair way down the pecking order, then the game is in a really good place for young talls.

Its going to be ridiculous. We have gone through an era of smaller forward lines with alot of smalls, to an era of dominant talls, and many teams with multiple.
You can add to that list Georgiades, Caddy, Dear and this weekend Brisbane may have unearthed another in Smith.

 

[Nunez]

Its going to be ridiculous. We have gone through an era of smaller forward lines with alot of smalls, to an era of dominant talls, and many teams with multiple.
You can add to that list Georgiades, Caddy, Dear and this weekend Brisbane may have unearthed another in Smith.

Smith is going to end up a ruckman who can be damaging up forward. Had a VFL game this year where is was a full time ruck, had 30 rocuhes and 5 goals. Unfortunately fractured his foot that game otherwise he'd have been in much earlier. Injuries will be the only thing that holds him back at AFL level.

 

[Ian Dunross]

Smith is going to end up a ruckman who can be damaging up forward. Had a VFL game this year where is was a full time ruck, had 30 rocuhes and 5 goals. Unfortunately fractured his foot that game otherwise he'd have been in much earlier. Injuries will be the only thing that holds him back at AFL level.

Does it become a Draper-Smith 1-2 punch next season and beyond, with Fort in the VFL and Oscar retired?

 

[Nunez]

Does it become a Draper-Smith 1-2 punch next season and beyond, with Fort in the VFL and Oscar retired?

Certainly feels like it. Fort was great on the weekend so very handy depth.

I think the writing is on the wall for the sub to be replaced by a 5 man bench which makes playing all of Hipwood, Morris, Allen, Smith and Draper viable. Here's hoping logic prevails!

 

[mpal6]

Does it become a Draper-Smith 1-2 punch next season and beyond, with Fort in the VFL and Oscar retired?

If we get Draper, depending on when Draper comes back from his injury (next may if 12 months), Fort can keep being our main ruck. Fort is a Brisbane native so for him he's already home, still playing footy at top level in front of friends, family.

Every year extension is a plus for him not to mention the added bonus of premiership player 2024 tag.

 

[Natho]

That Jarrod Waite kid goes alright

 

[Ian Dunross]

That Jarrod Waite kid goes alright

This makes me fondly recall how he made a mockery of Malthouse when he dominated at North for a period.

 

[scoman]

That Jarrod Waite kid goes alright

Just needs time

 

[Soggy2112]

Certainly feels like it. Fort was great on the weekend so very handy depth.

I think the writing is on the wall for the sub to be replaced by a 5 man bench which makes playing all of Hipwood, Morris, Allen, Smith and Draper viable. Here's hoping logic prevails!

Bit off topic but the sub rule works.

I listened to an interview with Laura Kane where they asked her about it. She spoke about how the goal with the sub is to reduce the impact of an early injury on the result of the game. I can’t remember the exact data, but it showed that the sub was having the desired effect.

 

[Cleric]

Where do people see the Whitlock boys as future forwards?

 

[hawksrus]

Darcy and Thilthorpe then daylight.

 

[Cleric]

 

[RCAB]

Like I said previously

I still don't think TT is been played in his best position. Hybrid ruck-forward, starts around the aground then pushes forward and creates mismatches.

Even though he's contracted to 2028, maybe time to move ROB on.