Strategy Aaron Naughton - Key Defender or Key Forward?

[Next Waiting]

 

[Some Idiot]

200 goals at 24 years old, if we don't send him back soon, he might threaten Simon Beasley's record

 

[Werewolf]

Thread needs a poll. Forward obviously. Unless 2 key defenders get injured.

 

[mattwa]

Forward - close the thread. His kicking is much better this year too

 

[lachy]

The real issue was exposed last night and poses a question I do not know the answer too. Can Naughts and JUH both play well in the same forward line?

Theory suggests yes, a fair chunk of evidence I would say not so sure.

One massive issue with Naughts has been his missing goals especially momentum killers or stoppers. It is clear he is working really hard on this with a much more fluid approach. Deserves significant credit

On SM-S926B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[TiAn_]

The real issue was exposed last night and poses a question I do not know the answer too. Can Naughts and JUH both play well in the same forward line?

Theory suggests yes, a fair chunk of evidence I would say not so sure.

One massive issue with Naughts has been his missing goals especially momentum killers or stoppers. It is clear he is working really hard on this with a much more fluid approach. Deserves significant credit

On SM-S926B using BigFooty.com mobile app

Thought it was interesting that instead of Lobb coming in as a direct replacement for Marra, we seemed to play Naughts deeper in the Marra spot and Lobb further up where Naughts has been playing. Worked really well for both of them. Although the Saints were badly undersized and overmatched, so it was a good week to be a key forward for us.

I’m sure we’ll continue to tinker to find the best mix when Marra gets back in.

 

[Mofra]

(Borrowed from Woof)

After nine rounds:

#8 for goals
#6 for score involvements
#1 forward for score involvements
#3 for goal assists
#1 key forward for goal assists
#3 key forward for disposals
#3 key forward for marks on a lead

...And #1 key forward for average player rating.

Maybe not getting the kudos he previously did but arguably having his best year

 

[out of finals]

(Borrowed from Woof)

After nine rounds:

#8 for goals
#6 for score involvements
#1 forward for score involvements
#3 for goal assists
#1 key forward for goal assists
#3 key forward for disposals
#3 key forward for marks on a lead

...And #1 key forward for average player rating.

Maybe not getting the kudos he previously did but arguably having his best year

Also 71.4% goal accuracy. Been very impressed with his kicking this year, stoked for him.

 

[Mofra]

Also 71.4% goal accuracy. Been very impressed with his kicking this year, stoked for him.

Fair point. The way he drops the ball looks damn ugly but he's improved immensely

 

[House_of_Dahl]

(Borrowed from Woof)

After nine rounds:

#8 for goals
#6 for score involvements
#1 forward for score involvements
#3 for goal assists
#1 key forward for goal assists
#3 key forward for disposals
#3 key forward for marks on a lead

...And #1 key forward for average player rating.

Maybe not getting the kudos he previously did but arguably having his best year

Playing up the ground more so these make sense. Having a great year

 

[dogwatch]

#3 key forward for marks on a lead

...

Maybe not getting the kudos he previously did but arguably having his best year

Also 71.4% goal accuracy. Been very impressed with his kicking this year, stoked for him.

Nobody would have believed these stats a year ago. Good specialist coaching and/or application to those areas of his game that needed improving.

Conventional wisdom was he was one of the least accurate kicks for goal (especially set shots) and was definitely not a lead-up type KPF.

This tells us that sometimes we need to have patience and maybe put a bit of specialised training into players.

Jamarra is nearly two and a half years younger than Naughton, had a slower career start due to Covid and has had a disrupted year in 2024. Despite that he is tracking not far off where Naughton was at the same age. So there's plenty of time for him to fix his shortcomings and justify his high draft ranking.

 

[TiAn_]

He’s kicked 14.2 in the last month and 20.7 on the season. Injuries permitting, he’s on track for another 50 goal season, this time playing as a more traditional CHF. With the score involvement and GA numbers, I think this is clearly his best role.

Another aspect is with the move up the ground, he’s finally able to get some easy ball: the uptick from 11 to 14 disposals per game is entirely uncontested possessions. It’s the first time in his career he’s averaging more uncontested possessions than contested possessions. He’s done huge work for us at a young age grinding out games as the focal point and glue for our forward line. Hopefully everything comes a bit easier for him from now on.

 

[conrad_437]

Forward. Should never play back again unless we are desperate/in game injuries to both key defenders.

I was on the fence occasionally(only really after we had a bad loss or he had a bad stretch), but my mind is now made up.

Aside from any of that, Aaron hasn't played defense for more than 5 years now. It wouldn't look great if he was put down there now.

 

[Riley2Rhylee]

“BuT hEs NoT a NaTuRaL fWd!!!”

One of the biggest loads of tripe on here !

Yeah that’s what you need to kick a lot of goals and be a successful forward in the rigid structures of Modern footy and professional defences, some magic natural forward talent gifted by the footy gods, definitely not years and years of hard work, coaching/gameplan & athleticism/developed skills

Such a weird concept you’ll only find on big footy that things like positioning, bodywork & leading patterns aren’t a trained skill like ah I dunno every other position on the field, and only the most gifted of “natural forwards” either have it or they don’t

 

[stefoid]

He’s kicked 14.2 in the last month and 20.7 on the season. Injuries permitting, he’s on track for another 50 goal season, this time playing as a more traditional CHF. With the score involvement and GA numbers, I think this is clearly his best role.

Another aspect is with the move up the ground, he’s finally able to get some easy ball: the uptick from 11 to 14 disposals per game is entirely uncontested possessions. It’s the first time in his career he’s averaging more uncontested possessions than contested possessions. He’s done huge work for us at a young age grinding out games as the focal point and glue for our forward line. Hopefully everything comes a bit easier for him from now on.

And Darce is the perfect long target. He has very good judgement and forward craft, and doesnt have to jump over a pack to get his hands on the ball, although he can. He must have a 25-30cm reach advantage over someone like May. Whats a short arse defender supposed to do? put body on him and he sticks up the go-go-gadgets and takes it anyway. Stand off him so you can jump, and he will jump too - same outcome.

 

[weltschmerz]

And Darce is the perfect long target. He has very good judgement and forward craft, and doesnt have to jump over a pack to get his hands on the ball, although he can. He must have a 25-30cm reach advantage over someone like May. Whats a short arse defender supposed to do? put body on him and he sticks up the go-go-gadgets and takes it anyway. Stand off him so you can jump, and he will jump too - same outcome.

About the only defenders I think might be close to him in height would be Sam de Koning and Darcy Moore, and even they’re giving away a few cm.

 

[lachy]

He’s kicked 14.2 in the last month and 20.7 on the season. Injuries permitting, he’s on track for another 50 goal season, this time playing as a more traditional CHF. With the score involvement and GA numbers, I think this is clearly his best role.

Another aspect is with the move up the ground, he’s finally able to get some easy ball: the uptick from 11 to 14 disposals per game is entirely uncontested possessions. It’s the first time in his career he’s averaging more uncontested possessions than contested possessions. He’s done huge work for us at a young age grinding out games as the focal point and glue for our forward line. Hopefully everything comes a bit easier for him from now on.

I think the point about playing him higher has certainly allowed him to improve year on year for the first time in a while.

Having space for him the hit up in and him actually hitting up has seen his biggest improvement.

As a deep forward 40 to 50 goals is good not great. As a CHF 40 to 50 goals, more possessions particularly a link player from defense is immense.

His work rate an effort is starting to pay off in the higher up role and he is getting closer to reaching his potential

 

[TiAn_]

Also his 211 goals to date have him currently sitting as our 22nd all-time leading goal kicker. Later this season he should go past Bont, Hudson, Ware, Hawkins, Edmonds and Sandilands and move into 16th.

*Edited per below

 

[Werewolf]

Also his 211 goals to date have him currently sitting as our 15th all-time leading goal kicker. Later this season he should go past Bont, Hudson, Hawkins, Edmonds and Sandilands and crack the top 10.

He's 22nd: https://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/bullldogs.html

He should also go past Ware this year, possibly Quinlan if he's really good!

 

[TiAn_]

He's 22nd: https://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/bullldogs.html

He should also go past Ware this year, possibly Quinlan if he's really good!

Quite right. I was originally using that page then went to the 1965-2024 records to check the career contested marks totals and forgot to switch back. Highly disrespectful to our pre-1965 legends! Cheers!