Our Key forward pecking order

[TigermanM2]

Thank you.

What a pleasure it is to jump into a thread trying to figure out where the hell are we going to put all these key forwards instead of jumping into a thread wondering where the hell are our key forwards!!!

Wasn't that long ago was it?

By the way not one wrong answer in here just opinions.

 

[cairo tiger]

My KPF rankings:

Lynch - clear number 1 option. Provides leadership, on field coaching and a focal point.

Armstrong - currently the number 2 option given he is playing seniors

Fawcett - when Lynch missed was given his debut. Should be next in line for opportunity.

Faull - will be the ideal compliment to Armstong and Fawcett long term

Ryan & Sims - will be developed as ruck/forwards

Lefau - handy depth option, but not someone I'm expecting to be a long term answer

Bauer - more of a mobile marking mid sized forward than KPF IMO.

My KPD rankings:

Balta - the number 1 option just needs to be left down back to develop in the role.

Miller - 7 years in and he finally looks settled in a role. Could have claims as being our best current KPD

Blight - has been shifted forward but would much prefer him being developed long term down back.

Gray - the draft haul of young KPF talent has seen him revert back to the KPD roles he began with at Essedon VFL. Looks comfortable so far this year.

Gibcus - injuries make it difficult to rank him any higher than this at the moment. Will be interested to see how he fits in once fit in the 2nd half of the year.

Young - similar to Lefau up forward, handy depth option as we rebuild, but I don't see him as a long term answer.

Trainor & Brown - long term Vlastuin & Broad replacements as mobile mid sized interceptors with better ball usage

All up a solid spine to build around as we begin the rebuild in earnest.

lefau was our only fwd last year. he can also go ruck rover

 

[Willo_23]

I've loved Ooze's terminology in a couple of pressers where he has talked about 'selection integrity'.

TBH I'd just be keen on form deciding the pecking order (apart from Lynch, who we need there as an on-field coach basically)

 

[beema limapep]

Average goals per game 2024 and 2025

Armstrong 1.5 (6 goals from 4 games)
Lefau - 1.4 (14 goals from 10 games)
Lynch 1.25 (10 goals from 8 games)
Bauer 1.0 (7 goals from 7 games)
Fawcett 1.0 (1 goal from 1 game)
Faull
Gray

 

[Coach_Required]

lefau was our only fwd last year. he can also go ruck rover

Can he go wing? because he won't be a key forward anymore.

 

[_RT_]

lefau was our only fwd last year. he can also go ruck rover

Since last year Lynch has returned and 3 superior KPF options were drafted, while Fawcett who was also injured most of last year also looks better. Lefau is long odds to make it IMO

 

[matt_y106]

Right now I only like the idea of Lynch, Armstrong and a fwdRuck Balta or Blight (When Gibcus is available Balta's not taking Millers spot so where does he go?). I'd fast track the development of Armstrong/Fawcett/Faull interchanging the 3 throughout the year. Ryan or Simms I only see getting a game if Nank gets injured or they're kicking 4/5 consistently in the VFL. I like Lefau & Bauer but I'd rather us be developing the better talent.

Balta’s not taking Miller’s spot?
If all players are healthy, Miller is depth at VFL level. Balta, Gibcus, Trainer, Brown. Blight off the bench as forward ruck.
Armstrong, Faull key forwards with Simms number 1 ruck.

 

[cairo tiger]

Since last year Lynch has returned and 3 superior KPF options were drafted, while Fawcett who was also injured most of last year also looks better. Lefau is long odds to make it IMO

hes been given a contract extn for what reason? I reckon there is a spot for him on the wing or flank

 

[docko911]

Reckon Fawcett could make a good KPD if we have too many forwards.

Fawcett could also be good trade currency for a certain player from Adelaide if he has a good season.

 

[docko911]

Balta’s not taking Miller’s spot?
If all players are healthy, Miller is depth at VFL level. Balta, Gibcus, Trainer, Brown. Blight off the bench as forward ruck.
Armstrong, Faull key forwards with Simms number 1 ruck.

If all players are healthy we play Balta, Miller, Gibcus and Trainor in the same backline. Broad plays VFL. Miller is playing at a pretty high standard this year (preseason excluded).

 

[_RT_]

hes been given a contract extn for what reason? I reckon there is a spot for him on the wing or flank

Like Young he got an extension while recovering from the ACL. If we're serious about the rebuild he should only be played when injuries force us to. A good state league footballer but not a long term AFL option.

 

[Groupie_]

bayer is shite mang

 

[TheDyerLegacy]

Since last year Lynch has returned and 3 superior KPF options were drafted, while Fawcett who was also injured most of last year also looks better. Lefau is long odds to make it IMO

Definitely won’t make it long term but can play a role in the development of those said talls. Playing alongside lynch will be great but having Lefau do some heavy hitting would be nice

 

[docko911]

Lefau underrated. We could play 4 talls with Lefau, Armstrong and/or Faull in the team. All 3 compete on the ground. Sims is also quite competitive for a tall. Shit even Fawcett is competitive.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

George and caddy both played integral parts in our dynasty forwardline .
Lefau has shown more than enough , including showing enough campaigner when things aren’t going his way , to equal the out put of both George and caddy .
Carlton have focused on having having most elite key forwards in the game and how’s that going for them ?

 

[CASEYS9420]

Balta’s not taking Miller’s spot?
If all players are healthy, Miller is depth at VFL level. Balta, Gibcus, Trainer, Brown. Blight off the bench as forward ruck.
Armstrong, Faull key forwards with Simms number 1 ruck.

I've never been onboard with the idea of Balta playing FB, he's an intercept player, not a lockdown Key Defender. Millers been the surprise packet of the year so far and is in great form. Whats more Balta's a hothead that tends to have brain fade in match that cost goals.

 

[SleepingGiant]

George and caddy both played integral parts in our dynasty forwardline .
Lefau has shown more than enough , including showing enough campaigner when things aren’t going his way , to equal the out put of both George and caddy .
Carlton have focused on having having most elite key forwards in the game and how’s that going for them ?

They stopped rebuilding too early and have an elite top 6 that would start in any team in the comp, then it drops off big time. You can’t draft 6 A graders then bring in trash around them outside of Saad. You need 8-10 A graders and that pushes out the bottom 4 VFL players and you get exponential gains from there.

 

[Reservoir tiger]

I’d go…

1. Lynch
2. Armstrong
3. Lefau
4. Faull
5. Bauer
6. Fawcett

 

[Andyy]

We have heaps, so if they are all fit and healthy, which 3 play?

Which 1 or 2 may be in danger of being the first to be shifted back/moved on/traded for list balance?

My current pecking order:-

Pure key fwds
Lynch
Lefau
Armstrong
Bauer
Fawcett
Faull
Gray

Ruck/forward hybrids
Sims
Sampson Ryan

Lynch looks like he's about finished to me. Still got the class but I think his body will let him down again and he's getting past it.

Lefau is the mature body we will need to play while the kids develop.

Bauer I'm not sure will make it as a forward - his kicking is the problem.

Gray been playing backline in the VFL? Regardless I've not see enough to make a judgement.

Armstrong looks great. Faull and Sims contested marking + attack on the ball looks very good. I suspect these 3 are our long-term options with Lefau padding the next few development years.

Not seen enough of Fawcett.

Ryan won't make it IMO.

 

[_RT_]

Definitely won’t make it long term but can play a role in the development of those said talls. Playing alongside lynch will be great but having Lefau do some heavy hitting would be nice

The issue with Lefau is that like the kids he is a development project rather than an experienced player who can provide on field leadership and guidance as such I'd play him exclusively VFL

Lefau underrated. We could play 4 talls with Lefau, Armstrong and/or Faull in the team. All 3 compete on the ground. Sims is also quite competitive for a tall. Shit even Fawcett is competitive.

They may compete on the ground but we'd be way too top heavy with 4 talls inside F50.

 

[tigs2010]

They stopped rebuilding too early and have an elite top 6 that would start in any team in the comp, then it drops off big time. You can’t draft 6 A graders then bring in trash around them outside of Saad. You need 8-10 A graders and that pushes out the bottom 4 VFL players and you get exponential gains from there.

They blew 3 top 10 picks in 2016 & 17. Then traded back from top 10 on 2019 & out in 2020 & 21

 

[PetterdHoisted]

Projecting forward, Faull looks to have a remarkable mix of mobility, marking, and aggression

He he can become a deadeye, reckon he tops the lot, in time.

I fully understand the draft pick now

 

[SleepingGiant]

They blew 3 top 10 picks in 2016 & 17. Then traded back from top 10 on 2019 & out in 2020 & 21

Hahaha yeah that sucks for them. The one thing you gotta do well is go down when it's a good draft. If this years top end is elite and next year is another super draft in 2026 we are laughing. Our club is very smart at trading in players when the drafts are shit and loading up on kids when they are good drafts. The only reason we had the haul we did last year was because we had the currency (Bolton, Baker, Graham, Rioli) which were all drafted. 8/10 times you want to grow your own until you see some big Lynch tuna. Even when we brought in Hopper and Taranto, who did we miss out on? Would we still take them?

 

[BF Tiger]

Just happy no-one has mentioned Koschitzke.

 

[SA_Tiger11]

Can he go wing? because he won't be a key forward anymore.

Absolutely not