Your Plan-A Forward Line

[daisycutter 29,737]

Obviously we are full of simpleton's on here (me included) as there are a number of people who listed 2 HFF, 1 CHF, 2 FP's and 1 FF.

RR asked for our Plan A forward line, and indicated that it involved 6 players filling the positions listed above. But, I guess it's easier to sit back and question others for their selections rather than playing the game.

please yourself, you asked me to name my starters, i did

rpfc named 10 so i suppose he is a naughty boy too

you also neglected to comment on any of the points i raised

seems i am wasting my IP on you

[old dee 23,871]

If nothing else, the one thing that Tappy brings to the table is elite goal kicking.

He can easily kick sausages from outside 50, on the run and set shot.

So far he has played 29 games for 4 goals

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a goal kicker so far

[deeko 952]

So far he has played 29 games for 4 goals

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a goal kicker so far

A majority of those games however he was playing in a back pocket/flank as the designated kicker. I really liked him playing here and hope he makes a spot there his own. He has a lot more of a fair dinkum crack than what I have seen from Strauss.

Tappy kicked a few goals in the U/18's comp if I recall correctly rotating on a HFF through the midfield.

We will see a new man this year with his first preseason under his belt.

My forward line for the sake of it as follows:

FF: Dawes as he was recruited to be a full time forward.

CHF: Clark to get him roaming and being more of a presence.

FP: Pedro as he will be giving the Rush a chop out. Spencer is to clumsy to play a majority of his game time up forward. He will play first ruck (unlikely) or not at all.

One of the other three spots has to go to Byrnes as why else would he have come to the Dees if he wasn't expecting a lot of game time. Can't see him playing mid or defending.

The other two spots can be split by the rest listed in RPFC's post. I think Howe will still play a lot of his time there as will Sylvia. Not sold on Davey being back to his best but just hoping to see something.

[old dee 23,871]

Deeko you are correct that this is the first year Tappscot has had a pre season.

So lets hope he is much better in 2013.

We need more than a couple of good recruits recruit from the Bailey period.

I hope Tappscot can be a good player for the next ten years

Edited January 30, 2013 by old dee

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

If nothing else, the one thing that Tappy brings to the table is elite goal kicking.

He can easily kick sausages from outside 50, on the run and set shot.

He has played 29 games mostly backline he has kicked 4 career goals.

I am yet to understand why you think he will make a HFF

When I saw him last year he couldn't kick over a peanut (accurately)

[ILLDieADemon 804]

HF Howe Dawes Tapscott

FF Byrnes Clark Davey

[ILLDieADemon 804]

I can't believe we can actually play around with who can play with in the forward line.

[stuie 7,374]

HF: Davey, Dawes, Sylvia

FF: Howe, Clark, Byrnes

Wings: Barry, Blease

And a few rotation ideas:

Trengove to rotate with Sylvia

Pedo to rotate with Dawes

Jamar to rotate with Clark

Howe to rotate with Barry

[old55 23,687]

I think the forward line is the opposite of the backline. In the forward line you want constant rotations to try to get a mismatch (or no match) so there's only a couple of fixtures. In the backline you want stability - a consistent 6 or 7 who have flexibility and understanding to can take any rotations the opposition can present. I'd say Dawes and Clark are two fixtures but I'm not against Clark rucking if the structure is better that way. A defensive forward on the attacking back is warranted - Tapscott or Bail appear to be training with the forwards and one or other could fill this role - Magner did it last year.

Pedersen, Sylvia, Howe, Byrnes, Davey, Blease, Rodan, Toumpas, Barry and any number of others could routinely rotate through there from the midfield and bench

[BLWNBA 1,123]

HF: Sylvia Clark Howe

F: Davey Dawes Byrnes

That was my immediate team, I could have made some changes but went with my gut feel.

Sylvia to play as a high half-forward acting as another mid around contests and being able to get the ball into the forward line. Clark could play out of the goal square, but I see him being far more mobile than Dawes.

[DeeZee 7,445]

Byrnes. Dawes. Davey

Pederson. Clark. Howe

Sylvia,Blease,Toumpas and Barry will also probably rotate through there off the bench and from the midfield.

[Maldonboy38 6,406]

HF: Tapscott Dawes Howe

F: Davey Clark Byrnes

IMO this is our best 6 but I doubt Davey and Byrnes will play forward pocket at the same time. I agree with many posts above about moving 7 players through the forward line, and would probably move Pederson into the 7.

Tapscott is still a virtual unknown. Like Strauss and Jetta injury has prevented us from seeing much of him at all. I place him in the forward six because we need a penetrating kick and a strong body, and Dunn has been moved back.

So we have this basic construction:

2 power forwards - Clark and Dawes

1 amazing mark, running, hard to counter forward - Howe

1 physical presence and penetrating kick - Tapscott

2 small forwards - Davey and Byrnes

1 strong mark/ assist in ruck spare parts forward - Pederson

[jacey 333]

I can't believe we can actually play around with who can play with in the forward line.

So true.

Garland and Rivers were key forwards last year. Ouch.

Blease Clark Howe

Pedersen Dawes Byrnes

Pedersen is a step up from Martin as a forward. If he can hold down 2nd ruck, Clark, Dawes, Pedersen could work well together.

Hogan will add more 'welcome problems' next year.

[hardtack 10,626]

Peders can be either Dawes' or Clark's shock absorber.

[Josh 1,420]

So true. Garland and Rivers were key forwards last year. Ouch. Blease Clark HowePedersen Dawes Byrnes Pedersen is a step up from Martin as a forward. If he can hold down 2nd ruck, Clark, Dawes, Pedersen could work well together. Hogan will add more 'welcome problems' next year.

This game will be fun next year.

F: Hogan Dawes Barry

HF: Howe Clark Sylvia

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

HF. Byrnes Clark Howe

FF. pederson dawes blease

[MadAsHell 4,215]

HF: Howe, Dawes, Trengove

FF: Pedersen, Clark, Byrnes

Howe to play the high roaming half forward role to rotate through the midfield.

Dawes to lead up from half forward and provide the valuable link when we're bringing the ball out of the back half.

Trengove to play the important defensive forward role. Make players like Maxwell and Fisher accountable, and if they're not, hurt them on the score board.

Pedersen to rotate from a 3rd tall and into the ruck, possibly even down back when called for. A real swing man.

Clark to stay close to goal as our monster forwward where he's most dangerous.

Byrnes to be at the feet of Clark and Pedersen and swoop on the crumbs.

Also expect to see both Blease and Davey running through there at different times aswell as Fitzpatrick early on if Clark has problems with his injury.

[Deecisive 1,709]

I would expect clark and dawes to stay at home with Brynes and another small, with howe and Pederson roaming up the ground to mark and kick deep.

[felixdacat 459]

My 6

HF: Davey Clark Barry

FF: Pedersen Dawes Byrnes

[w00dy 146]

HF: Byrnes, Dawes, Howe

F: Pedersen, Clark, Blease

I've named Howe, but would expect him to play mostly in the middle. Its rare you have six genuine forwards anymore. Given fitness needs only one of Davey or Blease play. Sam gets first crack.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Why Viney in a forward pocket?

Left field selection I agree, but I like what he'd offer in the forward 50 arc. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Sure, he'll get his stints on the ball but for his development I'd like to see him keep free-wheeling back pockets honest, as well as become accustomed to the close checking of the more dour ones.

Has shown he can kick goals and has the class to to do so at senior AFL level, working at the feet of Clark, Dawes and Pederson.

[stuie 7,374]

Left field selection I agree, but I like what he'd offer in the forward 50 arc. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Sure, he'll get his stints on the ball but for his development I'd like to see him keep free-wheeling back pockets honest, as well as become accustomed to the close checking of the more dour ones.

Has shown he can kick goals and has the class to to do so at senior AFL level, working at the feet of Clark, Dawes and Pederson.

Surely our (probable) best in and under player will be placed at the bounce though? Can't have Jones going it alone again, we got smashed in clearances last year.

[demon-4-life 467]

rangey's been back a week and still no polls - fcs

Surely this is a poll. We're simply not "counting" the responses

[Juicebox 628]

Well every suggestion is infinitely better than the Rivers + Garland combo we had goin at the end of last year!

I think you obviously need a variety of players 190cm+: Howe, Clark, Dawes and Pedersen are differant types of talls. Between those 4 we have players that can ruck, play on a wing, sit in a goal square and generally scare the shyte out of opposition defenders.

The shorter players such as: Rodan, Sylvia, Blease, Davey, Byrnes, Toumpas, Barry, Kent and Tapscott, are a combination of players that are able to play in the middle or inject pace, aggression, defensive pressure and put points on the scoreboard.

I don't believe in a forward 6 that are set in stone nor do I believe in rotating to the point of unsettling the line up, a la the aussie cricket team. However we now have the luxury of having a variety of players that have different strengths and weaknesses and though we are yet to see if it is a winning formula, opposition teams are going to be forced to do their homework.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Left field selection I agree, but I like what he'd offer in the forward 50 arc. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Sure, he'll get his stints on the ball but for his development I'd like to see him keep free-wheeling back pockets honest, as well as become accustomed to the close checking of the more dour ones.

Has shown he can kick goals and has the class to to do so at senior AFL level, working at the feet of Clark, Dawes and Pederson.

I agree. I feel Viney could offer a %^$& load of defensive pressure in the fwd line as well as a way to ease him in to afl footy. he would chase and tackle like a demon up there. create turnovers and opportunities for the likes of davey/blease/ byrnes