Fullback in 07

[Bill Lawry. Mr. Classy]

I was just wondering peoples thoughts on who they think will step up to fill the gap at FB next season?

I personally would like to see the oppurtunity given to Stepehn Gilham, He has a good football brain and I was incredibly impressed with what he showed late in 06..

Thoughts?

 

[Fastback]

We don't have a gorilla, so one on ones vs the bigger blokes will still be a huge task for whoever gets the gig. What I'm looking for is quality backline support and clearances.

I think the following setup provides a competitive backline as long as everyone plays the right support role.

FB: Jacobs Dawson Sewell

HB: Hodge Croad Gilham

If we need more size at FB then I'd turn to Rob Campbell.

Roughie & Thorp (once he gets going) are also options.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Dawson.
I think Gilham is more of a second or third tall, not a FB.

Don't underestimate the work Jacobs does for Dawson when fit. He continually tries to get back and help, well, he did before injury.

I believe the FB spot is Zac's, with his added weight and another preseason under his belt we should see more improvement in him.

 

[KingRich]

Dawson for first crack, Gilham depending on opponent. Croad and Roughie if we are getting slaughtered.

 

[hawkaz1]

After reading so many positive things about Dawson I'm convinced that he's the man for fullback this season. However if he is having a bad game then Gilham could possibly play fullback, or we can use Campbell.

 

[Bill Lawry. Mr. Classy]

Hmmm, Im of the opinion that Hodge is most damaging as a pure ruck rover and that Roughie needs to spend more time up forward..

I also dont want Jacobs in the side, He is far to loose, he constanly gives opposition forwards to many oppurtunitys by opening up to much space and/or giving his man way to much breathing room..

Robert Campbell will be our number one ruckmen next year and I think using him to fill holes down back will apply to much pressure to the inexperienced Bailey and Renouf..

I also find it strange that a year out with injury all of a sudden means Michael Osbourne is a no show down back?

 

[Bill Lawry. Mr. Classy]

FB- Joel Smith, Stephen Gilham, Campbell Brown

HB- Michael Osbourne, Trent Croad, ????????????

I think that backline cna be competitive... The un marked spot to be filled with ether Zac Dawson or Roughie depending on the tall timber our opponents have up forward...

Lets also not rule out the concept of a bulked up Thurgood running off the flank

Theres lots of diffrent ways it could go....

 

[soupofficial]

with spider gone, campbell won't be available to pinch hit at full back.

dawson will be given first crack at FB, with roughead or gilham given second crack, depending on the opponent. croad doesn't generally get played on the last line, and jacobs will never be a key position player. strategically speaking, zac is in the top 6 most important players on our list. the others in that group would be campbell, croad, mitchell, williams, and hodge. they're the ones who perform their roles far better than anyone else on our list, and would leave the biggest hole if they had to be replaced.

 

[NGHAWK]

Why stop Zac's development now? I think he will still get a lot of exposure in 07 but thankfully we also have Danny Jacobs back who hopefully can remain injury free and bring his experience to use. And what great thing is, there's several other able options within the team to fill the position, some yet to be discovered. I look forward to seeing the full potential of all our young guy's because we've got the ingrediants for the next superpower, lets just perfect the recepie.

I was just wondering peoples thoughts on who they think will step up to fill the gap at FB next season?

I personally would like to see the oppurtunity given to Stepehn Gilham, He has a good football brain and I was incredibly impressed with what he showed late in 06..

Thoughts?

 

[Heropsychodreamer]

It will be my man.... Garry Moss... the Moss-ster! OK, so being 5'1" is too small is it.... honestly, i think Dawson will get first crack at it, then if he is really struggling it will go to Gilham. These are our two developing players for the position. We also have Croad, Campbell, Smith, Roughead and possibly Thorp who can take the position and do it with some great effect. Campbell especially against a less mobile gorilla like FF.

And for all those people who dont have HBF filled in, it must be Birchall... urely he has done enough to keep his spot!

Osbourne has lost his spot... through injury... but he hadnt cemented it before injury, meaning he must work his @ss off to get back in the team. Like Boyle, i think he will be relying on injuries for his last chance.

Danny Jacobs is often referred to as the general of the back line... i think there is a definate link between him getting injured and our horrible run of losses. Though he does play a bit lose off his line.... i think he does have the responsibility of his man/position, sweeper and helping full back. He is a great asset in my books.

Hero (proud sponsor of one Garry Moss)

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

FB- Joel Smith, Stephen Gilham, Campbell Brown

HB- Michael Osbourne, Trent Croad, ????????????

Osborne has lost his place in the side. Will have to work hard to regain a spot, and I would think he would probably get a go forward of centre.
Birchall, Guerra and Sewell all ahead of him for mine, when it comes to HBF.

My back six would look something like....

Brown - Dawson - Jacobs

Sewell - Croad - Birchall

Ellis, Kennedy and Guerra also to be used off the half backline at different stages during the year. And I've left out Joel Smith.

The one thing I note is that there will be a real competition for spots this year.

 

[Heropsychodreamer]

The one thing I note is that there will be a real competition for spots this year.

The competition will be brutal... if there are few injuries... it will be a challenge to make the side for some

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Robbie campbell held down FB/CHB in the pre-season and first few rounds of last year, and did a damn fine job until Spida cracked a hissy and decided he didnt like our club anymore.

Robbie is the perfect option for the role once Bails/Renouf get used tot he game. He is big, stong, good set of hands, decent kick, accurate handball, and is the 2nd heaviest player in the afl. But since he is our number 1 ruck, Roughy, Dawson and Gilham will most likely rotate the role

*edit* Josh kennedy also might be a chance, although short, damn tough, gave Chris Dawes a go for his money in practice matches at Sandy last year (Dawes was 110kg then, this is before josh got injured)

 

[MinerBoy]

This is a tough call on a crucial position in terms of our team's success.

No matter how much we improve as a team, if we continue to concede big numbers to the opposition FF every week, we are inevitably going to lose too many games that we probably have every right to win in terms of general play. (Collingwood and Kangaroos were both games we would have won early last year if we had of kept Rocca and Thommo in check).

Gilham and Murphy both appear to be very capable players for the back line. However, Zac has them covered in terms of size (height) and most successful sides have very stable FBs who have developed over a number of seasons. As such, seeing as we have invested the game time in to Zac so far, I would hope we continue with that for the time being. If he has added weight as I have read people suggest, then with the assistance of Spud developing his positioning and reading of play, I would think he is the most likely to be a successful long term Full Back.

If unsuccessful, then I guess it's back to the drawing board. However, we do have a list of talls now that are not all going to play forward line, even if they are listed as forwards when we draft them. If they have talent, they can surely adapt - Gilham, Murphy, Croad, Roughy, Beau D and Thorp. Any others?

FWIW - I believe Zac might just turn out OK. He may not be the best ever, but I believe he will turn out to be quite a solid contributor over many seasons. Fingers crossed.

 

[kidneyhawks]

Has everyone forgot about osbourne, he is awesome at stopping the small forward.

Also the reason Jacobs plays so loose is so he can help out Zac or whoever our full back may be

 

[cs61]

Has everyone forgot about osbourne, he is awesome at stopping the small forward.

Also the reason Jacobs plays so loose is so he can help out Zac or whoever our full back may be

I definately haven't forgotten about him. He has good pace, aggressive, can stop and opponent. His skill level is pretty average however, if this improves he could surprise and work his way back in the team. But Brown is back there, Sewell was one of our best last year and can play inside mid as well, Guerra is in the top 2 kicks in our side, and suddenly there isn't any easy spots for him. I'd like him in and I know the coaching staff like his attack on ball and player, but he's really got to improve his kicking. If he does his pace will be an assett to us, because that part of his game is definately underated, he has very good running ability.

 

[RustyHawk]

I'm not sure Jacobs is going to be available for sometime.

It was reported at family Xmas day that he had another operation and I havent seen him at training. Makes me thinks that things are not going well.

Even when he returns he will starting a long way back in terms of his fitness.

I expect Joel Smith to play as he is practising. In the midfield.

Also believe the success of Croad and Hodge down back in the last 4 games of 2006 can help cover the inexperience of Gilham and Dawson.

 

[Bill Lawry. Mr. Classy]

I think Osbourne will be an almost walk up start, my reason for this is simple... Jacobs will never recover from injury to his full potential IMO..

 

[Roughie]

Jacobs isnt effective at holding his own against a good forward, Jacobs talents lie in him being able to read the play and position him self as the 2nd man in on a marking contest.

I think it will between Dawson and Gilham. I think Dawson will get more of a run on the straight up leading forwards, and Gilly get a crack on the gorrilla forwards like Hall.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Gillham will get smashed by the power forwards or gorilla's of the comp.

Bill Lawry, could you explain how Osborne will bea walk up start into the best 22?
Do you have him ahead of Brown, Sewell, Guerra, Birchall, Crawford, Smith, Ellis, Lewis, Bateman....as they are the players he would be competing with for a possie.

He will not be replacing Jacobs, even if he is injured. That role would go to either Murphy, Gillham or Thurgood.

 

[Bill Lawry. Mr. Classy]

Gillham will get smashed by the power forwards or gorilla's of the comp.

Bill Lawry, could you explain how Osborne will bea walk up start into the best 22?
Do you have him ahead of Brown, Sewell, Guerra, Birchall, Crawford, Smith, Ellis, Lewis, Bateman....as they are the players he would be competing with for a possie.

He will not be replacing Jacobs, even if he is injured. That role would go to either Murphy, Gillham or Thurgood.

I think personally, haven spoken to Clarko at a Family Day on the topic that the coaching staff have a hell of alot of fayth in Ozzy. I think at full fitness he is one of the best small defenders at the club, second only to Browny. I definatly have him ahead of Sewell. I don't see Guerra, Ellis, Crawf, Lewis and Bateman as defenders.. So who else would you give the small defender role to?

 

[Roughie]

Gillham will get smashed by the power forwards or gorilla's of the comp.
.

And Dawson will do a better job? Gilly is our best option against bigger forwards with Campbell doing number 1 ruck duties.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

And Dawson will do a better job? Gilly is our best option against bigger forwards with Campbell doing number 1 ruck duties.

Maybe, maybe not, but I don't understand this thought that Gillham will be able to hold the gorillas any better than Dawson.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I think personally, haven spoken to Clarko at a Family Day on the topic that the coaching staff have a hell of alot of fayth in Ozzy. I think at full fitness he is one of the best small defenders at the club, second only to Browny. I definatly have him ahead of Sewell. I don't see Guerra, Ellis, Crawf, Lewis and Bateman as defenders.. So who else would you give the small defender role to?

I'm sure they do have alot of faith in him, but you do realsie Sewell finished in the top 3 of the Crimmins medal don't you? He wont be moved aside for Ossie.

Ossie will be played as either a HFF or HBF, and this is where he will be behind players like Guerra, Lewis, Crawf, Sewell, Brown, Smith, Birchall etc.
Faith or not, I can't see him being a walk up start for 2007.

 

[Roughie]

Maybe, maybe not, but I don't understand this thought that Gillham will be able to hold the gorillas any better than Dawson.

Personally I think Gilham's size will help him. I saw Dawson get murdered agains the big forwards last season, so I am sure half way through 07 if Dawson is still getting killed why is there any harm in try Gilly?

We've seen Dawson get beaten, we havent seen Gilly get the chance. I just want to see how he goes, his frame seems more well built (in the pre season photos) in comparison to Dawson.

We just need to see them in action against forwards to see how they use their weight, strength and positioning to get a real indication on who should be our fullback for the future.