New player roles in 2012

[ClassyCarlton]

Hmmmm what about Watson making a move into the forward line? Many of his deficiencies as a backman are not a concern if he was played up forward. That booming kick and emerging ability to take a mark would be an asset for a forward.

 

[Azul]

As a ruckman, I wouldn't pick Hampson ahead of Warnock nor Kreuzer. Playing all 3 makes us too top-heavy as Warnock would be condemned to spend significant periods on the bench.

To be honest I can't see Hampson being guaranteed a spot in our 22 as FF. Though it's not often we've had all 3 rucks on our list in form and uninjured.

Another player I'd trial at FF for the 2nds is Simon White. He's finished at AFL level as a defender given the emergence of Laidler. He's all but finished at VFL level as a defender given the likely emergence of McCarthy and Watson. Has a reasonable pair of hands but unknown goalkicking prowess.

 

[Jabba73]

Would like to see Betts and Garlett rotating through the centre. Their pace and ability to read the ball will have the opposition in panic mode once Judd, Robbo, Gibbs, Murphy and Curnow have softened them up.

If Hammer can get his marking right, it would not surprise me to see Henderson go to CHF and Waite moved to CHB until Watson is ready. Hammer, Walker, Betts, Garlett, Henderson and a resting Gibbs/Judd/Murphy/Robbo will be very hard to match up as they are all mobile. If they get half decent service from the middle of the ground we should kick some cricket scores several times during the season.

I hope Bower is able to play the third tall defender role. It will be valuable to have both him and Laidler able to take the extra tall and go third man up in contests.

Robbo is a reasonable mark, he could make a very interesting mobile CHF or second FF option. Don't know many players that would be happy filling the hole he wants to lead into.

 

[Tanks_Alot]

Gibbs to play forward for most of the year.

Out of interest why would you think he would be better suited playing forward most of the year rather than playing mid most of the year and resting up forward?

I think adding that one extra elite player to our midfield brigade will take us to the next level. Gibbs has been used as a gap filler (mostly in defence) and the guy has too much talent to keep doing that for the rest of his career.

We say it a lot on here Judd, Murphy & Gibbs. We need to actually make it happen, run with it and see what they can do together. Good luck to anyone who wants/thinks they can tag all 3 of them and if one of them doesn't get tagged you're almost guaranteed they'll have a big impact on the game.

I expect Russell to return to his best and he can fill in the role that Gibbs did in defence for us. Russell has some courage and can take a mark going back with the flight, just needs to improve is kicking and decision making. He's more of a Scotland replacement than Lucas is as far as I'm concerned. Let's also not forget Touhy who makes good decisions, is courageous and has an accurate kick. I think we'll have Gibbs' defensive role covered next year with those 2.

Lucas is another though, that I'd like to see cement his spot in our midfield. There's been a lot of talk about how good he is, time for him to prove himself at AFL level. If Lucas can become the A grade player we all believe he'll be our midfield will be unstoppable.

As far as our forward line is concerned, I think we will potentially have the most dynamic forward line in the AFL. Walker, Betts and Garlett combined this year to produce 30 more goals than Cloke, Dawes and Krakeour. You add Waite in who was missing for the second half of the season and a fit and firing Kreuzer as well as Hampson who will hopefully come along then that forward line is deadly.

We all know that Walker, Betts and Garlett apply tremendous amounts of pressure, we know that Kruze will as well, as will Waite and with Hammer's speed and mobility he will learn very quickly that he needs to chase non-stop when he hasn't got the ball. That will be an intimidating and relentless forward line. Gibbs can rotate a pos in there with Kruze, but I wouldn't have him playing more primarily as a forward than a mid based on the above reasons.

 

[I bleed Blue]

If Bower and Henderson stand up down back, Jamison forward.

c_p to have a Blessed return.

Jamison forward? not sure if your serious here?

Jamo is our #1 backman. He was in AA form befor his injury at FB and is only going to get better in this roll. Why would we want to move him forward... his impact as a backman is far greater than we could hope for his impact as a forward to be!

We just need to cross our fingers and toes that either Hammer / Mitchel can have some sort of impact at FF. We dont need a Travis Cloke type impact just enough to take the heat of Walker and co. Our foward line is already very dangerous and if we add in a couple of big marking targets (waite and either Hammer/ Mitchel) who can make a clunk a few marks or bring the ball down for our little guys this will go a long long way for our 2012 success.
IMO our backline is in great shape and just need to keep putting games under their belts together.

 

[Jimthegreat]

Jamison forward? not sure if your serious here?

Jamo is our #1 backman. He was in AA form befor his injury at FB and is only going to get better in this roll. Why would we want to move him forward... his impact as a backman is far greater than we could hope for his impact as a forward to be!

We just need to cross our fingers and toes that either Hammer / Mitchel can have some sort of impact at FF. We dont need a Travis Cloke type impact just enough to take the heat of Walker and co. Our foward line is already very dangerous and if we add in a couple of big marking targets (waite and either Hammer/ Mitchel) who can make a clunk a few marks or bring the ball down for our little guys this will go a long long way for our 2012 success.
IMO our backline is in great shape and just need to keep putting games under their belts together.

Actually reckon Jammo will have some time forward, not necessarily alot, but after looking like he was almost born a forward in that half against Hawthorn it's been obviously it's been in Ratts mind. He could be one of those bloke you can slot both back forward when you need. Been a few of those in the history of the game that have done well. There's be games where we don't function forward, as there is a few times in any season, and he'll be thrown there. Not unlike SOS. As for more time there much will depend on how the structure of the forward line works. If say, Casboult suddenly steps up, Thornton is does well there, Mitchell or Watson take a step or by some stretch of the imagination a ruckman defies history and fires forward then it's fair to say Jammo won't see too much forward action.

 

[BluesMan]

Actually reckon Jammo will have some time forward, not necessarily alot, but after looking like he was almost born a forward in that half against Hawthorn it's been obviously it's been in Ratts mind. He could be one of those bloke you can slot both back forward when you need. Been a few of those in the history of the game that have done well. There's be games where we don't function forward, as there is a few times in any season, and he'll be thrown there. Not unlike SOS. As for more time there much will depend on how the structure of the forward line works. If say, Casboult suddenly steps up, Thornton is does well there, Mitchell or Watson take a step or by some stretch of the imagination a ruckman defies history and fires forward then it's fair to say Jammo won't see too much forward action.

A potential AA FB >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Decent/handy forward

He is a BACKMAN people! Leave him there. The guy will be the best FB in the game with 20+ games in 2012. No doubt in my mind.

 

[I bleed Blue]

A potential AA FB >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Decent/handy forward

He is a BACKMAN people! Leave him there. The guy will be the best FB in the game with 20+ games in 2012. No doubt in my mind.

100% agree... he was well on the way to AA this year before his injury and I can definatly see him being the best defender in the comp. Him and Hendo have barely played together down back. We are going to have a super solid back line once those boys get another 20 games of waxing together!

 

[mike ockerts]

Joeseph for mine, kid is a rig and ready to play midfield and dominate, really looking forward to him having a breakout season

 

[Jimthegreat]

A potential AA FB >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Decent/handy forward

He is a BACKMAN people! Leave him there. The guy will be the best FB in the game with 20+ games in 2012. No doubt in my mind.

Actually, we don't know what he'll be like forward. Might be a wonderful forward, (or just handy as you say). Wouldn't be the first. We've seen a heap of blokes fire in different spots last year.

Anyway, that's all speculative. Now I've said that, I actually don't disagree with you but will nearly punt on him having the odd stint forward if we run into strife in the odd game. Coaches can't resist when they've seen it work once.

 

[goreds]

I may have said elsewhere that I'll be a happy man when Gibbs dominates the centre, yet the indications are that others are being looked at, for that role next year.

Gibbs was played forward this year and will seemingly start there next year and do a great job of it I'm sure, kicking multiple goals whilst also getting others involved.
Hopefully his tenure down back is over now with Laidler, Duigan and hopefully Tuohy capable of taking that post away from Gibbs, once and for all.

Again, I'm certainly not against Gibbs being played smack in the middle, but I just don't think it will happen.

Interesting thoughts Harker but he will be the 'man' next season...

He will be the midfielder that we want as the back 6 is well and truely sorted now...

Watch the Essendon final again to get a look at the role that suits him best, minus the shoulder injury!

With no tag he will be unstoppable as his vision, skill, poise, marking and accuracy is unmatched in our side...

Make no mistake, his role will be to damage the opposition...!

 

[I bleed Blue]

I hope that is the way it pans out goreds, after expecting it to happen this year and the year prior etc.

Seems that we're just about ready to go and then another need is found for Gibbs.

Ever since Gibbs has been at the club its been all about him doing his "football apprenticeship" He has had the defensive roll, the tagging roll, a taste of the forward line, and spurts through the middle. He has played 112 games now so its time to unleash him and play him through the middle and forward where he is most damaging. We no longer need him to float accross the back line like we did during the darker days.

Heres hoping gibbs can have a breakout year like Murphy last year!

 

[Hotcox]

Simon White - Forward
Touhy - Midfield
Garlett - Midfield bursts off half forward
Hampson - Full forward
Russell - Half back

 

[The Big Sticks]

Another player I'd trial at FF for the 2nds is Simon White. He's finished at AFL level as a defender given the emergence of Laidler. He's all but finished at VFL level as a defender given the likely emergence of McCarthy and Watson. Has a reasonable pair of hands but unknown goalkicking prowess.

I vaguely remember something about Simon playing up forward in the last few VFL games.

It woudn't hurt to try him there since the backline is pretty much sorted.

 

[gbatman]

Watson forward, judd more forward, touhy on ball, walker and gibbs swapping between forward pocket/ff and on ball. kreuzer and hampson more forward. Boeer as the third tall and playing the same role dustin fletcher plays. maybe russell as a swingman

 

[Blueboys7]

Yarran to a wing.

I see Yarran being used further up the ground, but still capable of falling back when needed.
Opposition coaches have already planned to negate Yarran by dragging him back to our last line of defense, so that will need to be countered.

Yarran is an offensive weapon who works better in space and will be we'll be well served with him spotting up our forwards.

I like this, we need to have Yarran delivering to our forwards more often and kicking goals. I would love to see him kick 20-25 goals and a large number of scoring assists from a wing this season.

Touhy will have to step up and take Yarran's position IMO.

If this doesn't happen then JR can take the spot but I want to see him as a midfielder. JR has the size, speed and skills to be a good midfielder and he is at the point in his career that he should be able to make the transition.

There is a spot open for him and if he can step into a role like an inside/outside type midfielder, then we will be in good shape.

 

[Azul]

He is a BACKMAN people! Leave him there. The guy will be the best FB in the game with 20+ games in 2012.

Playing Jamison out of position gives others opportunities to develop. the lack of kpp options due to injury was a key reason for our form slump in 2011.

If Bower and Watson tear it up in the VFL, we should reward them. Moving Jamison to FF is a option if henderson continues to have an impact at chb.

No one is doubting Jamison's talent. But this thread is about depth - we need to nurture other defensive options should Henderson or Jamison injure themselves. While some may see Henderson as a forward, he was maturing nicely late in the year as a defender.

 

[Dramoth]

Ever since Gibbs has been at the club its been all about him doing his "football apprenticeship" He has had the defensive roll, the tagging roll, a taste of the forward line, and spurts through the middle. He has played 112 games now so its time to unleash him and play him through the middle and forward where he is most damaging. We no longer need him to float accross the back line like we did during the darker days.

Heres hoping gibbs can have a breakout year like Murphy last year!

Gibbs was starting to show break out form towards the end of the season. Which is why so many people were pissed off that he was out injured for the wet toast final. If he had been playing, then we would have won.

I really think that he is ready to step up into the elite bracket properly next year instead of just skirting around the edges like he has done for the last couple of years.

His poise and vision are his key weapons and unlike his other fellow #1, he is not an inside/outside mid and should never be used in that role. He is an outside playmaker. He should be operating off the back of the square running forward while Murphy and Judd battle to get the ball and put it into his hands. And once the ball is in his hands, you know that something will happen.

 

[Blueboys7]

Playing Jamison out of position gives others opportunities to develop. the lack of kpp options due to injury was a key reason for our form slump in 2011.

If Bower and Watson tear it up in the VFL, we should reward them. Moving Jamison to FF is a option if henderson continues to have an impact at chb.

No one is doubting Jamison's talent. But this thread is about depth - we need to nurture other defensive options should Henderson or Jamison injure themselves. While some may see Henderson as a forward, he was maturing nicely late in the year as a defender.

Jamison is our best defender, why would we move him?

If anything we'd be moving Henderson to CHF and having Bower/Watson support Jamo.

We can get by with Jamo taking the best forward and working hard on team defense. We can't get by with 1 key forward (an elite one yes, but we do not have one).

 

[Blueboys7]

Gibbs was starting to show break out form towards the end of the season. Which is why so many people were pissed off that he was out injured for the wet toast final. If he had been playing, then we would have won.

I really think that he is ready to step up into the elite bracket properly next year instead of just skirting around the edges like he has done for the last couple of years.

His poise and vision are his key weapons and unlike his other fellow #1, he is not an inside/outside mid and should never be used in that role. He is an outside playmaker. He should be operating off the back of the square running forward while Murphy and Judd battle to get the ball and put it into his hands. And once the ball is in his hands, you know that something will happen.

I agree with most of this post except for the 'inside/outside' part.

He will develop an inside game IMO, he has the midfield height and should be building enough strength over this preseason. He has the smarts and skills, he should be given the chance in the midfield.

Having said that, he perhaps won't have the same balance between inside and outside play as Murphy does but he can be a contributor and win his own ball and clearances.

By all means, we should play to his strengths and use his sublime skill on the outside but this is how he improves to become an elite player, just as Murphy did.

 

[Azul]

Jamison is our best defender, why would we move him?

If anything we'd be moving Henderson to CHF and having Bower/Watson support Jamo.

Henderson is raw and honing his skills as a defender. Moving him forward just halts his development.

We can get by with Jamo taking the best forward and working hard on team defense.

This thinking is why we were never a chance to beat Hawthorn or Collingwood. Cloke/Dawes & Roughead/Franklin make a mess of our undersized backline. Unearthing 2 other Jamison-class defenders in a hurry is our only hope.

If Jamison plays 25 games a season we're in good shape. If he has another horror run with injuries we're back to square one. Trialling him as a forward allows others in the team to share the responsibility while ultimately allowing the coach to move him back 'for emergencies'.

 

[pepalenko]

Simon White - Forward

I remember being quite impressed with White in his first few games but he seemed to drop off a bit in 2011. Where does everyone see him in terms of in or out of best 22?

 

[I bleed Blue]

Gibbs was starting to show break out form towards the end of the season. Which is why so many people were pissed off that he was out injured for the wet toast final. If he had been playing, then we would have won.

I really think that he is ready to step up into the elite bracket properly next year instead of just skirting around the edges like he has done for the last couple of years.

His poise and vision are his key weapons and unlike his other fellow #1, he is not an inside/outside mid and should never be used in that role. He is an outside playmaker. He should be operating off the back of the square running forward while Murphy and Judd battle to get the ball and put it into his hands. And once the ball is in his hands, you know that something will happen.

I get what your saying... but id have to say I think he is alot more dangerous foward of centre.

He has an eye for the goals and also sets up plenty of other goals with his vision.

His natural ability is there on display for all. And no doubt he could float of the half back and be very damaging. But personally I think he will be even more damaging further up the ground as we saw quite a bit of later in the season

 

[Big Sim]

Agree with Yarran to a wing. His move back was good for his learning curve but love to see him closer to goals as well as the middle.

Bower as third tall and rebounder.

JR into the middle.

Gibbs to the centre.

Kruze to get a run in the midfield as well as the ruck.

Hammer at FF but also doing ruck work. WE use our three rucks according to the opposition ie against WC Hammer goes with NicNat etc

Walker more time in the midfield.

 

[Stamos]

Hammer to the goal square, JR to the centre square.