Not only is Watts likely on the wing, but Clark and Dawes are yet to be seen in the same line-up and this may not change, allowing Fitpatrick to get more than the occassional game, during the extensive period during which they seem to be injured. Maybe we could draft Boyd if we get a priority pick and send Clark to the backline, be kind of nice to have the two tops young forwards in our team (as it seems to have worked for Hawthorn)?

are you kidding me.

Clark and Dawes will be always played over Fitzpatrick.

No matter what

are you kidding me.

Clark and Dawes will be always played over Fitzpatrick.

No matter what

I disagree respectfully mate, i think Fitzpatrick has very much got himself into a position to challenge Dawes for his spot in the team, Dawes leadership imo is the only real bonus he has over Fitz

I agree on Clark if he is fit he is in regardless of anything else.

I've suggested it elsewhere but Stokes would be a great addition for us. He can play the small forward role and rotates through the midfield at the Cats. OOC free agent this year.

Hasn't Stokes already re-signed for 2 years?

Hasn't Stokes already re-signed for 2 years?

My mistake, he has recomitted according to the AFL site!

Howe Dawes Watts

Hogan Clark Fitzpatrick

No team has been in a position to field so many talls concurrently. Can it work? Should we give it a go? Personally, I'm already salivating at the thought of Hogan attracting the 4th tall defender (aka a back pocket).

Discuss.

Have you been going to any games this year? Have you noticed how the game has become almost all about contested football and how defensive pressure now extends to the forward line? Have a look at the Hawks and Cats this week and see how many small forwards they have whose job it is to apply pressure and be at the fall of the ball along with leading up and being a big part of their zone defences? Then if you really think plonking six bigs up on the forward line can work, then come up with a strategy of making sure the ball never ever spills to the ground.

I disagree respectfully mate, i think Fitzpatrick has very much got himself into a position to challenge Dawes for his spot in the team, Dawes leadership imo is the only real bonus he has over Fitz

I agree on Clark if he is fit he is in regardless of anything else.

That's a big call.

I reckon if Dawes gets a good run without injuries and some decent delivery he will remain ahead of Fitzy for a while yet.

I won't judge Dawes of this season alone.

_{As harsh as this seems Is Fitz a potential trade chip that could be used to acquire some more midfield depth. I think he has shown enough to interest a number of clubs searching for a key forward .We have a stockpile of tall forwards and don't believe we can play Clark, Dawes , Fitz, Hogan, Gawn & Jamar in the same side. Would be happier for Fitz to move to a club and get regular game time and Jamar still has some high end trade currency.}

_{As harsh as this seems Is Fitz a potential trade chip that could be used to acquire some more midfield depth. I think he has shown enough to interest a number of clubs searching for a key forward .We have a stockpile of tall forwards and don't believe we can play Clark, Dawes , Fitz, Hogan, Gawn & Jamar in the same side. Would be happier for Fitz to move to a club and get regular game time and Jamar still has some high end trade currency.}

We just offered and he accepted a new two year deal.

It would be pretty dumb to offer him up as bait following that.

are you kidding me.

Clark and Dawes will be always played over Fitzpatrick.

No matter what

I suspect what the poster may have been referring to is the chronic and recurring injury toll on Clark and Dawes. I must say I haven't delved into the stats, but have they ever played together?

Stokes could be a good pick up

Howe Dawes Watts

Hogan Clark Fitzpatrick

No team has been in a position to field so many talls concurrently. Can it work? Should we give it a go? Personally, I'm already salivating at the thought of Hogan attracting the 4th tall defender (aka a back pocket).

Discuss.

If only we had given Neeld more time to get in more tall timber. Clark, Dawes, Hogan added to Watts, Fitzy and Howe who plays tall and the resting ruckman; are we tall enough yet?

There's definitely a number of threads on this already, but Watts will play on the wing and I'm not sure Fitzpatrick will get much of a regular look in.

I've suggested before on this site that given Fitzy's incredible speed over about 30 meters (one of the top 6 at the club), and a credible and improving engine, I would play him as a midfielder on the wing and Watts on the other. They would be an impossible match up for opposition sides. Both would have to improve their in and under work,and defensive skills (which they will need to under Roos anyway no matter where they play) but would certainly give our midfield a unique look. I think this is just the sort of lateral thinking Roos so often applied at the Swans to great effect. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it here.

Otherwise, I fear we may trade trade Fitzy, just when he is starting to hit his straps as a dominant figure. he is potentially one of the really really big improvers at the club.

Edited September 18, 201312 yr by Dees2014

I've suggested before on this site that given Fitzy's incredible speed over about 30 meters (one of the top 6 at the club), and a credible and improving engine, I would play him as a midfielder on the wing and Watts on the other. They would be an impossible match up for opposition sides. Both would have to improve their in and under work,and defensive skills (which they will need to under Roos anyway no matter where they play) but would certainly give our midfield a unique look. I think this is just the sort of lateral thinking Roos so often applied at the Swans to great effect. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it here.

Otherwise, I fear we may trade trade Fitzy, just when he is starting to hit his straps as a dominant figure. he is potentially one of the really really big improvers at the club.

He was recontracted this year, so cannot be traded.

He was recontracted this year, so cannot be traded.

Everyone can be traded for the right price.

That's a big call.

I reckon if Dawes gets a good run without injuries and some decent delivery he will remain ahead of Fitzy for a while yet.

I won't judge Dawes of this season alone.

At this stage i'd play Dawes, his leadership is going to make it very VERY hard for fitz, but if he keeps improving, the fact that he can play ruck also and he is more mobile, put's him in with a chance, of our three big men, i'd say Dawes is the least safe, which is amazing considering Clark has hardly played in 2 years and Hogan hasn't played a game of AFL yet besides NAB cup.

I've suggested before on this site that given Fitzy's incredible speed over about 30 meters (one of the top 6 at the club), and a credible and improving engine, I would play him as a midfielder on the wing and Watts on the other. They would be an impossible match up for opposition sides. Both would have to improve their in and under work,and defensive skills (which they will need to under Roos anyway no matter where they play) but would certainly give our midfield a unique look. I think this is just the sort of lateral thinking Roos so often applied at the Swans to great effect. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it here.

Otherwise, I fear we may trade trade Fitzy, just when he is starting to hit his straps as a dominant figure. he is potentially one of the really really big improvers at the club.

Fitzy on a wing?

Sure he can run, but what happens when he actually gets the footy?

Ever seen him kick to a target? If you think his goalkicking is iffy, wait til you see this!

Terrible idea.

I would love to see Jesse Hogan play bursts in the middle, huge and aggressive, he can run as well as any big man i've seen in a long time, could be abit like how jonothan brown and Pav play bursts in the middle with good effect.

I would love to see Jesse Hogan play bursts in the middle, huge and aggressive, he can run as well as any big man i've seen in a long time, could be abit like how jonothan brown and Pav play bursts in the middle with good effect.

An on-ball brigade of Gawn, Clark, Hogan and Frawley would be really interesting to see. Surely it would be better than what we've got going on now.

I think Jamar should go before Fitzy. Fitzy keeps his spot because he has the ability to play forward and be a decent ruckmen (this he can improve).

I think we can play three tall fwds at a time (Clark, Dawes and Hogan) and Watts as a wIngman. Fitzy comes In when one of these four is injured (which is likely to be often).

I think we don't lose anything holding on to Fitzy - his trade value will only increase as he develops.

As for Jamar - he looks finished but I think some have forgotten how good he was a couple years ago. If we can't get anything decent from trading then lets hope Roos sees something in him.

Jamar is only 30 and has been troubled with injuries all year - I think he could still have something (needs some determination).

I think we should start looking a drafting a ruckman - Jamar will be finished soon, Spencer I don't think is good enough, Fitzy may leave and that leaves Gawn (all eggs in one basket and has had 2 knee reco's).

I would love to see Jesse Hogan play bursts in the middle, huge and aggressive, he can run as well as any big man i've seen in a long time, could be abit like how jonothan brown and Pav play bursts in the middle with good effect.

Maybe in the future but for now lets just learn from our mistakes and develop players in one position (Watts).

I suspect what the poster may have been referring to is the chronic and recurring injury toll on Clark and Dawes. I must say I haven't delved into the stats, but have they ever played together?

nah never played together i dont think.