Our Forward line

[Joao]

Tabs is our silver bullet.

Tabs is the werewolf. Other teams will need the silver bullet.

 

[Sweetback]

Sean Darcy would look good in our forward line. If he’s splitting the ruck with Sandi, I’d plonk him just inside the 50-metre arc.

 

[sherrif]

I was really impressed with how clean Brayshaw was in contested situations on the weekend. In my view if Brayshaw can contribute straight away it makes sense to have him play a role where he starts outside the centre square and then plays onball after the bounce. That move would allow Fyfe to do the opposite and start in the centre square at the bouncedown and play forward in open play. The effect that could have on our forward line would be immense.
Id love to see a starting forward line by the end of the year consisting of:
HF: Walters Fyfe Bennell
FF: Matera Tabs Darcy
With Brayshaw playing the role mentioned above.

 

[Righteo]

Isn't Mundy already slated for that role?

 

[theGav56]

I was really impressed with how clean Brayshaw was in contested situations on the weekend. In my view if Brayshaw can contribute straight away it makes sense to have him play a role where he starts outside the centre square and then plays onball after the bounce. That move would allow Fyfe to do the opposite and start in the centre square at the bouncedown and play forward in open play. The effect that could have on our forward line would be immense.
Id love to see a starting forward line by the end of the year consisting of:
HF: Walters Fyfe Bennell
FF: Matera Tabs Darcy
With Brayshaw playing the role mentioned above.

No Mundy or McCarthy.

I am big on Fyfe heading forward more, but those two players are good contributors.

 

[salim malik]

Don't forget Apeness forward. We need bash and crash and a good contested mark and Michael has that in spades. As good as Cox is going to be he did pull up before a contest in the JLT scratchy .

 

[sherrif]

No Mundy or McCarthy.

I am big on Fyfe heading forward more, but those two players are good contributors.

Mundy would be on the bench and rotate forward/mid in my potential line-up. Im not as sold on McCarthy as I once was in terms of him being a lock for a forward spot. Im far from writing him off after one poor preseason game, but I think Darcy might yet surprise as a forward.

 

[theGav56]

Mundy would be on the bench and rotate forward/mid in my potential line-up. Im not as sold on McCarthy as I once was in terms of him being a lock for a forward spot. Im far from writing him off after one poor preseason game, but I think Darcy might yet surprise as a forward.

Until he actually plays as a forward, Darcy is not a forward. He's just a big guy.

 

[stax on the mull]

If Taberner and McCarthy play forward, then I don't think a 2nd ruckman can play alongside. I know it seems to go against the grain of developing rucks, when you have Meek, Darcy, Jones and possibly Apeness, but I'd think they might look at using Johnson as they did in some games last year.

You want that option in bursts to throw something different at the defence. i.e. Sandi go forward for 10 minutes, and see if you can take a mark.

 

[theGav56]

If Taberner and McCarthy play forward, then I don't think a 2nd ruckman can play alongside. I know it seems to go against the grain of developing rucks, when you have Meek, Darcy, Jones and possibly Apeness, but I'd think they might look at using Johnson as they did in some games last year.

Strange move if they do imo as it does nothing to advance the team. Far better to play Logue, Cox or Taberner.

 

[stax on the mull]

Taberner rucked ok in the handful of contests he had on the weekend. I think he can ruck in the forward half when the ball is up there. As much as he might say he wants to play as many games as possible, I doubt Sandilands is going to travel every 2nd week. (Not that Sandilands will have to travel much in first half a dozen games anyway).

 

[theGav56]

Taberner rucked ok in the handful of contests he had on the weekend. I think he can ruck in the forward half when the ball is up there. As much as he might say he wants to play as many games as possible, I doubt Sandilands is going to travel every 2nd week. (Not that Sandilands will have to travel much in first half a dozen games anyway).

Yes he would probably only have 8 interstate trips. Is that a big deal? Maybe miss a couple.

 

[stax on the mull]

Yes he would probably only have 8 interstate trips. Is that a big deal? Maybe miss a couple.

Maybe later in the year. Might be convenient anyway with Darcy having an partly interrupted pre-season - not to play two ruckman. To me, two ruckmen, one in the forward line goes against the mantra for increased forward pressure. Who does Port ruck in Round 1? Ryder and Westhoff probably, maybe Watts too. All mobile players.

Johnson is a left field selection, but I don't think he's locked in for a defensive role with Pearce and Hamling as the key talls - and he gives you a midfielder role when he rucks because he can be used to direct the ball through.

 

[theGav56]

Maybe later in the year. Might be convenient anyway with Darcy having an partly interrupted pre-season - not to play two ruckman. To me, two ruckmen, one in the forward line goes against the mantra for increased forward pressure. Who does Port ruck in Round 1? Ryder and Westhoff probably, maybe Watts too. All mobile players.

Johnson is a left field selection, but I don't think he's locked in for a defensive role with Pearce and Hamling as the key talls - and he gives you a midfielder role when he rucks because he can be used to direct the ball through.

If MJ isn’t locked in to a defensive role I cannot justify him playing. He isn’t that good any more, isn’t a forward, and we need to expose others. MJ has had plenty of exposure already.

 

[stax on the mull]

If MJ isn’t locked in to a defensive role I cannot justify him playing. He isn’t that good any more, isn’t a forward, and we need to expose others. MJ has had plenty of exposure already.

I don't see Johnson as a forward either but I can't see a 2nd ruckman lining up alongside Taberner. I think some players are too quick for Johnson to be the short/tall cover in defence. He maybe can play as the 7th defender cleaning up, or match up on the slower tall forwards. While he's on our list he'll likely be used in some capacity.

 

[Galvo]

It’s a pretty small sample size but I’m pretty comfortable with Brayshaw over LDU from what we saw from both in JLT1.

 

[scon]

The sample will get bigger and so will the comfort.

 

[M_rash]

It’s a pretty small sample size but I’m pretty comfortable with Brayshaw over LDU from what we saw from both in JLT1.

But LDU was better than Cerra

 

[theGav56]

I am pretty sure there will be times LDU is going to make the decision look questionable. The other I am worried about is Naughton. Happy with Brayshaw for Weller though.