Who Is Responsible ?

[old55 23,687]

Craig Cameron's responsible and it's the correct decision IMO.

Really good small forwards are very hard to find. They almost always have a defect ...

1. Inability to win their own contested ball in final's heat

2. Unwilling or unfit enough to run defensively

3. Too slight to apply real physical pressure when tackling

4. Inability to manufacture the opportunist goal

5. Weak overhead

Not surprisngly the Daveys both have the same defects (1 (so far anyway), 3, and 5) and we don't want multiples of it. Their defensive running is good but their tackling is just not effective. At best we can get a spread of small forwards who compensate for each others defects. IMO the reason why Brown or recently Godfrey have played small forward roles is because of what they deliver against 2 and 3. Pickett fails 2. Yze fails 1 and 2. That's OK if you get compensation elsewhere.

One of our big failings has been our ability to win contested ball at HF. Miller just drops too many marks and is useless below his knees, but that's a different story.

In theory Sylvia delivers on all 5 points and that is why he is played there but he's being crucified while he learns his craft. Experience is crucial for the role. I'd much prefer to see him off half-back with Bell.

I'd like to see Whelan played in the forward line in place of Godfrey and Brown for the reasons above and he's strong overhead. None of them are going to deliver much on point 4. I know it's been tried before but I'd give it another go. He needs to work harder at it.

I'd prefer to see Ward played in the forward line for the same reason, he has the pace to run defensively against the pacier half-backs. As our attacking option himself off HB he's just too wasteful and by definition of his role - too loose. Ironically he could play tighter at HF if that was his instruction and the goals are a bigger target than a forward on the lead so his iffy disposal would be less exposed.

We need more skillful small backs and harder working, more effective small forwards.

[Slartibartfast 17,518]

I'd prefer to see Ward played in the forward line for the same reason, he has the pace to run defensively against the pacier half-backs. As our attacking option himself off HB he's just too wasteful and by definition of his role - too loose.

Not this week.

[phoenix 32]

Craig Cameron's responsible and it's the correct decision IMO.

A thought provoking answer Old.

I doubt it will have that effect on CB though, I doubt even the lights are on.

[Garry Lyon's Leg Hair 0]

I can't help but wonder what the chances are that Aaron will end up at Essendon with his younger brother or vise versa, when does Aarons contract expire, is it 2009??

[Jaded No More 68,972]

Not this week.

Nice call

I agree with the sentiments Old, but I would hope that we can find someone better than Ward to play up forward. Sure, being unaccountable won't be an issue, but what will be of his complete inability to hit a target?

Sylvia in the backline next to Bell is worth experimenting with, but I would suggest that he'll be stuck up forward until he is fit, and the club is confident that his OP is under control (yes, I am well aware that this may never actually happen )

[Rogue 585]

Sylvia in the backline next to Bell is worth experimenting with

Interesting idea. The times I've watched Slyvia pretty closely when I'm at games he tends to get a bit lost out there, so playing back might help that side of things.

[Ash35 425]

Not surprisngly the Daveys both have the same defects (1 (so far anyway), 3, and 5) and we don't want multiples of it. Their defensive running is good but their tackling is just not effective.

From what I've seen in his first 5 games, I would say that Alwyns tackling is very effective.

[Yze_Magic 3]

Alwyns start to his career has mirrored that of his brother AAron

Kinda scary actually

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

That's why Melbourne have been so successful over the past 40 odd years.

You have got to love the conservative Melbourne thinking.

For some one who has persistently and ignorantly bagged any tactical initiative undertaken by ND and the football department you would on your own form to date miss the irony and hypocirsy of your position.

You're a prize example of the conservative thinking you sarcastically and witlessly attack.

[Nasher 33,617]

From what I've seen in his first 5 games, I would say that Alwyns tackling is very effective.

Has he laid a front-on tackle yet?

[Ash35 425]

Has he laid a front-on tackle yet?

I'm sure amongst the 23 tackles he has laid in his first 5 games there would be at least one front-on tackle in there.

Is a front-on tackle better than a run from behind tackle? All I know is that most of his tackles stick, and he has set up numerous goals from them. I would call that "effective" tackling.

[Nasher 33,617]

I wasn't arguing that Ash. It was just a question with no hidden meanings.

[Ash35 425]

I wasn't arguing that Ash. It was just a question with no hidden meanings.

No worries. I should have known.

I'm still a bit touchy after Wednesday.

Alwyn's first half was actually one of the few positives in a pretty disappointing day.

[Geddy Lee 582]

No worries. I should have known.

I'm still a bit touchy after Wednesday.

Alwyn's first half was actually one of the few positives in a pretty disappointing day.

I was there and I thought that whilst Collingwood obviously got the umpire's love and O'Brien was illegally scragging Lucas all day, your senior players just failed to stand up, which filtered down. Keplar was Keplar, but the real disappointing prospect at Windy Hill was Laycock, who has failed to impose himself on a contest since Anzac Day '05. Paddy Ryder is amazing though, I'm very keen on him.