Strategy Adelaide's forward structure going forward... what to do with Tex?

[mattymac]

Like an old gunners song, we find ourselves asking "where do we go now?".

We saw on the weekend for the first time our future forward structure. Fog and Filthy at CHF and FF and it was nowhere near as distressing as some had us believe it would be.

It's really the first time either of them have been allowed to play their role without an outgoing legend commanding, even if subconsciously, most of the supply. And we looked quite good in terms of structure for a first outing.

I mean our supply was putrid, but that will hopefully improve when we turn our attention to drafting elite midfielders this year.

So what to do with Tex now?

Do we revert back to business as usual and make the old champ the focus? Tell the kids to lure defenders away from his space? Chase the Coleman?

Or do we prioritise our future? Tell Tex to lure defenders away from the kids as long as he can?

Give Thilthorpe and Fogarty as many games together in the same structure as possible while Tex is still around to lend sage advice?



For mine, Tex should play the year out in the Lynch high half forward connector role, with spells forward when Filth or Fog are interchanged. He has the tools, beautiful field kick, and still opportunities to hit the scoreboard.

Thilthorpe and Fog are the future. Some are writing Fogarty off... his 4th year and hasn't made the spot his own etc... fitness not good enough...

But we've seen his ability... we've only managed to get 30 games into him in 4 years, played him anywhere but where he belongs... and he's still only 21. Early days for a KPF but the signs are there and we are apparently getting the best fitness man around this preseason.

Thilthorpe has the height, the reach and already shows amazing hands. There will be ups and downs, but we won't be drafting any other KPFs any time soon, as we have neglected the midfield too long.

Himmelberg and Frampton are not the druids we're looking for.



I say keep the Filth and the Fog together and pump games into them together. Tex to the Lynch role.

Do the team thing for the future.

Thoughts?




TL/DR: Thilthorpe and Fog are the future and need to play as many games as possible together at FF and CHF to build their chemistry. Tex should be like Obi Wan, self sacrificing, and leading enemies away from the next generation of Jedis to help them develop.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Would love us to spell Himmelberg/Frampton and go with Thilthorpe, Fogarty and Walker.

Tex to push up the ground as you suggested. Give the stage to the tyros

<I don't care... anyone> can do the support ruck stuff

 

[mattymac]

Would love us to spell Himmelberg/Frampton and go with Thilthorpe, Fogarty and Walker.

Tex to push up the ground as you suggested. Give the stage to the tyros

<I don't care... anyone> can do the support ruck stuff

Jake Kelly? McAdam? Second ruck is literally the least important consideration on the ground.

I'm sure even Thilthorpe could do one centre bounce a quarter but wouldn't want to see us go overboard rucking him yet.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Jake Kelly? McAdam? Second ruck is literally the least important consideration on the ground.

I'm sure even Thilthorpe could do one centre bounce a quarter but wouldn't want to see us go overboard rucking him yet.

I've posted previously that I'd get Fogarty to do it

There's only a spot in the team for you if you can give us 6-7 minutes in the middle.

Yeah he'll lose every tap but it's not exactly Simon Madden he's replacing. And Riley will take over at some point so it's only very temporary

 

[mattymac]

I've posted previously that I'd get Fogarty to do it

There's only a spot in the team for you if you can give us 6-7 minutes in the middle.

Yeah he'll lose every tap but it's not exactly Simon Madden he's replacing. And Riley will take over at some point so it's only very temporary

Haha would no doubt make them earn it too

Not against that

 

[Mr Alldayeveryday]

If they want to play 3 tall forwards then there no point in him playing forward or out all since its just Dump/Bomb kicks into the forward line with no chance to do anything all game once the ball hits the grass. If they move the ball fast enough and only play Tex+Thilthorpe with fog taking Lynch's 3rd mid tall position with midfield time then Tex will look like the Star from the 1st 5 round. It has been a blessing and a curse for Tex being such a good field kick easily the best in the Crows team for most his career but then he doesn't get to play near the goals where you want him over a player like Josh Jenkins who somehow kicked 62 goals in season thanks to mostly Tex playing up the ground hitting everyone lace out but his stats wont look that good for a player of that level.

The crows suck anyway i would like Tex to kick most the goals along with Thilthorpe to at least enjoy the season up to the draft but the Midfield is still the worst in the comp although they do try.

 

[Mr Alldayeveryday]

I've posted previously that I'd get Fogarty to do it

There's only a spot in the team for you if you can give us 6-7 minutes in the middle.

Yeah he'll lose every tap but it's not exactly Simon Madden he's replacing. And Riley will take over at some point so it's only very temporary

That's the Richmond/Melbourne strat from 3-4 years ago and it worked well.

 

[WeedsMullet84]

The Fog-boi fan club continues..

There’s an experienced head on every position on the ground, Tex is performing well enough to be first selection week in, week out, and no amount of ‘but but, let’s play the kids!’ Is going to change the selectors minds.

He’s our best, most experienced key forward and brings both the goals and experience to an emerging forward line. Going forward my guess is that we will persist with Tex, Filthy and Fog. Tex WILL eventually fade out into retirement, but he has a wealth of on-field knowledge to pass on


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[mattymac]

If they move the ball fast enough and only play Tex+Thilthorpe with fog taking Lynch's 3rd mid tall position with midfield time then Tex will look like the Star from the 1st 5 round...

The crows suck anyway i would like Tex to kick most the goals along with Thilthorpe to at least enjoy the season up to the draft but the Midfield is still the worst in the comp although they do try.

Phil Walsh does not like this.

What kind of message would that send? In a rebuild, play the next generation out of position so Tex can chase an individual accolade in his twilight year?

Nope. Only way we do that is if coaches are chasing meaningless wins for job security rather than putting the rebuild first so we can win when Tex is gone.

 

[Scorpus]

Mackay forward to prolong his career

 

[mattymac]

The Fog-boi fan club continues..

There’s an experienced head on every position on the ground, Tex is performing well enough to be first selection week in, week out, and no amount of ‘but but, let’s play the kids!’ Is going to change the selectors minds.

He’s our best, most experienced key forward and brings both the goals and experience to an emerging forward line. Going forward my guess is that we will persist with Tex, Filthy and Fog. Tex WILL eventually fade out into retirement, but he has a wealth of on-field knowledge to pass on


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Yes, because rebuilds are all about accommodating ageing stars and pushing the next generation out of position.

This rebuild thing is very interesting from an Adelaide perspective. We've never done it and our history is all about rewarding seniority.

I'm certain if Talia was fit, Butts would be in the twos.

That's how it's always been with us. No plan except reward seniority. Rely on injuries to make the decisions we're too soft to make.

 

[Grenville]

The Fog-boi fan club continues..

There’s an experienced head on every position on the ground, Tex is performing well enough to be first selection week in, week out, and no amount of ‘but but, let’s play the kids!’ Is going to change the selectors minds.

He’s our best, most experienced key forward and brings both the goals and experience to an emerging forward line. Going forward my guess is that we will persist with Tex, Filthy and Fog. Tex WILL eventually fade out into retirement, but he has a wealth of on-field knowledge to pass on


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Is the notion of Tex further up field so unthinkable that it makes advocates a fog-boi?
I'm honestly not sure where I sit on Fogarty. Am far from a fog-boi. But with our developing list I do think we need to go into the offseason with a better idea of whether or not he can make it as a forward for list management. A 4-5 week block, preferably where we're not getting spanked in the midfield - maybe tough to find this season.
Tex belongs in the side and has a rare combination of footy IQ/decision making and field kicking. I think its worth trying.

 

[FR0GGY]

The Fog-boi fan club continues..

There’s an experienced head on every position on the ground, Tex is performing well enough to be first selection week in, week out, and no amount of ‘but but, let’s play the kids!’ Is going to change the selectors minds.

He’s our best, most experienced key forward and brings both the goals and experience to an emerging forward line. Going forward my guess is that we will persist with Tex, Filthy and Fog. Tex WILL eventually fade out into retirement, but he has a wealth of on-field knowledge to pass on


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So with this setup of Tex being the main man we’ll still be no closer to knowing what Fogarty is in 2 years time.
We aren’t contending we’re rebuilding.

 

[Stepover]

So with this setup of Tex being the main man we’ll still be no closer to knowing what Fogarty is in 2 years time.
We aren’t contending we’re rebuilding.

Well then Fogarty has to do what he did in the first quarter and become the main man himself. You become the main man by your actions.


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[FR0GGY]

Well then Fogarty has to do what he did in the first quarter and become the main man himself. You become the main man by your actions.


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Yes tex wasn’t there.

 

[mattymac]

For those that reckon Tex is indispensable and must be the focus to get us into the 8 or win the Coleman or whatever you reckon:

Tex until round 4 kicked 20 goals averaging 5 goals a game

Then *surprise surprise* the oppo coaches worked out how to get around the stand rule and flood back like before.

Since Round 4 Tex has kicked 7 goals averaging 1.7 goals a game.

And people somehow think a 1.2 goal game from a 21 year old with 30 games and 1 game in prime position with Jeremy McGovern standing him is a write off.

Hahaha you mullets.

 

[1970crow]

Well then Fogarty has to do what he did in the first quarter and become the main man himself. You become the main man by your actions.


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You can't just ignore structures and coaching advice, both on-ground (tex) and off (rahilly/nicks). In any case, Tex's body is cooked so he can't play Lynch's role and roam up the ground and will need to play close to goal. We will continue to direct most ball through him because that's our strategy. And this is despite the very clear fact that the forward line operated just as well without his output or leadership on the weekend. If his body has returned to early year capability after a week off, we will see improved output. I think it's doubtful a week off is enough though.

 

[1970crow]

For those that reckon Tex is indispensable and must be the focus to get us into the 8 or win the Coleman or whatever you reckon:

Tex until round 4 kicked 20 goals averaging 5 goals a game

Then *surprise surprise* the oppo coaches worked out how to get around the stand rule and flood back like before.

Since Round 4 Tex has kicked 7 goals averaging 1.7 goals a game.

And people somehow think a 1.2 goal game from a 21 year old with 30 games and 1 game in prime position with Jeremy McGovern standing him is a write off.

Hahaha you mullets.

They're pretty stupid, can't differentiate between a player's career and what's happening now or what is best going forward. I remember posting about half way through last year that our score from 50m entries ratio was actually better when Tex wasn't playing. So the question must be asked as to the value of his leadership down there as it didn't seem to be about scoring.

 

[cmndstab]

I've posted previously that I'd get Fogarty to do it

There's only a spot in the team for you if you can give us 6-7 minutes in the middle.

Yeah he'll lose every tap but it's not exactly Simon Madden he's replacing. And Riley will take over at some point so it's only very temporary

That lets us have our "play Fogarty as a midfielder" cake and eat it too. He goes up in the ruck, and then as soon as the ball hits the ground he becomes an extra big-bodied midfielder who can either receive the ball and try to bustle out, or just lay a big tackle. It's not like the tap ever goes to him when he's playing midfield anyway so no loss there.

 

[Alwaysacrow]

Like an old gunners song, we find ourselves asking "where do we go now?".

We saw on the weekend for the first time our future forward structure. Fog and Filthy at CHF and FF and it was nowhere near as distressing as some had us believe it would be.

It's really the first time either of them have been allowed to play their role without an outgoing legend commanding, even if subconsciously, most of the supply. And we looked quite good in terms of structure for a first outing.

I mean our supply was putrid, but that will hopefully improve when we turn our attention to drafting elite midfielders this year.

So what to do with Tex now?

Do we revert back to business as usual and make the old champ the focus? Tell the kids to lure defenders away from his space? Chase the Coleman?

Or do we prioritise our future? Tell Tex to lure defenders away from the kids as long as he can?

Give Thilthorpe and Fogarty as many games together in the same structure as possible while Tex is still around to lend sage advice?

View attachment 1130342

For mine, Tex should play the year out in the Lynch high half forward connector role, with spells forward when Filth or Fog are interchanged. He has the tools, beautiful field kick, and still opportunities to hit the scoreboard.

Thilthorpe and Fog are the future. Some are writing Fogarty off... his 4th year and hasn't made the spot his own etc... fitness not good enough...

But we've seen his ability... we've only managed to get 30 games into him in 4 years, played him anywhere but where he belongs... and he's still only 21. Early days for a KPF but the signs are there and we are apparently getting the best fitness man around this preseason.

Thilthorpe has the height, the reach and already shows amazing hands. There will be ups and downs, but we won't be drafting any other KPFs any time soon, as we have neglected the midfield too long.

Himmelberg and Frampton are not the druids we're looking for.

View attachment 1130338

I say keep the Filth and the Fog together and pump games into them together. Tex to the Lynch role.

Do the team thing for the future.

Thoughts?




TL/DR: Thilthorpe and Fog are the future and need to play as many games as possible together at FF and CHF to build their chemistry. Tex should be like Obi Wan, self sacrificing, and leading enemies away from the next generation of Jedis to help them develop.

Is that you Vader???
Seriously I'd like to see this. Tex obviously has the tank while Fog is still working on his. Tex can deliver beautifully into our forward 50 as well. Make it happen AFC.

 

[Geoffa32]

Fog and Tilthy need to play as many games as possible together this year.


Forget the Ruck/Forward position. No more of Frampton/Hberg.Have Tilthy take a few centre bounces. Tex Ruck forward.


Play Tex as the third forward, but close to goal. Fog CHF and Tilthy higher up the ground than Tex. Tex does not have tge fitness for multiple games in the high position.

Tilthy will create more one in ones being mobile, than being anchored.

Tex needs to retire this year.



Next year, bring in a better Forward/Ruck. I think long term Tilthy is better being a mobile forward rather than a Firward who Rucks.

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[Golumless]

The idea of Thilthorpe/Fog/Tex certainly is the way we should be going (and well, should have been all year).

The one thing I disagree on is the order. I'd let Tex be the main man. He's going to be regardless because it has been his forward line for the last decade. This leaves Fog to be the roaming, Lynch like forward, and whilst I absolutely hate that we've kept this role, it is the step in Fogs development that sees him make it as Texs successor. After all, it's the skill that'll tie everything together for Darce.

 

[Geoffa32]

The idea of Thilthorpe/Fog/Tex certainly is the way we should be going (and well, should have been all year).

The one thing I disagree on is the order. I'd let Tex be the main man. He's going to be regardless because it has been his forward line for the last decade. This leaves Fog to be the roaming, Lynch like forward, and whilst I absolutely hate that we've kept this role, it is the step in Fogs development that sees him make it as Texs successor. After all, it's the skill that'll tie everything together for Darce.

The Lynch role is essentially HFF. Which now is really part of the midfield as they play high up the ground. A tough role as the tasks are varied.

Rowe, Berry, Murphy, Schoenberg and McHenry essentially playing that role. McAdam the only real small forward, ie not pushing up the ground, plays closest to goal.


Fog has looked best all year as that high key forward aka CHF. Keep him there.

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[1970crow]

The idea of Thilthorpe/Fog/Tex certainly is the way we should be going (and well, should have been all year).

The one thing I disagree on is the order. I'd let Tex be the main man. He's going to be regardless because it has been his forward line for the last decade. This leaves Fog to be the roaming, Lynch like forward, and whilst I absolutely hate that we've kept this role, it is the step in Fogs development that sees him make it as Texs successor. After all, it's the skill that'll tie everything together for Darce.

I agree with that as long as Tex's output alone warrants selection. 7 touches the last 2 weeks with zero defensive action isn't good enough at the end of a career. That output is 'help the kids to develop in the SANFL' stuff. After all, people talk about his value in direction and in-game coaching, well, our forward setup in the 2s is diabolical, so would be a great club result to have him down there the last half of the season.

If we weren't so wedded to a second ruck that's not Thilthorpe it wouldn't be as bad. But carrying so many talls up forward puts far too much pressure on our undersized defence.

 

[Slippery Pete]

Would love us to spell Himmelberg/Frampton and go with Thilthorpe, Fogarty and Walker.

Tex to push up the ground as you suggested. Give the stage to the tyros

<I don't care... anyone> can do the support ruck stuff

Eschewing this and insisting on playing one of Frampton or Berg at all times is just the epitome of a club going nowhere