Defensive Forward?

[stefoid]

Re: Defensive Forward?

Well - you will. And it wont really matter what we do we aren't going to stop this. When we say 'isolate the defenders', well, that is fine - but the opposition wont allow it and will start by rolling their wingers down and then roll down the high-half forwards and then roll down the forward pocket players and then etc etc.

From a contested ball situation - the opposition will work to block and create space for their run and carry types (such as O'Brien and Shaw). And guys like O'Brien and Shaw will further exacerbate the situation by utilising their license to roll the dice and depend on a combination of the contested area AND their team-mates covering their back to get sprung into space.

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Im not sure what you mean. Do you mean the opposition will flood their defence when we have the ball? That takes time. Obviously any attempt to isolate defenders is moot if the entire opposition side is in their back half.

These days the best chance to score is from a centre bounce or transitioning quickly from an opposition turnover. i.e. when the forwards have space. Thats when isolating the defenders is effective.

[chef]

Re: Defensive Forward?

Do we need a DF if we play with a forward press?

[mjp]

Re: Defensive Forward?

Im not sure what you mean. Do you mean the opposition will flood their defence when we have the ball? That takes time. Obviously any attempt to isolate defenders is moot if the entire opposition side is in their back half.

These days the best chance to score is from a centre bounce or transitioning quickly from an opposition turnover. i.e. when the forwards have space. Thats when isolating the defenders is effective.

You are right, which is why centre breaks and midfield/half-back turnovers are so important to scoring.

Isolating the defenders is still a challenge from set-plays...the opposition almost always roll an extra back and plonk them in between the most dangerous forwards. They also allow their opponents a 'boundary side' starting point and over-crowd corridor side...so if the centre break isn't really a 'break' - but a more usual force it forward kick - the defenders are in position 'a' and 'together' to provide a blocking/receiving option.

You can still isolate from forward line stoppages - to a point. You can open up the stoppage somewhat by moving a forward or two to a spot where they simply HAVE to be accounted for - but this doesn't really do much to restrict the opposition runners because they will never be the ones to leave the stoppage area to take up a defensive role.

I agree with you that establishing a forward line structure which forces the defenders to play one-on-one is a good idea as a starting point. It is leading patterns and support running to maintain that one-on-one structure when the ball is in transition that are more important though.

[Mofra]

Re: Defensive Forward?

Do we need a DF if we play with a forward press?

No, although I think the position is a load of bollocks anyway - if 1 forward doesn't chase, the opposition have a get out clause under no pressure (and pressure is the key).

"Defensive forward" is about as appropriate as "third tall"