Backs going forward

[On the bench]

I'm liking this its probably not the long term solution but since Rivers & Garland have gone forward they have givien the forward line some unpredictability & are kicking goals plus making matchups & tactics of the opposition harder to quell the influence of Mitch Clark.

 

[Grimes2709]

Definitely good to see. Versatility seems to be the flavour of choice. Which is great if McDonald can keep it up

 

[stretcharmstrong]

It certainly gives a bit of confidence in Neeld. Not only that he is willing to change things up and adapt, but that his moves also work!

Great to see that he's not going to be one dimensional in his coaching.

 

[melbournemartin]

I think that Garland might stay there but we need Rivers down back. Remember that we have Jurrah to return.

 

[Logger]

A mate of mine said he thought Neeld was now trying to tank but even that wasn't going right for him.

 

[demons_2_much_talent]

Mark Neeld showing he is already 50 times the cooach that Dean Bailey ever was.

 

[Donald_McRonald]

Now Showing!

 

[tasmanlvr]

To think the lack of a key forward was one of our biggest concerns upon Mark coming to the club. Suddenly we look rich - Garland, Rivers, Clark, Cook (showing a bit in the VFL), Martin, Jamar as a resting forward looks the goods. In the future if we get 35 goals or more a season out of at least three of them... wow...

Heck we even tried Sellar, I like the fact that Neeld is trying to find solutions that will work. Unlike Bailey who seemed to panic a fair bit, didn't really change things up a lot.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

A mate of mine said he thought Neeld was now trying to tank but even that wasn't going right for him.

I must admit, I did think to myself "it would be bloody funny if..."

 

[Djcjdees]

To think the lack of a key forward was one of our biggest concerns upon Mark coming to the club. Suddenly we look rich - Garland, Rivers, Clark, Cook (showing a bit in the VFL), Martin, Jamar as a resting forward looks the goods. In the future if we get 35 goals or more a season out of at least three of them... wow...

Heck we even tried Sellar, I like the fact that Neeld is trying to find solutions that will work. Unlike Bailey who seemed to panic a fair bit, didn't really change things up a lot.

Agree. I like the fact he is willing to try new things when it isn't working. Most coaches these days are too stubborn (or believe in what they have put in place too much) to change things and just keep repeating the same.

I reckon North are in the middle of that now. Looks great when it comes together, get belted when it doesn't

 

[Animosity]

What puzzled me was why Jack Watts wasnt given a run at CHF after clark went down ... I know he played well, no doubt .. but he was drafted as a forward, why not see if he could have lived up to his position prospect and playing against players his own age and gain some confidence? Or do you think this is it, Watts will never play forward again given his backline form.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

What puzzled me was why Jack Watts wasnt given a run at CHF after clark went down ... I know he played well, no doubt .. but he was drafted as a forward, why not see if he could have lived up to his position prospect and playing against players his own age and gain some confidence? Or do you think this is it, Watts will never play forward again given his backline form.

Jack will go forward again at some stage in his career - I'm certain of it.

But I suspect he will probably play out the year down back. He is getting an education down there, developing a bit of hunger and improving his body work. He's also very valuable to the team down there at the moment.

I wouldn't have an issue with Jack spending 12-24 months in the back line, just to let the important lessons he is learning down there really sink in? You can't learn many things worth learning in a short period of time, patience will be required.

 

[rhaz]

Jack is building with confidence every week. IMO, they should leave him there until the end of the year, then make a decision - either throw him in with the forwards in 2012-13 preseason, or keep him down back for good.

 

[Ando727]

I could see Jack being a permanent backman for his whole career. What he has going for him is good decision making under pressure, good skills and good vision. He's agile and tall enough to take a big forward. long arms good for spoiling/punching too. I wouldn't see it as a big negative if he never became a forward. We need a strong backline too.

 

[Ando727]

Garland has a certain X-factor in the forward line. Rivers should be used sparingly up forward. With Jeremy Howe being dangerous up forward as well as midfield, Jurrah to possibly return, we still have avenues to goal. Still spewing about Mitch though. He was the linchpin. Now we definitely need to unearth one more tall forward. I'd give Spencer or Martin another go, personally.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

Garland has a certain X-factor in the forward line. Rivers should be used sparingly up forward. With Jeremy Howe being dangerous up forward as well as midfield, Jurrah to possibly return, we still have avenues to goal. Still spewing about Mitch though. He was the linchpin. Now we definitely need to unearth one more tall forward. I'd give Spencer or Martin another go, personally.

Depending on how Fitzpatrick progresses with management of his diabetes, I'd like to see him get a crack sooner rather than later. Martin is probably the most likely one though.

 

[Blackas87]

I said last year on here after the Hawthorn game that Rivers should play forward, looks like I was right

Not sure if people remember but both Garland and Rivers were drafted as forwards. I think with both of them playing their careers down back they have learn't how to be accountable and how they must go hard at the ball, its no surprise to me that both these guys have played pretty well since going forward.

This is what I think we should be doing with some of our other young key players, Watts, Mcdonald, Cook and Davis. With the season already over these guys should be given roles down back to teach them some accountability. I remember reading another recruiters article that Lucas Cook would be just as good down back as he would be up forward so I have no problem with him going down back. It seems to be working with Watts, Mcdonald who also can play forward has been really impressive down back, so I would love to see Cook and Davis play down back, I think it can only be good for their careers.

Garland and Rivers to stay forward and let the young blokes learn down back.

 

[Deemanding]

Jack will go forward again at some stage in his career - I'm certain of it.

But I suspect he will probably play out the year down back. He is getting an education down there, developing a bit of hunger and improving his body work. He's also very valuable to the team down there at the moment.

I wouldn't have an issue with Jack spending 12-24 months in the back line, just to let the important lessons he is learning down there really sink in? You can't learn many things worth learning in a short period of time, patience will be required.

Agreed. Worked for our all time leading goalkicker.

No probs keeping Jack there for the rest of the season, then reassess the start of the next.

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

We'll certainly need Garland and Riv up forward now. Hopefully the 'Cane will return soon as well. He'll make a big difference when he finds his 2011 form again.