KP forwards

[davey_magik]

Looks like we're banking on Miller/Juice/Watts/Bate/Garland/Fitzpatrick to be our targets for the next decade (Obviously not all of them).

Do you have faith that out of that group we'll get at least two quality KP forwards? FWIW I don't see Jurrah as a KPF.

 

[melbournemartin]

What's wrong with that? We all knew that we needed to draft a key forward today. We were hoping/expecting Black, Talia or Carlisle but we got Fitzpatrick instead.

 

[Deemonator]

I must admitt, i was shocked to hear Gysberts name called out. I really wanted Talia or Black. But not another Mid. So yeah, im a bit worried about the forward line now

 

[The Dr]

Exactly what I was thinking. I am very, very surprised we didn't go for a genuine KPF (i.e not a ruckman who can go forward, or a mid-sized forward) early.

Makes me wonder whether Bailey is going for a Bulldogs' style forward line with six or seven dangerous options with a mix of sizes, rather than your standard big FF/CHF combo with others buzzing around them.

FWIW, I would have preferred the cover of a genuine KPF (Talia, Griffiths, Black) somewhere along the line tonight, because what happens if Watts/Jurrah don't turn into elite forwards?

 

[thetank]

I'm not confident at all about missing Talia and Black with the Gysbert/Tapscott picks.

It is already hard enough trying to fit Scully and Trengove into our midfield/HF/HB rotations next year. Without knowing too much about Gysbert and Tapscott, where in the world are they going to fit? Moloney, Sylvia, N. Jones, Grimes, Blease, Morton, Strauss, James McDonald, Green, Bruce, Davey, Maric. That is 12 players, plus our first 4 picks.

We had a clear need on a reasonable quality KPP, we had Black drop into our lap at 18 and yet didn't take the opportunity.

 

[master bate]

Thetank I understand where you are coming from, but if the recruiters think Tapscott is a gun and Black might not even make it to AFL level then you have to go Tapscott. If you are wondering about where they all fit into an AFL side - have a look at this. I've left out McDonald and Bruce because they don't have long left but:

Defenders: Bennell, Grimes, Morton, Strauss, McKenzie
Forwards: Sylvia, Maric, Tapscott, Green, Petterd, Jetta, Davey
Pure mids: Moloney, Jones

And apparently these guys can play multiple positions: Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, not sure what Blease can do.

You can't fit them all in a side, we need a couple of ruckmen, a few more defensively minded backmen (say Rivers, Frawley, Garland etc), and a few pure forwards (Bate, Wona, Watts, Jurrah). But that means about 12 of these guys can be in the best side at any one time. When you count in a natural attrition rate due to players not meeting expectations and injuries, I'm very glad I can name 18 potential midfield types.

As for the key forwards, a Watts, Bate, Jurrah triangle would be hard to handle. I'd love one more, so ruling out Miller and Newton it looks to be out of Garland and Fitzpatrick. I don't see them being AFL stars as forward, but writing them off and going stir crazy just because we are one option short is nuts.

 

[Deefence]

None of us are recruiters here so we cant say with 100% full confindence anything about the draft this year, however i do believe that if tapscott and gysberts arn't signifcantly better than black, carslile and co then we made a mistake...watts is our only pure key position forward really...miller and newton havent done enough, martin has shown signs but needs to improve, fitzpartick isnt a ruckmen/forward.

Futhermore we have an abundance of midfielders now, surely one less wouldnt be too bad

 

[doggiesin08]

Could Morton become a CHF like Adam Goodes is becoming now after a similar role or do you guys think he'll always be a bit too light framed.

I wouldn't be too worried about having too many good mids. Worst case scenario is you trade one for a KPP. You guys have plenty of marking power up forward if Bate, Jurrah and Sylvia are up there with Miller and Watts developing with Fitzy.

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

Looks like we're banking on Miller/Juice/Watts/Bate/Garland/Fitzpatrick to be our targets for the next decade (Obviously not all of them).

Do you have faith that out of that group we'll get at least two quality KP forwards? FWIW I don't see Jurrah as a KPF.

Well clearly Dunny has to be given more opportunities in the forward line. If he's solid enough there, then I figure we should be alright...

 

[Punchy Demons]

I'm worried about the forward line still, but I agree that with all the midfielders we have drafted it is time to stop with Dunn as a midfielder & play him as a permanent forward.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Very happy with Scully and Trengove of course, and I like the look of Tapscott. Don't know much about Gysberts and I'm sure we have faith in him to be a solid player, however, I really think we should have taken a Talia or Black with pick 11. If we loved the look of Gysberts, then there must of been a chance he would be there at pick 18. I feel we really need another key forward! Gawn was definitely worth a punt at 34 and very happy with that decision. Pick 50 may have been worth going for a Temel or a Panos who could fill a full forward role. Maybe we think Green or Garland will play as a forward. Will be interesting, but overall, we did do very well at the draft, but IMO we should have gone Talia. Even more surprised Carlton didn't go for him at 12 though...

 

[Pipefitter]

As long as we have a good defence and midfield the rest will take care of itself. People worrying about not being able to fit midfielders in are dreaming. If our midfield is so star packed why are we at the bottom of the ladder?

 

[stickman11]

Needed to grab a forward - missed out - while bate can sink a few, Jurrah will be an x factor, Watts will be a strong CHF but we have no players capable of kicking a bag each week.

Very depressing - it is all ok to look at Geelong but they have been lucky. Had their arse kicked by Hawthorn, solid forwards and should have lost to the Saints had they not missed so many easy opportuinities.

 

[Pipefitter]

West Coast had absolutely no forward line and won the premiership. Geelong has one forward who is marginally better than miller.

 

[Pipefitter]

The way i look at it, you can shut down a forward. You cant shut down 12 midfielders.

 

[Leper Messiah]

I think the way Bailey's looking at it, is that if you can pin point laser passes into our forward line and not bombing them in it dosn't matter how tall you are.

 

[Punchy Demons]

Well lets hope for Bailey's sake that he is right, because if we don't win about 7 or 8 games next year he won't be coaching us from 2011 and on & another coach may have a totally different approach that does require another KPF.

 

[easter31]

I spoke to DB at training on Wednesday and I kept going on about recruiting some talls. He kept pressing the point that the game is won or lost in the midfield. He thought we had sufficient KPP tall prospects i.e Morton, Watts etc.
It was clear to me that they were going to go for the best player available and in the early part of the draft it was mids.
Got the impression however that he did rate Black and his eyes lit up when I mentioned Max Gawn.
He said to be patient because a number of our players will take 3-4 pre-seasons to compete with the seasoned players of other teams. He pointed out Bennell and Jetta as examples.

 

[WattsGun]

West Coast had absolutely no forward line and won the premiership. Geelong has one forward who is marginally better than miller.

Typical big footy post! dont compare us to west coast unless we just drafted 2 brownlow medalists (cousins and Judd) and a Kerr!! not to mention big rusky better turn into the best ruck of the comp (Cox)
Really dissapointed in the recruiting staff for not addressing the big issue unless we are relying on Miller to be a dominate force

 

[Fairtex09]

Im starting to come around to the idea. Look at Geelong for example their main KPF is Mooney (he's average) in 2-3 years we will have Jack Watts (who many recruiters say he will become an elite forward) as our main man. We also have some decent forwards in Bate, Pettard, Jurrah ect.. and not to mention the midfield rotations of Davey, Sylvia, Wonnamerri. Trust me, we will be a very difficult team to match up on. Unlike Geelong we will have a Riewoldt type player to kick 60 goals a year. Good times ahead.

 

[eliasd82]

The way i look at it, you can shut down a forward. You cant shut down 12 midfielders.

Thats a really interesting point.. never thought of it like that.

 

[demonfan9]

I think the forward line can still be very potent in the future. Watts will naturally be the main target, but he will have plenty of support. Jurrah is a freak; his high-marking and athleticism ensure that he is always a threat. Bate is a medium-tall, who is good on the lead and has a nice kick. Those three should form the nucleus of the side in years to come, while Morton could be another mid-sized, athletic forward. Young Fitpatrick is also being touted as a forward, and given his size, he could easily become the second power forward (I've got no idea on his actual talent though).

As for 2010, I'd like to see this as our forward line:

Wonaeamirri - Bate - Jurrah
Green - Watts - Sylvia

Other small options: Maric, Jetta, Tapscott
Other mid-sized options: Bruce, Morton, Petterd
Other tall options: Miller, Martin, Newton, Johnson

 

[Dez!]

Fitzpatrick is a KPF who can ruck according to Kevin Sheahan and I'd take his word over BF, we picked a KPF we just didn't grab one with #11.

 

[Andy_Mac]

Geelong people!!!

Yes they have Mooney and Hawkins but let’s be honest, if Brad Miller was playing with there midfield delivering I’m confident he would kick 60 goals too...

 

[carn dees]

Guys just imagine how hard it would be to line match up our forwards if:
Jack Fizpatrick did turn out half decent

200 odd cm Forward in fitzpatrick, Liam Jurrah how can jump half his height and do freakish things.

Jack Watts another tall yet very mobile talent.

And the little sneakys like jetta wona and davey

Not to forget Bigger boddied like bate sylvia and now tappscott.(also miller if still there)

And addem maric who was outstanding as a junnior.

I no it may be abit wishfull thinking but the potential is there,