On 1/17/2020 at 3:41 PM, DeeSpencer said:

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.

I'm interested to hear your opinion on Hannan.

Personally I find that he either goes missing or simply isn't involved in the play often enough.

Many posters on here have a high opinion of him but I am yet to see him consistently deliver across more than a few games in a row.

I paid close attention to him when in attendance at the MCG in one game in 2018 to see what I was missing. He worked incredibly hard to try and work his opponent over but never seemed to get the better of him too often. The times that he did get free he was either in the wrong position, was ignored by the ball carrier (which was pretty frustrating when I could see how hard he had worked to get clear) or he got on the end of it and made something good happen.

I still just don't know. I feel like he is still overrated on here.

Thoughts?

On 1/17/2020 at 2:50 AM, 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 agree Mel Bourne.

 

 

 

 

On 1/16/2020 at 12:16 PM, Bring-Back-Powell said:

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.

We actually miss Dean Kent’s spearing i50 (despite his continuous injuries) he did a great job in that department - agree Nibbler needs to step up

On 1/16/2020 at 2:12 PM, Demon3 said:

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.

I like your thinking, bennell knows where the goals are, less running playing by playing fp you would think would be easier on the calves and coming in with not alot of match fitness the fp role for him makes alot of sense 

On 1/18/2020 at 5:00 PM, BAMF said:

I feel like he is still overrated on here.

Fair point BAMF, but if you go by demonland, Oliver is basically a better version of Voss and Fritsch is a modern James Hird (but better overhead). Ridiculously overrating dees players is kind of our thing.

On Hannan, he won't win a coleman, but at his best he's more than a handy contributor in an area we lack. He averaged 1.5 goals a game in 2018, which is a rung below elite but pretty good for a small forward. Statistically speaking, his output is comparable with players like Liam Ryan, Daniel Rioli and Jason Costagna. When fit, I think he's an important cog in the forward line.

Plus he kicked the sealer in the EF against Geelong, so he gets bonus points for that.

On 1/18/2020 at 6:30 PM, BAMF said:

I'm interested to hear your opinion on Hannan.

Personally I find that he either goes missing or simply isn't involved in the play often enough.

Many posters on here have a high opinion of him but I am yet to see him consistently deliver across more than a few games in a row.

I paid close attention to him when in attendance at the MCG in one game in 2018 to see what I was missing. He worked incredibly hard to try and work his opponent over but never seemed to get the better of him too often. The times that he did get free he was either in the wrong position, was ignored by the ball carrier (which was pretty frustrating when I could see how hard he had worked to get clear) or he got on the end of it and made something good happen.

I still just don't know. I feel like he is still overrated on here.

Thoughts?

I listed Hannan in with Hunt and Jackson as X factors because after picking the right balance of talls and mid sized marking players as well as ground level guys I think that last spot will be for a guy who can make something happen. I certainly feel like we haven't seen the best of Hannan but yes what we have seen the last couple of years has been inconsistent and hampered by injuries. But most teams have one forward who is inconsistent but a dangerous match up and Hannan's pace and nose for a goal makes him that kind of player.

Like all our forwards he has to work on his positioning and connection with the mids and I'd to see him stronger at the contest at times. And of course he has to improve defensively to lock down a spot - something which isn't easy when hampered by injuries.

I think he's capable of having a good season and being in the best 22 if they get him fully fit and confident, but if not we might be better served with someone like Hunt who can rotate up on to a wing and be dangerous as the out the back forward. Or we might just blood Jackson who could be a tricky match up forward and then strengthen the ruck minutes without Gawn.

Jeepers and people around here are talking up our depth. Even if you add Hannan and ANB that’s a very poor list for 2020.

Let's hope Hannan can regain fitness. If Pickett gets more than a token game or 2, we're in big trouble. He couldn't impact U18 games, how is he supposed to impact at AFL level in his first year. He will probably struggle in the VFL too.

5 minutes ago, TheoX said:

Let's hope Hannan can regain fitness. If Pickett gets more than a token game or 2, we're in big trouble. He couldn't impact U18 games, how is he supposed to impact at AFL level in his first year. He will probably struggle in the VFL too.

SO WE USED PICK 12 FOR A GUY WHO YOU SAY STRUGGLED AT UNDER18's

ONE WOULD ASSUME THAT HE WAS SELECTED ENTIRELY BASED ON POTENTIAL BIG Call

Are there any crumbing forward pockets out there in the state leagues that we could pick up as a SSP?

Let's just imagine we have 2 picks with neitas knee and if all goes pear shaped with Bennell.

An early and a mid 20 year older would be ideal...

Wishful thinking?

 

I can see people's point in thinking Hannan being overrated. Personally for me he's best is when he is fully fit, and that hasn't happened since his first year back in 2017. Even in 2018 there were times where he made a big impact in some games. His round 22 against the eagles, he should have easily kicked 4 that day. Missed one from 25m out on an angle.

My issue with him is that he goes missing far too often. I'd like the club to utilize him more as a wingman because he does have good speed and clean kicking skills.

Here is he's 2017 highlights. He was very impressive that year.

 

On 1/17/2020 at 3:41 PM, DeeSpencer said:

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.

I agree with how you've broken the forward line up into 5 sections, but I think you've missed 2 sections.

Resting on ballers of which Petracca, AVB and maybe Brayshaw, Sparrow or Clarrie would mostly utilise one high half forward Flank.  I doubt Viney would go through there.  They can't all be on the bench at one time.

Resting Ruck of which  Gawne, McDonald  Weid take up one.   I think for that reason we might go 3 talls.  Petty/Jackson or Brown as the extra.  So that we have two marking targets when Gawne goes to the bench.

Fritsch and Melksham are certainties so only leaves one small forward spot.

Picket and Bedford are untried, Jackson goes missing in about 70% of his games but maybe improves it this year, Hannan can also mark but again he rarely gets more than 5 possessions, Chandler and Wagner are more consistent but at this stage neither has done brilliant things.   That leaves ANB (running ability but not a marking option, has defensive ability, but not strong in a contest), Jones (experience, goal sense, leadership, defensive ability,  hardness, can mark) and Hunt (Pace, marking target, x factor).  I'd go with Jones but I see why others might pick  another.

 

On 1/18/2020 at 6:00 PM, BAMF said:

I'm interested to hear your opinion on Hannan.

Personally I find that he either goes missing or simply isn't involved in the play often enough.

Many posters on here have a high opinion of him but I am yet to see him consistently deliver across more than a few games in a row.

I paid close attention to him when in attendance at the MCG in one game in 2018 to see what I was missing. He worked incredibly hard to try and work his opponent over but never seemed to get the better of him too often. The times that he did get free he was either in the wrong position, was ignored by the ball carrier (which was pretty frustrating when I could see how hard he had worked to get clear) or he got on the end of it and made something good happen.

I still just don't know. I feel like he is still overrated on here.

Thoughts?

He has talent in a few bucket areas - enough to impress. At the same time, I feel that he has limited confidence and hence, goes missing from the action other than one-on-one stuff and clear breaks at/or with the ball. He sure knows how to kick, how to run clear and how to take a solid mark against an opponent. If he is fit enough for this season after a long lay-off with injury - confidence (we can hope) will rise taking him into more plays, more space (where he really could make a difference for our fwd line), and more hits between the big sticks. Just an opinion 'coz I like the way he moves onfield. 

1 hour ago, stinga said:

I agree with how you've broken the forward line up into 5 sections, but I think you've missed 2 sections.

Resting on ballers of which Petracca, AVB and maybe Brayshaw, Sparrow or Clarrie would mostly utilise one high half forward Flank.  I doubt Viney would go through there.  They can't all be on the bench at one time.

Resting Ruck of which  Gawne, McDonald  Weid take up one.   I think for that reason we might go 3 talls.  Petty/Jackson or Brown as the extra.  So that we have two marking targets when Gawne goes to the bench.

Fritsch and Melksham are certainties so only leaves one small forward spot.

Picket and Bedford are untried, Jackson goes missing in about 70% of his games but maybe improves it this year, Hannan can also mark but again he rarely gets more than 5 possessions, Chandler and Wagner are more consistent but at this stage neither has done brilliant things.   That leaves ANB (running ability but not a marking option, has defensive ability, but not strong in a contest), Jones (experience, goal sense, leadership, defensive ability,  hardness, can mark) and Hunt (Pace, marking target, x factor).  I'd go with Jones but I see why others might pick  another.

 

Mids will rotate through the forward line and ideally we’d have more players with versatility but forward pressure, up and back work rate, forward craft and cohesion is too important not to have 7 forwards in the side and to have at least 1 tasked with and suited to crumbing, pressure and some goal kicking ability. 

Jones should be in contention for a high half forward spot, and we could have a couple of players in that role, but whether it’s a specialist small like Pickett or Bedford or someone more versatile like Hunt or Hannan there has to be some speed and tackle pressure inside 50.

A 32 year old who doesn’t have the agility in the legs and back he once had isn’t going to be laying tackles, darting through gaps and sprinting out the back. 

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I can see people's point in thinking Hannan being overrated. Personally for me he's best is when he is fully fit, and that hasn't happened since his first year back in 2017. Even in 2018 there were times where he made a big impact in some games. His round 22 against the eagles, he should have easily kicked 4 that day. Missed one from 25m out on an angle.

My issue with him is that he goes missing far too often. I'd like the club to utilize him more as a wingman because he does have good speed and clean kicking skills.

Here is he's 2017 highlights. He was very impressive that year.

 

Has an exceptional ability to dispose of the ball quickly and therefore is the type of player who makes something from nothing. An accurate kick and a good mark are other assets.

Agree with you DD that he does go missing for large periods of games and needs to stay involved.

Obviously needs to get fit to be considered and that will be his big goal. 

7 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Mids will rotate through the forward line and ideally we’d have more players with versatility but forward pressure, up and back work rate, forward craft and cohesion is too important not to have 7 forwards in the side and to have at least 1 tasked with and suited to crumbing, pressure and some goal kicking ability. 

Jones should be in contention for a high half forward spot, and we could have a couple of players in that role, but whether it’s a specialist small like Pickett or Bedford or someone more versatile like Hunt or Hannan there has to be some speed and tackle pressure inside 50.

A 32 year old who doesn’t have the agility in the legs and back he once had isn’t going to be laying tackles, darting through gaps and sprinting out the back. 

I couldn't agree more with what you are saying, it's just that we don't have anyone that has yet shown they can do that.  It's like playing with one player short.  If one of them does give a consistent performance of one or two goals per game and an occasional bag full, and consistently chases down players it would be great.  But that hasn't happened yet and I'd rather have someone who lets the defender know he's around and can still get that 1 or 2 goals a game.   I hope you're right and one of them does it.