Four-headed monster

[jazzadogs]

Re: Four-headed monster

So you are applying to be the chair of our match committee?
You have presented strong evidence and facts that we have some challenges with our forward line set-up if we go into games with what we regard our 3 best talls to be and we certainly shouldn't be going into many games with a 4 talls set-up.

We possibly could go in with 3 if one of them is prepared to play more of a defensive role and not jump for as many marks when other forwards are in the mix. O'Donnell had that role against Harris Andrews for part of the game against Brisbane.

I'm not sure any of them are capable of playing that defensive role. I certainly can't think of an example of it. They all want to be the target, taking the big marks and kicking the big goals.

I had meant to mention that Bevo had commented on the same thing, so I do think we will see some attempts at innovation and change. I'm just not sure what it will be...

[jeemak]

Re: Four-headed monster

You play all of Naughton, Marra and Darcy forward, and you keep Lobb back. Naughton stays high and the forwards commit to staying out of each others way and playing as a team.

There are going to be times when we need someone up the line consistently more than we did yesterday, and that'll be in finals if we make them as the teams you play are better at stopping your run from defence meaning you need to bail out more. We'll need Naughton on the MCG as he covers the ground really well.

There's more to the productivity of our forward line in these two examples than our mix of talls. A major contributor in the Fremantle and Carlton games was our ability to defend the ground and give our forwards repeat opportunities. Marra doesn't have the game he does without some serious intervention from Cody after the first 45 minutes of the game. Perhaps Marra gets off the chain earlier if Weitering was preoccupied with Naughton from the first minute of the game.

[mjp]

Re: Four-headed monster

You play all of Naughton, Marra and Darcy forward, and you keep Lobb back. Naughton stays high and the forwards commit to staying out of each others way and playing as a team.

YEP.

This is exactly what you do.

There will be a bit of time with two of them and a bit of time (when English is around) with 4 of them...

Keep the oppo moving their defenders around and rebalancing.

[jazzadogs]

Re: Four-headed monster

You play all of Naughton, Marra and Darcy forward, and you keep Lobb back. Naughton stays high and the forwards commit to staying out of each others way and playing as a team.

There are going to be times when we need someone up the line consistently more than we did yesterday, and that'll be in finals if we make them as the teams you play are better at stopping your run from defence meaning you need to bail out more. We'll need Naughton on the MCG as he covers the ground really well.

There's more to the productivity of our forward line in these two examples than our mix of talls. A major contributor in the Fremantle and Carlton games was our ability to defend the ground and give our forwards repeat opportunities. Marra doesn't have the game he does without some serious intervention from Cody after the first 45 minutes of the game. Perhaps Marra gets off the chain earlier if Weitering was preoccupied with Naughton from the first minute of the game.

Was having one less tall on field part of why we defended the ground better?

I completely agree that Naughton high, being the 'get out' kick on the wing, is key, as is Weightman being in the side - but did Jamarra also have such a good game because he was allowed to roam a bit more? He got two of his goals from being on the move at ground level - does he have different instructions when Naughton is there too?

I dunno, it's a small sample size but the forward line just seems to function better with only two talls.

[jeemak]

Re: Four-headed monster

Was having one less tall on field part of why we defended the ground better?

I completely agree that Naughton high, being the 'get out' kick on the wing, is key, as is Weightman being in the side - but did Jamarra also have such a good game because he was allowed to roam a bit more? He got two of his goals from being on the move at ground level - does he have different instructions when Naughton is there too?

I dunno, it's a small sample size but the forward line just seems to function better with only two talls.

Our continuity with our three favoured talls hasn't been great. Early in the season we saw Marra out, then Naughton out and again, then Darcy out for a couple with Lobb filling in the gaps (plus Cody missed a few). I'd like to see a few weeks in a row where we have Darcy, Naughton and Marra playing together with Weightman and West to see how good that could be.

Good question on the all ground defence. I think mindset week to week plays a huge part in that, and Naughton is quick and can defend so I guess we'll see if we get the chance.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Four-headed monster

I mentioned it briefly in my B&A. But the pivot & development here is great.

When this 4HM came about, well it was interesting. In practicality one big problem was multiple guys flying at the same mark and playing similar roles and not playing to strengthens and challenging opposition teams. Today was great, all four big guys played:

Lobb - in defence
Darcy - deep, leading and second rucking against a very good player in Grundy
Naughton - worked hard and up and back the ground wracking up marks and metres gained and setting up play and being a relief kick target
Marra - gets to be big dog up forward and highlights all his unique tricks and skill sets

Gotta say I’m loving it. Week after week of them playing similar roles and flying in the same packs was infuriating. I think the chsnges with injuries and suspensions clearly got Bevo and the coaches thinking about changing the mix. This mix is exciting as hell if we can keep it up. Darcy is huge and an even bigger reach who is great below his knees. Marra is responding to being the big dog. Naughton’s running with his height, size and hands is a massive headache for the opposition. If they can keep it up with Cody & West genuine forwards now, and McNeil/VDM playing their roles then we are going to continue generating 30 shots a week. While Jones, Lobb and co do their bit down back. While Bont & Tim can rotate through.

I think we’ve finally worked it out.

[westdog54]

Re: Four-headed monster

Part of the reason it works so well is the work all four put in at ground level.

It was a Darcy smother that sealed the Collingwood have and he had another beauty today.

Naughton has always been a great ground level hunter, and that he had the best goalless have he's ever had

Marra sitting McCartin on his backside in the first was a thing of beauty. Something has clicked with him. There's a hunger there that wasn't there before.

Lobb's work ethic around the ball is at a level I didn't think he was capable of.

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: Four-headed monster

What is exceptional with these four is their defensive efforts. Naughton has always shown the best defensive effort in the AFLmlf a key forward, but now we see the others too. Smothers by both Marra and Darcy on the wing today. Last week who’d heard of someone Darcy’s size having that many tackles?

This is their biggest are of improvement and this is driving their success.