Which team has the best forward line?

[MeeSo]

Lovett plays one season and he could already walk into any side

 

[Longy413]

Lovett plays one season and he could already walk into any side

On his form last season, why wouldn't he?

Why wouldn't Deledio walk into any side?
Plenty of players have cemented themselves after two seasons on an AFL list. Form permitting, Lovett is no different. Come round one, he would command a spot in every team's 22.

 

[Cyclops]

...If they're all fit:...Rioli...Hird...

If Whitnall and Kouta were fit the Blues would be pretty much the best (adding fevola and whichever dud rover they put in to snaffle crumbs).

Buckley/Tarrant/Rocca/Didak is ferociously good, if they're all fit.

My own feeling is, badly coached as they are, the Saints have the most bustle (Gehrig and Hamill), enough height (Reiwoldt and Koschitzke), superb support from the midfield (supplyy and kicking goals themselves) plus that irritating little rat Milne. No one bloke does all the work, so when the injuries come they should still be able to cobble together a potent structure.

Very high scores possible with that mob.

 

[ICanDressMyself]

Sydney easily.

 

[Big Bird]

As much as I hate to admit it I think Freo will have a dynamite forwad line this year. Pav at centre half forward, McPharlin at full forward and Farmer and Medhurst doing the crumbing. Should be interesting to see what happens with the great underachievers this season.

 

[davey_magik]

Why would you even put every team on there?

You have to narrow it down to the teams that actually may have a reasonable claim to it, or else you get idiots voting for Melbourne and the Kangaroos...

Do you watch footy?
In terms of goalscoring power Melbourne > Any other side in the comp IMO.
Unfortunately we can struggle to win the hard ball required to get it down there and sometimes we can have a lot kicked against us as well.

Players that can kick 4+ goals for Melbourne:
Neitz
Robbo
Bruce
Davey
Yze
Green
Pickett

Not bad, then you can chuck in an improving Miller and Travis Johnstone who usually chips in with a goal a game.

 

[Longy413]

Essendon have Lloyd, Lucas, Hird, Lovett, Rioli, Hille, Mark Johnson, Jason Johnson, Camporeale (best of 7) and McPhee who have all kicked 4 or more in a game, if you want to use that criteria.

Not bad, then you can chuck in the improving Laycock and Brent Stanton who usually chips in with a goal a game.

 

[cs61]

Do you watch footy?
In terms of goalscoring power Melbourne > Any other side in the comp IMO.
Unfortunately we can struggle to win the hard ball required to get it down there and sometimes we can have a lot kicked against us as well.

Players that can kick 4+ goals for Melbourne:
Neitz
Robbo
Bruce
Davey
Yze
Green
Pickett

Not bad, then you can chuck in an improving Miller and Travis Johnstone who usually chips in with a goal a game.

Yeah but the Eagles were one of the highest scoring teams in the comp last year, but have a very average forward line. The thread is about the forward lines, and not 'goal-scoring power'.

You would count Bruce, Green, Picket, as part of your midfield, so they aren't really counted in the forward half.

Saints easily anyway, why bother discussing it? Hamill, Kosi, Riewoldt, Gehric, ... I'd kill for one of those, let alone 4.

 

[dipper86]

My bad. St Kilda have the best forward line.

 

[davey_magik]

Essendon have Lloyd, Lucas, Hird, Lovett, Rioli, Hille, Mark Johnson, Jason Johnson, Camporeale (best of 7) and McPhee who have all kicked 4 or more in a game, if you want to use that criteria.

Not bad, then you can chuck in the improving Laycock and Brent Stanton who usually chips in with a goal a game.

If I was saying players who have kicked 4 in a game I could have included Daniel Ward who is a backup HBF.
These players all do it a couple of times each season.

 

[Stakerz]

Melbourne, but Collingwood have a good forward line!

 

[mad-saint-guy]

It looks as though Brendon Goddard may have finally found a position he can settle into. He was great on Sunday playing on a HFF, it enabled him to make the most out of his beautiful kicking, he took a few good grabs and had plenty of time and space. So I'd say our forward line would look more like this:

HF: Goddard, Riewoldt, Harvey
F: Milne, Gehrig, Hamill

I'd prefer Hamill to play closer to goals so he doesn't run into the centre and kill himself. IMO he'd be much better off just providing an option in the forward line, aiming to kick two or three goals and kill his opponent.

 

[Marns]

What the f*ck?? Can people pull their heads out of their arses and NOT vote collingwood please? Even if you do barrack for them, I'm sorry but you've got to be kidding yourself. Its not even arguable either, its just obvious that your forward line is not in the top 5.

That same forward line got us into 2 grand finals. Injuries with standing we'll make top 8 easily.

How is that relevant? The competition has improved over the years (clearly, leaving you behind by a fair margin). Making top 8 doesn't mean you've got the most potent offence in the AFL I'm afraid. Otherwise, 8 teams would be the most potent from last year, and that makes no sense.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Do you watch footy?
In terms of goalscoring power Melbourne > Any other side in the comp IMO.
Unfortunately we can struggle to win the hard ball required to get it down there and sometimes we can have a lot kicked against us as well.

Players that can kick 4+ goals for Melbourne:
Neitz
Robbo
Bruce
Davey
Yze
Green
Pickett

Not bad, then you can chuck in an improving Miller and Travis Johnstone who usually chips in with a goal a game.

St Kilda are in the AFL as well you know. These are the players that have previously kicked four+ goals in an AFL game for St Kilda:

Gehrig
Riewoldt
Milne
Koschitzke
Harvey
Dal Santo
Murray
Voss
X.Clarke
Hamill

That's 7 to 10.

Then if you want to include players that have come close, or are capable of kicking 4+ goals:

Montagna
Fiora
Goddard
Ackland
Maguire
Ball

Add Watts, Raymond and Sweeney who are all unknown quantities and you'll find St Kilda shyts all over Melbourne as far as potential match-winers goes.

BTW, the fact that Melbourne is 6th for goals per game would suggest their forward line is nowhere near the best in the comp. Melbourne only have 3 players in the top 50 for goals per game compared to St Kilda's 5, Geelong's 5and the Bulldog's 6. Most other teams also have three, so Melbourne are definately not ahead of the pack.

 

[davey_magik]

St Kilda are in the AFL as well you know. These are the players that have previously kicked four+ goals in an AFL game for St Kilda:

Gehrig
Riewoldt
Milne
Koschitzke
Harvey
Dal Santo
Murray
Voss
X.Clarke
Hamill

That's 7 to 10.

Then if you want to include players that have come close, or are capable of kicking 4+ goals:

Montagna
Fiora
Goddard
Ackland
Maguire
Ball

Add Watts, Raymond and Sweeney who are all unknown quantities and you'll find St Kilda shyts all over Melbourne as far as potential match-winers goes.

BTW, the fact that Melbourne is 6th for goals per game would suggest their forward line is nowhere near the best in the comp. Melbourne only have 3 players in the top 50 for goals per game compared to St Kilda's 5, Geelong's 5and the Bulldog's 6. Most other teams also have three, so Melbourne are definately not ahead of the pack.

I said players that WILL kick 4+ several times this year, that was why I made the Daniel Ward post. Dal Santo is the only one there who may kick 4+ this year and I doubt he will do it a lot.
Melbourne's was 6th for goals because our midfield turned to sh*t in the second half of the season and we struggled to get it down there. Saints are good but their midfield usually dominates unless playing WCE, Geelong or Adelaide.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

I said players that WILL kick 4+ several times this year, that was why I made the Daniel Ward post. Dal Santo is the only one there who may kick 4+ this year and I doubt he will do it a lot.
Melbourne's was 6th for goals because our midfield turned to sh*t in the second half of the season and we struggled to get it down there. Saints are good but their midfield usually dominates unless playing WCE, Geelong or Adelaide.

Well you were 7th for inside 50's, so the midfield doesn't seem to be a huge problem. And averaged a goal/behind every 2.2 inside 50's.

St Kilda were 3rd for inside 50's, and scored every 2.0 inside 50's.

So statistically they're pretty even, but when you take into account that we were the most flooded team in the comp, never had a full side and don't have goal-kicking midfielders, I'd say our forward line is a fair bit better than Melbourne's.

All of Gehrig, Riewoldt, Koschitzke and Hamill missed multiple games in '05. If they can each play 18+ games this year, we should increase our average goals per game considerably.

(BTW, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Harvs kicking a few bags this year. He's played forward a fair bit recently and could take that on as a permanent role).

 

[rick James]

Melbourne and St Kilda.

I'd say on paper St Kilda's, however I think there is massive question marks over Gehrig and Hamill for this season.

Milne is a top class pocket, however I'm happier with Davey who kicks less goals, but applies a lot of defenseive pressure - which is better? I'd say it's a matter of opinion.

Neitz needs to re-establish himself this year, I'd say Hamill is in the same boat. Kosi has a minor question mark over him for injury reasons.

Melbourne's mid sized forwards are so far ahead of the rest of the competition it isn't funny. We are embarrassed by how much talent we have in this area. Green, Bruce, Robertson, Pickett, Yze, Sylvia are all very good medium sized forwards in their own right.

Dutchy Holland is servicable, but nowhere near the level of the St Kilda talls, nor is Brad Miller for that matter.

In a wet game I would back the demons forward line, because of it's versatility. However if the two teams faced off in a grand final I'd think St Kilda's forward line would be the difference.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Melbourne and St Kilda.

I'd say on paper St Kilda's, however I think there is massive question marks over Gehrig and Hamill for this season.

Hamill - Yes. Big question mark. Could end up playing less than five games.

Gehrig - No. In great shape, always takes a while to get going at this time of the year, and he's in the best frame of mind since he's been at the club.

Milne is a top class pocket, however I'm happier with Davey who kicks less goals, but applies a lot of defenseive pressure - which is better? I'd say it's a matter of opinion.

True, it's a matter of opinion. Personally, I'd take Milne's extra one or two goals per game, but some may prefer Davey's extra two or three tackles. Apart from that they're pretty even.

Melbourne's mid sized forwards are so far ahead of the rest of the competition it isn't funny. We are embarrassed by how much talent we have in this area. Green, Bruce, Robertson, Pickett, Yze, Sylvia are all very good medium sized forwards in their own right.

I wouldn't say they're that far ahead of the rest, but if all performing at their best, they'd dominate. However, there's usually one or two that kick a few goals and have a really good game, then there two or three non-contributers. If you can get Green, Bruce, Yze and Pickett all performing attheir best (with Robbo chipping in with his 4 or 5), then your forward line would be unstoppable.

In a wet game I would back the demons forward line, because of it's versatility. However if the two teams faced off in a grand final I'd think St Kilda's forward line would be the difference.

I agree that the Demon's forward line would be better in the wet, but not by much.

The great thing about our key forwards is that they can all play in defence/ruck, and are all very mobile for their size. However wet conditions are perfect for medium forwards, and Melbourne would benefit from that.

I also agree that our forward line would prevail in a grand final. You might be able to stop a couple of Gehrig, Riewoldt Koschitzke and Hamill, but each one can tear a match apart single-handedly, they are all leaders, and would step up in a Grand Final. Just watch Gehrig in the semi and prelim of 2004. On those night's, he was completely hellbent on getting the ball, and often knocked over 3 or four opponents if they were in his way. Just like Kosi in that purple-patch mid-2005, Hamill whenever he's on the ground, and Riewoldt was unstoppable for the whole 2004 season.

They are the types you want in a grand final. They are the one's who, when are determined and in-form, are unstoppable. On the other hand, guys like Bruce and Green, they can be shut down and just taken out of the game with a bit of physical pressure. There are occasions where you can't do anything to stop them from kicking four goals, but that rarely wins you a match, plus, most of the times when they do kick four goals, it's in a free-flowing game, and you rarely see a free-flowing final.

 

[davey_magik]

Hamill - Yes. Big question mark. Could end up playing less than five games.

Gehrig - No. In great shape, always takes a while to get going at this time of the year, and he's in the best frame of mind since he's been at the club.



True, it's a matter of opinion. Personally, I'd take Milne's extra one or two goals per game, but some may prefer Davey's extra two or three tackles. Apart from that they're pretty even.



I wouldn't say they're that far ahead of the rest, but if all performing at their best, they'd dominate. However, there's usually one or two that kick a few goals and have a really good game, then there two or three non-contributers. If you can get Green, Bruce, Yze and Pickett all performing attheir best (with Robbo chipping in with his 4 or 5), then your forward line would be unstoppable.



I agree that the Demon's forward line would be better in the wet, but not by much.

The great thing about our key forwards is that they can all play in defence/ruck, and are all very mobile for their size. However wet conditions are perfect for medium forwards, and Melbourne would benefit from that.

I also agree that our forward line would prevail in a grand final. You might be able to stop a couple of Gehrig, Riewoldt Koschitzke and Hamill, but each one can tear a match apart single-handedly, they are all leaders, and would step up in a Grand Final. Just watch Gehrig in the semi and prelim of 2004. On those night's, he was completely hellbent on getting the ball, and often knocked over 3 or four opponents if they were in his way. Just like Kosi in that purple-patch mid-2005, Hamill whenever he's on the ground, and Riewoldt was unstoppable for the whole 2004 season.

They are the types you want in a grand final. They are the one's who, when are determined and in-form, are unstoppable. On the other hand, guys like Bruce and Green, they can be shut down and just taken out of the game with a bit of physical pressure. There are occasions where you can't do anything to stop them from kicking four goals, but that rarely wins you a match, plus, most of the times when they do kick four goals, it's in a free-flowing game, and you rarely see a free-flowing final.

Riewoldt and Koschitzke are yet to dominate a final. Hamill I don't know about. Gehrig has proved himself though. However you can't say they would all dominate a GF. Who would have thought Chris Johnson would have stuffed up like he did in 2004?
True on the Bruce and Green part. Melbourne supporters want to see a harder game played by Melbourne when our free-flowing game is shut down and more ability to win the hard ball. If we can win more of the hard ball with players like McLean, Sylvia and Moloney (Mind you they are all very young) players like Bruce and Green become the icing on the cake because they have someone to give the ball to them.

 

[Ysaye]

St Kilda - but I am suprised at how few voted for Brisbane.

Brown
Bradshaw
Merrett
Clark
Akermanis
McGrath

Is better than the majority of sides out there.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

St Kilda - but I am suprised at how few voted for Brisbane.

Brown
Bradshaw
Merrett
Clark
Akermanis
McGrath

Is better than the majority of sides out there.

Brown- If he can play the entire season, he'll be a star
Bradshaw- Good, honest trier, but nothing special
Merrett- Yet to produce at AFL level
Clark- Unknown quantity. Looks good, but has to prove himself in the H&A season
Akermanis- Freak
McGrath- Meh, ok

They lack a true, star FF, which is what they're hoping Merret can become, Brown is inconsistent (can't string a whole season together), Bradshaw is more of a fill-in player, and they lack a couple of goal-kicking flankers (Bruce, Embley).

To have a great forward line, you need:
A 80+ goal per season FF- ???
A mobile, 10 mark per game CHF- Brown
A third tall option- Merret, Clark
A maniac (Hamill)- ???
A couple of good, consistent crumbers/flankers- Acker, McGrath

Brisbane don't have the FF or the maniac, while they do have the CHF, one star crumber, another GOP crumber and a couple of third tall options. So while they have an above average attack, it's nothing special.

Whereas St Kilda have all of those players

A 80+ goal per season FF- Gehrig
A mobile, 10 mark per game CHF- Riewoldt
A third tall option- Kosi
A maniac- Hamill
A couple of good, consistent crumbers/flankers- Milne, Harvey, Goddard

 

[rick James]

A 80+ goal per season FF- Gehrig
A mobile, 10 mark per game CHF- Riewoldt
A third tall option- Kosi
A maniac- Hamill
A couple of good, consistent crumbers/flankers- Milne, Harvey, Goddard

80+ goal a year FF - Robertson/Neitz can both do it, depending on who's playing in the square
Mobile 10 mark per game CHF - Miller
Third Tall Option - Holland,Johnson
Maniac - Pickett, Miller
Good Consistent crumbers/flankers - (this is where we smash St Kilda) Green, Bruce, Sylvia, Davey, Motlop

 

[Longy413]

80+ goal a year FF - Robertson/Neitz can both do it, depending on who's playing in the square

Bzzzzzz. Robertson has never had an 80+ goal year and Neitz hasn't done it since 2002. I think even the most optimistic Melbourne supporter can admit Neitz's best days are behind him.

Mobile 10 mark per game CHF - Miller

Bzzzzzz. He's done it 5 times in 60 games. He averaged 6 marks last season and less than 5 over his career.

Third Tall Option - Holland,Johnson

Solid, but not among the best going around. St Kilda, Sydney, Brisbane, Essendon, Collingwood, Adelaide, Carlton, Geelong all have better third tall options for mine.

Maniac - Pickett, Miller
Good Consistent crumbers/flankers - (this is where we smash St Kilda) Green, Bruce, Sylvia, Davey, Motlop

Bingo. This is where Melbourne stand out. Options.
Melbourne have more medium/small forward options than any other club and it's for that reason why I rate them pretty highly. And you forgot Yze.

Melbourne's ability to claim the title of having one of the better forward line's depends a lot on Robertson being able to maintain form (a huge effort), Neitz making a bigger impact than 2005 and Miller improving. Until that happens I think a lot of people will reserve judgement.

 

[Moss Rocket]

How can one compare Saints and Dees forward lines??? Neitz is about the 17th best FF in the league. He has been crap for a long time and his 2006 preseason form makes Ian Prendergast look solid! Melbourne supporters pumping up Holland!?!?! Nightmare!
Kosi, Hamill, Gehrig, Reiwolt, Milne and anybody else as number 6 just embarrasses Melbourne.

 

[Jex]

Bombers

HF McPhee Lucas M Johnson
F Lovett Lloyd Hird

I like the idea of McPhee playing across half forward. He's played there a few times, but he'll probably play in the backline and midfield for most of the year.

If they all freakishly get injured...

HF Watson Hille Rioli
F Monfries Johns Laycock

Overall good depth and a good mix of marking and ground level players.

And whoever said Andrew Lovett wouldn't be in every side's best 22 is pulling themselves.

Saints forward line is probably the only one I rate as better - Riewoldt, Kosi, Gehrig, Hamill, Milne etc