2008 forward line?

[The Boy From Brasil]

Am I being too pesimestic, or has the bulldogs list got an absolute dearth of tall forwards?? Actually, not one single player jumps out at me when I go through the list.

Johnno is fantastic, but it is too much to ask him to carry the forward line with his height. And maybe we will get Welsh in the pre season draft who is an extremely accurate kick for goal but a good ordinary player.

So, what will be the forward structure in 2008? I would be interested to read everyone's opinion.

The real shame of it is that we have such a talented and skilful list. If we had some talls to kick to, the sky is the limit for our side IMO.

Any thoughts?

 

[boydsno1]

Scott welsh with minson and skip to rotate through there and tiller should get game time also.

 

[.M a t t.]

Jarryd Grant

 

[Palace03]

Our forward line will look quite different to last year. Johnno will still be the spearhead, but he will have some support next year. Gaining Welsh (assuming we get him) will be an upgrade on Robbins, Murphy fully fit will be handy across HF and Skipper, Doogs (He's not a defender) and Tiler will be fighting for a spot in the side. These guys having the opportunity to play on the 3rd or 4th best defender may allow them to become handy players.

Of course we have just drafted Grant with pick 5, hopefully he will play some footy in the middle to end of the season and again playing on the 4th best defender will allow him to get some footy and learn the game.

 

[stefoid]

Our forward line will look quite different to last year. Johnno will still be the spearhead, but he will have some support next year. Gaining Welsh (assuming we get him) will be an upgrade on Robbins, Murphy fully fit will be handy across HF and Skipper, Doogs (He's not a defender) and Tiler will be fighting for a spot in the side. These guys having the opportunity to play on the 3rd or 4th best defender may allow them to become handy players.

Of course we have just drafted Grant with pick 5, hopefully he will play some footy in the middle to end of the season and again playing on the 4th best defender will allow him to get some footy and learn the game.

I hope Welsh is the spearhead and Johno lines up on a forward flank.

 

[The Boy From Brasil]

All of you guys are more optimistic on Welsh than I am. I think he is an okay footballer(a very good kick for goal which is great) but nothing special.

IMO, for us to take significant steps forward this year, one of the tall forwards you mentioned(Skipper, Tiller,Minson etc) has got to jump up a level or two. Fingers crossed it happens.

IMO, this is the only part of our side that we are deficient in. We are quick, skiflul, great midfield, backline that does the job. We just need some tall forwards who can take some contested grabs.

P.S. What a dissappointment Mcdougall was. His A game would be a huge asset to our side. Not sure how great his work ethic is though.

 

[Dogs-R-US]

I think it depends on whats happening with Minson? Is he being turned into a forward? or is he staying a ruckmen?

Because if i am not mistaken i read somewhere that if the bulldogs didn't get forward during the trade week(which we didn't) that Minson would be turned into a forward.

If this is true (which i hope) we can have a very tall (199cm) and well built player that can charge through packs and show aggression(Minson is very angry person )

What do you guys think?

 

[carps]

Minson a forward? I don't think he has the skills to be a forward. He is angry and built like a brick sh1thouse but he can't mark or kick very well. I am hopeful that Tiller or Skipper can take the next step as both showed us something in the last couple of weeks of the season.

 

[Go_Dogs]

I feel Welsh will perhaps benefit from our quick ball movement style. The Crows are a bit different with their style. Will be interesting to see how he fits in.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

I feel Welsh will perhaps benefit from our quick ball movement style. The Crows are a bit different with their style. Will be interesting to see how he fits in.

Good point. If he can kick 50 goals a year with the crows defensive game style - how many will he (hopefully) kick with us.

 

[Nineteen_Fifty_Four]

Ive been sayiong for three years that they should just leave Skipper at full forward. AT least giv ehim five weeks and see the results. He can take a marke , he's a lovely kick and he's big enoguh to bring the ball down to the ground to make a constest. He can also do any rucking in the forward 50.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

SKipper, Johno and Welsh up front along with Aker and murphy as crumbers - could be an interesting year folks.

 

[X_box_X]

I'm not a huge wrap on Skipper, and he is a much better option than both Tiller and McDougall, so that says a lot about them.

Minson could turn into a decent forward, an aggressive one in the mould of Cameron Mooney (we can only hope), but I still think his best work will be done playing as a backup ruckman to Hudson.

Welsh and Johnson will obviously be our main targets, and Murphy has shown he is a more than capable forward. Higgins and Akermanis are more than handy goal sneaks, too, so I think we have a good mix there.

Either Skipper or Minson
Johnson, Murphy, Welsh
Akermanis, Higgins

If we don't get Welsh, I'd like to see Cooney in the forward line 50% of the time. I know most of you guys would rather see him in the midfield, but until he can show he is ready to explode ALL the time, I think he has to spend at least some time in the forward line. Having OP and playing as a full-time midfielder spells danger. He will have more impact in the forward line if his groin is still giving him trouble.

 

[Pigdog]

If we don't get Welsh, I'd like to see Cooney in the forward line 50% of the time. I know most of you guys would rather see him in the midfield, but until he can show he is ready to explode ALL the time, I think he has to spend at least some time in the forward line. Having OP and playing as a full-time midfielder spells danger. He will have more impact in the forward line if his groin is still giving him trouble.

Can't agree with that. From reports I have read and heard about Cooney is absolutely flying on the track. His body is over the OP and his aerobic fitness is on the improve. He will become the clearance winning midfielder we need next year, I have no doubt about it. Yes he will spend some time in the forwardline, but he has that genuine X-factor our midfield has lacked in the past and I think he will become our most important player next year.

 

[X_box_X]

Can't agree with that. From reports I have read and heard about Cooney is absolutely flying on the track. His body is over the OP and his aerobic fitness is on the improve. He will become the clearance winning midfielder we need next year, I have no doubt about it. Yes he will spend some time in the forwardline, but he has that genuine X-factor our midfield has lacked in the past and I think he will become our most important player next year.

Believe me, nothing would see me happier than Cooney dominating in the midfield next year, and I will glady eat my words.

He is yet to dominate a season out of the centre square. He was drafted as a goal-kicking midfielder, and has really only played one game that springs to mind for four solid quarters.

 

[Go_Dogs]

Are you expecting him to get 30+ touches and 5 goals every game X-box?

I also think he's best in the midfield, but should rest forward. He's got good timing, good hands, and can finish.

 

[X_box_X]

Are you expecting him to get 30+ touches and 5 goals every game X-box?

I also think he's best in the midfield, but should rest forward. He's got good timing, good hands, and can finish.

No, I just want him to emerge as a better player than Brock McLean. That's why we took Cooney at one ahead of the likes of McLean, Walker and co.

McLean is a fine player, so anything above his talent is a huge win for us.

 

[The Boy From Brasil]

I feel Welsh will perhaps benefit from our quick ball movement style. The Crows are a bit different with their style. Will be interesting to see how he fits in.

You know, the one thing with Welsh, that many high profile forwards don't have, is that he is a fantastically accurate kick for goal. Meaning, that he has the potential to damage opposition more per possession, than other forwards have.

I think accurate kicking and ability to convert is a skill that is not recognised enough by media commentators. Look at guys like Riewoldt, Richardson and even Tarrant to a lesser extent, fantastic players, great motor and work ethic etc, but their kicking for goal is schiessenheus. They can dominate their opponents and finish with 1 goal for the game.

Welsh is no in the same league as those guys by a mile, but at least when he gets it, he is a fair chance to kick it. How many other forwards in the competition can you say that about? Not many IMO.

 

[Pigdog]

Believe me, nothing would see me happier than Cooney dominating in the midfield next year, and I will glady eat my words.

He is yet to dominate a season out of the centre square. He was drafted as a goal-kicking midfielder, and has really only played one game that springs to mind for four solid quarters.

He spent the 06 season battling OP and the 07 season recovering from it so I wouldn't be judging him to harshly. Sure he hasn't produced the type of footy we would like on a consistent basis, but the signs are there. He played an exceptional month of footy in the middle of the 07 season, but his lack of fitness showed in the end, but he did pretty well considering he only had a 3 week pre-season and not a 3 month one which is required.

There will be no excuses next year and I'm sure Adam can have the 'break out' season we have all been waiting for and can establish himself as the match winning midfielder we hope he can be.

 

[Go_Dogs]

No, I just want him to emerge as a better player than Brock McLean. That's why we took Cooney at one ahead of the likes of McLean, Walker and co.

McLean is a fine player, so anything above his talent is a huge win for us.

I might be alone here, but I rate Cooney above McLean.

 

[The Boy From Brasil]

I might be alone here, but I rate Cooney above McLean.

So do I.

Did you see that mock draft that Mark Robinson did on that years draft? He had cooney so low, it was unbelievable.

IMO, he is a class above all the other draftees that year. He still needs to find a bit of consistency and work through the tags, but he is a much better player than mc clean, walker etc. Just my opinion.

 

[hujsh]

He is yet to dominate a season out of the centre square. He was drafted as a goal-kicking midfielder, and has really only played one game that springs to mind for four solid quarters.

Cooney desn't neeed to put in i 4 quarter effort to be BOG. Look at the game againt Essendon. And always remember the 33 touches 5 goals against Adelaide. Iwas there and he was AWESOME

 

[Bulldog4life]

I'm not a huge wrap on Skipper, and he is a much better option than both Tiller and McDougall, so that says a lot about them.

Minson could turn into a decent forward, an aggressive one in the mould of Cameron Mooney (we can only hope), but I still think his best work will be done playing as a backup ruckman to Hudson.

Welsh and Johnson will obviously be our main targets, and Murphy has shown he is a more than capable forward. Higgins and Akermanis are more than handy goal sneaks, too, so I think we have a good mix there.

Either Skipper or Minson
Johnson, Murphy, Welsh
Akermanis, Higgins

If we don't get Welsh, I'd like to see Cooney in the forward line 50% of the time. I know most of you guys would rather see him in the midfield, but until he can show he is ready to explode ALL the time, I think he has to spend at least some time in the forward line. Having OP and playing as a full-time midfielder spells danger. He will have more impact in the forward line if his groin is still giving him trouble.

That is a massive understatement. Murph is a star.

 

[Gridlock'd]

You know, the one thing with Welsh, that many high profile forwards don't have, is that he is a fantastically accurate kick for goal. Meaning, that he has the potential to damage opposition more per possession, than other forwards have.

I think accurate kicking and ability to convert is a skill that is not recognised enough by media commentators. Look at guys like Riewoldt, Richardson and even Tarrant to a lesser extent, fantastic players, great motor and work ethic etc, but their kicking for goal is schiessenheus. They can dominate their opponents and finish with 1 goal for the game.

Welsh is no in the same league as those guys by a mile, but at least when he gets it, he is a fair chance to kick it. How many other forwards in the competition can you say that about? Not many IMO.

You raise an interesting point, and you are quite right.

In most other sports, NBA, NFL and Rugby for example, effectiveness in front of goal is a huge concern and often talked about. However this is not the case in the AFL, when perhaps it should be.

A players impact on the game can and should be determined by his effectiveness in front of goal. For example, player A has 5 shots, kicking 1.4 adding 10 points to his teams total, Player B has 5 shots, but instead, kicks 4.1 adding 25 points to his teams total. That is a significant difference.

If Welsh, can be as effective for us in front of goal, as people say he is, he would be a great addition to our line up.

 

[mocco hill]

Will the people that keep pushing Minson as a forward wake up and realise he is not a forward.
He's a not mobile enough,isnt footy smart enough ,isnt a good enough kick and not good enough below his knees!
He's a big lump of a guy with agression which we need,but he needs to work on his tap out work fill the hole more like Scotty Wynd use to do and pick up more than a handful of posessions per game!
Because If he's going to make it,its as a ruckman and ruckman only.