Yeah, we are flush with small forwards that can defend (Lamb, Wright), but they are also slow so they end up affecting the opposition infrequently. I'm looking for cost effective ways to find small forwards that can run, find space and kick goals. Wright has done well previously but he looks to be tailing off now.
I have been an unabashed of Bolts and the regime through this reset, I now find myself passing negative
judgement on the back of our efforts to put together a workable pressure model in our forward line. I was
a great fan of Polson at the draft, with a spectacularly skilled highlights reel, yet now I find myself lamenting
his lack of composure and skills. The kid is busting a gut to do the role earmarked for him, right or wrong. I
have plenty of respect for him, but for the life of me cannot fathom the two year contract, as I couldn't the
three year contract with JGM. Many are now getting behind young Cam despite him butchering almost every
one of the limited possessions he gets.
When Jed Lamb is a cornerstone of our defensive structures, we are in trouble. The one bloke I see on our
list who could be effective in a forward pressure role is Kerridge, who pretty much played it in his limited
appearances for Adelaide. Richmond's manic small forwards such as Castagna do not have spectacular skills,
but do have passable ones. Enter Kerridge, a bull, athletic enough to add some real menace. Sadly he has
been required to prop up the midfield at whichever level he plays, simply because we are so bloody thin on
the ground.
We don't need to recruit high profile types for this, GWS were lacking and added mature aged Giles-Langdon,
with resounding success to name but one. McHenry, Stack and overaged Answerth are some names off the
top of my head from the draft that I see as candidates to immediately affect our forward structure. There are
plenty out there draft, state league etc.
If we add enough pressure, we have enough talent to hit the scoreboard off the back of it.