A crumbing forward, my kingdom for a crumbing forward

[Binmans PA 26,601]

Many of the mids.

Exactly. The days of the small forward who simply sits at the feet of a bullocking FF are over. It's about mids that can rest forward and later rotate through the midfield. We obviously need a speedster, but they must be able to play through the middle as well. This is why the likes of Cyril and Motlop are so dangerous. It will be interesting to see if we try to draft a small, pacey bloke this off season. We may save it until next year and just focus on mids this time around.

[torpedo 33]

For better or worse, the crumbing forward is a dying breed.

Most kids that want to get into the midfield of a Top 4 club have to establish themselves playing as a forward first.

I love the way Geelong go about this. They constantly blood new kids through there forward line & develop midfield depth while at the same time developing midfielders that kick goals.

Much more sustainable model than using one-trick pony forward pockets that will inevitably get locked down in big games.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

If Garlett is still around come pick 40 we should think about that (I honestly don't think anyone knows where he will go)

Small forwards can be found with late picks so no harm drafting a couple potential diamonds in the rough and cutting them if they are not showing much after 2 years.

I haven't been following the rumour thread - any talk about Jed Lamb? (being from Sydney)

He's going to be at GWS next year.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Pick 58 for Jay Leonard-Shannon

Never trust somebody whose first name could be their surname and vice versa. I don't even know what happens in the case of this guy...

[CBDees 3,162]

Exactly. The days of the small forward who simply sits at the feet of a bullocking FF are over. It's about mids that can rest forward and later rotate through the midfield. We obviously need a speedster, but they must be able to play through the middle as well. This is why the likes of Cyril and Motlop are so dangerous. It will be interesting to see if we try to draft a small, pacey bloke this off season. We may save it until next year and just focus on mids this time around.

I am hoping that any mids that rest in 2014 do it either on the interchange bench or in the back pocket. Hopefully with more delivery from our mids then any body who finds themselves in the forward pocket won't be given any opportunity to rest.

[jackaub 1,402]

Wheels and Bartram made us a difficult team to beat So honest and tough I really miss them both

[tonatopia 278]

Garlett can rotate thru the midfield.

He would be perfect.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I'll rate them more when I see them stop choking in GFinals

I'll worry about that when we make a Grand Final.

[beelzebub 22,621]

Willy Rioli

He's not too shabby, eh?

Excellent vision and decisions.

An AFL preseason would trim him up a tad ...

I wouldn't say no.

[buck_nekkid 5,611]

What if Cross becomes the back line small line wheels or Barty?

[beelzebub 22,621]

Roos hasn't been a huge user of specialist small forwards in the past. He generally goes for midfielders who can kick goals and rotates them through.

Its a more logical way of using the players isnt it.

[RalphiusMaximus 5,994]

Willy Rioli

He's not too shabby, eh?

Excellent vision and decisions.

An AFL preseason would trim him up a tad ...

I wouldn't say no.

A little on the small side. He'd need to drop a few kilos as well. I did like his ability to find teammates rather than always taking the shot.

[monoccular 16,518]

Wheels and Bartram made us a difficult team to beat So honest and tough I really miss them both

You make them sound like "Neeld types"!

Now...if only he had them on his list...........!!!!!!!!!

[RalphiusMaximus 5,994]

Its a more logical way of using the players isnt it.

Had this discussion on another thread. I am a fan of a good small forward, but I can't see us getting one. Roos just doesn't seem to go that direction.

[skills32 229]

Afl.com.au?

Depends where you looked first.

[Pennant St Dee 11,686]

Garlett can rotate thru the midfield.

He would be perfect.

That is absolute carp I have watched him closely over the last 2 years and whilst he has improved his fitness and leaned down he can not rotate through the midfield. Absolute stupid statement.

However if he is there at Pick 40 and Roos thinks it will assist the team than he would be worth the gamble with that Pick. Personally I would take a future mid who you can play as a forward with occassional rotations till he builds up a tank, similar to Christensen or Stokes.

Dean Kent will be able to peform this role soon enough.

[InVINCEable 358]

I meant pick 58 for Jay Kennedy-Harris.

[InVINCEable 358]

Never trust somebody whose first name could be their surname and vice versa. I don't even know what happens in the case of this guy...

Even Bernie Vince?

[hells bells 2,023]

Michael Walters goes pretty good for a small forward.

I think someone like Luke Bruest would be perfect. I see similarities in Ben Lennon and that's why I hope we pick up him at 9.

[Binmans PA 26,601]

We won't be addressing the small forward issue with pick 9. My guess is we'll simply keep drafting mids.

[Bitter but optimistic 21,560]

i cant believe how many people dont rate Fitzy. hes got massive upside. i believe he could be more important than watts. id like to see him played at CHF. at 200cm, great endurance and speed that is so very rare for someone that size, he could really present as a target across half forward and the wing. set shot kicking action not crash hot but tidy field kicking and decent hands.

a definitely must keep. id like to see hogan start at CHB. fitzy isnt a great ruck but could be a lethal CHF.

Dawes and Clark in the fwd line.

Like your thinking Munga but FMD you're ugly.Anyway, as a poster above said Byrnes got few opportunities last year (ie the ball rarely went forward) However, I have always liked Nahas - maybe a chance among the goliaths we could present as big forwards.

[FarNorthernD 5,848]

Willy Rioli

He's not too shabby, eh?

Excellent vision and decisions.

An AFL preseason would trim him up a tad ...

I wouldn't say no.

I very much want Willy Rioli to make it onto an AFL list.

Then there would one AFL footballer that I'm both taller and lighter than

[Alcho Dee 269]

I would give my other horse for a smart back pocket as well. A Matty Whelan would do us wonders as would a Paul Hopgood or a Yeatsy or Alan Johnston for that matter. An attacking smart player to extract the ball and set up an attack would be great.

Clisby might be able to play this role, and Grimes should provide some run when he moves to the backline next year. But it is the midfielders job to provide options near our defensive 50, some people say Dane Swan and similar types get a lot of cheap kicks in the backline, but it makes the defenders job so much easier.

Regarding crumming forwards, i don't think we need to worry much about that.

[mikeydemon 126]

I meant pick 58 for Jay Kennedy-Harris.

JKH will be going far earlier than that! we'd be a chance with pick 40 but he'll most likely be gone in the top 30

[DeeSpencer 23,587]

We won't be addressing the small forward issue with pick 9. My guess is we'll simply keep drafting mids.

We get Billings and it's 2 birds with one stone. A man can hope.