http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/111878/default.aspx

Bailey has said he will continue to play Jamar at full forward while we are lacking a true FF. He recognises that we've drafted players like Cook and Fitzpatrick for this role but they're way off it, so in the interim Jamar is as good as we're going to get, and with Martin able to give him a proper relief in the ruck, we have this luxury available to us.

No brainer, really. His contested marking is a sight to behold, and he uses his frame like Sandilands does. I really like it when we play him at FF, with Wonaeamirri giving us a better crumbing option in the pocket it can work really well for us.

Yes, but don't do it too much...

He's a AA ruckman, he is B grade FP.

Bailey's post-match was quite insightful actually. He was directly questioned on the supposed Melbourne gameplan of forcing turnovers in our back half rather than applying the forward press, which he dismissed (with a hint of contempt) saying that the aim is always to keep the ball in the f50.

Re Jamar, if he can improve his kicking from set shots he'll be a real asset in the interim up forward with his size and ability to take a contested grab.

IF we're relying on Fitzpatrick to develop into our FF we are far up Dung River with no paddle.

Ever since TBR kicked 5 a couple years ago in rd 22, I've wanted to see more of him up front. I know we need him in the middle, but with Martin showing a bit nowadays, at least it gives Russian a chance to rest up forward and boot some goals. Nice to see.

IF we're relying on Fitzpatrick to develop into our FF we are far up Dung River with no paddle.

and this is based on what?

Yes, but don't do it too much...

He's a AA ruckman, he is B grade FP.

Totally agree on this one. Rest him down there but while he is in the best 2-3 rukmen in the comp play him in the ruck.he is more use to us as a ruck who rests forward for 30% of the game

He presents well upfront when down there. Capable of taking big marks, crashing hard into opposition defenders, opening up space for the likes of Wona and Bennell, can cause opposition sides to alter their structure which can then free up space for other forwards. I don't mind it when he's in operation as a weapon in our forward line. He is a very good player these days and works very hard.

Yes, but don't do it too much...

He's a AA ruckman, he is B grade FP.

He was also a B grade ruckman a few years ago, and he once kicked 5 playing forward against Carlton.

His ability/usefulness as a forward may depend on Martin's performance in the Ruck.

At least he knows how to leap, hit a pack and bring the ball to ground for out smallers forwards/mids resting down there to get a piece.

I wouldn't be putting my house on the line with the Russian in front of goal. He has an incredible knack of butchering a set shot most weeks.

Maybe more time down at FF will see him develop his goal kicking.

Yes, but don't do it too much...

He's a AA ruckman, he is B grade FP.

In a year or so Gawn will play no.1 ruckman and Jamar will be semi permanently in the forward line, with Martin backup or resting down back. Three of them will play in the ruck, with Gawn doing the main ruckwork around the ground, Jamar up forward and Martin down back.

Gawn will be a star, and so the three of them playing in the one team in my view is potentially very powerful.

We need though for our forward coaches to teach the Russian how to kick for goal from set shots. Whither Lyon, Neitz and even Jurrah and Green. If he had have kicked straight over the last three weeks he would have kicked over 10 goals.

Edited April 18, 201114 yr by DeesPower

Bailey's post-match was quite insightful actually. He was directly questioned on the supposed Melbourne gameplan of forcing turnovers in our back half rather than applying the forward press, which he dismissed (with a hint of contempt) saying that the aim is always to keep the ball in the f50.

Re Jamar, if he can improve his kicking from set shots he'll be a real asset in the interim up forward with his size and ability to take a contested grab.

Yes, i thought that was very interesting and it lines up with the comments he made before the season about the need to focus on improving our forward pressure and going to the boundary. I read his comments as a pretty strong critique of our forwards and their lack of pressure. I'm sure that they want more from Watts and Jurrah in this regard and i reckon Watts starting as sub was a pretty clear message he needs to improve in this area.

Jurrah i thought was better this weekend and Wonna is terrific with his tackling and harrasment. I also liked Davey up there as its probabaly hard to tag him there in some senses and his pace means he can shut space down quickly and put pressure on defenders. Dunn does not do enough in terms of tackling etc and to be honest i'm not too sure Greeny does either (a bit slow?)

As for Jamar up forward i know we are thinking 2012-13 with players like Cook but i do wonder if the FD made the wrong call not selecting Darling given their stated need for a strong forward they can kick deep to (Bailey noted the probelm with the "shallow" kicks into our 50). Darling played 2 years senior footy in the WAFL i think and i know Bailey is realy keen on soild citizens (and probabaly not keen on drafting kids from WA for fear they will want to return)but his aggression and precense (on field)would be pretty handy this year and beyond. Any way done now - lets see what the Cook can serve up.

In a year or so Gawn will play no.1 ruckman and Jamar will be semi permanently in the forward line.

This is where the impatience of Melbourne supporters becomes an issue.

Gawn will play no.1 ruck in a year or so?

Are you kidding?

Jamar was picked up in the 2001 Rookie Draft and it took him 8 years to be consistent, and 9 to be an AA, which is the level you think Gawn can reach 'in a year or so' to push Jamar into back-up status.

Gawn was drafted in 2009. He hasn't played a game of AFL.

Don't worry, Max. See you in 3 or 4 years...

agree that Gawn is a long way off being the number 1 ruck!!

We may see him or spencil get a run in the side at some stage later in the year to get a taste of the level, but i cant see anyone taking the number 1 mantle of Jamar for a few years yet