Who takes the FP spot?

[WERRIDEE 1,433]

I think Pickett thoughts?

[MelbourneFootballChub 11]

Sad list on paper and will probably end up holding us back from taking the next step unless delivery inside 50 dramatically improves

[Bring-Back-Powell 3,676]

1 hour ago, MelbourneFootballChub said:

Sad list on paper and will probably end up holding us back from taking the next step unless delivery inside 50 dramatically improves

Agreed, it's definitely our area of weakness. We should've retained Garlett unless he wanted his career to be over.

It pains me to say it but I'd say Corey Wagner looks the most ready for round 1, but hoping Pickett can show signs in the Marsh series as he clearly has the biggest upside of the group.

Hopefully ANB can have a bounce back year as a small forward and kick his 25 like he did in 2018.

[old dee 13,721]

Interesting You cannot vote for Spargo?

The guy who has filled the roll for the majority of the last two years.

Not that I would but have we decided he is not up to the job?

[demonstone 2,275]

5 minutes ago, old dee said:

The guy who has filled the roll

Isn't that the Subway employee?

[Bring-Back-Powell 3,676]

6 minutes ago, old dee said:

Interesting You cannot vote for Spargo?

The guy who has filled the roll for the majority of the last two years.

Not that I would but have we decided he is not up to the job?

Good point.

How we forgot he kicked 2 goals in a winning final against Hawthorn.

However, he hasn't exactly set himself up for a big season due to his prolonged ankle injury.

[TeamPlayedFine39 5,684]

Hannan, Spargo and ANB played as our smalls in the 2018 finals... none are options here.

Of the list, Pickett looks promising, but I think we’re forgetting how valuable a fully fit Hannan is.

[Lord Travis 4,063]

Voted Pickett because Hannan was not an option. It’s a clear weakness for us that we drafted Pickett to address longer term. Not sure how long he’ll take to come on though, as though as while he can do some magical stuff, he’s a long way off it consistency-wise and is very low production like Spargo.

I think if fit that Hannan is the best proven option. Not a huge goal kicker, but chimes in, can provide a target and has decent pace too.
C Wagner and Spargo are better in other positions and probably not best 22. Bedford and Chandler unknowns. ANB more a running HFF. Fritsch plays taller as a marking option. AVB better further up the ground around the ball.

[Pulp Fritschon 88]

I think Pickett will play round 1. ANB the other small in the forward line.

I hope to see something to get excited about from Bedford and Chandler this season to potentially pair with Pickett long term. 

[Demon3 1,347]

Its definitely an are of weakness, that specific small forward role, it has to be Pickett i think, but its a role that will be rotated throughout the year until someone grabs it.

Interestingly enough, toward the end of teh year it may be Bennell if it works out that he gets back,it might work nicely for him to play that small forward role close to goal to ease back into teh game., ultimately you want him up the ground a bit but he is smart enough to play that small fwd role.

[dl4e 1,640]

Pickett a long term option but maybe this is a last year hurrah for Jones.

[Accepting Mediocrity 321]

We don't really have a specialist crumber (I think Pickett, Chandler & Bedford will probably be a couple of years away), but then neither do Collingwood or the Giants and their forward lines go alright. 

Hannan for me. Regularly kicks those 'something out of nothing' goals that we sourly lacked in 2019. Goes missing for periods, but there aren't many small forwards that don't. Currently our best option IMO.

[Bring-Back-Powell 3,676]

24 minutes ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

Hannan for me. Regularly kicks those 'something out of nothing' goals that we sourly lacked in 2019. 

Agreed. He's very good at those sort of opportunist goals.

Has been in rehab all summer so unless he graduates to fill training by early Feb, I doubt he'll be in the round 1 frame.

[picket fence 3,704]

4 hours ago, old dee said:

Interesting You cannot vote for Spargo?

The guy who has filled the roll for the majority of the last two years.

Not that I would but have we decided he is not up to the job?

Decided early he was not up to AFL Standard and as a FP The Major job description is to kick goals. In this instance he has failed dismally! I would think 35 plus goals in this day and age as a small forward earns your keep!

Edited January 16 by picket fence

[Ollie fan 9]

I’d like to see Hunt trained in the role. The wings look like they won’t be available to him, and he has pace, smarts and can kick. He needs to learn the arts and tricks but he is still young.

Of course, if Pickett is half as good as his uncle..........

[big_red_fire_engine 4,791]

Early if we play a crumbing pressure type Bedford. Possibly Pickett by end of year. 

[Cheesy D. Pun 526]

I would love to see Pickett in there but voted Bedford as I suspect he might be a bit fitter.

Hannan is a quick thinker and is super talented but seems to find himself out of the play too often. Needs to bring more tackle pressure if that's going to be the case.

Alternatively, Wagner brings solid tackle pressure but he's not the creative goal kicker we're looking for. 

[Mel Bourne 610]

If you take a look at Lockhart’s reel while playing in the forward line (in particular vs Dockers/Bombers), you’ll see a player who showed enormous potential in this position. (especially given his lack of pre-season and experience in the big league). Seems however that he’s being groomed for defence (possibly taking over from Nev when the time comes). My 2¢: if somebody else seems like a good fit for this defensive role, then start grooming Lockhart for the FP role immediately. 

[Accepting Mediocrity 321]

18 hours ago, picket fence said:

I would think 35 plus goals in this day and age as a small forward earns your keep!

You set a hard pass mark, there aren't too many small forwards in the comp that put up those sort of numbers. I'd settle for 25 goals and consistent, manic tackling pressure (strong user name to posting content correlation!)

Agree that Spargo's not the forward pocket answer though.

16 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

I’d like to see Hunt trained in the role.

I reckon it's probably the hardest position to teach - good forward pockets are purely instinctual in my view. You've either got it or you don't IMO, and I don't think Hunt's got it. Quick in straight lines, but he's not particularly evasive or creative. He's at his most damaging streaming inside 50 rather than crumbing a pack IMO.

[58er 395]

12 hours ago, Mel Bourne said:

If you take a look at Lockhart’s reel while playing in the forward line (in particular vs Dockers/Bombers), you’ll see a player who showed enormous potential in this position. (especially given his lack of pre-season and experience in the big league). Seems however that he’s being groomed for defence (possibly taking over from Nev when the time comes). My 2¢: if somebody else seems like a good fit for this defensive role, then start grooming Lockhart for the FP role immediately. 

I suspect Lockhart will be part of Melbourne's future defence with breaknet speed and drive from half back/pocket.
 

Similar to Andy McGrath of Bombers or Chris Johnson of the 3 peat flag winning Lions.

[DeeSpencer 11,773]

If we go with 7 forwards then you don't need to rotate them through the midfield all that much. If you go 8 you're looking at more midfield rotations.

At this stage I'd probably say 7 forwards.
2 mid sizes: Fritsch, Melksham
2 talls: T Mc, Weid/Petty/Brown
1 x factor: Hunt, Jackson, Hannan

Which then leaves:
1 high half forward: ANB, Jones, C Wagner, Spargo, Chandler, Bedford
1 crumber: Chandler, Pickett, Spargo, Bedford

Until Pickett shows he's got the fitness and ability at AFL or VFL level (which could be as soon as the first preseason game) I think Chandler is ahead in the order. He's not rated highly enough on here.

[CBDees 2,920]

Am I missing something or don’t we have two positions? 😳

[JakovichScissorKick 574]

Pickett obviously

 

[Demon Dude 263]

I suspect Chandler will take the spot to start the year.

While Bedfords running ability will keep him firmly in the frame also. and they'll be keen to get Picketts obvious talents into the team when they think he's fit enough.

I would love to see 2 of those guys out there pressuring oppo defences, crumbling goals and earning their spot every week.

But our excellent track watchers/reporters would have a better idea than me on who is likely in pole position at this stage. 

[picket fence 3,704]

Pickett has more serious X Factor than any of the other candidates. I reckon play him very early and Blood for the future!