Centre Half Forward 2008

[Rik E Boy]

OS2007 you've got some weird logic happening there!!

Fact, Hank has never played well enough to deserve a senior game since breaking his jaw. His attack on the ball was never the same and unlike Nath he just didn't have a natural footy brain that would allow him to setup goals and snag a few bags himself like Nath did.

Fact 2, Charlie was and is a hack. How often did we see Nath run full tilt and pick up a semi-volley off the deck then deliver a tidy handpass to advantage? How often have you seen Charlie fall over under little to no pressure and choke when he disposed of the ball? The point I made about Hanks footy brain (or lack there of) applies to Charlie as well.

These two were never viable replacements for Nath. How many chances have both of them had to prove they could play the second HF role......many.......why were they cut from the list......because they weren't good enough.

To those that keep mentioning Hank and Charlie, stop living in the past!!!

Top post, but who would you recommend? What about Moons at CHF and Hawkins at FF? Perhaps it might be time for Lonergan.

regards,

REB

 

[OldStyle2007]

Mooney won't want to go back to CHF. After the Cats punted Kingsley out of the way it became clear that FF is Mooney's best position

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

Mooney won't want to go back to CHF. After the Cats punted Kingsley out of the way it became clear that FF is Mooney's best position

Kind of agree with this. With our quick ball movement, we were able to isolate Mooney near the goalsquare 1 on 1 quite a bit with good results. If our skills and speed are still big advanatages we should keep him there, leading up occassionally with Johnno or someone else running back.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Mooney won't want to go back to CHF. After the Cats punted Kingsley out of the way it became clear that FF is Mooney's best position

As I said last time this silly question was asked. CAM MOONEY IS OUR CURRENT CHF! Therefore there is no need to panic and look for a solution to a problem that is not there. Yes in time it was hoped Nathan would become a CHF but he certainly wasn't least year and was not going to be this year. Cam Mooney CHF, dropping back when he can (again just like last year) and Hawkins and maybe Lonergan to play as other tall forwards.

 

[#1 Dogs Fan]

First player i thought of was Gardiner but then i remembered you guys traded him of to the saints.

My second option is young Hawkins i would lov to see hime play up the ground and take big marks.

 

[Copernicus]

Moons rotated between CHF and FF - you don't see too many FFs leading up to the wing, even in footy circa 2007! He is pretty mobile and there is no reason why he can't fill that position more permanently, especially with Hawkins at FF (or Otto).

Lonergan might be a handy backup, but I think he is on the list as more of KPP backman. He can certainly pinch hit up forward though.

 

[RoyalCatFan]

I think we should groom Hawkins for CHF because as Mooney gets older he will play more FF, There is no reason with a full pre season under his belt he cannot play CHF. There will be alot less pressure on him this year as well which i think will help him, as it always looked like he was trying to do a little bit too much In 2007. All he really has to do is create a contest and let the best in the business do their work (Stokes, ablett, varcoe, S johnson, Djerrka, Chapman, Kelly etc etc etc etc etc

 

[scottydeewah]

People who think we wont miss NAB are delusional.

I remember a time, 2 years ago, when we hailed him as the messiah. Remember when we went through 20 bloody options as a tall forward.

It is quiet simple, he kicked 30 odd goals, set up 30 odd more and took a quality KP defender every game. Yes he wasnt a superstar but he was only getting fitter, stronger and better if he stayed.

(is there anything wrong with having a backup like NAB even if he was replaced by Hawkins in the end?)

 

[Ling Sting]

People who think we wont miss NAB are delusional.

I remember a time, 2 years ago, when we hailed him as the messiah. Remember when we went through 20 bloody options as a tall forward.

It is quiet simple, he kicked 30 odd goals, set up 30 odd more and took a quality KP defender every game. Yes he wasnt a superstar but he was only getting fitter, stronger and better if he stayed.

(is there anything wrong with having a backup like NAB even if he was replaced by Hawkins in the end?)

Of course we will miss him, but I think we will miss his long term possible star potential more then we'll miss what he offered the team in the short term.

Yes he played extremely well in parts of 2007, and played a perfect HF foil for Moons. 30 goals was also a terrific return.

But I think some people are taking his departure a bit too seriously. Lets be honest he was never a lynch pin for the team. Even if Tomma, Lonners can't fill his exact role, all it means is a bit of a re-shuffle and adapting to situation at hand. This happens to every AFL team throughout the course of a season due to form, injury or other factors.

We have a list that I believe can cover Naths role sufficiently. Maybe not replace him no, but cover his absence yes.

 

[rizzo]

The obvious choice is a Moony CHF - Hawkins FF combination.

But while people are throwing in wacky suggestions i may as well give one a shot.

Mackie to CHF. 192cm athletic, quick, good disposal and a noted goal kicker

 

[crosby123]

The obvious choice is a Moony CHF - Hawkins FF combination.

But while people are throwing in wacky suggestions i may as well give one a shot.

Mackie to CHF. 192cm athletic, quick, good disposal and a noted goal kicker

Has been tried as a forward though, wasn't much chop. Not a great contested mark. Generally plays on leading forwards so his (lack of) strength isn't an issue.

 

[rizzo]

Has been tried as a forward though, wasn't much chop. Not a great contested mark. Generally plays on leading forwards so his (lack of) strength isn't an issue.

As is said was a wacky suggestion.

Has more merrit then putting the likes of egan, harley, milburn and rooke down there.

 

[MOONEY 21]

Has more roger merrit then putting the likes of egan, harley, milburn and rooke

......

 

[sarah.13]

In - Hawkins
Out- Ablett end of story!!

 

[OldStyle2007]

Mooney is not a CHF. Watch the finals games again if you are unsure of this point

He clearly does his best work within 40 metres of goal where he can use his strength, short-distance speed, and quick ground recovery. He is not as effective running up the ground and even though he makes a run now and then that doesn't mean he is a CHF!

 

[scottydeewah]

Even if Tomma, Lonners can't fill his exact role, all it means is a bit of a re-shuffle and adapting to situation at hand.

wow you make it seem easy. Just a reshuffle and suddenly the lack of a CHF doesnt hurt the team in the short term.

Strange the the Coaching staff and players think it is a short term problem. Enough to beg him to stay.

 

[doggiesin08]

Harry Taylor could slot right in. He's not just a young kid as I'm sure you know.

 

[augie]

I think we should groom Hawkins for CHF because as Mooney gets older he will play more FF, There is no reason with a full pre season under his belt he cannot play CHF. There will be alot less pressure on him this year as well which i think will help him, as it always looked like he was trying to do a little bit too much In 2007. All he really has to do is create a contest and let the best in the business do their work (Stokes, ablett, varcoe, S johnson, Djerrka, Chapman, Kelly etc etc etc etc etc

I think it would be a mistake to try to move Hawkins to CHF. He just looks like he lacks the motor to play the role up the ground. He is a pure Full Forward and will be a very, very good one.

I think he struggled a little bit in his few games last year accepting that he couldn't just throw people aside. You would imagine that for most of his junior footy he was too big and too strong for his opponents. He tried to shrug off blokes in tackles in a few games last year and looked shocked that they hung on. But what a lot of silly people don't see is that he will get stronger as he matures and works more on the weights and will eventually be just as intimidating against men as he was against kids.

 

[scottydeewah]

I think he struggled a little bit in his few games last year accepting that he couldn't just throw people aside. You would imagine that for most of his junior footy he was too big and too strong for his opponents. He tried to shrug off blokes in tackles in a few games last year and looked shocked that they hung on. But what a lot of silly people don't see is that he will get stronger as he matures and works more on the weights and will eventually be just as intimidating against men as he was against kids.

Actually no. HE throw people around and shrugged tackles as he pleases. I still remember laughing at Nichols from Melbourne (who is a big boy) trying to push him around and Hawkins coming straight back. More times than not it was the guy playing on him who was surprised!!!

I think it would be a mistake to try to move Hawkins to CHF. He just looks like he lacks the motor to play the role up the ground.

Correct though (i give you 50% for your post!!). Players soon figured out last year that the way to beat him would be to run down the ground. HE went on a couple of 100m sprints during games last year and struggled to make it back to the 50, he was dying after them.

His strength isnt a concern and as you said he would only get stronger. His general fitness though will take at least another season or perhaps two to really get up to AFL standard. This is the reason we will miss NAB who was only a preason away from true AFL stamina.

 

[Ling Sting]

wow you make it seem easy. Just a reshuffle and suddenly the lack of a CHF doesnt hurt the team in the short term.

Strange the the Coaching staff and players think it is a short term problem. Enough to beg him to stay.

They were begging him to stay because no doubt he has be getting better and better and a breakout year would have only been around the corner.

I think that you have the old chicken licken syndrome happening mate. The sky isn't falling down. Nath can and more importantly must be replaced.

 

[Turbo911]

I don't think we need a true CHF to remain dominate.

We can rotate our small forwards through that position as the ball comes down the ground, this will also allow Moons & Manchild to lead into spaces within the arc.

FF = Moons & Hawkins
CHF = S Johnson, Chapman

To throw a few toher players names to rotate: Kelly, Rooke (if he has no tag on the day), Corey Enright.

Could Trent West also do the job if needed? (if we wanted a larger CHF)

 

[rizzo]

I don't think we need a true CHF to remain dominate.

We can rotate our small forwards through that position as the ball comes down the ground, this will also allow Moons & Manchild to lead into spaces within the arc.

FF = Moons & Hawkins
CHF = S Johnson, Chapman

To throw a few toher players names to rotate: Kelly, Rooke (if he has no tag on the day), Corey Enright.

Could Trent West also do the job if needed? (if we wanted a larger CHF)

I think he'd be suited to a resting spot deep in the square. Isn't athletic enough for to lead up the ground continually

 

[The Casey Cat]

Mooney is not a CHF. Watch the finals games again if you are unsure of this point

He clearly does his best work within 40 metres of goal where he can use his strength, short-distance speed, and quick ground recovery. He is not as effective running up the ground and even though he makes a run now and then that doesn't mean he is a CHF!

Really? Plenty of people seemed to agree with me here. He is as close as we have right now and does well enough at it. Not genuine, traditional CHF but apart from maybe Riewoldt who really is these days?

This is not to say Geelong won't miss things NAB brought to the team even if proposed players do come in and do well. I'm just saying CHF is not a problem for Geelong with the way we play.

 

[volcboy]

I don't think we need a true CHF to remain dominate.

I don't think the 'true' CHF position exists any more. If you look at Geelong in 2007, they relied on quick ball movement and long kicks into the forward line (anywhere from 10-50 metres out from goal).

We can rotate our small forwards through that position as the ball comes down the ground, this will also allow Moons & Manchild to lead into spaces within the arc.

FF = Moons & Hawkins
CHF = S Johnson, Chapman

I'd almost agree with that, although I would suggest that Moons & Hawkins will rotate as tall forwards, one starting in the goal square and the other starting 30-40 metres out from goal. From those positions, they can either lead up the ground or prop for a quick long entry to the forward line. S Johnson and Chapman will help out by leading up the ground and/or doubling back into the forward line to feed of the crumbs from the two big forwards.