Well, that's obviously why they get paid for that, and I'm just a fat bastard in the stands!

Dunn has shown way too little. Wouldn't build any team hopes on him regardless of position.

Bate, last chance. Just hanging around waiting for it to happen. Seems to be treading water after a few generous years.

What on earth do you base that on? Bate has played one Practise game so far this year,and is rated highly amongst scribes as one of our best forward prospects.

As for Dunn showing too little, he has shown alot more than Martin with less chances.

A number of posters have Martin in the forward line, even at FF. Can't see any naming Green at FF.

As I argued in other threads, Green is the best bet for FF. You want a FF who knows how to play football and can kick straight and long. Miller might have a physical presence which will be needed on the HF line, but Green can 'play tall' as they say and has strong hands. Resting rucks can play alongside Green. Jamar at FF is another waste; he's easily the best ruckman in the side and rates highly as a bounce ruck against any in the AFL.

The idea of Martin as a FF or anywhere else in attack is crazy. He's not a natural footballer and lacks, as far as I can see, two vital abilities for the forward line. First, he can't kick well. Second, he won't create enough possessions for himself in the area where making position, and turning and gathering are integral aspects of the forward's role. He's a defender, and should be left to defend as the tall back pocket. He has simply not shown any suggestion of ability to play in attack. I think it's just his height and pace that have made people think he could succeed down there.

A number of posters have Martin in the forward line, even at FF. Can't see any naming Green at FF.

As I argued in other threads, Green is the best bet for FF. You want a FF who knows how to play football and can kick straight and long. Miller might have a physical presence which will be needed on the HF line, but Green can 'play tall' as they say and has strong hands. Resting rucks can play alongside Green. Jamar at FF is another waste; he's easily the best ruckman in the side and rates highly as a bounce ruck against any in the AFL.

The idea of Martin as a FF or anywhere else in attack is crazy. He's not a natural footballer and lacks, as far as I can see, two vital abilities for the forward line. First, he can't kick well. Second, he won't create enough possessions for himself in the area where making position, and turning and gathering are integral aspects of the forward's role. He's a defender, and should be left to defend as the tall back pocket. He has simply not shown any suggestion of ability to play in attack. I think it's just his height and pace that have made people think he could succeed down there.

Agree re Green.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is a "natural footballer"? And how does one atain this status. Are you born with these attributes or are they coached. I don't know what the definition of natural footballer really means, but lets keep this in mind when making these statements. Jack Watts only decided late on that he wanted to devote his life to football yet he can play forward, how does he have that ability? Did it come natural or was he taught, or actively seeked to learn it?

Martin is a smart boy. He got 90 something on his enter score. Can't he learn this trade? I'd hate to see MFC give up on Martin because he's not a 'natural footballer' whateve that means..

Is there criteria for being a successful FF that just can't be coached? If so, then I can see merit in people saying a particular player has no hope at a particular position. But if everything is coachable and nuturable (psychological side of things) if anyone has a hope of learning, surely it's a Law student.

Sorry to disappoint but a TER of 90 is not necessarily a super bright student. (Martin actually got a TER of 99.9 I think. That's seriously smart!) Martin is not a 'natural' forward but we are DESPERATE to find tall players that can play up forward. Let's face it, we are 'patching'. I've said it before, the only player of genuine AFL standard up forward is Bate. The other 5 spots are up for grabs.

Is there criteria for being a successful FF that just can't be coached? If so, then I can see merit in people saying a particular player has no hope at a particular position. But if everything is coachable and nuturable (psychological side of things) if anyone has a hope of learning, surely it's a Law student.

I agree. The only thing you can't teach a person is how to be tall.That's not to say that if I was in charge, I'd just grab people who were physically right, regardless of their skills. I'd take a person with fifteen years footy experience (ie born into the game) over some basketballer who only heard of the game last friday.

I agree. The only thing you can't teach a person is how to be tall.That's not to say that if I was in charge, I'd just grab people who were physically right, regardless of their skills. I'd take a person with fifteen years footy experience (ie born into the game) over some basketballer who only heard of the game last friday.

Watts?

Watts?

Martin et al. But the thing Martin has on his side is that he's smart and can obviously be taught (as evidenced by his high VCE score).Watts is great because he's smart, knows the game and has the physical attributes to go along with it. Givehim some weights and a cheeseburger as well and he'll be set.

I agree. The only thing you can't teach a person is how to be tall.That's not to say that if I was in charge, I'd just grab people who were physically right, regardless of their skills. I'd take a person with fifteen years footy experience (ie born into the game) over some basketballer who only heard of the game last friday.

So is it fair to say that players of the Newton ilk are incapable of learning, or is it an inability to execute instructions (uncoordinated) or lack of motivation to succeed.

I know it's probably the $1,000,000 question, but does anyone have any idea what stops potential from coming to fruition? Is it a mental thing? Do we need more psychological training? Any psycs in the house? I remember a good thread on Newton a while ago which touched on his mental state. Has anything been done about this?

I spent a year hearing the same about Petterd...

No you didn't.

Well, at least I didn't. Whenever Petterd played forward, though he didn't impact as well as he is now, at least there were signs he might make it.

Martin isn't really showing any of those signs. He plays his best football in defence. That's unquestionable. It remains to be seen if he can become a forward.

And he's not a ruck. Let's hope he doesn't play there again.