Load the Forward line

[pumped]

As has been mentioned in other posts our best performances have been with a loaded forward line. The Dons win, the first half of the Tigers, 2nd quarter against Adelaide. I think we need Fev and Lance to play up forward and to have 4 other Carlton forwards around them not floating in the midfield or down back.

This way when our midfielders or defenders get the ball under pressure they can kick it quick and direct rather than looking up to open space and panicking. This panick is causing our already down on confidence players to execute shocking disposal and turnovers.

In Lance and Fev we have 2 of the best forwards in the comp. We also have some half decent midfielders who will improve with 6 stay at home targets. This just leaves the defence as a problem. However I would rather us play attacking footy than flood the backline and play hesitant footy and get pumped anyway.

With regards to the back 6 perhaps we could try Waite there when fit aswell as Bower and Hartlett. Also why not even try Kennedy there for a game. He is certainly going to do better there than on the bench.

 

[Worth the Waite]

Totally agree with your point that we should have a "loaded" foward line. I think its a joke that we are now refering to a normal 6man foward line as "loaded". We have had every commentator say that we should start will a full six man foward line. Denis should back our backs and mids to do the job, coz surely we can do much worse.

 

[SA Blue]

I like the idea of a loaded forward line. The problem comes when we play a team with a good forward line. When we have done it , ie against the Dons, Tigers and Crows they all have relatively weak KPP & therefore we can play Whits and others forward.

The question comes do we load up when we are playing a St Kilda, Brisbane etc. Our midfield isn't good enough to beat most other teams and therefore pure weight of numbers will mean the ball will be pumped into the oppositions forward line and we lose. Play Whits down back and although we might solve the back line, the forward line is now toothless.

God I can't wait till Hartlett, Bower, JK become the players we all hope they will become!

 

[TheBlueblood]

probably help if we got the ball in the forward 50 more than 30-35 times a match

 

[one_twelve112]

probably help if we got the ball in the forward 50 more than 30-35 times a match

The numbers probably aren't that important, it is the quality of the inside 50's that count. If we can get a balance between, the rebound from 50, the delivery by the midfielders and the quality forwards kicking straight and/or maintaining pressure when the ball is in 50, it would go a long way towards improving the current plight we find ourselves in.

Having a strong spine is better than simply having a strong forward line.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

The numbers probably aren't that important, it is the quality of the inside 50's that count. If we can get a balance between, the rebound from 50, the delivery by the midfielders and the quality forwards kicking straight and/or maintaining pressure when the ball is in 50, it would go a long way towards improving the current plight we find ourselves in.

Having a strong spine is better than simply having a strong forward line.

Spot on.
Pagan has stacked before '03 against Melbourne at OO he had Fev, McKernan, Waite, Angwin!!!!! and i think Whitnall, we blitzed in the first, then got run over at the finish.
He did it last year late, when we started kicking reasonable scores (100points), but we got carted on the rebounding ball.

 

[Jimthegreat]

Spot on.
Pagan has stacked before '03 against Melbourne at OO he had Fev, McKernan, Waite, Angwin!!!!! and i think Whitnall, we blitzed in the first, then got run over at the finish.
He did it last year late, when we started kicking reasonable scores (100points), but we got carted on the rebounding ball.

But at least we kicked scores and won some games. And gave our midfield targets rather than having to chip because our forward line is badly outnumbered. If you have Fev, Lance , Lappin, Fisher, Waite and Betts up there, af orward line many side would love, at least you have a shot at kicking goals. Then it depends of course on our midfield running long, hard and deep. Recent history suggests, win, lose or draw, they do play alot better with that type of game so why not try it.

 

[pumped]

probably help if we got the ball in the forward 50 more than 30-35 times a match

I believe that much of the reason for this is that we turn it over in defence and midfield as there are not enough targets to go forward instictivly. Our side is not skilled or confident enough at the moment to hold the ball and not panic. We need to play positive footy and flooding the backline just does not work for us.

Put some targets up forward and we will move the ball more confidently. This will then ease pressure on the defence. Even if Lance plays back we still need 6 set forwards. If Lance is to play back then have Kennedy down there and tell him he has 4 quarters.

Another problem we have is waiting to find a clear man instead of kicking long to a even contest. Of late we hold onto it and then get called to play on and they kick short to a contest.

 

[Louie22]

As has been mentioned in other posts our best performances have been with a loaded forward line. The Dons win, the first half of the Tigers, 2nd quarter against Adelaide. I think we need Fev and Lance to play up forward and to have 4 other Carlton forwards around them not floating in the midfield or down back.

This way when our midfielders or defenders get the ball under pressure they can kick it quick and direct rather than looking up to open space and panicking. This panick is causing our already down on confidence players to execute shocking disposal and turnovers.

In Lance and Fev we have 2 of the best forwards in the comp. We also have some half decent midfielders who will improve with 6 stay at home targets. This just leaves the defence as a problem. However I would rather us play attacking footy than flood the backline and play hesitant footy and get pumped anyway.

With regards to the back 6 perhaps we could try Waite there when fit aswell as Bower and Hartlett. Also why not even try Kennedy there for a game. He is certainly going to do better there than on the bench.

Totally agree, this should be the forward line

Betts, Fevola, Fisher

kennedy, Whitnall, Waite

 

[MeeSo]

Whitnall's in good form but he's not a permanent CHF anymore. He can play there in short bursts or for the odd game but he's too easily exploited to play there permanently.

 

[pumped]

Whitnall's in good form but he's not a permanent CHF anymore. He can play there in short bursts or for the odd game but he's too easily exploited to play there permanently.

This may or may not be correct. Either way the idea of loading the forward line doesn't necessarily depend on Lance playing down there. My main belief is that we need 6 forwards to be in the forward half of the ground regularly.

I think that Houlihan, Stevens, Scotland and Murphy are all very capable of hitting targets if they start to play with instinct again. Having 6 set forwards will allow them to deliver the ball on first thought rather than hesitating and double thinking.

These guys are skilled in delivery and on instict will be more likely to pick the correct option. This may be kicking long and to the advantage side of our forward on some occassions or spearing a direct pass to the leading forward on others.

Either way having Fev plus at least one of Whitnall, Kennedy, Kouta or Waite and 4 other stay at home forwards will facilitate better footy for us as a club.

 

[murphster]

Spot on.
Pagan has stacked before '03 against Melbourne at OO he had Fev, McKernan, Waite, Angwin!!!!! and i think Whitnall, we blitzed in the first, then got run over at the finish.
He did it last year late, when we started kicking reasonable scores (100points), but we got carted on the rebounding ball.

That was 03 and last year, this year Lance has moulded our defence into a much better unit than it was in previous years and it would fare a lot better now than in previous years especially with help in the form of midfield and forward line pressure when the opposition has possession, it is the only way we can win games instead of trying to save them.

 

[murphster]

Totally agree, this should be the forward line

Betts, Fevola, Fisher

kennedy, Whitnall, Waite

To tall and no crumbers it would hit the ground and be run out with that set up we need 3 talls and 3 medium/smalls in the forward line something like this:

Betts Fevola Kouta

Simpson, Waite, Lappin

Changing as match ups dictate or as midfielders need a rest: Fish, Kennedy, Longmuir, Murphy, Stevens, Whitnall.

At the moment with our injuries it should be:

Betts, Fevola, Kouta

Simpson, Kennedy, Lappin

Simpson is wasted in defence he is a great kick and can kick goals on the run from 50 needs a more attacking role if not half forward then wing.

Go the Mosquito Fleet!!!!!

 

[Stig O'Hara]

That was 03 and last year, this year Lance has moulded our defence into a much better unit than it was in previous years and it would fare a lot better now than in previous years especially with help in the form of midfield and forward line pressure when the opposition has possession, it is the only way we can win games instead of trying to save them.

That's a fair call.
The back 6 is reasonably settled, strangely Livingston straightens it up.

However our midfield has no run.

Have seen 2 games Swans, Adelaide, seen all others on Foxtel, actually watched the Saints game with 3 cameras, anyhoo,
they flood back which is nice, but once there they bludge out easy stats, and provide no drive forward, subsequently by the time we have finished the jig around the maypole, the forwards have crept up so much that we have no-one forward of the centre square line, and we either stop, or usually bomb it and run.

We just don't get goals from our midfield.

I saw more than once on Saturday, 3 players bolt for the ball bucket like 10 year olds, once an opposition point is kicked, and when they didn't get it, would stand 5 yards off the kick off line.

As everyone has had their piece on what we need,
i thought i would add, we need an elite ruckman,
an out and out star, who can win the ball ups, and mark.
atm we have 2 pretty good backups - (French, McLaren) and that other one,
Tap work is still important - look at Sydney around goals, we need first use.

 

[BlueFeaver]

That's a fair call.
The back 6 is reasonably settled, strangely Livingston straightens it up.

However our midfield has no run.

Have seen 2 games Swans, Adelaide, seen all others on Foxtel, actually watched the Saints game with 3 cameras, anyhoo,
they flood back which is nice, but once there they bludge out easy stats, and provide no drive forward, subsequently by the time we have finished the jig around the maypole, the forwards have crept up so much that we have no-one forward of the centre square line, and we either stop, or usually bomb it and run.

We just don't get goals from our midfield.

I saw more than once on Saturday, 3 players bolt for the ball bucket like 10 year olds, once an opposition point is kicked, and when they didn't get it, would stand 5 yards off the kick off line.

As everyone has had their piece on what we need,
i thought i would add, we need an elite ruckman,
an out and out star, who can win the ball ups, and mark.
atm we have 2 pretty good backups - (French, McLaren) and that other one,
Tap work is still important - look at Sydney around goals, we need first use.

First of all your dead on, Livo gives us balance in the backline when he plays.
Our lack of run actually stems from our back line, we need to run and carry more often. If we do this (ala Doggies) it will make it alot harder for our opposition to flood. Think back to the Lions in their "Hay Day", Johnson would run and carry the ball forward sometimes even kicking a goal himself. Players that can do this are Walker, Russell, Carrots and Bannister. Bannister is interesting he has pace and the height to match, he just needs to settle into one position.The midfield needs to be more accountable, namely the senior players.
The forward line needs to consist of Fev, Whitnall, Kouta and Waite. These are the players our young Midfielders have confidence in. Kouta days creating havoc in the centre are gone, he needs to be positioned nearer to goal, let him use his strength and create a contest for the crummers. Whitnall is no longer a CHF, he should play on a flank using his smarts to create space and overlap back though play to find the ball.
Fev as usual should go about his business, but all our other forwards should be trying to make space for him and each other. Fev has finally learnt that there is more about being a forward than kicking goals. One final inclusion on a flank is Lappin, he doesn't have the pace to play in the middle or back, he showed again last weekend what he is capable of when forward.
A star Ruckman would be fantastic, one that can tap and get the ball around the ground(ala Cox). I think his name is spelled Laernberger, I am probably wrong again!