Full Forward

[Sera]

Word on the street is that we are currently having a crack at Fevola from Carlton. Doubt he would move interstate, although he might who knows, but it raises the interesting point that the coaching staff don't view Haynes as a long term solution and that they view FF as more important than our problems in defense. Also, who would we trade for Fevola? Carlton would undoubtedly ask for a king's ransom. With Wilson gone at the end of the year, who do you see as our future full forward? Is Hansen or Lynch up to job? If worst comes to worst I wouldn't be surprised to see us try another mature age recruit like Brad Smith from Subiaco who impressed me in the state game and he kicked 7 goals yesterday.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Fevola was floated as a trade option earlier in the Pagan reign, but he seems to have flourished under Denis and the coach is openly very supportive of him. Perhaps we would let one of our midfielders go for him, but I don't really fancy having him in the club (though fear of Woosha and the absence of any Houlihans would deter him from previous feral behaviour).

On FF, Wilson is gone (and thanks for the memories of last year). I don't believe Haynes is a long term FF (he may be as another leading forward or HFF though I am not as supportive of him in other positions either as many others on BF because I question his ability to make the right decisions instinctively or quickly). His kicking is also not up to scratch yet for a FF.

Brad Smith of Subi is excellent in the WAFL from what I've seen and a far more reliable kick than Wilson. Whether he can make the step up, I just don't know. Generally I'm in favour of "growing our own", but there isn't an obvious FF. I once saw Seaby and McDougall at FF against each other for West Perth v Perth and they both looked good at that level, but who knows in AFL.

 

[pauljam]

Apparently Jade Rawlings is out of contract and I would be sounding out the Hawks seriously on this one. While it is probably unlikely he would move out West he would offer a key marking forward with the ability to play in the backline.

This is just what we need at the mo - worth a crack?

 

[Frodo]

We're scoring enough goals. Replacing Milli has to be the priority

 

[pauljam]

Agree that we score enough goals when the MF is on top. When we are beaten in the middle we dont have a strong enough defence, AND we dont have anyone that can handle poor disposal into the forward line - eg if we are under pressure coming forward and we bomb it in no one can take a strong contested mark. Doogs looks pretty good at times, and Gaspar (if he ever gets fit ).

I doubt we would get Rawlings, but if we did I'd play him in defence primarily with an option of going forward if needed, ie use him to replace Milli.

 

[llosis]

To be honest, I think we have the players that could develop into key forwards / full forward.

Haynes, like Wilson, is similarly one dimensional at full-forward (good on long lead) although his second efforts are better and he is, we are told although we rarely see, more versatile.

We need a bloke or two who can take a big grab - neither, matera, wilson or haynes can do that for us and in a tight game we are finding ourselves desparately needing that.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Originally posted by pauljam
Apparently Jade Rawlings is out of contract and I would be sounding out the Hawks seriously on this one. While it is probably unlikely he would move out West he would offer a key marking forward with the ability to play in the backline.

This is just what we need at the mo - worth a crack?

If he is to leave Hawthorn he will end up at Geelong. The cats are going all out to get a marking forward and apparently Rawlings is on top of their list.

Wasn't there a rumour a couple years ago that if Hawthorn fail to make the finals Hay has a "get out clause" in his contract? Should make a run for him if there's even a remote chance he might leave.

 

[eagleskickass]

Well i dont know how to take this but the club is grooming Seaby not only for ruck but also perhaps for a forward role, they(and Seaby himself especially) want him to be able to play forward just incase a role in the ruck doesnt really come up. He could be worth a shot at FF, who knows.

 

[noodle]

i would rather the club look for backmen in the trade period. we have a hole down back that you can park a semi trailer sideways in.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I hope you will accept the opinion from an outsider.

Personally I don't get excited with Haynes as a FF as he is not tall enough or strong enough for a key position. However, i reckon he would be a very good 3rd tall option in the attack.

There are a couple of yongsters on your list that I think would make a very good FF in time. Paul Johnson and Quentin (sp????) Lynch are capable FF. Johnson would probably need to work a bit on his overhead marking but his agility, ground level skills and goal kicking is really good. A bit more marking practice would see him blossom. He is not a bad mark but he can improve. Having a 197 cm FF would strech any defence.

Whats the story with Lynch?????? I remember last year on Subi when he absolutely smashed us. I would have expected him to be blooded this year and spend a bit more time at FF. He has what it takes to hustle and bussle but he could possibly work a bit on his set shots.

Fevola is a headcase and wouldn't recommend him for any team. You have the youngsters to develop. It might take a couple of years to see the full benefits of their development but IMHO both Johnson and Lynch are genuine prospects.

Just out of curiousity, would you be prepared to trade Seaby or Johnson?????? I see you guys have a lot of players capable of playing in the ruck and with Gardiner and Cox dominating, some of those youngsters might want to try out someone else. Any chance of this happening??????

BTW, who is Milli??????

 

[noodle]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
BTW, who is Milli??????

McIntosh

p.s. I agree with you about Fevola.

 

[Frodo]

I think footy has changed and the traditional FF is being seen less and less. Sure I've enjoyed Suma, Scotty and BB but where are the traditional FF's now in footy? Richo, Fevola...both in poor sides. Lloyd is not traditional, he is fast leading, sometimes to the centre line and often well outside the 50. Haynes is in that mould. I agree he could do with being 5cm taller but his speed, grab and layoff skills are excellent.
I aslo believe the game is midfield dominant and teams can't afford three forwards, two at most with one or two at half forward. The rest have to play one end to the other. So if we have someone else at FF who goes back into the field, Fido or Haynes? Clearly it must be Haynes, and I don't think he will be so effective at half forward as there is not as much space to lead into and use his speed.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Seaby and Lynch had excellent games in the wet for the mighty Falcons as they kept East Perth GOALLESS FOR THE ENTIRE GAME this afternoon. On that form, both could play next week.

Woosha watched 3 quarters in front of us until he got bored and left.

 

[The Passenger]

Full Forward is a prickly issue I think. FOr the moment, Haynes is our best option at FF, and until someone else shows they are good enough, he will stay around at FF.

As I've said a few times, I think he is one of the best leaders in the competition - he is constantly 3-5 metres in front of his defender and very rarely his hands let him down. Unfortunately his kicking does, and if he can really work on it over the summer, he may just become a pretty good FF, given his size.

But Haynes would be a really good third tall IMO, and a good pinch hitter at FF when required.

Seaby is a definetate option at FF - his size would just make him a real Peter Everitt type player, and very hard to match up on.

Ashley Hansen and Paul Johnson are probably the two guys most likely outside of those two to be given a shot at FF.

 

[jod23]

If we go after a FF in the trading period, we are just idiots. The backline is where the problem is, our forward line, although down in recent weeks is ok. With McIntosh going shortly and Jako no longer used down back we dont have the tall options at the moment.

But Im still with the "grow your own" theory. We shouldnt trade and continue to bring on youngsters like Johnson, Lynch, Staker etc...

 

[The Passenger]

Originally posted by jod23


But Im still with the "grow your own" theory. We shouldnt trade and continue to bring on youngsters like Johnson, Lynch, Staker etc...

depends to what extent though......I mean sometimes your just silly if you don't go in for a paritcular trade, and sometimes there is only so much good drafting you can do.....but generally I do agree with you though......

probably seems kinda strange cause I'm always thinking up various trades to look at, but at the end of the day, thats more cause I'm the type of guy that loves to look at possibilities, but when it came down to it, I don't see much of a need for us to trade, unless one of guys wanted to leave or there was a Vic-based WA-born guy wanting to return home that would fit into our structure.

 

[larrikin]

Our future FF was playing in the team that played tis weekend.

McDougall

Tall, quick and (will be) strong. He's not the traditional FF, but he will have Matera/Sampi etc around him, as well as maybe Haynes. I'd love to see Haynes and Matera leading from the goalsquare together, leving McDougall as the long option.

 

[Goldenblue]

Ashley Hansen.

Seems to be the forgotten forward in the line up. If he can bulk up a bit over summer and work on his fitness, he could be our next option.

McDougall I like to see as our next CHF.

 

[Streaker]

Originally posted by larrikin
Our future FF was playing in the team that played tis weekend.

McDougall

Tall, quick and (will be) strong. He's not the traditional FF, but he will have Matera/Sampi etc around him, as well as maybe Haynes. I'd love to see Haynes and Matera leading from the goalsquare together, leving McDougall as the long option.

I would have to agree. Matera is basically your crumbing forward pocket player who needs to feed off of a big man to get his goals. We have tried him as a leading forward and it hasn't worked. Last week he was able to get goals because we had a big forward, the weeks before we mainly had Haynes at full forward.

McDougall can take a grab in a pack situation and if he doesn't we have Matera ort Sampi to mop up.

Sampi is similar to Matera except we know he has a good vertical leap and can take a mark as well. He can also crumb off of a tall man. Both Matera and Sampi are good at applying physical pressure in the forward line. They chase and put backmen under pressure so that mistakes happen and the ball is locked into our forward line.

This is how I would like to see our forward structure set up.

Sampi - McDougall - Matera
Jones - Staker/Gaspar - Haynes

Jones Staker and Haynes all have great hands and 8 times out of 10 will take a mark when the ball is delivered to them in a reasonable fashion. Staker needs to add a bit of bulk over the summer so that he isn't out-muscled in the marking contests and I am sure that this is something everyone is aware of.

 

[Frodo]

Originally posted by Voice of Reason
Seaby and Lynch had excellent games in the wet for the mighty Falcons as they kept East Perth GOALLESS FOR THE ENTIRE GAME this afternoon. On that form, both could play next week.

Woosha watched 3 quarters in front of us until he got bored and left.

Come on VOR, you can't get anything out of a game where the players needed snorkels. It was a farce and unless they are going to make Shell stadium into a swimming pool then not a lot can be taken from the Pooldalup game.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Originally posted by Frodo
Come on VOR, you can't get anything out of a game where the players needed snorkels. It was a farce and unless they are going to make Shell stadium into a swimming pool then not a lot can be taken from the Pooldalup game.

Au contraire, it was a game in hostile conditions where the players and team that wanted it the most came to the fore and won.

I anticipate a very similar game in Geelong next weekend, hopefully with less rain. It could easily be more windy next week though.