The prelims subtle forward line tweaks

[Quicky]

Did anyone else notice this?

We went in with a slightly different forward structure than we have for much of the year and we looked at our most dangerous.

Cloke was played out of full forward and provided a genuine presence. I've said it all year - and last - but he is a more dangerous goal scoring threat deep (and to a large degree wasted up the ground). He proved why in the prelim where he bullied all his opponents. Dawes was at CHF and used his endurance to great effect with some searching leads.

Didak was used in Leons small forward role and did it much more successfully. Not only was his defensive pressure tops but he was a lot more dangerous around the big sticks.

Macaffer too was played more deeply than usual. He is the perfect defensive forward as he applies great pressure but is so slick and dangerous himself. He'll be important against the Saints who like to build from the back.

Sidebottom, Beams and Blair were the other smalls, nothing unusual though, and all did well. It was interesting to see Beams, but Sidebottom in particular, given a bit more midfield time than he has usually played this year.

We're looking alright!!

 

[shawthing09]

Did anyone else notice this?

We went in with a slightly different forward structure than we have for much of the year and we looked at our most dangerous.

Cloke was played out of full forward and provided a genuine presence. I've said it all year - and last - but he is a more dangerous goal scoring threat deep (and to a large degree wasted up the ground). He proved why in the prelim where he bullied all his opponents. Dawes was at CHF and used his endurance to great effect with some searching leads.

Didak was used in Leons small forward role and did it much more successfully. Not only was his defensive pressure tops but he was a lot more dangerous around the big sticks.

Macaffer too was played more deeply than usual. He is the perfect defensive forward as he applies great pressure but is so slick and dangerous himself. He'll be important against the Saints who like to build from the back.

Sidebottom, Beams and Blair were the other smalls, nothing unusual though, and all did well. It was interesting to see Beams, but Sidebottom in particular, given a bit more midfield time than he has usually played this year.

We're looking alright!!

I agree although I think we have tried to play Cloke deeper this year. I am starting to think that plan A is for Cloke to stay home and Dawes to lead up and if Dawes isn't used Cloke then goes higher.

It seems that when we have looked our most dangerous and moved the ball fastest Cloke has played deep and I think it works the other way around, if we are moving the ball well Cloke will stay deep. It's no suprise Cloke and the team has looked it's best when Cloke has been closer to goals.

 

[lozza63]

Definitely Quicky - the Saints did not face Trav in Rd. 16, and with the size of some of the Saints defenders:
Dawson 195cm 95kg
Fisher 191 94
Blake 190 92
Gilbert 194 91
Rough heights and weights there.
Trav's 196 cm 103kg frame should be enough to cause Ross and his Lieutenants many hours of discussion re: the likely double teaming.

Dawson is likely to get the first crack, I expect Gilbert to come in over the top, howevr, if we can clear out the forward 50 courtesy of Brown and Dawes as hit up targets we may be able to isolate Zac in some one on ones! Cannot wait for this, and the dry weather should help too.

 

[Quicky]

I agree although I think we have tried to play Cloke deeper this year. I am starting to think that plan A is for Cloke to stay home and Dawes to lead up and if Dawes isn't used Cloke then goes higher.

It seems that when we have looked our most dangerous and moved the ball fastest Cloke has played deep and I think it works the other way around, if we are moving the ball well Cloke will stay deep. It's no suprise Cloke and the team has looked it's best when Cloke has been closer to goals.

Yeah exactly. I always found it odd how much support Cloke had in his high leading CHF role where he isn't going to score goals and exposes his poor field kicking skills. He has been a monster the last two months and our improvement has a lot to do with his form as a deep forward.

The Didak switch was equally as important I thought. I think it was probably forced a bit by the injury but it was telling. We had Davis's pressure but in a player getting 28 touches and being really dangerous around the sticks.

 

[Stripes B and W]

Terrific point Quicky, i have thought that Trav and Dawes, for want of a better term, have been rotating the KPF spots for the last 6 or 8 weeks.

Most noticeable has been Dawes hit up leads and Trav's enormous strength and body work. The other huge plus, from about when he came back from suspension, has been his marking. His hands and attack on the ball at the moment are incredible.

The focus on his conversion has taken the attention away from the form he is now in. He is a major weapon, clearly worth of an AA KPF position.
Re his field kicking, i think he is actually a good kick, his decision making in this area is the issue plus his desire to always bomb in a 60 mtr kick.

 

[Quicky]

Terrific point Quicky, i have thought that Trav and Dawes, for want of a better term, have been rotating the KPF spots for the last 6 or 8 weeks.

Most noticeable has been Dawes hit up leads and Trav's enormous strength and body work. The other huge plus, from about when he came back from suspension, has been his marking. His hands and attack on the ball at the moment are incredible.

The focus on his conversion has taken the attention away from the form he is now in. He is a major weapon, clearly worth of an AA KPF position.
Re his field kicking, i think he is actually a good kick, his decision making in this area is the issue plus his desire to always bomb in a 60 mtr kick.

Cloke and Dawes have definitely been swapping around a bit this year. But I think Cloke spent the majority of his time at CHF. It's great having that flexibility. But there is no doubt we are much more dangerous with Cloke deep. Fair point RE: his kicking, thats a more accurate assessment. I've seen some really nice passes from Cloke to leading players but he doesn't lower his eyes enough to look for shorter options and just bombs long too often.