List Mgmt. The Forward Line

[mike123]

On Friday night when the ball hit the deck there was no one who could make there presence on the ground. With Cloke and Witts didn't really mark it too much inside 50 and both failed to kick a goal and Elliot wasn't there to crumb for us. Kennedy came on as a sub but most of his good work came up the field. With Reid and White coming in for us we should mark the ball more Inside 50 but there are still question marks on White's ability to play in the ruck. I don't think Dwyer or Martin are our answers for a small forward. Most of Martin's damage was done on the lead and Dwyer got 15 goals in 21 games last year with an average of 0.7 a game and that's not enough to be a truly damaging small forward. Elliot got 30 goals last year but didn't get enough from crumbing. Fas got 28 goals in 2012 but he plays more of a marking half-forward as opposed to a crumbing forward pocket.

IMO we have to play Reid up forward because we know he can take the pressure Cloke but with our current style of footy I'm not sure he can be an All Australian CHB like he was in 2011 and I think if he goes back he won't be much better than Brown or Keeffe defensively.

How should we shape our forward line now and for the future?

 

[piedpiper32]

On Friday night when the ball hit the deck there was no one who could make there presence on the ground. With Cloke and Witts didn't really mark it too much inside 50 and both failed to kick a goal and Elliot wasn't there to crumb for us. Kennedy came on as a sub but most of his good work came up the field. With Reid and White coming in for us we should mark the ball more Inside 50 but there are still question marks on White's ability to play in the ruck. I don't think Dwyer or Martin are our answers for a small forward. Most of Martin's damage was done on the lead and Dwyer got 15 goals in 21 games last year with an average of 0.7 a game and that's not enough to be a truly damaging small forward. Elliot got 30 goals last year but didn't get enough from crumbing. Fas got 28 goals in 2012 but he plays more of a marking half-forward as opposed to a crumbing forward pocket.

IMO we have to play Reid up forward because we know he can take the pressure Cloke but with our current style of footy I'm not sure he can be an All Australian CHB like he was in 2011 and I think if he goes back he won't be much better than Brown or Keeffe defensively.

How should we shape our forward line now and for the future?

Tony Armstrong is the only solution.

Sorry couldn't resist lol

 

[mike123]

Tony Armstrong is the only solution.

Sorry couldn't resist lol

I heard a few posters say they think he should be a forward and not a half back

 

[piedpiper32]

I heard a few posters say they think he should be a forward and not a half back

Yeah I don't mind him forward or back... in the VFL team.

 

[Shaneprice97]

Small forwards would be close to the rarest footballers at this moment, Michael Walters, Lindsay Thomas, Jeff Garlett and Eddie Betts would be the 4 best crumbing forwards in the game. And Chad Wingard and Steven Motlop would be the 2 best forward flankers.
Theres Lecras who isnt really a crumber(similar to Elliot).

But thats about it, all the rest of the small forwards are pretty much serviceable and thats it. We would best be looking around the WAFL, SANFL, VFL and the other state leagues to find the best small forward not in the AFL and national or rookie draft him similar to what happened to Ahmed Saad(kicked about 50 goals in the VFL which got him a place on an AFL list). Jay Kennedy-Harris could turn out to be one of the best small forwards in the game in the future and he would have cost a second rounder.

 

[Ketchup]

Not sure if thread about small crumbing forwards or thread about Reid playing forward and not back.

 

[mike123]

Small forwards would be close to the rarest footballers at this moment, Michael Walters, Lindsay Thomas, Jeff Garlett and Eddie Betts would be the 4 best crumbing forwards in the game. And Chad Wingard and Steven Motlop would be the 2 best forward flankers.
Theres Lecras who isnt really a crumber(similar to Elliot).

But thats about it, all the rest of the small forwards are pretty much serviceable and thats it. We would best be looking around the WAFL, SANFL, VFL and the other state leagues to find the best small forward not in the AFL and national or rookie draft him similar to what happened to Ahmed Saad(kicked about 50 goals in the VFL which got him a place on an AFL list). Jay Kennedy-Harris could turn out to be one of the best small forwards in the game in the future and he would have cost a second rounder.

There is also Hayden Ballantyne, Daniel Giansiracusa and Cyril Rioli who have been more than serviceable. Luke Breust would also be more than a serviceable flanker. The fact is we don't really have a serviceable crumber.

 

[TradeDraft]

Well when we get White and Reid back we will have a Forward Line.

We did not have one Friday Night

 

[mike123]

Not sure if thread about small crumbing forwards or thread about Reid playing forward and not back.

Its about the forward line in general.

 

[Shaneprice97]

There is also Hayden Ballantyne, Daniel Giansiracusa and Cyril Rioli who have been more than serviceable. Luke Breust would also be more than a serviceable flanker. The fact is we don't really have a serviceable crumber.

Ballantyne i dont rate as high as others, really only a 30 goal small forward. Not even half the forward Walters is, in saying that though id happily slot him in our forward pocket.
Rioli is a good footballer but he isnt a permanent crumbing forward, spends large chunks on ball and down back. Breust is one that i forgot, he looks as though he will end up as a midfielder as early as next year though. Gia has been one of the best forward flankers for the last 7-8 years but he is definitely not a crumbing forward pocket.

 

[piedpiper32]

We don't really have any good crumbing options. If Reid is going to play forward with Cloke and White then I'd like to see Elliott and Sidebottom playing as the primary smalls, with Fasolo, Kennedy, and Dwyer options as well, plus a resting mid (Swan I particularly like as a forward).

Elliott needs to be told not to jump at everything though and taught to play front and center.

Sidebottom has a good nose for goal and it would minimise those dinky little kicks and sideways moves that slow us down in transition when he is in the back half or midfield.

Fasolo to provide a bit of x-factor, Kennedy for pace.

The key however is still the Reid forward or back. I am really torn on this, but given we have trained and played preseason with him forward then give it a few games at least to see if we can blast other teams off the park. If not or the backline continued to be as woeful as against Freo then I would want to move him back to help stem the flow.

 

[mike123]

Ballantyne i dont rate as high as others, really only a 30 goal small forward. Not even half the forward Walters is, in saying that though id happily slot him in our forward pocket.
Rioli is a good footballer but he isnt a permanent crumbing forward, spends large chunks on ball and down back. Breust is one that i forgot, he looks as though he will end up as a midfielder as early as next year though. Gia has been one of the best forward flankers for the last 7-8 years but he is definitely not a crumbing forward pocket.

Only in this preseason. I never really seen down back any other time.

 

[Seedsfan]

Marsh plays like a crumbing forward in the VFL he has elite speed but he is not the greatest kick

 

[Seedsfan]

I think going forward our forward line will be very good. Cloke, Reid, White, Moore, Marsh, Karnezis, Elliott, Fasolo, Kennedy and Broomhead

 

[Gone Critical]

Think we have the making of a dangerous forward line with Reid and White joining Cloke. A crumbing forward we lack although Kennedy shows some promise in that area. Fasolo is the other forward I really rate. While he has been off the scene has been forgotten the promise his 1st 2 seasons showed. Strong above his head and an elite kick means he becomes a dangerous mach up. Add Elliott and increase his defensive pressure which is already good overall and it is not a bad picture.

 

[Manic Magpie]

Well when we get White and Reid back we will have a Forward Line.

We did not have one Friday Night

They don't help with our small forward problem.

 

[Pleasedontfail11]

Maybe Patty will help

 

[mike123]

Maybe Patty will help

Karnesis? he isn't exactly a small forward either.

 

[popin]

I think going forward our forward line will be very good. Cloke, Reid, White, Moore, Marsh, Karnezis, Elliott, Fasolo, Kennedy and Broomhead

Broomhead i cant wait to see as he has abit of Didak magic in him from people at he's old club say the port-adelaide-magpies.

 

[piedpiper32]

Think we have the making of a dangerous forward line with Reid and White joining Cloke. A crumbing forward we lack although Kennedy shows some promise in that area. Fasolo is the other forward I really rate. While he has been off the scene has been forgotten the promise his 1st 2 seasons showed. Strong above his head and an elite kick means he becomes a dangerous mach up. Add Elliott and increase his defensive pressure which is already good overall and it is not a bad picture.

Elliott should be played forward full-time. I know we are trying to increase his versatility by giving him a run in the middle at times, but when he has the ball and there are too many options to consider his decision-making is very ordinary. How many times have we seen him get the ball in the middle and choose the wrong option or take too long and get run down.

He needs to be played forward where his only responsibilities are providing a lead, crumbing, and applying tackling pressure. When he gets the ball it will either be to take a shot at goal or he'll need to act on instinct given the minimal time you get in the forward line. It seems the more time you give him to assess options the worse the outcome. Also no more of this waiting behind the pack to take a screamer as exciting as they are (yes I am a killjoy ).

 

[mike123]

Elliott should be played forward full-time. I know we are trying to increase his versatility by giving him a run in the middle at times, but when he has the ball and there are too many options to consider his decision-making is very ordinary. How many times have we seen him get the ball in the middle and choose the wrong option or take too long and get run down.

He needs to be played forward where his only responsibilities are providing a lead, crumbing, and applying tackling pressure. When he gets the ball it will either be to take a shot at goal or he'll need to act on instinct given the minimal time you get in the forward line. It seems the more time you give him to assess options the worse the outcome. Also no more of this waiting behind the pack to take a screamer as exciting as they are (yes I am a killjoy ).

He tries too hard, he has too right for the right moment to speccie otherwise try read the ball comming of the pack.

 

[Vampire013]

It's a shame that Krakouer went off the rails. He had that x-factor magic. Kicked the impossible and also set up goals.
He could have played a couple of more seasons.
We do not currently have anyone at the club that could do the magic things.
Too bad dick was fragile. He would have been perfect to take over the crumbing role.

 

[doodles98]

Elliot needs to learn a defensive game starting with laying a decent chase and tackle now and then would be good. Jarrod Witts laid more tackles (a whole 3) than Elliot against Freo. That is a disgrace!

 

[Pera]

Ben Kennedy.

This kid is the answer, if he wasnt so hooked to the wretched green vest.

Elliot - Reid - Kennedy
White - Cloke - Sidebottom

Tell me that forward line with Fasolo, Swan, Beams and possibly Goldsack rotating through doesnt look a shit load more dangerous than what we dished out Friday.

 

[mike123]

Ben Kennedy.

This kid is the answer, if he wasnt so hooked to the wretched green vest.

Elliot - Reid - Kennedy
White - Cloke - Sidebottom

Tell me that forward line with Fasolo, Swan, Beams and possibly Goldsack rotating through doesnt look a shit load more dangerous than what we dished out Friday.

I like him to become a Harvey type player. Last year he would rack up big numbers in the VFL.