Strategy Aaron Naughton - Key Defender or Key Forward?

[dogwatch]

It really is a mute point though when the coach comes out and says he will not be playing back when we get back after the bye

Yep we can argue it here until we’re red, white and blue in the face but it’s all hypothetical if Bevo has ruled it out categorically.

Time for us to find another talking point. Like how do we make defence work without Liam Jones, Richards and JJ (and no Naughton)? Is O’Donnell going to be part of the answer? Do we mix it up (talls vs smalls) depending on who the opposition is?

Also if Naughton is heading forward again vs Fremantle are we better with him playing high CHF?

 

[Nat Fyfe]

I am still somewhat on the fence (can see merit in both arguments). When Naughton went into defence today, it really did seem like it opened up so much space for our forwards to lead into, and our forward line seemed to function so much better.

Despite that, I don’t know how much this is indicative of Naughton being more suited to defence, or whether it demonstrates that we currently have no idea how to operate a forward line effectively that includes Naughton. I’m a genuine believer that Naughton will be a multiple AA no matter which end of the ground he plays, so my main concern isn’t so much about where Naughton plays best, but instead which position enables the team to perform better. I’m still curious what that looks like when we replace Spangher for next year.

But who knows, that second half could also be attributed to North’s defence just falling apart because their kids ran out of legs..

 

[doggies ftw]

Seriously you cannot understand the basic concept of a forward line working together. Anyone watching at all could see how much better the forward line functioned when he moved back with space movement. If you can't that's OK keep posting and getting your likes from 1 other poster.

We kicked 5 goals in a half with according to you and 1 or 2 others at most have him as most influential yet others flourished when he moved out. Our forward line functioned well. And before you say it was only against North remember you are the one who said pointing out he has kicked most of his bags against average teams or depleted backlines which is a statistical fact not an opinion well so was the forward output this game.

He may not be the panacea moving back but of you don't think he would be much better than any of the alternatives this season, there is no question of that.

With Jones and TOB out, JJ and Red out, we don't play him back this year is done

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And you clearly don’t understand the basic concept of ball movement, genuinely curious - do you think the way we transitioned the ball into the forward line was similar in both halves? Obviously the game opened right up after half time, as it tends to do in 99% of games. This clearly is going to result in more space in the forward line against a fatigued, young side who are struggling to get back and defend like they were in the first.

You’re just saying subjective things and claiming them as facts lol like there was more space inside 50!!! In reality as Tian pointed out we had 4 more scoring shots in the 2nd half, the difference was we actually converted that’s literally it.

Cody was the only forward that flourished and he took the same amount of marks inside 50 in the first half as the second. He had a burner today, he’s done that before alongside Naughty too. I am keen to use Cody as a target more often he’s a jet, but we did this to great effect in the first half too with Naughty at CHF pushing up the ground.

Lobb & Marra took 2 marks inside 50 after half time, and combined for one goal - again they combined for one nice passage of play together I’d hardly say they flourished once Naughty left

Majority of our goals in the 2nd half came from midfielders & Codys individual talent, hardly due to a fully functioning forward line that just needed to clear Naughty out.

 

[dogwatch]

Just listened to the Bevo postgame press conference. He didn’t absolutely rule out Naughton going back.

If Naughton is last option standing he still might but clearly the preference is to play him forward.

… or perhaps Bevo just doesn’t want to signal his punches ?

 

[trophies]

Was going to post that surely this thread should end now.
But there are seriously still people advocating for him back after that disastrous display.
Genuine alternate reality stuff.

What game were you watching? To my eyes it was clear that the team functioned much better with Naughton at CHB.
And what is with all this weeping and wailing about a simple reorganisation to suit available resources? It's not like he loses his mojo by going back. He really looked comfortable there from what I saw.
I also recall that many on this forum (and the MC) were absolutely certain that Liam Jones was purely a forward and could not possibly hold down a backline position. Eventually the club decided that it wasn't worth continuing with him if he wasn't making it at CHF....
That Bernie Quinlan fella seemed to be able to play forward or back, and that EJ Whitten guy seemed to do OK at either end.
Our usual forward line is hopelessly inefficient and Aaron Naughton is not producing at a high level. He has 26 goals from 14 games in 2023 and is 14th on the goalkicking list. This is not an A grade result.
It's pretty clear that we can't match the top teams with present arrangements so I don't see that there is a lot to lose by tinkering a bit.

 

[The Inbetweener]

Any half decent opposition coaching staff would work out pretty quickly that Naughton is the one they want kicking the ball out of defensive 50.

The main problem is that he's going to miss basic 15m chip passes and cause dire turnovers. It's not even aggressive kicks he would be missing, these are basic passes.

That and he's going to completely slow down ball movement outside defensive 50. When hes the one responsible for the long switch kick across ground you all are gonna want him forward.

True but the same applies to Gardner, Bruce and O’Brien

 

[Mofra]

True but the same applies to Gardner, Bruce and O’Brien

I don't think we can play both Gardner & Bruce in defence. They both take that extra second or so to dispose of the ball. You can carry one guy like that, but not two.

 

[doggiesin08]

I don't think we can play both Gardner & Bruce in defence. They both take that extra second or so to dispose of the ball. You can carry one guy like that, but not two.

Agree. Better off going undersized with Buku or Cleary than carrying both Gardy and Bruce.

 

[mattwa]

If and only if given our dearth of talent down back this season, he is playing forward it has to be high no doubt. Problem is he is rarely played high

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That's coaching but. We all know naughty would be great leading up to CHF and even wheeling back and taking a mark running from the 50 into the fwd line using his athleticism. Spangher on the other hand prefers the 3 pronged approach where naughty, lobb and marra play out of the goal square together leading to the same spot

 

[mattwa]

I don't think we can play both Gardner & Bruce in defence. They both take that extra second or so to dispose of the ball. You can carry one guy like that, but not two.

I don't want to see Bruce back ever again. Would rather play cleary and go small like you said

 

[Golden_6]

Naughton is still a forward for me but I think he needs to go back to cover Jones until we get some other defenders back. The injury to Jones is too far.

If we trot out a back 6 of Keath/Bruce/Gardner/Duryea/VDM/Dale, then we’ll have no hope. I’d consider Bruce up forward for this period whilst Jones is out as he’s shown in the past an ability to work with other key forwards.

 

[Dogsman16]

Agree. Better off going undersized with Buku or Cleary than carrying both Gardy and Bruce.

I’d much prefer us to pick just the 2 KPDs and a few mediums (Cleary/Richards etc). We have about 3 blokes flying at every contest down there anyway.

Must have good users down there. Modern game doesn’t allow for turnover merchants down back.

 

[Northernsoul74]

I’d love to know what Naughton think. I suspect he sees himself as a forward now.

 

[mattwa]

If Richards was fit I think aerially we would be ok small. Good news is we verse freo post buy who dont play a tall fwd line and post that is the magpies again who don't have a tall forwards. I'd back in Keath and Gardy as the 2 talls and play doc, dale, cleary and VDM. I'd also have Timmy playing more defensive for cover

 

[mattwa]

I’d love to know what Naughton think. I suspect he sees himself as a forward now.

On record as saying he's a forward now

 

[Dogsman16]

If Richards was fit I think aerially we would be ok small. Good news is we verse freo post buy who dont play a tall fwd line and post that is the magpies again who don't have a tall forwards. I'd back in Keath and Gardy as the 2 talls and play doc, dale, cleary and VDM. I'd also have Timmy playing more defensive for cover

Don’t really face a high level KPF until the bombers with Wright. That gives Jones the bye and 3 games off.

 

[cherrypie]

Think we may as well try Naughton in defence after the bye to see how it goes. We’re not winning the flag this year and our defence without Jones will be awful regardless, so I don’t see the harm in at least seeing how it goes.

Similarly, I’d love to see West spend proper time in the midfield going forward. No point in drafting a midfielder, playing him in the midfield in VFL and then moving him forward every time he’s in the AFL.

 

[Unorth]

All things being equal I would like Naughts up fwd. He is a 50 goal + a year guy. Take him out and we rely on Marra kicking 0.4 every game and Lobb who has to take ruck duties. Bevo would also be more inclined to play Hannan as a marking forward, which is bad news for everyone.

However if Jones has to miss time, I’m not so certain. Bruce, Gardner and Keath are all (respectfully) nowhere near AFL level. I’m willing to cut Naughts some slack for his mistakes as he was thrown into the backline mid game after a number of years out of it, although the signs weren’t good. But his ceiling in any position is infinitely higher than those guys.

We all knew how bad a Jones injury would be, if he misses extended time we’re probably not making the 8. I could see in this scenario that our best play would be to get Naughton back there. But Peter, Paul etc. It may not matter.

Any 2, or god forbid 3, of Gardner/Keath/Bruce in the backline, with Ed missing and Duryea near cooked? That’s the backline of a bottom 4 team, we will get absolutely cut up like North managed in their limited opportunities.

If the coaches think Naughts is our only hope back there I could see it, but I am loathe to move him out of the forward line (and his goal kicking accuracy isn’t as bad as made out).

 

[ringa5]

Get well soon Darcy is the first call.
Then Naughton proves his versatility.
And maybe Bruce can still kick a goal
Not all doom and gloom Naughton not being always forward.Paul Roos,Glendenning and Vanderhaar did it in the 80s so can be done !

 

[my plums]

Bevo said a couple of weeks ago that Naughty wouldn’t even be the one sent back in games in response a question about him moving into defence. Then it happened yesterday, so I think Bev just likes to play his cards close to his chest.

 

[doggies ftw]

Naughton is still a forward for me but I think he needs to go back to cover Jones until we get some other defenders back. The injury to Jones is too far.

If we trot out a back 6 of Keath/Bruce/Gardner/Duryea/VDM/Dale, then we’ll have no hope. I’d consider Bruce up forward for this period whilst Jones is out as he’s shown in the past an ability to work with other key forwards.

Yeah if we decide that it’s the best move, short term, whilst Jones is out - then I’m more than okay with that decision.

 

[Fossie 32]

Get well soon Darcy is the first call.
Then Naughton proves his versatility.
And maybe Bruce can still kick a goal
Not all doom and gloom Naughton not being always forward.Paul Roos,Glendenning and Vanderhaar did it in the 80s so can be done !

 

[Dogsman16]

Why don’t we just pick 2 KPDs keep Naughton forward and then be proactive with the switch down back if we need.

I’m all for him pinch hitting down back when required.

 

[Golden_6]

Yeah if we decide that it’s the best move, short term, whilst Jones is out - then I’m more than okay with that decision.

It'll be interesting to see what Bevo does given the musical chairs our defence has been plagued with this year. Maybe O'Donnell gets a reprieve in O'Brien's role that he should've been given a chance with to start? Hopefully Richards only misses one more game after the bye.

What I would do:
Duryea Keath Cleary
VDM Naughton Dale

What we'll see:
Duryea Keath Gardner
VDM Bruce Dale

 

[Werewolf]

I’d love to know what Naughton think. I suspect he sees himself as a forward now.

Naughton was interviewed on ABC post match and said he prefers to play forward.