The Forward Line

[dominguez]

Ill say this if Balla's doesnt get picked up there is a problem. He is now 20 and has matured and is a ready to play pick up, no development time needed. He has genuine pace so he needs a quick small defender but for his size is very strong so in 1 on 1's generally comes up with the mark.

It's hard enough in modern footy for a bloke who is 190cm to take a mark inside 50. How the hell is Ballantyne going to find space at AFL level to regularly do the same?

 

[dominguez]

An alternative would be to develop Hinkley as a small forward. He's way too small to be a full fledged midfielder now... but it could be an idea.

 

[dominguez]

I agree, he's too fragile to be in the midfield atm, but in the forward line he might develop better. He's also seriously fast.
As for Yarran, we should probably take him in case Rich is already taken by then, ie we end up with a pick 3 or 4.

He better be playing as a midfielder for the rest of the season then.

I'll be pissed off if we waste a top 5 draft pick on a small forward.

 

[MadMac]

He better be playing as a midfielder for the rest of the season then.

I'll be pissed off if we waste a top 5 draft pick on a small forward.

I actually said that it's Hinkley who's a bit too fragile to play midfield and he may be an option to play forward in his first season [I basically agreed with Chops]

Yarran on the other hand is a small forward who's more than capable of playing in the midfield on a rotational basis, ala Leon Davis. In case Rich is gone by the time we get to pick a player, unless there's an equally good midfield prospect available, Yarran should be picked then. We need a small forward as much as we need a midfielder because Wiz won't last forever.

 

[dominguez]

Yarran on the other hand is a small forward who's more than capable of playing in the midfield on a rotational basis, ala Leon Davis. In case Rich is gone by the time we get to pick a player, unless there's an equally good midfield prospect available, Yarran should be picked then. We need a small forward as much as we need a midfielder because Wiz won't last forever.

If he was a good midfielder he'd be playing in that position permanently though. I don't know enough about Yarran to comment on him specifically but most of the small forwards drafted in the top ten have failed to become midfielders (Sampi, Raph Clarke, Xavier Clarke, Tambling, Oakley-Nicholls spring to mind).

It would be crazy to gamble on a small forward becoming a midfielder with a top five pick IMO. There's plenty of small pacey players in the WA under 18's, I'd much rather take the 2nd or 3rd best midfielder in the country with our first pick and the 3rd or 4th best small forward in the draft with a later pick.

 

[Belnakor]

Is Andrew Browne still on our list?

He is a good crumber, fast, good defensively and is fairly good kick on the run. Been cruelled with injuries, but maybe he could get a run as a small forward before the season is out.

Browne won't be on our list next year - we have been too kind with the Websters and Brownes of this world.

 

[dominguez]

Browne won't be on our list next year - we have been too kind with the Websters and Brownes of this world.

Browne deserves one last crack this year. He played well for Claremont last week and if that form continues he should get a game for Fremantle in 3 or 4 weeks.

If he looks okay I'd consider giving him one more year depending on what happens at seasons end with Bell, Farmer, Carr and Black.

 

[Belnakor]

I have always thought that Hasleby would be handy small forward. Great mark for his size, clever/creative, and seems to be reliable for goal. Add more rotations to the midfield.

This is why Hasleby isn't finished yet - he is amazing over head and reads the play fanastically well.

 

[dominguez]

This is why Hasleby isn't finished yet - he is amazing over head and reads the play fanastically well.

Even though the ACL is a 12 month injury many players take close to two years to return to their best, so we'll probably see Hase spend a lot of time in the pocket or at half forward next year.

 

[FREO81]

Should Freo offer Brown a 5 years 4.5m contract, and try to get him via PSD. Because Brisbane are only offering Brown a 3 year $? deal.

 

[dominguez]

Should Freo offer Brown a 5 years 4.5m contract, and try to get him via PSD. Because Brisbane are only offering Brown a 3 year $? deal.

He wouldn't want to move to Perth, and Melbourne or Richmond could match/trump that deal.

The PSD isn't very appealing for players because it's in December, leaving them without a club for a few months.