Thornton the forward

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I wouldn't either. If we suddenly think he is the fix to a one-dimensional forward-line then that may be taking things too far.

This bewilders me. So we can bag the coach for every single thing we don't like out on the field, but he can't be given any credit for a move unless that move becomes a permanent option for us?

It is exactly left of centre moves like this that coaches do get credit for. By that logic, Ratten shouldn't have been bagged for moving Jamo forward a few weeks back because it was never going to be a permanent fix for us so he can't be judged on it.

The lack of objectivity by the naysayers is astounding quite frankly.

 

[The Coach]

One swallow does not make a summer. (How does that go again?)

Absolutely not.
Backline is lost without him.

Not the answer. Not a wild card.
Not worth contemplating

Everything is worth contemplating (except Cloke to CHB )

If he can mark and kick goals what can be the harm in it LOL Even if we are only experimenting until next year when Waitey comes back.

I will throw in a couple of other points/questions
- as a backman does he move the ball on fast enough for the modern game?
- as a backman does he have a tendancy to slow things down then kick a floater?
- great backlines have to be a brotherhood : does Thorn's communication style/abuse of team-mates foster this?
- am I not right in thinking it pretty much does not matter how long you take to kick when you mark the ball in the forward 50?
- would he not be able to play a dual role of shutting down some of the bigger attacking defenders?
- don't we have more contenders for the backline than the forward line?

Of course it may not be necessary if Kreuze and Carlos are down there but in some ways, I wonder whether those 2 as forwards are too much alike

 

[The Coach]

That part is funny, isn't it?

I feel it is a matter of taking from Peter to pay Paul (Am I getting these stupid sayings right today?)

I've had a lot of time for Thonton whilst many actually wanted him out of our side.
He more than any other player has saved us with those marks in front of the pack 20mts. from goal this year alone.
My best guess would be that he is saving many more goals than he would be kicking, and as we currently don't have another strong marking backman, I can't see the reason to mess with putting him anywhere else.

I know what you are saying about his courage in front of players like JBrown but quite often that is when he is a sweeper and consequently the opposition have a sweeper down in front of Fev.

I know from other threads that you are bemoaning the fact that no one else other than Fev is providing a marking option. I wish it was still the NAB cup - I would love to do some crazy things like Thorn (even Fish) at FF and Fev out at CHF, then again we had Waitey for CHF back then (not that we did it often enough)

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Not sure anyone is suggesting this as a permanent move but it is a Plan B, much like we used to do with Silvagni.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

^^ Austin is taller and probably the better long term option body on body defensively He is not yet as smart as Thornton and not as able to lock the ball in the forward 50. I can understand the motivation, although yes, the injury would have had a lot to do with it as it is hard to get your arms up to spoil when your shoulder is giving you trouble.

 

[BlueSnake]

I'd say maybe because T-bird is alot more experienced player in general and even with his shoulder he was more likely to have an immediate impact up forward when we needed it.

I don't doubt Austin could be really handy up there in the future, but it might happen when we're in a more winning position when experimentation won't hurt too much.

 

[thylacine60]

I only saw tonight's game on TV, a bit hard to make comments on Ratten's coaching when I only had a very limited view of the game.

Move the couch.

 

[Azul]

While I agree Austin looks like a likely sort in the forward 50, the reality is Jamison and Thornton have been rested forward when looking off-colour due to injuries. In each case, we have tested Austin, Hartlett and O'hAilpin in key defensive positions. It hasn't been quite the success with Hartlett and 2-kick Setanta but notably Ratts was able to experiment and we've won. (Last week's aberration against the Pies was more about Ratts NOT experimenting with the game plan...) Austin is better for the experience. Given we've continually been two defenders short with Jamo and Waite injured, he needs to be thrown to the wolves to accelerate his development.

Should we ever have our full staff available, that's Jamison, Thornton, Austin, Bower and Waite in our Best 22. Obviously not all can play in the back half at once. The back line is emerging as no longer the weakest link.

The forward line on the other hand, only has Fev as a key position target - as we saw against Collingwood. Next year, Warnock and Hampson will ruck in tandem allowing Kreuzer to finally step into the role vacated by Josh Kennedy. Cloke, Fisher (contracted?), Hartlett, Edwards and Wiggins will all be gone at the end of the year. Setanta should suffice for 'depth'. That leaves one of our 'back 5' to rotate through the forward line. So far it's always been Waite but if we're to take it to the next level, we need options. Ratts needs to be bold enough to ignore the naysayers on here and even give the likes of Bower the opportunity forward - a stint in the forward line would vastly improve his kicking.

 

[HBF]

Thought he performed ok there last night, especially given the discomfort he must have been in with his shoulder. If nothing else, it does show that we can play him up there, should the need arise.