Analysis Fixing our forward line

[House_of_Dahl]

I think our forward line fixes itself next year, given consistency.

A forward line of Boyd, Smith, Stringer, McLean, Crameri and Dickson I think looks pretty strong.

Crameri and Dickson are the running hard, lead up targets. McLean is a creative, smart forward who is capable of taking a good contested grab, so I think he's a good option of developing into a small, big marking type player. Smith is our high pressure forward that is capable of feasting on the ground ball and hurting the opposition (both on the scoreboard and physically). Stringer, we all know, is a predator at ground level. If the ball comes to ground, Stringer, Dickson, Smith are all good at ground level. This is where Boyd needs to come into it and he usually does, bring the ball to ground.

But our ball use needs to better to ensure that Boyd can at least provide a contest. Our other forwards need to be better at providing bodywork on the opposition's intercept markers so that the ball can come to ground, for a score, or a stoppage.

I think our forward line is fine next year too - if we have everyone to pick from. But if TBoyd is out for any reason we have no replacement KPF option.

 

[Proffessor]

Our forward line issues are intrinsically linked to our overall game plan, our team selection and the attributes that dominate our playing list.

I don't think our forward coach should bear the brunt of criticism for these issues as they would largely be beyond his control.

The stereotypical bulldog is a short medium paced player with limited kicking skills, but extremely hard working and committed to playing their role in our all encompassing zone/press game plan.

We focus on keeping the ball in our forward line as much as we can, regardless of how crowded it gets. This is desirable for obvious reasons but also makes it hard to create space and have easy shots on goal. The down side of our 'hard working eager to please' personality type players is that they are often also anxious and prone to tightening up in front of goal.

We need someone like Boyd to step up and provide a viable tall marking option as well as take a bit of pressure off Stringer. A little more variation in playing types might also be desirable, e.g. Dale, and McLean.

We also need to be careful we don't put too many square pegs in round holes, just because we have an excess of decent quality square pegs.

 

[Braybrook Son]

Would love to see Hunter have a few shots on the run from 50. If he could start snagging the odd one it would really open up some space. Most games he has the opportunity but chooses to pass it off.

Needs to give self some rules to play by - 45 degrees or better within 50 a chance to balance himself - must shoot - must must must shoot!

Macrae too!

 

[bontshow]

Our forward line issues are intrinsically linked to our overall game plan, our team selection and the attributes that dominate our playing list

This is the key that is being missed. We 'attack defensively' - we kick to the top of the square instead of taking a shot, to avoid turning the ball over to the opposition from a kickout. We don't take low percentage shots on goal. We don't kick to a contest on the half forward line to avoid it becoming a springboard for opposition scoring. We make it hard for our opposition to score, but at the same time make it hard for us to score ourselves

 

[go you pups]

I think our forward line fixes itself next year, given consistency.

A forward line of Boyd, Smith, Stringer, McLean, Crameri and Dickson I think looks pretty strong.

Crameri and Dickson are the running hard, lead up targets. McLean is a creative, smart forward who is capable of taking a good contested grab, so I think he's a good option of developing into a small, big marking type player. Smith is our high pressure forward that is capable of feasting on the ground ball and hurting the opposition (both on the scoreboard and physically). Stringer, we all know, is a predator at ground level. If the ball comes to ground, Stringer, Dickson, Smith are all good at ground level. This is where Boyd needs to come into it and he usually does, bring the ball to ground.

McLean is a hit up type, not them two

Them two hit up inside 50 but they never do outside 50, they work their opponents over further afield, particularly Crameri

 

[go you pups]

You are letting Hunter and Macrae off pretty lightly there. They specialise in the high floaty kick.

I was actually impressed with Macrae's kicking on Saturday

Significantly better than normal, gave him 5 Ching votes over Bont because of that

 

[Mofra]

This is why the blind kick forward (we always do!) drives me crazy. We are almost certainly going to be out numbered with the way we set up.

There have been games when our only presenting marking forward around the HF line has been Caleb Daniel. One game (Geelong?) we kept kicking to him in a contested situation. The kid got creamed, it was crazy.

 

[compact72]

One of the biggest issues as I see it looking on from the stands week after week, is that we refuse to take a shot of opportunity. Time after time we lock it into our forward 50 for 3, 4 or5 minutes at a time fo no score only to turn it over for an opposition score. We rarely see a shot on the run from 40 or 50 and rarely see a snap these days unless its Bont or Stringer.

Agreed. When we played the saints, there was a neutral supporter sitting behind me. Very calm and polite lady, she then started to Crack it and just yelled out "just kick the ******* thing"

Sent from my SM-T805Y using Tapatalk

 

[_Mike_]

I think our most likely structure will be

FF - Dahlhaus, TBoyd, Dickson
HF - Stringer, Crameri, Suckling

Both Dahlhaus and Stringer swap middle to rest Bontempelli and Hunter

 

[dogwatch]

I think our most likely structure will be

FF - Dahlhaus, TBoyd, Dickson
HF - Stringer, Crameri, Suckling

Both Dahlhaus and Stringer swap middle to rest Bontempelli and Hunter

No love for McLean?

 

[Senor Ed]

I reckon if Bonti gets it anywhere within 70m he should attempt long bomb. That torp before 1/2 time went 80m flat and did not miss by much. Suckling, JJ, Stringer, Libba and Webb can all kick 60m with ease, why don't they ever have a go?

Can someone please make a GIF of this. When he went back i thought he was joking; and then he kicked it...... and i jizzed in my pants.

 

[dogwatch]

Can someone please make a GIF of this. When he went back i thought he was joking; and then he kicked it...... and i jizzed in my pants.

Ewwww ... not sure if the mods will allow you to post something like that.

 

[Senor Ed]

Ewwww ... not sure if the mods will allow you to post something like that.

That torp is worth the yellow card

 

[the conch]

The best thing Gordon can do for our club this year or next, is appoint Wayne Carey or Matthew Lloyd as our new forward coach. You want to fix our forward line, go out and get a former champion forward to show them how it's done! Couldn't be any worse than the current forward coach!

How about a cameo coaching gig from Terry Wallace. His Doggies were really well organised up forward without high marks and talls.

 

[the conch]

Well said Vital ..... This is the simple highlight of why our forward line struggles!
Unfortunately we carry a few blokes that simply have poor delivery of the footy. Namely, Moyd, Koby and Jong to name three.
We get the ball but we give it away too easily and dont give the forwards a clean chance.

It's frustrating because they and others can deliver really good passes a lot of the time, but they are inconsistent. Could also include Biggs, Dahl, Mitch, Picken, Dickson, Hunter.
I really think we miss Murph of half back. His vision and raking passes would get players clear and fast going forward. That made us so much better as an attacking, goal scoring team.

 

[TMoney22]

1. our forwards are too slow to push up and then get back, even the mids who rest forward
2. they also dont have the capability to do multiple leads

answer

1. Crameri helps. Start rotating JJ through there
2. wait for experience, maturity and fitness

good mids kick the ball to an area that determines where a forward leads. We dont do this often enough.

I think all the points raised in this thread are correct.

 

[Braybrook Son]

How about a cameo coaching gig from Terry Wallace. His Doggies were really well organised up forward without high marks and talls.

I'd take him over Gia!

 

[Spectre]

No love for McLean?

Replace Dahl in that line up with Clay (Dahl to midfield, rotate those two as needed) and Suckling with McLean (park Suckers on the wing and have him delivering). Versatility is wonderful, but still need to play the boys to their strengths.

 

[_Mike_]

No love for McLean?

I/C

 

[fred cook]

I'd take him over Gia!

I would take Ernie Sigley and deadly Ernest over him I saw him at the Bullants V Footscray game how can anyone take him seriously when his dress code resembles the Justin Bieber look

 

[ringa5]

Just watched open Mike.Think Jacko could energize our forward yips.

 

[TommyD13]

Recalling Nathan Hrovat from the VFL seems like a good idea to me. He most of the time lowers his eyes and hits a target going inside forward 50, which is obviously something we lack atm

 

[Bont2Bruce]

Did we just recruit a new forward line coach?

 

[TedDougChris]

'Tis simple, just add Z Cordy..... Works in finals....

 

[VitalDread]

Did we just recruit a new forward line coach?

View attachment 294290

him and Ash Hansen as our forward coaches k thx
Gia head coach of Footscray