Will Griffiths Play?

[MR]

We arrive at our first individual conundrum in this year's pre-season. Griffiths is playing decent football, but it is incredibly difficult to find a spot for him in our seniors. Griffiths is proving to be a very handy second ruck option and competitive up forward.

With an estimated guess, our locks in terms of forward/rucks in round 1 would be Riewoldt, Vickery, Maric and Hampson. In my opinion, these players are all ahead of Griffiths.

There are two ways Griffiths can crack the senior team.
1) Play a four tall forward line. It does have its risks, but has been done (with success) before. ie Essendon in 2011 with Ryder, Hille, Bellchambers, Crameri and Hurley. Riewoldt in his new role would allow Griffiths, Vickery and Maric/Hampson to play in the forward line at one time. It would basically mean that one of the four would have to be outside of the 50 at all times.
2) Hampson/Maric omitted for Griffiths. Could happen, but not in round 1.

Do you think Griffiths will play as a regular, if so, how will he get in?

 

[Groupie_]

Ivan is most likely gone now so yes

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

Don't think Maric will be right for round one in which case Griffiths appears most likely to fill his void. If he can make the most of that opportunity if it does indeed present itself then I can see us playing the four man forward line when Maric returns.

Have liked what he has shown so far this preseason though there's is still a lot more to come from him. His ruck work has been the biggest surprise to date.

 

[PhysicalGraffiti]

Seems like a big improvement from Griffo this year. He may get some games with Big Maric injured. If he keeps improving, I think he will become a regular next year. Has surprised me so far this NAB challenge which is great to see him step up.

 

[TJTIGER]

Good question MR ......Not a bad predicament either..

 

[bananatigz]

Becoming increasingly likely Ivan will not be ready for round 1, so at this stage you'd have to think yes

 

[nut]

Griffith > Hampson ... They'll both play now.

 

[captain blood 17]

If Ivan misses through injury, I think we've seen the opening ruck combo for round one. Biggie and Hammer.

 

[nobulltiger]

2014 is griffiths greatest opportunity

See hampson will be number 1 ruck thread

 

[captain blood 17]

And to answer OP, I actually thought Biggie could of cracked a senior gig if Tyrone doesnt perform.

 

[Strawbs]

Would be very concerned at the rebound if we played a 4 X 195cm + forward line. Like what Griffiths showed today but not sure where he fits in when Maric and Hampson fit.

 

[WATiger86]

Let him kick a bag at VFL level before being gifted a run in the ones. Pretty sure I read somewhere that he is yet to kick a bag of 2+ at VFL level?! Handy second rucking option, but for someone of his size he should be able to contribute more than a goal a game.

 

[El Tigre]

Let him kick a bag at VFL level before being gifted a run in the ones. Pretty sure I read somewhere that he is yet to kick a bag of 2+ at VFL level?! Handy second rucking option, but for someone of his size he should be able to contribute more than a goal a game.

Bit hard when youre being played in defence.

 

[Bojangles17]

Griff will share rucks with Hampson for at least half a season

 

[juss]

I think he is worth a crack, I see potential there. IMO Maric misses out in round 1.

 

[Mr Magic]

Biggest problem for me longer term is not so much Griffiths because who else have we got at half forward with size atm?

Bigger problem is how we play when both Maric and Hampson is playing. If either one is not 100% I would rest the one not right.

JR for me is a deeper forward, I would also try him at CHB when it doesn't count to much like a practice match or junk time.

Griffiths can play in defense to, I think he is good for team balance and flexibility ,with one of Maric or Hampson, at a predominant half forward/ruck/swingman role

Atm, I am thinking Lids/Cotch resting FF , TV and JR in the pockets, Griffiths half forward, Hampson or Maric ruck..


It is more important for team/structural development Griffiths gets at least a few games early in the season in this hybrid role an organically we should see how our team grows. It is important to guage our team balance to and we need to monitor options to prevent us being too top heavy from the mix of our selections. It gives us options to try TV and JR as well as others in differing positions to improve them as plays and aid us finding more effective roles and combinations for our players individually and as a team. It should aid us match=up wise against opposition tactics to and allow others room to develop in the reserves like McBean while their bodies develop more fully.

Maric and Hampson will not be right for every game of the season.

Obviously, Griffiths is not a lock and if he tapers off the reserves is appropriate. Atm IMO it is important to give him and the team room to develop our combinations

 

[Cotcho]

Was super impressive first half against collingwood and although he appears to get knocked out of marking contests reasonably easily he holds his own really well in the ruck, which is a surprise. His ruck work is much better than vickerys so with no Maric rnd 1 he has to play. Unless Hammer can lock it down with Vickery helping out.
My worry with Vickery, Hammer and Griff rnd 1 is in that ridiculous slippery humidity we could go in a bit top heavy. Only jack and mids will be snagging goals so maybe he comes in against the blues?

 

[theflea]

Good question MR. Imo we have TV and JR as the main stays. Then it simply comes down to No1 rucks in Maric and Hampson and Griff becomes the 3rd wheel. The thing is if Griff does perform in the magoos, it then comes down to how well TV plays. Depth finally depth!!

 

[Wallaby]

Biggest problem for me longer term is not so much Griffiths because who else have we got at half forward with size atm?

Bigger problem is how we play when both Maric and Hampson is playing. If either one is not 100% I would rest the one not right.

JR for me is a deeper forward, I would also try him at CHB when it doesn't count to much like a practice match or junk time.

Griffiths can play in defense to, I think he is good for team balance and flexibility ,with one of Maric or Hampson, at a predominant half forward/ruck/swingman role

Atm, I am thinking Lids/Cotch resting FF , TV and JR in the pockets, Griffiths half forward, Hampson or Maric ruck..

I don't worry about forward positions anymore. It's become like the midfield - we no longer have rovers, wingers, ruck-rovers - we just have a rotating swarm. Forward line is the same.

Sometimes it will be best to leave Jack one-out - somedays Cotchin will be the deepest forward. This will not only change per game or quarter, but sometimes every 5 minutes depending on the game situation. The key thing is that when we are bringing the ball in, we need OPTIONS - some leading, some running, some for the long bomb. Always trying to find a mis-match. The forwards have to be constantly moving, trying to create that favourable match-up.

So we need a balance, and players need to do more than just their one job - ie no pure 'mark-and-kick' forwards anymore, no pure crumbers anymore. Crumbers have to lead. Full-forwards have to block. Resting ruckmen make decoy leads. EVERYONE has to kick straight. If you can't play all the forward positions, work within a team structure, and just as crucially, provide defensive pressure, you won't get a gig.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Yes he and Vickery will be the KPF's with Jack finally playing as the 3rd tall , where I think he will be his most dangerous.
Piss Wreck Edwards is unlikely. .

 

[Madtiger2006]

Certainly should play. Handy 3rd tall forward, handy 2nd ruck. Maric can get himself right for Round 3 or 4. By then Griffiths or Hampson might have a rest or need a run at coburg

 

[juss]

His ruck work is actually much better than I thought it would be. I was impressed with it.

 

[fightingfury_88]

I think Griffiths was originally pegged as a backup to key forward/ruck this season who would be next in line if one of Maric, Hampson or Vickery went down with injury or poor form. With Griffiths' good form and Maric's injury I think you can now pencil Big Ben in for a Round 1 start. I've actually been pleasantly surprised by his ruckwork.

 

[thefendoff]

loving what i've seen from griffo so far, looks more prepared to throw his weight around. Good to see him actually duke a few pack marks as well. Should be a lock for round one with maric out now.

 

[tigerfan11]

For mine Hampson plays as a ruckman. He will be more than handy there and isn't much chop as a fwd. We have better forward options. ie Griff who can pinch hit in the ruck. We will struggle if we play both Maric and Hampson because Hapmson is then playing a big % of the game in the fwd line and he isn't good enough in that role. not worth keeping Griff out of the team to do that.