Our forward line

[PrideOf]

Just wanted to point out that what was supposed to be an unstructured, unorganised forward line - and a massive weakness - is now the 5th best in the league, and only 33 points (or 3 points per week) behind Port, one of the most highly praised forward lines in the AFL.

Can't wait to see how we go once we get the forward structure working properly.

 

[Tredders#16]

As a point of interest, how many goals have you got from your key forwards this year? I think this is what many believed to be the main "weakness" of the Adelaide side coming into 2002, but they have proved other sides wrong by being able to post competitive scores with plenty of contributors.
I would still say that the Adelaide forward line is unstructured and unorganised, but effective nonetheless.

Well done on the first half of the year. I wonder which non-vic team will get shafted by having to play a "home" prelim final at the MCG this year. I bet it's against Essendon or Collingwood, just to really rub it in!

Tredders#16

 

[Jars458]

Our forward line is still our weakest link

Stevo and Burton are getting some form and we need them to maintain it together with Welsh


We are still missing a key forward

Schell is not the answer IMO


This is why come trade period we need to sacrifice some midfield strength to gain a key forward

As good as he has been this year (ie very good) Kane Johnson would be the obvious example.

 

[PrideOf]

Just thinking laterally Jars ... it kind of raises the question of whether you need the traditional 'build your forward line around one of two key forwards' to get anywhere. It works for some, not for others.

Surely 3-4 mobile forwards and a handful of midfielders all capable of kicking goals is harder to cover than one or two key targets?

 

[Jars458]

Originally posted by PrideOf
Just thinking laterally Jars ... it kind of raises the question of whether you need the traditional 'build your forward line around one of two key forwards' to get anywhere. It works for some, not for others.

Surely 3-4 mobile forwards and a handful of midfielders all capable of kicking goals is harder to cover than one or two key targets?

That's true

But if you have a key forward as well

you have many more options

If he is held your other boys can stand up

And a good key forward always takes the BEST defender

I think Bienke will replace Schell when he gets fit

 

[Damp Squarie]

I like Roos presence at CHF. Demands the ball, marks and kicks well, provides a contest where the running brigade can clean up.... all we need is a LESS CROWDED FORWARD LINE.


Beinkes all ways been a fan of mine. Hope hes fit next up?

 

[PrideOf]

Originally posted by topjars
Beinkes all ways been a fan of mine.

I'm sure you're a big fan of his too.


Jars458 ... fair point re the one key forward. But I guess I'm just looking at whether we're too conscious at finding another super-forward like Modra.

 

[Damp Squarie]

There will never be another Modra.

If you look at Llyod he has plenty of space. Id rather a few options but the need for balance is essential

If Schells out of favour and Bienkes fit Id go like this

F: Beinke Biglands (Resting) or Edwards
HF: Welsh Ricciuto Burton

Stevo can play out of the hotspot when Biglands is rucking

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I wonder which non-vic team will get shafted by having to play a "home" prelim final at the MCG this year.

Tredders - How about a Port playing a "home" preliminary final against the Crows at the MCG. From a Crows' perspective this is probably a favourable scenario given 1) our recent showdown (lack of) results at football park & 2) our better record (including finals) at the MCG. All we need is Brisbane playing a resurgent West Coast in the other preliminary to make the Victorians really happy.

 

[Tredders#16]

I'd be pretty happy Kane, since I'm in Victoria and will be able to go to that game. Do you think I'll have to book tickets? I might give Ticketmaster a call this afternoon if I get the chance.

Tredders#16

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

If Schells out of favour and Bienkes fit Id go like this
F: Beinke Biglands (Resting) or Edwards
HF: Welsh Ricciuto Burton

topjars - Whilst I'm not yet convinced about Schell, we should not drop him after 1 bad game & give him a few games in a row to determine whether he can play or not. Also, this will allow Beinke to gain some match practice with the magpies. I would go with:

F: Burton Schell Edwards
HF: Welsh Stevens Riccuito
====================
C: Bode Stenglein Doughty
HB Goodwin McGregor Smart
FB: Massie Bassett Hart
R: Biglands Bickley McLeod
I: Clarke Johncock Gallagher Perrie

IN: Welsh, Perrie (need another tall option)
OUT: Johnson (inj), Ladhams

 

[Damp Squarie]

Im not suggesting we drop Schell; but if he is dropped Binks would be my replacement

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Im not suggesting we drop Schell; but if he is dropped Binks would be my replacement

topjars - I would like to find room for Beinke in the team, but IMO he needs to make his way back through the magpies with a bit of form. He should be motivated, because the way the maggies are playing his only chances of playing in the finals this year will be with the Crows.

 

[Port01]

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
topjars - I would like to find room for Beinke in the team, but IMO he needs to make his way back through the magpies with a bit of form. He should be motivated, because the way the maggies are playing his only chances of playing in the finals this year will be with the Crows.

Dunno about that, Port are still in the 5 after all

 

[ok.crows]

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin


topjars - Whilst I'm not yet convinced about Schell, we should not drop him after 1 bad game & give him a few games in a row to determine whether he can play or not. Also, this will allow Beinke to gain some match practice with the magpies. I would go with:

F: Burton Schell Edwards
HF: Welsh Stevens Riccuito
====================
C: Bode Stenglein Doughty
HB Goodwin McGregor Smart
FB: Massie Bassett Hart
R: Biglands Bickley McLeod
I: Clarke Johncock Gallagher Perrie

IN: Welsh, Perrie (need another tall option)
OUT: Johnson (inj), Ladhams

I like your side, except that I felt Biglands posed our biggest threat in the forward line last week, so I'd put Clarke in the ruck to go against White, Biglands forward to expose Melbourne's problem there now that Nicholson is out.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I like your side, except that I felt Biglands posed our biggest threat in the forward line last week, so I'd put Clarke in the ruck to go against White, Biglands forward to expose Melbourne's problem there now that Nicholson is out.

ok.crows - You have a good point about stretching Melbourne's tall backs now that Nicholson is out & Ellis isn't exactly quality. However, my preference would be to play Perrie up forward, as IMO we will need to keep Biglands & Clarke fresh to match the athletism of White.

 

[Tredders#16]

Clint Bizzell has been playing ok down back on talls. He beat Lade when we played them, and has matched up favourably on occasions since round 2.

Tredders#16

 

[ok.crows]

Originally posted by Tredders#16
Clint Bizzell has been playing ok down back on talls. He beat Lade when we played them, and has matched up favourably on occasions since round 2.

Tredders#16

True, but a team often needs more than 1 tall defender.

If Crows put Burton, Biglands & Welsh in front of goals, and still have Stevens & Ricciuto at half-forward, I think Melbournes defence without Nicholson could be stretched a bit.

 

[noddy]

I see the weather forecast is for rain so maybe having to many talls could be a disadvantage,
if any one comes in for Kane Johnson what about giving Matt Shir a go he has been in very good form in the SANFL lately,
I wonder if Peter Vardy will be playing for the dee's this week ,

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Matchups

Tredders - IMO ok.crows has a good point, as the Crows don't rely on 1 forward to kick most of their goals. Perhaps the matchups are as follows: Ellis v Stevens, Broadbridge v Schell, Bizzell v Burton, Bruce v Welsh ... then who picks up Riccuito or Biglands if he goes forward? Whilst it is not likely the whole forward line will fire, IMO the Crows will stretch the Dees backline, particularly now their best big bearded defender is out.

Noddy - I reckon Gallagher deserves more game time given his form with Norwood than Shir at this stage. However, it is good to see the fringe players putting up their hand in the SANFL.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
ok.crows - You have a good point about stretching Melbourne's tall backs now that Nicholson is out & Ellis isn't exactly quality. However, my preference would be to play Perrie up forward, as IMO we will need to keep Biglands & Clarke fresh to match the athletism of White.

Perrie will work hard no question; leaving Biglands one out IN the square will keep him fresh enough.

Lets see another dimension in Biglands game prosper. Two Strong Well Built Bullocks not afraid to mix it in the forward spine is making my lips water

 

[ok.crows]

Re: Matchups

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
Tredders - IMO ok.crows has a good point, as the Crows don't rely on 1 forward to kick most of their goals. Perhaps the matchups are as follows: Ellis v Stevens, Broadbridge v Schell, Bizzell v Burton, Bruce v Welsh ... then who picks up Riccuito or Biglands if he goes forward? Whilst it is not likely the whole forward line will fire, IMO the Crows will stretch the Dees backline, particularly now their best big bearded defender is out.

Noddy - I reckon Gallagher deserves more game time given his form with Norwood than Shir at this stage. However, it is good to see the fringe players putting up their hand in the SANFL.

If Bruce has to play back who is going to play in Melbourne's forward line?

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

If Bruce has to play back who is going to play in Melbourne's forward line?

ok.crows - Dees have been using Bruce mainly as a run-with player or as backman this year. There is talk that he could be the one for McLeod, but IMO he would be a better matchup for Welsh. Melbourne still have a good forward line centred around the Ox & Neitz. Green & Robertson have been a bit down on form, but then there is the Vardy factor & their midfield rotation (ie. Johnstone, Yze, Woewoden, McDonalds, etc).

Lets see another dimension in Biglands game prosper. Two Strong Well Built Bullocks not afraid to mix it in the forward spine is making my lips water

topjars - Biglands will be good in a pinch hitting role up forward, but we should keep it as a suprise element. He will need to be kept fresh to play on White (& we want our forwards to continue to chase & tackle hard).

 

[godees]

Kane McGoodwin, you are mostly right with everything you said. But I'll have a go with match-ups around the ground.

F: Burton Schell Edwards
B: Bizzell Lamb Walsh
HF: Welsh Stevens Riccuito
HB: Broady Ellis Ward
C: Bode Stenglein Doughty
C: Yze Woey Johnstone
HB: Goodwin McGregor Smart
HF: Powell Schwarz Wheatley
B: Hart Bassett Massie
F: Jolly Neitz Vardy
R: Biglands Bickley McLeod
R: White Leoncelli Bruce
I: Clarke Johncock Gallagher Perrie
I: Whelan, Brown, Thompson, Armstrong/Green/J Mcdonald

Lamb will come into the team for Nico and I think he might play on Schell. He has been ripping it up in the reserves (thrashed Mensch and Cummings in the last 2 weeks) but he seems to be a bit overrawed in the seniors. He will be ok this week though I think.
Ward would be a good match up for Riccuto when he plays forward. Ward is a real tough nut and could match Riccuto is the one on ones.
The midfield will be a very close battle. Yze, Woey, Johnno, Powell etc against McLeod, Riccuto, Goodwin, Bickley etc. I'd say Bruce will play on McLeod. Bruce has been playing really well as a tagger recently (beaten Buckley and Nick Stevens) and should be up to the challenge.
Whelan and Brown will start on the field but I can't find and opponent for them.
I would be interested to know who you think would match up on our forwards - Neitz, Vardy, Jolly, Schwarz etc.
I have no doubt that we can beat Adelaide but if the team doesn't improve after our last game then I have no doubt Adelaide will thrash us. Could go either way.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

godees - The good news from a Melbourne point of view is that it looks like Welsh will still be out injured, so you won't have to worry about the Crows leading goal-kicker. I would like to see Perrie start now (if the weather is reasonable) to stretch the Dees defence, but it is more likely the Crows will reconfigure the side & play another midfielder (eg. Johncock HB, Goodwin wing, Bode HF & Nelson in).

With regard to your forwards - Bassett should be a good matchup fo Neitz, particularly given he is in career best form (hope I don't put the mozz on him). McGregor after (pleasantly) suprising most Crows supporters the last couple weeks on Brown & Holland will start on Schwartz. However, if the Ox starts bullocking around, expect Smarty to be swung into action. Hart usually takes the resting ruckman, so he will get Jolly or White if they play forward (unless Neitz goes back, then Bassett will probably get the job). Vardy is an interesting one. I like the suggestion of Smart, but both Massie & Johncock also have the attributes to go with him.

The midfield is usually the key for Crows-Melbourne games. I think Yze is the midfielder which Ayres would have the most concern about, which will mean he will likely have Stenglein playing on him. Basically both sides have many ball-magnets when they are on song, so hopefully it will be an attacking shootout. May the best team win.