Howe - back or forward?

[old55 23,850]

In almost every proposed 2015 22 posted Jeremy Howe is selected in the forward line. He played some good footy in the backline in 2014 after appearing completely lost in the forward line. When did he make the switch back - did I miss something? Which group is he training with? I think he's well-suited to playing in the backline and that's where I'd have him.

[nutbean 8,838]

In almost every proposed 2015 22 posted Jeremy Howe is selected in the forward line. He played some good footy in the backline in 2014 after appearing completely lost in the forward line. When did he make the switch back - did I miss something? Which group is he training with? I think he's well-suited to playing in the backline and that's where I'd have him.

More involved in the back half.

Lots of intercept marks and spoils.

I like him back with a pinch hit forward if required.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

I posted this in a thread earlier:

In my opinion, one of the biggest questions that will need to be answered this year is where do we play Howe?

He did very well in the backline position, providing not only great defensive pressure through smothers and tackles but also his more natural skills marking and disposal were really useful back there. Yet if we have the luxury to move him forward we might have the possibility of looking a bit stronger in our forward half and giving multiple options with Dawes, Hogan, [Pedersen] and even Watts meaning that there is less likely for the two defenders playing on Dawes which happened so often.

This will be important in the make up of the team, i think that initially he may start in the forward line with Grimes playing in the backline as they have some similar attributes (obviously Howe is a little more athletic and uses the ball a bit better) but i think Grimes is a more natural defender. If Grimes is not working in that role and spends more time playing as a tagger will we use Howe as a defender and then rely on the smaller/younger forwards to play (Salem, JKH).

Interesting prospect, i wouldnt mind two of the fella.

I personally think he might start Forward this year.

[Go the Biff 3,474]

I think he plays better footy down back. The required level of concentration seems to suit him. Up forward he goes missing for long periods & makes silly errors - e.g. dropping easy marks because he's not fully switched on. I also believe he is a pretty ordinary set shot for goal & often doesn't maximaise his opportunities.

That said, I'd like to see him trialled on a wing. He'd be a difficult matchup. Pretty much unbeatable in the air one on one. He can work back to help out in defence & provide another option as a kick-in target. He'd also be very dangerous drifting forward. My question on him in a wing role are tank & leg speed.

We lack genuine wingers & good ones e.g. Smith, Hill, Gaff etc make a huge difference to the way you can move & deliver the ball

[Goodvibes 3,596]

In almost every proposed 2015 22 posted Jeremy Howe is selected in the forward line. He played some good footy in the backline in 2014 after appearing completely lost in the forward line. When did he make the switch back - did I miss something? Which group is he training with? I think he's well-suited to playing in the backline and that's where I'd have him.

And there is a little pre-season training grab of Howe from a couple of weeks ago talking about the team's progress and he makes reference to himself as a defender.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

With the inclusions of Lumumba and Frost, and hopefully Garland finds some form, I'd play him forward.

He does go missing up there, but playing 3rd forward in our forward line, who wouldn't, the ball never goes in there. He'd benefit from an improving midfield, and Lumumba's high long kicks forward. And we simply need another marking forward, for me he's the best option at the moment.

[DeeSpencer 26,567]

Still think he'll start back. His run and footskills are as important as his marking back there.

But I hope he gets thrown forward at the right times and do hope one day he can become a wingman.

[DubDee 26,473]

Wing, high half fwd. he is bloody fit. wasted deep in forward line.

imagine having him on the wing one on one. T Mac has the ball under pressure in def 50. best bail-out kick there is. look for Howey, hack it in his general direction, he'll sit on the blokes head!

then hit up Hogan and BANG! GOAL!

[Allen Jakovich 516]

He'll play back until we start to beat our opposition in inside 50s more often. Then he'll play forward.

[The Chazz 4,077]

Who says it has to be one or the other?

I don't have him in my starting 18, so from that, he'll need to hope for an injury in the back and/or forward half/ves, or add a midfield rotation to his bag of trick.

[Coup Cooper 610]

I would play him up forward as soon he lines up next to Hogan Dawes Garlett pedersen JKH.

Needs the third defender!

Let him get some touch down back early and then let him fly!!

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

Who says it has to be one or the other?

I don't have him in my starting 18, so from that, he'll need to hope for an injury in the back and/or forward half/ves, or add a midfield rotation to his bag of trick.

Well your starting18 would immediately be wrong. One of the first picked

[What 18,810]

will definitely be playing forward alongside Jesse and Dawes

Not required down back anymore with the arrival of Lumubma, Frost and others

[P-man 13,367]

His marking has been a useful asset in the backline, but it is kinda important up the other end of the ground as well..

Play him forward in the NAB and see how he goes. We need to find as many avenues to hitting the scoreboard as we can.

[Qwerty30 196]

And there is a little pre-season training grab of Howe from a couple of weeks ago talking about the team's progress and he makes reference to himself as a defender.

Gets his hands on the ball in the back line where he didn't do it enough in the forward line. Defender for mine.

[PaulRB 6,435]

Swing man able to go between half back and half forward as required by the game (similar to Watts).

Can hurt one-on-one on the wing, get out kicks, and freaking defenders out when bombed into the forward line.

[Ungarie boy 233]

Howe would be a huge success on the wing, pretty much unbeatable in the air, has the ground skills, and last year showed he can provide the delivery; then there's the flexibility of him drifting back as 'third man up role' when required, or floating forward (like Bail) but with far more potential to be dangerous - If I was an oppossition coach I would hate this match up. From the training reports I believe he has the athleticism and fitness to provide this outside role. Put Vince on the other wing then you will have potentially two very dangerous players who cannot be given any space particularily around the 50-60m arc.

Coupled with Lambumba run from half back and Dunn and Jetta's delivery, transition from the back half to the forward half should improve significantly.

Also Howe on the wing will be as much a forward threat as in the forwards

[pitchfork 181]

More involved in the back half.

Lots of intercept marks and spoils.

I like him back with a pinch hit forward if required.

I instinctively agreed. But if you take a look into the stats, comparing 2014 to Howe's 2012, 2013:

2012: 16 disposals avg, 5.5 mks, 19 goals 25 behinds

2013: 13.5 disposalvs avg, 5.71 mks, 28 goals 16 behinds

2014: 17 disposals avg, 6.05, 5 goals 5 behinds

Now that's pretty basic stuff, but I'd argue that this probably suggests that Jeremy actually gets involved a lot when he's up forward and that's probably more valuable. 44 shots apiece in 2012 and 2013 will increase in a better side.

[HEMLOCK 39]

Having a guy who can jump like howe is too good to be down back, I would play him forward more often than not and create some headaches for the opposition backs

[Juicebox 632]

Both? I see him as a threat at either end of the ground. Would add an element of unpredictability to our line up.

[Qwerty30 196]

Swing man able to go between half back and half forward as required by the game (similar to Watts)

Watts a swing man???? Well I never.

[Qwerty30 196]

I instinctively agreed. But if you take a look into the stats, comparing 2014 to Howe's 2012, 2013:

2012: 16 disposals avg, 5.5 mks, 19 goals 25 behinds

2013: 13.5 disposalvs avg, 5.71 mks, 28 goals 16 behinds

2014: 17 disposals avg, 6.05, 5 goals 5 behinds

Now that's pretty basic stuff, but I'd argue that this probably suggests that Jeremy actually gets involved a lot when he's up forward and that's probably more valuable. 44 shots apiece in 2012 and 2013 will increase in a better side.

It's not based only on kicks.

He's accountable and plays a better team game up back. Up forward he has been often not accountable and tends to play low % cute football.

I am more than prepared to sacrifice the sometime indulgent highlights reel if he is playing a more effective team style of game.

[The Chazz 4,077]

Well your starting18 would immediately be wrong. One of the first picked

Thanks for your thoughts.

So, to respond correctly to the OP;

Backline;

Locked in - McDonald, Dunn, Jetta, Lumumba.

Next - Garland (probably someone who has Howe covered due to him being able to play small or tall a lot better)

Fighting for 6th spot - Howe, Frost, Grimes

Verdict - Could depend on what Roos wants to do with the likes of Toumpas. Could he get some confidence by playing in "the easiest position"? Some will have Frost as a lock, which would mean Dunn can play short(er) if need be.

Forwardline;

Locked in - Hogan, Dawes, Watts (HFF), Garlett

Next - 2nd ruck option (ie Pedersen, Gawn)

Fighting for 6th spot - Kent, JKH, Cross, Howe

Verdict - One HFF spot available. I personally like what Kent brings, and I loved what Cross brought (who may even be able to play HBF if need be).

When you have a centreline (ie 2 wings and one in the middle), then a ruck rover and rover, that is 5 onfield "midfield" positions (Jones, Vince, Tyson, Viney is 4), meaning we have 4 spots (ie 1 onfield mid, 3 on the bench), with Salem, Riley, Michie, Newton, Brayshaw, Petracca. That list would also include either Kent and/or Cross.

As you should be able to see, JH is far, far from one of the first picked.

For your benefit, I've bolded the players that I consider "first picked" - there are 17 players, plus Jamar (not mentioned above). All 18 (inc Jamar) have specific roles to play.

I have 4 spots left to fill my team, and that has to come from Toumpas, Riley, Michie, Howe, Newton, Brayshaw, Petracca, Frost, JKH, Bail, Matt Jones and Grimes - all players that could arguably fill the remaining spots in 2015. Most of those players could play HFF or HBF if need be.

That's my reason why I think you're immediately wrong for having Howe as a first picked player.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I think we need him forward as an extra dimension with hopefully Hogan, Dawes and Garlett.

[pitchfork 181]

It's not based only on kicks.

He's accountable and plays a better team game up back. Up forward he has been often not accountable and tends to play low % cute football.

I am more than prepared to sacrifice the sometime indulgent highlights reel if he is playing a more effective team style of game.

It's two seasons up forward under Neeld, one down back under Roos. It seems like Roos is keen to move him forward, and I'll trust that he'll get the best out of him.

To be honest, apart from the marking, IMO Howe is a pretty conventional player (i.e. not outside the box, rather than avg) - he often provides a hard leading target from up forward.

The player who replaces Jeremy in our backline will do a comparable job. I'm not sure if anyone has quite the ability to do the same in the fwd line. Guys who kick goals are just very valuable - kicked 30 goals in one of the most depressing sides to play since 1859.