Who is the best Key Defender on our list?

[Grantysghost]

Our recruitment of Jones and now a fitter Keath plus the emergence of Gardner gives us a bit more depth than in previous years plus it looks like Darcy is a first choice defender. Would Naughton to the back line a fix a problem that we don't have?

Last year Keath looked washed up, let's see how he is travelling at rd 10.
Jones hasn't played for 18 months so has to be question marks.
Darcy, well he's a 5 gamer.

Gardner is a very good defender.

I think the backline is still brittle to be honest. Hopefully I'm wrong!

[bornadog]

No way would you move a player who has kicked 108 goals 77 behinds in two years.

Good FF are rare, great FF are like gold and over the years following the club, I can only count a few really good FF in our team.

To be a tall backman, all you have to do is punch the ball and take a few marks, you don't have to be a star, you have to be consistent. FF is a tough position to play, just ask Liam Jones who has found being back is much easier.

[Grantysghost]

No way would you move a player who has kicked 108 goals 77 behinds in two years.

Good FF are rare, great FF are like gold and over the years following the club, I can only count a few really good FF in our team.

To be a tall backman, all you have to do is punch the ball and take a few marks, you don't have to be a star, you have to be consistent. FF is a tough position to play, just ask Liam Jones who has found being back is much easier.

Even if it gives the team a better chance of winning?

[bornadog]

Even if it gives the team a better chance of winning?

But he won't because someone has to kick the goals. Last year we lost Bruce who had contributed about 50 goals in 2021 and we didn't really replace that. It is very difficult to be a big goal kicker, and Naughton is one of the best in the AFL.

Lobb only kicked 36 last year, Darcy is unknown and a baby at this stage.

[MrMahatma]

But he won't because someone has to kick the goals. Last year we lost Bruce who had contributed about 50 goals in 2021 and we didn't really replace that. It is very difficult to be a big goal kicker, and Naughton is one of the best in the AFL.

Lobb only kicked 36 last year, Darcy is unknown and a baby at this stage.

I agree. Naughton up fwd makes our team better than Naughton down back. We'd be robbing Peter to pay Paul and Paul would still come knocking for a few extra quid and send in the debt collectors... the dodgy ones that are happy to take your knees as payment.

[Grantysghost]

But he won't because someone has to kick the goals. Last year we lost Bruce who had contributed about 50 goals in 2021 and we didn't really replace that. It is very difficult to be a big goal kicker, and Naughton is one of the best in the AFL.

Lobb only kicked 36 last year, Darcy is unknown and a baby at this stage.

Exactly what the coaches would be constantly debating. I think we have enough firepower to kick winning scores IF we can hold the opposition more often.

I'm a big believer in defense first.

[bornadog]

Exactly what the coaches would be constantly debating. I think we have enough firepower to kick winning scores IF we can hold the opposition more often.

I'm a big believer in defense first.

Our issue was defensive system breaking down last year.

[Rocket Science]

It'd be a hall of fame Bevo moment to recruit a mature key back then decide, as Naughton nears the peak of his powers it's time he went back too.

That said, given Jones & Keath are running around on 32 and 31 year old calves respectively and the next cab off the rank is Josh Bruce, he may not have a choice at some point.

FWIW I'd be curious to see Naughts prowling around as a 'hunter' again, rather than being hunted. He'd be an absolute menace patrolling half back.

[Jeanette54]

FWIW I'd be curious to see Naughts prowling around as a 'hunter' again, rather than being hunted. He'd be an absolute menace patrolling half back.

I think Naughts real strength is that he is one of few key forwards that do truly hunt the ball. If he can't actually mark the ball the party is just starting.

[Axe Man]

The main premise I disagree with in the Naughton forward v back argument is that he will automatically be an amazing defender after playing one season there at AFL level 5 years ago. I know he was a backman in juniors but he would have some remedial work to do.

Would he be a good defender? Almost certainly. Would he be a great defender? Unknown. Is he a great forward? I believe he is and that is much harder to find.

[Grantysghost]

The main premise I disagree with in the Naughton forward v back argument is that he will automatically be an amazing defender after playing one season there at AFL level 5 years ago. I know he was a backman in juniors but he would have some remedial work to do.

Would he be a good defender? Almost certainly. Would he be a great defender? Unknown. Is he a great forward? I believe he is and that is much harder to find.

Axe . Bubba's aggots were tingling. That's the end of the argument.

Also : good point.

[Grantysghost]

I think Naughts real strength is that he is one of few key forwards that do truly hunt the ball. If he can't actually mark the ball the party is just starting.

He is bloody amazing at ground level for his size. Like a massive panther.

[chef]

Im glad I've found a partner in the move Naughton back madness. Welcome GG.

[chef]

For me it's an easy decision.

Defence wins finals.

We will have an amazing attack with Lobb, Bruce, Marra, Weightman etc.

Our weakness is in defence. Put your best player there.

Kicking goals wont be a problem for us, stopping them will.

Its another Chris Grant sized dilemma aint it.

[Virgin-Dog]

You're only as good as your last season. Currently, Gardner is the best key defender on our list. This could change very quickly if Keath is back to a fitter version of himself (he was omission-worthy for much of last season), and I could easily see Jones jumping ahead too. If Darcy is really improving as fast as some claim he is, we could end up with the crazy scenario where our best KPD of last year is suddenly playing in the twos. Not a bad problem to have really, although I do still think Darcy ends up forward before the season is over