Our Forward Half 2014

[Hank Heavenly]

Ok so over differnt number of threads with draftees etc... A Lot of debate seems to be going on about our Forward half next year. At the end of the year it looked like:

Martin Vickery S Edward
A Edwards Reiwoldt King

Now all our draftees have forward traits, their highlight packages suggest they are all goal kickers.
I dont buy into the theory Dimma will start Lennon at HB just because he did with Ellis and Vlas, they are differnet players, and Ill think he will debut up front.

Hampson is the third tall second ruck we have toyed around with for the last few years, I invisage he will take A Edwards spot (even though I like what he brough to the table).

Sheds and Martin are part of the midfield rotations, so if they are not up forward to start, they will spend time there.

Even though Kingy has been great for us, our development as a team may have passed what he can provide, sadly, and if the development of Arnott happens as expected, I can see him aptly replacing King there.

So it could look like:

Martin Vickery Sheds
Hampson Jack Arnott

But given who we have picked up, being two of them mature aged type recruits who play forward, I could see Sheds moving to say a wing, and let any of our Draftees or Williams, McDonough etc to slot in there...

And I havent even touched on McBean yet!!!!

 

[tigs2010]

Vickery and Jack are locks with one ruck. I think Gordon is the one that plays from round 1. Martin/Gordon rotating midfield/forward. King will want to play some good footy or Lloyd will push him out but he will need to improve his fitness base before that happens. Edwards probably takes the 6th spot and pushes up the ground.

 

[Jozzy]

I think our forwardline come round one will look a little like this (unless Lennon, Gordon or Lloyd have a super pre season):

Dustin Martin/Shane Edwards - Tyrone Vickery - Chris Knights
Jake King - Jack Riewoldt - Aaron Edwards

With Hampson rotating through there if he's playing.

I think in about two or so years we'll see the forward line look lke this:

Ben Lennon - Tyrone Vickery - Dustin Martin/Shane Edwards
Sam Lloyd/Matty McDonough/Chirs Knights - Jack Riewoldt - Liam McBean

I would think we would have just the one ruckman and have McBean and Vickery rotating in the ruck.

 

[Darth_Tiger]

We tend to play a seven man back line and a five man forward line. Reality is jack up the ground Ty in the square with Hampson/Ivy a third option and one or two smaller types hanging forward and pushing up the ground. King/Lloyd/McD/knights/sheds/Gordon/Lennon/Martin at last we have some options.

 

[bananatigz]

Martin - Vickery - Knights
S.Edwards- Reiwoldt - Maric (King)

Lennon - Griffiths - McDonough
Lloyd - McBean - A.Edwards (O'Hanlon)

 

[Mick51]

Its good that we have more options now in the forward line. Dont think A.Edwards will get as many games next season.

 

[theflea]

Its good that we have more options now in the forward line. Dont think A.Edwards will get as many games next season.

he would have been doing a massive d'oh last night.

 

[LuKe2428]

Forward line of
Knights - Vickery - (resting mid)
Sheds -Riewoldt - Arnot
Doesn't look to bad with Lennon, McDonough likely to come in.

 

[RichoLedio]

Going to be tough to get games in this forward line next year, can't wait to see who makes the cut round 1!

 

[Calcium Man]

Yesterday i had a feeling Lennon would play a lot next year but i've reversed that thinking now. With us taking Lloyd and Gordon plus Knights, O'Hanlon, King, A. Edwards, S.Edwards and Arnott i suspect Lennon will play a lot of VFL across HBF and through the midfield as it makes zero sense to have 9 similar players for 2 positions and you also rotate Cotchin, Deledio and Martin through that forward line. We took him yesterday as the best available but he has a similar skill set to McDonough who we are turning into a midfielder, clean hands, footy smarts and a lethal kick.

I see our round 1 forward line at this stage (a long preseason to go first)

HF S. Edwards Riewoldt Martin
FF King Vickery Maric/Hampson

Also remember with that we usual play a 5 man forward line and 7 man defence so Martin will push up the ground more and so will Jack.

Our VFL team i'd imagine will set up like this

HF A.Edwards McBean O'Hanlon
FF Lloyd Griffiths VFL player/resting ruckman

 

[Darth_Tiger]

I am going out a limb here and saying Lloyd will feature prominently in our forward line next season.

 

[cairo tiger]

spots up for grabs= pressue on blokes like vickery and edwards. no one is assured any more of a spot.

expect tough nights at training.

 

[BeefTaco]

I am going out a limb here and saying Lloyd will feature prominently in our forward line next season.

if he does what he was doing in the VFL, in the AFL, i wouldnt be to sad about that at all

 

[tigs2010]

I am going out a limb here and saying Lloyd will feature prominently in our forward line next season.

Needs to improve his fitness but by all accounts shouldn't be an issue.

 

[tigerz18]

KPF - Jack, Vick, McBean, Griffiths
Swingmen - Elton, Astbury
Resting Ruck - Maric, Hampson, Orren

Mid size forwards - A. Edwards, O'Hanlon

Small forwards - Knights, King, Lloyd
Resting mids - Lids, Cotch, Martin, Arnot, Helbig
Small forwards/mids - Titch, McDonough, Lennon, Gordon

I have not included Conca, Vlas, Grigg, Jackson, Foley, Ellis and Houli as they don't rotate through the forward line.

as you see, we have increased the number of small forwards who are able to move into midfield roles in the last 2 drafts, and have increased the number of forwards in all departments as well. Our forward line already looks better than last year's. However, i think that in the next 2-3 years, we will see both Edwards', King and Knights moved on, and most likely one or all of Griffiths, Elton, Orren and Astbury.

 

[JR82]

KPF - Jack, Vick, McBean, Griffiths
Swingmen - Elton, Astbury
Resting Ruck - Maric, Hampson, Orren

Mid size forwards - A. Edwards, O'Hanlon

Small forwards - Knights, King, Lloyd
Resting mids - Lids, Cotch, Martin, Arnot, Helbig
Small forwards/mids - Titch, McDonough, Lennon, Gordon

I have not included Conca, Vlas, Grigg, Jackson, Foley, Ellis and Houli as they don't rotate through the forward line.

as you see, we have increased the number of small forwards who are able to move into midfield roles in the last 2 drafts, and have increased the number of forwards in all departments as well. Our forward line already looks better than last year's. However, i think that in the next 2-3 years, we will see both Edwards', King and Knights moved on, and most likely one or all of Griffiths, Elton, Orren and Astbury.

Dimma said in a vid post season that Ellis would play more midfield and rotate fwd as well as he proved he can hit the scoreboard this year

 

[Football Tragic]

Dimma suggested that Maric will play more forward this year with Hampson our number one ruck.

This is how I think we will start the year -
HF - King (defensive forward), Jack (CHF), S. Edwards/Conca/Ellis (Crumbing/High Forward)
FF - Cotch/Martin/(Resting Mid), Maric (FF - rotating ruck 30-40%), Vickery (FP)

Once we figure out that Maric is no forward, Griffiths or McBean we be given a shot in the Vickery's position and Vickery will return to the resting forward role. Unless Maric and/or Hampson can prove their value permanent forwards, one of them will not see much game time this year. I suspect Maric's groin will keep him out of the side half the year with Hampson taking his role. I don't think both can work in the team without hurting either our forwardline structure or midfield rotations (if they play them off the bench). Neither are agile enough to play as 'tall midfielders' like NickNat/Cox do either.

I think McBean could play that role but probably lacks the size to ruck one out. Could play the second man up though and as a link man on the wings/high forward????

Lennon may take the Edwards/Conca/Ellis role by the end of the year with Edwards/Conca/Ellis moved to the wing. If King is pushed out of the team it will only be at the expensive of a tough, defensive minded player - perhaps Gordan or McDough if he can change his game around.

Considering how settled our backline appears, the forwardline if full of question marked and plenty of competition.

 

[RichoLedio]

Dimma suggested that Maric will play more forward this year with Hampson our number one ruck.

This is how I think we will start the year -
HF - King (defensive forward), Jack (CHF), S. Edwards/Conca/Ellis (Crumbing/High Forward)
FF - Cotch/Martin/(Resting Mid), Maric (FF - rotating ruck 30-40%), Vickery (FP)

Once we figure out that Maric is no forward, Griffiths or McBean we be given a shot in the Vickery's position and Vickery will return to the resting forward role. Unless Maric and/or Hampson can prove their value permanent forwards, one of them will not see much game time this year. I suspect Maric's groin will keep him out of the side half the year with Hampson taking his role. I don't think both can work in the team without hurting either our forwardline structure or midfield rotations (if they play them off the bench). Neither are agile enough to play as 'tall midfielders' like NickNat/Cox do either.

I think McBean could play that role but probably lacks the size to ruck one out. Could play the second man up though and as a link man on the wings/high forward????

Lennon may take the Edwards/Conca/Ellis role by the end of the year with Edwards/Conca/Ellis moved to the wing. If King is pushed out of the team it will only be at the expensive of a tough, defensive minded player - perhaps Gordan or McDough if he can change his game around.

Considering how settled our backline appears, the forwardline if full of question marked and plenty of competition.

Completely agree with all of that Maric will need to stay fit and play very well next year

 

[NZ_Tiger]

Completely agree with all of that Maric will need to stay fit and play very well next year

I disagree, in that I think that two rucks is becoming a viable structure again. Freo, and the hawks both played two rucks in the grand final and Sydney played two rucks as well.

 

[RichoLedio]

I disagree, in that I think that two rucks is becoming a viable structure again. Freo, and the hawks both played two rucks in the grand final and Sydney played two rucks as well.

I think against certain teams it will work but there will be a lot where I think we will be too tall as well

 

[Yelle]

Would love if by finals time our forward line looked like this;

HF: Martin Vickery Lennon

FF: McBean Riewoldt Arnott

- Two genuine flankers in Martin and Lennon who can both rotate through the midfield
- Vickery to cement the CHF spot, break out and boot 40+ goals for the year
- Liam McBean to provide a third tall option and really stretch opposition
- Jack to continue his dominance as our number one forward
- Arnott to become a defensive forward, a wrecking ball who can harass, tackle and pressure opposition defenders

 

[thetradesman]

HF: Martin Vickery Knights

FF: Loiyd Reidwoldt Lennon

If Knights can stay on the park he will be a genuine match winner booting goals from 50 meters out and has ben forgotten by most posters.

 

[Mr Magic]

Going to be tough to get games in this forward line next year, can't wait to see who makes the cut round 1!

Agree, at this stage I cannot see TV at half forward nor Hampson as both not good enough on the ground. They can't play deep together either for mine -too top heavy so for me they will be rotating between ruck and forward including TV. Why? because if what I suspect is right and TV is not effective enough at half forward and 2 of TV, Hampson and Maric in the forward line is too top heavy. If this is proven to be the case, TV and Hampson have to rotate as ruck forwards including TV otherwise TV can't get a gig unless he is a forward/ruck hybrid whether Hampson plays or not.

So. for me. No. 1 for TV to survive he has to play forward/ruck or ruck/forward. This permanent forward concept floated for TV IMO is dreamtime stuff. McBean maybe be but IMO TV physically not good enough for that in terms of ground level impact.

I would start of with a forward line of:


HF Lennon CHF McBean HF Martin/Knights rotating in the guts, Knights leftie/Martin dual sided

FP King/S Edwards FF Hampson FP JR


When TV comes from the ruck/bench, TV plays from the pocket replacing King and S Edwards, Lids and Jackson play FF, Call me a madman only when it doesn't work. King and S Edwards could switch to the other pocket as well JR move to forward flank and Martin also take Lennons spot if Lennon goes to bench or in midfield. Lids could even go to Lennons spot.

Whatever happens, I would be seriously surprised if there is not a lot of trial and error with the effectiveness of various forward set-ups with different player combinations in different positions to extract potential synergies.

Our biggest iffy positions atm are clearly FF and CHF IMO. FF the big one assuming McBean can hold CHF eventually. Maybe Griff can take FF or even Elton although some seem to think he is not a good enough kick. Lot to play out yet IMO. Lloyd and Gordon could easily get a gig to. Apart from JR in the forward line somewhere,most likely third tall IMO, no position safe atm