Who's the Best Small Forward?

[Offsider]

I voted for Brad Johnson as I believe that he is probably the best goal kicking small forward on the list despite what the stats say. He can also take a mark although his defensive pressure is somewhat worse than others (davey etc). His list of achievements is what puts him above some of the younger players on the list, so over time players like Porplyzia and Rioli could jump over him.

Akermanis is perhaps the best player on the list, however as he spent much of his best years playing through the middle then he does not overtake Brad Johnson, although I would have him number 2.

 

[power09]

if Port got more teleivision coverage in the last two years Motlop would win this poll easily

 

[Chewy]

Didak, Chapman, Motlop, S Johnson, Porplyzia and Rioli are the six smalls I would choose in my dream squad.

Motlop is a bit loose and flaky, too often he tries to do the impossible and stuff things up royally. He'll try too hard, muff it, concede possession and allow his opponent to charge out of defence with the ball. But when it comes off, he looks like a genius. He kicks the goals other players can only dream of and he can also take a huge grab.

The other five guys I named are all solid as a rock. Every time they go near the ball, good things happen. Smart, one-touch players who always outwit their opponent and bring heaps of energy.

I agree somewhat with the OP's intention. Stephen Milne has been vastly underrated and unfairly maligned by the masses. He is a livewire for the Saints. Has been for the past 5 seasons. Always bobbing up and trying to make things happen, even when 17 of his teammates have dropped their heads. Lots of goals. A real poacher. He can sniff out scoring opportunities like few others.

But he suffers a bit from the Motlop syndrome. Too often, he tries to be too clever and only succeeds in outsmarting himself. This is not such bad trait for a handy forward pocket. Ya gotta back yourself in. But if we're talking about the best of the best, then give me the skill merchants who you know will win 90% of one-on-one contests.

Best? Hard to say. Didak maybe.... Or Chapman. Chappy is solid. Maybe not quite as brilliant as those other guys, but real solid, smart, he plays the percentages better than just about anyone. Strong over the ball low centre of gravity, hard to shift, hard to tackle, slippery customer...

Rioli will be the best small forward in a year or two, if he doesn't migrate to the midfield. He is razor sharp.

[edit: I also believe that the stats people have posted are largely irrelevant. Small forward play is all about creating chances for yourself and your teammates, not chalking up kicks & handballs on the stats sheet. You may not get the ball or kick the goals, but if you draw multiple defenders towards you then chances are, one of your teammates is on his own. Defensive pressure is another hugely important aspect - an area in which Cyril Rioli excels - why has nobody seen fit to include the tackle stats?]

 

[The_Flying_Egg]

Re: Who's the Best Small Forward? (repost)

That's a decent resume for Johnno. I don't think Cyril will ever be captain of the AA side, but he should make it a few times and has abilities that BJ couldn't replicate in a padded room with a trampoline.

I think BJ might have a few things going for him Cyril doesn't as well just quietly. Cyril can only dream of being able to take a grab like Johnno. His marking is unblievable for his size. One on one he is awesome. His strength is severly under-rated. He also has a great motor, he's a small forward who you sometimes see in the backline