Forward Structure

[DangerSloane]

Just wondering what everyone thinks with regards to our forward structure.

It seems to me that Tex was playing as a CHF on Friday night and was often caught way up the ground. To me we need tex to be that target going forward and he really shouldnt be defensive side of the centre very often at all. The trouble is we have no other real marking targets to help get the ball out of defence.

Do you guys think this is a clear issue?
Who should be playing up the ground in that role? I'm not sure Jenkins can do it yet, but other than Smack we dont really have any other genuine marking options.
Sounds silly but is it time the Truck became a swingman that could be used forward if theres no gorilla for him to match up on. At least he would provide a good marking contest and bring the ball to ground.

 

[Skippy231]

Dunno about truck being used, but we do need a lead-up forward such as Johnston, Henderson or Tom Lynch. It needs to be someone who isn't too tall but athletic enough to take a reasonable defender and keep them out of Tex's space

 

[DangerSloane]

Dunno about truck being used, but we do need a lead-up forward such as Johnston, Henderson or Tom Lynch. It needs to be someone who isn't too tall but athletic enough to take a reasonable defender and keep them out of Tex's space

I would like to see Johnston tried at times this year, but to give someone so inexperienced such an important role in the team is difficult. Lynch to me isnt quite up to the standard, but I'd like to see him prove me wrong.

 

[knobby]

I think he went ball chasing a bit and got sucked up the ground as well by Essendon's press.

Delivery from mids wasnt great either.

 

[amer]

I would like to see Johnston tried at times this year, but to give someone so inexperienced such an important role in the team is difficult. Lynch to me isnt quite up to the standard, but I'd like to see him prove me wrong.

I think I've heard him say a few times that he wants to prove you wrong.

 

[DangerSloane]

I think I've heard him say a few times that he wants to prove you wrong.

Well he isnt really doing it at this point. Was given chances last year and in the NAB cup and didnt perform at all.

 

[amer]

Well he isnt really doing it at this point. Was given chances last year and in the NAB cup and didnt perform at all.

Give him a chance. He has red hair

 

[spenze]

Give him a chance. He has red hair

Which is half of the issue with Lynch, can't play him in a daytime match or he gets fried

 

[Wood_Duck]

I can see the day where we pick McKernan as a ruckman and Johnstone as a forward.

 

[cmndstab]

That's the choice they need to make WD. Either persist with a second ruck/FF choice, in which case it must be Jenkins, or have a dedicated second tall forward, in which case it should be one of Johnston and Lynch (the former has the runs on the board in the SANFL), and then the second ruck switches to McKernan/Graham.


On the OP's question though, I don't think Walker getting sucked up the ground was part of our structure. I think that's just his perogative to go and inject himself further up the ground if we're losing control there, which we were. The problem was, no other forwards were staying at home. Someone like Jenkins or even Porplyzia needed to stay up there so that we had an option on a fast break. It doesn't necessarily need to be Walker, but it needs to be someone.

 

[Skippy231]

I can see the day where we pick McKernan as a ruckman and Johnstone as a forward.

I agree, we don't really have anyone that has the attributes to be a genuine forward / second ruck (apart from the rookie ex basketballers, who are still too raw for AFL

 

[Wood_Duck]

The search for the elusive ruck/forward could prove as useless and detrimental as the Aus cricket team's search for an allrounder.

 

[Crow_Magnon]

I wouldn't mind Lynch being given another shot as he wasn't too bad in the few matches he has played. Johnstone didn't look to have the goods to me. At least with Lynch we may have had another marking option. As I remarked in another thread we looked too small...especially with Tex moving up field to try to find a kick.

 

[OrdinaryJoel]

Would love to see Johnston in the team.

 

[Tex200]

I think we need to hold fire and just give it another round or 2.

We still generated 27 scores from a miserable 46 entries. Of those 27 scores a number were horrible misses from very getable chances. Poor conversion does not necessarily = structural breakdown.

The main issue was an epic midfield failure. I wouldn't be overhauling the fwd structure just yet.