Comparing the Key Forwards

[Dasher39]

I thought I would do a little research and compare the key forwards that could be of some interest to us. I have included Rawlings for the sake of it.

RAWLINGS
Age - 26 in a few days
Games - 22
Goals - 34 (24th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 32 (8th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 158 (5th AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 10 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Unfortunately we have missed out on Jade!

BRADSHAW
Age - 24 (25 in November)
Games - 20
Goals - 27 (40th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 13 (87th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 103 (58th AFL Top 100) 127 incl Finals - rank#1 Brisbane
Frees Against - 8 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Bradshaw is a strong marking forward who can play at both ends of the ground, proved against Geelong at the Gabba what he is capable of. Would be a welcomed addition to the Cats forward line. Ranked #1 for marks at Brisbane shows his ability, and 27.13 is a good return from someone who played a good part of the season down back. Be hard to get him away from Brisbane though.

WHITNALL
Age - 24
Games - 15
Goals - 11 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 11
Marks - 73 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 10 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Lance is a big player, but is very injury prone and has had 3 injuries in the past 2 seasons. He has dropped dramatically from his 2002 form and as such isnt ranked in the AFL Top 100 of either Goals or Marks. IMO not worth it!!

RICHARDSON
Age - 28
Games - 19
Goals - 33 (27th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 34 (4th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 173 (3rd AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 33 (4th in AFL Top 100)
Richardson is a big, hard, tough player who when on fire can tear apart any defence. He is growing frustrated at Richmond and a change of scenery may just be what he is after. His only problems are his on-field demenour and the amount Free Kicks he gives away. But I am sure, with a change of scenery and a helping hand he can curb this and become a star forward for many years to come. 33.34 this year isnt the best return, and he has shown to be questionalble in front of goals.

CROAD
Age - 22
Games - 17
Goals - 18 (85th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 20 (30th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 43 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 25 (21st in AFL Top 100)
Trent is a fine athlete, and has plenty of size about him. Promised a lot early but has dwindled off since, resulting in him being dropped from the Fremantle side during the middle part of the year. Only problem would be, is he capable of being the #1 forward and how would he cope with a top defender week in week out. 18.20 is a pretty poor return for someone of his ability.Trent has plenty of ability but I doubt he is the answer for the Cats.

Out of all those possibilities, there are 2 that I would like to see geelong pursue. Daniel Bradshaw and Matthew Richardson. Both are strong marking forwards and are capable of booting a bag of goals on any given day. Either one of these two could be the answer Geelong is looking for, the next challenge, actually getting one of them to come down to the Cattery!!

 

[catattack]

Here are my opinions on Richardson, from another thread...


With Richo nearing the end of his career, you would think - if he came to Geelong - that it would be his last club.

It's also at a very critical time. If he comes to Geelong and doesn't perform, then we can then get rid of him, and at his age in say two years, you wouldn't think he'd be picked up. But ATM he is at the age where he still has good footy left in him for a few years.

The flip side, he performs, and Geelong do well. As what happens most times when there's a player trade, the traded player performs up a notch at the new club because they know that this could well be the end if they don't perform.

His time at Richmond could well be up. It could be a whole new fresh start at Geelong. Given a license where he could have nothing to lose, and to just go out at get the ball, who knows.

With some help from the coaches, and some self-control, Richo could resurrect his career at Geelong.

You never know, a new Richo could emerge next season...

 

[jim boy]

Originally posted by Dasher39
I thought I would do a little research and compare the key forwards that could be of some interest to us. I have included Rawlings for the sake of it.

RAWLINGS
Age - 26 in a few days
Games - 22
Goals - 34 (24th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 32 (8th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 158 (5th AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 10 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Unfortunately we have missed out on Jade!

BRADSHAW
Age - 24 (25 in November)
Games - 20
Goals - 27 (40th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 13 (87th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 103 (58th AFL Top 100) 127 incl Finals - rank#1 Brisbane
Frees Against - 8 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Bradshaw is a strong marking forward who can play at both ends of the ground, proved against Geelong at the Gabba what he is capable of. Would be a welcomed addition to the Cats forward line. Ranked #1 for marks at Brisbane shows his ability, and 27.13 is a good return from someone who played a good part of the season down back. Be hard to get him away from Brisbane though.

WHITNALL
Age - 24
Games - 15
Goals - 11 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 11
Marks - 73 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 10 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Lance is a big player, but is very injury prone and has had 3 injuries in the past 2 seasons. He has dropped dramatically from his 2002 form and as such isnt ranked in the AFL Top 100 of either Goals or Marks. IMO not worth it!!

RICHARDSON
Age - 28
Games - 19
Goals - 33 (27th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 34 (4th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 173 (3rd AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 33 (4th in AFL Top 100)
Richardson is a big, hard, tough player who when on fire can tear apart any defence. He is growing frustrated at Richmond and a change of scenery may just be what he is after. His only problems are his on-field demenour and the amount Free Kicks he gives away. But I am sure, with a change of scenery and a helping hand he can curb this and become a star forward for many years to come. 33.34 this year isnt the best return, and he has shown to be questionalble in front of goals.

CROAD
Age - 22
Games - 17
Goals - 18 (85th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 20 (30th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 43 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 25 (21st in AFL Top 100)
Trent is a fine athlete, and has plenty of size about him. Promised a lot early but has dwindled off since, resulting in him being dropped from the Fremantle side during the middle part of the year. Only problem would be, is he capable of being the #1 forward and how would he cope with a top defender week in week out. 18.20 is a pretty poor return for someone of his ability.Trent has plenty of ability but I doubt he is the answer for the Cats.

Why don't you add;

KINGSLEY
Age - 25 (just turned)
Games - 15
Goals - 33 (=25th AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 21 (=27th in AFL Top 100)
Marks - 66 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 3 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Leading goal kicker for the cats for the last two years. Has been the sole focal point and thus has always attracted the best defenders. In a better forward set up would get more opportunity. Cat fans would rather see the back of him because does he can't win Coleman medal and they believe you only need one forward in a team.

 

[GFC MAD!]

Not too many Cat fans want to get rid of Kingsley, we just want another key forward to help him out.

 

[jim boy]

Originally posted by GFC MAD!
Not too many Cat fans want to get rid of Kingsley, we just want another key forward to help him out.

There seem to be plenty saying we should trade him.

 

[Big Red]

Question mark on Kingsley is his ability to tackle, chase and lead. When in form he's capable of taking marks and kicking goals but too often this season once the ball hit the ground he was a total liability.

 

[Catman]

We'd be downright stupid to trade Kingsley, especially with our dearth of goalkickers at the moment. He'd be ideal playing second fiddle to a Richo, Bradshaw etc. 40-50 goals a season would be a great return from him.

 

[Seb]

Originally posted by Jim Boy
There seem to be plenty saying we should trade him.

As long as it's for something decent in return.

 

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by Catman
We'd be downright stupid to trade Kingsley, especially with our dearth of goalkickers at the moment. He'd be ideal playing second fiddle to a Richo, Bradshaw etc. 40-50 goals a season would be a great return from him.

I agree... Kingsley can still be great value in our forward line, kicking 40-50 goals a year as the 2nd or 3rd key forward.

 

[vicpride99]

RICHO COME TO THE CATS

Good points-
can take a pack mark.
can run all day.
can be a full forward, CHF or even pinch hit in the ruck.
is great on the lead.
is a big name and could draw more members.

Bad Points-
chucks fits.
is 28. (not a huge factor as i see him playing to 33)
can't kick straight.
is injury prone.


Overall Geelong has to chase him as he is the man judging by the stats.

 

[catattack]

Originally posted by Jim Boy
There seem to be plenty saying we should trade him.

Keep him, simple. Someone's gotta kick the goals.

 

[catattack]

Re: RICHO COME TO THE CATS

Originally posted by vicpride99
Overall Geelong has to chase him as he is the man judging by the stats.

Yep, your points were pretty much spot on. Richo to Geelong, I've been saying it for a while now.

Send him away with McCarthy to learn to kick, and that's one part solved.

Also, a change for Richo (club wise) could drastically change is on field dimena anger problems.

 

[Falconer02]

Here is our man

WHITNALL
Age - 24
Games - 15
Goals - 11 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Behinds - 11
Marks - 73 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Frees Against - 10 (Not in the AFL Top 100)
Lance is a big player, but is very injury prone and has had 3 injuries in the past 2 seasons. He has dropped dramatically from his 2002 form and as such isnt ranked in the AFL Top 100 of either Goals or Marks. IMO not worth it!!

Cheapish trade value, what he lacks is motivation and luck but he is only 24, what he has that the other people dont is a big body with a bit of controlled aggression.

 

[BigCat1]

Do you want him or not Falconer. Make up your mind . About a month ago you gave him the biggest slagging of all time and said you wouldn't follow the club if he came. Now you think he is the man