Our forward line spread of goal kickers

[GVGjr]

We are around the half way mark of the season and we have been kicking winning scores most week.
Given we are down Marra, Darcy and Weightman who were otherwise big time goal kickers for us it's somewhat surprising that we have been so potent with our scoring
The spread of goal kickers has been amazing with a number of players around kicking around a goal per game.
If the likes of Naughton, McNeil and Bontempelli can improve their goal kicking accuracy it should help us in those closer games.
Matthew Kennedy's score involvements has really helped

image.png

[Bornadog]

Will be nice when we get Darcy back, however, we have done well to be the number one scorer in the AFL. Although Naughton is our key forward, he is still not in top form and is a concern especially when the game is on the line. Darcy will help and make it easier for Naughton and the other forwards.

[mighty_west]

The spread of goal kickers is what you need to be successful imo and not having to rely on 3 or 4 forwards, especially when 1 or 2 are beaten on the day, it also makes us a more dangerous side to play against, it's like our midfield right now compared to the past where if you tag out your star it can really hurt your side in the middle, now others step up because of the depth in that area of the ground, i just hope when Darcy is back after the bye we don't change our ways and look for him on every occasion and don't have that mindset of bombing the ball down deep because Darce is down there, and this is also a reason why i don't think the three big key forward set up works, especially when all three run to the same spot or just stay deep jumping for the same ball, it just doesn't work.

I'm not too concerned with Naughts, his form will return on a more consistent basis especially with Sam back, to me his best game is when he can roam up the ground a bit more and use his run, but then zone back and take a big grab on the run, right now he seems static by having to stay deep and being held more often, the interrupted pre season isn't helping too, as far as accuracy goes, those three you pointed out Gary, "Bont, McNeil and Naughton" have never been accurate on a consistent level in front of the sticks, Bont on the run is good but set shots have always been hit and miss, Naughton had a great season last year with accuracy but apart from that, very hit and miss, and as Huddo pointed out whilst commentating, McNeils accuracy at Marvel is hideous but ok elsewhere over his journey, this is where you much prefer the ball in Buku's or Kennedy's hands lining up, Sanders has also been great with accuracy.

[Go_Dogs]

West staring down the barrel of a 40 goal season is a terrific return, as is Kennedy on track for 30.

Come finals we need bankable forwards to go with the spread - Darcy helps here, but we need West to keep going and probably more from Naughton.

Treloar back will help too.

[jeemak]

McNeil's accuracy to the eye is even worse than it appears given many of his goals are from close range.

[Bulldog Joe]

McNeil's accuracy to the eye is even worse than it appears given many of his SHOTS are from close range.

Just corrected for you J

If he was nailing all his chances from inside 20m he would have kicked probably 15 more goals and would have won the game for us at Geelong.

[comrade]

Do we give props for McNeil getting the ball in such good spots or do the opposition just let him go, like NBA sides did with Shaq outside the 3 point line?

[kruder]

Really liked how Davidson came up at the footy and finished against Geelong the kid looks a natural forward also, we seem to have a lot of options down there.

What is does do it gives me more confidence to continue on with the small ball line up with so many players that can impact the scoreboard I think we have some interesting decisions when Darcy is ready to return.

[lemmon]

McNeil's accuracy to the eye is even worse than it appears given many of his goals are from close range.

He kicked 6.11 last year too...at least if he keeps tracking like this we might end up with Tory Dickson by 2027

[jeemak]

He kicked 6.11 last year too...at least if he keeps tracking like this we might end up with Tory Dickson by 2027

Look, as long as he's improving credit to him I guess.

[Mantis]

Do we give props for McNeil getting the ball in such good spots or do the opposition just let him go, like NBA sides did with Shaq outside the 3 point line?

Having largely been unsighted for the 1st 3 qtrs against Geelong, which the stat sheet agrees on given he had had just 1 kick, he was able to give himself 3 very good goal scoring opportunities late in the game... and as we saw he fluffed his lines on each occasion.

So, kudos for (eventually) finding himself in a position to impact the game, but it's almost no use being in this position if you aren't going to make the moment your own.

[GVGjr]

Just thought I'd update this again.
We have been a high scoring team this year and we really have maintained a healthy spread of goal kickers

image.png

[Bornadog]

Just thought I'd update this again.
We have been a high scoring team this year and we really have maintained a healthy spread of goal kickers

image.png

What a great season West is having

[Mantis]

Just thought I'd update this again.
We have been a high scoring team this year and we really have maintained a healthy spread of goal kickers

We've actually been the highest scoring team thus far... incredible effort given Cody & Marra haven't played a game, Darcy has missed 5 games (and went off before 1/4 time in another) and Naughts has been down on form.