Defensive forward - ANB’s replacement?

[Romey 168]

I’m curious what people’s opinions are on who will replace ANB as our defensive gut-running forward? He played such an important role in our team.

We have a number of options including Chandler, Tholstrup, Laurie, Sparrow, Langdon and Sharp. None are like-for-like, but all are great runners, strong defensively and can hit the scoreboard.

For different reasons I think we should try Sparrow or Laurie there. Sparrow is strong overhead and has a penetrating kick. Laurie an effective crumber and deliverer inside 50. 

Obviously still room for a more traditional forward on the other flank. 

Thoughts?

[binman 43,718]

Chandler and/or Sharp is my guess. 

But Langdon might be a left field option as he is the only player who could match nibblas aerobic capacity, ability to cover the ground at speed and repeat sprints.

[rpfc 28,738]

12 minutes ago, binman said:

Chandler and/or Sharp is my guess. 

But Langdon might be a left field option as he is the only player who could match nibblas aerobic capacity, ability to cover the ground at speed and repeat sprints.

Chandler would be ideal as he is a better forward than ANB and that was my only issue with ANB in his incredibly important role. 

Then Langdon to do it and slide up Bowey or the new kid.

One point to reiterate - the role includes having to release CP5 (mainly) to drift forward through blocking in contests and following his opponent into the backline so discipline and footy smarts will be crucial.

[David-Demon 568]

39 minutes ago, Romey said:

I’m curious what people’s opinions are on who will replace ANB as our defensive gut-running forward? He played such an important role in our team.

We have a number of options including Chandler, Tholstrup, Laurie, Sparrow, Langdon and Sharp. None are like-for-like, but all are great runners, strong defensively and can hit the scoreboard.

For different reasons I think we should try Sparrow or Laurie there. Sparrow is strong overhead and has a penetrating kick. Laurie an effective crumber and deliverer inside 50. 

Obviously still room for a more traditional forward on the other flank. 

Thoughts?

Right now I am not a fan of Laurie based on 2024 games. I think Bowie may be able to fill ANB's role, and I see from ground reports @ training by others here that he is in the on-ballers group in these training sessions. As for Sparrow, he needs to take the next step in his playing development. I feel.

[beelzebub 23,382]

38 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Chandler would be ideal as he is a better forward than ANB and that was my only issue with ANB in his incredibly important role. 

Then Langdon to do it and slide up Bowey or the new kid.

One point to reiterate - the role includes having to release CP5 (mainly) to drift forward through blocking in contests and following his opponent into the backline so discipline and footy smarts will be crucial.

Almost like you know what you're talking about ;) 

Is this something they might groom 'Tricky Dicky' for ?  By way of curiosity? 

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,272]

35 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Almost like you know what you're talking about ;) 

Is this something they might groom 'Tricky Dicky' for ?  By way of curiosity? 

No idea who 'Tricky Dicky" is. And I'm not a fan of grooming.

I think Chandler is the best option.

[Diamond_Jim 12,626]

1 hour ago, binman said:

But Langdon might be a left field option as he is the only player who could match nibblas aerobic capacity, ability to cover the ground at speed and repeat sprints

I like that idea.

Langdon is a valuable player but I'm not sure the modern game suits the boundary line play which is his specialty. Bringing him infield and slightly forward could result in much faster and centred transition

[Little Goffy 14,636]

Chandler probably the lead candidate as he has the work rate and the role would help smooth his uneven performance.

Sparrow might work and, like Chandler, the role would help keep him involved usefully at the times he isn't gathering the ball so much, but that would need some adjustments to his body (less crash, more dash) which might be counter-productive if we have him penciled in as a long term heavy body in the packs.

Tholstrup has a real chance of developing into a potent weapon (I keep thinking a taller Paul Chapman) but in the contemporary game the starting point for a good mid-sized forward is harassment and pursuit. That'll take continuing fitness over multiple pre-seasons, but overall I can certainly see him contributing to our forward harrassment and even being a defensive forward when the need arises, though not in the Nibbler sense of all-day responsibility.

Spargo knows how to be in positions which stop the ball from coming near him. A statistic-destroying skill but a valuable contribution, especially when he can also be so smart on the occasions he does get the ball. However, everything is at best 'monitor' with Spargo until he gets a clean injury run and finds some confidence.

A collection of players (Bowey, Woewodin, Howes, Sharp, Brown, Hore) who aren't firmly wedded to a current position or even firmly in the 22 might each be given time to prove their team-first mettle across half-forward and that may turn up a nugget, but all have reasons to doubt, as well.

Of course, I'm also 100% in favour of a whole-team ethic on these things. One of the reasons I have so much respect for TMac is he always delivered the pressure acts, and it is also a solid part of Van Rooyen's game. Fritsch could do with a stern talking to on this. Water finds the hole.

[58er 6,538]

1 hour ago, binman said:

Chandler and/or Sharp is my guess. 

But Langdon might be a left field option as he is the only player who could match nibblas aerobic capacity, ability to cover the ground at speed and repeat sprints.

That’s what we got Sharp for isn’t it? 

I would rather give Sharp a free rein to use his skills in running and creating.

We must not get too defensive as a priority against attack which is still the best form of pressure on the opposition. 

Perhaps Bowey could go forward. Lingers must still be allowed to perform  his role which is crucial even more than Nibblers role. 

Other teams  don’t have to have a Nibbler perhaps it’s time we tried a game plan without this defensive mechanism. 

[58er 6,538]

14 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

Chandler probably the lead candidate as he has the work rate and the role would help smooth his uneven performance.

Sparrow might work and, like Chandler, the role would help keep him involved usefully at the times he isn't gathering the ball so much, but that would need some adjustments to his body (less crash, more dash) which might be counter-productive if we have him penciled in as a long term heavy body in the packs.

Tholstrup has a real chance of developing into a potent weapon (I keep thinking a taller Paul Chapman) but in the contemporary game the starting point for a good mid-sized forward is harassment and pursuit. That'll take continuing fitness over multiple pre-seasons, but overall I can certainly see him contributing to our forward harrassment and even being a defensive forward when the need arises, though not in the Nibbler sense of all-day responsibility.

Spargo knows how to be in positions which stop the ball from coming near him. A statistic-destroying skill but a valuable contribution, especially when he can also be so smart on the occasions he does get the ball. However, everything is at best 'monitor' with Spargo until he gets a clean injury run and finds some confidence.

A collection of players (Bowey, Woewodin, Howes, Sharp, Brown, Hore) who aren't firmly wedded to a current position or even firmly in the 22 might each be given time to prove their team-first mettle across half-forward and that may turn up a nugget, but all have reasons to doubt, as well.

Of course, I'm also 100% in favour of a whole-team ethic on these things. One of the reasons I have so much respect for TMac is he always delivered the pressure acts, and it is also a solid part of Van Rooyen's game. Fritsch could do with a stern talking to on this. Water finds the hole.

Really get off Frittas back. Not every single player is strong defensively. He is not there to be defensive but to kick goals and create opportunities to score. Other players like Chandler and Spargo don’t kick quite enough goals over the period. 

It will be interesting to see what evolves. 

[tiers 2,843]

Nibbler was unique as a small mid/defender operating all around the ground but who could also become an attacker when the opportunity presented. Sacrificing Langdon or Fritta's best game style to cover for Nibbler is mind numbingly silly.

What was special about Nibbler was his ability to operate all over the ground - he was just as likely to save a goal as kick a goal. Langdon does the same (as does Windsor) but Langdon's boundary line running ability to carry the ball is priceless. I believe that his 2 way running was one of the main reasons we won the flag in 2021 - he changed our game style and direction.

There is no easy direct replacement for Nibbler (as there wasn't for Angus) and so we must experiment and distribute the work load.

It might be that the biggest loss from Nibbler is his on field leadership. He should be signed up as a future coach.

[binman 43,718]

1 hour ago, 58er said:

That’s what we got Sharp for isn’t it? 

I would rather give Sharp a free rein to use his skills in running and creating.

We must not get too defensive as a priority against attack which is still the best form of pressure on the opposition. 

Perhaps Bowey could go forward. Lingers must still be allowed to perform  his role which is crucial even more than Nibblers role. 

Other teams  don’t have to have a Nibbler perhaps it’s time we tried a game plan without this defensive mechanism. 

Nibbla wasn't/isn't a defensive forward. 

He plays the high half forward role involving all game gut running up and down the ground from arc to arc that ALL teams now employ.

Nibbla is the best in the business at that role and I have little doubt he play it at the crows.

Edited November 23 by binman

[waynewussell 6,237]

3 hours ago, rpfc said:

Chandler would be ideal as he is a better forward than ANB and that was my only issue with ANB in his incredibly important role. 

Then Langdon to do it and slide up Bowey or the new kid.

One point to reiterate - the role includes having to release CP5 (mainly) to drift forward through blocking in contests and following his opponent into the backline so discipline and footy smarts will be crucial.

Players like ANB surface because of initial limitations. His one elite ability was his endurance. The ‘invisible’ characteristics that ANB possessed were his willingness to play a role that the team needed and his professional training standards. Link these to his determination to improve any deficiencies. He became a strong tackler, he developed a neat side-step and he improved his disposal efficiency. He also developed his ability to hit the scoreboard. So, his replacement won’t necessarily be one who already has multiple ‘weapons’ and a variety of options. It will be someone who has the aerobic capacity and the required high standards at training. Chandler, maybe; Woewodin, possibly; AMW, if he isn’t already ear-marked for another role off HB.

Edited November 23 by waynewussell

[beelzebub 23,382]

Who ever is to replace ANB might want to step up not just their game, but consistency .

Not seeing it on the list  atm.

Some pretty big preseasons needed here imho.

[WERRIDEE 5,503]

I think it's Chandler with Tholstrup doing a little bit as well.

[The end is nigh 391]

How about trac? With Riv shifting into the mids, maybe trac could take a bit more of the half forward role. Tholstrop Chandler and Sparrow should be doing a share too. Would like to see trac as a scoreboard impacting half forward. 
 

I liked Nibbler and he played his role well, using his skill set to impact. But it forced us to play a game that was inclusive of his style. We have the opportunity to shift our focus into heavier scoring as our younger forwards (JVR, turner, koz) develop into high impact game changers. 

[Roger Mellie 4,097]

Sharp. I think they'll turn him into a valuable player (Nibbler style) by putting his best asset to work - running power!

[Little Goffy 14,636]

2 hours ago, 58er said:

Really get off Frittas back. Not every single player is strong defensively. He is not there to be defensive but to kick goals and create opportunities to score. Other players like Chandler and Spargo don’t kick quite enough goals over the period. 

It will be interesting to see what evolves. 

Saying he 'could do with a stern talking to' is hardly whipping him to death, though, is it?

I love Fritsch and he is easily my wife's favourite player, but he had a very poor 2024 - particularly in the second half of the year - and the general problems in the team made his limitations very visible. He was down on every stat by about 20% and normally you'd hope that someone going through a slump would look to get back to basics and do the team things (and the other cliches) to work their way through it, but he couldn't manage it.

He really looked like he had no preseason and a permanent head cold all season.

Fingers crossed we get premium Fritsch back for 2025, because off his own boot and as a creative presence it would make a goal a game difference compared to 2024.

[Deeoldfart 8,061]

IMO Nibbler’s role is irreplaceable by one player, given our current list.  If the role is to be adequately replaced, it will be a shared role between a combination of players like Lingers and Chin, or perhaps AMW (if he has the tank) and Chin. 

[DubDee 26,117]

If Chandler replaces ANB’s role the who replaces Chandlers role?

I reckon look at our best 25 and see what qualities they bring and play team defence. Having said that we need serious defensive runners in the fwd half

[Deemania since 56 6,715]

2 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

I think it's Chandler with Tholstrup doing a little bit as well.

With the likes of our developing squad, my best guess would be for Chandler to do the job (and he will do it slightly differently than Nibbler would) but we have all seen him gut run from the wing to the pocket, cross over and make a presence on the opposite fwd pocket - and score with his great goals from 50m out. He is also a good tag on opposition possessions - lots of grunt and mongrel to (a) stop the possession (b) win the ball or tap out to a teammate (c) win a 'free' for his tackle and take a subsequent, steady set shot (for the latter, his accuracy is very good).

[Left Foot Snap 2,453]

I think Woey would develop well into the role. Would love to see him given a crack at it.

[Sydee 4,529]

35 minutes ago, Left Foot Snap said:

I think Woey would develop well into the role. Would love to see him given a crack at it.

Not sure he has the leg speed 

This role is destined for Sharp or Chandler I’d say 

[spirit of norm smith 16,575]

Sparrow.  Throlstrup.  Sharp.   All can play HFF role.  I’d always like to see Howes be given a chance.  He played as a wing/HFF in his junior footy.  

[The Jackson FIX 3,210]

23 hours ago, rpfc said:

Then Langdon to do it and slide up Bowey or the new kid

Had read in one of the training reports that Bowey had shared he’d be training up on the wing