Forward Line Structure

[Chops]

Great call OldSchool. Harrison on the forward line worked well, along side Skipper who also did well. Wiggins also impressed me by providing a target. Swap Bandy or Croft for Skipper on the bench and we look heaps better.
Harrison worked very hard at running up ground. Skipper covered Leppitsch, took a couple on nice first quarter marks. Probably needed to come up the ground a bit more against the wind.
Wiggins could have kicked more with better accuracy but is gaining confidence.

McGuiness played in the backline for Werribee and didn't impress. Seems to have gone backwards

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by Chops

Wiggins could have kicked more with better accuracy but is gaining confidence.

McGuiness played in the backline for Werribee and didn't impress. Seems to have gone backwards

Like last week the conditions did not suit Wiggins however, he led well, made a contest and most importantly stayed focused.
It was the most encouraging game I have seen him play.
I think we are all cautious with Wiggins because of past sins but most would be pleased with his effort today

 

[OldSchool]

For those who remember that far back, I thought Harrison style up forward reminded me of when we would often run Keenan Reynolds up there. He simply made a contest an honoured his leads which is what we were looking for.
Nothing irritates me more than when the ball is easily taken out of our forward line by opposition defenders.
That is why that sometimes defenders can do a job for you up forward without necessarily contributing on the scoreboard.

 

[Gridlock'd]

I think the perfect solution would be to trade a player like Matty Robbins for a player like Stephen Milne or Russel Robertson. With the new player down in the forward line, this would free up Brown and Johnson to play more in the midfield. But at this stage i think our forward line should look something like this:

Garlick - Johnson - Wiggins
Giansiracusa - Bandy - Mcguiness

 

[Chops]

Originally posted by gridlocked
I think the perfect solution would be to trade a player like Matty Robbins for a player like Stephen Milne or Russel Robertson. With the new player down in the forward line, this would free up Brown and Johnson to play more in the midfield. But at this stage i think our forward line should look something like this:

Garlick - Johnson - Wiggins
Giansiracusa - Bandy - Mcguiness

Small goals sneaks are a dime a dozen. We have plenty of players that could fill that role now and in years to come.

Thought Brown could have been moved into midfield temporarily when playing against the wind

 

[stefoid]

Robbo is doing some nice stuff attacking out of defence - if he can balance his runs with accoutability it will be a huge plus. We dont need a backpocket racking up 25+ posessions, 15 is fine.

Everyone says good thigns about harrison. maybe Im blind but I just cant see it. The way the ball is delivered into the forward line makes a heap more difference than who is actually in it, I reckon.

 

[Chops]

Originally posted by stefoid
Everyone says good thigns about harrison. maybe Im blind but I just cant see it. The way the ball is delivered into the forward line makes a heap more difference than who is actually in it, I reckon.

Without someone with any size, everything has to be pin point. With the wind yesterday, this was difficult. Love to know his stats for yesterday. If he took 5 mark in those conditions, thats proof enough.
He is no KP but you can play him wing if you want size there.

The other thing is how other clubs have 3 decent tall backman to cover this?

 

[stefoid]

Originally posted by Chops
Without someone with any size, everything has to be pin point. With the wind yesterday, this was difficult. Love to know his stats for yesterday. If he took 5 mark in those conditions, thats proof enough.
He is no KP but you can play him wing if you want size there.

The other thing is how other clubs have 3 decent tall backman to cover this?

Im not doubting the need to have 3 (or more) tallish players in the forward line, and I can see where people are coming from with the need for targets across HF. Just reckon (hope?) we could do better than harrison.

Pity KMac is down on form - he has the right attributes. Croft is more suited to the last line of offence or attack. Unsure of Skippers defensive skills and ability below his knees...havent seen enough.

sigh, it is a problem.

 

[Knackers]

No doubt the dogs need size up forward, if Wiggins can prove to be a reliable target then it will go a long way to resolving some problems.

The half-forward line is the main concern without Grant, but we all know how valuable he is at CHB.

We need to fast track some talls as a matter of urgency, ie. Wight, Minson, Skipper. They all should be blooded some time this season and given every opportunity to show their talent.

K-Mac would be one guy I would be looking to as a fill-in for this season, he has the ability and the right attributes, he should be played as often as possible.

Next draft the dogs should concentrate on well-built tall types no matter what, the more you get at the club, the better chance you have of unearthing a quality tall forward or back. It's worth the risk as premiership success is reliant on winning KPPs.

 

[LondonBulldog]

Knackers,

Skipper is the only one who is a chance, Wight, Minson and Welsh are skinny little boys who won't play AFL this year. They may even play Werribbee reserves for a while. Big blokes take longer to come on.

 

[Knackers]

Wight, Minson and Welsh are skinny little boys

I wouldn't call Minson a skinny little boy, he's already twice the size of Skipper.

I don't expect much from Walsh for a while, but I have seen Wight play a couple of times and he looked good, just like K-Mac did this time last year. Minson although not impressive so far has the body maturity and bulk to make an impact if his form at Werribee warrants selection.

I'm not an advocate of the Wallace theory of putting new recruits in mothballs for 3-4 seasons before giving them a run. If they show that they can mix it at senior level then I believe give them a go and see if they sink or swim.

There's no point in taking up valuable space on the senior list with a lot of development players. I believe the club can afford to have 3-4 project players, but all the rest should be able to push for senior selection, whether they make it or not is up to their form and progress.

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by stefoid
Im not doubting the need to have 3 (or more) tallish players in the forward line, and I can see where people are coming from with the need for targets across HF. Just reckon (hope?) we could do better than harrison.

What would be you forward line set-up for the game against the Cats ? Bandy and Wiggins seems certs and providing Brown, Garlick and Johnson are not required in the midfield it just leaves on position to be filled.

 

[stefoid]

Originally posted by OldSchool
What would be you forward line set-up for the game against the Cats ? Bandy and Wiggins seems certs and providing Brown, Garlick and Johnson are not required in the midfield it just leaves on position to be filled.

Johno _and_ Garlick will be required in the midfield, dont worry about that. Possibly they could tag team each other.

raffle the other spots between skipper, guido, harrison and hargreave depending on how successful we are across HF during the game.