Strategy Aaron Naughton - Key Defender or Key Forward?

[Next Waiting]

 

[Some Idiot]

200 goals at 24 years old, if we don't send him back soon, he might threaten Simon Beasley's record

 

[Werewolf]

Thread needs a poll. Forward obviously. Unless 2 key defenders get injured.

 

[mattwa]

Forward - close the thread. His kicking is much better this year too

 

[lachy]

The real issue was exposed last night and poses a question I do not know the answer too. Can Naughts and JUH both play well in the same forward line?

Theory suggests yes, a fair chunk of evidence I would say not so sure.

One massive issue with Naughts has been his missing goals especially momentum killers or stoppers. It is clear he is working really hard on this with a much more fluid approach. Deserves significant credit

On SM-S926B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[TiAn_]

The real issue was exposed last night and poses a question I do not know the answer too. Can Naughts and JUH both play well in the same forward line?

Theory suggests yes, a fair chunk of evidence I would say not so sure.

One massive issue with Naughts has been his missing goals especially momentum killers or stoppers. It is clear he is working really hard on this with a much more fluid approach. Deserves significant credit

On SM-S926B using BigFooty.com mobile app

Thought it was interesting that instead of Lobb coming in as a direct replacement for Marra, we seemed to play Naughts deeper in the Marra spot and Lobb further up where Naughts has been playing. Worked really well for both of them. Although the Saints were badly undersized and overmatched, so it was a good week to be a key forward for us.

I’m sure we’ll continue to tinker to find the best mix when Marra gets back in.

 

[Mofra]

(Borrowed from Woof)

After nine rounds:

#8 for goals
#6 for score involvements
#1 forward for score involvements
#3 for goal assists
#1 key forward for goal assists
#3 key forward for disposals
#3 key forward for marks on a lead

...And #1 key forward for average player rating.

Maybe not getting the kudos he previously did but arguably having his best year

 

[out of finals]

(Borrowed from Woof)

After nine rounds:

#8 for goals
#6 for score involvements
#1 forward for score involvements
#3 for goal assists
#1 key forward for goal assists
#3 key forward for disposals
#3 key forward for marks on a lead

...And #1 key forward for average player rating.

Maybe not getting the kudos he previously did but arguably having his best year

Also 71.4% goal accuracy. Been very impressed with his kicking this year, stoked for him.

 

[Mofra]

Also 71.4% goal accuracy. Been very impressed with his kicking this year, stoked for him.

Fair point. The way he drops the ball looks damn ugly but he's improved immensely

 

[House_of_Dahl]

(Borrowed from Woof)

After nine rounds:

#8 for goals
#6 for score involvements
#1 forward for score involvements
#3 for goal assists
#1 key forward for goal assists
#3 key forward for disposals
#3 key forward for marks on a lead

...And #1 key forward for average player rating.

Maybe not getting the kudos he previously did but arguably having his best year

Playing up the ground more so these make sense. Having a great year

 

[dogwatch]

#3 key forward for marks on a lead

...

Maybe not getting the kudos he previously did but arguably having his best year

Also 71.4% goal accuracy. Been very impressed with his kicking this year, stoked for him.

Nobody would have believed these stats a year ago. Good specialist coaching and/or application to those areas of his game that needed improving.

Conventional wisdom was he was one of the least accurate kicks for goal (especially set shots) and was definitely not a lead-up type KPF.

This tells us that sometimes we need to have patience and maybe put a bit of specialised training into players.

Jamarra is nearly two and a half years younger than Naughton, had a slower career start due to Covid and has had a disrupted year in 2024. Despite that he is tracking not far off where Naughton was at the same age. So there's plenty of time for him to fix his shortcomings and justify his high draft ranking.