Sharp Axes

[jeemak]

Re: Sharp Axes

I'm not sure that's the case.

We ranked 5th best in terms of points against this season.
We ranked 10th best in terms of points for this season.

Given all the personnel issues this year I thought the defence held up pretty well and whilst Naughton's intercept marking would be an asset behind the ball, I'm concerned about how he would go distributing the ball.

It's absolute nightmare fuel.

All advocates for him moving back, of which I was one at times need to watch closely when he gets the ball behind centre and attemps to "create". It's frightful stuff, and his ego doesn't allow him to keep things simple.

Aaron is a major fan of Aaron and his abilities, and that's OK, but unfortunately it often means he thinks he should be the one to take the kick, use the footy. It's better that happens closer to our goals than those of the opposition.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Sharp Axes

The extreme lack of pressure we put on opponents kicking inside 50 makes it a lot more difficult for our backline.

[Danjul]

Re: Sharp Axes

Good last few posts. Is the 3 tall forwards, or at least the way the play, and the skill sets required of ruckman in need of a rethink ? The 3 compete against each other as much as against opposition defenders and a ruckman who could release the mids with the ball more than compensate for fewer marks around the ground.

In 2021 English took 9 marks in a game twice. They were his best marking games.

On both occasions he was playing as second ruck.

In the 4 finals that year he took a total of 9 marks.
Naughton took 21 and Schache took 19. They were our two best in the marking category for that set of games.

It is a myth that English takes marks because he is in the ruck. He takes marks because, usually, he is fantastic at taking marks.

Even against Geelong in the last game of the season, after he was moved out of first ruck, he still took marks. Some resulting in important goals. (On 7 occasions in 2023, one third of games, he had less than 5 while only playing as ruck).

[ledge]

Re: Sharp Axes

In 2021 English took 9 marks in a game twice. They were his best marking games.

On both occasions he was playing as second ruck.

In the 4 finals that year he took a total of 9 marks.
Naughton took 21 and Schache took 19. They were our two best in the marking category for that set of games.

It is a myth that English takes marks because he is in the ruck. He takes marks because, usually, he is fantastic at taking marks.

Even against Geelong in the last game of the season, after he was moved out of first ruck, he still took marks. Some resulting in important goals. (On 7 occasions in 2023, one third of games, he had less than 5 while only playing as ruck).

You can’t take marks when your ruck because you where the ball is , to take marks you have to play one kick from the ruck which IMO he is best at. If you’re old enough you would remember the great Gary Dempsey , he would take the centre bounce then go straight to CHB and cut anything off . He was a great reader of the play. English is the same type of player . Sweet should be playing and as the tap ruck , strong body which is what English lacks against hard ruckman.

[Rocket Science]

Re: Sharp Axes

It's real chef's kiss stuff that we can't send our current full-forward to the backline because he's a horrendous kick.

Couldn't we mitigate his flaws by foot by having Richards, Dale, Daniel & Johannisen religiously swinging past for the quick give?

[Bornadog]

Re: Sharp Axes

It's real chef's kiss stuff that we can't send our current full-forward to the backline because he's a horrendous kick.

Couldn't we mitigate his flaws by foot by having Richards, Dale, Daniel & Johannisen religiously swinging past for the quick give?

There is no proof that Naughton would be a better backman than a forward. He has proven that he is a dangerous FF, and good FF are hard to come by.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Sharp Axes

There is no proof that Naughton would be a better backman than a forward. He has proven that he is a dangerous FF, and good FF are hard to come by.

Marra will overtake him shortly.

[JanLorMill]

Re: Sharp Axes

Given all the personnel issues this year I thought the defence held up pretty well and whilst Naughton's intercept marking would be an asset behind the ball, I'm concerned about how he would go distributing the ball.

He is better at it than Gardner. Keath isnt great either and JOD hasn?t shown he has that ability yet. Jones is 50/50.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Sharp Axes

There is no proof that Naughton would be a better backman than a forward. He has proven that he is a dangerous FF, and good FF are hard to come by.

Compared to the great full forwards over the years, Naughton is a very poor kick for goal. Has the pace, agility and high marking to be an outstanding centre half forward which would leave English and Lobb to interchange at full forward.
The combination of English and Naughton as key forwards would be hard to beat.

[ledge]

Re: Sharp Axes

Compared to the great full forwards over the years, Naughton is a very poor kick for goal. Has the pace, agility and high marking to be an outstanding centre half forward which would leave English and Lobb to interchange at full forward.
The combination of English and Naughton as key forwards would be hard to beat.

We do have Darcy coming through and he can play either end .

[Bornadog]

Re: Sharp Axes

Compared to the great full forwards over the years, Naughton is a very poor kick for goal. Has the pace, agility and high marking to be an outstanding centre half forward which would leave English and Lobb to interchange at full forward.
The combination of English and Naughton as key forwards would be hard to beat.

Plus Jamarra on the improve

[AshMac]

Re: Sharp Axes

There is no proof that Naughton would be a better backman than a forward. He has proven that he is a dangerous FF, and good FF are hard to come by.

We saw what he is capable of in his first year of footy - came 4th in our B&F. I think he?d be a 5x AA CHB by now. Agree though that moving him doesn?t mean he goes back as an AA player. Likely there be a period of adjustment and dogs fans patience is razor thin - do wonder if there is actually an appetite for it.

[GVGjr]

Re: Sharp Axes

There is no proof that Naughton would be a better backman than a forward. He has proven that he is a dangerous FF, and good FF are hard to come by.

We've seen what he can do as a forward and it's pretty good but he's not elite in that area. Great mark but below average performer with his set shots etc. While to me there is no indication that he couldn't be a very good defender what keeps him as a forward in my opinion is he really wants to be a forward more than a defender. If we want him to re-sign with us he's going to want to primarily be as a key forward.

It looks like Darcy will have to move to the back half.

[Danjul]

Re: Sharp Axes

Compared to the great full forwards over the years, Naughton is a very poor kick for goal. Has the pace, agility and high marking to be an outstanding centre half forward which would leave English and Lobb to interchange at full forward.
The combination of English and Naughton as key forwards would be hard to beat.

This was said in2021. This worked in 2021. But we cannot use it now because it is not 2021. We need a more modern plan.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Sharp Axes

I'd be pushing Naughton to CHF as it plays to his strengths. Great athlete who could run back hard into the 50 too. Put the onus on Marra and Lobb to be our 'finishers' aka deeper forwards. Lobb finished the year well and we started looking for him more.

Naughton should essentially play the Carey and Riewoldt type role. Work up to the wings, be an option for our half backs, push hard I50 when the chance presents.

Will still kick his goals, but I think he becomes too stationary and easy to play against when he plays deep. Needless to say, he'll never be a reliable finisher anyway.