We need a forward pocket

[omit]

Never has it been more obvious that we really need a forward pocket feeding off the crumbs of our tall "marking" targets. the contrast between our forward set up and St Kildas was incredible today. everytime the ball hit the deck in our f50 the St Kilda defense would whisk the ball away with minimal fuss.

Down the other end of the ground however things were not so simple. Milne and Schnieder were front and square of every contest picking up the ball the second it hit the deck and on the occasions they didn't get the ball, were applying pressure to our defenders. not only did this cause our defenders considerable amounts of trouble but it also slowed the game up. allowing the saints midfield to set up their zones and prevent us from rebounding effectively.

Bennell and Jetta are not natural small forwards, they never seem to be waiting at the bottom of a pack to pounce on a spoil or harass defenders. Wona is ok, but his greatest asset is his set shot accuracy. Davey was good but is needed up the ground. Oh to have Jeff Farmer back in his prime

 

[LITTLE STINGA]

I think Bennell can be a good forward pocket. What he does is usually always good he just doesn't get enough of the ball. Jetta and Maric look to me to be more suited as goal kicking midfielders than genuine forward pockets and Aussie has lost me. He looks like a flash in the pan, he doesn't look interested, is over weight and has no genuine pace.

 

[Ricky_15]

We need a key forward way more than a forward pocket.

Luckily roo and kosi didnt play today and neither team had a true key forward.

I still believe we need to trade for one and get someone who can crash the packs and chip in with 2-3 goals a game.

Watts is clearly not going to be the answer in the next 2 years atleast and bate and sylvia have shown inconsistency.

 

[Swampfox]

Never has it been more obvious that we really need a forward pocket feeding off the crumbs of our tall "marking" targets. the contrast between our forward set up and St Kildas was incredible today. everytime the ball hit the deck in our f50 the St Kilda defense would whisk the ball away with minimal fuss.

Down the other end of the ground however things were not so simple. Milne and Schnieder were front and square of every contest picking up the ball the second it hit the deck and on the occasions they didn't get the ball, were applying pressure to our defenders. not only did this cause our defenders considerable amounts of trouble but it also slowed the game up. allowing the saints midfield to set up their zones and prevent us from rebounding effectively.

Bennell and Jetta are not natural small forwards, they never seem to be waiting at the bottom of a pack to pounce on a spoil or harass defenders. Wona is ok, but his greatest asset is his set shot accuracy. Davey was good but is needed up the ground. Oh to have Jeff Farmer back in his prime

Wonamearri
Maric
Jetta
Bennell

My pick would be Wonamearri who has good goal sense , speed , breaks tackles and rarely loses his feet

 

[eliasd82]

This thread should be renamed to "Re: We need a He-Man forward" as we desperately need a JB or Reiwoldt.

Bennell is our best forward pocket. Great at ground level, fast and great goal awareness.

Jetta is not a forward pocket more of a half flanker with excellent tackling and pressure.

The saints smalls were more dominant cause the ball coming in was better.

 

[KickLongTackleHard]

Watching on tv, the forward set ups were very different. We had our usual full ground zone and rarely had the traditional forward structure, which St.Kilda seemed to have. Pretty hard to crumb when you've got no one inside fwd 50, or one target usually running back with the flight. Zone footbal shits me, especially cause we suck at it so badly!

But this wasn't always the case and I see your point. Really, it is hard to find a positive about our forward line. So much is lacking.

 

[master bate]

We need a better midfield (which we are developing) and more class from the backline. Once we get that then Jetta/Bennell/Wona/Maric it doesn't matter we will have enough crumbing options.

 

[W. Smithers]

I reckon Mitch Morton would be up for grabs come trade time.

 

[DemonBlood]

I reckon Mitch Morton would be up for grabs come trade time.

He'd be handy but again he is another medium sized forward ala Green, Sylvia, Bate, Pettard, Dunn(i think thats his new excuse to be in the team)
I agree with Ricky, we need a KPF who is around 25 years of age who has the body and crashes the packs. Melbourne should be scouting some players in the VFL this year with the unlikely option of picking up a gun player thanks to Gold coast.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

we really need to stop thinking of sylvia as a forward... if last year tought us anything, it was that sylvia can dominate out of the midfield ala 38 possesion 4 goal game vs the hawks

 

[snomeD]

Guys. Aaron Davey is our best forward pocket... he's the best forward pocket in the league. He revolutionized the forward pocket role when he entered the comp. He cannot break a tag up the field and is a liability when manned up on. Put him back inside the forward 50 permanently and you are guaranteed 2-3 goals per game. He and Green would attract very good defenders if left in there permanently and Watts and Bate would also benefit from this.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Guys. Aaron Davey is our best forward pocket... he's the best forward pocket in the league. He revolutionized the forward pocket role when he entered the comp. He cannot break a tag up the field and is a liability when manned up on. Put him back inside the forward 50 permanently and you are guaranteed 2-3 goals per game. He and Green would attract very good defenders if left in there permanently and Watts and Bate would also benefit from this.

I agree. He has been good in the midfield, but gets tagged out of the game far too easily. With Gysberts, Blease, Morton and co to run through the midfield and wings, Davey should be in our F50. Or maybe we trade for his brother Alwyn? Surely the brothers would love to play together! Imagine those 2 in our F50? Would be great to watch! Is Alwyn out of contract at seasons end?

 

[wowlace]

Bennel should only play in the forward 50. Wona wont be back.

 

[Gazza_11]

He'd be handy but again he is another medium sized forward ala Green, Sylvia, Bate, Pettard, Dunn(i think thats his new excuse to be in the team)
I agree with Ricky, we need a KPF who is around 25 years of age who has the body and crashes the packs. Melbourne should be scouting some players in the VFL this year with the unlikely option of picking up a gun player thanks to Gold coast.

We have these players on our list though. Watts, Jurrah, Fitzpatrick and others are all capable of playing as a KPF, we just need to give them time.

And what has it been this year with playing our gun mids on the half back flank? Massive waste of talent. I know our midfield is overflowing but play them forward ffs! That's where we are struggling, go with Davey, Morton at half forward/FP where they will be dangerous rather than the back pocket where they are simply serviceable.

 

[Ghost of Grinter]

Bennel can play forward pocket, too easy..

Jettas kicking lets him down, I wouldnt have him as a foward pocket.
But if you dont have him there - then hard to slot him in elsewhere.

Davey can play anywhere, I liked him on the back flank, cutting sides
up. I like Davey switching from a foward flank/back flank.

Tapscott will be able to play as a foward pocket and I wouldnt be one
bit suprised if Tapscott looks our more dangerous goal kicker when he arrives.