Strategy 2025 Forward Line

[shewho]

Dixon out; Lukosius, Richards, Berry, Whitlock, Barrett, Powell-Pepper in.

Through circumstance and necessity, our 2025 forward line will be completely recast. Good thing too- it was dysfunctional in 2024 and we still finished top 4. It was the area of the ground that held us back in 2024. Even in our 6 goal Prelim loss, we won hit outs, Centre Clearances and Stoppage Clearances. I’m not suggesting the forward line was the only reason we lost, but midfield improvement will come from “organic growth”, switching JHF’s mid/fwd time from 60/40 to 80/20 and getting more from the wings.

Clearly, forward line deficiencies were identified as our major problem. Just look at our trades and drafting. Lots of new resources. But how we use them will determine how we go in 2025 and beyond.

No one will argue against “less bombing it to a stationary big guy”. Didn’t work last year and without Charlie, won’t work in 2025. But the issues seem to be:

1. Who do we build the forward line around?
2. Do we use a big target forward (Lord, Ratugolea or Visentini/Soldo) at all and if so, who?
3. Do we keep DBJ in the mix or reassign him?
4. Do we keep Mead as a mid/forward or look to someone with more forward craft?
5. What’s your best 7 assuming we go with a 7-8-7 fwd-mid-back split?
6. Generally speaking, what’s the plan?

My answers:

1. Georgiades and Lukosius switching as lead up forward and deep forward in a 70/30 split.
2. As a switch up option only. There will be times when it is necessary such as late in the game when we are chasing a result or when flooding or slowing our ball movement prevents us playing the way we want- the second ruck (whether that be Ratugolea, Soldo, Visentini) would fill the role but this is option C at a minimum.
3. No- reassign to a utility role- either 22nd or 23rd man. A Mr. Fix it.
4. The forward line is for goal kickers. Ideally it consists of 7 goal kickers and if Anastasopolous, Berry and/or Barrett develop enough to play you use them. Mead as a forward/mid is only a stop gap until we have goalkickers in that role.
5. Georgiades/ Rioli SPP/ Richards Lukosius Berry/ third tall, if dry; fourth small, if slippery.
6. Mobile forward line with running patterns designed to create space. We actually have a midfield capable of lowering their eyes and hitting a target in space.

 

[longdonkey]

I think we should be doing anything except what we do, and what Hinkers wants to do.

 

[Power Raid]

Rioli Georgiades Lord
SPP Luko Rozee (I don't want butter, rozee and HF all in the centre at once, thus rotate one forward (preferably in the pocket))

 

[TazD]

Let's erect a bollard in the middle of F50 and long bomb onto it. It's the perfect way to honour Dixon and Kenny.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

I think the most important aspect of the forward line is that it has been reconditioned and was the worst part of the ground by a long shot and lost us games last year.

Georgiadies and Lukosius has the potential to be a very quick, tall, great kicking, great finishing one two punch. Whitlock looking in.

Rioli is borderline top 10 small forwards in the league.

Gone are Fevans, Narkle and McEntee. In come Richards, Berry and Barrett. Great. Anastasopoulos also looking in.
The corpse of Dixon is gone for Luko.
Lots of upgrades this off season.

We could go small but will probably play Lord or Esava as the gorilla forward, 2nd ruck.

Rioli, Powell-Pepper, Richards, Byrne-Jones, Berry, Anastasopoulos, Barrett gives us a lot of scoring potential.

The Perminator is the odd one out and not a real forward and might become a utility player off the bench.

The guys who came in have finishing power. Something we lacked big time last year.

 

[JimmyBC]

Benny Barrett full forward the rest are irrelevant.

 

[SureBuddy]

Pretty simple really.

Richards, Luko, Rioli
SPP, Marshall, MG

DBJ bench

Marshall, Lord, Finlayson interchangeable pending Marshall's health and the form of the other 2.

Esava never spends time in the forward line again. If either of Lord or Finlayson are not in the team, I wouldn't be against Esava in defence and playing the 2nd ruck role from there. No reason it needs to come from the forward line. He can follow their second ruck when they go in.

I doubt we will see Whitlock at AFL level in his first year. I can certainly see Berry getting a shot at some point.

I have so much more confidence in this forward line than last year. Basically 4 new players in there with Richards, Luko, SPP and Marshall. That is an extremely dangerous forward line with all having the ability to kick a bag of goals.

 

[FishingRick04]

I think auto selections are
Mitch
Luko
Rioli
SPP
DBJ

 

[PortAdelFC1997]

Will this be the end of bombing the ball inside 50? Or will the midfielders keep bombing it in?

Find out on the next episode of Dragon Ball Z.

 

[davo999]

Without Dixon , hopefully we change plans and not bomb it to the hot spot all the time . I’d like us to work on strategy where we create space for leading in to , pull defenders with the leading forwards then Georgiades drop back into the goal square hopefully one out , we’ve got enough players like Lukosius to rotate through there so it would need lots of training to get the positioning right but unless Lord fills the Dixon role we’ll have to change the forward game plan

 

[pastmyprimus]

We need to take advantage of the strengths of our talls, Luko, Mitch and even Marshall. Good on the fast lead. Harder to counter compared to a bomb to a contest. And we have the midfield that can execute.

But Hinkley loves his favourite play. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Lord/Esava given chances to prove themselves

 

[Traveling_Power]

I think auto selections are
Mitch
Luko
Rioli
SPP
DBJ

I hope we don't see DBJ in our best 23. In fact, if he is playing then we are in trouble
for the last few years DBJ has been very lazy (on average getting 2 - 3 Disposals in 3 quarters and 6 in the last)

we have got in 2 new small forwards (Berry / Richards) and 2 new HFF / Mids (Moraes /Cochrane) and we also got a new KPF.

at least 2 of these new forwards can replace DBJ in the forward line

 

[Addy23]

Will this be the end of bombing the ball inside 50? Or will the midfielders keep bombing it in?

Find out on the next episode of Dragon Ball Z.

I get a feeling that we'll be going even higher and longer this year

 

[Chrizzt]

I hope we don't see DBJ in our best 23. In fact, if he is playing then we are in trouble
for the last few years DBJ has been very lazy (on average getting 2 - 3 Disposals in 3 quarters and 6 in the last)

we have got in 2 new small forwards (Berry / Richards) and 2 new HFF / Mids (Moraes /Cochrane) and we also got a new KPF.

at least 2 of these new forwards can replace DBJ in the forward line

3rd in our goal kicking and most goal assists this year. He's completely unaccountable and a disaster in defence, but he's best 23 as a forward.

 

[Traveling_Power]

3rd in our goal kicking and most goal assists this year. He's completely unaccountable and a disaster in defence, but he's best 23 as a forward.

this just shows how we have had a problem with our forward line this year
(this year is the only year he has kicked over 20 goals)

in 2024 he averaged 11 disposals a game (293 disp / 26 games)
in 2023 he averaged 12 disposals a game (292 disp / 23 games)
in 2022 he averaged 21 disposals a game (456 disp / 21 games)
in 2021 he averaged 24 disposals a game (480 disp / 24 games)

shows he has been going backwards for the last 4 years

he has too many games where he goes missing for a 1/2 or 3/4s - only to switch it on for later half of the game

with all the players we drafted this year who can play forward he will be spending time in the SANFL in 2025

 

[Shaucob_Burjan]

Our forward line has speed and it has excellent playmakers.

I just want to see a forward line with lots of movement unlike the one that relied on the corpse of Charlie Dixon

 

[Schulzenfest]

this just shows how we have had a problem with our forward line this year
(this year is the only year he has kicked over 20 goals)

in 2024 he averaged 11 disposals a game (293 disp / 26 games)
in 2023 he averaged 12 disposals a game (292 disp / 23 games)
in 2022 he averaged 21 disposals a game (456 disp / 21 games)
in 2021 he averaged 24 disposals a game (480 disp / 24 games)

shows he has been going backwards for the last 4 years

he has too many games where he goes missing for a 1/2 or 3/4s - only to switch it on for later half of the game

with all the players we drafted this year who can play forward he will be spending time in the SANFL in 2025

Man gets less disposals as forward pocket than he does as half back. Film at 11.

Learn about football.

 

[Traveling_Power]

Man gets less disposals as forward pocket than he does as half back. Film at 11.

Learn about football.

but DBJ only played forward pocket 3 times this year. (and once at HBF)

Most of the year (21 games) DBJ played HFF

Rioli was in one forward pocket
The other forward pocket was a KPF mainly Dixon or MG. (Marshall was mainly the FF)

(Remember most games this year we went in with 3 Talls in the forward line. The other Talls joining Dixon / MG were Marshall, Finlayson, Lord, Dante & Rat)

 

[powerrrrrrrrrrrr]

DBJ gets unfairly singled out here a lot with claims he has been poor. He actually had a very decent year up forward.

He will stay in the side as our sole defensive forward. This year we played games with 3 defensive forwards and then wondered why we didn’t score. Berry and Richards in to replace Mcentee/Evans/Narkle and DBJ to remain in his role.

We should have a much more attacking mindset and open up space to allow our new forward line to operate in rather than playing defensive as we didn’t have any cattle

 

[Chrizzt]

but DBJ only played forward pocket 3 times this year. (and once at HBF)

Most of the year (21 games) DBJ played HFF

Rioli was in one forward pocket
The other forward pocket was a KPF mainly Dixon or MG. (Marshall was mainly the FF)

(Remember most games this year we went in with 3 Talls in the forward line. The other Talls joining Dixon / MG were Marshall, Finlayson, Lord, Dante & Rat)

Dude. You're not seriously reading the team announcements to see whether he played "HFF" or "forward pocket" are you hahaha? He has had the exact same role for the last two years, except the disaster game he played in defence.

Positions in team announcements are just the media team putting names into positions for social media - they don't mean shit come game day. It's not the 1970s anymore.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

I think Georgiades, Lukosius, Rioli and Powell-Pepper have the potential to be really good together.

I don't know who the 3rd tall is but they will have to play ruck so I don't see Marshall playing this role. It has to be out of Lord, Ratugolea, Finlayson, Whitlock.

I think Byrne-Jones played his role well last year. Nothing spectacular but not a net negative either.
He will be getting games but the two Joes are natural small forwards and they will put a large amount of pressure for spots.

Last year we had:

Georgiades - great towards the end of the year
Dixon injured and down on form
Marshall, Ratugolea - down on form
Willie Rioli - very good when on the park
Byrne-Jones - playing his part
Narkle - delisted
Fevans - delisted
McEntee - saved by contract

We go in this year with:

Georgiades
Lukosius
Lord, Ratugolea, Finlayson - this position is the elephant in the room
Willie Rioli
Powell-Pepper
Byrne-Jones
Joe Richards
Joe Berry

We are removing four underwhelming forwards from last year in Dixon, Narkle, Fevans and McEntee with Powell-Pepper, Lukosius, Richards and Berry. They are all great upgrades all round with a lot of potential.

Powell-Pepper reclaims the number 1 HFF and pushes Byrne-Jones to the number 2 position.
The two Joes hopefully bring defence plus scoring impact which we've lacked for a long time.
Willie does Willie.

Obviously the Joe's are unknown quantities but both could really excel and add a lot to the team.

And we've got two speedsters in Barrett and Anasta waiting in the wings.

If we had a 3rd tall, ruck option that was solid, I would be pretty happy with it all.

 

[Traveling_Power]

Dude. You're not seriously reading the team announcements to see whether he played "HFF" or "forward pocket" are you hahaha? He has had the exact same role for the last two years, except the disaster game he played in defence.

Positions in team announcements are just the media team putting names into positions for social media - they don't mean shit come game day. It's not the 1970s anymore.

No .. I am sitting behind the goals at the games from the fence watching Rioli, Marshall, MG, Lord close to goal (in the full forward line) .. I am also watching DBJ on the Half forward line 5+ Meters behind his opponent (like when we played Richmond and Bolton kicked 3 goals) getting sweet FA Disposals for most of the game until he decides to do something (like the Brisbane game when he had 2 disposals to 3/4 time then got a further 7 disposals in the last) so Ken can justify him playing the following week.
Sure, this year he did a little bit kicking 28 goals from nearly 300 disposals and playing better in certain areas ... but he still went backwards .. Just imagine how many goals he would kick if he got 480 / 492 disposals like he did in 2021 /2019 (would it be 50 goals ? )
For years he has coasted he knows he won't be dropped (being part of Ken's greyhound club) and as he is 29 (years old) the 6 players we drafted this year could play in the forward line and SPP back coming back will mean that he won't play the full year for the Power (he might start the year) but I am expecting Berry, Moraes etc to overtake him through the year.

 

[Powerade 08]

Posting about what you see with your eye balls. Imagine that.

 

[Chrizzt]

No .. I am sitting behind the goals at the games from the fence watching Rioli, Marshall, MG, Lord close to goal (in the full forward line) .. I am also watching DBJ on the Half forward line 5+ Meters behind his opponent (like when we played Richmond and Bolton kicked 3 goals) getting sweet FA Disposals for most of the game until he decides to do something (like the Brisbane game when he had 2 disposals to 3/4 time then got a further 7 disposals in the last) so Ken can justify him playing the following week.
Sure, this year he did a little bit kicking 28 goals from nearly 300 disposals and playing better in certain areas ... but he still went backwards .. Just imagine how many goals he would kick if he got 480 / 492 disposals like he did in 2021 /2019 (would it be 50 goals ? )
For years he has coasted he knows he won't be dropped (being part of Ken's greyhound club) and as he is 29 (years old) the 6 players we drafted this year could play in the forward line and SPP back coming back will mean that he won't play the full year for the Power (he might start the year) but I am expecting Berry, Moraes etc to overtake him through the year.

And just imagine how many goals Buddy Franklin could have kicked if he got 5000000 disposals. Absolute spud, delist.

I don't understand how someone who claims to watch football can, in all seriousness, compare racking up possessions as the loosest of loose half backs to getting possessions as a half forward.

 

[shewho]

DBJ gets unfairly singled out here a lot with claims he has been poor. He actually had a very decent year up forward.

He will stay in the side as our sole defensive forward. This year we played games with 3 defensive forwards and then wondered why we didn’t score. Berry and Richards in to replace Mcentee/Evans/Narkle and DBJ to remain in his role.

We should have a much more attacking mindset and open up space to allow our new forward line to operate in rather than playing defensive as we didn’t have any cattle

Surely, SPP is the sole defensive forward. DBJ was a stop gap and that gap has now been stopped.