Opinion Our Forward Set-up

[Monkey King]

With this forward set up, how would your rucks work?

I thought I made that clear. Casboult would be the relieving ruckman with the full-time ruck either coming into a pocket or having some bench time and Waite taking FF. Depends a lot on Watson being able to step up to a KP post down back though and Levi to manage the ruck without too much toll. If not, then Hammer comes in as the second ruck and Hendo goes down back. Mick has trialled playing the 3 ruckmen together during the NAB, but unlike Ratten, I can't see him persisting with it; particularly if KP options like Watson and Levi step up.

 

[TimPowell]

Walker....Casboult.....Garlett
Betts....Hampson.....Armfield/Robbo/Ellard

Just on the Waite issue, its pretty obvious that if fully fit would be an automatic inclusion into our forward line. Is it beyond the realms of possibility that Waite could become our "specialist sub' and play half game time?
We have all seen him impact games quickly when fit, could using him as a sub extend his playing career as well as providing us with a player that can impact imediately in a game?

 

[Kelsey Krakauer]

Id like to see something like this:
Garlett Waite Judd
Walker Casboult Betts

 

[thebluelagoon]

FF.Betts. Casboult .walker
HF.Garlett.waite .hampson

thats it for me.

i think that Casbolt and Watson might be fighting for one spot. with watson in hernderson could be the swingman.

if we play two tall forwards plus hampson, waite can always swing into defence if needed

 

[The_Wookie]

thats it for me.

i think that Casbolt and Watson might be fighting for one spot. with watson in hernderson could be the swingman.

if we play two tall forwards plus hampson, waite can always swing into defence if needed

As long as Jamison and Henderson are fit and in form, and Malthouse keeps perserving with White, I dont see Watson playing a lot of senior footy. He'll play some but not a lot IMO. Dont see Waite in defence at all, hasnt been really since 2009, and dont see that happening now.

 

[mediumsizered]

As long as Jamison and Henderson are fit and in form, and Malthouse keeps perserving with White, I dont see Watson playing a lot of senior footy. He'll play some but not a lot IMO. Dont see Waite in defence at all, hasnt been really since 2009, and dont see that happening now.

Agree with this. Waite's value lies in him playing forward nowadays. This was demonstrated in the latter part of last season when he kicked 16 goals in the last 5 games of the season (overall he kicked 27 goals from 11 goals, a handy return for a forward in the modern game).

 

[Big Sim]

Walker-Kreuzer-Waite

Betts-casboult-Garlett

Hammer first ruck but Humphrey doing plenty of time in the ruck too.

If no Waite, then either white or Henderson in there as swing men.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

I thought the Adelaide game was very instructive: Malthouse deliberately chose not to pick any key position forwards, but instead go with three ruckmen and a small fast forward line.

Two observations:

1: the gamestyle looked almost identical to 2012 Carlton under Ratten, ie: run as much as possible and bomb it to the hotspot inside where no Carlton player has bothered to position themselves, or is outnumbered 3 to 1.
2: Despite observation #1, we did not get smashed by the opposition and did not give-in like last year. (although I though Adelaide outplayed us for most of the night).

 

[SBYM]

Lotsa Cas in this thread, and he deserves every ounce of faith. I haven't seen a live game thus far this year so I'm putting this question to my learned brethren; how is his kicking coming along, and importantly, has it improved since last year?

Since he seems to be a universal choice, I'm thinking that when he hits a rough trot (inevitable imo given his age) will he be good enough to make every shot count, or at least, make enough of them count to be the forward target we need?

 

[Big Sim]

I thought the Adelaide game was very instructive: Malthouse deliberately chose not to pick any key position forwards, but instead go with three ruckmen and a small fast forward line.

Two observations:

1: the gamestyle looked almost identical to 2012 Carlton under Ratten, ie: run as much as possible and bomb it to the hotspot inside where no Carlton player has bothered to position themselves, or is outnumbered 3 to 1.
2: Despite observation #1, we did not get smashed by the opposition and did not give-in like last year. (although I though Adelaide outplayed us for most of the night).

I reckon that was more about auditioning the three rucks for two spots. Or more precisely hammer and knockers for the spot next to Kreuzer. Funnily enough I think MM will play Kreuzer more as a forward ruck and the other two will fight it out for first ruck, with hammer the favourite now on form for round one. I believe this because their strengths/weaknesses dictate it.

But we will see. It's an interesting situation.

 

[T2B_]

Lotsa Cas in this thread, and he deserves every ounce of faith. I haven't seen a live game thus far this year so I'm putting this question to my learned brethren; how is his kicking coming along, and importantly, has it improved since last year?

Since he seems to be a universal choice, I'm thinking that when he hits a rough trot (inevitable imo given his age) will he be good enough to make every shot count, or at least, make enough of them count to be the forward target we need?

I couldn't completely comment on his kicking, but I think it has slightly improved.

However I love having Casboult in the side simply for the structure he provides. He's a genuine KPF option and knows how to play the big bustling, leading forward role (and he can still take a pack mark) and does seem to try his guts out to provide defensive pressure too, which I'm sure the coaches will love.

He knows where to go and if nothing else brings the ball to ground to our little dudes so IMHO has an important role to play. Same thing with Waite, although he's the better goal kicker, but unfortunately we can't always rely on him being on the field.

 

[SBYM]

I couldn't completely comment on his kicking, but I think it has slightly improved.

However I love having Casboult in the side simply for the structure he provides. He's a genuine KPF option and knows how to play the big bustling, leading forward role (and he can still take a pack mark) and does seem to try his guts out to provide defensive pressure too, which I'm sure the coaches will love.

He knows where to go and if nothing else brings the ball to ground to our little dudes so IMHO has an important role to play. Same thing with Waite, although he's the better goal kicker, but unfortunately we can't always rely on him being on the field.

Love ya work T2B...

I agree with your summation of his battering-ram abilities. From what I saw last year is NOT a natural footballer, but is a natural competitor in a way that is just as intrinsic; love it that he brings to the table qualities that can't be taught (or at least are vey difficult to teach).

And I have nothing but love for the notion that his kicking has improved. If he hits a rough period, but makes 2 out of his 4 opportunities count, then I will be more than happy. All in all, there is beaming light at the end of our KPF tunnel.

From a dearth of forward options to an abundance of a nice mixture of raw/tested talent...what's the collective noun for a group of up-and-coming/emerging KPFs? A clutch?

 

[Erko Blue]

Sounds good,
maybe a rinoesque Crash.

 

[zeeCFC]

The biggest difference is Casboult's kicking for me is that no matter the distance he just kicks the begeezus out of the pig skin this year. Forces him to kick through it and his leg doesn't swing across his body like last year.

 

[Claypigeon]

what's the collective noun for a group of up-and-coming/emerging KPFs? A clutch?

Kinda puts a different meaning on the midfielders making a "clutch decision". ..

 

[Faz 2000]

You're clutching at straws, there.

 

[dacloud]

FF: Betts Casboult Walker
CHF: Garlett Waite Armfield

I'm going to say Armfield is a lock for the half forward flank. He has the ability to run down and tackle the best rebounding defenders in the game. His defensive pressure in the forward 50 is great, he is fast and can even chip in with a couple of goals.

Waite CHF or FF in an ideal world, not sure how much we will see of him there, Hampson the next best replacement IMO.

 

[Dramoth]

FF: Betts Casboult Walker
CHF: Garlett Waite Armfield

I'm going to say Armfield is a lock for the half forward flank. He has the ability to run down and tackle the best rebounding defenders in the game. His defensive pressure in the forward 50 is great, he is fast and can even chip in with a couple of goals.

Waite CHF or FF in an ideal world, not sure how much we will see of him there, Hampson the next best replacement IMO.

Like for like replacements if you are going to do that... Rowe for Waite if Waite is unavailable... otherwise Hampson or Mitchell.

 

[thebluelagoon]

I couldn't completely comment on his kicking, but I think it has slightly improved.

However I love having Casboult in the side simply for the structure he provides. He's a genuine KPF option and knows how to play the big bustling, leading forward role (and he can still take a pack mark) and does seem to try his guts out to provide defensive pressure too, which I'm sure the coaches will love.

He knows where to go and if nothing else brings the ball to ground to our little dudes so IMHO has an important role to play. Same thing with Waite, although he's the better goal kicker, but unfortunately we can't always rely on him being on the field.

Levi's two greatest strengths are his hand above his head and his body work. the two combined make him a excellent contested mark.

it seems what Mick is looking for in his key forwards is the ability to provide a long target on about the "50" writing as the ball comes around the boundary out of defence. what he need to be able to do is compete against his man and the loose man in defence to mark or bring the ball to ground. This is why i think that Levi has a good chance of playing.

Kreuzer is still learning his forward work, he can take a strong overhead grab, but his body work is not there yet.
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clYfy-d3yns

5 seconds into this clip you will see, Kreuzer could have put a body check on this easy beat defender and marked this ball. I love the guy and would love him to be a Dominant forward but there is not much evidence to show he is going to be so this year. Hampson is more likely to play forward and Kreuzer in the ruck.

 

[Sharks On A Plane]

I know he shouldn't have to be told, considering he covered Friday night's game, but can someone please tell David King that we didn't play one genuine key position forward against Adelaide? He was banging on tonight about Carlton not being able to "take a catch" inside 50, yet didn't seem to realise that none of Waite/Casboult/Rowe were playing.

He then contradicted himself by stating that Hampson has in fact been taking plenty of marks up forward, and that Walker is another good taller forward option (but one that doesn't count because "we already know about him").

Sigh.

 

[Aphrodite]

I know he shouldn't have to be told, considering he covered Friday night's game, but can someone please tell David King that we didn't play one genuine key position forward against Adelaide? He was banging on tonight about Carlton not being able to "take a catch" inside 50, yet didn't seem to realise that none of Waite/Casboult/Rowe were playing.

He then contradicted himself by stating that Hampson has in fact been taking plenty of marks up forward, and that Walker is another good taller forward option (but one that doesn't count because "we already know about him").

Sigh.

Kingy doesn't count PERIOD !!!!

 

[Faz 2000]

There's a lot of that going around. I heard some other expert analyst suggesting the Blues would be better with Travis Cloke. Wow... you'll win a bravery award for making THAT call. They were also suggesting the Blues lacked targets against Adelaide.

Maybe because.... umm... choice 1, choice 2, and choice 3 tall forwards weren't playing? Maybe?

 

[SBYM]

Guys...there's no need to let intelligent analysis stand in the way of a good circle jerk.