Why can't you create a killer forward line with small speedy forwards?

[PedroArvy]

The ball flies into full forward and Jones tries to take the mark and ..........loses the contest.

And it's a kick into full forward and Cordy ........can't get his arms into the air.

It makes you think. Is this the only way?

Traditionally the centre half forward and full forward are these big dudes who can mark a ball with sheer strength. But why not have a forward line of Dahlhauses? Instead of kicking the ball high to these guys have a rule to kick it in front of them at all times. Because they are faster than their back men opponents they will sweep in, gather the ball, and speed away to kick goals.

However no forward line like this exists. Why not? Is there some law of nature that says it's unworkable?

[LostDoggy]

We tried it, and could only make a Prelim.

It doesn't matter if its full of Stringers, you got to get it down there first.

[lemmon]

Works fine when the forward line is open and you break free quickly, the mids are able to spot up leading players. But what happens on the slow play when you work the ball up from the back, the wall is in place and there is no space to lead into? Put it on a midgets head who is out-marked and it comes back with a vengeance.

We were the best team at that fast play in our prelim years and we had some premier small forwards but even with the most skilled midfield and the best small forwards it doesn't win you finals when the ball is in contest the majority of the time, there is no time or space and the disposal is always under pressure. You need a big guy to bring it to ground or straighten you up. Mooney was no world beater but he played the role.

[Greystache]

Works fine when the forward line is open and you break free quickly, the mids are able to spot up leading players. But what happens on the slow play when you work the ball up from the back, the wall is in place and there is no space to lead into? Put it on a midgets head who is out-marked and it comes back with a vengeance.

We were the best team at that fast play in our prelim years and we had some premier small forwards but even as the best skilled midfield and the best small forwards it doesn't win you finals when the ball is in contest the majority of the time, there is no time or space and the disposal is always under pressure. You need a big guy to bring it to ground or straighten you up. Mooney was no world beater but he played the role.

Spot on.

To put it concisely it smashes the mediocre and falls apart against the good.