Experiment Mode.

[Go Cats!!]

Its no secret that we are starting to experiment a little. We need back up plans come finals and it seems this is the best time to try out some new things.

Obviously last week Hawkins and Taylor had a run in the ruck at stages, which to me seemed to be a pretty good move.

The point of this thread is to discuss other possible changes or 'experiments' we as supporters would like to see before our assault on the flag.

Personally I would like to see Mummy play out of the goal square at some stage before the finals. It is all about options, Should Otto return he probably wont be resting much at FF as he will be underdone and bench time will probably be needed. I say this because should Tomahawk for example be having a bad day out of FF then he can take over the 2nd ruck duties and Mummy can have a crack at FF.

Another might be seeing how Mummy can go on a big name down back. Stick him on Roughy for abit this week and see how he goes, Taylor would probably have do abit more rucking if we did this.

To me Mummy looks like he potentially adds lots of versatility to the team, especially if Otto is able to get some games behind him before the finals.

So please if you have an experiment you would like to see before the finals, post it here! Or if you would like to give feedback (negative or positive) regarding mine or other peoples opinions lets hear it.

 

[hamG]

Harry forward, now please.

 

[kellykellykelly]

I just posted this in another thread, sorry for the double up but seemed better suited here.

______________________________

(with regards to Hawkins) Like most part-time ruckmen, i'll be happy if he contests/breaks even/maybe even wins a hit-out or two. He will at least keep the opposition honest with his size.

This will also throw opposition backlines out a little more than before. We have usually been pretty predictable. Mooney and Hawkins on the ground together for a period of time, then one goes off for a rest, then they swap, repeat.

This way, Hawkins has the freedom to float with the play forward, meaning that opposition defenses will need to decide which baskets they are going to put their eggs in.

Ablett up forward is a primo decision IMO. Just imagine when he is 29-30 and parked in the goal square on a near permanent basis, scary. Would also like to see Ling one out at full forward. Is one of the best marks for his size and set shots in the team, handy on a lead. Used to play there as a junior.

 

[Tex_21]

I'd like to see Dasher play forward more, and play GAJ, SJ and Chappy one-out in the 50 more often.

 

[Ninty]

Harry forward, now please.

That is exactly what I was going to suggest. I also agree with all your thoughts Go Cats!!

 

[Go Cats!!]

I'd like to see Dasher play forward more, and play GAJ, SJ and Chappy one-out in the 50 more often.

I like the sound of this. Would probably force teams to drop back a marking player but there should still be plenty of space to lead into.

 

[Go Cats!!]

That is exactly what I was going to suggest. I also agree with all your thoughts Go Cats!!

Mummy down back for a quarter, Hawkins into the ruck and Harry out of the goal square or at CHF?

 

[Ninty]

Sounds like a plan - I hope you're reading Bomber.

 

[Poetic Justice]

Definitely happy with trialling Harry/Dasher up forward but so long as they can be covered down back in their positions.

And when I say covered, I don't mean putting Tom Lonergan there.

 

[TGTOA]

Harry forward, now please.

I'd like to see this, but who takes his place in the backline? If we wanted him to spend any serious time up forward, we would need to play Lonergan or Gillies as another tall defender. That would make the defence look pretty shaky against good tall forwards eg Brown/Bradshaw, Riewoldt/Koschitzke. Its important to be getting games into Gillies now for this reason, so hopefully he plays for the next couple of weeks, would be great for him to play against a side like Hawthorn to spend some time on Franklin/Roughead and see whether he can step up to the challenge.

 

[witsend]

Whatever we can do to get our HB Line having shots at goal!! They never miss...
Enright/Mackie/Taylor

 

[TGTOA]

Also would like to see Mackie playing wing/HF more often, he could be very dangerous if he got loose around 50 as he is a very long and accurate kick for goal.

 

[fpm84]

Most important thing for me is seeing if Mummy can do anything in the forward line or backline. I think most of us think he can, because he's so mobile for a big guy and has neat skills.

If he's a viable option up forward we need to give him some experience there.

Hawks have thrown Roughead in defence and even in the ruck when need be. It gives them another option if a defender goes down etc. I'd like us to explore such options.

On Taylor, I can't see him as a marking forward inside 50m, but as a HFF type of player taking marks 70-80m out and delivering those beautiful passes to our forwards. He is possible the best kick in our team and we need to take full advantage of it - sometimes I feel that him sharing the ball around in the backline isn't making the most of that left boot of his.

 

[mac_cat]

I'd like to see this, but who takes his place in the backline?

Joel Corey did well on the half back line against Melbourne, could see this happening again.

 

[James1970]

I'm really looking forward to when they start to experiment with playing four full quarters, flat-out, full of run, run, run.

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

mackie in the forward line

 

[catswhiskers]

Not happy about Harry in the ruck. Far too valuable and not big enough.

Other moves look good.

 

[Tuggacat]

Byrnes to give Mooney and Hawkins goal kicking lessons

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I'm really looking forward to when they start to experiment with playing four full quarters, flat-out, full of run, run, run.

We need to rev the engine up full bore and fang it at least once before the finals. Make sure there's no dirt in the fuel line. Max out all the gauges.

Doing so will a) allow us to work out any last kinks in the system and b) sow some seeds of doubt amongst elements of our opposition. We will also hear the lamentation of their women as we sweep all before us!!!

Not getting ahead of ourselves, of course. All it takes is a few players having off-days and the whole house of cards comes tumbling down. We gotta be better than the side who fell over on that one day in September last year.

We gotta be better.

CARN THE CATTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Belisarius]

I'd like to see this, but who takes his place in the backline? If we wanted him to spend any serious time up forward, we would need to play Lonergan or Gillies as another tall defender. That would make the defence look pretty shaky against good tall forwards eg Brown/Bradshaw, Riewoldt/Koschitzke. Its important to be getting games into Gillies now for this reason, so hopefully he plays for the next couple of weeks, would be great for him to play against a side like Hawthorn to spend some time on Franklin/Roughead and see whether he can step up to the challenge.

Exactly - Taylor could well be used up forward but who then plays CHB ? Taylor would be a good forward but Gillies is not up to CHB nor is Harley. I doubt that Milburn or Mackie could cut it either. So until we play the Doggies (no real tall forwards) Taylor needs to play back unfortunately. Crazy to have him in the ruck.

 

[IbbosBFF]

Hasnt Mackie already failed as a half forward...

Im a huge Mackie fan because I love watching how he goes about his football now. He is at a good place, so why change it.

 

[SmothOperRaider]

He is possible the best kick in our team and we need to take full advantage of it

He is a great kick (as many left footers are), but he does tend to kick a little too high at times.

 

[TGTOA]

Hasnt Mackie already failed as a half forward...

Im a huge Mackie fan because I love watching how he goes about his football now. He is at a good place, so why change it.

Mackie started his career as a forward, but didn't really nail down his spot in the side until switched to defence. Whether his improvement was due to the change in position, natural development as a footballer, or the improvement of the team as a whole is probably open to debate. In any event, I wouldn't want to see him as a lead out forward playing from inside 50, rather an attacking winger capable of taking shots on the run from 50 and beyond.

 

[OldStyle2007]

I'd like to see Matthew Stokes "experiment" with the obscure concept of getting front and square of a forward line marking contest

I know it's a difficult concept to grasp, and I admit that it's not as easy as being alone in the goal square calling for the handball over the top, but maybe, just maybe, it's worth a try....

 

[kellykellykelly]

I'd like to see Matthew Stokes "experiment" with the obscure concept of getting front and square of a forward line marking contest

I know it's a difficult concept to grasp, and I admit that it's not as easy as being alone in the goal square calling for the handball over the top, but maybe, just maybe, it's worth a try....

If no one has the foresight to be that handball over the top, we don't score the goal.