Welsh defends forwards

[Stiffy_18]

I got this from the club website. I don't know about you but I don't think Carey can kick 70 goals thia year.

Welsh defends forwards
4:46:12 PM Tue 2 March, 2004
Matthew Robran
afc.com.au
Adelaide forward Scott Welsh believes the Crows’ forward line is still dangerous, despite the team’s successive losses to St Kilda and Fremantle.

Welsh pointed out that Adelaide’s inaccuracy in front of goals had been costly against the Dockers, as the Crows had only one less scoring shot but still failed by 31 points.


“Our accuracy wasn’t good against Fremantle,” he said before training on Tuesday. “We had enough shots on goals but we didn’t kick straight, which hurt us in the end. Fremantle kicked accurately and we didn’t. It was that simple.”

The Crows’ leading goalkicker with 47 in 2000, Welsh is hoping for a change of fortune against West Coast in the Wizard Regional Challenge Series match at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

“We have struggled the past couple of weeks and our forward line hasn’t worked as well as would have hoped,” he said. “Hopefully we can get on top of things and kick a winning score this weekend.”

Many experts are saying Adelaide’s forward line is in desperate need of a player such as the Brisbane Lions’ Jonathan Brown or Alastair Lynch, but Welsh disagrees.

“Players such as Alastair Lynch play in a good forward line but we have a good forward line, too, with the likes of (Wayne) Carey, (Ian) Perrie and Mark Stevens (currently injured),” he said. “We should be able to kick a few goals this weekend against West Coast and get back to being dangerous.

“I don’t think we have a player capable of kicking 70-80 goals (except Carey) in a season, but we have several players who could kick 30-50 goals in a year.

“It doesn’t matter who kicks the goals, as long as we all work together and get the score on the board.

“A lot of people are reading things into our two games, but we know we still have some work to do. All we have to do is get the ball into our forward line and kick accurately.”

Asked whether the delivery to the forwards needed improving, Welsh said: “I think it still needs some improving but, then again, so does that of the forward line, but we still have two more weeks to get our game right for round one.”

Welsh, who will play his 100th AFL match in round one (against his former side, the Kangaroos, at the MCG on Sunday, March 28), was quick to state that the forwards needed to make life easier for the midfielders by creating several leading options.

“For our forward line to work well, I think we need to be presenting ourselves on a lead all the time and creating space for each other,” he said. “We must be communicating all the time. It will make it easier for our midfielders (to deliver the ball) if we are leading to space and working hard.”

After two frustrating years in which he managed only 23 out of a possible 49 games due to persistent injury problems, Welsh is confident his body is in good shape.

“I was pleased to get through a full pre-season and I’m looking forward to having a bit of luck this year and playing all the games,” he said.

 

[macca23]

Hmmmm. I thought Carey could last year before it became obvious that his days of marking overhead are over.

His footy smarts guarantee he will always get some but he would have to play close to goal to get anywhere near that.

As for the loss to Freo it didn't sound that simple as Welsh makes it sound. Sure the forwards may have missed shots, but there was the much bigger issue of how the ball was bombed into the forward line repeatedly for no score.

Less can be more if done better. I'm sure that we had far more entries into the forward 50 than Freo, but that they used it far better when they did go into theirs.

 

[Damp Squarie]

The loss to St Kilda was simple.
Had we not gone for 9 pointers we might of stole the game.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
As for the loss to Freo it didn't sound that simple as Welsh makes it sound. Sure the forwards may have missed shots, but there was the much bigger issue of how the ball was bombed into the forward line repeatedly for no score.

I don't know if you have seen the news report tonight. At te training today we "fenced" the corridor with cones so that everyone had to work within the corridor and move the ball more direct. I don't know if that will help come game time but one would have thought that we would have done that at the start of the pre-season. Also why the hell didn't we practice delivering the ball to the forward line in simulated game situation (ie. competative drills) with more defenders than forward.

I remember you said we had those drills where we ran the length of the fial and delivering to a forward line that had had an extra forward. Whats the point of that?????? Surely it would have been better if we played a couple of extra defenders. That way we would have worked on our delivery skills under some sort of pressure.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by topjars
The loss to St Kilda was simple.
Had we not gone for 9 pointers we might of stole the game.

Stealing a game is not what we want. we want to win it by playing good, quick, direct footy for 4 quarters. We played 3 sh|t quarters. In the last QTR we straightened up and we nearly pinched it. We went more direct and had Perrie at CHF who presented and brought the ball to the front.

Yes you are right that had we not gone for three 9 pointers we could have snatched it. Even if we won we would have the same problems as we are having now: Indirect and slow brand of footy.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
After two frustrating years in which he managed only 23 out of a possible 49 games due to persistent injury problems, Welsh is confident his body is in good shape.

“I was pleased to get through a full pre-season and I’m looking forward to having a bit of luck this year and playing all the games,” he said.

If Welshy stays fit & healthy in 2004, it will go a long way for us making the finals. With M Stevens probably never to return, IMO he is our most important forward.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Re: Welsh defends forwards

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
If Welshy stays fit & healthy in 2004, it will go a long way for us making the finals. With M Stevens probably never to return, IMO he is our most important forward.

He is our best forward. Simple as that.

If he stays fit and can recapture his 2002 form before the OP, then he will kick 50+ goals easily this year. I remember that purple patch he had where in 4 games he kicked 4 or 5 goals per game. His chasing and tackling inside 50 is invaluable IMHO.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: Re: Re: Welsh defends forwards

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
He is our best forward. Simple as that.

If he stays fit and can recapture his 2002 form before the OP, then he will kick 50+ goals easily this year. I remember that purple patch he had where in 4 games he kicked 4 or 5 goals per game. His chasing and tackling inside 50 is invaluable IMHO.

I agree 100% Stiffy. The pressure he applies to backmen is under-rated & he tends to lift the intensity of his team-mates around him.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Welsh defends forwards

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
I agree 100% Stiffy. The pressure he applies to backmen is under-rated & he tends to lift the intensity of his team-mates around him.

I listened to Kerls on monday on 5AA and he said he had a chat to someone at AFC who he didn't want to name. Apparently that person told him that Welshy is the most skilled player on our squad and if he can have an unjury free year he will kick a lot of goals. He was a bit surprised with the most skilled part as he felt McLeod is best in that department.

We all know that Welshy at his best is one of the best (if not the best) medium forward in the competition. He is th ebloke who will work his backside off in the forward 50 and this inspires his team mates. He is extremely valuable toour team. If he can play every game he will be our leading goal kicker. He is showing good signs this early in the season.

Who can forget that game against Essendon last year when he kicked 6 goals on Dustin Fletcher. That is no easy task.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18


I remember you said we had those drills where we ran the length of the fial and delivering to a forward line that had had an extra forward. Whats the point of that?????? Surely it would have been better if we played a couple of extra defenders. That way we would have worked on our delivery skills under some sort of pressure.

There's nothing wrong with your memory, Stiffy. That's how it was. I must admit that the regular track watchers at the time made the same comments as you have now.

The other thing that they did in that drill which unfortunately is the one part they seem to remember is to fart around in the backlines criss-crossing the ball backwards and forwards before breaking towards a mid-fielder with it.

As the drill was supposed to improve our disposal to the forward line and sharpen our decision making, you'd have to say that it's been an abject failure to date.

2 weeks to get it right.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Welsh defends forwards

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Who can forget that game against Essendon last year when he kicked 6 goals on Dustin Fletcher. That is no easy task.

Haven't fotgotten, as he did most of his best work in front of where I was watching. Had about 4 opponents for the night, with I think Jacobs, Wellman & Bolton also matching up on him. We all know Fletcher was very fustrated come his last quarter incident.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
There's nothing wrong with your memory, Stiffy. That's how it was. I must admit that the regular track watchers at the time made the same comments as you have now.

The other thing that they did in that drill which unfortunately is the one part they seem to remember is to fart around in the backlines criss-crossing the ball backwards and forwards before breaking towards a mid-fielder with it.

As the drill was supposed to improve our disposal to the forward line and sharpen our decision making, you'd have to say that it's been an abject failure to date.

2 weeks to get it right.

Its no rocket science.

Tell me who in their right mind would play his team with a defender short and leave the opposition forward to float inside 50?????? I bet no one. Not even Ayres.

I am sure that team ususally have 1 or 2 loose men in defence. Some teams floody greatly. How exactly are those drills going to help us. They might improve our decision making as sometimes the extra forward might not be the best option BUT you could do the same thing when you are kicking to 4 forwards that are covered by 6 defenders.

I am pretty sure that in this day and age training drills have to simulate the game situations and for the life of me I can't see how this particular drill does that.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Welsh defends forwards

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
Haven't fotgotten, as he did most of his best work in front of where I was watching. Had about 4 opponents for the night, with I think Jacobs, Wellman & Bolton also matching up on him. We all know Fletcher was very fustrated come his last quarter incident.

IMHO, at his best, Welsh is the best medium forward in the AFL. He is one of those players who is dificult to match up on. Very clean at ground level and a strong overhead mark with good pace and accurate set shot inside 50 meters. He doens't have a great depth on his set shot (can't kick 55m set shots) but he is damaging from anywhere inside 50.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Welsh defends forwards

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
IMHO, at his best, Welsh is the best medium forward in the AFL. He is one of those players who is dificult to match up on. Very clean at ground level and a strong overhead mark with good pace and accurate set shot inside 50 meters. He doens't have a great depth on his set shot (can't kick 55m set shots) but he is damaging from anywhere inside 50.

Yeah, if we needed someone to kich a goal to win after the siren, Welshy would be one of the 1st picked. Geez, I hope he stays sound.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Welsh defends forwards

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
Yeah, if we needed someone to kich a goal to win after the siren, Welshy would be one of the 1st picked. Geez, I hope he stays sound.

Do you remember that study that was released a couple of year back on who are the most accurate players from 45 m out directly in front. Roo had a 86% conversion rate from that spot over his career and Welshy wasn't far behind with 81% (from memory). Those 2 are definetly the ones I would be giving the ball to.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I think this bloke will fill out nicely and provide us with a geniune marking option up forward

and along with this bloke will provide us with 2 big marking forwards for years to come

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
I think this bloke will fill out nicely and provide us with a geniune marking option up forward

and along with this bloke will provide us with 2 big marking forwards for years to come

Geez, throw in Welshy, Shuey & Bodey into our forward line & it will be enough for that Hair Machine wally to go weak at the knees...

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
Geez, throw in Welshy, Shuey & Bodey into our forward line & it will be enough for that Hair Machine wally to go weak at the knees...

 

[Crow-mosone]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Its no rocket science.

Tell me who in their right mind would play his team with a defender short and leave the opposition forward to float inside 50?????? I bet no one. Not even Ayres.

I am sure that team ususally have 1 or 2 loose men in defence. Some teams floody greatly. How exactly are those drills going to help us. They might improve our decision making as sometimes the extra forward might not be the best option BUT you could do the same thing when you are kicking to 4 forwards that are covered by 6 defenders.

I am pretty sure that in this day and age training drills have to simulate the game situations and for the life of me I can't see how this particular drill does that.

Stiffy sometimes drills are to boost confidence in some players, not every one has the same flair and bring it on attitude of a Scotty Welsh.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by Crow-mosone
Stiffy sometimes drills are to boost confidence in some players, not every one has the same flair and bring it on attitude of a Scotty Welsh.

True but there is other ways of getting players confidence up rather than doing a drill that is very unlikely to occur in a game. Honestly, there is no point in building up their confidence only to see it shattered once the players are exposed to a real game with genuine opponents.

 

[naughty monkey]

Nothing wrong with this drill per se...
but it certainly shouldn't be the one they spend most time on.

As we know the two biggest problems AFC have had in the past is a forward line that's been too congested, and to confound that the poor delivery from the forwards.

Most drills after Christmas should have been working on fixing these, especially synchronising the lead from the forward to the kick from the midfielder

I would be interested in what other drills, if any, they were doing Macca?

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I was happy to hear that we were doing drills to address our biggest problem area (ie. coaching staff accepted we had a problem & have at least tried to address it). Hopefully we will soon see the benefit of these drills...

 

[Scotty's_Girl]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Welsh, who will play his 100th AFL match in round one (against his former side, the Kangaroos, at the MCG on Sunday, March 28) ...

Yay ... finally!

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by naughty monkey
Nothing wrong with this drill per se...
but it certainly shouldn't be the one they spend most time on.

As we know the two biggest problems AFC have had in the past is a forward line that's been too congested, and to confound that the poor delivery from the forwards.

Most drills after Christmas should have been working on fixing these, especially synchronising the lead from the forward to the kick from the midfielder

I would be interested in what other drills, if any, they were doing Macca?

Apart from general ball skills such as running through footpassing the ball and handballing, the main drill was virtually it. It occupied around 75% of each session.

I must agree with Stiffy though, because it was an artificial situation having one more forward than defender, because we rarely seem to have that luxury in real life. It would have been much better having equal numbers of each or even one more defender than forwards.

My area of comfort so far is that I did think that in our pre-season work this year, the only players really putting in at top pace were those outside the team or new to the club. In my training reports, off memory I don't think I mentioned the senior players very much, if at all. The senior players seemed to be operating in cruise control. This by comparison to our previous 2 pre-seasons that have been very very physical, competitive and intense. It was an extremely low key preparation.

My area of discomfort so far is that it's time for the senior players to press the go button and start to become more intense, and until now there hasn't been too many signs of that happening.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
Apart from general ball skills such as running through footpassing the ball and handballing, the main drill was virtually it. It occupied around 75% of each session.

I must agree with Stiffy though, because it was an artificial situation having one more forward than defender, because we rarely seem to have that luxury in real life. It would have been much better having equal numbers of each or even one more defender than forwards.

My area of comfort so far is that I did think that in our pre-season work this year, the only players really putting in at top pace were those outside the team or new to the club. In my training reports, off memory I don't think I mentioned the senior players very much, if at all. The senior players seemed to be operating in cruise control. This by comparison to our previous 2 pre-seasons that have been very very physical, competitive and intense. It was an extremely low key preparation.

My area of discomfort so far is that it's time for the senior players to press the go button and start to become more intense, and until now there hasn't been too many signs of that happening.

I am not fussed with the lack of form from our senior players. We all know they can play some bloody good footy. No senior player takes these trial seriously and they go into these matches on cruise control hoping to get a bit of a run and avoid any injuries.

Come round 1 they will come to play. I think this week we will play something closer to our actual structure in terms of playing players in their positions. I don't think our objective will be to win this week. I think our objective will be to play a bit more direct, continue to give youngsters more exposure and play senior player in their positions and play them fro a half.