This looks like the plan going forward for Joel Smith - pity about Casey’s bye this weekend.

Jumping Joel goes forward

Perhaps a Tweet/Article to prepare the masses for a surprise selection either this week or next?

Given that we have really struggled to find long marking options up forward and that we have gone back to our pre-2021 set up of just two tall forwards, we certainly need his less choreographed aerial work.

And if we were to play him as the third tall marking option, then it also gives us more flexibility down back if we get an injury.

There is a seperate argument is that JVR is also worth a try as the third tall forward 

But either way we need a spark up there and Joel has the aerial ability to provide it.

Edited August 4, 20222 yr by Deespicable
wrong year

4 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Perhaps a Tweet/Article to prepare the masses for a surprise selection either this week or next?

Don’t think so given that he’s played just one VFL game since recovering after a long time out. 

Who knows

He plays a Lever type game down back so he'll need a very different style up forward.

Perhaps his role is more upfield a la Tom Mac allowing BBB to play deeper forward

The remaining two VFL games are against Carlton and Brisbane who are currently fifth and third on the ladder so they will be decent tests

There's someone on here, could be picket, who swears blind that Joel is a natural forward. I would love to see some master stroke pulled out, with Joel going forward, kicking a bag, and fixing our forward woes at just the right time of year.

I like it.  Surprised they never tried him forward at AFL level.

This I like.

We are clearly missing a marking target moving forward. Whether we like it or not, Weed alas will not provide this.

Smith to me was kind of a 'break glass in case of emergency' type when Petty, Rick or Maysie went down. Joel probably would like to be more than surplus to requirements, so this is a great chance for him.

Besides, it will make @picket fencevery happy!

1 hour ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

This I like.

We are clearly missing a marking target moving forward. Whether we like it or not, Weed alas will not provide this.

Smith to me was kind of a 'break glass in case of emergency' type when Petty, Rick or Maysie went down. Joel probably would like to be more than surplus to requirements, so this is a great chance for him.

Besides, it will make @picket fencevery happy!

😍😁😂🤩 

SO VERY VERY VERY HAPPY! and its about time!!

I've never been the biggest fan or the biggest detractor of Joel, but he has never given me confidence s a back man. I would love to see him across half forward, but never thought it would happen. Athletic and quick. Can't see it happening in 2022

10 minutes ago, picket fence said:

😍😁😂🤩 

SO VERY VERY VERY HAPPY! and its about time!!

I'm glad you're happy picket !!!

However, as you are man of regular habits, I'm guessing you're at least half cut by now, so I'll expect your answer tomorrow.

Do you think Smith is any chance of  a return to the seniors this year?

2 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

There's someone on here, could be picket, who swears blind that Joel is a natural forward. I would love to see some master stroke pulled out, with Joel going forward, kicking a bag, and fixing our forward woes at just the right time of year.

I support his selection as a forward - have done so for some years now - he leads, he is quick, he can turn quickly, he can kick long and straight (all characteristics that others selected before him have not displayed).

1 hour ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

I'm glad you're happy picket !!!

However, as you are man of regular habits, I'm guessing you're at least half cut by now, so I'll expect your answer tomorrow.

Do you think Smith is any chance of  a return to the seniors this year?

As we speak Uncle no cuts coz I always have a clean shave, much less. albeit some close ones

In answer to your question..... The fact that they are giving him a Gig up forward says a Lot!!

If IF he plays in the ones as a Forward, I'm putting my C.V in as a potential member of staff at MFC

PICKET FENCE, "DIRECTOR OF INNOVATIONS AND PLAYER POSITIONING DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR"

My motto will be. "Make your next move, a career defining one"

🤩

Edited August 4, 20222 yr by picket fence

12 minutes ago, picket fence said:

As we speak Uncle no cuts coz I always have a clean shave, much less. albeit some close ones

In answer to your question..... The fact that they are giving him a Gig up forward says a Lot!!

If IF he plays in the ones as a Forward, I'm putting my C.V in as a potential member of staff at MFC

PICKET FENCE, "DIRECTOR OF INNOVATIONS AND PLAYER POSITIONING DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR"

My motto will be. "Make your next move, a career defining one"

🤩

Love your work picket!!!!

He played forward at AFL level in late 2018 didn’t he?  So this isn’t entirely new or unexpected is it?

Some of us have said play Joel forward  finally the penny has dropped .  When he plays back he seems to get injured a lot ,time and time again. If he breakdown playing forward so be it then we can say he is injury prone . The Weid should play as a ruck rover or play in the forward or back pocket no a major position. Less pressure on Sam will go along way to boost his confidence.

4 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

There's someone on here, could be picket, who swears blind that Joel is a natural forward. I would love to see some master stroke pulled out, with Joel going forward, kicking a bag, and fixing our forward woes at just the right time of year.

He isn't alone in his estimations.

5 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

This looks like the plan going forward for Joel Smith - pity about Casey’s bye this weekend.

Jumping Joel goes forward

Uneven numbered competitions must be resisted at all costs.  Say NO to Gil's push for a nineteenth team - sure relocate Norf or Saints, or Hawks, don't care which, but do not ever make the "draw" even less equitable buy creating byes, nor dilute the talent pool even more.

3 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

I'm glad you're happy picket !!!

However, as you are man of regular habits, I'm guessing you're at least half cut by now, so I'll expect your answer tomorrow.

Do you think Smith is any chance of  a return to the seniors this year?

Maybe a slight chance, but a greater chance surely than T McD

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

As we speak Uncle no cuts coz I always have a clean shave, much less. albeit some close ones

In answer to your question..... The fact that they are giving him a Gig up forward says a Lot!!

If IF he plays in the ones as a Forward, I'm putting my C.V in as a potential member of staff at MFC

PICKET FENCE, "DIRECTOR OF INNOVATIONS AND PLAYER POSITIONING DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR"

My motto will be. "Make your next move, a career defining one"

🤩

Got my vote.

I’ve been calling for this since his great pre-season game forward against Brisbane in 2019.

It’s time.

I can see the role.

Defensive forward to spoil the opposition intercept marker and to bring the small forwards into play.

Goal kicking will be secondary

Will it work...perhaps.. it's very similar to the role he played in the backline

I can see the Joel , JVR combo being a hit in the VFL next week , pity they were forced to rest due to the "stupid" bye. 

I’d say this is a go for next weekend. We have to try something. Melksham isn’t dynamic enough to play the role in the air. He gave it his all Jake, but it’s a big ask expecting him to play on tall defenders with the way we deliver the ball in.

The trouble with Smith is that, despite his pace and rocket fuelled leaps, he lacks the tricks to find space, make space, boss his own space, etc. He's a footy numpty. And then there's his injury prone landings and the soft cap, which rules out the involvement of Air Crash Investigation.

4 minutes ago, Tony Tea said:

The trouble with Smith is that, despite his pace and rocket fuelled leaps, he lacks the tricks to find space, make space, boss his own space, etc. He's a footy numpty. And then there's his injury prone landings and the soft cap, which rules out the involvement of Air Crash Investigation.

Sarcasm aside your points are valid which is why his position will be as a defensive forward which does not involve the skills you mention.

Mind you with his luck an injury is almost certain.

His real problem is that he has missed so many matches it's hard to see him being match fit during the last 2 weeks of the AFL season. Do the VFL play finals in the bye week. If so that could be useful