SOLUTION!!! (Where will the goals come from)

[Juddernaut08]

No Fevola? No Goals? No Carlton? NO WAY!

It is true that losing Fev does weaken our forwardline; but there are a few things that will go a long way to fixing this:

1) No stupid shots. As good as he was, Fev was also selfish. When he marked the ball outside 50; he would most of the time take a ping. He (usually) wouldn't look to see if a teammate was in a better position. This resulted in our guys not leading as hard to get into a better position b/c they knew they weren't going to get it.

No Fev means we will gradually learn to be more patient (like Adelaide), and other forwards will lead harder to provide an option.

2) No "blind" i50's. Fev demanded the ball. So we gave it to him even if there was someone in a better position; or without a defender. I think all of us can recall being frustrated when Kreuzer or another forward was one out or by themselves in a good position; only to be overlooked for Fev who had 3 on him. This will mean smarter passes to contests where we're not outnumbered.

3) Less Quick Rebounds. A natural consequence of 1 and 2 are less turnovers. Both from less points from ridiculous shots; as well as the quick rebound after a spoil when Fev fails to beat 3 opponents.

4) Improvement From our "lesser" forwards. Some people might call bull****. But our forwards WILL improve. Why? Besides the obvious natural progression of another pre-season, another year, another 5kgs...there will be INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES. 300-odd passes to Fev aren't just going to dissappear. They will be distributed amongst the other guys. Now instead of being ignored; they will lead hard knowing that they're a good chance to receive the pass.


A lot of our improvement will depend on how quickly and effectively our coaching group can implement a new strategy, and the ability of our playing group to adapt and have to learn to lower their eyes and look for the right option.

If I had my way; I'd pay a few million dollars to bring over Neil Craig and the Adelaide Forward Coaching Group over to CARLTON b/c if we can emulate the success they've had with making a powerful forwardline w/o a big name or settled lineup (burton and porps have been in/out of that side) we will be big contenders for the premiership for many years to come. (And lets face it we at Carlton are here for premierships and premierships alone)

Well that's Juddernaut08's solution. Love to hear whether you agree/disagree with my pointers.

 

[AndyNicka]

I agree with pretty much all that you have said there. Fev often tried to pull out some impossible shots rather than look for a target in a much better position. Our midfielders often kicked it to Fev rather to players in much better positions and naturally they cleared it a lot better. However I think a player such as eddie betts may go backwards as he and fev worked really well together. I guess that is yet to be determined though, hopefully we can have 2 or 3 players kick around about the 40 goal mark, that would be lovely.

 

[Dramoth]

I agree with pretty much all that you have said there. Fev often tried to pull out some impossible shots rather than look for a target in a much better position. Our midfielders often kicked it to Fev rather to players in much better positions and naturally they cleared it a lot better. However I think a player such as eddie betts may go backwards as he and fev worked really well together. I guess that is yet to be determined though, hopefully we can have 2 or 3 players kick around about the 40 goal mark, that would be lovely.

I think that Eddie will thrive with more forward options because with Fev as our single focal point up front, the opposition would actually drop a couple of defenders in front of fev to clean up if the ball went to ground.

With more tall focal points up front, the opposition will have to spread their tall defenders around and it will actually open up the forward line meaning that if the ball goes to ground, there is more of a chance of Eddie getting to the ball first (or Yaz or Garlett) and run into goal.

 

[Korn]

After the Fevola clashed with Setenta incident. I have seen Setenta a few times actually looked behind him to see where Fev was, and he stepped away to let Fev take a mark. That's how selfish Fevola was. Our forwards will no longer have the fear of getting smashed from Fevola from behind. This will allow them to take more good leads.

 

[JuddFevGoal]

Great OP. Well written.

Hope you're right too. The reasoning is sound.

It's going to take time though, mostly to just simply learn the art of dodging a defender, and to make sure that the right guys are in the right spot.

But you make many good points and you make them well.

 

[michael69]

i completely agree with all that is said.
if Waite plays forward he should kick around 30 or 40
Eddie will kick around 30 or 40 aswell
Kreuzer will kick around 20 as he will mainly be in the ruck
Henderson should kick around 25
Murphy should kick about 30 again
Garlett and Yarran will kick around 20 each aswell.
midfielders such as judd, mclean and gibbs should kick around 15 goals aswell.
Players like Walker and Simpson will also chip in with about 15 or so.

This is a huge spread of goalkickers and will be very successful in the future

 

[Dustyjackman]

Excellent opening post.

That's the sort of post I'd love to write, but, due to being bone idle never get around to doing so.

All I can say is, "Thank god for the pre-season comp". This will give us a chance to test some forward theories prior to the real McCoy. And, boy, won't we get some media attention then! 'specially if we don't get our shit together early in the piece.

Gonna be a circus. Can't wait.

 

[blueboy25]

I think it may take 6-8 rounds to find our feet in the forward line in 2010 which is where the midfield will hopefully stand up and take some of the scoring pressure of the forward line.

By mid season I think kruezer, waite and setanta will be rotating well through full forward and centre half forward. If we can get 30 goals from each of them next year then it will be a good year.

One thing we have lacked over the last few years is that 2nd forward kicking 30-40 goals. I know eddie was on target for it this season but died off towards the end of the year.

The good thing is we have strengthened our midfield which means the ball will be going in our forward 50 more often which will give all forwards a better chance instead of looking for fev everytime we go in.

 

[gbatman]

there is just as much chance our forward line will be better off with out Fev than with him.

 

[ESKIE]

Now the dust has settled some what, and given it some thought.... plenty of options

We;re suddenly the big unkown going forward .. good

Round 1 ..can;t wait

 

[blue gunslinger]

Midfield will be better as will the backline so will help take the onus off the fwd line plus new faces creates new results

 

[lukep_86]

I agree with all points made in the post, it was so frustrating watching us go to Fev when he was clearly out numbered. What was even more annoying was Fev's lack of passing when there was clearly players in a better spot.

Obviously we're not going to have any one win he coleman any time soon, but just look at Geelong. They proved you don't need a superstar KPF to win the flag.

Interesting point bout Setant stepping out of the way for Fevola.

 

[Juddernaut08]

Great OP. Well written.

Hope you're right too. The reasoning is sound.

It's going to take time though, mostly to just simply learn the art of dodging a defender, and to make sure that the right guys are in the right spot.

But you make many good points and you make them well.

Haha cheers mate, the ideas were all mine but i got my older bro (his a law student) to proof read it for me first so i wouldn't get mauled over my grammar.

I think beating the defender will be something that will initially hold us back. Our boys are gonna get more opportunity; but a big part of it will be how readily our guys can beat their respective defenders. (either strength or a fast lead). I think Kreuzer and Waite can do this regularly. Hampson has shown courage and speed, but is not a good mark yet.

BUT! Then there's henderson (unknown), cloke/fisher/ohailpin who will probably struggle.

 

[BlueMania]

I agree with all points made in the post, it was so frustrating watching us go to Fev when he was clearly out numbered. What was even more annoying was Fev's lack of passing when there was clearly players in a better spot.

Obviously we're not going to have any one win he coleman any time soon, but just look at Geelong. They proved you don't need a superstar KPF to win the flag.

Interesting point bout Setant stepping out of the way for Fevola.

And who could blame him! Will be very interesting to see how he in particular goes without Fev. Very much looking forward to seeing the Blues post Fev next year.
Great OP

 

[PP34]

I'm nervous about Rd 1 against Richmond (if we do play them) no Judd and no good goal kicker I'm getting worried. I think we'll have to wait and see what Ratten is planning

 

[thylacine60]

I'm nervous about Rd 1 against Richmond (if we do play them) no Judd and no good goal kicker I'm getting worried. I think we'll have to wait and see what Ratten is planning

Someone's in for a long summer.

 

[Dramoth]

Haha cheers mate, the ideas were all mine but i got my older bro (his a law student) to proof read it for me first so i wouldn't get mauled over my grammar.

I think beating the defender will be something that will initially hold us back. Our boys are gonna get more opportunity; but a big part of it will be how readily our guys can beat their respective defenders. (either strength or a fast lead). I think Kreuzer and Waite can do this regularly. Hampson has shown courage and speed, but is not a good mark yet.

BUT! Then there's henderson (unknown), cloke/fisher/ohailpin who will probably struggle.

I expect Cloke and Fisher to play bit roles if they are at the club next year. Cloke could play a crash/bash CHF role really but Fish I think we would have to put in the goal square and work from there. Unfortunately I dont see him playing for Carlton much next year.

I am really expecting Setanta to make the CHF position his next year. Without Fev trying to use him as a step ladder or selfishly jumping into him (Freo game) he will have a much easier job of it all and having someone as fast and mobile as he is along with his 200cm frame, it's going to be hard for the opposition to match him up with a defender.

Henderson is the real unknown in the whole equation. I expect to see him spending some time in the pocket over the course of next season.

I am expecting to see Hammer and Warnock as our main ruck pair and Kreuzer in the FF position and Setanta and Waite moving between CHF and CHB dragging their opponants around.

 

[THEBLOODS85]

I hope the coaching group are looking at a model similar to Geelong.

Ok, we do not have the calibre of player to fill all these spots up forward similarly to Geelong, but the model is what I hope we work towards.

Look at where Geelong's goals come from; the spread brings many players into the game and with it a great unpredictability to opposition teams.

Midfield Group:

Ottens/Blake 5
Ablett 27
Bartel 12
Ling 7
Corey 7
Selwood 11

Forwards:

Chapman 37
Mooney 46
Rooke 24
Johnson 40
Hawkins 34
Varcoe 22
Byrnes 32

Players with 10 or more who did not play in GF:

Gamble 10
Stokes 29


Not having Fev will hopefully make our own game plan more diverse and players will feel more at ease playing a variety of key forward roles in scoring rather than bit pieces in helping one or two doing the bulk of the scoring.

When you look at the forward group, only two players stand out as elite in Johnson & Chapman (unfortunately we dont'have anyone close to either), but the rest of that group are not worldbeaters....just players playing a role!

After all Geelong have won two flags in three years with this set up.

WCE & Swans to a lesser degree also won flags but not with the same overall goal-kicking strikepower.

Placing Blues players over the top of the above Geelong premiership player's names is the trick, but I reckon we have a few covered already.

Any thoughts Blues friends?

 

[Quazza]

kills me to say this, as i loathe them so very much, but I'm hoping we try a Crows type of forward line. Stick a big guy in the goal square, then surround him with 4-5 "natural" footballers, and hope we find our Porp/Knights

 

[inthesong]

Fevola will e be a loss, absolutely no doubt. But i beleive we have the talent and faith in our players to give them a crack and im sure they'll respond in a positive matter.

Just a quick one, in 2001 North Melbourne Finished 13th and only won 9 games.

In 2002 North Melbourne Finished 7th and won 12 Games and played finals.

There was one difference in the 2002 model which was much better, they DIDNT have Wayne Carey in their team.

I understand he was a CHF and was a little older but he at that stage was still brilliant, so i dont think we should fret too much im sure Hendo.Kruezer.Hampson and Waite will do the job between that we require and i beleive Henderson can be a very very good AFL Forward. Get excited.

 

[Monkey King]

When asking where will the goals come from, let's not forget about the potential of a full defensive until contributing to rebalancing the ledger. Having Waite - if he plays in defense - and Jammo back should net us at least 25 goals for the year without factoring in any additional defensive gains through player/unit development and improvement.

 

[OZBomb]

Fevola will e be a loss, absolutely no doubt. But i beleive we have the talent and faith in our players to give them a crack and im sure they'll respond in a positive matter.

Just a quick one, in 2001 North Melbourne Finished 13th and only won 9 games.

In 2002 North Melbourne Finished 7th and won 12 Games and played finals.

There was one difference in the 2002 model which was much better, they DIDNT have Wayne Carey in their team.

I understand he was a CHF and was a little older but he at that stage was still brilliant, so i dont think we should fret too much im sure Hendo.Kruezer.Hampson and Waite will do the job between that we require and i beleive Henderson can be a very very good AFL Forward. Get excited.

Actually he was playing one out in the forward line at that stage so it's a pretty relevant stat, although Carey could no longer mark overhead due to shoulder problems.

 

[dumb]

there are times when threads like these pointing the way to a successful life after fevola, come across a lot like the 'carlton won't trade him' threads. some of it is just dressed up denial.

personally (and admittedly without thinking it over too much) i think we're going to take a more bulldogs approach, rely on running more goals.

 

[AlecDuncan]

The reason Fevola was the most popular target for inside 50s was because he was the most positive, flat-out lead. When someone has the ball in their hands he looks for movement ahead, and Fev was easily the quickest off the mark. If others led the same way they'd have got service too.

I'd rather have one guy offering leads than none.

And Fev was good from anywhere inside 60m, so the "stupid angles" rule didn't apply to him.

I'm all for being positive about the future, but there's also wishful bullshit.

 

[Sublime]

The reason Fevola was the most popular target for inside 50s was because he was the most positive, flat-out lead. When someone has the ball in their hands he looks for movement ahead, and Fev was easily the quickest off the mark. If others led the same way they'd have got service too.

I'd rather have one guy offering leads than none.

And Fev was good from anywhere inside 60m, so the "stupid angles" rule didn't apply to him.

I'm all for being positive about the future, but there's also wishful bullshit.

This season just past Fev just wasn't as dangerous as i've previously seen him. Quite often from outside 50 he didn't even register a score, so passing would have been the smart option. And yes Fev is great from angles, probably more so than most players, but that said there is still chances to play the percentages and look to offload when kicking from 60 metres on a 45 degree angle.