Forward Woes

[Crow-mo]

the everyday currency of BigFooty is the cheap and lazy statement.

we all know this, and one of the more common ones is how rubbish our forward line is. how we can't take a contested mark, perrie sucks, blah, blah...

the usual stuff.

but anyway, was just playing with my new pro-stats subscription, and came across something very interesting.

namely, that the crows are no.1 as a team in contested marking in the entire league. Minus 2 of our better talls - trent & kenny, and Kenny in particularly being one of our best contested marks.

I also did some interesting comparisons on the worst big man in the league - i.e. Ian Perrie. threw some names together, included some famous players, and guys who play similar roles.

ol' Pez doesn't look too bad in comparison with the rest of the league. in fact he stacks up very favourably, and if we take him in context as what most feel is his best use - 3rd tall forward, then you'd struggle to find a better performed 3rd tall in the league.

http://finalsiren.com/PlayerCompare...,1153,1547,1035,717,609,1396,1181,&Compare=Go

overall, just thought it interesting how some of these idiot notions stand up to a bit research and fact seeking.

thoughts?

 

[wacrowsfan]

agreed, perrie does an unbelievabe amount of work up the ground and leading out to create space for other forwards.

i would sugges that he would average 1.5 - 2 goals a game over the last couple of seasons. very handy for a third tall.


its just that bloody kicking every now and then drives us all crazy.

still love having him in the crows line up....

 

[King Elvis]

As a third tall, working up the ground, he's very useful for us.

That doesn't change the fact though, he seriously need to improve his contested marking and kicking for goal. He struggles to take a contested mark within our forward 50, and it's a worry when he does, as he looks scared of kicking for goal.

If he's a third tall, then he's great - but if Bok goes down, or is needed down back, are we confident that Perrie can be be our number one tall? Not at the moment I'd say.

Once again, his endeavour is good, and working up the ground he has value as he'll make space for Welsh & Bocky, but it's obvious he is seriously lacking confidence.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I still believe Perrie is the weak link in our forward line.

He trys very very very hard and gives his all...........and has done for 10 years on our list - but still it's the "Box of Chocolates" scenario with Perrie.

Welsh and Perrie have been fantastic - Stevens has done his "Where's Wally" routine and got under the guards of sides who fail to pay him any respect.

But we have been applauding Perrie for having good games or good passages.......but judged against his own standards - and this is where the problem lies. Pretty much we are satisfied if he doesn't **** up too much - and manages to flat punt a couple through off the mark and snap a couple of mongrels that have come over the back of the pack.......but unfortunately we don't have the luxury yet of judging him against quality forwards pressing for a spot.....but hopefully soon we will.

I know I'll get caned for criticising Perrie when he has given his all tonight - I'm just trying to measure him against dominant forwards in the comp - not against his own capabilities.

 

[King Elvis]

Mad Dog - agree, and this might be a good way to judge it.

McGregor is fit, do you pick him or Perrie?

McGregor can take a contested mark deep in the forward line, and can also play up the field a bit. Kicking isn't fantastic over about 40 metres, but inside of that he's alright. Obviously can go down back as well.

Perrie struggles to take a contested mark in our forward 50. Struggles to kick goals in our forward 50. Is useful playing up the ground and creating space.

Perrie as a third tall playing up the ground is definitely worth having in the team, but if it comes down to a selection choice between him and Kenny, IMO, Kenny offers a lot more, both as a forward and also with his versatility.

 

[- PC -]

I thought it was interesting tonight...and a tv replay will help confirm this...but I thought Welsh and Perrie swapped roles as the night went on ie Welsh was the roaming forward while Perrie stayed in the square... then they would swap

I dont think either of them are number 1 forwards and I think with Bock and Stevens they present a bigger headache than stopping a Fevola or Hall etc.. in that they all 4 are equal but effective

 

[fightingdreamer88]

Perrie is fantastic as a roaming forward, still don't like it when he plays a little closer though.

Very happy with the forward line at the moment, it's functioning extremely well. Hopefully it holds up throughout the season. Welsh has been notorious for running hot and cold over the course of his career, lets hope he gives us a great, consistent season because we damn well need it if we want that ever-elusive flag.

 

[Crow-mo]

That doesn't change the fact though, he seriously need to improve his contested marking and kicking for goal. He struggles to take a contested mark within our forward 50, and it's a worry when he does, as he looks scared of kicking for goal.

this is completely inaccurate. he is one of the better contested marking forwards in the league.

 

[Crow-mo]

I know I'll get caned for criticising Perrie when he has given his all tonight - I'm just trying to measure him against dominant forwards in the comp - not against his own capabilities.

but that's the thing, there's not a dozen better forwards of his type in the league.

http://finalsiren.com/PlayerCompare...,1153,1547,1035,717,609,1396,1181,&Compare=Go

 

[Mego Red]

this is completely inaccurate. he is one of the better contested marking forwards in the league.

Of course, what allows Perrie to keep succeeding is this league-wide perception that he is a failure. He is constantly disrespected and under-estimated by the opposing team.

 

[Mego Red]

... but anyway, was just playing with my new pro-stats subscription ...

You are still not going to win your Dream Team league, but nice effort.

 

[showdownhero]

Mad Dog - agree, and this might be a good way to judge it.

McGregor is fit, do you pick him or Perrie?

McGregor can take a contested mark deep in the forward line, and can also play up the field a bit. Kicking isn't fantastic over about 40 metres, but inside of that he's alright. Obviously can go down back as well.

Perrie struggles to take a contested mark in our forward 50. Struggles to kick goals in our forward 50. Is useful playing up the ground and creating space.

Perrie as a third tall playing up the ground is definitely worth having in the team, but if it comes down to a selection choice between him and Kenny, IMO, Kenny offers a lot more, both as a forward and also with his versatility.

I'd have Perrie instead of Stevens ... Have Kenny play up forward or down back instead of Stevens.

 

[- PC -]

I'd have Perrie instead of Stevens ... Have Kenny play up forward or down back instead of Stevens.

This is the nice conundrum we have. From a team of so called hacks we now struggle to find the biggest hack

Me, I would keep Stevens. I'm starting to like him

Oh and hand me the soap please, but Scott Welsh... keep going and you might even get an apology thread from me... but not yet

 

[Markthirtytwo]

I thought it was interesting tonight...and a tv replay will help confirm this...but I thought Welsh and Perrie swapped roles as the night went on ie Welsh was the roaming forward while Perrie stayed in the square... then they would swap

I dont think either of them are number 1 forwards and I think with Bock and Stevens they present a bigger headache than stopping a Fevola or Hall etc.. in that they all 4 are equal but effective

Yes I noticed that and is why young Scotty will be getting a couple of votes from me for his efforts.

He played a very good team game.

 

[Alex99]

This is the nice conundrum we have. From a team of so called hacks we now struggle to find the biggest hack

Me, I would keep Stevens. I'm starting to like him

Oh and hand me the soap please, but Scott Welsh... keep going and you might even get an apology thread from me... but not yet

Have to agree PC; Scott Stevens is becoming a vital cog in the Adelaide Crows flexibility style of game.

He is starting to show that he can become a dangerous pinch hitting forward as well proving a lot of his critics wrong last year that he can play as a tall defender (unless he is named Scott Lucas).

What is the preferred option in attack, 4 tall forwards that have the ability to contribute to a system and structure and overall give you 35 – 50 goals a year or 1 key forward that has the potential to give you 100 + and 3 other forwards that can only give you 20 – 30 for a year.

 

[Damp Squarie]

How long is it since Ken McGregor played a good game?

What was that?..... Longer than Ian Perrie.....Say no more.

Im not convinced McGregors kicking is any better than Perries and dont think Kenny (when he's fit AND in form) is just gunna walk back into the side and take Perries spot.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

How long is it since Ken McGregor played a good game?

What was that?..... Longer than Ian Perrie.....Say no more.

Im not convinced McGregors kicking is any better than Perries and dont think Kenny (when he's fit AND in form) is just gunna walk back into the side and take Perries spot.

I think you're right, however he's not a bad pinch hitter sitting on the pine to take a tall forward if things don't go to plan.

 

[King Elvis]

How long is it since Ken McGregor played a good game?

What was that?..... Longer than Ian Perrie.....Say no more.

Im not convinced McGregors kicking is any better than Perries and dont think Kenny (when he's fit AND in form) is just gunna walk back into the side and take Perries spot.

Kicking is better when he's within about 45 metres.

Contested marking is much better, and his ability to play down back is a major factor. How long till Kenny is fit anyway?

Stevens has definitely earnt his spot; his versatility is great - and as much as we say Perrie trys hard, Stevens seems to try his heart out too.

 

[birdmanptr]

Mad Dog - agree, and this might be a good way to judge it.

McGregor is fit, do you pick him or Perrie?

McGregor can take a contested mark deep in the forward line, and can also play up the field a bit. Kicking isn't fantastic over about 40 metres, but inside of that he's alright. Obviously can go down back as well.

Perrie struggles to take a contested mark in our forward 50. Struggles to kick goals in our forward 50. Is useful playing up the ground and creating space.

Perrie as a third tall playing up the ground is definitely worth having in the team, but if it comes down to a selection choice between him and Kenny, IMO, Kenny offers a lot more, both as a forward and also with his versatility.

My 20 cents worth is IF Maric or Meeson get back fit and playing well they both miss as for mine Griffin will play CHF from what i have seen so far good mark good reader of play and agile,just what we need

 

[RoosterLad]

Perrie will not be dropped for Ken, he's in great touch at the moment and has quickly put Round 1 behind him.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

ol' Pez doesn't look too bad in comparison with the rest of the league. in fact he stacks up very favourably, and if we take him in context as what most feel is his best use - 3rd tall forward, then you'd struggle to find a better performed 3rd tall in the league.

It's a good point - it also got brought up last season when we were arguing the merits of Ken McGregor at CHF - there just aren't that many quality tall forwards running around in the competition. Richmond have got Richo then no one, Sydney have Hall then no one, Melbourne have Neitz then no one, Collingwood have Rocca then no one, Kangaroos have no one full stop now that Thompson is gone. Etc.

That said I'm still not at ease with him as one of our main targets. Last season's preliminary final has a way of sticking in the memory. Can we put that game down simply to the fact that he had an injury plagued season? Hopefully.

 

[birdmanptr]

Perrie will not be dropped for Ken, he's in great touch at the moment and has quickly put Round 1 behind him.

Round 1 problem was nothing more than match fitness