The Minson forward line experiment

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Will may be OK if the players (a) kick it long enough for him to grab it ..... not have 3-4 players in front of him and (b) stop looking to kick it to Johnno every time they go forward.

Whenever we have played a tall player in the forward line we have NEVER been able to kick it to him in a way that he is able to to a grab.

W may be frustrated ... how do you think Will may be .. or Rocket.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

One thing that dissapointed me was that he failed to even make a contest at times which is what he should be doing as a bare minimum (marking and scoring being the best case scenario).

He needs some time and I'm still hopeful.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Watching him last night, he has clearly been practising. His kicking for goal was much smoother than previously. I rather enjoyed it.

He needs to get meaner though, he gave way to Johnno at one point which wasnt right - he should OWN the goal square and crush all who oppose him, friend or foe. I reckon if he can do that he might just make it.

Agree with this one. I thought his kicking for goal looked better than it has in previous seasons. Hopefully he continues to improve on this aspect.

The second part is dead on, fdotm. Minson needs to feel as though he is the 'main man' and commands respect. A few times last night Minson was happy to allow Johnson to contest for the ball just because he's Johnson. Eade, Johnson & the playing group need to get into Will's head and drive home that they have the confidence in him to be 'the man' of the forward line. By this, I don't mean kicking 50+ goals a year. It means giving a contest every time, marking a few himself, bringing it down to ground - taking much needed pressure off Johnson. You need a bit of mean streak, which Minson has, so hopefully they can gel these tools together - it might just work.

He's better than any other options we have. Wight is very ordinary; he will not play a game at CHF in the real season. McDougall is ever fading, Tiller is still a fair way off & Skipper is injured. Minson's got a big heart, he's aggressive and has a big body. He's mobile enough & not the worst kick - he's just got to keep learning and keep playing.

Remember, Minson hasn't played a AFL/VFL match for many months. That, atop of it being his first real hitout in his new position, should mean we can't be too critical of him atm. He needs to be given every chance.

[wimberga]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Will played well against a quality fullback in what was his first senior game since being moved to full forward. He has the power and size to crash packs, (almost took a screamer) and his kicking looks better. His hands are still a little shaky but that can be due to not being in the right position aswell.

The service he recieved last night did nothing for him so it is still much to early to abandon the idea of having him there.

[Bornadog]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Will played well against a quality fullback in what was his first senior game since being moved to full forward. He has the power and size to crash packs, (almost took a screamer) and his kicking looks better. His hands are still a little shaky but that can be due to not being in the right position aswell.

The service he recieved last night did nothing for him so it is still much to early to abandon the idea of having him there.

agree, as Dr said, we can't expect to bomb the ball in long and expect him to take the big mark. Will has to learn to also lead out.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Will played well against a quality fullback in what was his first senior game since being moved to full forward. He has the power and size to crash packs, (almost took a screamer) and his kicking looks better. His hands are still a little shaky but that can be due to not being in the right position aswell.

The service he recieved last night did nothing for him so it is still much to early to abandon the idea of having him there.

Good post Wimbegra - his performance obviously had a few holes in it, and as Dry Rot pointed out he was caught behind too often, but in a game where the side struggled, and the delivery was pretty woeful, combined with the fact it was his first game of AFL footy in 9 months then it was a start that can be built on

[Cookie]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Im gonna get slaughtered for this.

I would rather see the freak Street play at full forward, from the comments in our rnd 2 NAB cup game he is and awesome set shot plus he is unco enough to bring it to ground for the likes of Johnno Aka Higgo and the crumbers, Minson i love the man but the only positive thing i keep hearing about him is he is smart and knows like 4 languages only game he played well was the Darcy 6 goal game in 2005

I'm almost with you on this. To be brutal, Minson can't play. He reminds me very much of an Under 10 player who gets the ball and gets rid of it as soon as humanly possible. He can't mark overhead. He has poor skills with both hands and feet. He has no opposite side. For him to be a FF is analogous with making strawberry jam out of pig shit. To be anything, he has to ruck. He has age on his side to develop to become serviceable to the team in that role.

Last year I would have said Tiller was a better option for FF. He did show something in the limited opportunities he was given. He lead, marked and kicked well. With Welsh's arrival and if Welsh gets form and consistency, Tiller may struggle to get a game.

Overall, we have too many "ifs" at play. Just as well we have Johhno.

[hujsh]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Overall, we have too many "ifs" at play. Just as well we have Johhno.

If it looks like we'll miss the finals i'd like to see Johnson moved so we can see if someone can stand up with him out

[always right]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Will played well against a quality fullback in what was his first senior game since being moved to full forward. He has the power and size to crash packs, (almost took a screamer) and his kicking looks better. His hands are still a little shaky but that can be due to not being in the right position aswell.

The service he recieved last night did nothing for him so it is still much to early to abandon the idea of having him there.

I love big Will but I think I must have been getting acup of coffee when he took that screamer.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

I'm almost with you on this. To be brutal, Minson can't play. He reminds me very much of an Under 10 player who gets the ball and gets rid of it as soon as humanly possible. He can't mark overhead. He has poor skills with both hands and feet. He has no opposite side. For him to be a FF is analogous with making strawberry jam out of pig shit. To be anything, he has to ruck. He has age on his side to develop to become serviceable to the team in that role.

Last year I would have said Tiller was a better option for FF. He did show something in the limited opportunities he was given. He lead, marked and kicked well. With Welsh's arrival and if Welsh gets form and consistency, Tiller may struggle to get a game.

Overall, we have too many "ifs" at play. Just as well we have Johhno.

Cookie - to say Minson cant play is just too much of a knee jerk reaction and wrong.

The guy hadn't played in 7+ months and has never in his time with us spent four quarters as a key position forward. Its not going to happen overnight but the club needs him to learn a new role so thats what he's attempting to do.

Now he does have some weaknesses, and his hands and skills will have to improve but to just sink the boot is uncalled for.

It takes all types in a team for it to win. In every recent premiership side there are guys who are uncut diamonds, more brute strength than skill, more desperation than finesse.

[wimberga]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

I'm almost with you on this. To be brutal, Minson can't play. He reminds me very much of an Under 10 player who gets the ball and gets rid of it as soon as humanly possible. He can't mark overhead. He has poor skills with both hands and feet. He has no opposite side. For him to be a FF is analogous with making strawberry jam out of pig shit. To be anything, he has to ruck. He has age on his side to develop to become serviceable to the team in that role.

Last year I would have said Tiller was a better option for FF. He did show something in the limited opportunities he was given. He lead, marked and kicked well. With Welsh's arrival and if Welsh gets form and consistency, Tiller may struggle to get a game.

Overall, we have too many "ifs" at play. Just as well we have Johhno.

Agree with Bulldog Revolution - Cookie, saying that Minson cannot play is rediculous. Scott West is a Champion of the club, no-one would argue against that, but he has no pace and struggles to kick a ball straight. Robert Murphy is generally our CHF or CHB option, with zero size. Johnno is our leading forward, with no height.

Every player needs to play to there strengths. Westy uses his superb vision, fitness and handballing skills. Murphy uses his silky skills and Johnno uses his speed and awesome marking ability.

If we look what Will Minson has against him, he is slow, sluggish and has question marks over his marking/kicking.

What he has going for him is awesome size, strength and time on his side. I mean he was holding off Mal Michael which is no mean feat.

Just give the guy a chance, in the scheme of things it may be well worth it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Agree with Bulldog Revolution - Cookie, saying that Minson cannot play is rediculous. Scott West is a Champion of the club, no-one would argue against that, but he has no pace and struggles to kick a ball straight. Robert Murphy is generally our CHF or CHB option, with zero size. Johnno is our leading forward, with no height.

Every player needs to play to there strengths. Westy uses his superb vision, fitness and handballing skills. Murphy uses his silky skills and Johnno uses his speed and awesome marking ability.

If we look what Will Minson has against him, he is slow, sluggish and has question marks over his marking/kicking.

What he has going for him is awesome size, strength and time on his side. I mean he was holding off Mal Michael which is no mean feat.

Just give the guy a chance, in the scheme of things it may be well worth it.

Agree Wimberga,

I think we need to consider that playing to a new plan that a lot of the guys arent used to.
A lot of posters commented that the old game plan didnt work, so at least something different is being tried.
Rocket said during the trade period that we werent able to get a tall forward from another club, so we are left with what we have, until Jarrad Grant comes on.
Has the game plan been changed with an eye to the future? I think so.
In seasons to come it will be Grant as the main man in the forward line and Will as the 2nd tall. If that is the case, it is better to play to a style and structure that will suit that.
I agree that last night wasnt very encouraging for us all, but we should at least give it a chance to work.
Better it happen in the NAB cup than in the season proper.

[hujsh]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Agree Wimberga,

I think we need to consider that playing to a new plan that a lot of the guys arent used to.
A lot of posters commented that the old game plan didnt work, so at least something different is being tried.
Rocket said during the trade period that we werent able to get a tall forward from another club, so we are left with what we have, until Jarrad Grant comes on.
Has the game plan been changed with an eye to the future? I think so.
In seasons to come it will be Grant as the main man in the forward line and Will as the 2nd tall. If that is the case, it is better to play to a style and structure that will suit that.
I agree that last night wasnt very encouraging for us all, but we should at least give it a chance to work.
Better it happen in the NAB cup than in the season proper.

You do realize it won't just happen like that. It's about whether he personally has it in him to work hard enough. Although i hope with Everitt at his side it is rather likely

[wimberga]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Hujsh, im sure EVERY doggies supporter realises that talls dont just come on

I think BB is just making the point that we are building a plan for the future and Grant is obviously going to be part of that vision.

[hujsh]

Re: The Minson forward line experiment

Hujsh, im sure EVERY doggies supporter realises that talls dont just come on

I think BB is just making the point that we are building a plan for the future and Grant is obviously going to be part of that vision.

Fair point. I wouldn't blame someone for thinking he could just happen. It's bloody exciting!