Outlandish hypothetical player changes.

[cats2rise]

Not sure why I am starting this thread, or what the point of it is. Great start haha! Anyway...

As our list changes and we develop our younger players, who can you see changing positions more often? Obviously none of this would really happen as we may be tampering with what we have but just wondering who you guys and girls think could make a name for themselves in another position (taking team list into consideration) EG - Mackie transformed from a forward to a defender while Kelly has made a name for himself from being an outside mid to a half back flanker last year.

The ones I can come up with are:

- I never thought Gaz would be an elite midfielder after starting his career as a small forward. I think much like his father he will end up going back to the forward line when he is 30+ kicking 50 goals+ a year.
- If Mooney retires and we continue with Hawkins mainly in the ruck, could we try to fast track Gillies as a defender and move Mackie up forward more (remembering he was a forward in his U/18 days?
- Cameron Ling to move up forward when he cant play as a 'run with' player anymore (remember he was a forward in his U/18 days?
- If a small defender progresses, do we try to fast track them and get them playing alongside Scarlo etc and push Hunt to the wing? His kicking into the forward 50 on a regular basis would be a weapon of epic proportion.
- Taylor up forward has been thrown around alot but not sure we can afford to try that one too often. Great mark and reads the play but would solidly need to learn how to lead and be part of a forward structure over a summer and we really need him to continue his development in defence.

 

[patdman]

Hawkins into a permanent ruck?

1. I dont really think Ling can play as a permanent forward. He is incredibly strong but I just think a tad too slow in todays game. Having said that though it would be interesting to have him as some kind of defensive forward, i.e. on your Shaw, Kennelly, etc.
2. Gaz will almost certainly end up as a forward in his old age. His ability to win one out is just huge.
3. Dont like Mackie up forward at all. I just dont think he has the strength to win one out contests enough. Playing back is completely different.
4. I am not sold on Hunt on the wing. It has been tried before and he is so so. People also rate his kick wayyyyy to high. It isnt that good that he can just stand on the wing and spot of targets all day.
5. Taylor can pinch hit but I think moving him forward is robbing peter to pay paul. Okay so maybe we gain a forward but we lose a backman. Also there is no reason why a combination of Pods and Mooney wont play for another couple of years, maybe even 2-3. Whilst someone like Mooney is probably almost ready to go, Pods will hang on to this dream as long as we let him!!

 

[True Blue Cat]

I agree with patdman on Ling. While he will surely have the strength to beat most small defenders in getting a decent position and taking a lot of marks and we all know how accurate he is from set shots but he is a bit slow. I think he would be a bit useless on the lead and i would much prefer another small forward down there with the likes of motlop etc. being ready over the next few years.


First thing i thought about Mackie was that i didn't think he would have the strength to handle most defenders then i realized that i sounded a bit rediculous. He is able to compete when playing as a defender on more solid players than himself (Such as Buddy) so i don't see why he wouldn't be able to hold his own up forward.

 

[Brasil2007]

Ling could probably do it in a pinch. He'd probably be not dissimilar to Ricciuto in his last couple of years. ATM though we seem to be flush with forwards. Jimmy is another potential option for a forward or even a replacement for Dash in his declining years - terrific overhead mark, reads the ball well, a good decision maker and a good kick.

Another one from left field would be Hawkins at CHB or FB. Probably not agile enough I suspect but might be worth considering. He looked pretty good floating through the backline against Collingwood but I do wonder about his ability to shut down a player.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I'm a fan of moving Mackie more forward because it takes better advantage of his excellent vision and kicking skills, and exposes less his accountability frailties.

I think Hunt should stay where he is-in the era of full zone presses you need your best kicks in the back 50.

Taylor could certainly make it as a forward but post Scarlett we'll need him at the back end...besides which I think Pods has claimed FF as his own.

We need to develop an excellent small backman, with speed and genuine defensive ability, as it's one thing we lack, and post GAJ/post whatever if we want to keep Kelly up the ground, then this is essential. I have high hopes for Taylor Hunt in this regard and I hope he gets opportunities next year.

Jimmy is certainly a good mark for his size and can spend some time forward if need be.

I think as Ling gets age/injuries we're going to need to move him forward more, which again is fine because he can compete in that role.

 

[Driveby Punching]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jimmy play the true 'Harley role' in a few years. He could shut down smalls quite well and he'd constantly be outmarking them not to mention dominating at third man up. His set shot kicking isn't exactly pinpoint these days either, so I'd go back rather than forward for our Jimmy.

 

[Wish Wellingtons]

Shannon Byrnes to ruck.

They will never see it coming.

 

[Wish Wellingtons]

Mark Blake to take the kick ins.

 

[Ninty]

Shannon Byrnes to ruck.

They will never see it coming.

He'll get into form too, Hawkins style.

 

[GUSS]

Scarlett to a wing. Has the smarts to play there even if he doesnt have the pace. Uses the ball beautifully and has the ability to get out on his own. Would be a very damaging player bringing the ball into the fwd 50. With the continued development of Lonegan and Taylor, maybe we don't necessarily need a Scarlett in the backline. Could assume a Darren Milburn type role with ease.

 

[corio bay]

Hows this for an "Outlandish hypothetical" shake up:

Enright and Hunt to the forward flanks, Taylor to full forward

Hawkins in the ruck, pods at CHB, Mooney on the wing

Gaz at CHF rotating with Bartel on the other wing

Stokes and Varcoe as rovers

 

[DanA]

I think Varcoe will move to a wing when Corey retires (probably 2-3 years) if not early and we'll see Christenson come in as a small forward.

I think Hawkins could be an outstanding defender in the Egan mold. Would matchup really well on Brown, Roughead, Petrie and Kosi. At 197 and with his mobility (which is really good) I think he'd make a brilliant defender if he doesn't have success as a forward.

Ablett will retire from the midfield with a few successful years as a FF/FP.


Rooke will reinvent himself yet again in Milburns role next year.

 

[Belisarius]

I think Varcoe will move to a wing when Corey retires (probably 2-3 years) if not early and we'll see Christenson come in as a small forward.

I think Hawkins could be an outstanding defender in the Egan mold. Would matchup really well on Brown, Roughead, Petrie and Kosi. At 197 and with his mobility (which is really good) I think he'd make a brilliant defender if he doesn't have success as a forward.

Ablett will retire from the midfield with a few successful years as a FF/FP.


Rooke will reinvent himself yet again in Milburns role next year.

I'm with you DanA - Varcoe as he gets stronger needs to be more near where the ball is - so a wing would be great for him. Hawkins, as I have stated earlier on other posts, could be an excellent CHB - on the bigger bodied CHFs.

However I had no thought about Rooke coming back next year - and playing a role down back. I hope that he makes it back - but I am uncertain. Would be good to see him again.

 

[Big Fozza]

Hows this for an "Outlandish hypothetical" shake up:

Enright and Hunt to the forward flanks, Taylor to full forward

Hawkins in the ruck, pods at CHB, Mooney on the wing

Gaz at CHF rotating with Bartel on the other wing

Stokes and Varcoe as rovers

hahha, i'd love to see that for 1 game. if we have a top 4 spot sewn up later this year i reckon give it a go!

or maybe it's best not to mess with a good thing

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Hows this for an "Outlandish hypothetical" shake up:

Enright and Hunt to the forward flanks, Taylor to full forward

Hawkins in the ruck, pods at CHB, Mooney on the wing

Gaz at CHF rotating with Bartel on the other wing

Stokes and Varcoe as rovers

Pods may have won a B & F playing at HB, but I want to see him kicking goals, not put in the backline! Watch the video package of his goals on bigpond tv and you'll understand why. So shhhh......

 

[winty]

I'd like to see Hawkins pinch hit in the middle, a la Mooney in 2005, especially if one of our midfielders is getting niggled by a tag, like Crowley on Ablett. One Hawkins shepherd will most likely take care of the tagger and free up his teammate.