Team Mgmt. 2024 Forward Line

[jdstorm]

I suspect like most are suggesting - Draper will predominately be forward (with Bryant in the ruck) … but I’m not a fan.

Neither Bryant or Draper are of such quality we can afford both on the same team (too tall / too slow). Draper’s drive gets the gig for mine…

I think there’s overthinking on Bryant and Draper getting out of contract - don’t let that wag the dog on team balance. Crazy to play both when we lack speed, coverage, poor transition (ours or defending).

Would like to see us address a lack of forward pressure by looking at Cox and / or Jones over a second ruck (2MP or Bryant). Even if it’s only when not playing under the roof. Forward pressure won’t just get solved by Kako & ADJnr.

My thought with Draper at FF (and I don’t think it’s an uncommon thought) is he provides a physical marking target close to goals in the way the other forwards don’t.

Even if he’s not taking marks he’s still crashing packs, bringing the ball to ground and negating the opposition’s biggest key defender which frees up our better forwards via easier matchups. That’s a net positive and point of difference that no other players on the team offer.

If Harris Andrews or Darcy Moore or whoever have to defend Draper then they aren’t stopping Langford/Caddy or slingshotting turnover possession that’s a win.

Plus Drapers normally good for a fluke goal every so often and the closer he is to the sticks the more chance he is of that.

Averaged about .7 goals a game the last 2 years which is pretty normal for mids.

If he can manage to bump that up to a goal a game. Have better durability and get to about 20 goals that’s par for a 6th-8th option on the best teams in the comp this year.

Edit: going into next season if you were to rank our Targets/threats from 1-8 you’d have something like

1. langford (40+)
2. caddy (hopefully plays a full season and makes a jump to at least 30)
3. Gresham (30)
4. Kako (TBD but high hopes)
5. Jones (20 playing wing/3rd tall)
6.Martin (20)
7. Guelfi (20)
8. Perkins(20 M/F)
9. Draper (10+ FF)

You would expect that group to be in the 200-230 goal range based on past performance

Add 100 goals from your mids/next 10 and that’s 300-330 goals and a top 5-8 offence. Provided we can move the ball effectively into the forward line

Edit2: and that’s with 2MP penciled into the VFL.

 

[Bombers36]

My thought with Draper at FF (and I don’t think it’s an uncommon thought) is he provides a physical marking target close to goals in the way the other forwards don’t.

Even if he’s not taking marks he’s still crashing packs, bringing the ball to ground and negating the opposition’s biggest key defender which frees up our better forwards via easier matchups. That’s a net positive and point of difference that no other players on the team offer.

If Harris Andrews or Darcy Moore or whoever have to defend Draper then they aren’t stopping Langford/Caddy or slingshotting turnover possession that’s a win.

Plus Drapers normally good for a fluke goal every so often and the closer he is to the sticks the more chance he is of that.

Averaged about .7 goals a game the last 2 years which is pretty normal for mids.

If he can manage to bump that up to a goal a game. Have better durability and get to about 20 goals that’s par for a 6th-8th option on the best teams in the comp this year.

Edit: going into next season if you were to rank our Targets/threats from 1-8 you’d have something like

1. langford (40+)
2. caddy (hopefully plays a full season and makes a jump to at least 30)
3. Gresham (30)
4. Kako (TBD but high hopes)
5. Jones (20 playing wing/3rd tall)
6.Martin (20)
7. Guelfi (20)
8. Perkins(20 M/F)
9. Draper (10+ FF)

You would expect that group to be in the 200-230 goal range based on past performance

Add 100 goals from your mids/next 10 and that’s 300-330 goals and a top 5-8 offence. Provided we can move the ball effectively into the forward line

Edit2: and that’s with 2MP penciled into the VFL.

Agree Draper our best option against the likes of Moore/Andrews - if the 200cm mobile Cox can split ruck duties with Draper then 2MP may well find himself on the outer…


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[jdstorm]

Agree Draper our best option against the likes of Moore/Andrews - if the 200cm mobile Cox can split ruck duties with Draper then 2MP may well find himself on the outer…


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Or ya know Nick Bryan. The incumbent mobile ruck who’s been decent since getting called up from the VFL last year.

I don’t get this obsession with playing Cox other positions he’s a decent mobile KPD2/3 who can swing forward in a pinch. Just needs to add some strength

 

[crackers65]

Cox in the ruck? Someone like Nankervis snarls at him and that’s it for the day.

 

[Vindicater]

Agree Draper our best option against the likes of Moore/Andrews - if the 200cm mobile Cox can split ruck duties with Draper then 2MP may well find himself on the outer…


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Or maybe Bryan. The guy who can actually ruck.

 

[Keystone agony]

Think they like Draper over 2MP just because of his competitvness and ability to atleast get the ball to ground and reduce intercept marks

I dont think the 2 of Draper/Bryan/2MP is settled. Id say Draper will be one until signed though

 

[Bombers36]

Think they like Draper over 2MP just because of his competitvness and ability to atleast get the ball to ground and reduce intercept marks

I dont think the 2 of Draper/Bryan/2MP is settled. Id say Draper will be one until signed though

Yeah can’t have all 3 of Draper, Bryan n 2MP playing - that’s why Cox as an option for short stints in ruck not all bad - just not against monster ruckman that snarl


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[Agronomus]

Isn't Draper leaving at the end of next season? May as well start working on a long term forward line without him

 

[ant555]

Isn't Draper leaving at the end of next season? May as well start working on a long term forward line without him

It is not set in stone. So far it has only been reported that the Crows will make him a decent offer.