Analysis The forward line

[GoTigers2015]

Write up of our forwards on the AFL web site:

RICHMOND

Shane Edwards: Will play both forward and midfield again after a strong summer, which has seen him grow as a leader and take on mentoring roles with the club's young forwards. As part of his development, the 26-year-old has taken small forward training drills. Given his clean bill of health, the club expects his output to lift in 2015.

Nathan Gordon: The half-forward is one of the club's best runners and he impressed early in the summer with his endurance testing. He hasn't missed a beat since and is gaining confidence he belongs at the top level, which the club believes is key to him taking the next step.

Ben Griffiths: Looking leaner after a big summer working on his running ability and repeat speed. One of the Tigers' main candidates to take his game to a new level, he has taken his form and confidence from the end of last year onto the training track. Missed short periods late in the summer with sore spots, but otherwise has a clean bill of health.

Chris Knights: After two seasons ruined by injury, Knights has encouraged the Tigers through his third pre-season at the club, which has built-up slowly. Showed in the opening NAB Challenge match that he has regained confidence in his body, kicking two goals.

Sam Lloyd: The small forward has focused on the defensive aspects of his game this pre-season, with improved fitness helping him make gains with his tackling pressure. He is noticeably leaner and should be capable of pushing up the ground more in 2015.

Liam McBean: The lightly built tall forward has spent the summer gaining strength and working on his ability to hold his ground in contests. Contested marking and endurance have been other focuses for the 20-year-old, who has been injured the past two pre-seasons and is pushing for a regular spot in the Tigers' forward line.

Reece McKenzie: A powerful young key forward, McKenzie has become noticeably leaner through his first pre-season. Boasting elite speed and strong hands, he is exciting the Tigers on the track but the club is keeping its expectations in check. Jack Riewoldt and Ivan Maric are mentoring the 18-year-old.

Jack Riewoldt has had a strong pre-season. Picture: AFL Media

Jack Riewoldt: Enjoyed one of his best summers on the track after avoiding post-season surgery for the first time in five years. Has completed every phase and impressed in practice games, winning his share of contests with key defenders and kicking well. Club encouraged by his output.

Jayden Short: After playing mostly on a wing at underage level, Short has moved between the midfield, forward and back groups in his first pre-season. He played forward in the Tigers' first NAB Challenge match, showcasing some desperate defensive traits. Mentored by Ricky Petterd, he has found the ball and the goals in intra-club matches.

Ty Vickery: The tall forward has focused on his aerobic capacity this pre-season and shown improvement. Outstanding form in practice matches has teammates backing him for a big year after suspension sidelined him at the end of 2014. A forthright teammate, he has grown as a leader among the tall forwards.

 

[WALDENPOND]

I'll let the coaches pick ths one. I think there is a nice lot

 

[GoTigers2015]

Will get some idea tomorrow on the form of our forwards.

 

[GoTigers2015]

Apparently Jack is ripping it up. http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-03-12/riproaring-riewoldt
He is arguably our most important player for he scores, assists and for the forward pressure he applies.
Hopefully some of the other forwards can step up this season as the ball still rebound too quickly from our attack.

 

[Tiger71]

Apparently Jack is ripping it up. http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-03-12/riproaring-riewoldt
He is arguably our most important player for he scores, assists and for the forward pressure he applies.
Hopefully some of the other forwards can step up this season as the ball still rebound too quickly from our attack.

Jack is so underrated its not funny. I just have a feeling in my waters that jack will tear the comp a new one this year!

 

[TJTIGER]

Ya beat me to it GoTigers2015 , Hardwick, 'he's destroying our defenders at the moment'... Re how Jack is going at the moment. As he continues his "best preseason he's ever had"... Hope to God Jack can get some strong consistent support in the forward line. I'm getting tired of him having to virtually play a lone hand & getting ganged up by opposition defenders ...

 

[GoTigers2015]

Ya beat me to it GoTigers2015 , Hardwick, 'he's destroying our defenders at the moment'... Re how Jack is going at the moment. As he continues his "best preseason he's ever had"... Hope to God Jack can get some strong consistent support in the forward line. I'm getting tired of him having to virtually play a lone hand & getting ganged up by opposition defenders ...

Few better than Jack in full flight. To be a serious threat we need our other talls to step up more.

 

[Westicle]

Not sure how Gordon is tracking after watching the first NAB game. Hopefully he is getting plenty of coaching from the forward coaches.

 

[GoTigers2015]

Jack is so underrated its not funny. I just have a feeling in my waters that jack will tear the comp a new one this year!

I have the same feeling. Hopefully a ton this year too.

 

[GoTigers2015]

Not sure how Gordon is tracking after watching the first NAB game. Hopefully he is getting plenty of coaching from the forward coaches.

He does seem like more a winger with his aerobic capacity. The only problem is that I don't rate his quality. Struggles to read the play and lacks agility and has poor disposal. Always good to proven wrong by one of our players though.

 

[Westicle]

He does seem like more a winger with his aerobic capacity. The only problem is that I don't rate his quality. Struggles to read the play and lacks agility and has poor disposal. Always good to proven wrong by one of our players though.

Totally agree mate. I feel like he is a great runner and a decent shot for goal. Jury is out on whether he can develop into a footballer however.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Jurica Stockade]

Don't under estimate the impact Lids will have in the forward line as another lead up CHF Jack will be creaming his pants at the thought of lids kicking to him from CHF, Vickery needs to stay deep and let Jack have a run at it or even not even play. I think the forward dynamic with Jack, Dusty, lids, cotch and hopefully Knights being there will see some serious scoring options rather than just kick it to Jack 3 on 1 all the time.

 

[Football Tragic]

It will be very interesting how a forward line with three tall targets work. Personally I can't see it working at all if they are all in the F50 at once. You would need to have Griff up around the 50m arc, vickery at the top of the square and Jack roaming in between. It they are all within 20 meters of each other they will group the defense and interfere with each others movement and space.

Really I would prefer to see Griff/Maric, Lids and Knights playing across the half forward line and pushing up the wings and leave Jack, Vickery, Morris and either Edwards or a resting midfielder inside the F50. If it evolves this way it could work but I fear with so many talls our run and carry will be hindered. If three talls doesn't work then this is when someone like Gordan, Lloyd, McDonough or Lennon could step in.

 

[nineteen eighty]

Shane Edwards: Will play both forward and midfield again after a strong summer, which has seen him grow as a leader and take on mentoring roles with the club's young forwards. As part of his development, the 26-year-old has taken small forward training drills. Given his clean bill of health, the club expects his output to lift in 2015.

I'm not a fan of Edwards (every year I want him to prove me wrong) and him taking a mentor role with the kids fills me with dread. He is one inconsistent footballer and I would have thought his focus would be on developing himself. Anyway, they're the coaches and I'm not so hoping he develops into the footballer he can be. Has all the skills to be a very good small forward.

 

[Punt_Road_Roar]

I'm not a fan of Edwards (every year I want him to prove me wrong) and him taking a mentor role with the kids fills me with dread. He is one inconsistent footballer and I would have thought his focus would be on developing himself. Anyway, they're the coaches and I'm not so hoping he develops into the footballer he can be. Has all the skills to be a very good small forward.

I'm not a fan of Vickery, would rather Edwards.

 

[sante]

I'm not a fan of Edwards (every year I want him to prove me wrong) and him taking a mentor role with the kids fills me with dread. He is one inconsistent footballer and I would have thought his focus would be on developing himself. Anyway, they're the coaches and I'm not so hoping he develops into the footballer he can be. Has all the skills to be a very good small forward.

He was one of our most consistent last season?

 

[nineteen eighty]

I'm not a fan of Vickery, would rather Edwards.

Two different players. Edwards has been at the club for just under 10 years. Vickery is a young tall still developing. Both play very different positions.

 

[Punt_Road_Roar]

Two different players. Edwards has been at the club for just under 10 years. Vickery is a young tall still developing. Both play very different positions.

Yeah says a lot then doesn't it? One is a friggin gimp and id I pick the older smaller player.

 

[nineteen eighty]

He was one of our most consistent last season?

Yes last year was his best season.

 

[Rubber Hips]

I like ShaneEdwards as a forward
I don't like Morris as a forward

Add griff, Jack Knights Lloyd and Ty (alternating ruck)

Like to get one of Short, Butler, Gordo in there eventually

 

[TJTIGER]

Wasn't Shane Edwards ranked as Elite by Champion Data ?

#Inb4Liesdamliesandstats

 

[TheDarkKnighta]

It's getting harder to ignore (Sav) Lloyd's goal sense and crumbing ability.
I'm hoping we try the three talls with Knights. If things don't work out, we swap Knights or Vickery for Lloyd.
Knights has experience and proven AFL performance on his side. Lloyd has time on his.
I honestly don't see a spot for Gordon with Lids and the likes of Martin and Cotch resting forward.

 

[Brad_12345]

I like ShaneEdwards as a forward
I don't like Morris as a forward

Add griff, Jack Knights Lloyd and Ty (alternating ruck)

Like to get one of Short, Butler, Gordo in there eventually

Yeh keep morris at the back

 

[nineteen eighty]

It's all about defensive pressure in the forward line...and resulting turnovers. You need one mongrel down forward whose sole job is to harass. tackle and generally create enough defensive pressure that the bull ultimately is turned over. Turnovers ultimately kill teams (remember the days when we would regularly turn it over...many times during a game). They've identified Morris for King's old role and no issue with that being the case.

I'm a Knights fan and hoping his body holds up. He has shown he can play the game and just needs to stay on the park for him to be our recruit of the year. He can seriously play and if he plays the season, I expect him to end up with around 30 goals.

Vickery to me is the wild card. A team can only play 3 talls down forward if they can all take a grab. And if our running brigade is up and firing. Vickery has shown glimpses that he can be a very good player for us. And then he's also shown that he can be a liability for the team. Depending on how he has matured and his development, he really straighten up our forward structure. Is he in his fifth year? It's almost time.

Sam Lloyd looks like he can step up. I have him behind Knights but durability is not on of Knight's strengths so very good chance Lloyd will be playing throughout the year. And if he keeps kicking goals and tackling, happy days for all.

Edwards will definitely be in the team and I seriously do hope he sticks it up me. His consistency is what shits me to tears. Yes last year was his best year to date. He should be the icing on the cake for us. When the team is up and firing, players like Edwards are cream. I just want him to also be there when the chips are down.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Two different players. Edwards has been at the club for just under 10 years. Vickery is a young tall still developing. Both play very different positions.

But Vickery has had 6 straight games ?