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Higgins as FF ??

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The Original Swooper

The Original Swooper

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A common theme through many threads is the need for change in structure. It seems a few schools of thought exist. Harris to a key forward post is countered by the risk of upsetting a pretty good back 6. The young lads in Grant or Boumann we all concede will need HUGE physical development to have any consistent impact in the short term. Trade week supplied no new options. Everitt is a question mark as to his ability/strength to hold down a KPF spot. So, in similar line to Dare to be Different, what about Shaun Higgins as a FF ? He is only a 6'1 player, about 92 kg's now (?) but great overhead, excellent disposal, and a good set shot.

HF Murphy Everitt Johnston
F Welsh/Grant Higgins Akermanis

Big Will could be thrown down there whilst Huddo rucks (ala 2008) to upset oppo's back 6 balance, but I really don't see too many other options, lest the annual "smokey" that emerges in 2009 is a KPF.
 
I think Higgins will be one of the players rotated through our forwardline, but he isn't the answer we are looking for. We are looking for a forward who can take a contested mark deep, not another lead up forward in the mould of Scott Welsh. Higgins reminds me of Johnno, he could be a very good mid-sized forward. However I see him moving into the midfield a bit more should he get a full pre-season, so he isn't ideal for that spot because A) he isn't a contested marking tall forward who we can bomb it to, and B) He'll ideally be in the middle for a third of the match.
 
The Original Swooper said:
A common theme through many threads is the need for change in structure. It seems a few schools of thought exist. Harris to a key forward post is countered by the risk of upsetting a pretty good back 6. The young lads in Grant or Boumann we all concede will need HUGE physical development to have any consistent impact in the short term. Trade week supplied no new options. Everitt is a question mark as to his ability/strength to hold down a KPF spot. So, in similar line to Dare to be Different, what about Shaun Higgins as a FF ? He is only a 6'1 player, about 92 kg's now (?) but great overhead, excellent disposal, and a good set shot.

HF Murphy Everitt Johnston
F Welsh/Grant Higgins Akermanis

Big Will could be thrown down there whilst Huddo rucks (ala 2008) to upset oppo's back 6 balance, but I really don't see too many other options, lest the annual "smokey" that emerges in 2009 is a KPF.
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Umm.....No on quite a few accounts.

You would think after 300 odd games you could spell our captain's name correctly.

Everitt struggled big time in a BP last year. How the hell will he survive in the toughest position on the ground?

We need a 'big bloke' at FF, not another pip squeak. And on top of that Higgins should really be looking to move into the midfield next year and not play as a permanent forward. We need more guys who can use the ball well in the guts!!!
 

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I'm hoping Higgins becomes a regular in our midfield rotation next year. Could play a similar role to a Chapman.

Can't see the point in drafting a midfielder at pick 11 only to use him as a full forward.
 
I think we need Higgo to be a midfielder who can rotate through the forwardline.
He's a good leading forward but we really don't lack them.
 
Pigdog said:
Umm.....No on quite a few accounts.

You would think after 300 odd games you could spell our captain's name correctly.

OK, Mr Pedant, that will change our structure.

Everitt struggled big time in a BP last year. How the hell will he survive in the toughest position on the ground?

It is a suggestion. I note you have not bothered to nominate a CHF.

We need a 'big bloke' at FF, not another pip squeak. And on top of that Higgins should really be looking to move into the midfield next year and not play as a permanent forward. We need more guys who can use the ball well in the guts!!!
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We all KNOW this, but we DO NOT HAVE ONE. So instead of repeating the same "what if"... or "we need"... it's about what we HAVE!!
 
soupaman said:
I think Higgins will be one of the players rotated through our forwardline, but he isn't the answer we are looking for. We are looking for a forward who can take a contested mark deep, not another lead up forward in the mould of Scott Welsh. Higgins reminds me of Johnno, he could be a very good mid-sized forward. However I see him moving into the midfield a bit more should he get a full pre-season, so he isn't ideal for that spot because A) he isn't a contested marking tall forward who we can bomb it to, and B) He'll ideally be in the middle for a third of the match.
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I agree 100%, just trying to break the monotony of the answer being "what we need" rather than what we have got.
 
kookadog said:
I think we need Higgo to be a midfielder who can rotate through the forwardline.
He's a good leading forward but we really don't lack them.
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We seem to have plenty of lead up forwards (and until we hit the wall we were a high scoring team despite our lack of KPF's), we have a midfield group most clubs would die for, and a back 6 that is coming together very well. The only "weak link" (to the school of thought that professes you cannot win a GF without at least one key fwd) is our lack of a permanent key forward. SOMEBODY has to play CHF & FF in 2009, as the "what we need" factor WILL NOT BE THERE!!! Barring one of our talls booming over summer (and that CAN happen), I feel it will be dejavu in 2009. Good to very good.....but not good enough.
 
murphy2bedabest said:
Thats why IMO Lake is a better option, and one that shoul;d be tried.
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I'd agree with that too Murph (as outlined a while ago in another post), but we need a FB. Tiller ? Hargrave? It is also paramount that Williams is up and running before this can transpire. Maybe he will be the "smokey" to fill CHF. :confused:
 
The Original Swooper said:
[/b]

We all KNOW this, but we DO NOT HAVE ONE. So instead of repeating the same "what if"... or "we need"... it's about what we HAVE!!
Click to expand...

Who know's what we have??

Until the new season is upon us I believe all this 'guessing' is a complete waste of time. Yeah it help's fill in your day, but really we have no idea what might happen in the 4 or so months before we start playing practice matches next year.

Once we have seen how our player's have developed in the off season and which player's we have drafted only then can we start thinking about possible structure's.
 

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The Original Swooper said:
I'd agree with that too Murph (as outlined a while ago in another post), but we need a FB. Tiller ? Hargrave? It is also paramount that Williams is up and running before this can transpire. Maybe he will be the "smokey" to fill CHF. :confused:
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The 2 players that would get the big jobs would be Morris and Williams (yes if fit) Tiller Hargrave and even to a lesser extent Wight can give cover, i would love to leave Lake at FB, hey if only we could play Harris at FB and Lake at FF that would be good:D

who else do we have on our list that can make an impact on 2009 as a power Forward?
 
Skipper is the answer. Not the answer most are hoping for, but I reckon he is our best bet to let Minson have more time in the ruck.

I reckon he will be trialled in the preseason just like Minson was last year.
 
murphy2bedabest said:
Thats why IMO Lake is a better option, and one that shoul;d be tried.
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For cripes sake don't mention the "L" name and get the oompa loompas stirred up again.

oompaloompas.jpg
 
stefoid said:
Skipper is the answer. Not the answer most are hoping for, but I reckon he is our best bet to let Minson have more time in the ruck.

I reckon he will be trialled in the preseason just like Minson was last year.
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I was expecting Skippy to play that kinda role this year, as I WAS a fan of his, but guess I've accepted he is a very good VFL player, and an average AFL'er. He seemed a bit miffed at the Prelim (after he had signed a 1 yr deal), but sure, if he fired up it would be a huge bonus.
 
I think Skipper has been kept on the list to pinch hit at Full Forward, didnt get the opportunity this year because of injury, however at best he is a pinch hitter, as is Minson.

Grant and Bouman at the only long term options but probably not going to have a huge impact in 2009 (hopefully Grant is in the gym as I type).:)

We will never win a premiership with Higgins at FF, it hasnt worked with Johnno and he is a champ.

By the way did anyone notice Higgins big turning circle during the finals, hopefully his serious injury has not resulted in permanant damage !!
 

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The Original Swooper said:
So, in similar line to Dare to be Different, what about Shaun Higgins as a FF ? He is only a 6'1 player, about 92 kg's now (?) but great overhead, excellent disposal, and a good set shot.
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I'm not sure that the FF would suit him but he is a decent mark and a nice kick so on occasions that might work. I doubt he would be the answer for more than a few games unless we found a way to open up the forward line and hope that he could play a role similar to the way Mark Williams did for the Hawks a few seasons back.
 
Eh, I see Higgins as more of a midfielder/winger. If anyone should be in Full Forward then let it be Tom Williams... Or even Cameron Wight.

Higgins looks to be doing better work in the Midfield, I can't deny he's a good and dangerous Forward but I don't think it suits him as well as Midfield.
 
On a side note, Everitt is not a KPP, if you watch his games, he is better suited to an Adam Goodes style role, running through the midfield, he has been always undersized as a KPP, saw him get torn apart by a kid 18 months his junior in a senior match (whilst at Stngrays) and then two weeks later, same thing happened by a different player, he has a massive engine, and one that should be utilitsed.
 
HFF_07 said:
On a side note, Everitt is not a KPP, if you watch his games, he is better suited to an Adam Goodes style role, running through the midfield, he has been always undersized as a KPP, saw him get torn apart by a kid 18 months his junior in a senior match (whilst at Stngrays) and then two weeks later, same thing happened by a different player, he has a massive engine, and one that should be utilitsed.
Click to expand...

CHF have some of the biggest engines in the league - especially consider the weight/height to engine ratio.
 

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Higgins as FF ??

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