Magpie Blog: Forward line setup

[DoubleO7]

Magpie Blog: What is Collingwood’s most damaging forward line set-up?

With the return of Anthony Rocca, the Magpies forward line is in a transitional stage. Collingwood now have several potent players to play in the forward 50. The question is how do they do it?

Collingwood forward stocks
The Magpies boast a plethora of riches in its forward half with the return of Anthony Rocca. It was clear in Saturday’s loss to Essendon the coaching staff tried to implement several different structures.

Travis Cloke is now in his fifth season at the club and after two goals each in his first two matches, he has yet to make a major impact on the scoreboard. The 2007 Copeland Trophy winner kicked 40 goals last season and is on the verge of breaking out this year.

2008 All-Australian Paul Medhurst showed how valuable he is to the club in his four-goal match-winning performance against Brisbane in round four. He is finally finding his feet after an interrupted pre-season and will be a key to the Magpies success this season.

Medhurst is second behind John Anthony on the club’s goal kicking leader board. The 21-year-old looked dangerous on Saturday when left alone in the goal-square. Anthony kicked four-goals for the match, two when Cloke and Rocca were both on the bench.

New recruit Leigh Brown has made a presence in the Magpie forward line throughout the early part of the season. The utility’s goal kicking accuracy lets him down at times but his ability to provide a strong target increases the Magpies forward threat.

He played 118 games for the Kangaroos (2003-08), experience which could prove vital on Friday night.

Lively forward Brad Dick, who provides pace and defensive pressure inside the attacking 50, had a best on ground performance in the VFL on the weekend and could be recalled to play his third game of the season.

North Melbourne defensive stocks
The Kangaroos have a formidable defensive structure that combines youth with ball winning ability.

Their back men have allowed the third lowest points total in the competition.

Daniel Pratt (89 games) and Josh Gibson (48 games) offer experience to the young playing group.

Pratt is backing up his strong 2008 season (All-Australian nomination) averaging 18 disposals and eight marks a game. His ability to attack the game from the backline is an attribute prevalent in his teammates.

Scott McMahon (18 disposals per game) and Leigh Harding (20 disposals per game) force the opposition to play accountable football.

After 20-year-old Levi Greenwood made his debut last week the Roos will be forced to return to their youthful reserves this Friday after losing defender Lachlan Hansen to a hamstring strain.

Magpie Blog: Forward line setup

 

[Old Spice]

Looks like Dick's back in.

 

[hellfire]

Our forward line just won't work with Rocca, Cloke, Brown and Jack. Our forward setup was appalling on Saturday, way to crowded and top-heavy.

Three of them are lumbering, slow, man-mountains with no turning circle and are terribly inaccurate. One of them is a star who doesn't miss.

Therefore we know Jack is a must, but I think we probably only have room for one other. The others are just too similar. Cloke is the best of the 3 (I could be the best of the lot if I wanted, judging on recent form). Damn we need Rusling back!

Cloke + Rusling + Jack, with Medhurst, Didak and Dick as smalls sounds much better to me.

 

[recon]

It never ceases to amaze me how we have 4 of the best small forwards in Didak, Medhurst, Davis and Thomas and yet Malthouse never utilises our greatest strength by giving them room to move or by getting the ball in quickly.

 

[HFF]

Agree hellfire in terms of Rus being needed.

Simply put, he is the ONLY forward we have who is not afraid to lead fast and hard down the corridor and break defences open. He makes our "wide game plan" look alot straighter and direct.

Way too top heavy. L. Brown must go. Seriously, he is not a forward. He wouldn't get a game in any other team in the league. he is just lucky Mick loves his hacks.

Pebs isn't fit enough. Needs a significant run in the twos. Dawes is a far better option at this stage.

The Jack Attack must continue. Going along quite nicely.

Cloke is being crucified IMO. We are too indirect and inefficient. It is almost like a "Tarrant scenario" looming all over again. We need to help him out and forget this bullshit boundary line chipping footy.

Time to smarten up Mick.

We cannot play more than 3 tall forwards in the same side. It showed on the weekend with the ease the ball was rebounded out.

 

[donnie5]

a couple of weeks ago i said we were way to top heavy in the forward line and i stick by it. This week L.Brown should be dropped without a doubt unless MM wants to use him down back!

 

[shawthing09]

We have to start playing to our strengths more, we no longer have the big key foward in the goal square (Rocca) who is able to take contested marks and force spillages to space. Also with teams getting defenders back it is harder for small fowards to find the space to be effective.

We really need to go quality over quantity with key targets an out of form Cloke an out of practice Rocca and an out of ability Leigh Brown just doesn't cut it.

If we don't have in form key targets then we need to play a smaller foward line which will in turn force us to play to this strength, move the ball faster and make the most of our in form smaller fowards.

Dawes is not a better option, not even close. He works harder to get into worst position and on numerous occasions fresh airs over head marking attempts. He might get there one day but at this stage his not close.

Reid has shown Tarrant like flank capabilitys but would be cutting into Clokes are and zone and is being developed as a defened.

Rusling is not fit and L Brown not good enough.

To make our fowardline more effective we have to acknowledge our best form fowards are Anthony and Medhurst and make a game plan that doesn't ask them to play a role they are gonig to struggle to play physically.