I don't want to be a panic merchant after a disappointing first up loss, but one thing which we alluded to in the pre-season is the lack of a genuine crumbing forward on our list, and based on Round 1 this seems even more apparent.
Let's analyse the contenders:
Aaron Davey - was successful in this role when younger, but as has been much publicised he has lost a yard of pace and seems scared to get too physically involved. Didn't seem to have the stamina to get from the wing to the key forward's ankles, nor the handling ability, and was left trying to be a marking target. Much work to do if he is to convince all of us that he is the small forward we wanted.
Sam Blease - looks out of his depth in the forward line. Doesn't have enough room to run, kicking at goal not accurate enough. His dash is far better suited to half back or the wing
Jamie Bennell - A natural half back flanker who can push forward when need be. Does have the ability to pop up with some good goals, as witnessed in 2010, but is a real confidence player and when he is not seeing a lot of the ball, he lacks the imagination to spark an attack. Has the speed, the goalkicking accuracy and the handling skills, but needs a good confidence boosting couple of games where he sees plenty of the footy and kicks 2 or 3 goals.
Kelvin Lawrence - Big wraps on this kid, but he is yet to show that he is capable at this level. Has good forward pressure and is a strong tackler, but has yet to show that he can kick more than one or two goals in a game. Also yet to dominate at Casey level which is a concern as how can we seriously consider playing him in the 1's if he isn 't doing enough in the twos.
Other contenders: Lynden Dunn, Brad Green are too tall and not quick enough/agile enough to be a dedicated small forward.
Colin Sylvia's importance to the midfield and inside 50 clearances rules him out when, in fact, he is probably the most suitable candidate.
Ricky Petterd, Liam Jurrah, Jack Watts and Jeremy Howe have the skillset to play small but are strong overhead and cannot resist going for the big marks as opposed to letting the likes of Clark and Martin have a crack at it.
With the addition of Mitch Clark, we now have a permanent big gorilla in the square, and the importance of a small forward has increased tenfold as opposed to our medium sized forward structure from last year.
It beggars belief that in the rookie draft we did not look at another crumbing forward, instead taking necessary inside midfielders and 2 development key position players. The likes of Milera and Saad would have fitted the bill perfectly IMO.
Not that I am saying we made the incorrect decision to delist him, as unfortunately his personal issues and poor fitness overshadowed his freakish ability, but I wonder what Aussie 'Turtle Stew' Wonaemirri is doing now... Does anybody know? Would have surely been worth keeping Maric at the expense of Bate?
Would love ideas how we can fill this void, as if you look at Hawthorn, Collingwood, Geelong, Carlton and West Coast, one thing you see is that they all have at least one player with the ability to excel in this role, even if it is while they are resting from their midfield duties (i.e. Rioli)
Let's analyse the contenders:
Aaron Davey - was successful in this role when younger, but as has been much publicised he has lost a yard of pace and seems scared to get too physically involved. Didn't seem to have the stamina to get from the wing to the key forward's ankles, nor the handling ability, and was left trying to be a marking target. Much work to do if he is to convince all of us that he is the small forward we wanted.
Sam Blease - looks out of his depth in the forward line. Doesn't have enough room to run, kicking at goal not accurate enough. His dash is far better suited to half back or the wing
Jamie Bennell - A natural half back flanker who can push forward when need be. Does have the ability to pop up with some good goals, as witnessed in 2010, but is a real confidence player and when he is not seeing a lot of the ball, he lacks the imagination to spark an attack. Has the speed, the goalkicking accuracy and the handling skills, but needs a good confidence boosting couple of games where he sees plenty of the footy and kicks 2 or 3 goals.
Kelvin Lawrence - Big wraps on this kid, but he is yet to show that he is capable at this level. Has good forward pressure and is a strong tackler, but has yet to show that he can kick more than one or two goals in a game. Also yet to dominate at Casey level which is a concern as how can we seriously consider playing him in the 1's if he isn 't doing enough in the twos.
Other contenders: Lynden Dunn, Brad Green are too tall and not quick enough/agile enough to be a dedicated small forward.
Colin Sylvia's importance to the midfield and inside 50 clearances rules him out when, in fact, he is probably the most suitable candidate.
Ricky Petterd, Liam Jurrah, Jack Watts and Jeremy Howe have the skillset to play small but are strong overhead and cannot resist going for the big marks as opposed to letting the likes of Clark and Martin have a crack at it.
With the addition of Mitch Clark, we now have a permanent big gorilla in the square, and the importance of a small forward has increased tenfold as opposed to our medium sized forward structure from last year.
It beggars belief that in the rookie draft we did not look at another crumbing forward, instead taking necessary inside midfielders and 2 development key position players. The likes of Milera and Saad would have fitted the bill perfectly IMO.
Not that I am saying we made the incorrect decision to delist him, as unfortunately his personal issues and poor fitness overshadowed his freakish ability, but I wonder what Aussie 'Turtle Stew' Wonaemirri is doing now... Does anybody know? Would have surely been worth keeping Maric at the expense of Bate?
Would love ideas how we can fill this void, as if you look at Hawthorn, Collingwood, Geelong, Carlton and West Coast, one thing you see is that they all have at least one player with the ability to excel in this role, even if it is while they are resting from their midfield duties (i.e. Rioli)
).
