Campbell - Interim Small Forward?

[TheLeftFist8]

A common theme recently has been the need for a performing small forward (along with the mids rotating through) to provide some defensive pressure and crumbs the packs which are being reasonably well contested, especially by Sarge.

The form of Vince and Douglas has been patchy up forward, Porplyzia and Bode remain injured (recognised they are not identical players but both offer a fair bit as small forwards). So are there any other options?

My question to those who know more about him, is whether Bryce Campbell could be experimented with in the small forward role? From what i read in his AFC bio he is a 'midfielder cum forward' and from what i have read on BF he is a 'hard at it', left footed, tough tackling player with adequate skills (ala Bode).

What are his crumbing abilities?

What is his pace like?

How is he overhead? (if reasonable, always a handy skill up forward as even Bode has been in many '1 on 1' contests after a ball has been bombed in)

It may be a little lateral thinking but given the poor form of the incumbents, and his reputed hardness, is it worth an experiment?

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

A common theme recently has been the need for a performing small forward (along with the mids rotating through) to provide some defensive pressure and crumbs the packs which are being reasonably well contested, especially by Sarge.

The form of Vince and Douglas has been patchy up forward, Porplyzia and Bode remain injured (recognised they are not identical players but both offer a fair bit as small forwards). So are there any other options?

My question to those who know more about him, is whether Bryce Campbell could be experimented with in the small forward role? From what i read in his AFC bio he is a 'midfielder cum forward' and from what i have read on BF he is a 'hard at it', left footed, tough tackling player with adequate skills (ala Bode).

What are his crumbing abilities?

What is his pace like?

How is he overhead? (if reasonable, always a handy skill up forward as even Bode has been in many '1 on 1' contests after a ball has been bombed in)

It may be a little lateral thinking but given the poor form of the incumbents, and his reputed hardness, is it worth an experiment?

I havent seen him play but from what I have read he seems to have all the attributes. We are struggling week in week out with our small forwards, I think we should give him a crack if he performs this week.

Must be close to selection seeing he was the travelling emergency.

 

[Gets!]

He is super quick.

His nickname is 'Rocket'.

 

[NikkiNoo]

He is super quick.

His nickname is 'Rocket'.

You sure you are not referring to the proper aussie nickname tradition there Gets? Like someone with red hair being called bluey?

 

[n4sir]

The key question here (that only others can answer since I haven't seen the kid play) is can he actually crumb?

That's the thing that's been lacking, someone who can naturally position themselves when the ball's going into the marking forwards and read it off hands to pounce & convert quickly.

At the moment there's too many guys leading and attempting to mark at the contests or clearing space and taking themselves completely out of it, with nobody dropping off & reading the spill: man, what I wouldn't give for a Didak/Milne/Troy Bond type of player right now.

From what I've seen Vince & Jericho aren't natural crumbers (not now anyway) but leading small forwards, and I haven't been as impressed with Douglas up front (compared to playing in the back pocket a few weeks ago). What's left - Stiffy or Porps when they're fit again, or maybe persist with one of the midfielders in rotation?

 

[Drummond]

Well now, he kicked 21.8 in 17 games last year for Norwood however the majority of those goals came while he was playing in the midfield. I don’t recall him actually playing as a forward on too many occasions. He is a terrific inside midfielder who reads the play very well. Has great hands in close and you won’t see a player with more commitment than Bryce. Easily the best tackler I have ever seen, for example in his first league game of the season he had 7 tackles, the most of anyone on the ground. He has decent pace, great foot skills and is capable of taking overhead marks.

Seriously folks, when you see him in action you will immediately become a fan. Anyway in regards to the question being proposed, he probably could do the job as the small forward but he’s obviously ideally suited to the midfield.

 

[Drummond]

I know what you mean, the commitment and work ethic are to be commended. I'm surprised that you aren't keener on him playing a role up forward, I reckon he would do a good job in terms of applying pressure and keeping the ball in there.

And to settle it once and for all, Drummond, his pace is average isn't it? I've heard everything from snail to explosive, please confirm for us (can't myself as I haven't seen enough of him).

I’d be all for him playing as a small forward as I just want to see him in the team. Even though there were seemingly more fancied players than Porplyzia available for last years Preliminary Final, he got the nod due to a string of solid performances. If Campbell gets a chance in the Crows team in the next few weeks, I believe he could hold onto his spot just like Porpy did last year. Just needs to be given a chance!

As for his pace, he doesn’t have explosive pace, but he’s not exactly slow either. He seems to be able to run pretty fast when ferociously chasing down opposition players.

 

[Coopers]

A better tackler than say... Mattner?

 

[Drummond]

A better tackler than say... Mattner?

Best ever, that includes Mattner.

 

[flackjack]

You sure you are not referring to the proper aussie nickname tradition there Gets? Like someone with red hair being called bluey?

or "Turbo" Mark Stevens

 

[Coopers]

Best ever, that includes Mattner.

Quite a big call... If he's so fast, so accurate and such a good tackler, he should have been in over Jericho last week...

 

[Vader]

Quite a big call... If he's so fast, so accurate and such a good tackler, he should have been in over Jericho last week...

Remember that Campbell was coming back from injury, having played only two games in the magoos - maybe one senior game?

Jericho on the other hand had been playing all season in the seniors. I was going to say playing consistently in the seniors, but the word consistent hardly seems to apply when he's BOG one game and gets one disposal in the next.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Well now, he kicked 21.8 in 17 games last year for Norwood however the majority of those goals came while he was playing in the midfield. I don’t recall him actually playing as a forward on too many occasions. He is a terrific inside midfielder who reads the play very well. Has great hands in close and you won’t see a player with more commitment than Bryce. Easily the best tackler I have ever seen, for example in his first league game of the season he had 7 tackles, the most of anyone on the ground. He has decent pace, great foot skills and is capable of taking overhead marks.

Seriously folks, when you see him in action you will immediately become a fan. Anyway in regards to the question being proposed, he probably could do the job as the small forward but he’s obviously ideally suited to the midfield.

IF this review is on the money, then i think we have at least found our next guy who should be given an opportunity up forward. He may eventually be a midfielder but will not likely be selected predominantly in that role initially. Despite him missing gametime last week, for me it would be:

IN: Campbell
OUT: Vince (who i still hold out hope for but has less versatility than Douglas ATM so he would be first to go)

Be a massive opportunity for him. It wouldn't surprise me (based on how he has been described by a few people) if he played well enough after 3-4 weeks to keep Bode out. In fact, there were often games where Bode would have short stints in the middle to mix things up a bit and give the frontline rotation a rest/variety. Campbell could quite possibly be superior in that role also (NOT that i hate Bode but he is not beyond being superceded)