Forward line

[Carn dees 108]

Wich forwards do you rate?

Wich forward do u think will or have potential to play a key role in future.

And whose just there till some one decent grabs there spot?

Be interresting through out the year to see who surprises in the forward line.

[Freak 100]

Do rate: Dunn, Watts (soley because he was a no.1 pick), Davey, Sylvia, Bate,

Wonaeamirri.

Watts and maybe Newton would be the only ones capable of holding down a key role in the future.

Miller is just there to kill time until Watts is ready or until the coaching staff get a brain

[deanox 8,940]

addressing this question for key position forwards is different than considering the whole forward line.

imo robertson is on his last legs if he makes it back from injury. he is getting on, and he is never going to be a genuine CHF or FF. Watts may take one of those roles in the future if he comes on as expected.

meanwhile:

bate - not a key forward. good player who will kick goals and be damaging around the forward line but is a 3rd tall, and is not the most damaging player below his knees, especially in slippery conditions.

newton - i dont rate him to become the next afl anything. however. i dont thing he does a bad job, just doesn't dominate. tries what i think is his best, but doesn't necessarily position himself for the right lead or mark. his problem or coaching problem? i am still not convinced either way.

is newton going to be the answer? no.

could newton become a solid forward target for 10 years? i believe so with persistence, coaching and guidance (provided that he is following some path set by the caching staff).

miller - marks to far from goal to be effective, but that seems to be coaching instructions.

- thought he couldn't kick. still think he cant kick., but he proved me wrong for one game last year where he dobbed a few from outside 50. if he can learn to kick 50 meters, plus learn how to kick goals from there (even if its run around ala franklin), miller could be damaging. otherwise his marking play up the ground is just ok.

do we have any other real options for tall forward?

[Maric Legend 0]

Im expecting Maric, when he's fit, to play some consistent football in the forward over the next couple of years and kick some goals, same with Wonaeamirri. Davey needs to lift this year, as does Bate probably.

Obviously Watts and, hopefully Jurrah will be the cornerstone of the forward line in the future.

[QueenC 74]

Miller is just there to kill time until Watts is ready or until the coaching staff get a brain

Urrgh you are just a broken record

[sylvinator 96]

current forward line= dump on a stick

future forward line= very promising

Small forwards---- Davey, Wonaemirri, Maric, Jetta

medium forwards---- Bate, Sylvia, Jurrah

Tall forwards----- Watts, Miller

flankers who can float forward---- Green, Pettard, (Dunn?)

Obviously if Watts becomes a star that could make our forward line. One superstar can make a forward line, just look at Pavlich. Plus we won't be a one-man forward line like freo.

Bit of patience is neeeded. We're not gonna score big scores this year, but at least these players are on our list

[Carn dees 108]

personaly i think we still need to recruit or develope more forwards with wat weve got now probly wont be a dangerouse situation for oppisition.

possibly one more key forward should do the trick i think we have the small forwards.

[Guest melbman]

Newton > Definately has the potential, no doubt about it but there is a switch that hasn't been flicked yet. He will lead and stop then wait for next time. One day there will be no more next time. He needs to learn how to lead from Robbo. Dummy lead one way, turn back, sprint off in the other direction, pretend not going to lead then off screaming for the ball. He needs to play like everything depends on the outcome of his actions, desparation, so focused he would crash packs simply because he didn't see them. A bad case of leather fever when he sees the ball coming driving his adrenaline to do what it takes is what is missing. Can be developed? If something changes his outlook and makes him want the ball that much we'd be in business

Miller > Good lead, strong body in the forward line, not ultimately a main target but a good assistant to take the heat off the number 1 allowing him to do more

Wona > Excellent. Fast, defensive pressure to the extreme, finds himself in the best positions to get the ball

Jetta > Fierce. I like him. Will be an excitement machine. Hugely competitive

Watts > Not ever seen him in a game. Have seen him train a couple of times. Excellent forward leading skills. If Newton could watch Watts and emulate his lead, fake, lead, dummy then Newton would be a star but back to Watts. Very very quick, puts in at training to the point of being knackered half way through. Leaves nothing in the tank. Ticks all the boxes I can think of for a possible top line player

Robbo > Great lead, excellent mark but in close contact tends to chest mark and get spoiled instead of hands receiving out in front where it wont get spoiled, needed to play more basket ball as a youth :-) Great kick and has always been really respectful to the fans. Seems to be the first to thank/clap to people who turn up to the games

Davey > We all know his pace and defensive skills. I like him around the 50 arc. Will provide defensive pressure yet still be a chance of scoring

Our scores need to come more from running the ball in than it currently does, players leading like the traditional full forwards are not going to give us enough of a score to win games. Players running the ball in and scoring on the run needs to be multiplied somehow

[Jarka 767]

The only have two potential key forwards on our list: Watts and Morton. I'm more confiednt about Watts because Morton might just become a winger. (Heard an interview with him the other day and he is now 193cm, that would make a bloody good winger who can run all day!)

Miller and Bate will kick the occasional bag of 4 or 5 but they'll never be consistent goal kickers.

Robo was a very good mid forward, hopefully Jurrah will be at least as good.

We have a heap of small forward types: Davey, Wona, Maric, Jetta. It would be nice if one reached the top level and Davey doesn't really play in that position any more.

I'd like to see a midfield capable of kicking multiple goals, ie McLean, Blease, Sylvia. It would take alot of pressure of the forwards.

I just don't rate Dunn or Newton as serious prospects, would love for either of them to prove me wrong though

[Dannyz 2,351]

This season I'd start off with

HF: Green, Miller, Davey.

F: Sylvia, Bate, Wonnaemirri.

I like Bate deep cause he can actually take a grab.

[wisedog 332]

I remember before the start of 2008, our back line looked in a similar state of disarray. Carrol was holding down the key post, Rivers was injured, and we were having to play Miller back to plug a hole...

I thought if only one of Garland, Frawley or Warnock could take that next step... But I half expected to see a couple on the scrap heap.

The transformation has been far above what we could have hoped for, and the shining light of a horror season. It's fast shaping up to be one of the most formidable back lines in the AFL.

So at the start of another season, I'm thinking if only one of Bate, Newton, Dunn, Sylvia, Miller or even Jurrah can take that next step as well.

I wonder, with an injury free Rivers on the park, does that give us the flexibility to try one of back line talls in the forward line? Because I just can't see how Martin, Frawley, Warnock, Garland and Rivers can fit into the same side in their current roles. (If we're lucky enough to have that dilemma).

[stevenDEMON 0]

Dunn looks to have put some chub on. He still plays fine just doesn't look toned. He may become an old fashioned big, heavy boned forward.

[hillie 41]

future foward line to b reckoned with.

HF: Bate Watts Maric/Davey

FF: Wonamirri Butcher Jurrah

and with Green and Bruce floating around, possibly Sylvia Robertson and Miller if they're still at the club in a couple of years thats potent. of course need to land butcher for this to happen

[RalphiusMaximus 6,000]

Which forwards do you rate?

Which forward do u think will or have potential to play a key role in future.

And who's just there till some one decent grabs there spot?

Be interesting through out the year to see who surprises in the forward line.

Which forwards do you rate?

Robbo. He has been our best forward for a number of years (along with Neitz) and regularly kicked around the 50 goal mark. We saw last year just how bad our forward line looked without him in it. Sadly, he's getting towards the end of a great career, assuming he recovers from the achilles and plays again at his former standard.

Wonamirri. It's pretty well been covered by others. He should be a great player for us for years.

Jetta. I've seen him play twice, and I love what he shows. I don't think he's quite caught up to the pace of the game yet, but he will.

Which forward do u think will or have potential to play a key role in future?

Wona and Jetta, as stated above.

Watts and Jurrah. I'm hoping that these two come on together for the next couple of years and bring some real teamwork and chemistry to the forward line. Yet to see either of them play, so it's all speculative, but given what I've read about them I have high hopes.

Dunn. I know a lot of you don't rate him at all, and freely acknowledge that most of you have more knowledge of the game that I, but I still remember his first few games when he was playing around half forward and being talked about as the new Neitz. He took some great grabs, and showed a very nice knack of working his opponent under the flight without giving away a free. Kicked a few good goals from the 45-50m range. I never liked the notion of him playing as a tagger and think the time would have been better spent working on his skills as a key forward.

And who's just there till some one decent grabs there spot?

Miller. He's a great worker, tries all day long and can take a good contested mark on the lead, but he's never been the dominant forward we need, and probably never will be. Add in his occasional temper tantrum (as on Saturday) and he becomes a liability. I think that his future in the game is to be traded to GC for one of the obscene number of high draft picks they've been gifted. He would be an ideal mentor/protector for the young forward line they will be building, much like Roger Merrett was at Brisbane. It would be an opportunity for him to put his work ethic and leadership to use where they will be very much needed. Perhaps even captain an AFL side. Who knows?

Undecided

Sylvia. I really just don't know what to make of him. Certainly he is not a player who should have been taken at 3 in the draft. He is never going to be the star we hoped for. The question is, what will he be? At this stage he's not really a forward or a mid. To my mind, his greatest redeeming feature is that he stands up when everyone around him is falling down. Last year it was when we were being hammered that he finally seemed to spark and try to win the game off his own boot. If he could give us that sort of effort every week he might finally be the player we all hoped for.

Bate. Seems to be a good option as a third tall. He has good hands and can kick a goal. As so many have said, the big problem is when the ball is on the ground. Needs to put a lot of work in to be a more rounded player. A right boot wouldn't hurt either.

I have not mentioned Maric in this listing because I know absolutely nothing about him. The reviews seem to be postive, so lets hope he's something special.

Also, I know absolutely nothing about Butcher. Many of you rate him as a great future forward. Can you put up links to footage or profile information?

[discworld demon 0]

Now I know Garland works sooooo well down back. But...he apparently was a forward in Tasmania. With Rivers, Warnock, Martin, Grimes, Buckley, Whelan and Cheney available, is Garland worth a go up forward?

[Yze_Magic 3]

My best 22 has Garland up forward.

This is assuming a healthy defensive trio of Rivers, Warnock and Martin.

[waynewussell 4,220]

I think Garland is too finely built at the moment to take the unrelenting physical pressure (you need a body like Neitz, Roughhead, Richo to be a king pin... could add Brown etc). garland might be an answer when his upper body develops (like Bradshaw) I would leave him where he is at the moment. Top forwards are clever bastards and physical strength and intimidation are importatnt. I know Fevola isn't smart in the academic sense, but he is a smart footballer... Like a Lockett... Dunstall... Lloyd... Buddy? That's what I'm talkin' about!

[Jarka 767]

Also, I know absolutely nothing about Butcher. Many of you rate him as a great future forward. Can you put up links to footage or profile information?

The kid can mark

[Dee tention 611]

Could we try Rivers at Full-Forward?

[Demon Tragic 0]

No mention of Zomer in here. The kid is only 19 years old, as tall as Watts and 97kgs. If he has a breakthrough simliar to Spencer, we could have the makings of another Neitz, Schwartz combination up forward. Throw in Davey, Jetta, Wona, Bate, Jurrah and PJ pinch hitting up front and it could develop very nicely

[Hazyshadeofgrinter 80]

addressing this question for key position forwards is different than considering the whole forward line.

imo robertson is on his last legs if he makes it back from injury. he is getting on, and he is never going to be a genuine CHF or FF. Watts may take one of those roles in the future if he comes on as expected.

meanwhile:

bate - not a key forward. good player who will kick goals and be damaging around the forward line but is a 3rd tall, and is not the most damaging player below his knees, especially in slippery conditions.

newton - i dont rate him to become the next afl anything. however. i dont thing he does a bad job, just doesn't dominate. tries what i think is his best, but doesn't necessarily position himself for the right lead or mark. his problem or coaching problem? i am still not convinced either way.

is newton going to be the answer? no.

could newton become a solid forward target for 10 years? i believe so with persistence, coaching and guidance (provided that he is following some path set by the caching staff).

miller - marks to far from goal to be effective, but that seems to be coaching instructions.

- thought he couldn't kick. still think he cant kick., but he proved me wrong for one game last year where he dobbed a few from outside 50. if he can learn to kick 50 meters, plus learn how to kick goals from there (even if its run around ala franklin), miller could be damaging. otherwise his marking play up the ground is just ok.

do we have any other real options for tall forward?

Newton is even worse below his knees than Bate, and far less committed. I don't think I'll ever understand what people see in him and I hope he isn't given any more chances to show me.

[H_T 2,941]

I remember before the start of 2008, our back line looked in a similar state of disarray. Carrol was holding down the key post, Rivers was injured, and we were having to play Miller back to plug a hole...

I thought if only one of Garland, Frawley or Warnock could take that next step... But I half expected to see a couple on the scrap heap.

The transformation has been far above what we could have hoped for, and the shining light of a horror season. It's fast shaping up to be one of the most formidable back lines in the AFL.

So at the start of another season, I'm thinking if only one of Bate, Newton, Dunn, Sylvia, Miller or even Jurrah can take that next step as well.

I wonder, with an injury free Rivers on the park, does that give us the flexibility to try one of back line talls in the forward line? Because I just can't see how Martin, Frawley, Warnock, Garland and Rivers can fit into the same side in their current roles. (If we're lucky enough to have that dilemma).

An injury free Rivers, could see Garland spend some time up forward. That is if Warnock, Martin, Frawley and Rivers are cohesive with Whelan, Bell or Buckley etc and doing well.

Like you say, if we're lucky enough to have that dilemma.

I think we'll see a season of many variables up forward, many "suck it and see" alternatives and rotations before the coaches get the formation(s).

[montasaurus 0]

I thought pettard was excellent on sat as a forward until he went off. Very close to BOG at that time. he could well fill in the hole until a couple of the others are ready.

[bjgc 0]

I don't rate our forward line at all.

Until we get Robbo and Watts back I can't see us kicking anymore than 12 goals a game.

Sylvia isn't a forward's bootlace. He should be in the midfield but you have to work hard to do that so I don't see Sylvia becoming a midfielder ever.

Newton makes Sylvia look consistant.

Miller is a battler.

Davey doesn't do enough.

I have hope for Aussie and Bate but Bate has to show more consistancy.

[demon85 17]

Does anyone have any info on where Robbo is at in his recovery?

I have heard a few bits and pieces about him but when is he expected back, where is he at atm.

Thanks