Forward line set-up

[Grey Smith Bar]

I'm not quite sure how to describe this as I'm far from an expert, but I've watched every minute of Essendon this year plus a fair bit of other footy, and I'm noticing differences between our forward line structure and others, and why it often results in a turnover.

I think the speed that we have when we (finally) deliver to the forward line means that it's only the dedicated forwards in a pretty open 50m area, usually on the lead for a contested mark 35-45m out, with no crumbers having had time to get back to the fall of the ball.

As it's left to an unfit Lloyd & a questionable Laycock, opposition defenders are able to spoil & rebound. And it's often a long, high kick with plenty of 'hang time' that gives the dednenders time to get themselves sorted to spoil. A far cry from how the Blues spear it into Fevola at knee level.

There's not been much action in or near the goal square, unless we've taken a mark & held up play at half forward, which has given the opposition time to flood in defence. I've noticed, especially against the Bulldogs & St Kilda that their delivery to the forwards happened a lot closer to goals, with small fowards able to mop up & snap some sneaky goals.

It seems to me that those two situations describe many of our forays into our 50 (except for Lovett or Davey on the burst)

Anyone agree?

 

[mojon95]

This is how we should play:

When is possesion:

Welsh: Leading towards the centre of the ground.
McPhee: See Welsh.
Lloyd: Leading wide, to the corridor or staying one on one.
Laycock/Hille: See Lloyd.
Lovett: Running towards the lead or contest of Lloyd or Laycock, looking for the crum.
Davey:


When out of possesion:

Welsh: Going in for the hard ball get.
McPhee: See Welsh
Lloyd: Tracking the ball from the goalsquare, waiting for a spillage
Laycock/Hille: Running along the outside of the contest waiting for a spillage.
Lovett: Waiting just outside the contest waiting for McPhee or Welsh to hanball it out. Or giving a great tackle if the opposition get their hands on the ball.
Davey: See Lovett

Thats how we should play with the injuries we currently have

 

[Grey Smith Bar]

Wow - great diagrams. What I see failing right now is no lovett/davey at the tall forwards feet, or as you more correctly say running towards the contest to re-rebound a spoil.

Plus long, high kicks into the forward line that give the opposition backmen plenty of time to man up have to stop.

 

[Slattery_20]

What we need is our best forwards - Lucas & Lloyd - fit
It all works when they're both there
It doesn't when they're not

Very very very close to giving up on Laycock. As a ruckman, as a forward, as a coat-rack.

Lloyd or Lucas deep, Lucas or Lloyd high, with McPhee & Welsh (NLM as well) essentially playing around them and distributing the ball. I like Welsh kicking into the 50, would not mind Rama also getting up there & being a cheeky little pr*ck which is what I remember him best as.

Need to encourage guys such as Winders, Dyson, Houli, when they run to 65 out, to take 1 more bounce and KICK THE ____ING GOAL (excuse my french). We have a bad habit of getting there and either bombing long, or stopping & waiting for the perfect option. Encourage creativity, encourage players to use their skill or pace

 

[daffo]

Very very very close to giving up on Laycock. As a ruckman, as a forward, as a coat-rack.

Don't be too harsh, he would make a GREAT coat-rack... He just doesn't seem to be mentally all there. he still has till the end of 2009 to prove himself.

 

[GoDons]

This is how we should play:

When is possesion:

Welsh: Leading towards the centre of the ground.
McPhee: See Welsh.
Lloyd: Leading wide, to the corridor or staying one on one.
Laycock/Hille: See Lloyd.
Lovett: Running towards the lead or contest of Lloyd or Laycock, looking for the crum.
Davey:


When out of possesion:

Welsh: Going in for the hard ball get.
McPhee: See Welsh
Lloyd: Tracking the ball from the goalsquare, waiting for a spillage
Laycock/Hille: Running along the outside of the contest waiting for a spillage.
Lovett: Waiting just outside the contest waiting for McPhee or Welsh to hanball it out. Or giving a great tackle if the opposition get their hands on the ball.
Davey: See Lovett

Thats how we should play with the injuries we currently have

With those set ups we'd practically be flooding our own forward line.

Lloyd needs space, and he's not going to get with Laycock/Hille lying deep in the forward line and the other way round.

The most functional forward set ups this year have put an acre in front of their key men to lead into. We're not going to get that with two key forwards on top of each other.

 

[Slattery_20]

Don't be too harsh, he would make a GREAT coat-rack... He just doesn't seem to be mentally all there. he still has till the end of 2009 to prove himself.

Just irritates me, everytime you think he's made a few steps in the right direction, he drops off and goes backwards. Then when you get close to giving up on him, he does something impressive again.
I almost wish he was a complete dud at times

 

[Red Black and Blue]

One thing our forward line needs to work on is BLOCKING. Everyweek opposition teams do it to us often resulting in marks in side our defensive 50. Although Lloyd has dropped a bit of speed lately, he is still just as quick as many forward and with a little blocking would be able to take alot more marks.