24 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Got to believe AJ, Big Jacob and the Rizzler will return us to goal scoring glory. 

Last time Chaplin coached the forwards, we had consistently huge spreads of goalkickers, so it's not all on the forwards. We'll get plenty of goals from midfield if things go to plan.

On 07/11/2024 at 08:59, roy11 said:

Think we can get more from this fella, Kicked 17.7 this year from 15 games in 2024.

Hopefully he stays fit and kicks on again in 2025.

And he didn’t play every one of those games in the forward line, if my memory’s correct? 

8 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

And he didn’t play every one of those games in the forward line, if my memory’s correct? 

Mostly I say 13/14 really but possible 35/40 goaler if 23 gamer in forward line in 2025. 

Why a search for a sidekick could make or break the Demons

Shane McAdam’s cruel Achilles tendon rupture – the latest setback in a career riddled with injuries – has added further mystery to the make-up of Melbourne’s maligned forward line.

The former Crow arrived at the Demons via a trade two years ago in the hope he could add a new element in attack, but played only three games last season and faces another extended absence following likely surgery after hurting himself in match simulation on Friday.

Melbourne’s big hope is Jacob van Rooyen, a 21-year-old key forward who ex-Demon Russell Robertson likened to a “young David Schwarz” for their physical likeness but also fearless attack on the Sherrin.

“I feel like I’ve put in a really strong block over the pre-season. It hasn’t been interrupted at all, and hopefully, it stays that way,” van Rooyen said.

“I’m really looking forward to [this season], and working with the group we have, and building off last year. I’m only 21, so I’ve still got a lot to learn [with] my forward craft.”

Van Rooyen kicked 58 goals across the past two seasons and shapes as a future star, but the Demons are yet to find a reliable second tall target to partner him.

That is one of the reasons Melbourne were the fifth-lowest scoring team in the AFL last year, mustering a paltry 77.6 points per game as they tumbled to 14th on the ladder and missed finals for the first time since 2020.

Coach Simon Goodwin’s experiment with Harry Petty as a forward failed, and he will return to defence this year, while Matt Jefferson – the No.15 pick in the 2022 draft – is yet to play a senior game.

For all their draft success in different areas of the ground, particularly in the midfield, Melbourne have struggled to unearth a key forward besides van Rooyen, with Sam Weideman also a bust as a top-10 pick a decade ago.

They opted not to select one with any of their four first-round picks in the past two drafts, including passing on the likes of Jonty Faull, Harry Armstrong, Jack Whitlock and Thomas Sims last year.

Melbourne instead took a punt on late-bloomer Aidan Johnson, a “very, very aggressive” 193-centimetre forward out of VFL club Werribee and Lavington, with the 68th selection.

The club’s national recruiting manager Jason Taylor said at the time that he had tracked 24-year-old Johnson for several seasons.

“We think he could potentially have an instant impact for us,” Taylor said. “We’re excited by what he could become.”

The Demons’ two key forwards in their drought-breaking 2021 grand final triumph were the since-retired Ben Brown – secured in a trade with North Melbourne – and Tom McDonald, who started his career as a defender and is back there now.

However, their attempt to transform Brodie Grundy into a forward-ruck in his one season at the club backfired spectacularly; he was not even selected in their finals campaign that year.

Bayley Fritsch, a 188-centimetre lead-up forward, has kicked 38 or more goals in each of the past four seasons and is the most reliable option Melbourne have, while Kysaiah Pickett is one of the game’s best and most prolific small forwards.

Kade Chandler, another small forward, is also a regular goalkicker.

But the Demons lost Alex Neal-Bullen, their best game runner and pressure player, to Adelaide last year after he requested a trade home on compassionate grounds. They recruited fringe Lion Harry Sharp to fill the void.

The latest tall forward being used alongside van Rooyen in attack is Daniel Turner, another ex-defender who was the last pick in the 2021 mid-season draft.

Turner kicked 17 goals in 15 games last year, including three hauls of at least three. Melbourne rewarded him with a two-year extension in July.

Former Brisbane player Tom Fullarton, a forward-ruck, is also on the Demons’ list, and van Rooyen said having so many options was “a good problem”.

“There are still a lot of guys fighting for those spots,” van Rooyen said. “And they are all looking really strong coming into the year.”

 

I don't think the forward line is an easy fix, because our midfield contains a lot a great ball winners but they are ordinary kicks.

That said, I think our forward line always looks worse on paper if Melksham is picked as a key forward, but it functions a lot better with him in the role. Richmond won a flag with Jacob Townsend as a key forward and Melksham is a similar and more skilful player.

Round 1 forward line for me is

Fritta  Turner   Chandler

K.Brown  JVR   Trac

 

Johnson on bench 

Langford rotating with Trac

Only Picked K.Brown as we need another small and Spargo isn’t ready and Kozzy is out and we have no one else. 
Mentha isn’t ready also. 

6 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

I don't think the forward line is an easy fix, because our midfield contains a lot a great ball winners but they are ordinary kicks.

That said, I think our forward line always looks worse on paper if Melksham is picked as a key forward, but it functions a lot better with him in the role. Richmond won a flag with Jacob Townsend as a key forward and Melksham is a similar and more skilful player.

Only issue is Melksham seems to be having constant injury issues this year... age may be catching up

7 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Only issue is Melksham seems to be having constant injury issues this year... age may be catching up

He’s had soft tissue issues for a while even before the acl which always increases hamstring risk. 2023 was probably the window for Jake to be a difference maker and the knee injury robbed that from him and us.

Sub and deputy forward line coach seems the most likely role for him unless we are in contention in August and he can have an 8 week run.

21 minutes ago, Demongirl35 said:

Round 1 forward line for me is

Fritta  Turner   Chandler

K.Brown  JVR   Trac

 

Johnson on bench 

Langford rotating with Trac

Only Picked K.Brown as we need another small and Spargo isn’t ready and Kozzy is out and we have no one else. 
Mentha isn’t ready also. 

Fritsch JVR Spargo/Sparrow

Langford/Trac Turner Johnson/Chandler

I am hoping that Kynan Brown, AMW, even Laurie all get a hit out forward this year. Jefferson remains the possible wildcard. I’m assuming he’ll play against North. He’s going to have to a good day out.

Edited February 17Feb 17 by Roost it far

16 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Fritsch JVR Spargo/Sparrow

Langford/Trac Turner Johnson/Chandler

I am hoping that Kynan Brown, AMW, even Laurie all get a hit out forward this year. Jefferson remains the possible wildcard. I’m assuming he’ll play against North. He’s going to have to a good day out.

Do you think Spargo plays round 1?

I do think Sparrow will play Half forward abit.

Really hope K.Brown gets a gig round 1 in the forward pocket.

3 minutes ago, Demongirl35 said:

Do you think Spargo plays round 1?

I do think Sparrow will play Half forward abit.

Really hope K.Brown gets a gig round 1 in the forward pocket.

With Kozzie and ANB missing I think Spargo will be very close to getting the nod in Round 1.  If he’s fit then what he’s going to need is 10-12 matches to get his game back. For mine he’s best 22.  love him forward of centre with ball in hand. I don’t have stats but I reckon this scenario ends up in a shot on goal in a good percentage of instances. He uses the ball well, is smart and if there’s some pace on the ball and he’s kicking it to a leading target then we’re in for half a dozen score assists every week.

16 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

With Kozzie and ANB missing I think Spargo will be very close to getting the nod in Round 1.  If he’s fit then what he’s going to need is 10-12 matches to get his game back. For mine he’s best 22.  love him forward of centre with ball in hand. I don’t have stats but I reckon this scenario ends up in a shot on goal in a good percentage of instances. He uses the ball well, is smart and if there’s some pace on the ball and he’s kicking it to a leading target then we’re in for half a dozen score assists every week.

Agreed.

His smarts on his ball use and his score assists are underrated.

Although I can’t see him playing round 1.

Last year I thought the same against the Swans and you could tell he was rushed way to quick and unfortunately his season ended very fast.

Still a few weeks away though so time will tell

54 minutes ago, Demongirl35 said:

Do you think Spargo plays round 1?

I do think Sparrow will play Half forward abit.

Really hope K.Brown gets a gig round 1 in the forward pocket.

Interesting he was singled out as the 'hook' for the Club website's report of Friday's match sim, for his two goals in quick succession.

On 07/11/2024 at 12:44, rpfc said:

As I have said across a number of different threads since 2022 - it is less about ‘the big tall forward’ and more about how we have moved the ball in transition from the backline. We just have to continue to move in the bold and daring direction. There are variants but in today’s game of disciplined athletes executing team defence - moving it quickly and directly to players with decent forward craft is key.

When they come back for pre-season training - Chaplin has to continue what McQualter reignited and push our best players out of their baser instincts; May demanding the ball and slowing down play, Gawn requesting dump footy and waiting for him to get into the forward 50, CP5 and CO13 running 5m and dumping it indiscriminately forward - run further and get it over the defensive setup or use forward handballs but our best players are so predictable it makes their dominance moot.

So, yes, would love a dominant forward but they would be wasted until we fix these issues and get the ball moving.

This is such a good post.
 

22 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Interesting he was singled out as the 'hook' for the Club website's report of Friday's match sim, for his two goals in quick succession.

Yep noticed that too!

It’s hard to fit him in anywhere else. 
Can’t put him on the wings and can’t see him spending a whole lot of time in the midfield. He is happy to get in and under so I think maybe a forward spot will mean he can get in and under the ball when the ball is in our forward line and our keys can’t get down and our smalls are waiting for that quick handball out and as you have mentioned he can snag a goal or two himself. 

Media speculating around JUH future at the dogs post the 2025 season. 

Would you go after this bloke if we were able to agree trade value. We seem to have a reasonable trade negotiations with the Doggies.

Or is he destined to leave the footy capitol.  

5 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

Media speculating around JUH future at the dogs post the 2025 season. 

Would you go after this bloke if we were able to agree trade value. We seem to have a reasonable trade negotiations with the Doggies.

Or is he destined to leave the footy capitol.  

I’d take him everyday of the week but he’s probably going to Freo

14 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

Media speculating around JUH future at the dogs post the 2025 season. 

Would you go after this bloke if we were able to agree trade value. We seem to have a reasonable trade negotiations with the Doggies.

Or is he destined to leave the footy capitol.  

Think he’s pretty good mates with Clarry…. So maybe he should get in his ear.

I think the Coaching Staff will have a few ideas for the Fwd Line, i believe the ball has to come in faster, and that will require better delivery 

It’s going to be fascinating…

30 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I think the Coaching Staff will have a few ideas for the Fwd Line, i believe the ball has to come in faster, and that will require better delivery 

It’s going to be fascinating…

It’s funny how little attention this gets and how a Hawthorn, Collingwood, Sydney forward line is made to look much better than it actually is.

Doggies are stacked for forward line talent. Naughton, JUH, Darcy and yet have ball movement issues and inconsistency in performance. 

Will be interested to see how the Lions go without Daniher as well. 

Our forward line is not the best in the comp but it’s not the worst either I’d say if we were to just fix f50 delivery we’ll see a marked uplift in forward line KPIs as a result.

2 hours ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Think he’s pretty good mates with Clarry…. So maybe he should get in his ear.

The view is he's more likely to get in his nose

19 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

It’s funny how little attention this gets and how a Hawthorn, Collingwood, Sydney forward line is made to look much better than it actually is.

Doggies are stacked for forward line talent. Naughton, JUH, Darcy and yet have ball movement issues and inconsistency in performance. 

Will be interested to see how the Lions go without Daniher as well. 

Our forward line is not the best in the comp but it’s not the worst either I’d say if we were to just fix f50 delivery we’ll see a marked uplift in forward line KPIs as a result.

That’s what i am hoping for. We have been far too static forward of centre for 2-3 years. I think we will see a marked change this year 

3 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I’d take him everyday of the week but he’s probably going to Freo

Good cos they sure as hell don't have enough draft capital for Kozzie and JUH

6 hours ago, Roost it far said:

With Kozzie and ANB missing I think Spargo will be very close to getting the nod in Round 1.  If he’s fit then what he’s going to need is 10-12 matches to get his game back. For mine he’s best 22.  love him forward of centre with ball in hand. I don’t have stats but I reckon this scenario ends up in a shot on goal in a good percentage of instances. He uses the ball well, is smart and if there’s some pace on the ball and he’s kicking it to a leading target then we’re in for half a dozen score assists every week.

Spargo not ready in all likelihood

I'd suggest Laurie may get a run.

10 hours ago, Demonland said:

However, their attempt to transform Brodie Grundy into a forward-ruck in his one season at the club backfired spectacularly; he was not even selected in their finals campaign that year.

That memory needs to be squeegeed from my brain

 

10 hours ago, Demonland said:

Former Brisbane player Tom Fullarton, a forward-ruck, is also on the Demons’ list, and van Rooyen said having so many options was “a good problem”.

“There are still a lot of guys fighting for those spots,” van Rooyen said. “And they are all looking really strong coming into the year.”

That would be a good problem to have, if we had it. Redundant question to ask young Jacob, what else is he going to say!

Edited February 17Feb 17 by John Demonic