Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

[Mofra]

Re: Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

Albeit a small forward who is very good overhead.

I have high hopes for Grant - he clearly has the talent, its just all up to him - unlike some other stugglers who will never have the ability that he has.

His defensive efforts have been top notch this year, and his workrate (major criticism in years past) has improved out of sight.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

It'd be a big ask for Grant to play out an entire season, I have my doubts he'll still be able to play this well by Round 20-22. Otherwise - he'd certainly be in our forward structure for the finals based on his pressure and work rate. I hope we see one of Grant/Stack playing by then - it'd give us a different look to what we've had in recent seasons at crunch time.

[Desipura]

Re: Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

It'd be a big ask for Grant to play out an entire season, I have my doubts he'll still be able to play this well by Round 20-22. Otherwise - he'd certainly be in our forward structure for the finals based on his pressure and work rate. I hope we see one of Grant/Stack playing by then - it'd give us a different look to what we've had in recent seasons at crunch time.

Im more confident of Grant being there at the business end of the season than I am of Stack.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

It'd be a big ask for Grant to play out an entire season, I have my doubts he'll still be able to play this well by Round 20-22. Otherwise - he'd certainly be in our forward structure for the finals based on his pressure and work rate. I hope we see one of Grant/Stack playing by then - it'd give us a different look to what we've had in recent seasons at crunch time.

Theres something intangible about injecting young blood into a team, beyond what is actually gained on game day..just a spark and a different kind of energy. Collingwood is a great example of this. Could Grant for example be rested for stretches here and there? I would love to go into the finals with one of Grant/Stack up and about.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

Theres something intangible about injecting young blood into a team, beyond what is actually gained on game day..just a spark and a different kind of energy. Collingwood is a great example of this. Could Grant for example be rested for stretches here and there? I would love to go into the finals with one of Grant/Stack up and about.

He could, but I doubt he would be. Clubs only usually rest the older types to ensure they're firing by Finals.

I suppose it depends on what the match committee see as their best forward structure. At this stage, Grant is probably in it ... but when you have to factor in Picken, Ward, Johnson and Murphy returning then it'll test their trust in a player like Grant (or Stack). From last year's PF, Welsh/Callan will miss and Hall/Williams are certain inclusions. Who makes way for Grant out of the rest, not withstanding competition coming from Everitt and especially Reid.

Tough decisions will certainly have to be made. The key for Grant is to be playing good footy at the right time. He's proven to the committee he has a lot to offer us on the defensive side, and he's also capable of leading high up the ground to provide an option. People should expect his form will taper at some point between now and Round 22. If he can come back into the senior side late in the year and perform this well (or hopefully better), he'll make it hard for us not to pick him.

Fully fit, we have around 25-26 guys worthy of a spot in our 22 for Finals. Not sure what approach we'll take as I am sure the committee will be aware of our lack of pace/defensive pressure up forward. I do hope we find a spot for one of Grant/Stack IF they are in this kind of form, though. I'd hate to see us revert back to our old structure/old heads and then be pumped in the first Final because we have a virtual trampoline across the half forward line.

[Mofra]

Re: Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

He could, but I doubt he would be. Clubs only usually rest the older types to ensure they're firing by Finals.

Dustin Martin was rested for a week with "general soreness". Pods is older but has also been rested. Collingwood are flying and they are rotating players through the side with some having shorter game time at VFL level to freshen them up.

I think we will see a growing trend in players being rested as time goes by, and I wouldn't be surprised if some teams rested players this year in the lead up to finals.

[Mantis]

Re: Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

Dustin Martin was rested for a week with "general soreness". Pods is older but has also been rested. Collingwood are flying and they are rotating players through the side with some having shorter game time at VFL level to freshen them up.

I think we will see a growing trend in players being rested as time goes by, and I wouldn't be surprised if some teams rested players this year in the lead up to finals.

Yeah I think we will be in the same boat.

As soon as we get back our full quota of players, barring too many injuries and providing we are in position to (ensured of a high ladder finish) I can see us rotating the likes of Hall, Hahn, Higgins, Aker & Hudson (possibly a few more) out of the team to ensure that we are cherry ripe come finals time.

[Mofra]

Re: Forward Line in the 2010 Finals

As soon as we get back our full quota of players, barring too many injuries and providing we are in position to (ensured of a high ladder finish) I can see us rotating the likes of Hall, Hahn, Higgins, Aker & Hudson (possibly a few more) out of the team to ensure that we are cherry ripe come finals time.

With Stack, Grant & Roughead pushing for gametime already (and Wood, Ried and Tiller probably doing so later in the season, Jones and maybe even Boumann might sneak a debut) we should be well placed to rest players too.