For a few seasons now, I have been calling for Stef Martin to play forward, and have had to listen to the arguement that he's a better defender, etc.

Interesting to see that Stef may play a lot more forward this year, so we will see what sort of judge I am!

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/129016/default.aspx

I think Stef is definitely one of those confidence players that gets better with the more football he plays, especially at the top level. We saw last year how much he stepped up in that 8 weeks of so when Jamar was out. I am very confident that if he can get that same duration playing as a tall forward/swing ruck, he will prove to be a very valuable asset down deep F50.

i like the idea. i think he can be a very dangerous target down forward. he is still learning the game, but is going to be very hard to match up on because of his height and speed. his presence down there also means watts, green, jurrah etc should get an easier match up. if he can continue to improve his kicking, then i think he could kick 30-40 goals.

Edited February 16, 201213 yr by leehow

I think Stef is capable of playing in a few different positions, he's shown us that already. However he's been thrown around a lot in his few years. This may help his his footy education. But there must come a time where he's given a long term position to play. Surely that in itself should see an improvement in his play.

Loved the Stefanator last year .

Probably the best story in a dark time .

Really hope he kicks on and improves ,which is highly likely .

Proves the cliche about big men needing time .

I enjoyed watching Stef as a mobile ruckman. I think that is where he is best suited where he can just chase the ball and use his leap and agility. I feel that he does not have the natural football smarts to understand when and where to lead as a primary forward. This issue does not affect him when played down back as he can be led to the ball and then use his strength and athletic ability to affect the contest. If he is to be used as a primary forward with a small amount of time in the ruck I would argue that you may get more out of having another player forward and put Clark in there for the 5 minutes of Jamar relief each quarter.

It will be interesting to see how he goes this year and whether he will cement a place in the side.

I reckon Stef is a walk up start based on last year .

Does good things with the footy. Has a great awareness abut him which is unusual in a big guy.Clean skills .Good taps .Good Mark .Whats not to Pick?

Anyone who sees Sellar as a best 22 guy before Stef is smokin chronic .

Have had to endure what is probably appropriate skepticism for the last few years from a demon mate re Martin, but I could see him doing so much more then, and even now. Skills below his knees for a guy his size are very impresive. Agility to burn. Within those structures we'll keep hearing about (and hopefully seeing), he could be a potent weapon forward as required.

his year last year was extraordinary.

stepped up big-time when it was required, and then went forward already and showed that he could kick goals.

i think he can become a really handy player - a true utilty who can fill any hole, even running up and down a wing as well as playing back.

where previously if jamar went down i thought we were (more) doomed, stef showed he can more than adequately star as a ruckman too - some of his tap work was inspired - so i think he might be best as a ruckman, i'm really confident he can play a role anywhere on the ground.

i expect some club to come a-courtin' with big dollars at the end of his next contract.

his year last year was extraordinary.

stepped up big-time when it was required, and then went forward already and showed that he could kick goals.

i think he can become a really handy player - a true utilty who can fill any hole, even running up and down a wing as well as playing back.

I agree. Its easy to forget how good he actually was last year. When Jamar was out he was the man. As noted by Trident his skills below his knees are first class and as he is a relative new comer to aussie rules, having only committed to it as an 18 year old, his skills will only improve. I reckon he's also got a good footy brain, that again will only improve with more games under his belt.

Still heaps of upside for Stef and i reckon he could end up being as good as Jolly and better than Dawes, two players who contributed heaps to the Pies success in 2010.

I enjoyed watching Stef as a mobile ruckman. I think that is where he is best suited where he can just chase the ball and use his leap and agility. I feel that he does not have the natural football smarts to understand when and where to lead as a primary forward. This issue does not affect him when played down back as he can be led to the ball and then use his strength and athletic ability to affect the contest. If he is to be used as a primary forward with a small amount of time in the ruck I would argue that you may get more out of having another player forward and put Clark in there for the 5 minutes of Jamar relief each quarter.

It will be interesting to see how he goes this year and whether he will cement a place in the side.

No offence BRFE, but I find it interesting that you still believe he is a better defender, and doesn't have the football smarts to play forward, especially when the link above clearly shows that those in charge have a totally different opinion.

Any back-up ruck is going to have to be competent up forward with the new rule of 3 interchange players and a sub.

Can't hide them on the bench, can't play them in the backline for a 'rest' and when they will have to rotate through the ruck.

Forward pocket looms for all back-up rucks.

Any back-up ruck is going to have to be competent up forward with the new rule of 3 interchange players and a sub.

Can't hide them on the bench, can't play them in the backline for a 'rest' and when they will have to rotate through the ruck.

Forward pocket looms for all back-up rucks.

I think playing Stef down forward will;

1. Make our forward line bigger (Captain Obvious talking there!), and

2. Put pressure on Jurrah, Green, Howe, Petterd, Dunn and to some degree Sylvia.

Point 2 is the area that will see a lot of supporters have different opinions about who gets the HFF spots on offer. By the looks of things, Davey may well play our crumbing FP, so that's teh Forward line sorted (Martin, Clark, Davey), which means we have 6 players vying for 2 spots on the half forward line, assuming Watts is played a CHF (please play him there Neeldy!). The more strings the above 6 can add to their bow, and those who can play the certain role that the coach wants them to, will ensure their selection. Personally I think Sylvia can and will do that, as he can be just as effective rotating through the midfield, but will need to get his head right. Then it's hard to pass on Jurrah, especially if he is compliant with what he is required to do.

As you can see, the Stef-going-forward move is putting us in a great situation, and competition for spots is as strong as ever. Those players just have to ensure they have the attitude that the hard work starts when you make the team, rather than thinking the hard work is done when you make it.

No offence BRFE, but I find it interesting that you still believe he is a better defender, and doesn't have the football smarts to play forward, especially when the link above clearly shows that those in charge have a totally different opinion.

No offence taken. I am really keen to see how his year pans out as he has all the tools I just dont see yet exactly where he fits. His games as a mobile ruckman showed where he plays best but we have Jamar. His games back to me were more promising than when he played forward purely because he appeared to get lost forward. Just because he is being slated to play forward may be more to do with structures and need and not necessarily because he is seen as better. I find it interesting that both he and T-Mac are being seen as primarily forwards and am keen to see how this plays out.

Edited February 17, 201213 yr by big_red_fire_engine

I think playing Stef down forward will;

1. Make our forward line bigger (Captain Obvious talking there!), and

2. Put pressure on Jurrah, Green, Howe, Petterd, Dunn and to some degree Sylvia.

Point 2 is the area that will see a lot of supporters have different opinions about who gets the HFF spots on offer. By the looks of things, Davey may well play our crumbing FP, so that's teh Forward line sorted (Martin, Clark, Davey), which means we have 6 players vying for 2 spots on the half forward line, assuming Watts is played a CHF (please play him there Neeldy!). The more strings the above 6 can add to their bow, and those who can play the certain role that the coach wants them to, will ensure their selection. Personally I think Sylvia can and will do that, as he can be just as effective rotating through the midfield, but will need to get his head right. Then it's hard to pass on Jurrah, especially if he is compliant with what he is required to do.

As you can see, the Stef-going-forward move is putting us in a great situation, and competition for spots is as strong as ever. Those players just have to ensure they have the attitude that the hard work starts when you make the team, rather than thinking the hard work is done when you make it.

In my mind he is there already, he has to be. But he might simply be a 'release' kick at the top of the square. With Clark 20m in front of him. Possibly Green if they think he can effectively play a 'smaller' role ie. crumbing. And Sylvia, Jurrah, and Davey rotating through there. Howe and Watts up the ground. Maybe Petterd.

And all these names we have mentioned might lead us to having a benefit from competition but, just to play devils advocate here - it may not work that well...

Green and Jurrah might find it difficult to adapt to a new forward line where they need to get out of the space usually reserved for them. Watts and Howe will rarely step foot in the 50 when Clark and a resting ruck is in there... Sylvia will be usurped as a lead up HFF by Watts, Howe, and Petterd if only because those three cannot do what he can do in the guts. Of course, Colin rarely does what he 'can' do in the guts...

These are the thoughts rolling around in my head...

Probably the syndrome. Everything will work out fine.

Edited February 17, 201213 yr by rpfc

For a few seasons now, I have been calling for Stef Martin to play forward, and have had to listen to the arguement that he's a better defender, etc.

Interesting to see that Stef may play a lot more forward this year, so we will see what sort of judge I am!

http://www.melbourne...16/default.aspx

I think Stef is definitely one of those confidence players that gets better with the more football he plays, especially at the top level. We saw last year how much he stepped up in that 8 weeks of so when Jamar was out. I am very confident that if he can get that same duration playing as a tall forward/swing ruck, he will prove to be a very valuable asset down deep F50.

Not alone. I thought/think he can learn to be an Excellent tall forward. Especially when he learns some Vigour, and smashes bodies with his big frame. He Has Speeed,,, & agility...

Imagine Clarke playing Tall forward, with Jamar or Martin rotating Deep when Off the Ball, & Watts using speed & skill all about the front half of the Ground.

Martin IMO is and has always been our best Utility option and in our best 22

Neeld has recruited a few more that could fill that role but until i see them play Martin is the man

I dont like Utility players used as Ruckman except for the occassional boundary throw in when the main ruckman is out of position

I also like him playing forward more than defence and is a perfect fit to replace a key forward having a breather

It will be interesting to see what plans Neeld has for Stef

IMO he is really hard to match up on so putting him forward could damage the opposition on the scoreboard

I think Martin could go to another level in 2012

Edited February 19, 201213 yr by Swampfox

For some reason I can just see him playing as a CHB in a similar way to Tarrant and Reid, just defending at all costs on one of the best 2 fowards, huge man, very strong, fit and quick for his size, and very clever too, should be able to read the ball coming down the ground easily. And even if he ends up on the end of a line a play I wouldnt mind him rebounding either his skills are pretty good.

With 2 rebounding defenders Grimes/Nicholson and Bail/Tapscott, Fralwey and Garland are traditional defenders and at the moment Rivers as well, I would rather see Martin instead of Rivers. And I also think we are missing a small defender Bartrum isnt up to it, I love him and his work ethic and huge heart but his skills are no where near AFL standard IMO

One of these days, Stef is going to accidentally kick a bag of 5.

His touch is 90% there, just seems to fumble a bit too often (wet or dry conditions)

One of these days, Stef is going to accidentally kick a bag of 5.

And I will accidentally wet my pants with excitement.

Anyone still think he is a forward?

Should be a very good backman, one of the best stoppers in the AFL, will never be a forward.

Anyone still think he is a forward?

Should be a very good backman, one of the best stoppers in the AFL, will never be a forward.

Is this call based on one "Clayton's game" played in appalling wet slippery conditions, the first game if you could call it that, of the season?

By the way, I also think that he could be a top grade CHB, were he not needed this year as #2 ruck man.

Edited February 25, 201213 yr by monoccular

Anyone still think he is a forward?

Should be a very good backman, one of the best stoppers in the AFL, will never be a forward.

He adds some X factor especially as a big man imo

I just dont think i would want him down back for the same reasons you probably dont like him forward, is a bit awkward.... but if he clicks then wow

I like the way he moves and gets to where the ball is. Condition not ideal for him last night but that slick pick up and handball in the middle busted the field open for us that set up the winning goal.

Anyone still think he is a forward?

Should be a very good backman, one of the best stoppers in the AFL, will never be a forward.

I think he's a ruckman.