Goddard Up Forward, Kozi Down Back

[thomas_m18]

Now, I know this has probably been discussed before (I have never said anything at the Saints board before, so I have no idea what goes on) but tonight, I noticed that Barry ripped Zac up, and that Kozi wasn't much of a presence at all.

Now, I was sitting down, and I thought "Would Kozi play well down back?"

He's tall, he's got fairly good aerial capabilities, but I'm not sure how he'd match up on great forwards.

This made me think "Who would take Kozi's spot?" and Goddard sprang to my mind straight away (either him, Stanley or Lynch and I'm not sure of their spots JUST YET).

Goddard kicked 4 goals in a quarter against the Eagles, so I know he can take a mark and kick a goal. He has a great kick, and he isn't unco. I would think he'd work great with Riewoldt, and he'd go out into the midfield looking for the ball if need be.

I'm no expert, so I'm not sure if this is feasible, but it sounds pretty solid in theory.

Thoughts anyone?

By the way, sorry if this is in the wrong place, but I'm new to this place.

 

[Cardio Carl]

Kosi to slow down back and will provide zero rebound for us across half back - we will get cut to ribbons.

Goddard forward, yes.

Kosi needs to get into it or Stanley will swamp him come round 4-5

 

[Dennis]

I think Kosi's issue is that Reiwolt runs and leads into his space

Tonight, almost every contested mark the Roo took had Kosi in the same pack.

Roo is killing Kosi. they can't play in the same foward line together. Never happened when Fraser was there

Maybe its Kosi's lack of workrate to lead anywhere except for up the corridor?

 

[thomas_m18]

I think Kosi's issue is that Reiwolt runs and leads into his space

Tonight, almost every contested mark the Roo took had Kosi in the same pack.

Roo is killing Kosi. they can't play in the same foward line together. Never happened when Fraser was there

Maybe its Kosi's lack of workrate to lead anywhere except for up the corridor?

I did notice that. That's why I thought Goddard. Would have much, much more workrate, would give us a great target, good mark, and good kick.

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Our resident Collingwood supporter rolleyes will like your idea of playing Goddard up forward. Personally, I think we'll see him everywhere this year.

And I agree with CC that Koschitzke is probably too slow for a 2010 backline.

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

I think Kosi's issue is that Reiwolt runs and leads into his space

Tonight, almost every contested mark the Roo took had Kosi in the same pack.

Roo is killing Kosi. they can't play in the same foward line together. Never happened when Fraser was there

Maybe its Kosi's lack of workrate to lead anywhere except for up the corridor?

At least he saw Riewoldt tonight - everytime I see them leading into the same space, I fear that Koschitzke will kill Riewoldt...

 

[hayes]

Kosi is too slow for the backline. If Kosi was to lose his spot I'd rather put another tall in the forward line to replace him. Goddard is tall for a midfielder but not a tall in general. A forward line with Riewoldt and the much more agile Stanley could be exciting but then again we haven't seen Stanley in a real game yet so for now Kosi's going to stay where he is until he has some competition for his spot.

 

[thomas_m18]

Kosi is too slow for the backline. If Kosi was to lose his spot I'd rather put another tall in the forward line to replace him. Goddard is tall for a midfielder but not a tall in general. A forward line with Riewoldt and the much more agile Stanley could be exciting but then again we haven't seen Stanley in a real game yet so for now Kosi's going to stay where he is until he has some competition for his spot.

Stanley'd be good to see, but Kozi would have to be playing pretty bad for Lyon to drop him for Stanley (or injured, of course, which isn't exactly unlikely).

Still, it COULD happen.

I'd love to see Stanley play, even with Kozi and Riewoldt as a third tall, but I dunno when he gets his break.

 

[Plugger35]

Not sure if moving Kosi down back permanently is a great option, however I think playing him in more of an on ball role and dropping back across half back could work. He just doesn't seem to be offering enough up forward at the moment and if he isn't taking his marks he's a liability. I really think someone more mobile like Stanley could be a better option long term.

Not sure about playing Goddard up forward permanently either. His best role is playing through half back and midfield where we can utilise his brilliant kicking skills. I don't mind him being thrown up forward occasionally as he is a very good overhead mark and a good kick for goal but I think it would be a waste of his talents to play him up there permanently.

 

[dswan]

Well its pretty obvious Kozi should be dropped. Volt is left to do too much.
Out King Kozi in Gardiner Stanley.
McEnvoy should definitely play in your 22 as well.
This will give Ross Lyon the athleticism and run he wants.

Oh and Goddard what a machine he should play all over the ground especially through the midfield where he can create so much. Putting him forward to rest is a good idea though.

 

[paul of tuval]

Kosi in the ruck, McEvoy forward. If Gardi and King are both fit then Kosi out and McEvoy forward rotating between the bench, ruck and forward line. Remember, gardi can also play forward if we need a big mark. wouldn't bank on his leading up the ground, though. It looks as if Stanley is pretty close to being given a go, IMO at Kosi's expense

 

[Papa Juggs]

Kosi just not good enough.

Keeps dropping sitter marks because he is scared of the defender trying to get a fist on it.

He needs to harden up or we should just play Tom Lynch in his spot.

 

[have a RHG]

Thing is with Kosi he commands respect from the opposition they have to play there 2nd best tall defender which allows Roo to compete 1 out more often then not. Opposition coaches know that if they leave Kosi with a 4th 5th or 6th defender he is likely to cut them up. He has the potential too. Where is if the Saints play are lesser like there they will not command the respect from the opposition and the defender picking up a Stanly or Lynch will back themselves to play off a bit to double team Roo.
I agree Kosi needs to hold his marks but thats a confidence thing all big blokes go through.
But in the bigger picture i think he plays his part by attracting the better defender, allowing roo to be the best forward in the comp that he is.

 

[Matty_V]

Kosi just not good enough.

Keeps dropping sitter marks because he is scared of the defender trying to get a fist on it.

He needs to harden up or we should just play Tom Lynch in his spot.

I tend to agree, he has had enough to show this "potential" that is always talked about, but gives us nothing.

But last night was the 1st time I saw Lynch and he looked like nothing special, he looked timid and does not have the build of a FF. Kozi just can't play with Rooey in the same FL. Have a try with him in the ruck again, and the around the ground guy while McEvoy/King/Gardy takes the centrebounce. He just is not a FF period.

Also he is miles to slow to play in the backline, the guy has the speed of a ruckman, play him there and if that does not work, trade him next year.

 

[StFly]

Kosi does nto have presence when in the forward line as Roo demands it merely because of who he is, shifting Kosi out of the line up will not solve the issue of the FF.

 

[dan0z]

why do ppl keep saying play kozi down back?? he cant run, or turn, and constantly gives away free kicks.. he is costing us goals at the moment with his pathetic efforts up forward. i would rather play roo, goddard, and stanley in the forward line. they all good in the air and at ground level..

Why didnt stanley play last night?

 

[thomas_m18]

why do ppl keep saying play kozi down back?? he cant run, or turn, and constantly gives away free kicks.. he is costing us goals at the moment with his pathetic efforts up forward. i would rather play roo, goddard, and stanley in the forward line. they all good in the air and at ground level..

Why didnt stanley play last night?

The only reason I'm saying 'Kozi down back' is because he was terrible up forward last night. If he was playing well, no problem.

 

[dan0z]

The only reason I'm saying 'Kozi down back' is because he was terrible up forward last night. If he was playing well, no problem.

i see what your getting at mate, i just think if he cant play forward or ruck then he might have to play for sandy..

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Koschitzke may not be in his best form, but :

- he had one of the best defenders in the AFL on him

- he would have had seven goals with the service from the midfield Barry Hall enjoyed.

He is a confidence player and will get better once he takes a few big marks and kicks a few goals.

And with all respect to Stanley, Lynch, Heyne, etc., but any of these guys will not have the presence of Koschitze. Minus twenty to thirty goals for the year for Riewoldt if Koschitzke doesn't play !

 

[Papa Juggs]

Kosi has become a running joke.

The sooner we drop him the better.

Just keeps dropping marks and keeps getting a game.

Ross Lyon needs to harden the **** up!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Ross Lyon needs to harden the **** up!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not sure if someone like Max Hudghton or Luke Ball will agree with you there...

 

[Scottydude]

Goddard in the C and Kozi in the VFL

 

[Papa Juggs]

In the game against Freo Milne and Schnieder had to kick all the goals.

Kosi is finished.

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

In the game against Freo Milne and Schnieder had to kick all the goals.

Kosi is finished.

Where were Schneider and Milne last night ?

Sorry, JB, I don't want to have a go at those two, but you're overdramatising Koschitzke being out of form in the pre-season, aren't you ?

 

[Plugger35]

why do ppl keep saying play kozi down back?? he cant run, or turn, and constantly gives away free kicks.. he is costing us goals at the moment with his pathetic efforts up forward. i would rather play roo, goddard, and stanley in the forward line. they all good in the air and at ground level..

Why didnt stanley play last night?

Yeah good question, I still haven't heard a reason why Stanley wasn't playing last night. I assume he was just omitted and wasn't out due to injury.

As I said before, I found it surprising that they played Lynch ahead of Stanley when Stanley looks a much more likely prospect at this stage. Lynch showed last night that he is still a way off having an impact at AFL level whereas Stanley has hit the ground running in our first 3 NAB Cup games and had an impact whenever he has been on the ground. I would've thought last night would've been a great opportunity to see how he went in a high pressure game against quality opposition.

Can't see any reason why we can't play Riewoldt, Kosi and Stanley in the same forward line. Also by playing Stanley up forward it would give us the flexibility to push Kosi up the ground into an on ball or floating half back role. Would make us a lot less predictable.