Attention: David Noble (Forward line coach)

lunacy

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Thread starter #1
Well its long but see what you think. Hang in there. Probably one for the footy purists or students of the game only.

I wouldnt mind seeing the following structure up forward at some stage next year. Most of our players in the forward line barring Walker can play in other positions.

We are a tall side so I'm gonna try find a forward structure that uses height to our strength but doesnt sacrifice mobility/speed.

On paper it looks very tall but the way I'd use them/structure them up should distribute the height enough imo.

CHF Gunston Walker Henderson
FF Knights Tippett Porps/Danger

Now like I said it looks very unusual on paper but they wont actually be structured like that.

Gunston and Hendo are both 190-191cm with athleticsm, speed, good leap and strong hands. Both have good skills who dont have to be hidden close to goals and can kick reasonably accurate to a lead. Both are comfortable either forward or even on a wing (and even in defense). So with all these strengths in mind (as long as their engine is big enough next year) I'd play Hendo and Gunston both as high half forwards.

Now they would both lead up from the true CHF position to the wing on either side of ground. They both provide a leading target depending on which side of the ground we've switched it to (one on each side). The reason I have them leading towards the wing is two fold. 1st we dont really like to kick to a target in the centre of the ground in case of a turnover (70% of goals this year come from turnovers) so along the halfway mark of the ground (ie centre line) it is safer to kick wide then bring it into the corridor with the next kick. Gunston and Hendo on either side of ground give us coverage and confidence to attack on either side of ground. How often do we switch the ball in defense then look up and see we have no lead up target on the wing so we then switch the ball again in defense to the other side only to look up and see the same problem. As a snow ball effect our CHF has to then lead up to the wing to provide that target but before long we've "emptied out our forward line" because all our forwards have pushed up the ground. If we use Gunna or Hendo as a target it allows our 4 main forwards to hold their structure rather than emptying out our forward line. Plus rather than our CHF (ie Walker) marking it on the wing, Gunna and Hendo wont be exposed up around the wing when the ball hits the ground.

Plus Gunna and Hendo would more than likely have a height advantage over their direct opponents because no defence have enough talls to cover Hendo, Gunna, Walker, Tippett plus Porps who usually demands a defender who is taller than him.

If we dont choose to use them (Gunna & Hendo) and instead run through the corridor with run and carry they would have at least created space for the other forwards and hopefully their direct opponents with them (ie Knights last year). AND even if we go long to Tippett/Porps deep in our forward line and the defenders win and it comes out again. We have Gunna and Hendo holding their structure out wide on wing which would tempt the oppostion to run it out of our forward line through the corridor thus avoiding Gunna and Hendo who would have a height on their opponents. We then employ our usual midfield press with our midifelders and true wingers thus clogging the corridor. This would hopefully cause a turnover and we'd have then attack with an open forward line. WIN/WIN.

If we attack down left side wing we have Gunna available if we attack down right side wing we have Hendo available or if we attack through corridor we have space in the forward line and a greater chance of one on ones in the forward 50 because G & H have created space dragging their opponents with them. This would be awesome as the 4 designated main forwards are all highly dangerous one on one players (Walker, Porps, Knights and esp Tippett).

Having Gunna and Hendo spending a lot of time out of the forward 50 and as far up to the wing our true wingers would actually then be able to push further back defensively to play behind the ball. Having more players behind the ball then stimulates a lot more run and carry with hands as there is more options available running past for a handball receive (huge problem for us this year). We saw this a lot last year. By allowing our wingers to push back further into defence also makes our opposition forward line much more crowded.

Now Walker and Knights both play between 40-60m using their long booming kicks to either score goals or pass to Tippett and Porps who are deaper between 10-30m from goal. We then have a tall and a small along side each other in the forward 50.

Knights Walker (40-60m from goal)
Tippett Porps/Dangerfield (10-30m from goal)

When Gunna or Hendo are used as lead up targets pushing up to the wing, Walker and knights then become the next option in the corridor straighting us up. When we choose to run and carry through corridor we can go long and strong to Tippett and Porps.

Now as much as we want Dangerfield to be our midfield saviour I cant deny he plays his best footy at the moment up forward. I would play him 60/40 in midfield/forward. For the 40% that Danger is up forward Porps can spend 30% in midfield and 10% on bench. I'm hoping we draft as many midfielders as we can this coming draft. Btw I'm not closed to option of Danger playing HBF or full time midfield. But gee he a great forward as well. I suppose it depends on how much our midfield struggles.

I'd then have Davis as the swingman (in place of Stevens). Davis can spend some time in Walker's spot when he needs a rest or deep in Tippett's role when he needs a rest or when/if Walker or Tippett arent doing much. Plus Davis will be used at times in defence with great effect.

Hopefully we also recruit a small forward/midfielder who can rotate in the positions of Knights and Porps and hopefully provide defensive pressure and allowing Knights and Porps to have a rest and even stints in midfield. We also have Douglas for this purpose.

Well please Mr Noble read with interest and come up with a plan to use our many talls to a strength without compromising our mobility. Mr Noble I believe this structure provides positives both offensively and defensively as well as causing some real concerns for the opposition.

Thoughts? Sorry it was so long and detailed. :thumbsu:
 

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sbenno

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#2
Good read lunacy :thumbsu:

Regarding emptying out the forward line, though, I think our problems stem further back than that. Having an empty forward line requires very quick movement through the middle, otherwise the opposition just floods back (as basically everyone has done to us this year), leaving you with disadvantaged contests everywhere.

What I mean to say is, we haven't been moving the ball anywhere quick enough through the middle this year for this kind of thing to work (at least at present). We switch, and switch again, and then nothing happens.

I don't really think our problems are in the forward line, so much as in our midfield.
 

lunacy

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Thread starter #4
I think he can and will be.

But in the structure that I've spoken about he is one of the 4 main forwards who are inside 50 most of the time. They swap around anyway and rotate trying different formations.

People need to realise the days of FF and CHF are gone. I do think he is a better option than Tippett around the 50m line though. However as stated they swap anyway.

Any thoughts on the main part of the structure?
 

lunacy

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Thread starter #6
agree

Waker needs to play deep in the forward line whereas Tippett needs to give us that contest in that true CHF zone
I dont think Tippett has the footy smarts or skill level to play at CHF. Yes he'll be a target but he certainly wont kick many goals from there. Apart from last week, Walker has still shown he can find the ball and kick goals from that position. Look at the video thread of Walker, some of the long range goals he's kicked and some of the evasivess he has shown to get those goals Tippett wouldnt be able to do. Similarly Walker wouldnt be able to take the big contested marks Tippett has.

I think Walker would get lost stuck at FF. I think he is better to be allowed to roam and use his skills, evasiveness and long range kicking. I think Walker would be very quiet at FF if Tippett was at HF.
 
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#7
I think the problem lies in not having clever quick chasing small forwards in the team like a rioli or a davey like other teams. We have failed to address this despite the fact we have Jacky.

Rather we rely on talls with limited mobility to create a bulk of this forward line pressure. While yes the talls should also appply pressure but it should mainly be the smalls while at least two talls stay inside the forward fifty.
 

TheLeftFist8

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#8
I like the way you have at least attempted to match the type of players we have in our squad with a game plan/structure that suits them:thumbsu:

I actually have warmed to the idea of Walker as a roaming forward throughout the 50, and not simply as a traditional FF.

Would absolutely love to see Gunston and Henderson running amok up field...i hate it when we have no decent options to kick to, though perhaps the more experienced Knights would fill one of these spots initially cos he covers plenty of ground and is great overhead? His role could then be filled by another genuine small (pity we don't have one). In any case, such options will hopefully command the ball more, straighten us up or at least get us moving downfield more quickly...thus the open forward line may actually come into play.

I realise you've structured according to what suits our squad but i must admit I'd still love a fast, crumbing forward. No matter how good our forwards are there will still be packs and ground balls ideal for the small. I do worry about our ability to provide defensive pressure when the opposition clears our attack.
 

cmndstab

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#9
It's a good analysis :thumbsu: However, much like TLF8 I'd like to see a crumber down there as well. Perhaps we could take one of that starting forward six to the bench (Gunston?) whenever Dangerfield goes into the midfield and put a crumber down there in his place?
 

lunacy

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Thread starter #10
I should probably clarify, I think first and foremost we need a quick, crumbing, evasive, smart small forward in our forward line.

I was merely working with our current list.

I did state that hopefully recruit a small forward but it cant be guaranteed.

I'm just putting forward a possible structure given our abundance of talls and medium talls and using them as a weapon. There is definitely room in that structure for a small crumbing forward. No doubt.

But until then, we work with our current list, because we dont know what we're gonna pick up.
 

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anthc

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#13
I should probably clarify, I think first and foremost we need a quick, crumbing, evasive, smart small forward in our forward line.

I was merely working with our current list.

I did state that hopefully recruit a small forward but it cant be guaranteed.

I'm just putting forward a possible structure given our abundance of talls and medium talls and using them as a weapon. There is definitely room in that structure for a small crumbing forward. No doubt.

But until then, we work with our current list, because we dont know what we're gonna pick up.
i like it, i think hendo is gonna be a weapon, and walker can play chf or ff,
if you can kick em from 60 metres then sure you can play chf:)
 

WALL-e

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#15
I'm on the Walker isn't a CHF train.

Not only is contested pack marking a weakness of his, work rate (please don't argue this, he's lazy at the moment). He is an opportunist and we would be robbing him, and ourselves of creativity where he excels.

In Gunston and Henderson we've found very solid lead up options, this takes away the running tasks of out 'big' CHF. I beileve it will be big Philthy, when he puts on weight we'll see a real beast.

Ultimately to have Tex as a roaming forward to let his natural talent shine would be ideal. But this would see additional defensive responsibilities further to what he currently has. He'd have to know the defensive role of multiple positions, not just FF.

Anchor Tipp at FF, anchor Davis at CHF, roam Walker in the forward 75 meters, push Gunna and Hendon up the wings.
 

beartoo

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#16
I'm on the Walker isn't a CHF train.
Anchor Tipp at FF, anchor Davis at CHF, roam Walker in the forward 75 meters, push Gunna and Hendon up the wings.
You have named five forwards with specific functions and it sounds good. What's Knights' function when fit in this scenario?
 

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#17
You have named five forwards with specific functions and it sounds good. What's Knights' function when fit in this scenario?
Rotate out of a wing/center position into one of Hendo/Gunas positions when they rest.

Maybe you can't play Hendo and Gunna though, but they both offer enough athletecism to play tall.

Maybe one of Hendo or Gunna drops out for a 'mid' spot and that leaves a 'small forward' spot.

Or you have your mids rest forward when gunna or hendo go to the bench.

Maybe one of those 2 start on the bench, and they're brought on when the first tall rests and they rotate accordingly.

I'm a fan of playing your best 22 and making it fit. They all have big chances of being best 22 in the coming years.
 
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