Collingwood Forward Line

[cakewalk_1]

Where are Dawes and Reid at moment with getting a regular spot. Anyone know? I haven't been following the reserves for the last few weeks.

I just see, Didak, Anthony, Davis, Lockyer, Cloke, Medhurt, Thomas and possibly Rocca if fit as regular forwards.

Dawes, Reid, Rusling, Dick?, L Brown?, Fraser (resting ruck) possible future fowards = 14 players we can't play them all.

 

[Ron]

Dawes would be close, but with Brown playing well this week and Cloke coming back soon will have to wait his turn.

Redi wont play forward in the seniors again, has been playing down back in the magoos and given another few months in that role will possibly break into the seniors as a backmen.

 

[cakewalk_1]

Dawes would be close, but with Brown playing well this week and Cloke coming back soon will have to wait his turn.

Redi wont play forward in the seniors again, has been playing down back in the magoos and given another few months in that role will possibly break into the seniors as a backmen.

Thanks.
BTW great horse Sunline RIP. Apache Cat is my new hero

 

[Pie eyed]

Where are Dawes and Reid at moment with getting a regular spot. Anyone know? I haven't been following the reserves for the last few weeks.

I just see, Didak, Anthony, Davis, Lockyer, Cloke, Medhurt, Thomas and possibly Rocca if fit as regular forwards.

Dawes, Reid, Rusling, Dick?, L Brown?, Fraser (resting ruck) possible future fowards = 14 players we can't play them all.

Why not?
A rotating forward/backline with players skilled at both ends leading the opposition a merry chase. Could be the future of footy.

 

[ThePiesHaveEyesForPrize]

Where are Dawes and Reid at moment with getting a regular spot. Anyone know? I haven't been following the reserves for the last few weeks.

I just see, Didak, Anthony, Davis, Lockyer, Cloke, Medhurt, Thomas and possibly Rocca if fit as regular forwards.

Dawes, Reid, Rusling, Dick?, L Brown?, Fraser (resting ruck) possible future fowards = 14 players we can't play them all.

dont hold your breath on this guy. points towards being a bit of a chris egan/dud 1st round draft pick.

hope he does make it, but cant see it happening with us anyway.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

dont hold your breath on this guy. points towards being a bit of a chris egan/dud 1st round draft pick.

hope he does make it, but cant see it happening with us anyway.

I'm guessing you don't spend a lot of time watching the VFL side.

He looks like anything but a dud down back. But hey, who needs an informed opinion when you have "fly by the seat of your pants" pessimism?

 

[shawthing09]

There is a huge amount of versatility in the bunch you mentioned.

Reid is playing very well in defence at the moment. Anthony has played well in defence prior to being moved foward last year.

Dawes is a big lead up CHF type and a bit similar to Cloke. Cloke however has a great extension and strong hands and could possibly play deeper.

Rusling and Anthony have similar strengths but Rusling too is being tried in defence.

Rocca, L Brown and Bryan are not part of the long term plans.

Davis, Thomas, Didak, Tarks all rotate through the midfield.

 

[smiddaz123]

I'm very confident about Dawes. He has some flaws in his game but I think he's shown that he is better than most at improving his flaws.

Not long ago he made mention that he was working on his marking (or a staff member mentioned he was) in an article. Since then he has been getting more marks in the VFL, and posters who have seen him have mentioned that he has been taking some good contested marks lately.

His endurance improved quite a bit on the off season as well, and Dawes seems to be a pretty smart guy.

I think in the end he'll come good, possibly not 'star' good, but at worst he'll be a handy player who can play a role for us.

He's a two sided kick, and his field kicking is very reasonable. I'd like to see him leading up with Cloke playing deep. Cloke's goal kicking has improved to the point where he is a solid kick for goal, but his field kicking has stayed poor.

We need him getting the ball closer to goal (and closer to the middle, not the boundary line).

Medhurst - Cloke - Anthony
Didak - Dawes - Dick/Davis/Thomas

Didak should be played as a forward almost 100% of the time imo. He's a good midfielder, but he is far more deadly around goals for the side. He's a forward, not a midfielder.

 

[DaVe86]

obviously Reid's career lies as a defender. I can't see a future for him as a forward...but that said i think once he bulks up he has all the attributes to make it.


Dawes is close to selection. Perhaps 2010 is his defining year.

 

[Chase the Ace]

I think there will always be room for a fit and in form Rusling

 

[Rummy]

I think there will always be room for a fit and in form Rusling

Very true, I think a forward line consisting of

Medhurst - Rusling - Anthony
Didak - Cloke - Davis

Would the best forward line in the league

 

[anshell]

I agree with that^.That would be my ideal forward line for the Pies.

 

[#1 pies]

Where are Dawes and Reid at moment with getting a regular spot. Anyone know? I haven't been following the reserves for the last few weeks.

I just see, Didak, Anthony, Davis, Lockyer, Cloke, Medhurt, Thomas and possibly Rocca if fit as regular forwards.

Dawes, Reid, Rusling, Dick?, L Brown?, Fraser (resting ruck) possible future fowards = 14 players we can't play them all.

I see them both as extra players, that will come into the senior side only through injuries.

 

[Frankie23]

Dawes will take time, he is a regular performer in the 2's, just let him work and he'll make it.

My ideal foward line would consist of

Cloke CHF - Working out of the 50 and providing a target on that half forward line.
Anthony FF - Lead up foward in the 50
Dawes FP - Provide the 'Rocca' target man and sit around the 30 and take a hit, bring the ball down to the crumbers etc.

Medhurst, Didak, Thomas, Dick, Davis can all rotate bthrough as well

Haven't included Rusling in there, but who knows with him...

 

[dswan]

Screw Rocca he is never fit makes bad choices etc. Dawes should just have his spot in the side. And Whoever said didak should stay foward 100% no he adds a lot to the midfield but rotates through the foward line well. Brad Dick had a great game and he is the perfect crumbing foward guy we need with Davis been a full time midfielder. Thomas should be played more foward because he goes missing in games. He has a big leap and should stay more foward than any of the other midfield types IMO.

 

[dswan]

obviously Reid's career lies as a defender. I can't see a future for him as a forward...but that said i think once he bulks up he has all the attributes to make it.


Dawes is close to selection. Perhaps 2010 is his defining year.

I aggree with what you say about Reid he can't kick. He can be a defender though maybe... if he cant do that he has no position in our team.

 

[Smoky]

Very true, I think a forward line consisting of

Medhurst - Rusling - Anthony
Didak - Cloke - Davis

Would the best forward line in the league

I would like to see Dick take a spot on a HFF and Davis and Didak to rotate through the centre or a wing.

In saying all that... Cloke is the only one who cant kick goals. If he could average 2 -3 goals a game, that forward line would be absolutely unstoppable...



Forward line to Rus...

"You complete me"

 

[Galactico]

Ideal forward set-up IMO -

Medhurst - Cloke - Didak

Dick - Rusling/Anthony - Thomas


Sidebottom and Thomas to alternate between midfield and forward line with Pendlebury, Davis, Swan, Beams and Wellingham as the bonafide midfielders.

Didak to stay as a pure HFF in the mould of Stevie J from Geelong. That is where he is a gun, that's where he damages the opponent, that's where he stays.

Can't wait to see this group in 2 years time.

 

[Quicky]

You can fit them in like this:

----Didak----Cloke----Medhurst----
-----Dick----Rusling---Anthony-----

For my reasons look here:

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585953&page=2

on page 2.

 

[tballs]

i don't think jack anthony and rusling can play in the same forward line. your thoughts ppl?????????????????????????????????????

 

[Gone Critical]

Too early to get to set with predictions

My feeling is re the KPP players

Cloke Established long term player, should be CHF for yrs

Anthony Establishing himself as a good AFL player. If continues on current course will remain a forward but is currently relying on excellent conversion to maintain his place, he doeesnt get enough of the ball yet and with greater attention paid to him this could be a future problem. Goal kicking can be a fickle quality even for the best kicks (see Fev currently) and its not without possibility that Jack could end up on the backline or swingman role.

Rusling Future dependent on how he overcomes his injury curse. If he does get back I think he has more potential than Anthony. Jury still v much out and probably more chance of his career being curtailed than blossoming

Dawes Jury still v much out, 3rd year in the system and not yet showing as much as hoped. Improved at VFL level and marking on the lead more impressive recently. Still questionable hands ++ in pack situation. Failure to kick any bags at VFL level worries me. Most forwards who become even AFL competent are ripping it up at VFL level at times by this stage. Dawes needs some big days out in my opinion

Reid I am more confident about him than Dawes. He is a more natural footballer, much better mark and more mobile. At least in the short term will be a backman but a forward or swingman role for the future is on the cards. His field kicking is fine and at times he has a racking L foot which could become a bit of a weapon out of the backline if his control improves a little

If we can get 3-4 of this group to become bone fide AFL players we will have , with N Brown included a plethora of young KP players that will set us up for a decade.
Reality is that Cloke, Brown plus 1-2 of the other 4 making it is more realistic and would still place us well.

The small forwards are not a problem, fitting them all in will be our only dilemma

My ideal is

Medhurst Rusling Anthony/Reid
Didak Cloke Dick

Davis Thomas Pendles Swan Beams Wellingham Sidebottom McCarthy Clarke can be the midfield basis with Davis and Thomas esp being goalkicking midfielders

 

[tballs]

2010 Forward Line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we should develop Keefe as a ruckman and try to draft one more ruckman!!!!!

Put Josh Fraser in the forward line-he is a good mark and a great kick for goal.

Have Wood, bryan, Keefe and the new draftee as our ruck devision.

Put Cloke in the Backline in place of Nathan Brown-develop Nathan brown as a centre half forward over the pre season.

Also try to get Mitch Brown from West Coast to Collingwood-i hear he isn't happy at west coast and wants to come back home.

Then we can have a forward line that consists of;

Josh Fraser--John Anthony--Paul Medhurst

Alan Didak--Nathan Brown--Brad Dick

others to include in there are rusling (if he gets over his injuries), leon as a resting forward.

NOW THAT IS A FORWARD LINE FOR THE FUTURE

Lockyer- should be playing off the half back-the only reason he has been up forward is because of injuries. We need him and Heath Shaw running and creating off half back.

 

[shawthing09]

Agree with large parts of your post Gone Critical but I have a slightly different take on some of it.

As you said there is too much change to under go for their to be anything certain.

Cloke - Quality player. Great work rate. Good one on one contested marker. Great engine. Long kick, poor field kick. I have said for a fair while as long as we move the ball slow and wide we need Cloke at CHF. However with the zoning he hasn't had the space to lead into. Also if we move the ball more direct his wide leading is no longer as valuable. He may need a role re-shuffle.

Anthony - Quality developing player. I have been struggling to find a similar style foward to compare him too and I am going to go with Fev. He may not quite have the height and vertical but that's the sort of foward I think he is. Angry, leading into space more traditional FF. Willing to crash and make a contest if people block into his space. If we start moving the ball direct like we did last week he will prosper.

Rusling - Similar to Anthony with more pace but poorer body positioning and pack crash ability. I am not 100% sure whether both can fit in the same foward line. Time will tell. Both like the space to lead into and I am not sure the value in having two lead up fowards plus Medhurst.

Medhurst. Small lead up pocket player who plays taller. Versatile and able to lead up and play a flank role getting a lot of possies and inside 50's able to stay down and create crafty crumbing goals and also lead up and create a target. Currently IMO his our number 1 foward.

Dawes- Seems to be at his most comfortable leading up ala Cloke. Unfortunately unlike Cloke he still tries to take the ball to low for my liking. If he makes it he will certainly take some time. Is a big unit, good ground level for his size and a lovely kick into the 50 so if he can play the lead up role he will surely create some lovely assits with his kicking.

Reid- As has been mentioned is likely to become the athletic option. A CHB who can play a lock down role on more mobile bigs and create rebound and zone across and intercept the incoming ball if he doesn't have a proper match up. As has been said he is a good lead up foward option too as a swing man. As a foward he again is a different type of lead up and link CHF. Likely to play a Richo or even O'Keefe role covering a lot of ground up field dragging defenders awar from the foward line and geting linking kicks.

Dick- As has been seen great defensive pressure. Good vision and creativity on his kicking inside 50, good work rate and goal sense. Will be the crumbing player for us who is also capable of working up the ground and creating run and carry if we are getting stuck. Think Rioli role.

They are the full time foward options. Then we have a host of guys who rotate through the midfield, foward and back flanks. Davis, Didak, Thomas, Tarks, Jmac, Sidey, Wellers.

 

[Mickaman]

2010 Forward Line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we should develop Keefe as a ruckman and try to draft one more ruckman!!!!!

Put Josh Fraser in the forward line-he is a good mark and a great kick for goal.

Have Wood, bryan, Keefe and the new draftee as our ruck devision.

Put Cloke in the Backline in place of Nathan Brown-develop Nathan brown as a centre half forward over the pre season.

Also try to get Mitch Brown from West Coast to Collingwood-i hear he isn't happy at west coast and wants to come back home.

Then we can have a forward line that consists of;

Josh Fraser--John Anthony--Paul Medhurst

Alan Didak--Nathan Brown--Brad Dick

others to include in there are rusling (if he gets over his injuries), leon as a resting forward.

NOW THAT IS A FORWARD LINE FOR THE FUTURE

Lockyer- should be playing off the half back-the only reason he has been up forward is because of injuries. We need him and Heath Shaw running and creating off half back.

I actually agree and think that Nathan Brown would be a good CH forward. But I think that Cloke still owns that position. Although his goal kicking has improved he is not getting enough shots at goal this season. I look forward to getting him and Medders back hopefully this week. I think our best forward line currently would be:

Didak Cloke Thomas
Medders Anthony Davis

With Didak Thomas and Davis to rotate with Tarks Sidebottom and possibly Dick if he stays in the senior as he looks like he has good goal sense. I hope Rus comes back soon. Although you could not drop Anthony he does not get enough of the ball but what he does get he makes the most of it.

Would like Rocca to possibly have a couple more chances at senior level but I suppose we need to build for the future.

Although I don't watch much of the magoos I still think Dawes is behind Anthony and Rus and possibly Reid as a swingman.

 

[NatheM]

Yea I've always liked the idea of Cloke as a backman. We wouldn't have to worry about a spoil at all, I'd say his opponant would have to worry about the spoil more so.

N. Brown has really shown some great things the last couple of weeks, I think he would make a fantastic forward but we don't have anyone else with his size and mobility to hold the backline. He is our Clement imo. Cloke should be our lead up player from the wings. We force them to kick long out of defence and Cloke is our big man at the contest.

Our forward line can look like anything as long as we have 2 names in there, Dids and Meds.
These 2 are our main creators, all focus should be on looking for one of these boys when coming into attack, at all times. full stop, simple as that.


Personally my forward line atm is:

Medurst--Anthony--Cloke
Didak----Rocca/Rusling--Dick

That CHF would ideally have a fit Rocca atm, but post Rocca I see Cloke and Rusling rotating.
Anthony always leads from 25, Rusling leads from the goal square, then when Cloke needs a rest swap them.

Also playing Rusling as a defender will only improve him for whatever role his future holds, another reason why I am a fan of MM, he is always helping players grow and learn.