How do we get a ready-made forward?

[Kane McGoodwin]

Its always the gun players that are the topic of going home - jeez i bet there wasnt this conversation about daniel schell

We were having plenty of conversations about Schell - just none too positive. Guess we had to start evening up the Macca deal...

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Niiiice! invite me to your 13th birthday.

As the president of the old farts club here, I thank you, thank you.

 

[Crowked]

Interesting thoughts


Let Burton loose up forward, says Bickley
By ANDREW CAPEL
19may05

ADELAIDE needs to get Brett Burton off the wing and into its impotent attack.

And it should give him videos to study of new Brownlow Medal favourite Matthew Pavlich.
That is the opinion of dual Crows premiership captain Mark Bickley, who claims the athletic Burton should be given licence to play the forward line role that Pavlich does at Fremantle, particularly on the bigger grounds.

It is a move Bickley believes could help solve Adelaide's goalkicking woes, which saw it kick just eight goals from 58 inside-50s against Brisbane on Saturday.

"At the moment Adelaide's got a million midfielders and no forwards," Bickley said.

"(Martin) Mattner, (Brent) Reilly, (Andrew) McLeod, (Simon) Goodwin, (Michael) Doughty and (James) Begley can all play on the wing - I would give Begley a go there - but it hasn't got an impact player up forward.

"Birdman (Burton) could be that man. He's clever around goal and he can take a catch, which he has proven."

It has been suggested Burton, who topped the Crows' goalkicking with a career-high 51 in 2002, be stationed at full forward where he could break packs open with his wonderful jumping and marking ability.

But Bickley believes that would take away his biggest strength - his aerobic capacity.

He would use Burton the way the Dockers use Pavlich - to lead up the ground and open up the forward line which has become too crowded.

"Like Pavlich, Burton's got a great engine," Bickley said.

"He should start at half-forward or in a forward pocket and roam up the ground, take his opponent away from goal and then duck back into the forward 50.

"He should just be allowed to run around there, fly for some marks and try to create some havoc for the opposition. I've got no doubt his opponent would have trouble keeping up with him and it would help open up the forward line as well.

"And because of the danger he presents Brett would command a good defender. That would in turn benefit (Scott) Welsh and (Trent) Hentschel because instead of having the first or second-best defender they might get the third or fourth best."

Pavlich has played the roaming forward role to perfection at Fremantle this season, resulting in his Brownlow Medal favouritism and the Dockers' better results.

The brilliant but erratic Burton is 7cm shorter and does not possess the class of Pavlich but he could play a similarly effective role. It would also mean when he makes one of his frustrating errors it is closer to Adelaide's goal than the opposition's. And if he can ignite an ailing attack, all will be forgiven.



I think this could be effective, particularly in the second half of games when the opposition CHB is tiring from chasing Burton all day and Burton himself isnt due to his well known endurance. Could be worth a try.

 

[outback jack]

maybe NC will actually play him forward now. I think mark is going a bit far with the pavlich role though. why when our forward line is not looking that flash, that the birdman hasnt been given a role up there is astounding really. Atleast mark is looking to use his leap and endurance. I wouldnt mind if we just used his leap, close to goal

 

[Mong]

True it'd be your best chance, but in the same breath Freo will be in thick of things then, still doubt he would leave... its one of those things i guess he's spent nearly 10yrs growing up with alot of teammates n it'll be that pull to see if he'll go n capt the crows or stay

Yeah. You'd think playing 8 or so years at one club would easily override any feelings you'd have for a team you supported as a teenager. Family might be the only lure these days.