Let's say we get Wade Derksen during the trade period, but can't attract another key position player. Let's also say Tom McDonald retires at the end of the year.

What's the combination of tall forwards and tall backs you'd go with not necessarily to win games in Rounds 1 to 5 2026, but that are most likely to work in the longer term?

I want to see what Kentfield can do at AFL level this year.

3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I want to see what Kentfield can do at AFL level this year.

Kentfield was kind of at the heart of the question. Him and Petty, really.

I think the Petty hate on here is a bit much. But I now understand, even after that very good game yesterday and a couple of glimpses here and there, that he's not a forward. I want him back as soon as possible to bed down a combination - realistically, a post-May and -Lever combination. To me, Turner and Petty is a really solid starting point for a tall defensive trio.

It's tricky this year because McDonald is in such good form and leaving May out is probably still unthinkable.

I also wonder if Kentfield can play at the level and as a genuine number one, whether Jefferson becomes more viable as a third tall.

I know it's been flagged before, but I do wonder if May could reinvent himself as a KPF - we have done this successfully before with the likes of Neitz and Biffen.

We seem to have more options in the tall defender category and May does offer a few characteristics that on paper at least might make this worthy of a test run.

Strong overhead mark and seems to read the play and ball drop well

Not easily out bodied one on one

A pretty good kick over distance - (not sure about his short kicks though)

Reasonably quick off the mark and in a straight line

Has a physical presence something that IMO is sadly lacking in our F50 (JVR and Melky offer this to some extent, but the former is looking less like a KPF than we perhaps we had hoped)

Can May function as a forward given he has followed them around for years? In theory he should know all their tricks - in any event worth some consideration now we get to have a fresh look at our list

Back on topic

FB - Petty - if not available or out of form TMac if he stays fit and firing

CHB - JVR or Disco, personally I think Lever is not a KPD and is only useful as a third man up interceptor

I'm hopeful AMW comes back next year better than ever and can release one of Rivers or Mc Vee to more midfield time

50 minutes ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

Kentfield was kind of at the heart of the question. Him and Petty, really.

I think the Petty hate on here is a bit much. But I now understand, even after that very good game yesterday and a couple of glimpses here and there, that he's not a forward. I want him back as soon as possible to bed down a combination - realistically, a post-May and -Lever combination. To me, Turner and Petty is a really solid starting point for a tall defensive trio.

It's tricky this year because McDonald is in such good form and leaving May out is probably still unthinkable.

I also wonder if Kentfield can play at the level and as a genuine number one, whether Jefferson becomes more viable as a third tall.

All very good points

Send May to North for a packet of chips, Lever can stay if the new coaches think he fits their plan. Petty and Turner as the key backs. JVR and hopefully one of Derksen and Kentfield become AFL key forwards (Feels a bit Santa Claus is real but who knows what a new coach can do) Then there's Adams who wasn't horrible yesterday considering who the Dogs have as tall forwards. My concern lies with our seemingly mediocre ADMIN thinking we can just saddle up the same old setup and push for finals like I and others thought we could do this year and probably last. We can't, we need to add talent to the list before we're a serious contender again. We're not miles away but we could be in 3 years time with the wrong approach.

Key Defenders: May, Lever, Turner, Petty, Adams, Derkson, Berry

Key Forwards: JvR, Jefferson, Johnson, Kentfield

Potential swingman: Petty, Turner, ?Johnson, ?JvR

Turner probably stays a defender long term, he looks great aerially behind the ball but his ball use and decision making needs to improve.

All having good pre-seasons I would look at something like

Key Backs: May, Petty, Turner

Key Forwards: JvR, Jefferson, Kentfield

Don't feel good about leaving a fit and healthy Lever out but I feel Turner is playing his 3rd man intercept role well and want to continue his development. Not sure there's room for both Turner and Lever. May currently stays for leadership but we may need to consider other players to prepare for life post May.

Petty to play back, he's battled on as a stop-gap in the forward line and done ok in recent times but it's time.

It's a young looking forward line but I feel both Jefferson and Kentfield are ready for games and would complement each other well. I like the idea of 3 talls rotating through there so we have at least 2 at all times at any given moment in the forward line throughout the game as well as the ability to give Gawn a chop out.

Johnson, Adams, Derksen and Berry I'd treat as depth for now pending form.

I'll probably change my mind on this before the start of next season.

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by Random Task

FB: May, McDonald?, Adams

CHB: Petty, Disco, Derksen?, Lever?

Int: Disco, Lever?, Howes/Rivers

---

FF: Melksham?, Kentfield, Jeffo

CHF: Mihocek?, Petty, Jeffo

Ruck/Fwd: JVR, AJ

Small ball: Fritsch, McAdam, Tracc

I’m not sure 6 talls fits the modern game unless they can run and have skills.

Disco as a much better mover than Lever provides some of that but he needs to improve his ball use.

Up forward Jeffo is the interesting one because he’s got untapped speed, agility and skills

Collingwood often park Darcy Cameron as a 3rd key defender and we’ve done that with Gawn at times when we’ve played 2 key backs.

Langford and Culley are 2 options for marking targets around the ground too. I like seeing Harvey have a go at full forward in 4th quarters the last 2 weeks.

The way I see it, the backline has lots of options and will be easy to manage. Petty will take over down back when May retires. Turner seems like a superstar interceptor of the future.
Long term there are other options like Adams, Howes, Derksen for tall spots too.

The forward line is a mess though. I expect round 1 to look the same as we've seen this year, with JVR, Petty, Jefferson, AJ all rotating through there. Hoping Kentfield can show something here too.
Long term I have no idea about any of the tall forward spots. I'd prefer JVR tried as a defender, but we have an abundance of those and a need for KPFs, so that won't happen. None of the options enthuse despite efforts to draft KPFs for years now. We might recruit another one. You can win flags without a dominant KPF, though you need a dominant and attacking midfield to do so.

Round 1 next year

FB: May
CHB: Turner
3rd tall: Lever

CHF: Van Rooyen
FF: Petty
3rd tall: Jefferson/Kentfield/Derksen?

Long term

FB: Petty
CHB: Adams
3rd tall: Turner

CHF: ?
FF: ?
3rd tall: ?

Don't think I'd like to see Turner and Lever in the same side next year, too similar, both interceptors, both not as strong 1 on 1. Petty May and Turner is a better mix, Howes can even play a role if the oppo isnt too tall. It's why I think we need to get aggressive and get a late 1st rounder out of Lever this year, before his value plummets even more in 12 months time. A side like North Melbourne or even the Dogs will be willing in this year's draft

Edited 9 hours ago9 hr by Greg Schneider