Where does our improvement come from in 2022?

[soupman]

Would like to see Duryea Dunkley and Wallis played as forwards.

Very controversial take.

I'd argue Duryea is our most important defender after Keath. Good at all elements of the game (including locking down which most of our other medium guys are so so at) and I suspect is likely to be the one directing our defence now that Wood is gone.

Dunkley I think needs to play midfield, not forward. He is one of our few good mids that works the other way and adds steel there.

Wallis i am meh on, but if you add all those guys forward you are losing one or two of the small quick guys we seem to like which I think is a net loss.

[EasternWest]

Very controversial take.

I'd argue Duryea is our most important defender after Keath. Good at all elements of the game (including locking down which most of our other medium guys are so so at) and I suspect is likely to be the one directing our defence now that Wood is gone.

Dunkley I think needs to play midfield, not forward. He is one of our few good mids that works the other way and adds steel there.

Wallis i am meh on, but if you add all those guys forward you are losing one or two of the small quick guys we seem to like which I think is a net loss.

I'd eat the hat of every person on this board if Duryea went forward.

[MrMahatma]

I'd eat the hat of every person on this board if Duryea went forward.

Because it would make our team worse. As would playing Dunkley fwd.

I’m really hopeful that a new forward coach will have an impact. We have the talent.

[EasternWest]

Because it would make our team worse. As would playing Dunkley fwd.

I’m really hopeful that a new forward coach will have an impact. We have the talent.

Yeah I'm agreeing. No way Duryea goes forward.

[Mantis]

Same here GD, so many genuine options to play in our back 6 or 7 even 8.
How we use O'Brien is the real starting point.
If it's as a 3rd tall then we compromise a bit of run that has been a priority for us over a long time.
If it's more as a 2nd tall then I think if leaves us exposed as being undermanned which would require Williams to play tall again.

I like your back 6 but I don't think Richards plays there at the expense of Duryea or Daniel unless we are intending to move Daniel or even Williams into the midfield. Duryea is the best equipped at manning up against the better genuine opposition smaller forwards.
Cordy and Gardner have a bit to prove and will be fighting it out with O'Brien to fill two spots in partnering Keath.

From a depth perspective we have Crozier, Khamis and Butler around the mark.

If O'Brien replaces Wood from the back 6 do we lose much in the way of run?

[GVGjr]

If O'Brien replaces Wood from the back 6 do we lose much in the way of run?

Probably not but when in a like for like sense but when Wood wasn't playing, and he did miss plenty of football in the last 2 years, our preference was to stick with just 2 talls adding the extra ball carrier.

[Mofra]

Same here GD, so many genuine options to play in our back 6 or 7 even 8.
How we use O'Brien is the real starting point.

We're been pretty open about earmarking him in the 'intercept marking role' across HB which I think we can do.
We play a 7th rotating running defender on the bench too, so I'm guessing we'll look something like:

Duryea, Keath, Williams
Dale, Gardner, TOB

Bench: Richards

* I suspect Caleb is a 'utility bench' option who plays where ever we need him.

[Axe Man]

I'd eat the hat of every person on this board if Duryea went forward.

Oh please Bevo make the move!

[EasternWest]

Oh please Bevo make the move!

I'd need to see his woof certification status before confirming he's a member of this board.

Though in my mind's eye, when I think of twodogs that's who I see.

[dog town]

Same here GD, so many genuine options to play in our back 6 or 7 even 8.
How we use O'Brien is the real starting point.
If it's as a 3rd tall then we compromise a bit of run that has been a priority for us over a long time.
If it's more as a 2nd tall then I think if leaves us exposed as being undermanned which would require Williams to play tall again.

I like your back 6 but I don't think Richards plays there at the expense of Duryea or Daniel unless we are intending to move Daniel or even Williams into the midfield. Duryea is the best equipped at manning up against the better genuine opposition smaller forwards.
Cordy and Gardner have a bit to prove and will be fighting it out with O'Brien to fill two spots in partnering Keath.

From a depth perspective we have Crozier, Khamis and Butler around the mark.

Schache is being planned as a defender for 2022. Can change obviously but at the moment they want him training as a back with a view to locking down a position there.

Mail is very reliable.

[jeemak]

Oh please Bevo make the move!

I'd need to see his woof certification status before confirming he's a member of this board.

Though in my mind's eye, when I think of twodogs that's who I see.

No need, that's El Woofo himself!

[GVGjr]

Schache is being planned as a defender for 2022. Can change obviously but at the moment they want him training as a back with a view to locking down a position there.

Mail is very reliable.

Thanks DT, with Bruce out we must be 'chips' in with JUH and English as key forwards along with Naughton

[GVGjr]

Lets have a look at the forward line, with so many mids also playing forward

The first choice forwards, excluding the injured Bruce and McLean, will probably consists of Naughton, English, Ugle-Hagan, Hannan, Baz Smith, Weightman, Vandermeer and Johannisen with the likes of Schache, Wallis, Garcia, McNeil and West providing depth.
Dunkley and Bontempelli with the other mids will also spend a lot of game time in the forward line.

So plenty of options but where does the improvement come from? What will give us an edge?

[SonofScray]

Thanks DT, with Bruce out we must be 'chips' in with JUH and English as key forwards along with Naughton

I'm pretty comfortable with that. JUH I think showed that f he can get it, he has an impact and hit the scoreboard, even with a relatively small amount of opportunity. So long as we have some real grinders, meat and potatoes and pace at the fall of the ball, this combo feels right to me.

[jeemak]

Yeah I'm agreeing. No way Duryea goes forward.

MrMahatma must have thought that you really like hats.