Forward line 2012

[Go_Dogs]

What are peoples thoughts on how our forward structure will set up next year? Who will be the permanent fixtures and who else may rotate through?

Jones is being groomed to play CHF.
It appears Panos will get a crack at playing FF, Grant may be another option - or could we see the return of a few lead up small/medium sized players?
Dahlhaus will spend a bit of time forward, but I expect he'll spend more time further afield this year too.
Cooney may spend quite a bit of time forward.
Gia and Sherman will play forward too.
Vez and Dickson may also feature.
Higgins and Murphy may spend varying time forward.
DJ and Hooper may also get their chances.

On paper, my guess is something like:

HF: Grant, Jones, Giansiracusa
F: Cooney, Panos, Dahlhaus

It will be interesting to see how many forwards we play in our forward structure in whatever the new plan may be. At a guess, a structure like the one above would allow us 3 marking targets and a quick, crumbing players as part of the forward structure (ie. One of Jones/Grant, plus Panos and Cooney as a medium sized target, Dahlhaus as the nippy small forward). That would allow Gia to play as an extra mid and one of Jones/Grant to really push up hard further afield to create an option coming out of defence and through the midfield.

The one thing that strikes me is we have a few small/medium types to rotate through. Between Roughead and perhaps Lake also rotating through at times we have a few talls who can supplement Jones, Panos and Grant - but we are going to be pretty reliant on these 3 talls, with their combined talents, to hold together the forward line.

Anyone got some ideas as to who may play up forward and how we may set up?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Forward line 2012

The retirement of Hall leaves our forward line looking raw and inexperienced.

On a positive, Jones had a good year last year and looks like he could have a break out year this year. Grant has a couple of years in the system now and would have learnt a lot from Hall over the last two years. I have always thought he looks a bit lost out there at times so hopefully a new coach will rectify that. Panos has worked hard ever since he was picked as a rookie and has been elevated without playing a senior game which shows the coaches must think theres something there. Will be very interesting to see how his hard work will show through when he cracks a senior game (alot of people have his name as starting FF which is a big call).

My starting 6 is the same as yours except I have Higgins instead of Cooney (I'm unsure of where to play Cooney because we don't know the extent of the injury).

[the banker]

Re: Forward line 2012

What about Roughead? Surely we will take 2 rucks in and sub one off at some stage?

Dahlhaus. Jones. Grant
Cooney. Panos. Roughead

Rotating gia, Sherman, vez, Dickson, Higgins, murphy


panos needs 40 goals, gia. 30, Sherman. 30, Cooney 30, grant 30 , dahlhaus 25, griff 20, jones 20, roughy 20

[AndrewP6]

Re: Forward line 2012

What about Roughead? Surely we will take 2 rucks in and sub one off at some stage?

Dahlhaus. Jones. Grant
Cooney. Panos. Roughead

Rotating gia, Sherman, vez, Dickson, Higgins, murphy


panos needs 40 goals, gia. 30, Sherman. 30, Cooney 30, grant 30 , dahlhaus 25, griff 20, jones 20, roughy 20

Cooney just needs to stay on the park. If he can do that, he'll add benefit. Not sure 30 is a realistic target. If I'm not mistaken, he's only done it once before.

[the banker]

Re: Forward line 2012

Cooney just needs to stay on the park. If he can do that, he'll add benefit. Not sure 30 is a realistic target. If I'm not mistaken, he's only done it once before.

Target only if he is played as semi permanent forward. Stevie J role.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Forward line 2012

Target only if he is played as semi permanent forward. Stevie J role.

Fair enough.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Forward line 2012

panos needs 40 goals

If Panos kicks 40 goals there will be the opportunity to see my hairy backside in Bourke St.

The boy needs to
1 - get a game
2 - get a kick
3 - worry about kicking 1 goal.

He hasn't kicked 40 VFL goals.


Our forward line is rooted and the reason we will finish about 14th.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Forward line 2012

Our forward line is rooted and the reason we will finish about 14th.

Exactly where I've got us finishing.

I think we should definitely try and build a structure for the future though, so I hope we put faith in a Panos/Grant/Jones combo.

[jeemak]

Re: Forward line 2012

I think Grant and Jones will alternate between low and high. Both are quick enough (particularly Grant) and have attributes that can expose some players on the lead, but each of them isn't strong enough to hold down FF against the bigger backs full time.

Vez, if he manages to have a good preseason will be fit enough to hold down a half forward role. And Gia will be a forward pocket and half forward no questions asked.

Dahl will take a forward pocket role, and I don't expect him to play much time up the ground for another year at least.

Higgins will rotate through the midfield, and spend a lot of time forward because he can finish well and we don't have much class there beyond Gia at this point. He might also get some time down back.

Due to the sub, I expect the rest of the forward roles will be taken by Minson, Roughead, Panos, Murphy, Sherman, DJ, Cooney and Dickson.

I think due to the loss of Hall we're going to put our most obvious forward players in attacking roles at the start of the year, because we're going to struggle to score if we don't.

We could try and get clever by putting more defensively minded players there to stop the opposition from rebounding quickly and effectively, but that isn't really going to put the score on the board.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Forward line 2012

If Panos kicks 40 goals there will be the opportunity to see my hairy backside in Bourke St.

The boy needs to
1 - get a game
2 - get a kick
3 - worry about kicking 1 goal.

He hasn't kicked 40 VFL goals.


Our forward line is rooted and the reason we will finish about 14th.

Agree. I don't see him just stepping in and contributing two goals per game. Realistic figure would be mid to high 20's. Anythign else would be a massive bonus for a first year AFL player, mature-aged or not.

[Dazza]

Re: Forward line 2012

How are we setting up in training? Is Panos being the main target?

I was hoping Grant could play the deep leading forward role. Jones the bomb in hope role (including up the ground on the wings).

How's Panos' contested marking? I hear he's a little slow so he better have good hands if he wants the #1 role.

It will be interesting. Struggling to see where our goals are going to come from though.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Forward line 2012

Jones the bomb in hope role (including up the ground on the wings).

Does this role still exist?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Forward line 2012

The good thing about our talls (Jones and Grant) is that they are both very quick.

I think we need to try and open up our forward line as much as possible and take advantage of our pace we have in the forward half. If we set up with Jones, Grant, Dahlhaus, Sherman/Cooney Starting around the half forward line with Panos/Roughy/Minno starting at FF alone.

Using the long kick over the top and running back into space would be our best hope. Hopefully Macca can get all our forwards to work together and pressure once the ball goes to ground. We have the pace to cause turnovers, but it's just a question if we have the mindset.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Forward line 2012

How's Panos' contested marking? I hear he's a little slow so he better have good hands if he wants the #1 role.

Panos has great hands, but he plays a little similar to Hall in that he prefers to mark on the lead, rather than in a pack. He reads the play very well and uses his body well in the one on one contests.

Probably the most interesting prospect heading into 2012 IMO. He'll need time to adjust and will have issues (creating separation) but he's met all challenges so far.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Forward line 2012

Cooney just needs to stay on the park. If he can do that, he'll add benefit. Not sure 30 is a realistic target. If I'm not mistaken, he's only done it once before.

We need the speed of Cooney in the midfield if his knee is sound enough. Roughead gives us another marking option resting up forward. Jones was a big disappointment last year as was Higgins until he was moved into defence. Panos certainly looks to be our best option at FF and I am aware thatBMcC has a high opinion of him.
Murphy at some stage will go forward but at this stage of his career looks more comfortable at half back.