Strategy 2017 Defensive Lineup

[DanA]

I think Bews needs an extended go. Thurlow might take a while to get going with his knee. Lonergan done nothing to be dropped yet. Was sensational in the second half of the hawks final.

I think it comes down to playing the best team rather than the best players. You look at the Bulldogs Grand Final performance where they repelled wave after wave of Sydney attack mounting their own on the rebound:

FB: Biggs (183cm) Hamling (194cm) Boyd (184cm)
HB: Wood (186cm) Morris (190cm) Johannisen (178cm)

Then compare it to us:

FB: Bews (184cm) Lonergan (197cm) Henderson (196cm)
HB: Enright (187cm) Taylor (195cm) Kolodjashnij (193cm)
* Mackie (193cm)

There's a marked difference in the size and attacking potential of the two sides and it significantly effects how the team plays. Joel Hamling isn't anywhere near the player Lonergan is, he wouldn't get near our team, but the Bulldogs have a group of undersized attacking backmen that were able to do what we couldn't against Sydney. You could never expect our defence to create the sort of run and carry they did, especially without Enright. Not unless were willing to make hard choices and reshape things in 2017.

And I don't think you can shunt one of them forward either as many suggest. We're already too tall in other areas. We're carrying Blicavs in the midfield, two ruckmen in Smith & Stanley along with Tom Hawkins. Scott has to stop with this super tall team, we've got so much potential, wasted in 2016, Scott IMO fell into the trap of playing our best players rather than our best team.

 

[Larry Donohue]

FB: Gardner Lonergan Kolodjashnij
HB: Mackie Taylor Henderson

Ratugolea smith lonergan
Stanley taylor henderson

Or alternatively
Ruggles lonergan thurlow (kickins)
Stewart henderson touhy

Taylor at chf
Kolo on bench
Gardiner as replacement for lonners and hendo on rest weeks
Mackie and bews as backup.

 

[Frappe]

I think it comes down to playing the best team rather than the best players. You look at the Bulldogs Grand Final performance where they repelled wave after wave of Sydney attack mounting their own on the rebound:

FB: Biggs (183cm) Hamling (194cm) Boyd (184cm)
HB: Wood (186cm) Morris (190cm) Johannisen (178cm)

Then compare it to us:

FB: Bews (184cm) Lonergan (197cm) Henderson (196cm)
HB: Enright (187cm) Taylor (195cm) Kolodjashnij (193cm)
* Mackie (193cm)

There's a marked difference in the size and attacking potential of the two sides and it significantly effects how the team plays. Joel Hamling isn't anywhere near the player Lonergan is, he wouldn't get near our team, but the Bulldogs have a group of undersized attacking backmen that were able to do what we couldn't against Sydney. You could never expect our defence to create the sort of run and carry they did, especially without Enright. Not unless were willing to make hard choices and reshape things in 2017.

And I don't think you can shunt one of them forward either as many suggest. We're already too tall in other areas. We're carrying Blicavs in the midfield, two ruckmen in Smith & Stanley along with Tom Hawkins. Scott has to stop with this super tall team, we've got so much potential, wasted in 2016, Scott IMO fell into the trap of playing our best players rather than our best team.

Dogs back line would have been hard pressed to stop Syd in the prelim with the way the ball was able to be brought in during the 1/4. Their pace may have given them a better chance.

 

[Sttew]

The Cats last year had a pretty decent defence. However now we've lost Enright and Lonergan, Mackie aren't getting any younger.

I read the OP and had to back track, thinking I had missed that Lonergan retired. Turns out a comma was missing!! Should have read, "...we've lost Enright, and Lonergan and Mackie aren't getting any younger".

 

[David the Cat]

I read the OP and had to back track, thinking I had missed that Lonergan retired. Turns out a comma was missing!! Should have read, "...we've lost Enright, and Lonergan and Mackie aren't getting any younger".

Ah yes,,,the comma.............sooo important

e.g Lets eat grandma.
Lets eat, grandma.

Some difference in meaning without it!

 

[cynical]

B Bews Taylor Ruggles
HB Guthrie Henderson Thurlow

I don't really rate Kolo and I'd prefer the run and carry. Ruggles can be replaced depending on what works best, i'd still prefer to go small.

 

[you pick one]

Ah yes,,,the comma.............sooo important

e.g Lets eat grandma.
Lets eat, grandma.

Some difference in meaning without it!

The comma just buggered grandma's day.

 

[Sttew]

B Bews Taylor Ruggles
HB Guthrie Henderson Thurlow

I don't really rate Kolo and I'd prefer the run and carry. Ruggles can be replaced depending on what works best, i'd still prefer to go small.

What about Tuohy?

With Tuohy and the return of Thurlow I reckon we will have a solid defence:

Bews. Lonergan. Henderson
Tuohy. Taylor. Thurlow

I/C Ruggles, Kolo, Mackie, Stewart

Frees Guthrie up to play midfield

 

[cynical]

What about Tuohy?

With Tuohy and the return of Thurlow I reckon we will have a solid defence:

Bews. Lonergan. Henderson
Tuohy. Taylor. Thurlow

I/C Ruggles, Kolo, Mackie, Stewart

Frees Guthrie up to play midfield

oops yeah id replace ruggles with tuohy

 

[Cezz The Catter]

FB - Bews, Taylor, Tuohy
CHB - Kolo, Hendo, Thurlow
I/C - Guthrie
EMG - Ruggles, Stewart, Mackie, Lonergan

Would love to see this lineup, doubt CS is thinking the same though.

 

[Daniel McL]

FB - Bews, Taylor, Tuohy
CHB - Kolo, Hendo, Thurlow
I/C - Guthrie
EMG - Ruggles, Stewart, Mackie, Lonergan

Would love to see this lineup, doubt CS is thinking the same though.

Exactly what I want!
Still has height in Taylor/Hendo to take on the opposition's main forwards.
Kolo can play in his best position as 3rd defender.
But we actually have some run & good ball use this time out of defensive 50 with Tuohy, Thurlow & Bews!

 

[CatRiot]

I think getting Stewart and Tuohy, whilst regaining Thurlow, my prediction is that Guthrie will be a permanent midfielder in 2017.

 

[Cronin]

FB - Bews, Taylor, Tuohy
CHB - Kolo, Hendo, Thurlow
I/C - Guthrie
EMG - Ruggles, Stewart, Mackie, Lonergan

Would love to see this lineup, doubt CS is thinking the same though.

If he wants to contend next year he will

If you swap Tuohy and Kolodjashnij around then I'm right with you, though I'm still on the fence regarding Lonergan/Taylor as the other tall.

 

[Jeff76]

FB - Bews, Taylor, Tuohy
CHB - Kolo, Hendo, Thurlow
I/C - Guthrie
EMG - Ruggles, Stewart, Mackie, Lonergan

Would love to see this lineup, doubt CS is thinking the same though.

Best back line so far, make it happen.