The Winning Formula

[ONE EYE]

My Theory.

This has always been my contention. A successful AFL side must have a CHF who runs hard to the aerial contest. It doesnt matter who it is. If they mark the ball great. If they bring the ball to ground for our midfield running forward or our forward crumbers just as well. Then it has to be retained in the area by physicality.

In the Eagles the people who do this successfully for us are:

CHF - Gaspar, McDougall and this last weekend Glen Jakovich who played this role. He doesnt normally run this hard. The players who dont perform this function well are Embley (Not good overhead) and Haynes (Too short and cant jump)

Hard running midfielders - Judd, Cousins, Fletcher, Kerr, sometimes Wooden and Braun

Crumbers - Fido, Sampi, Munro (Not so well) and Chipper.

Physical presence - Chick, Haynes, Embley

This is the winning formula. Another classic example is Hawthorn on the weekend. I am a great fan of Johnny Barkers because when he plays Hawthorn wins. Also Nick Holland performs this job.

In this model you do not need a fast leading strong marking full forward. Wilson has no place in this model if he plays his normal game. It was a shame that Haynes was left on the bench with Willo not quite as successful leading as he was providing strenth as Haynes usually does. Long term Willo has no place in the team as we need to go for the younger Haynes. Willo actually said after the game that players were getting in the way so he didnt find space to lead. A comment in itself that would see him out of the team. Similarly, I am disappointed when Fido plays the same way. He is always beaten by a tall, fast defender. He does his best work as a crumber and the midfielders run forward to kick goals themselves than looking for him on a lead.

Jackos career will be extended if he can continue to play the way he did on the weekend. He has no future at all at CHB.

I hope I havent bored you with my self indulgance.

Your thoughts please.

GO EAGLES - Premiers 2003!

 

[drexel]

I think Carlton's Lance Whitnall would fit right in as our CHF. We could use Judd to get him if he wants to go.

Jako is good there but for how long.
McDougall is more back-up ruckman than permanent CHF
Gaspar...never been convinced.

 

[Jabber]

Originally posted by ONE EYE
...Crumbers - Fido, Sampi, Munro (Not so well) and Chipper....

...In this model you do not need a fast leading strong marking full forward...

I would have thought crumbers require someone to provide the crumbs. The reason Willo didn't find space to lead on the weekend, was because everyone was still playing short forward line football.

 

[ozzult]

Originally posted by drexel

McDougall is more back-up ruckman than permanent CHF

I think you are being very pessimistic.

There is no doubt that McDougall was drafted to be a key position forward.

 

[eagleskickass]

I think you'll find McDougall is DEFINATELY more a CHF than a back up ruckman. He is what i reckon would be a good CHF in the future. Also i liked Haynes dash of HB and myself would prefer to see him learn that position, with Hansen perhaps given a shot at FF for future For now im happy with Wilson though.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Originally posted by drexel
McDougall is more back-up ruckman than permanent CHF
Gaspar...never been convinced.

IMO: McDougall is more permanent CHF than back-up ruckman and I'm convinced Gaspar can do it if he can just stop getting injured all the time.

 

[eagleskickass]

Seeing McDougall play well at CHF i REALLY wanna see Gaspar go down to CHB when he comes back

 

[chrisjudd3]

I reckon McDougall would be a good third tall in the forward line.

As seen on the weekend his 4 marks were contested and in a pack situation - he could stretch a side who lacks height in defence. His is also a great floating target.

His ability at ground level amazingly means he's not limited to aerial abilityies and can make a contest in the air and on the ground.

McDougall also played in defence as well when Charman drifted forward, i couldn't believe it when I saw McDougall rove the ball of the ground like an abnormally tall midfielder and dish it out of defence.

Although more muscle on Dougs would be good - he has filled out qiute a bit, a bit more muscle like Tarrants would kill any defence.

Haynes had a spell in defence by the way - against Jared Brennan.

Haynes the handyman?

 

[vicki]

Waterman

Maybe David will become the next Muddy?? He also was able to play HF, HB, Midfield - in fact anywhere. David seems to be developinm the ability to play in a variety of positions as well.