New forward line idea

[The Hulkster]

As we all know our forward line has been disappointing to state the bleeding obvious.

Now just looking at how well the Western Bulldogs play without a key forward gave me an idea.

Also due to the way Adelaide ran the ball so easily out of our forward line this ideea will help stop that as well.

Why dont we go for a small forward line?

I think we use 1 key forward and the rest smaller type players. The forward line could look something like this.

Chapman......Mooney......G.Ablett
Johnson......Mackie......Byrnes/Stokes

Imagine the forward line pressure we would put on once it got in there. The idea would be pump it into Mooney if he doesnt mark it we have great crumbers and they would put a lot of pressure on the opposition. They could move around a lot, rotate with guys in the midfield create a bit of confusion about who is on who.

With the speed of the players in there when the ball comes in there should be guys presenting due to their pace which would allow for quick ball movement.

I believe Richmond used something simular in the wet last week, worked well.

Matchups would be hard with so many quick players in there. And all the guys in there are goalkickers who can finish.

Best of all we dont have to carry Kingsley, Playfair and Gardiner. Nathan can come on and off the bench. Ottens and King can rotate in the ruck.

I think this set up would work, why not give it a go.

 

[Jack-Packenham]

Chapman......Mooney......G.Ablett
Johnson......Mackie......Byrnes/Stokes
Matchups would be hard with so many quick players in there. And all the guys in there are goalkickers who can finish.

Byrnes a good finisher ?????

Other than that I think the idea has merit. Although once again I did suggest this in the first couple of weeks of the season and was shot down in flames by all those great judges like JUBJUB. What happended to structure and straightening up the team and all that crap that used to get trotted out every time I picked a forward line minus Henry the goat.

 

[thehoff]

Not a crazy idea, however this makes players such as N.Ablett, Ottens useless and why bother with Tom Hawkins next year?

 

[Corpuscles]

Hang on to the Mark! I mean Thompson
Is a great bloke, and a gentleman who has tolerated Cats forward line foybles... his only downfall!

May I suggest alternative ( i think better idea) Kingsley, Playfair et al go to VFL for a week or 2 to practice, ONLY after Costa writes a check for say God, or Dunstall , (plugga prob wouldn't do it), hell even McKenna! Anyone that has proven technique and teach forwards how to kick straight most of the time.

Prob: Cats (esp Kingsley) get it and spray it, no scoreboard pressure, ... and team thinks "here we go again!"

Then bring em back to simulate game pressure ....at training. All 30+ list on the mark screaming displeasure... out of 20 shots ....First miss from 35m anywhere is a team dacking, 2nd miss a team Royal flush complete with tu$ds, 3rd miss strung up nude in mid goals for team target practice, then ...up to their manager to suggest any reason for their inclusion on the list.

The main reason for downturn is not enough "sausage rolls" from reasonable chances.

Sorry in advance if I have offended.

PS I once luv'd GOD, now admire SOG (but also NOG!!! ) your best hopes have always been having a maestro who can slot em from anywhere. Backline (if Harley inc) one if not the the best in the business, mooney tries his guts out NOW at last!, but general forwardline...

PSS Think i'm dreamin? then look at Bommers sleep deprived face... Nightmares!!! about forwards sloting goals..... he deserves better service from those he has faithfully backed.

PSSS Checkout Ripitup's team of the future Hawkins fan
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252889
now thats a future maybe?, but ya need to do something now!

 

[TGTOA]

Only works for the Bulldogs because they have speed and skill through the midfield. For this to work, IMO there are at least three requirements:

1) Quick ball movement to the forward line to allow these small forwards space to lead into. Once the forward line gets congested, you've got no hope, they won't be taking too many contested grabs.

2) Accurate delivery into the forward line, the ability to consistently hit these leading forwards lace out. This comes from a midfield with the pace or smarts to find time and space and the skills to hit targets.

3) Forwards with a burst of speed who can get a few metres on their direct opponent on the lead.

We simply don't have all (or if you want to be harsh, any) of these attributes in our team If Mooney was the only tall(ish) target up forward, it wouldn't take too long for opposition defences to figure out the game plan! Although our forward line strength is in our small forwards, we still need to rely on the big forwards to feed them most of the time. Without some tall targets, there's no "out" for a midfield under pressure. Our midfield doesn't have the pace or polish to shake off that pressure when its applied and deliver into the forward line with the required polish.

If it doesn't come off (and with our skills atm I wouldn't be relying on it) just watch it rebound the other way before you can say "Charlie Gardiner is a useless hack"

We could probably do worse than to give it a try, but I can't see it being a good long term strategy with our current crop of players.

 

[Partridge]

Other than that I think the idea has merit. Although once again I did suggest this in the first couple of weeks of the season and was shot down in flames by all those great judges like JUBJUB. What happended to structure and straightening up the team and all that crap that used to get trotted out every time I picked a forward line minus Henry the goat.

Only problem is a forward line containing most of those names - Mooney, Chapman, Gary Ablett & Stokes - was absolutely abysmal on Sunday. And that performance you can't blame on Henry the goat as he wasn't there.

 

[The Hulkster]

Not a crazy idea, however this makes players such as N.Ablett, Ottens useless and why bother with Tom Hawkins next year?

Not true. As i said play Ottens and King in the ruck and maybe next year Hawkins and Nathan in sort of a rotation. So a 2 tall forward line.

Best bit is no more Kingsley, Gardiner and Playfair.

 

[The Hulkster]

Only problem is a forward line containing most of those names - Mooney, Chapman, Gary Ablett & Stokes - was absolutely abysmal on Sunday. And that performance you can't blame on Henry the goat as he wasn't there.

You forget 3 names in there that made it abysmal Kingsley, Ottens, N Ablett, not the ones you mentioned. Not a chase or second effort amongst them.

 

[thehoff]

You forget 3 names in there that made it abysmal Kingsley, Ottens, N Ablett, not the ones you mentioned. Not a chase or second effort amongst them.

I think you are being a tad harsh on young Nath Hulk. I am usually very impressed with Nathans second efforts and defensive pressure. Obviously, he has a long way to go but i feel this is a stronger area in his game. The weekend was just a shocker from all involved. Except Egan.

I fail to see what has changed since 2004. In 2004, when we had the ball locked in the 50m arc, i was usually confident there would be a scoring shot made due to our pressure and harrasment of the oppisition. Where has this intensity gone?. The only real player missing from the 2004 forward line is Benny Graham so why the massive change?

Best bit is no more Kingsley, Gardiner and Playfair.

WORD UP HOMIE!

 

[The Hulkster]

I think you are being a tad harsh on young Nath Hulk. I am usually very impressed with Nathans second efforts and defensive pressure. Obviously, he has a long way to go but i feel this is a stronger area in his game. The weekend was just a shocker from all involved. Except Egan.

I fail to see what has changed since 2004. In 2004, when we had the ball locked in the 50m arc, i was usually confident there would be a scoring shot made due to our pressure and harrasment of the oppisition. Where has this intensity gone?. The only real player missing from the 2004 forward line is Benny Graham so why the massive change?



WORD UP HOMIE!

Yeah maybe a bit harsh on Nath, i also have been impressed with his effort, just give the boy time. The reason we couldnt put pressure on them was that Ottens, Kent and Nath just couldnt keep up. To top heavy IMO.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

You forget 3 names in there that made it abysmal Kingsley, Ottens, N Ablett, not the ones you mentioned. Not a chase or second effort amongst them.

Bit harsh on Ottens in that respect.....he is a little slow but he does try to tackle and chase etc.

 

[jess_555]

Talking about The Hulkster's plan...
It's a huge risk to totally change our forward line structure like that. I'd say they should trial it in practice games and stuff before bringing it in to a "real" game. I mean it could totally stuff up but I supose there is always that risk with starting any new structure.

I thin kthis would be a very frustrating game plan coz all the other team would have to do is get tall defenders in defence and they would just be able to mark many of the balls. Hmmmmm if we can't make the finals and we get on another loosing streak then I would more seriously think about it.

It would be really interesting and cool to watch it in play just to see what would happen.

 

[cats2rise]

I would really like to se Mackie playing for the rest of the year. He needs to play some solid footy, not in for a week then out.

 

[darren forssman]

I would really like to se Mackie playing for the rest of the year. He needs to play some solid footy, not in for a week then out.

play him out of FF like bulldogs do with murphy and see what happens i say.

 

[Partridge]

I would really like to se Mackie playing for the rest of the year. He needs to play some solid footy, not in for a week then out.

I agree, but also he has to start producing. He's had long enough now. Be nice if he saw the inside of a gym occasionally too. Hawkins would throw him around like a rag doll.

 

[thehoff]

play him out of FF like bulldogs do with murphy and see what happens i say.

It might be an idea. I can remember several occassions where he has kicked 2-3 goals in a quarter of footy so he is more than capable.

 

[The Hulkster]

Talking about The Hulkster's plan...
I

I thin kthis would be a very frustrating game plan coz all the other team would have to do is get tall defenders in defence and they would just be able to mark many of the balls. Hmmmmm if we can't make the finals and we get on another loosing streak then I would more seriously think about it.

Thats the idea of a small forward line, the pace of our forwards means they could beat the taller defenders on the lead so there would be no need for as much contested marks. And if it hits the deck our pace would be an advantage.

 

[CF]

Mackie at FF.......I needed a laugh, thanks!

 

[The Hulkster]

Mackie at FF.......I needed a laugh, thanks!

Yeah its about as funny as having Kingsley there.

 

[thehoff]

Mackie at FF.......I needed a laugh, thanks!

Care to justify your laugh?

It would be better than leaving Kent there. Mackie can atleast lift his arms above his shoulders and can take marks other than chest marks.

He is also a better kick at goal. Not the best kick going around and from time to time misses easy goals, but anything is than having Kent in the team.

I think i hate him.

 

[The Hulkster]

Care to justify your laugh?

It would be better than leaving Kent there. Mackie can atleast lift his arms above his shoulders and can take marks other than chest marks.

He is also a better kick at goal. Not the best kick going around and from time to time misses easy goals, but anything is than having Kent in the team.

I think i hate him.

Here here Hoff.

 

[darren forssman]

Mackie at FF.......I needed a laugh, thanks!

its not funny...the bulldogs left murphy there and look what he developed into.

mackie is quick, agile and would hope he could mark okay. he would also get one of the 3rd/4th defenders.

 

[CF]

I just don't think Mackie is strong enough for that position. I don't agree with your dubious arguement that a smaller FF would be quicker on the lead to the taller FB's. History shows height mismatchs always favor the taller player. Also, if the midfield wont honor NA's leads what makes you think they will Mackies???

What the side needs to work on is its ball delivery to the forwards. At present this lacks any trust or structure. If a forward leads then kick it to him. Rather than bombing it in long with fingers crossed that someone may pull off a miracle mark. Don't kick it to contests where we are outnumbered 2:1 or 3:1. The problem is how the midfield are delivering the ball just as much as the forwards themselves.

It seems thanks to the loss to Adelaide people are abandoning the forward structure that has worked for us over the last few weeks. I agree KK needs to be dropped and left out of the side for good. His day is done. But the Forward set up of:

chapman Mooney G Ablett

N Ablett Ottens Stokes/SJ (when fit)

Is our best option at present. I am happy for Mackie to play on the bench as an extra forward (not KK please).

The boys had a bad game last week and already you all want to restructure the whole forward line again. The side would never settle if Bomber did that. Stick with it for now (unless players are injured) and give that forward structure a chance to learn and develop. Knee jerk reactions are not going to help us win games.

 

[Partridge]

Care to justify your laugh?

It would be better than leaving Kent there. Mackie can atleast lift his arms above his shoulders and can take marks other than chest marks.

He is also a better kick at goal. Not the best kick going around and from time to time misses easy goals, but anything is than having Kent in the team.

I think i hate him.

I see your "think" and raise you a "know" Hoff. I most definitely despise him.

 

[darren forssman]

I just don't think Mackie is strong enough for that position. I don't agree with your dubious arguement that a smaller FF would be quicker on the lead to the taller FB's. History shows height mismatchs always favor the taller player. Also, if the midfield wont honor NA's leads what makes you think they will Mackies???

he doesnt have to be strong, look at mark williams and robert murphy, they are not hulking guys. i mean quick and agile in that if he is spoiled or the ball spills to ground he will be quick to react.

have him lead out of the square (maybe not as a FF) with nathan and brad (or whoever else).

the midfields delivery is the bane of all our forwards, adelaide showed us how to deliver to your forwards.