At last ... The Backline Begins to Work.

[Dee Dee 1,105]

As a brief exercise I decided to compare our first round games against Hawthorn, Bulldogs, Brisbane, Fremantle, and North with our second round games against the same teams and see how our backline was progressing.

Without giving figures for each game - the first round saw us concede 692 points while scoring 399 points. Our average 57.66%

For the second round we conceded 496 points and scored 373 points. Our average 75.20%

(Our only really "dud" second round game was against Fremantle where we lost by 46 points).

So, that's a turnaround of 196 points or more than 32 points a game for our defence.

But on the other hand we have kicked a total of 26 points less in the second round matches.

From those figures it seems clear that we have progressed well in defence but are still lacking somewhat in attack.

ps: arithmetic was done in a bit of a hurry, but I think my figures are correct.

[Pello 1]

The guys in the backline such as Warnock, Garland, Martin and even Bartram are developing really well. If Wheels can stay on the park he adds the experience we need and if the boy Rivers can get over his injury woes I think our backline will be a good unit for years to come.

I do have serious doubts over Bells future though. 12 months ago I thought he was going to develop into one of the best backmen in the league and now I'd happily trade him if we got a good deal on the table.

We have many areas to fix at the MFC but fingers crossed we may not need to tinker with the backline structure for a while!

[Eastie Boyz 0]

Midfield pressure has a lot to do with the Points Against column.

If a defense is having the ball pumped in without any pressure they're always going to leak big scores

[Bay Riffin 1,472]

This could be a bigger development than people may think.

Defences win premierships (we had the best forward line in the league late 90s but no trophy to show for it). It's fantastic to have 3 genuine tall backs playing and Rivers and Frawley in the background.

Still reckon Frawley may end up a very good key back for us. Warnock looks reliable and Martin I will need to look at more, but he could be the big bloke to handle any gorillas in the game. very good one on one.

Also, watching Whelan on the weekend, you forget how good he can be. Should have been in the best and lots of great shephards etc went unnoticed by the commentators.

Would like to think Pettard is due for a run soon and could slot in at half back, perhaps at the expense of Bell.

[H_T 3,043]

Anything would be a positive compared to the first few rounds

[Demons 32 235]

From those figures it seems clear that we have progressed well in defence but are still lacking somewhat in attack.

We are doing pretty well defensively.

But the attack issues have not really been a problem with form or talent.

It's an issue of injuries and club building. Injuries to Neitz and Robbo were always going to be damning on our stats.

Plus the clubs strong youth policy will hurt our scoring options. We could always play Yze and Holland every week and we would probably get a few goals out of each of them. But whats the point, I love Holland but he is to old to be in the plans and Yzes frequent selfish play is not a trait we want the younger players learning.

No doubt Yze could come in and kick a few bags, thus bolsting our averages, but the forward line is working, because it is building a team based defensive pressure focus for the future, even though the stats don't look great, we as supporters can see every week that while the forward line is not ideal, it's for the greater good.

[deanox 9,898]

i am beginning to believe that the problem isnt a lack of a key forward, that the problem is poor delivery to the forwards. lots of players can mark and kick goals. but we rarely kick it to the advantage of said players when delivering from the midfield. how many times this year have you seen the ball kicked out in front of a leading forward? how many times have you seen it kicked to the advantageous side of a one on one marking contest? not many i dont think. watch brisbane play. they might not be the best side, but brown and bradshaw get great service.

[Pello 1]

i am beginning to believe that the problem isnt a lack of a key forward, that the problem is poor delivery to the forwards. lots of players can mark and kick goals. but we rarely kick it to the advantage of said players when delivering from the midfield. how many times this year have you seen the ball kicked out in front of a leading forward? how many times have you seen it kicked to the advantageous side of a one on one marking contest? not many i dont think. watch brisbane play. they might not be the best side, but brown and bradshaw get great service.

Agree that our delivery to the forwards is deplorable - but what do you expect when our most skilful player was traded to, who was that team again? Nevertheless, I'II get over it (eventually) but Sylvia or Bate would have been better trade bait (no pun intended). Sylvia has been a perennial underperformer and Bate is a 192cm outside player/front runner who is no value to a team that requires big marking forwards that can impose themselves on a game. At his best Bate will never do that. We got Grimes for Trav - Brisbane have won round 1 of the trade stakes. Lets hope it ends there.

Sorry for getting off the subject of this thread.

[45HG 1,539]

Pello, Brisbane were always going to win round 1, probably 2 and maybe 3 as well, that's why they did the trade.

We're hoping we win round 4, 5, 6, 7 and onwards as we build for a premiership

[Dee Dee 1,105]

We are doing pretty well defensively.

But the attack issues have not really been a problem with form or talent.

It's an issue of injuries and club building. Injuries to Neitz and Robbo were always going to be damning on our stats.

Plus the clubs strong youth policy will hurt our scoring options. We could always play Yze and Holland every week and we would probably get a few goals out of each of them. But whats the point, I love Holland but he is to old to be in the plans and Yzes frequent selfish play is not a trait we want the younger players learning.

No doubt Yze could come in and kick a few bags, thus bolsting our averages, but the forward line is working, because it is building a team based defensive pressure focus for the future, even though the stats don't look great, we as supporters can see every week that while the forward line is not ideal, it's for the greater good.

Good points. And probably the reason both Yze and Holland will go at seasons end.

But what about Robertson? At 29 does he have a future in our forward line?

[deanox 9,898]

Agree that our delivery to the forwards is deplorable - but what do you expect when our most skilful player was traded to, who was that team again? Nevertheless, I'II get over it (eventually) but Sylvia or Bate would have been better trade bait (no pun intended). Sylvia has been a perennial underperformer and Bate is a 192cm outside player/front runner who is no value to a team that requires big marking forwards that can impose themselves on a game. At his best Bate will never do that. We got Grimes for Trav - Brisbane have won round 1 of the trade stakes. Lets hope it ends there.

Sorry for getting off the subject of this thread.

the issue there is that tarv would have never helped us get to a flag, the young kid we got with the pick might. sylvia and bate, if they continue to improve could be part of that tilt.

and tbh whenever i have watched brisbane play this season i have been particularly underwhelmed with TJ.

even when we had TJ in the side, we didnt do it consistantly enough. watch black, he is far better at it than TJ. we need mclean and moloney back from injury and need to add another top midifelder on top of that. suddenly either jones or moloney are fighting for a spot, but also suddenly these players are not under the pressure from the tags.

[Demons 32 235]

Good points. And probably the reason both Yze and Holland will go at seasons end.

But what about Robertson? At 29 does he have a future in our forward line?

Well he really doesn't fit in with the youth policy and he has been extremely questionable with his selfishness.

Im not going to lie I have had a major love/hate relationship with Robbo, always saw him as a junk time specialist and he didn't know how to take a mark with his hands out instead of chest. But all that anger towards him never completely blinded my judgement. He is a very very good player and we have been lucky to have him.

I do believe he will work in our forward line, and think he can help us alot, ideally he would not be the focus, he has spent his entire career playing taller than he should have because we had no other options. I believe he can play an important role for us next season. Playing as our key target as we bring in and try out new players.

If we draft Watts it will help Jack get accustomed to being an AFL forward, as the best defender will go to Robbo, if we didn't have him the best would go to our first year FF, which is dangerous.

If we draft Naitanui it will help in a few aspects, I believe Naita will spend the majority of his first years as a CHF/FP who pinch hits in the ruck. It will do a great deal for his confidence as both a ruckman (so he trusts what he is doing for the team to eventually score is worth it) and as a forward because like Watts the pressure would be to great for such a young player.

Robbo is worth keeping on for the next 2 years after this one. But if his form doesn't do what we need next season due to poor (see Yze) form or if the injury has effected his game to much then I would most likely change my stance as he would be doing more harm than good.

[H_T 3,043]

Agree that our delivery to the forwards is deplorable - but what do you expect when our most skilful player was traded to, who was that team again? Nevertheless, I'II get over it (eventually) but Sylvia or Bate would have been better trade bait (no pun intended). Sylvia has been a perennial underperformer and Bate is a 192cm outside player/front runner who is no value to a team that requires big marking forwards that can impose themselves on a game. At his best Bate will never do that. We got Grimes for Trav - Brisbane have won round 1 of the trade stakes. Lets hope it ends there.

Sorry for getting off the subject of this thread.

IMO Bate is value to the team, Bailey is looking for his niche in the team, I think it will come next season.

[QueenC 74]

Well he really doesn't fit in with the youth policy and he has been extremely questionable with his selfishness.

Im not going to lie I have had a major love/hate relationship with Robbo, always saw him as a junk time specialist and he didn't know how to take a mark with his hands out instead of chest. But all that anger towards him never completely blinded my judgement. He is a very very good player and we have been lucky to have him.

I do believe he will work in our forward line, and think he can help us alot, ideally he would not be the focus, he has spent his entire career playing taller than he should have because we had no other options. I believe he can play an important role for us next season. Playing as our key target as we bring in and try out new players...........

..........Robbo is worth keeping on for the next 2 years after this one. But if his form doesn't do what we need next season due to poor (see Yze) form or if the injury has effected his game to much then I would most likely change my stance as he would be doing more harm than good.

Good summation D32 and very similar to my thoughts on Robbo........

But I was of the opinion that Robbo signed a two year deal at the end of 2007 and therefore next year is the last of his current contract.

I'm probably wrong but can anyone clear this one up for me? Thanks in advance !!!

[Tolstoys Nudge 1,617]

good post!

interesting stats mate, things raelly are looking up!

[Rogue 585]

But I was of the opinion that Robbo signed a two year deal at the end of 2007 and therefore next year is the last of his current contract.

I'm probably wrong but can anyone clear this one up for me? Thanks in advance !!!

I think you're right

Robbo is worth keeping on for the next 2 years after this one. But if his form doesn't do what we need next season due to poor (see Yze) form or if the injury has effected his game to much then I would most likely change my stance as he would be doing more harm than good.

So basically, we see what happens next year and make a decision then

i am beginning to believe that the problem isnt a lack of a key forward, that the problem is poor delivery to the forwards. lots of players can mark and kick goals. but we rarely kick it to the advantage of said players when delivering from the midfield. how many times this year have you seen the ball kicked out in front of a leading forward? how many times have you seen it kicked to the advantageous side of a one on one marking contest?

I agree. Continuing on the Robbo line, he often got canned when the delivery to him was atrocious.

He would have kicked many more bags in '07 if the delivery was decent - often he'd be in front and on the lead, only to have the ball kicked above his head rather than out in front.

The same goes for this year, too, and it applies to all our forwards.