A look into the future

[buzzbuzz]

We had a few young key position players play against the Bombers; players that could well hold down important positions for many years to come.

In the backline we had Nathan Brown and Ben Reid. The question with these two is... where do they play? Reid is extremely tall but has speed and skill, whereas Brown is a monster. Both are, in their own ways, suited to the bigger 'power' forwards. We haven't had a true CHB for a long time, as our entire halfback line seems to work in tandem.

How will that work in the future, when Presti is well and truly retired?

Dawes put forward a solid showing in the forward line, rotating with Trav between FF and CHF. Is that the perfect setup? What about Jack Anthony? Neon Leon won't be around forever. How will our forward line look at the end of this year? Next year?

 

[The Royal Sampler]

FB: Brown
HB: Reid

HF: Dawes
FF: Cloke

I reckon Cloke is a bigger weapon when deep forward, because his kicking is likely to remain suspect. Dawes can dob them from a distance with a greater success rate. But in reality, both would rotate; leading out and dropping back.

 

[mdc]

Reid is best suited to play on the quicker and more agile big guys, whereas Brown will go to the more lumbering types. Reid also has the added advantage of being able to play the Birchall role, so he can stay in the team even without an obvious match-up.

As for up forward, I think we need more information. It's way too early to be pencilling Dawes in anywhere on the back of what he's shown so far. Structurally, until Cloke learns to consistently beat mid-sized scraggers up the field, I agree he is better playing closer to goal. But I'm also sure that a fit (and bulked up) John Anthony is a significantly better FF prospect than Cloke. So then it becomes a question of;

a) Will there be a time where Dawes is a better CHF than Cloke? (again, not enough info right now to answer either way)

b) Can a 3-tall forwardline work?

 

[TradeDraft]

We had a few young key position players play against the Bombers; players that could well hold down important positions for many years to come.

In the backline we had Nathan Brown and Ben Reid. The question with these two is... where do they play? Reid is extremely tall but has speed and skill, whereas Brown is a monster. Both are, in their own ways, suited to the bigger 'power' forwards. We haven't had a true CHB for a long time, as our entire halfback line seems to work in tandem.

How will that work in the future, when Presti is well and truly retired?

Dawes put forward a solid showing in the forward line, rotating with Trav between FF and CHF. Is that the perfect setup? What about Jack Anthony? Neon Leon won't be around forever. How will our forward line look at the end of this year? Next year?

I agree that could be our best KPP Set-Up in 3-4 Seasons and Does look like we are in good hands

 

[Pie eyed]

Early days for he Dawes/Cloke setup and also for Reid/Brown down back, but good signs from all.
Slot in JA and Presti where required and we look pretty formidable if all are in form.

The most important game of the year next week.

All our early efforts are wasted if we don't beat the scum/filth into submission.


GO PIES.

 

[Zahki]

a) Will there be a time where Dawes is a better CHF than Cloke? (again, not enough info right now to answer either way)

Possibly. Depends if Cloke improves this year. He's starting to show some decent signs once again, but if he's hot and cold once again then I'm going to close the book and say definitively that 2007 was just an abnormally good year. Dawes has good potential, but it's just that right now, potential, he needs games desperately to see if he can fulfil it. He can't progress as a player by playing in the VFL anymore, he's not going to magically become a 50 game player by beating the Richmond Reserves.

b) Can a 3-tall forwardline work?

I believe it can, and it's worth a shot. I'd love to see Cloke, Anthony and Dawes all playing in the same forward line. They'd all need to really put on some amazing defensive pressure for it to work, but I think it can. With all three up front it starts to stretch defenses, and then you've got Davis, Didak and Medhurst crumbing off the contests and it becomes a truely frightening potential forward combo.

As for Reid and Brown, good signs from both. My only concern is Brown being placed into the Presti mould. Is the era of the purely negative shutdown player nearing the end with rebound from defense so overwhelmingly important these days? I think Brown has a lot more to offer than that.

 

[Markfs]

Dawes needs to improve a lot to be as good as Travis. He's coming along well, considering he had a year out and probably took another year to get his confidence back. But, he needs to learn how to use his big body.....The good thing is that he can play again next week and we can be reasonably confident that he'll make a contribution.

Thats the great thing about Dawes Reid and Brown at the moment. They've got enough games under their belt that they dont look like rabbits in front of headlights ...like they used to when they first played..

The future looks pretty good in the key position dept.