Who is our best Small Forward?

[Just Kreuzing]

Lets not forget that Walker kicked 55 goals for the year when he was moved up forward. I'd hardly call that a bad strategic move by Ratts, especially given that we had no other talls at that time.

Given that we now have a variety of younger talls to choose from, moving Walker back to the backline now makes strategic sense given our personnel available and team balance. But I would call it "correcting an error previous made"

Dont necessarily disagree with your comments but I think the real impetus for MM's decision to make a Yarran for Walker swap was that he didn't like Yarran's ability to defend 1 on 1 at all and Walker kept flying for marks instead of leading up at the ball and beating his opponent on the way back or getting to good crumbing positions.

Malthouse is far more defensive minded then Ratten and assessed that for the benefit of team results these 2 areas needed serious attention, we needed to be better at keeping teams to a lower score and playing the percentages at the other end instead of losing your feet most times and not being able to contribute as required to forward line defense or pressure.

Also lets not forget Walker moving forward was a "demand of his own" otherwise he wanted out of the club and not a strategic move by Ratten.

Walker was very lucky not to be moved on after basically holding Ratten to ransom.

 

[yarran13]

Eddie, Jeff and Yaz are all so different. Eddie is best on the lead, Jeff is the best crumber, Yaz is the smoothest mover. Such a good combination.

 

[checkpoints]

Any way we could genetically engineer a player with all their qualities?

 

[ThePine]

Any way we could genetically engineer a player with all their qualities?

if you manage to do it with these three we have a few rucks that could use the same treatment.

 

[dumb]

Dont necessarily disagree with your comments but I think the real impetus for MM's decision to make a Yarran for Walker swap was that he didn't like Yarran's ability to defend 1 on 1 at all and Walker kept flying for marks instead of leading up at the ball and beating his opponent on the way back or getting to good crumbing positions.

Malthouse is far more defensive minded then Ratten and assessed that for the benefit of team results these 2 areas needed serious attention, we needed to be better at keeping teams to a lower score and playing the percentages at the other end instead of losing your feet most times and not being able to contribute as required to forward line defense or pressure.

Also lets not forget Walker moving forward was a "demand of his own" otherwise he wanted out of the club and not a strategic move by Ratten.

Walker was very lucky not to be moved on after basically holding Ratten to ransom.

in a way, walker has eventually gotten what he wanted by moving to the backline again, more time through the midfield / more of the ball in his hands. has come a long way since manning up on guys like tom hawkins.
still, nice to know we can swap him forward if need be.

 

[Poseidon]

Also lets not forget Walker moving forward was a "demand of his own" otherwise he wanted out of the club and not a strategic move by Ratten.

Walker was very lucky not to be moved on after basically holding Ratten to ransom.

I've seen people post this a bit, is there actually any roof that this happened or is it just an accepted hunch?

 

[I bleed Blue]

Fairly sure it was covered throughout the mainstream newspapers etc.

 

[Poseidon]

Fairly sure it was covered throughout the mainstream newspapers etc.

I only read the Onion..

 

[sacamano]

Cant complain about Walks, the bloke is mr versatile and is very handy all over the ground

 

[T2B_]

Would have to think Walks is our most overall versatile player? Then Gibbs runner up?

 

[Jeremias]

Would have to think Walks is our most overall versatile player? Then Gibbs runner up?

Walker would certainly be the most versatile player on our list. Can play at either end to great effect as well as having the ability to impact a contest from the midfield. Gibbs is ultra versatile also however we seem to shy away from displaying the full extent of his versatility as we don't play him forward of centre as much as I believe we should.

Yarran and Henderson both deserve to be mentioned in this discussion. Both have shown an ability to play well at either end of the ground.

 

[T2B_]

Gibbs is ultra versatile also however we seem to shy away from displaying the full extent of his versatility as we don't play him forward of centre as much as I believe we should.

This is an odd one.

He's strong, decently tall mid who can take a mark. And of course a great footy brain and skills.

 

[Jeremias]

This is an odd one.

He's strong, decently tall mid who can take a mark. And of course a great footy brain and skills.

Absolutely. I've long said that he could be one of if not the best half forward in the game.

Plonk him on the half forward line for a full season and I have no doubt he'd give us a return of 30 goals at a minimum.

 

[MickyB]

Absolutely. I've long said that he could be one of if not the best half forward in the game.

Plonk him on the half forward line for a full season and I have no doubt he'd give us a return of 30 goals at a minimum.

I reckon he'd be perfect in a Stevie J kind of role. Roam across half forward with licence to push up into the midfield if need be.

 

[Jeremias]

I reckon he'd be perfect in a Stevie J kind of role. Roam across half forward with licence to push up into the midfield if need be.

Doesn't have the tricks that Stevie J does (Walker would be our equivalent) but otherwise I absolutely agree. Would love to see him at half forward for an extended period of time but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be in the clubs plans.

 

[mikeythemoocow]

I think after the Saints game, nobody can deny that Its Henderson

 

[T2B_]

I think after the Saints game, nobody can deny that Its Henderson

Best small forward?

 

[fortynine]

I reckon he'd be perfect in a Stevie J kind of role. Roam across half forward with licence to push up into the midfield if need be.

Super early I know but I believe this is what Menzel will become for us.

 

[T2B_]

Super early I know but I believe this is what Menzel will become for us.

Imagine Gibbs and Menzel on opposing half forward flanks...

#randyinsouthpark.jpg
#someonegetmeatissue

 

[King of Ruin]

Someone get meat issue?

 

[Silvagnis]

Imagine Gibbs and Menzel on opposing half forward flanks...

#randyinsouthpark.jpg
#someonegetmeatissue

It will be duck and cover if Menzel and Graham struggle with knee injuries.

#Drafthindsightisanexactscience
#RounduptheUsualSuspects

 

[Juddernaut08]

And then there was one... Gonna be a great game for Jeffy to step up as the lone crumber today. Will definitely get a lot of attention with Betts and Yaz out though.

Also bloody excited to see Menzel work his magic in what I hope will be the start of a magnificent career for the Blues!

 

[HBF]

Garlett really stood up todayn Betts and Yarrans absence. Going to the game you had to wonder how he was going to fare being the No.1 small forward and all the focus going onto him. Great to see that he passed with flying colours.

 

[ODNBlue]

Murphy... clearly.





Nah, still Jeffy!

 

[Gambelic]

Jeffy not only our best small forward this season, would be mighty close to best small forward in the comp