John Anthony-Forward or Back?

[Heater39]

Watched the reserves against Box Hill on Saturday and was very impressed with Anthony, Dawes and Macaffer up forward. Jack looks like he has a good pair of hands and is a reasonably good set shot for goal.

However I personally think we need him down back more as we have some good key forward stocks but are lacking in the backline. Is the club grooming him for a key defender or a key forward? Or could he be used as a swingman ala Adam Hunter?

 

[RRRooocccaaa]

Be a pity if he was used down the back only. Really attacks the pack when marking up forward and has a decent kick. We need an angry forward like big Jack - he and Trav could be quite an interesting combo.

I personally reckon we're OK already for backmen, but could use some bigger targets up forward where we've been lacking so far this season (Medhurst aside, we've no real permanent inside 50 targets).

 

[Chase the Ace]

Didn't his Dad say he played CHF in junior footy (I can't remember or did I dream this).

I think we are fortunate as he can play either end

 

[Bloben]

We have a long term need for a defender his size. Saying this we have a short term need for an AFL ready larger forward.

Although his long term future may rest as a defender we may need him to play as a forward for a large chunk of 2008. He seems quite skilled at both ends though and I don't believe it will be detrimental for his development... therefore he could quite well become the Adam Hunter of Collingwood.

 

[Beloved]

I think he should be used up Forward.

From what i've seen from him in the VFL, he seems to be caught out of position far too often and ends up with 3 or 4 goals scored against him per game.

From what i've heard about him in the Forward line from last week, it sounds like he should be persisted with in a Key Position spot. Rocca wont be around forever, and I think that either John Anthony or Travis Cloke will fill the spot left vacant from him in the future (pending on the decision to move Trav Cloke to Full Forward permanently or not).

IMO, the best bet would be to try and snag a quality defender with your first round draft pick this year.

Persist with him in the Forward line, see what comes of it.

 

[#1 pies]

Up forward!!! Played great against the tiges!!! 1st two kicks- 2 goals!!!

 

[smiddaz123]

Wherever he is needed. He can play both, no need to restrict him to one.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

We havent had a key position player who could play at both ends since Bill Picken. And even then he was not much of a CHF. Worst kick for goal I have ever seen. In fact in my entire lifetime I dont think I've seen a truly versatile key position player at Collingwood - except a couple who could ruck a bit.

Personally I think its a God-send that with Anthony, we finally have a player who might be a genuine tall utility type who can play wherever needed. I reckon we could groom the same from Brown as well.

 

[smiddaz123]

We havent had a key position player who could play at both ends since Bill Picken. And even then he was not much of a CHF. Worst kick for goal I have ever seen. In fact in my entire lifetime I dont think I've seen a truly versatile key position player at Collingwood - except a couple who could ruck a bit.

Personally I think its a God-send that with Anthony, we finally have a player who might be a genuine tall utility type who can play wherever needed. I reckon we could groom the same from Brown as well.

Not true.

Remember Jason Cloke

 

[BEEG]

PLEASE PLAY JA SOON AND KEEP HIM IN THE TEAM HE IS THE KIND OF PLAYER WE CAN PUT FORWARD OR BACK WHICH I BELIEVE EVERY GOOD TEAM NEEDS

Drap Maxwell and put Anthony in get games into him down back and put him forward when we need him he has a much brighter future then Maxwell and should be in by now

 

[Godfrey Jones]

it's looking like we'll have big boys capable of playing either end

Dawes obviously is a forward who can and has played back, and MM has hinted at his debut being in the defence

anthony is a backman who can definately play forward and is a beautiful kick

Brown, backman who can go forward and cause some damage

Goldsack, ANZAC day showed some promising signs for him as a forward option.

and of course, wakelin would just have to be one of our greatest current goalkickers...

and presti was drafted as a forward!! lol

ok getting silly now, but pretty lucky to have such flexibility

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Not true.

Remember Jason Cloke

He played 70 games more than you.

 

[smiddaz123]

He played 70 games more than you.

Right, I know this. What's your point?

 

[Godfrey Jones]

Right, I know this. What's your point?

Jason Cloke > smiddaz123

 

[Chase the Ace]

Bit of a rumour doing the rounds that JA will play on Saturday

 

[JAJH]

Bit of a rumour doing the rounds that JA will play on Saturday

And where did you hear that?

 

[Chase the Ace]

And where did you hear that?

A text from my bro, he got it from his mate and he got it from .............
That's why its called a rumour

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I don't see any reason why Anthony should be restricted to forward or back. However, it would be great to see him get a game as either at this point in time.

 

[Bay Pie]

I see him as very much a Adam Hunter style player.

Main position is back but can get swung forward on the odd occasion.

He is a very nice kick for goal.

 

[Keele]

I have a feeling he will get a game at F/F

 

[Beloved]

I have a feeling he will get a game at F/F

Do you think they'd bring him in and play him a FF against the Swannies defense? I mean, I don't know, seems a bit risky to me. :S

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

And where did you hear that?

Meh, MM does it every week, dont get too defensive. Unless theres something we're not supposed to know????

BTW I was impressed with his press interview on Saturday on the ABC, spoke like a confident man who feels part of the club and ready to say what he thinks. He virtually told the selectors to promote himself or Dawes !!!

Havent heard him talk before but he's gone up in my estimations even further.

 

[Keele]

Do you think they'd bring him in and play him a FF against the Swannies defense? I mean, I don't know, seems a bit risky to me. :S

Just as risky as being named as an emergency... if the trust is there for that then they must have enough trust for him to play

He has a great pair of hands and is a real one grab mark who can kick straight. Sometimes the unknown factor can play an important role even against a good defence like Sydney

I thought it would be either Dawes or JA... both in my eyes deserve a chance while Rocca is out.

 

[kevind]

Just as risky as being named as an emergency... if the trust is there for that then they must have enough trust for him to play

He has a great pair of hands and is a real one grab mark who can kick straight. Sometimes the unknown factor can play an important role even against a good defence like Sydney

I thought it would be either Dawes or JA... both in my eyes deserve a chance while Rocca is out.

I can't agree with you about Dawes. He has only played 1 good game at VFL level. He needs to back last weeks effort up with some consistency before being promoted. JA on the other hand is far more mature, is flexible so we can play him back or forward and has good form behind him. He should line up as FF against the Swans and I'm sure he won't disapoint. So I hope the rumour is true.

 

[DaVe86]

If he comes into the side it will be as a forward.

I reckon there is a very very strong chance he will play this week.


However long term i feel he is a backman. Got no trouble playing him at AFL level up forwrad in the mean-time, as long as he is getting a taste. But his future is a backman.

With Dawes, Reid, Rusling and Cloke, i feel our forward line is well served in the future. All are young and promising. Rusling is on last legs but is young enough to have a bright future.

Down back, with the retirement of Clement and the impending retirements of Wakelin and Presti, key position backman are whats improtant. Brown has already impressed...but i feel Goldsack, Harry and Maxwell are not suited to the giants of the game...more the 3rd tall or small forward. We definitely need Anthony as the Full Back.


But i can see a future for him as a swing player...kind of like Hunter for the Eagles. He is a class above VFL at the moment.