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Best Small Forward in the League?
- Thread starter Rack Watts
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KermitJagger
Professional Thread Derailer
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The only actual list in here with legitimate small forwards.
captain blood 17
El Jefe
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Toby Greene >>>>> daylight>>>>> Jackie Chan>>>>>>>> every other small forward.
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I wouldn't shoot him on ball use in a developing team without outside options presenting. In 2015 when Shiel and Scully went down Ward was constantly getting caught and turning it over. In and under mids need teamates working effectively with them in my view.
The club view is we needed forwards and he was willing.
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As a mid he got plenty of it but had questionable disposal. IIRC after 2012 GWS wanted him to become more of a two way player instead of just focusing on getting the ball.
As a forward he's very damaging and still gets it 15-25 times a game. I never would have picked him to be a 40-50 goal elite small forward of the comp after his first couple of years.
KermitJagger
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In no particular order, my best small forwards on form and future:
Breust
Greene
Gresham
D Rioli
(Before injury) C Cameron
Fantasia
But there have been a few that have surprised this year and could be ones to watch. Jamie Cripps has had a good year, so has Will Hoskin-Elliott.
Breust
Greene
Gresham
D Rioli
(Before injury) C Cameron
Fantasia
But there have been a few that have surprised this year and could be ones to watch. Jamie Cripps has had a good year, so has Will Hoskin-Elliott.
- Apr 18, 2005
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1. Luke Breust
2. Toby Greene
Breust gets the nod for longevity and durability being factors.
8 straight years of 30+ goals, 6 of those 40+, 3 50+.
In terms of overall leading goalkickers, in that time he's finished 5th (potentially higher), 8th, 9th, =10th, 13th, 18th which is a pretty solid run for a small forward.
For goal assists, he's had finishes of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 20th.
Club B&F's - 4th (runner-up), 7th (flag), 8th (flag), 8th (flag), 10th (top 4 year) + a likely top 5 this year.
Since he debuted in 2011, he's played 184 of a possible 195 games from what I can work out.
Fantastic consistency, longevity, top-end elite statistical finishes, rated highly in multiple flag/top 4 sides B&F finishes.
The fact he wasn't even named in the OP is an absolute joke. It's clearly out of him and Greene.
Next level would be Gray, then probably Fantasia, Cripps, Betts (who is up in the top discussion for his normal form although at 32 I think it's fair to rate him down a peg), Gresham (but splits his time between midfield and forward more than the others I think), is Rioli close enough to this level - I think so.
Wouldn't mind betting Ronke, Spargo, Butler, Ryan will be up there soon enough.
De Goey also a gun but is he a small forward like the others?? Thomas kicked 36 goals this year which puts him alongside Gray and just below De Goey and Hoskin-Elliott, fair effort.
2. Toby Greene
Breust gets the nod for longevity and durability being factors.
8 straight years of 30+ goals, 6 of those 40+, 3 50+.
In terms of overall leading goalkickers, in that time he's finished 5th (potentially higher), 8th, 9th, =10th, 13th, 18th which is a pretty solid run for a small forward.
For goal assists, he's had finishes of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 20th.
Club B&F's - 4th (runner-up), 7th (flag), 8th (flag), 8th (flag), 10th (top 4 year) + a likely top 5 this year.
Since he debuted in 2011, he's played 184 of a possible 195 games from what I can work out.
Fantastic consistency, longevity, top-end elite statistical finishes, rated highly in multiple flag/top 4 sides B&F finishes.
The fact he wasn't even named in the OP is an absolute joke. It's clearly out of him and Greene.
Next level would be Gray, then probably Fantasia, Cripps, Betts (who is up in the top discussion for his normal form although at 32 I think it's fair to rate him down a peg), Gresham (but splits his time between midfield and forward more than the others I think), is Rioli close enough to this level - I think so.
Wouldn't mind betting Ronke, Spargo, Butler, Ryan will be up there soon enough.
De Goey also a gun but is he a small forward like the others?? Thomas kicked 36 goals this year which puts him alongside Gray and just below De Goey and Hoskin-Elliott, fair effort.
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Can’t believe some of the names thrown around. ******* laughable. Melksham is right in the mix. Top 5 this year.
AFLOnline
Norm Smith Medallist
I think Gresham might have something to say about that
Especially considering hes younger and already better
Gresham kicked 35 goals this year which places him top 20 in the comp (before finals), and was named as a half-forward flank fairly obviously in the 22 under 22 side.
He might not be the best small forward in the comp but he should be far from a "who the * is he" reaction from someone posting on a football forum.
AFLOnline
Norm Smith Medallist
I love when people say who at very well known players lol
Gresham has been our only damn shining light all season. You would think a demons fan should know him as he helped himself to a lazy 4 goals against them and secured us a good W
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What does Greene do that's better that Breust?
Comeparing them this year, it's Breust, comfortably - https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy...ayerStatus2=A&tid2=25&pid2=3649&fid2=S&type=A
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Gresham will become more mid than forward. I'd still take Raz 1st though.
Not much love for Robbie Grey.
- 3× John Cahill Medal (2014, 2015, 2016)
- 2× Port Adelaide leading goalkicker (2011, 2018)
- 3x games for Australia
- 4× All-Australian team (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)
- AFLCA Champion player of the year (2014)
- 4× Showdown Medal (2010, 2015, 2018x2 )
- Apr 18, 2005
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Just hasn’t been a standout this year.
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Grey is as good a whiner as Dangerfield. Grossly overrated.
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He was an absolute turnover merchant in his first year, too.
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Melksham has had a better year than Greene and it’s not even up for discussion.
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Norm Smith Medallist
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Melksham is a better footballer than Gresham, and if you know anything about the way he plays or how he plays you’d agree. I never said Gresham wasn’t good, just not in, say, the top 5 small forwards.
00Stinger
100 - 7
He has, but Greene is still the better forward
00Stinger
100 - 7
Greene is more damaging imo.
This years stats probably aren't great to use as Green didn't play much
Lambert's a midfielder. He's only kicked 15 goals this season. While we have a profusion of good small forwards at Richmond, none are in this conversation yet (unless you count Caddy as one, but he's more a mid-size - though only 3cm taller than Gray). I can see Daniel Rioli being in the conversation and he has the best record in finals for what that's worth.
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