add rivers back to the mix and our backline looks very different

I actually think if we could hold Rivers, Carroll, Frawley, Bell, Whelan and Bartram on the park for the majority of next season our backline would be the least of our worries.

Our biggest worry has been our forward line. It's scored fewer points than any other team in the competition ... either the forward line or the lack of midfield feed is drastically missing.

I actually think if we could hold Rivers, Carroll, Frawley, Bell, Whelan and Bartram on the park for the majority of next season our backline would be the least of our worries.

Our biggest worry has been our forward line. It's scored fewer points than any other team in the competition ... either the forward line or the lack of midfield feed is drastically missing.

Sorry to change tack but I think Wheels is going to have to find some leg speed to keep his "untouchable" status and automatic selection.

And especially, if you are putting Bartram down back, it is definitely Wheels who is looking shaky. He cant play any where else.

I actually think if we could hold Rivers, Carroll, Frawley, Bell, Whelan and Bartram on the park for the majority of next season our backline would be the least of our worries.

Our biggest worry has been our forward line. It's scored fewer points than any other team in the competition ... either the forward line or the lack of midfield feed is drastically missing.

i agree with that 100%. i still have queries over carroll but he does the job. a true CHF would be much more valuable to the team. i rate bate, but i think he is a tall flanker or a really big mid at the moment, not a genuine CHF. if we could have newton at FF, bate and dunn on the flanks with a genuine CHF in the middle our forward line would look a lot better in the coming 10 years.

i think a great point is made about the lack of mid field feed. our kicks havnt hit targets, our forward lines are congested, we cant win a clearance. it makes it hard for our forwards. jones and mclean know how to win the ball, but we are struggling with players breaking lines and finishing with class. we have missed trapper in parts this year, but still need someone with leg pace - thats why davey has been played in the centre, and its a case of robbing peter to pay paul. a speedy mid would help us two fold, davey back to the forward pocket and break the lines getting the ball to our forwards faster...

I actually think if we could hold Rivers, Carroll, Frawley, Bell, Whelan and Bartram on the park for the majority of next season our backline would be the least of our worries.

Pretty small backline.

I agree.

While the jury is still out, IMO, it is remarkable that so many believe he had a Stellar year.

I reckon that although he is the type we need, he is not in our best 25.Yet..

Frawley's not in my 'best' 25 either, but I'd be playing him now.

Pretty small backline.

How big do you want a backline to be? Three talls 193, 192 and 191cm, plus three smalls. It's a lot bigger than our forward line.

Frawley's not in my 'best' 25 either, but I'd be playing him now.

He'll be in the best 25 by next year, easily.

i think a great point is made about the lack of mid field feed.

You can't just blame the midfield. How much feed do we get from our backline? Ward and Brown are the only backmen who run the lines, but their disposal skills are woeful.

Maybe Daniher's tempo football was inappropriate for our list, which doesn't have an attacking backline like Sydney, or a gamebreaking midfield like WCE.

You can't just blame the midfield. How much feed do we get from our backline? Ward and Brown are the only backmen who run the lines, but their disposal skills are woeful.

Maybe Daniher's tempo football was inappropriate for our list, which doesn't have an attacking backline like Sydney, or a gamebreaking midfield like WCE.

The game starts and ends in the midfield. We were crap this year. Its only gets down in the backline when the midfield get beaten.

Sorry to change tack but I think Wheels is going to have to find some leg speed to keep his "untouchable" status and automatic selection.

And especially, if you are putting Bartram down back, it is definitely Wheels who is looking shaky. He cant play any where else.

Franky I think you are spot on with this. Whelan's rating on this site trades on past glories which have been overcome by injury and lack of form. He has struggled the past two years and has not cut itr further up the ground. IMO, next year could be his last.

How big do you want a backline to be? Three talls 193, 192 and 191cm, plus three smalls. It's a lot bigger than our forward line.

He'll be in the best 25 by next year, easily.

Agree with both points Maurie.

on the change on tack... it wont hurt if Wheels has to earn his spot....not for anyone really.. its that bit of mongrel and desperation thats been missing al laround.. Might kill off some of this complacency that creeps in from time to time

Frawley will be excellent. He already shows composure way beyond his years.

Just on Wheels, I'd love to see him tried as a small forward alongside Davey next year.

Agree with both points Maurie.

It's amusing that we think Carroll (191), Frawley (193) and Rivers (192) are "small". Take four of the best defenders in the league at the moment: Glass, Cornes, Scarlett and Harley. All 191-192. All 95kg. Carroll and Rivers are only 2-3kg below this playing weight. Frawley is young and still has lots of filling out to do.

It's amusing that we think Carroll (191), Frawley (193) and Rivers (192) are "small". Take four of the best defenders in the league at the moment: Glass, Cornes, Scarlett and Harley. All 191-192. All 95kg. Carroll and Rivers are only 2-3kg below this playing weight. Frawley is young and still has lots of filling out to do.

Good point.

Looking at our list, and assuming those who do play next year are in good form, I think we need to find 3 major things.

1. Big ruckman - we should absolutely look for a tap ruckman, but they don't come easy. We should be prepared to trade for one. Including Jeff White.

2. One more class midfielder. We don't have one midfielder we can guarantee 25 quality possessions a week from. All the good sides do. If we had a Dal Santo, Haselby, Goodwin type, it would make a huge difference. Our inside 50s are lower than any other side this year.

3. Speed - wingman and forwardline. Davey is our only genuine pace forward of centre.

I am happy with what i have seen from frawley this year. Of course has got room for improvement, that will come again he plays on from 2008 and beyond

Height is pretty irrelevant, look at Campbell Brown. It's all about ability and attitude, but most importantly a combination of them both.

How big do you want a backline to be? Three talls 193, 192 and 191cm, plus three smalls. It's a lot bigger than our forward line.

Frawley might have the height, but he doesn't play like a tall - he's 18 and in his first year of footy.