Time to try something new?

[TigerTank]

With too many important players missing from the senior line-up ... many not likely to return in the immediate future, is it time to write off the season from a top four perspective, and punt on some youngsters.

And by saying 'punt on some youngsters', I don't mean playing them in a forward pocket. I mean starting Rodan, Coughlin, Zantuck and/or Ednie in the middle (with one experienced player - Campbell or <preferred> D. Kellaway), and leaving them there regardless of the result?

The reality is, the backline structure and forwardline structure (at full strength) is as good as anybody but, even at full strength, the midfield is mediocre. While the backline and forwardline are below strength, as they are at the moment, perhaps now is a time for experimentation?

I don't agree with ditching Bowden or Tivendale. They are being forced to play as midfielders/centres when they should really be playing as wingmen. The problem is that, with Kellaway and Hilton out, and Knights and Campbell in poor form, Bowden and Tivendale are not being given room to do what they do best - kick on the run.

The return of Kellaway will help enormously in terms of physicality in the middle, but will not help the lack of pace. And King needs to (a) be relieved from tagging, and (b) needs some support from another in-and-under.

BTW: I don't think Poyas is not the answer because (from an AFL perspective) he is the wrong body shape for the type of game he plays best in the VFL. There is no room in AFL for a short marking forward.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

i dare say that danny will have no option but to do this TT.if we are going to get belted he might as well look to the future at the sametime.
as for ditching tivendale and bowden.there has to be a message sent sure tivendale can run but only when he has the ball.when was the last time he ran down an opponent?
bowden for a bloke with so much skill he really s***s me up the wall.he has the talent to rip a game apart hell he,s been on the scene long enough to do this.but like you and i and the rest of the afl know you run straight at him early in the game and he,s gone for the rest of the match.
cheers!

 

[CJH]

Originally posted by TigerTank


...

I don't agree with ditching Bowden or Tivendale. They are being forced to play as midfielders/centres when they should really be playing as wingmen. The problem is that, with Kellaway and Hilton out, and Knights and Campbell in poor form, Bowden and Tivendale are not being given room to do what they do best - kick on the run.

The return of Kellaway will help enormously in terms of physicality in the middle, but will not help the lack of pace. And King needs to (a) be relieved from tagging, and (b) needs some support from another in-and-under.

BTW: I don't think Poyas is not the answer because (from an AFL perspective) he is the wrong body shape for the type of game he plays best in the VFL. There is no room in AFL for a short marking forward.

It is true that Bowden and Tivendale are being hurt because the are not receiving consistent, quality ball from what passes as our inside players. This is what their jobs are and they aren't getting a chance to do them properly.

That said, Bowden surely is in need of a massive rocket up the @rse. Why on earth try these high risk passes right in front of goal when we are under siege? I wonder if those Bronx cheers he got yesterday when he finally decided to kick the ball long out of defence to a free player had some effect on him? Surely it was a fairly blunt message for him?

Tivendale was far from our worst player yesterday - in fact he was one of our very few winners. He limited Goodwin in the second half, had 17 kicks and also slotted a few goals.

The return of Duncan will be priceless. Say what you will about his kicking skills (diggler!), what cannot be disputed is that he will add some much needed hardness and leadership in the middle. Opposition teams will just find it so much harder to actually get hold of the ball when he is there.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again, a perfect game for Duncan is if his stats sheet reads 20 handpasses and 0 kicks!

We should never, ever expect Poyas to be a key marking forward. We should not even be trying to make him into a medium sized forward. While he is a similar height to grunts like Bradshaw and Hamill, he doesn't have anywhere near their bulk. That said, we will need to fashion a forward line and he is good overhead, so he can expect to have to spend time down there.

I guess we have to appreciate the type of player he is. A friend astutely observed that he reminded him of a younger Martin Pike - a player who will become a tough half back flanker or a big, brutish midfielder. Either way, it sounds good to me.

I would like to see players organised into the following groups:

Defensive Backs:

Gaspar, A. Kellaway, Vardy, Zantuck

Attacking Half Backs

Campbell, Cameron

Outside Midfielders

Tivendale, Fiora, Bowden, Houlihan

Inside Midfielders

Ottens, Chaffey, King, Ednie, Coughlan, Torney, Rodan

Forwards

Hall, Pettiffer, Poyas, Rogers, Hudson.



I wanted to drop Hudson, but couldn't think of who to bring back in. Not sure if Krakouer is ready for another crack at it yet.

I want Hall to play entirely as a CHF, with the sole duty of starting 40m out and leading up the ground to provide a target for the ball being run out of defence.

I want the fleet of small fowards (who may also have Bowden and Houlihan rotated through) to act as multiple targets and for the midfielders to seek to pick them out. None of this aiming at the big man and hoping for the big mark. (Like we did against Hawthorn).

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

turn the side around!!!
B:houlihan,hall,pettifer
HB:campbell,ottens,poyas
C:fiora,rodan,tivendale
HF:torney,gasper,chaffy
FF:A kellaway,vardy,cameron
R:stafford,D kellaway,king
I/C:coughlan,knights,ednie,bowden.
least then the ex fwds can learn to man up.
the fwds know how to man up!
:
cheers!

 

[Mooster7]

TT,

I'm surprised at you. It is NOT time to write off a top four finals show. These are some minor set-backs secondary to injuries. It would be nice to pick up against Sydney, but not entirely necessary.

I'm not flushing 13-9 until it becomes mathematically impossible to achieve. Keep the faith, baby.

 

[TigerTank]

You have to admire American blind optimism, don't you.

 

[Top ofthe Range]

Originally posted by TigerTank
With too many important players missing from the senior line-up ... many not likely to return in the immediate future, is it time to write off the season from a top four perspective, and punt on some youngsters.

And by saying 'punt on some youngsters', I don't mean playing them in a forward pocket. I mean starting Rodan, Coughlin, Zantuck and/or Ednie in the middle (with one experienced player - Campbell or <preferred> D. Kellaway), and leaving them there regardless of the result?

The reality is, the backline structure and forwardline structure (at full strength) is as good as anybody but, even at full strength, the midfield is mediocre. While the backline and forwardline are below strength, as they are at the moment, perhaps now is a time for experimentation?

I don't agree with ditching Bowden or Tivendale. They are being forced to play as midfielders/centres when they should really be playing as wingmen. The problem is that, with Kellaway and Hilton out, and Knights and Campbell in poor form, Bowden and Tivendale are not being given room to do what they do best - kick on the run.

The return of Kellaway will help enormously in terms of physicality in the middle, but will not help the lack of pace. And King needs to (a) be relieved from tagging, and (b) needs some support from another in-and-under.

BTW: I don't think Poyas is not the answer because (from an AFL perspective) he is the wrong body shape for the type of game he plays best in the VFL. There is no room in AFL for a short marking forward.

I am sure you have made a typing error and should have said that Tiger fans should write the season off from a top "10" perspective.

They are crap and Danny should be sacked.

 

[CJH]

Re: Re: Time to try something new?

Originally posted by Top ofthe Range


I am sure you have made a typing error and should have said that Tiger fans should write the season off from a top "10" perspective.

They are crap and Danny should be sacked.

Oh dear! And does your employer know that you are using their Proxy server for trolling purposes?

 

[Tigerheart]

more stuff

we have to tread water...our mistakes over the off season are haunting us and it will take time to fix things.

What happened with our first draft pick was irresponsible.
Going into the season two men short ; irresponsible...
committing our 3 draft pick for Hudson....stupid.
committing to a season with only 9 talls was stupid.

The ONLY WAY OUT is to draft our way out. Regular readers know I loathe recruiting used players. In 9 from 10 cases it becomes an exercise in swapping problems. Cameron being the exception.

Had Brisbane swapped their top draft picks recently...they wouldn't have Lappin and Black...the most valuable commodity is a top 10 pick. You get 'em ...you keep 'em and you use 'em.

Tiger Of Old ...we turn the team around, at least Rodan stays in the middle.

 

[TigerGar]

Re: more stuff

Originally posted by Tigerheart

What happened with our first draft pick was irresponsible.
Going into the season two men short ; irresponsible...
committing our 3 draft pick for Hudson....stupid.
committing to a season with only 9 talls was stupid.

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Yes how depressingly STUPID and now all are made to pay for such a GLARING ERROR in Judgement, the costs are still mounting.