Nathan Bock up front again for Crows

[KUNG FU]

Woe is me.

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=606234

Nathan Bock up front again for Crows
By Daniel Brettig
17:13 AEST Wed Jul 30 2008

Nathan Bock's push to be this year's AFL All-Australian centre half-back may be put on hold again this week as he is likely to line up in attack for Adelaide against Carlton.
The Crows' faltering forward line benefited greatly from the ability of he and Nick Gill to present themselves as legitimate targets last week at the SCG, and though he failed to kick straight, Bock appreciated his value as a yeoman forward rather than a starring backman.
"I did a little bit of stuff up forward at training today, so I suppose it just depends what (coach Neil Craig) feels I'm best suited for this week," Bock said.
"My preference, probably, this year would be to be playing centre half-back, but I do enjoy going forward.
"It's always good to kick a few goals and wherever I'm playing, I'm enjoying. If I'm enjoying it then I'm not complaining either way.
"If you look at the weekend, I suppose Craigie feels I'm probably more needed up forward, so I'm happy to fill any role I'm needed for.
"I need to do what's best for the team and if we're winning then I'm happy to play wherever."
Carlton are a team capable of great attacking potency, with a fleet of youngsters getting closer to the high standards of Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola, who is likely to be marked by Ben Rutten.
So to win Adelaide will need to be as free in attack as they are stingy in defence, creating a delicate balance between running and tagging across the middle of the park.
Robert Shirley is odds-on to go to Judd, while Nathan van Berlo, Michael Doughty and Bryce Campbell may all be given limiting tasks of varying shapes and sizes.
"We've got Robbie Shirley who does a great tagging job for us, so he'll either tag a Chris Judd or a Nick Stevens," Bock said.
"I think it's a bit of everything, so our defensive pressure all over the ground is going to go a long way in limiting the supply he gets.
"Shirls will probably have a big job, either against Judd or Stevens, and we'll back the rest of our midfielders in to, when they don't have the footy, put that pressure on and when we do get it, to put that offensive pressure against them."
Pressure is a key term at Adelaide, and the ability of players up-field to pressure the kicker is a large part of why Rutten has such an imposing record at full-back.
When left exposed by a lack of midfield accountability he can be exposed for a lack of leg speed, as Fevola aptly demonstrated during the Dream Team fixture.
"If you don't have that defensive pressure up the ground, it makes the supply or a defender's job that much harder," Bock said.
"We put huge demand on the defensive pressure our midfielders can put on up the ground, which when I do play down back, helps out immensely."

 

[Freddy Bassett]

No brainer for me. We need him up forward, no doubt. We have plenty who can play down back and bugger all up forward. I was calling for it three weeks ago and got shot down. He is better at CHB but we need him more at CHF. Honestly, I love NC probably to much, but Bock should of been up forward earlier than just last week

 

[James23]

would be very disappointing for nathan to miss out on AA CHB because of a few guest stints up forward

IMO a superstar CHB is of more value than an alright forward

 

[ruscy002]

I dunno...

We spent all last year begging for him to go back to CHB. He goes back, dominates, then Craigy concedes that he's better as a defender and our defence is better as a result of him being there. This year, he's clearly AA CHB, but we're looking for him to go forward?

Just another case of having no forward options. I'd rather we take a punt on Moran as a forward.

 

[swanfan]

would be very disappointing for nathan to miss out on AA CHB because of a few guest stints up forward

I think achievements like that are secondary to team success.

 

[KUNG FU]

I'd rather rotate Stevens, Moran, Maric, Tippett & Gill through the forward line. Maybe even take a punt on Walker.

Bock has the AA CHB role absolutely done and dusted. Its only at worst a few games at the end of the year. Pavlich as AA FB anyone? And yes, the team comes before such titles.

 

[Lets Beyblade]

Just another case of having no forward options. I'd rather we take a punt on Moran as a forward.

Yeah i tend to agree with you. Leave Bock at CHB and put Moran as a permanent forward option. He is a fairly similar size and style to Bock anyway. Moran has also shown us that he is capable of taking a strong contested mark which is fairly rare in our team

 

[Rave Slave]

Fevola will murder Rutten.

I'd prefer Truck up forward and Bocky down back for this week at least.

 

[ruscy002]

I think achievements like that are secondary to team success.

Absolutely. But I think that for the long term, the best thing for team success is to play somebody up forward who is always going to play there, not a guy who we'll always want to send back.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

He's a sensational CHB but a very average forward. But at least it allows us to have a good look at Moran in the backline. After last week, the signs are encouraging.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Absolutely. But I think that for the long term, the best thing for team success is to play somebody up forward who is always going to play there, not a guy who we'll always want to send back.

I was sort of hoping Sellar might get a few charity games towards the end of the year but it doesn't look likely.

 

[ruscy002]

He's a sensational CHB but a very average forward. But at least it allows us to have a good look at Moran in the backline. After last week, the signs are encouraging.

Yeah, I suppose its another chance to see whether or not that particular setup falls into place again. I'm just sick of fielding "serviceable" forwards, I want us to play guys there who can take a game apart. Bock is not this player. If he can break through the "serviceable" barrier then I'm happy to leave him there, but he had a whole season to do this last year, and we still came to the conclusion that he's a better defender.

 

[ruscy002]

I was sort of hoping Sellar might get a few charity games towards the end of the year but it doesn't look likely.

I would've said the same thing about Walker, he's leagues ahead of Sellar and unfortunately Tex is no chance himself by the looks of things. I'm hoping that Hentschel gets through this week ok and then we decide to take a punt on him in round 19.

 

[Freddy Bassett]

Bock is better than an average forward. And no doubt he is a much better defender. But dont forget playing CHB is a lot easier than playing CHF. Calls to put Moran to CHF are romantics. He may succeed in the back half but will get chopped up in the forward half. Its not easy to play up forward guys hence the reason in 18 years we have had 1 very good forward in Modra, 1 better than average in Robran and very little else. Before you stick Jars down my throat he was a makeshift forward, he cut his mustard on the ball. How many good defenders have we had in our 18 years, plenty...
Moran needs to learn how to read the play before he is our answer to up forward. And having Bock up forward will make Tippett's and Gills job a lot easier aswell.
And look at the darkside, they have had Tredders and now they have a very good medium forward in Motlop. They havnt had a good forward apart from those two in ten years. So in almost thirty combined years of SA teams in the AFL we have had 2 out and out guns in Mods and Tredders and two better than average in Motlop and Robran.

*makes you realise why the Crows are keeping Walker in cotton wool making sure his development isnt compromised. It also should make the Tippett doubters realise why its not that bloody easy up forward and he is going to be a very very important player for us

 

[Willis]

Fevola will murder Rutten.

No he wont, and it wont be just Rutten v Fevola anyway. It will be Rutten + our entire defensive strategy v Fevola and this has effectively shut him down in the past.

Bock probably isn't needed as much down back this week, but I really love him being there. Would much prefer they went with other options up forward as has already been mentioned.

 

[hunteyes]

problem is Bock aint the best kick for goal, which frustrates me cos as a team we kick bad enough at the best of times. im confident in Rutten on Fev cos last time he had Fev covered until he went off injured, but i would much rather see him or Stevens in the forward line if we have to sacrifice a defender.

 

[ruscy002]

Bock is better than an average forward. And no doubt he is a much better defender. But dont forget playing CHB is a lot easier than playing CHF. Calls to put Moran to CHF are romantics. He may succeed in the back half but will get chopped up in the forward half. Its not easy to play up forward guys hence the reason in 18 years we have had 1 very good forward in Modra, 1 better than average in Robran and very little else. Before you stick Jars down my throat he was a makeshift forward, he cut his mustard on the ball. How many good defenders have we had in our 18 years, plenty...
Moran needs to learn how to read the play before he is our answer to up forward. And having Bock up forward will make Tippett's and Gills job a lot easier aswell.
And look at the darkside, they have had Tredders and now they have a very good medium forward in Motlop. They havnt had a good forward apart from those two in ten years. So in almost thirty combined years of SA teams in the AFL we have had 2 out and out guns in Mods and Tredders and two better than average in Motlop and Robran.

*makes you realise why the Crows are keeping Walker in cotton wool making sure his development isnt compromised. It also should make the Tippett doubters realise why its not that bloody easy up forward and he is going to be a very very important player for us

Conversely, if it's so hard to play forward then why have we pinned all of our hopes on a 20 year old who has barely played 50 games of football in his life? From the two games we've seen of Brad Moran here, I have no doubt he reads the play better than Tippett.

Moran didn't spend a hell of a lot of time up forward against Port to get himself two shots at goal. Granted he missed them but he put himself in positions to get them. That's worth a shot at least before we misplace our best backman again.

 

[Freddy Bassett]

Conversely, if it's so hard to play forward then why have we pinned all of our hopes on a 20 year old who has barely played 50 games of football in his life? From the two games we've seen of Brad Moran here, I have no doubt he reads the play better than Tippett.

Moran didn't spend a hell of a lot of time up forward against Port to get himself two shots at goal. Granted he missed them but he put himself in positions to get them. That's worth a shot at least before we misplace our best backman again.

Good point. I think you will find its really hard on Tippett at the moment and he is getting the best defender each week, hence the reason if Bocks up forward he will get the 2nd or 3rd best defender. Moran was rucking at the time and snuck forward for at least one of those grabs.
And if you are adament you want Moran to have a crack up forward, dont make him the go to man like poor Kurt has endured all year. Have Bock up there with him to make it a bit easier for the kid. Same as Scott Stevens, he can play up forward, but not as the go to man, he plays better as the third option.
Bock lays his best footy no doubt at CHB, but its all about team balance I reckon and he needs to play up their to bring others into the game. I thought our forward structure last week was a lot better than it had been for quite a while.

 

[Crow-mo]

IMO a superstar CHB is of more value than an alright forward

Really?

 

[Crow-mo]

Fevola will murder Rutten.

Yes his career 2 goals a game average against Truck certainly suggests a blood bath

 

[ruscy002]

Good point. I think you will find its really hard on Tippett at the moment and he is getting the best defender each week, hence the reason if Bocks up forward he will get the 2nd or 3rd best defender. Moran was rucking at the time and snuck forward for at least one of those grabs.
And if you are adament you want Moran to have a crack up forward, dont make him the go to man like poor Kurt has endured all year. Have Bock up there with him to make it a bit easier for the kid. Same as Scott Stevens, he can play up forward, but not as the go to man, he plays better as the third option.
Bock lays his best footy no doubt at CHB, but its all about team balance I reckon and he needs to play up their to bring others into the game. I thought our forward structure last week was a lot better than it had been for quite a while.

If we're going to persist with Gill then he has to be the go-to man, he's a waste of space in our forward line if we're not going to use him up. Tippett complements him well because he can lead up or do the contested stuff. Then we have Stevens as a third tall rotating through.

I see Bock more as a replacement for Gill in that setup, or Moran as that third/rotating tall.

Really?

Makes for interesting debate doesn't it? If Bock we're to play forward, he'd be that Robran type. Way quicker, but reliable as hell, can lead up or take a pack mark, and reads the play well. Probably is more value to this team as a forward at the moment than as a top shelf CHB.

He's still not a number one forward though. I guess it's kinda pointless worrying about it at the moment. We're not going to see our "real" forward line til next year, just trying to keep it somewhat functional til then.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I would refer we start with Rutten-Bock, Gill/Stevens-Tippett/Moran/Maric combo. Gill is a better CHF & think Tippett may stretch the Blues & hopefully come good this week. Wouldn't mind us throwing up a 3rd tall at times & really stretch the Blues.

If during the game out forwards are struggling, then throw Bock up forward as have the flexibility to move Stevens/Moran back.

 

[jo172]

Simply put he is more valuable to the team playing as a forward than as a defender for the time being.

I'm sure if you asked Nathan whether he'd prefer another crack at the finals or an AA gurnsey he'd answer a crack at the finals.

For all those who want to see the Moran/Stevens in the forward line ahead of Bock, i mean honestly, watch the game on Saturday night, in a quiet night for Bock he contributed more up forward than Stevens has all year.

While CHB is Bock's best position it is not his best position for this team at the moment.

 

[kaij10]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jericho come into the line up if he pulls up okay! It might be one of those psychological things that Craigy employs as a tactic. Jericho did kick a bagful last time these teams met. Even though some of those goals were simply lucky.

 

[dplggr47]

i think it depends on who is the better match up on Fev. if Rutten can go with Fevola, then Bock should be moved up forward, but if Rutten struggles with the role, then Bock and Rutten can switch places.
...they just need to work on their goalkicking...Bock kicked all points last week.

...and Jericho getting lucky goals as always...but last time he kicked the bag of goals against Carlton was so long ago...more than a year...and Jericho hasn't played many games since. he's also out of form.