Our forwardline structure was horrendous this year - only playing 2 genuine forwards with no crumbing small meant the ball bounced out like a pinball. Not to mention our only avenue to goal was pumping it long and hoping Brown or Bradshaw would outmark 3 defenders. Hudson was one of the best shots on goal you will see, but we were one of the most inaccurate teams in the league. Any team that has 2 players scoring or setting up 90+ goals each should not be struggling up forward.
So how would you set-up our forwardline in 2009?
I think we have to play Brown and Bradshaw deep in the 50 where they work best together. I was all up for playing Hooper more through the middle this year but he struggled to have an effect, and he is the only player on our list who is a genuine crumber.
We hardly had a half forward line last year and this is where we really broke down. Structure-wise, I thought we looked best when Mills was playing as a leading target in 2007 as a link between our midfield and Brown. The only problem was he couldn't kick. I would play Clouston or Henderson in that role, or Clark if he isn't needed in the ruck. I would also play Johnstone and Power a little deeper on the flanks to give us some quality ball use into our big targets.
No team plays with 6 forwards these days, but if we had Hooper, Bradshaw, and Brown as stay-at-home forwards, and one of Clouston/Henderson/Clark starting just inside the 50 and leading up the ground I think we will look a lot better. It also helps with the problem of clearing the ball out of defence.
When the opposition drops a man back into the hole we need to do something! Not just hope and pray that Brown/Bradshaw can beat multiple defenders. This is where I would use McGrath if he is still there. He can take a pretty good mark and is quite quick on the lead and would challenge the loose defender to be more accountable.
So how would you set-up our forwardline in 2009?
I think we have to play Brown and Bradshaw deep in the 50 where they work best together. I was all up for playing Hooper more through the middle this year but he struggled to have an effect, and he is the only player on our list who is a genuine crumber.
We hardly had a half forward line last year and this is where we really broke down. Structure-wise, I thought we looked best when Mills was playing as a leading target in 2007 as a link between our midfield and Brown. The only problem was he couldn't kick. I would play Clouston or Henderson in that role, or Clark if he isn't needed in the ruck. I would also play Johnstone and Power a little deeper on the flanks to give us some quality ball use into our big targets.
No team plays with 6 forwards these days, but if we had Hooper, Bradshaw, and Brown as stay-at-home forwards, and one of Clouston/Henderson/Clark starting just inside the 50 and leading up the ground I think we will look a lot better. It also helps with the problem of clearing the ball out of defence.
When the opposition drops a man back into the hole we need to do something! Not just hope and pray that Brown/Bradshaw can beat multiple defenders. This is where I would use McGrath if he is still there. He can take a pretty good mark and is quite quick on the lead and would challenge the loose defender to be more accountable.
