Strategy Three tall forwards

[jedi mind tricks]

Ross has recently stated in a press conference that he is considering trialling three talls: Pav, Tabs and Ape up forward.



Not sure if that would leave Freo as being top heavy up forward or help produce more goals. Freo will still have a number or smalls such as Walters, Ballas, Mayne and deBoer to crumb off them.



Will this work or is it wishful thinking that Apeness will be ready for the AFL in his second season.



Thoughts...

 

[Taylor]

We all know Pav can play as a half forward/mid if he needs to, Taberner can run and run and run. It's only Apeness that doesn't offer the versatility of another role.

The way I see it, if there are two genuine talls up forward in Tabs and Apeness then Pav might get a more medium defender, especially if he is playing higher up the ground. Once he has the medium tall defender manning him up he runs deep forward and makes his man play key defender, then gets beaten and we have a shot at goal.

Or they leave their best on Pav and one of the other two stand a head taller than their man.

 

[Frank J Moose]

Does Clarke play or does Apeness do the support ruckwork? I don't think you can have four talls even if the rucks are rotating off the bench.

 

[Taylor]

What if Clarke is playing as a loose across the halfback line like Mitch Clark did in his 2009 AA squad selection he has made so much money off?

 

[Dockernut]

Don't think Ape will oust a fit Jon Griffin based on what I've seen at training.

 

[Admiral Byng]

where does the resting ruckman go?

 

[jedi mind tricks]

We all know Pav can play as a half forward/mid if he needs to, Taberner can run and run and run. It's only Apeness that doesn't offer the versatility of another role.

The way I see it, if there are two genuine talls up forward in Tabs and Apeness then Pav might get a more medium defender, especially if he is playing higher up the ground. Once he has the medium tall defender manning him up he runs deep forward and makes his man play key defender, then gets beaten and we have a shot at goal.

Or they leave their best on Pav and one of the other two stand a head taller than their man.

I like your line of thought. It would take some game day reshuffling of the opposition coaches and may work.

It would require both Ape and Tabs to play well as Freo can't simply rely on Pav to make it work.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

where does the resting ruckman go?

Hopefully not forward.

 

[PurpleWizard]

Maybe the club is thinking playing four talls but lose Mayne and his defensive forward role. Honestly I think his speed and defensive pressure is more valuable than extra height.

If we do this we're a seriously a poor man's Sydney.

 

[PurpleWizard]

Hopefully not forward.

There is no where else. Half back isn't an option.

 

[Admiral Byng]

Hopefully not forward.

where else - apart from the bench?

 

[Taylor]

If we are playing full transition the resting ruck could just stand in the middle of the ground and roam a wing to block off the get out of gaol kick.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Could be problematic. I'm sure Ross will trial this during NAB cup first.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

If we are playing full transition the resting ruck could just stand in the middle of the ground and roam a wing to block off the get out of gaol kick.

Zac has done some great intercept marks and spoils during the pre season.

 

[salim malik]

Don't think Ape will oust a fit Jon Griffin based on what I've seen at training.

Dont agree with you on this.Griff has been underwhelming so far and Apeness has been used in the ruck and is quick with a big tank.Has also been clunking some pack marks.Apeness is the future KPP ,Griff to get a gig when Sandi is rested.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Dont agree with you on this.Griff has been underwhelming so far and Apeness has been used in the ruck and is quick with a big tank.Has also been clunking some pack marks .Apeness is the future KPP ,Griff to get a gig when Sandi is rested.

I agree with this. Apeness also has a great vertical leap.

 

[PurpleReign]

Could be problematic. I'm sure Ross will trial this during NAB cup first.

I'm pretty sure we'll see a slightly different forward structure in the NAB games to what we seen in recent years. At training the coaches insist that at least one tall forward stays within a kick of the goals. Tabs will play between the centre and f50, Pav will play traditional CHF and Apeness will create a contest in the goal square. It's hard to transition the ball quickly from D50 when you have to wait for the forwards to get back to the f50 so I don't think we'll see aggressive presses like in previous years. The tweak to the game plan makes sense as it plays to the strengths of our developing forwards.

 

[Righteo]

Not sure this could ever work unless one of the three was rucking, 3 talls plus the extra ruckman (Zac) is too top-heavy.

As it stands I'm happy to continue with Pav, Tabs and Clarke surrounded by the smalls. I wouldn't be completely opposed to Apeness in for Clarke if form dictated it though.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Not sure this could ever work unless one of the three was rucking, 3 talls plus the extra ruckman (Zac) is too top-heavy.

As it stands I'm happy to continue with Pav, Tabs and Clarke surrounded by the smalls. I wouldn't be completely opposed to Apeness in for Clarke if form dictated it though.

Zac looks very fit this preseason. Just wish he clunker a few more marks on the lead at training.

 

[Simmofreo]

I have been waiting for this for ages as this is what we have been missing. I'll ask you one question. Would you be nervous if you were an opposition defence and there were 3 talls plus Mayne, ballas, Walters and potentially crozier and Duffy to contend with. Loooooove the idea

 

[Righteo]

Zac looks very fit this preseason. Just wish he clunker a few more marks on the lead at training.

I think the best we can hope for from Clarke now is not to become a pinch-hitter up forward (just doesn't have the nous and likely never will) but be able to assume a lead ruck role for longer periods to allow Sandi more time up forward. It's frustrating though when you see him take huge pack marks in one game and spill everything the next.

 

[more_of_bito]

Ducks n Drakes no way Apeness , Tabs, and Pav as well as resting ruckmanin the same froward line ain't gonna happen.

 

[calaisking]

Interesting concept but I can't see it working. Playing two developing tall forwards in the forward line is a bit risky

I'd prefer we ran with one of Tabs or Apeness to support Pav, not both. My choice would be Tabs

 

[Frigate]

Yeah, nah occasionally maybe...

The season is long and the opposition is different every week, so I think on occasion it could work. I think with Subi the running and midfield counter attack goals are critical - look at the Port Adelaide final - they destroyed us at our own game (albeit we had no defenders left).

I like the idea of any tall forward that can consistently take I50 marks (contested or uncontested) and convert. If they can all do that together great, but I honestly can't see that happening.

Pavlich is still our best tall goal kicking forward by quite a bit IMO. I am waiting to be convinced on Tabs for consistency but this should be his year - he showed signs in games, and Apeness has hype about him so I will wait to see his performances.

 

[pavsbootlace]

Ross has recently stated in a press conference that he is considering trialling three talls: Pav, Tabs and Ape up forward.



Not sure if that would leave Freo as being top heavy up forward or help produce more goals. Freo will still have a number or smalls such as Walters, Ballas, Mayne and deBoer to crumb off them.



Will this work or is it wishful thinking that Apeness will be ready for the AFL in his second season.



Thoughts...

I suspect you may be putting words in his mouth, JMT. He actually said "Both [Tabs and Ape] of them have continued to physically develop strength and power and weight, and we're experimenting with three tall forwards which would give them better opportunity to play together"

That is not the same as saying he is considering Pav, Ape and Tabs forward. I assumed he meant the youngsters might play together if Pav or Sandi or Clarke are injured.