Can we now drop Sinclair?? (+ general forward line discussion)

[SuperSub17]

While I agree with everything you said, there's one hle in the argument. A caveat if you will.

Our forward line is still a trampoline despite his role. THAT'S the main reaso he now needs to go. I'd rather our inside 50 to goal conversion be higher if the ball is going to come out easy when we don't score anyway.

This, this, this.

When we get it in there, we can't keep it there. The opposition is allowed to run it out to easily. It would be a different scenario if every week our opposition struggles to get it out and we get repeat entries and goals as a result. But the fact is, we don't. There's no evidence that his role is actually working.

 

[half_back_flank]

I agree, it is coming out too easily. I don't think it can be entirely blamed on Sinclair though, and it is only going to get worse when Krak and Didak come back. If they have poor days where they aren't hitting the scoreboard it will be catastrophic. We need a defensive forward now and especially with those two in the side and at the moment, Sinclair is our best option.

Ball and Beam will be back in a month and Blair can fill the defensive forward role if Sinkers isn't hitting the score board but at the moment and for the next month, he's the best option. I don't mind playing him either, I think he has a future and am looking forward to him gaining some size and strength over the preseason.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

I agree, it is coming out too easily. I don't think it can be entirely blamed on Sinclair though, and it is only going to get worse when Krak and Didak come back. If they have poor days where they aren't hitting the scoreboard it will be catastrophic. We need a defensive forward now and especially with those two in the side and at the moment, Sinclair is our best option.

Ball and Beam will be back in a month and Blair can fill the defensive forward role if Sinkers isn't hitting the score board but at the moment and for the next month, he's the best option. I don't mind playing him either, I think he has a future and am looking forward to him gaining some size and strength over the preseason.

I have to strongly disagree with you. We need forwards with presence who can kick goals. We need small forwards like Krakouer who are dangerous because of their elusiveness, crumbing ability and goal kicking prowess. We do not need Sinclair. He is not functioning as an effective defensive forward. His time is over, at least temporarily.

 

[half_back_flank]

I have to strongly disagree with you. We need forwards with presence who can kick goals. We need small forwards like Krakouer who are dangerous because of their elusiveness, crumbing ability and goal kicking prowess. We do not need Sinclair. He is not functioning as an effective defensive forward. His time is over, at least temporarily.

If we don't play a defensive forward with Krak/Didak or even Paine in the side it will be a disaster. At the moment the best option is Sinclair. I think Blair will be the better option when Ball and Beams are back but in the next month until that, Sinkers is adequate.

My main issue is people criticising him and saying he is useless because they simplicity judge him on goals. That's not his role in the side, he is there primarily as a defensive player. He is performing that role adequately.

It is an extremely tough position to play as most don't notice his dirty work, I think it's ridiculous to expect 15-20 possessions and two goals from him.

 

[SnakePlisskin]

I'd expect a few tackles though and we're not getting that.

 

[kevind]

If we don't play a defensive forward with Krak/Didak or even Paine in the side it will be a disaster. At the moment the best option is Sinclair. I think Blair will be the better option when Ball and Beams are back but in the next month until that, Sinkers is adequate.

My main issue is people criticising him and saying he is useless because they simplicity judge him on goals. That's not his role in the side, he is there primarily as a defensive player. He is performing that role adequately.

It is an extremely tough position to play as most don't notice his dirty work, I think it's ridiculous to expect 15-20 possessions and two goals from him.

That is where most would disagree.

Our defensive pressure against Hawthorn and Essendon was non existent and a disaster. I feel for the kid as he gives 100% but he is not an AFL standard forward.

It absolutely annoys the hell out of me when I see the ball kicked to our tall targets up forward and Sinkers is nowhere to be seen, or at best 2 metres from the fall of the ball. At the feet of the talls competing for the high ball is the bread and butter position for small forwards.

He is so slim that his tackles don't stick either, so imo, his defensive pressure is modest at best. And let's not bother about discussing his goal kocking accuracy.

As well as Sinkers, I am not yet sold on Jamie Elliot, as his crumbing ability is not much better. It basically gives us 2 small forwards with zero crumbing. I just wonder, at Elliot's height, will he be able to survive at AFL level with his dependence on marking. He has kicked many goals this year by finding space but Essendon closed down that space on Anzac Day and I think other sides will do the same.

I would prefer we went with Blair and Krakouer, up forward with Elliot as the third 'tall' as from next week. Give Sinkers a chance as a midfielder or small defender in the VFL.

With regards to crumbing, I saw an interesting interview with Paul Medhurst the other night. He now plays with Claremont. Stated that one of his heroes was Tony Modra, so when he began with Claremont, then Freo, he just wanted to take the big marks like Modra and didn't want to even bother learning how to crumb, no matter how much it would frustrate the hell out of his coach at the time. I wonder if there is a touch of that with Jamie Elliot.

 

[THATSGOLD]

Here is an interesting move. So Sinclair has the pace. He creates pressure up forward. Move him to defence to play on the pacey small forwards.. Create the pressure down back. He would be a great tackler and we need to run in that defence.

 

[THATSGOLD]

Krak and Didak forward, that would give us accuracy at the sticks.
Sinclair goes back with Williams as lock down defenders.
Fasolo omitted for refusing to move his fat arse.

 

[jamieb1983]

Agree try simclair down back. With his pace he may just turn out into a descent defender

 

[rose jam]

May as well train a monkey if all you want is tackling from a player

 

[bodga22]

Bring Kennedy in for him, has pace to pressure defenders and actually racks up touches and scores goals

 

[TradeDraft]

Bring Kennedy in for him, has pace to pressure defenders and actually racks up touches and scores goals

2nd That Mate

 

[Chronz]

There are people here still defending him?

 

[THATSGOLD]

There are people here still defending him?

He isn't the reason we lost by 46 points.

 

[half_back_flank]

Bring Kennedy in for him, has pace to pressure defenders and actually racks up touches and scores goals

Will he kick those couple of goals and rack them up in Sinclair's role and under Buckley's instructions?

I'm sceptical, Sinclair's position is far harder to play than people give credit, especially when he is judged by goals kicked.

 

[bodga22]

Will he kick those couple of goals and rack them up in Sinclair's role and under Buckley's instructions?

I'm sceptical, Sinclair's position is far harder to play than people give credit, especially when he is judged by goals kicked.

Couldnt do any worse...
Last year I actually thought Sinclair could become a decent player for us but seriously has done nothing so far.
From what ive seen of Kennedy he can play this role, hes got pace to burn, good skills and can get a few goals even outside from 50. Has a the potential to be an A grade player, and i believe he will, whereas Sinclair will struggle to reach B grade.

 

[Captivating]

Sinclair's role hard to play?......yeah I suppose there's only a handful of AFL players who can do as little....on purpose.

He's regressed in 2013 and on current form has no role in our senior side.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

Sinclair's role hard to play?......yeah I suppose there's only a handful of AFL players who can do as little....on purpose.

He's regressed in 2013 and on current form has no role in our senior side.

Sinclair is at best a work in progress. He has served his purpose and must either reinvent himself as a player or forever inhabit a VFL Neverland. He cannot be selected again this week, even against St Kilda. Should he display excellent VFL form, his AFL credentials can be reconsidered.

 

[jmac70]

Sinclair needs a spell. At the very least for his own confidence.

 

[Go_Brad_Dick]

Sinclair needs a spell. At the very least for his own confidence.

I am in agreeance with Jmac.
Credit to Sinclair at least for uniting those with otherwise opposing opinions.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I agree, it is coming out too easily. I don't think it can be entirely blamed on Sinclair though, and it is only going to get worse when Krak and Didak come back. If they have poor days where they aren't hitting the scoreboard it will be catastrophic. We need a defensive forward now and especially with those two in the side and at the moment, Sinclair is our best option.

Ball and Beam will be back in a month and Blair can fill the defensive forward role if Sinkers isn't hitting the score board but at the moment and for the next month, he's the best option. I don't mind playing him either, I think he has a future and am looking forward to him gaining some size and strength over the preseason.

But you're missing the point.

The ball is coming out regardless of Sinclairs "role". So get him out, and get players n there who can kick goals. Yes, the ball will still come out when we don't score, but at least we'll score more, and there will at least be inferred pressure merely from the calibre of player that will be in there.

Defenders will shit bricks more with Didak, Krakouer, Elliott and Cloke in there, especially isolated.

 

[Zod_16]

Sinclair performing his role would be perfect but right now he's not, having 1 tackle in the last 2 weeks is simply not good enough. He should probably be dropped to the seconds to increase his work rate and brought back for another crack if he improves.
The biggest issue however is the structures up forward, the days of bombing it long and pack marks taken are over and Cloke cannot out mark 3 defenders as he has been made to do consistently for over a year. We can all agree that Dawes had a shocking year last season but he at least drew a defender and relieved some of the pressure. Paine should be given a run simply to provide another option in a side that is increasingly becoming one dimensional. Have Lynch push further up as he can bomb it in from 60 anyway. Having a three option forward line with Cloke, Paine, Elliot/Goldy with Krak, Fas crumbing as well as some of those cheating midfielders would be pretty dangerous.

 

[Lord Wilberforce]

there will at least be inferred pressure merely from the calibre of player that will be in there.

Exactly! The fear of being done by your opponent is just a powerful as any intangible inferred pressure. I doubt an opposition player would think twice about leaving Sinclair to help out his team mate. However, if the player is Didak or Krak etc, he's in a real dilemma. He knows that if he doesn't get it just right, he'll be punished. Sows doubt into their mind and undermines the oppositions defensive structure, because they aren't sure if they're going to get help or not. We need to put a bit of fear into opposition defenders! Sinclair doesn't do that. He's an irritation, not a problem for them.

 

[MeisterBot]

When we get Beams/Ball back in, Blair takes over from Sinclair until he can find form in the VFL. Kennedy would not be a bad option either, as would Mooney (though we have to elevate him first).

I think Didak/Krakouer have a place in the team, but I wouldn't do a direct swap for Sinclair. Elliott/Fasolo is where they can come in. I mean, Sinclair hasn't been doing well recently and Didak/Krakouer are offensive threats, but we'd essentially have a completely non-accountable forward line, no one willing/capable to chase or put pressure on, or clamp down on dangerous defenders. We have enough issues with a lack of accountability as it is.

 

[Frankie23]

Moving Sinclair back could be genius, he has all the attributes to pay the shut down role. He is quick, accountable and has the desperation to not lose to is opponent. His field kicking has improved so he wouldn't be a liability coming out of defence like some may think.

Also yeah he played a shocker on ANZAC day, he knows that, but so did a few others who didn't fulfil their role.