Taylor up forward... Why?

[Seeds]

Uhh didn't Hendo play up forward in the prelim? All those inside 50s didn't equate to anything with him up there... Give Hawkins space and let the smalls run around up there. Gives our forward line unpredictability and fixes our horrid inside 50 entries.

We have too many talls in general. And yeah I've been watching the last 3 years and I put us getting beaten at CHF down to Scott's shitty game plan.

Yep to many talls. That's why we drop Blicavs and move Taylor to the forward line. Defence is smaller. And our midfielder is smaller. You need two marking options in the forward line. For me it's a non negotiable. Yes it can work once in a while if match ups favour. But it never works over the course of a season.

 

[cynical]

We need 2 KPFs, its basic structure.

Should have done it last year (or played henderson there from the start).

Work on the correct structures and if the players dont perform then recruit someone who will.

Dont play 3rd talls or rucks as KPFs.

 

[Sttew]

They've been clear they have no intention of doing that and he will continue to play multiple roles as required.

Not sure what's best - being a jack of all trades or a master of one (God, I love the clichés!).

His best game was on Pendelbury in 2015 at the MCG. Completely caught the Pies by surprise playing as a tall, negating midfielder.

 

[Sttew]

We need 2 KPFs, its basic structure.

Should have done it last year (or played henderson there from the start).

And in the finals game in which we played Henderson as 2nd KPF he was underdone

 

[Partridge]

Leadership, staying involved the game a lot longer. Better at reading the ball and the play. Is naturally respected by opposition players ALOT more and therefore, they won't peel off him as easily to cover Hawk. Is probably a better kick too. And probably could develop a better synergy with Hawk, since as a player who has practised defending against him, he probably understands Hawks running patterns. Lastly, more instinctive when it comes to being in the right space.

Stanley is still young, he will learn and improve, but Harry Taylor has established himself as elite.

He's not that young, he's 26. Like a lot of players, he's at the age where consistent performances should be absolutely expected.

 

[Seeds]

Is anyone advocating we should have a decoy forward like Kersten this year?

 

[catempire]

Not sure what's best - being a jack of all trades or a master of one (God, I love the clichés!).

They may have decided he won't be likely to master any so they're better off with the flexibility. Or they may prefer the flexibility he provides.

I think it's too simplistic to say he must master one position or he is of no value.

 

[00VicWard001]

He's not that young, he's 26. Like a lot of players, he's at the age where consistent performances should be absolutely expected.

I honestly thought he was younger... well, I hope that he steps up then and becomes the best version of himself going forward.

 

[catempire]

Is anyone advocating we should have a decoy forward like Kersten this year?

Can we play the tackle bag on Josh Gibson this time around?

 

[Seeds]

He's not that young, he's 26. Like a lot of players, he's at the age where consistent performances should be absolutely expected.

Yep and the fact he is still not there at his age makes me worry about relying on him as a permanent forward. If he fails we will be back to trialing a key defender in the forward line a week out from finals again. Much rather try this at the start of the year than the end.

 

[MotleyLemon]

Leave Harry back.
Hawk to CHF.
Stanley FF.
Good luck beating Stanley to the ball over 20-50 meters.

Won't matter when everyone is beating Hawkins to the ball at CHF.

He is far too one dimensional for modern footy.

 

[Cursed Cat]

He's not that young, he's 26. Like a lot of players, he's at the age where consistent performances should be absolutely expected.

If he doesn't find consistency this year given his age and more importantly games played (87) then he probably never will.
He frustrates because his talent is blindingly clear imo; when he's 'on' he's as good a contested mark as most in the comp; he's quicker than most blokes his size also.
I hope he can nail down his spot because when he is playing well he is very enjoyable to watch.

 

[Seeds]

Can we play the tackle bag on Josh Gibson this time around?

If he can keep him to only 24 possessions a game then yes it will be a win. Even if hawks supporters give Gibson votes again it will still be a win. They know nothing.

 

[Seeds]

Won't matter when everyone is beating Hawkins to the ball at CHF.

He is far too one dimensional for modern footy.

Hawkins can play centre half forward when not carrying injuries. Position suits him fairly well.

 

[MotleyLemon]

Hawkins can play centre half forward when not carrying injuries. Position suits him fairly well.

Once upon a time, maybe.

Fact is he's barely had a preseason after surgery. I would have had doubts he could carry the running load at CHF even if he'd dropped 5kgs from last year.

 

[catswhiskers]

If he doesn't find consistency this year given his age and more importantly games played (87) then he probably never will.
He frustrates because his talent is blindingly clear imo; when he's 'on' he's as good a contested mark as most in the comp; he's quicker than most blokes his size also.
I hope he can nail down his spot because when he is playing well he is very enjoyable to watch.

Yep. He is quicker than most blokes - full stop.

Like to see him use this attribute more often = long leads. Where does he fit it in the endurance runs?

 

[MotleyLemon]

Smith should be playing VFL, Stanley number 1 ruck with Blicavs giving occasional chop out.

Then Hawkins/Taylor fwd should be ok.

 

[Vdubs]

As a forward what is Taylor capable of that Stanley isn't?

Left foot shots at goal on a consistent basis.


I like Stanley there as well.

 

[Vdubs]

Is anyone advocating we should have a decoy forward like Kersten this year?

No need to advocate it as we have one in Black. He was recruited for a reason, and not as VFL player.
I think we have a large choice of forwards this year, ie, players capable of kicking goals on a regular and reliable basis
Hawkins
Taylor
Hendo
Black
Stanley
Menzel
McCarthy
Motlop
Lang
Cockatoo
How we line up on any given week is clearly not yet set in concrete, nor should it be

 

[Cursed Cat]

Yep. He is quicker than most blokes - full stop.

Like to see him use this attribute more often = long leads. Where does he fit it in the endurance runs?

No idea re: his endurance, but he seems to run games out reasonably well to my eye.

re: long leads; not sure if there are many genuine leading full forwards in the comp full stop these days; just not enough space to do so consistently.
But given space then yes I agree he could burn a few FB's on the lead.

I do like his ability to run into an open F50 and swoop onto a loose ball, kicked a handful of nice goals in that manner last year.

 

[Bobby_]

I honestly thought he was younger... well, I hope that he steps up then and becomes the best version of himself going forward.

Turns 27 end of the year.
Already notched up 90 games and still as inconsistent as he ever was.

Some blokes have a will and desire to succeed.
Stanley doesn't come across as one of those individuals. He's probably just stoked and pinches himself everyday that he's racking in 370k per year.

 

[Sttew]

No need to advocate it as we have one in Black. He was recruited for a reason, and not as VFL player.
I think we have a large choice of forwards this year, ie, players capable of kicking goals on a regular and reliable basis
.......
Black
........

How we line up on any given week is clearly not yet set in concrete, nor should it be

Vdubs have you studied Black? I wonder what we can expect from him? Talking to North supporters he was a gun a few years back but got injured and appeared to overtaken by others

 

[Partridge]

Smith should be playing VFL, Stanley number 1 ruck with Blicavs giving occasional chop out.

Then Hawkins/Taylor fwd should be ok.

I don't see Smith playing VFL if he's fit.

 

[Turbocat]

Yep it will elevate him to the level of Ben Graham.

Ben Graham ... just how good was he in the forwardline?

 

[Ricketz]

Mods merge this if it's already being discussed somewhere else...

Am I the only one who thinks this is a stupid idea? In 2016 he was the number 1 defender in the AFL for average goals kicked on him...

We don't need two talls up there... Play small, kick it to Hawkins who will have more space and he can crum to Motlop/Menzel/McCarthy and resting mids...

Besides, if Scott is going to persist with playing Smith and Stanley in the same team (also a questionable decision) then one can rest up forward as the 2nd tall.

Yet another silly move by Chris Scott...

I agree - robbing Peter to pay Paul, IMO.