Ben Brown and our forward line transition

3 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

My issue is that we haven't settled on a best 23 and it's July!

I don't know what our best mix is. Do you? and more worryingly, do our coaches?

I just don't understand why we persevered with Petty forward, only to throw him down back again just as Tomlinson was finding good form and we were starting to get back to our defensive best. And it's not as if Petty is setting the world on fire down back. He's been good, but it feels counterproductive when we have someone else who can step into that role, and a forwardline screaming for anything resembling quality.

3 hours ago, monoccular said:

Very good point.  

Tommo going well in defence in Petty’s absence 

Petty just clicking as a forward before his injury - desperate for a strong tall forward. 
 

 

3 hours ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

I don’t really know but my guess is a fit BBB is in the coaches best 23, and I agree with that, he was massively important in 2021. But I’d have had him in for Smith this week instead of JVR. Next week I assume we get JVR in for Fritta. 

I’d also say that they rate Petty above Tomlinson which I also agree with, although it looks like they brought Petty back too early and Tomlinson was stiff to get dropped after his best game. I don’t think there’s a spot for Petty forward with both BBB, JVR and Smith so maybe Smith out and Petty forward?

Goodwin's management of Petty was very poor imv.  Either he doesn't see the benefit of players returning from a layoff coming in via Casey or he just doesn't rate the VFL at all.

We got Salem right but he had a mini pre-season prior to coming back.  The extent of that (Salem's build up) seemingly wasn't afforded to Petty so surely he needed a run at Casey.

And what was the rush anyway?  We had Tomo running into his best form at Casey, then playing one of his best matches in years vs the Filth.

We then drop JVR who, if Goodwin had watched him in rain effected matches (or was being fully informed/advised if he couldn't), should have known that he is probably our best marking tall forward in these conditions.  And our most accurate in front of the sticks.  The last tall forward you can afford to take out of the team in general, but especially in the wet!

While i agree with BB's return there was no need for the extra tall resting forward in Grundy.  It was one or the other in that weather.

In general Goodwin hasn't managed the opportunities available for players to return via Casey and also hasn't respected those who are performing there of late (outside of previous seniors who have runs on the board) with opportunities to be promoted enough this season imv.  Listing in-form players as an emergency is not a reward either.

2 hours ago, drdrake said:

You can't have B Brown and the resting ruck in same forward line.  

Our small forwards work so high up the ground that they can't get back at the feet of our forwards.

Pickett is looking for easy goals out the back.

I would give Grundy a spell this week, bring in JVR, have Brown, Smith, JVR.  

Bring in Laurie or debut Sestan.  

100%.  It was BB or Grundy.

I would argue the same this week.

I've been saying for weeks, Grundy as sub (if the oppo demand 2 rucks....otherwise he isn't needed).

JVR straight back in for Fritsch.

Woe for Chandler.

Jordan for Harmes

Clarry for ANB.... with Bowey to play the defensive forward role.

Howes in for Hunter.  He takes on McVee's role down back.  McVee pushes up to the non-langdon wing.

That last part wont happen of course.  We wouldn't want our team to include players with some decent run, better skills who are capable of hitting up targets on 45s or coming inside 50 would we.

Edited July 3, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty