After watching the Fox Sports replay of the game tonight it dawned on me that we have no BIG target up forward. I mean, we have Jurrah, Green sometimes, Petterd when he's on song but that's about it. Then I tried to think of who I would like crashing packs, taking the odd overhead mark but more importantly, bringing the ball to ground whilst destroying a few defenders on the way. Someone to allow the smaller forwards to crumb and goal. Watts maybe, but not at this stage of his career. Then I thought of the Russian's return. With Martin showing his true ability in the middle through Jamar's absence, surely the coaching staff will like the idea of allowing Jamar to sneak up forward more frequently, knowing that Martin can more than hold his own at the bounces. I'd love to see Jamar as a serious target in front of goal with Jurrah, Maric, Sylvia and other quicks benefiting from his size. Can't wait for the boys to get healthy again.

After watching the Fox Sports replay of the game tonight it dawned on me that we have no BIG target up forward. I mean, we have Jurrah, Green sometimes, Petterd when he's on song but that's about it. Then I tried to think of who I would like crashing packs, taking the odd overhead mark but more importantly, bringing the ball to ground whilst destroying a few defenders on the way. Someone to allow the smaller forwards to crumb and goal.

up 'till this point i felt sure you were going to say "bring in Fev!"

LOL. I promise it was never on my mind. I'd prefer my pack crashers to not play for free kicks every time a defender touches them.

The development of martin has been a positive. When jamar comes in we know jamar can spend more time up forward.

Martin still needs a lot of work. He didn't play against a genuine ruckman yesterday. Goldstein cleaned him up last week. Still he shows potential to develop into a one. Needs time.

Develop Watts, Cook and Fitzpatrick

Develop Watts, Cook and Fitzpatrick

Agree with Sylvinator. We drafted Cook to be that big target, so we need to get some games into him later in the season. If we drop the next few we will be behind the pack for finals. It might be worth rolling the dice in a few weeks with Cook to see what he is capable of. If Juice cannot hit the AFL switch and contribute soon then I would prefer to carry Cook as a passenger in our 22 than Juice.

Martin has been impressive, but at this stage he is miles off being an AFL ruckman. He will be good against reserve ruckman, and is good around the ground but I would still be putting the Russian in the circle every chance we get. He is good down forward, but he is a top 5 AFL ruckman, so we need to let him ruck.

I'm frankly excited by the progress Martin has made this year. Gotta remember he had a great big question mark over him, would he even 'make it' to be a contributor at all.

His efforts in the last couple of weeks have been great, and built on a bit of humility too, which I like. He clearly understands that he isn't often going to be the dominant tap, so sets himself to following up with real intensity. On the other hand, when he was lined up against weaker ruck opponents (Like Koschitske! ) we went for the tap all-out. He knows his opponents and thinks through how to handle them. Very good signs for a still-young ruckman.

Throw in his usefulness as a defender and we have ourselves a pretty useful player.

I agree this gives the footy department a great opportunity to experiment with the Russian as a big target for longer periods, staying a little more at home inside 50 while he returns to full match fitness for a couple of weeks. But Jamar is a true ruckman first and foremost and definitely should be at those bounces and throw-ins whenever sensible.

Cook and Fitzpatrick will need plenty of time yet. Watts will never directly compete with Jamar for similar roles. So all is ok on that count.

Agree with Sylvinator. We drafted Cook to be that big target, so we need to get some games into him later in the season. If we drop the next few we will be behind the pack for finals. It might be worth rolling the dice in a few weeks with Cook to see what he is capable of. If Juice cannot hit the AFL switch and contribute soon then I would prefer to carry Cook as a passenger in our 22 than Juice.

Martin has been impressive, but at this stage he is miles off being an AFL ruckman. He will be good against reserve ruckman, and is good around the ground but I would still be putting the Russian in the circle every chance we get. He is good down forward, but he is a top 5 AFL ruckman, so we need to let him ruck.

Juice is in a dark room, no switch to be found

I reckon Jamar is one of the best contested marks in the AFL. He will always be good for a couple of goals each week if rested up forward.

Martin's showing a lot IMO. In ruckman terms, he is still an absolute rookie and, at times, holds his own against much more experienced ruckmen. Good signs.

I'm frankly excited by the progress Martin has made this year. Gotta remember he had a great big question mark over him, would he even 'make it' to be a contributor at all.

His efforts in the last couple of weeks have been great, and built on a bit of humility too, which I like. He clearly understands that he isn't often going to be the dominant tap, so sets himself to following up with real intensity. On the other hand, when he was lined up against weaker ruck opponents (Like Koschitske! ) we went for the tap all-out. He knows his opponents and thinks through how to handle them. Very good signs for a still-young ruckman.

Throw in his usefulness as a defender and we have ourselves a pretty useful player.

I agree this gives the footy department a great opportunity to experiment with the Russian as a big target for longer periods, staying a little more at home inside 50 while he returns to full match fitness for a couple of weeks. But Jamar is a true ruckman first and foremost and definitely should be at those bounces and throw-ins whenever sensible.

Cook and Fitzpatrick will need plenty of time yet. Watts will never directly compete with Jamar for similar roles. So all is ok on that count.

Let's remember this is Martin's second game as the main ruckman. Granted, Kozi is a spud, but Martin performed strongly. I really like his second efforts, too. But what most impressed me was that in the middle of the melee at half-time Riewoldt tries to have a got at a couple of our blokes. Martin bumped Riewoldt and sent him flying and he didn't come back in. It seems to me Martinis only just coming to understand how he can physically dominate opponents (like jumping on Kozi's head!)

Sometimes these sorts of crap times with injuries bring something out of those left.

Having said that, I just watched the third quarter and don't understand how we lost the game. St. Kilda were appalling. If we couldn't win then I think it's going to be a very long season.

Think we'll need a new coach and fully fit team and need to try to fire in 2012. This year we just need to keep pressing youngsters to step up a la Martin.

Not convinced Cook will need a lot more time.

He'll still have a lot of development to do, but I could see him playing AFL later this season, or at least early in 2012.

A team high 7 clearances again yesterday from Martin.

A huge amount of respect for what he has done this season, and especially the last two weeks under enormous pressure as the only real ruckman in the side.

I also think his use of the ball has gotten so so much better this season. It was cringe-worthy a few years ago, and now he doesn't often miss a target. If he can develop his contested marking skills, he'll be an absolute gun for us.

I guess this is what happens when you have brains as a footballer, you adapt and learn very quickly!

I think our forward line is effective enough, we just need to improve the way we bring the ball inside 50.

I think our forward line is effective enough, we just need to improve the way we bring the ball inside 50.

I'm not sure how anyone could conclude we have an effective forward line in its current state. The OP is right, until the Cooks and Fitzpatricks develop, we need a strong tall up forward to provide a contest and Jamar is looking a good option, provided we can get the shanks out of his game.