Ling to full forward

[sarah.13]

having watched the game a few times I have come to the conclusion that his days as a tagger are numbered. It has been a concern of mine for some weeks.
Other teams are dragging his player to the wings or half forward (pendlebury) where they can use their pace and out of the arggy barggy of the packs. This has exposed Ling's lack of pace.
I was thinking of instead of the 3 talls we go for 2...mooney/hawkins or mooney/pods with Ling as the 3rd tall at full forward. He is a strong mark and a good kick at goal. He could also play as a defensive forward if need be,
What are others thought on this

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

how would ling go at balancing the role of kicking goals and stoping his opponet ? the thought of his opponet setting up run from the backline concerns me

i agree with your comments about him as a tagger and I hate to say it but i think his days are numbered full stop (would love to be wrong )

 

[mwt5150]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

I think his lack of pace would be exploited anywhere, and a creative running backman can do just as much damage as a mid (see Harry O'Brien from the other night). If they got the right match-up it may work but that would be tough. Lingy's a big mid but not KPF size.
He is a very good set shot though, but I reckon we need experimenting in other areas ATM; you cant try too much this late in the year.

 

[_Me_]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

I think his lack of pace would be exploited anywhere, and a creative running backman can do just as much damage as a mid (see Harry O'Brien from the other night). If they got the right match-up it may work but that would be tough. Lingy's a big mid but not KPF size.
He is a very good set shot though, but I reckon we need experimenting in other areas ATM; you cant try too much this late in the year.

he would be good, as he has a bigger motor than most forwards, however we don't have a tagger at the moment. If Rooke comes back in it helps the forward line, as he adds that bite in the forward line.

 

[gaz29]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

What's with this Ling to full forward talk all the time?! The commentators bang on about how he used to play full forward... yeah, like 10 years ago! He would be a terrible full forward. He's...too...slow! Jesus.

 

[hamG]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

Tagger or retire.

 

[SJ]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

Tagger or retire.

Unfortunately I think the latter is approaching, and fast.

 

[Sttew]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

He looked damn slow against the Pies. I wonder whether carrying an injury may have added to the slowness?

Who do we groom as replacement tagger? Kelly is too classy. Bartel did a great job on Del Santo in the GF.

 

[Vdubs]

So that's Ling, Corey, Ottens, Rooke, MIlburn all possible retirements, +/- Wojo. Good way to free up funds and start again. Wojo still has it.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

So that's Ling, Corey, Ottens, Rooke, MIlburn all possible retirements, +/- Wojo. Good way to free up funds and start again. Wojo still has it.

And you didn't even include Mooney and Scarlo in that list, so yeah it will be interesting to see what happens post 2010.

I have to say Wojo has had a great year.

Unfortunately I think the latter is approaching, and fast.

Sadly I must agree. Anyway what do we for this year to manage him through the finals?

 

[CatTricks]

let him play in the forward pocket and play deep?
not sure who will become our next run with player...Djerrkura? T.Hunt? Hogan?

 

[hamG]

How about all of our players should be capable of playing a defensive game (eg Jimmy in the GF).

We already have Blake, we don't want to be 2 men down when we have possession of the ball

 

[candiehappy]

How about all of our players should be capable of playing a defensive game (eg Jimmy in the GF).

We already have Blake, we don't want to be 2 men down when we have possession of the ball

that's a pisser ..

 

[noclashjumpers]

He shouldn't be playing at all at the moment.

Could barely walk Saturday night. Was clearly in pain from the start of the game from my vantage point.

 

[Jumping Jack]

I said 12 months ago (as did others) that Geelong had taken a huge risk in naming Ling as captain when conceivably he could be not named in our best 22 by the end of this season.

He has been an amazing servant for the club and this has nothing to do with his form on Saturday night. He has looked off the mark all year and I think opposition clubs are really trying to exploit and play through his direct opponent wherever possible.

Tough call but he may certainly need to relinquish the captaincy at the end of the year. One thing we know about Ling is his team first approach ..... he will know the end is close and I would'nt be surprised if he retired at the end of the year.

 

[MontyMensch]

Has anyone considered how dumb the Geelong's professional coaching staff would actually have to be before they suggest Ling should play FF?

He is way to slow, otherwise of course he would be used there, only last year he voted by the AFL Players as one of the best kicks for goal. The coaches know more than anyone about his kicking, they obv have a very good reason for not wanting to exploit it.

Also dont retire the guy yet, no-one has more will power to find a way through a form slump than this guy. His entire life all his wanted to do is play for Geelong.

 

[SJ]

And you didn't even include Mooney and Scarlo in that list, so yeah it will be interesting to see what happens post 2010.

I have to say Wojo has had a great year.



Sadly I must agree. Anyway what do we for this year to manage him through the finals?

He really has to play to his strengths and limitations and cannot be fancy when he has the ball. I am thinking of a Luke Ball-type game, where he does not 'play the Geelong way' and look for dinky handballs after evading tacklers, but must play the percentages and go first option every time.

 

[Boxhead_31]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

Unfortunately I think the latter is approaching, and fast.

Yeap I fear this maybe the last year for Linga it is becoming more apparent each week his opponents have more pace than him week in and week out and he just doesn't have the wheels anymore to keep up with them.

I think Taylor Hunt would make a great new stopper for us seems to be fairly quick and looks to have the toughness required for the role

 

[Spluff]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

Who do we groom as replacement tagger? Kelly is too classy. Bartel did a great job on Del Santo in the GF.

What about Hogan or Djerkurra? Both have the excellent athletic traits to get it done, both should be able to attack at the same time as tagging, and it means you retain the attacking abilities of a Bartel or a Kelly.

 

[The Panther]

Shades of Paul Licuria 2008. Game & the pace of it IMV has past him by.

 

[SJ]

Re: Ling to Full Forward -thoughts

Yeap I fear this maybe the last year for Linga it is becoming more apparent each week his opponents have more pace than him week in and week out and he just doesn't have the wheels anymore to keep up with them.

I think Taylor Hunt would make a great new stopper for us seems to be fairly quick and looks to have the toughness required for the role

Actually the proposed interchange cap which looks certain for 2011 may buy him another year.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

People have been saying Linga's too slow and is due for retirement since 2006! I guess one day they will be right.

 

[kanyewest]

We already have enough forwards, so sending him there wouldn't help the team. His role is the tagger, and he has proven he can do this job time and time again. It is unfair to judge him on the last few weeks.

The guy is our captain and gives great direction on the field. He will be back at his best soon enough, and then we can stop suggesting he should go to FF or retire.

 

[Turbocat]

It seems everyone is ready to toss him aside.As other have said he has served the club loyally and just like the other other mids have done a power of work. He looks tired. The difference for him is he is not a natural mid , I imagine him playing for side in the GFL kicking 150 goals and knocking down several beers post game.Is he finished? I don't know but the question id ask is he playing fit? Is he playing when he really shouldn't because he is Captain? Could he play forward at AFL level? I'd say before being asked to depart he would be given a chance there.

 

[bulletproof]

I have faith that our flamed haired warrior can still play some good football in September. He is a wonderful competitor.

Maybe not as our number one tagger but maybe pinch hit in the midfield and up forward.

Jimmy Bartel needs to reprise the role he performed so magnificently in the Grand Final and become our number one lock down player for the rest of the year.

James Kelly can also play as a negater if need be.