Lions Forward Analysis.

[dtm06]

I'm a bit bored now that uni has finished so I'm gonna go through our squad, starting with the forwards.

Lions Forwards 2008

Johnathon Brown
Daniel Bradshaw
Mitch Clark
Ashley McGrath
Robert Copeland
Jarred Brennan
Rhan Hooper
Albert Proud
Michael Rischitelli
Anthony Corrie

Despite the Brown and Bradshaw combo i reckon this is our main weakness. We can't continually look for Brown everytime we enter 50 and hopefully Bradshaw's return will fix this. Brennan's inconsistency is a worry and i think the best way to manage him may be to rotate him between the forward and back lines on a rgular basis to keep him on his toes.
The Copeland move up forward really freed up our forward line i thought and added another dimension so I'd like to see him play up there next year as much as possible and Hooper can set the world on fire when he's on song, but i think he will play in the middle of the ground more in 2008.
Clark remains the dark horse and one of the keys to our side. If he can stay fit and hold down FF or CHF, then Bradshaw can swing between defence and attack. We really missed a consistent tall forward to work with brown this year so one of Clark, Bradshaw or Brennan really has to make FF his own.
I think Rischitelli will play forward a lot next year. I thought he struggled a bit this year but i think he'll be raring to go next year and have a great season. Corrie coming back too will be a huge advantage with his pace and seeing as i cant see him breaking into our midfeild, i reckon he'll have to go up forward. Hopefully he can recover well beause i think he is avery good player.
One of my concerns for our forward line is that it might be a bit too big. There are four talls, Brown, Bradshaw, Clark and Brennan who if fit, would all be in the side imo. If this is the case then Bradshaw and Brennan might have to spend a bit of time down back which will only add strength to our "no name" defence. But the positive out of this is that we will have the ability to stretch the fences with our height.
The big plus apart from Bradshaw's return for the forwards is the recruitment of Johnstone. His skills will hopefully mean more quality ball coming into a leading Johnathon Brown and co. We need quick ball into the forwards if we go with such a tall setup imo to isolate 1 on 1 contests and hopefully he'll be able to provide it.

In an ideal world I'd like to see this set up for the Lions forward Line

FF: McGrath Bradshaw/Brennan Clark
HF: Hooper Brown Corrie

thoughts?

 

[T Rick]

Lachlan Henderson can be added to your list of forwards.
I'd say Rischitelli is part of our on ball brigade?

 

[dtm06]

Lachlan Henderson can be added to your list of forwards.
I'd say Rischitelli is part of our on ball brigade?

ohh should've said this before but i was only listing players i thought would get a game in 2008. i dont think henderson will. I've got rischitelli in the midfield as well. just like bradshaw and brennan will also be listed as defenders.

 

[T Rick]

Yeah fair enough i can't imagine Leigh trying to develop Rischitelli as a forward though. The fact we haven't drafted any midfielders with our top picks would suggest we definitely need Rischitelli as a gun midfielder in a few years time. Also, Sherman may be added to the forward list? Hopefully he will be playing a forward flank role where he has license to run through the forward line and midfield.

 

[acuguy]

Bradshaw, Clark and Brown with mosquitoes running everywhere!

 

[Hilly72]

The core forward line from this year is basically all leading type forwards except for Hooper, you would hope that we do develop a couple of the others to play front and square!!!

 

[em4jed]

what will happen when browny leaves? do you think we will try and get a player to replace him or try a different style of forward line??

 

[Hollow Knight]

what will happen when browny leaves? do you think we will try and get a player to replace him or try a different style of forward line??

Clark, Henderson, Tyler and Brennan are all capable of playing forward, I'm sure more KPP prospects will be picked up along the way.

 

[Grimreepah]

The Mills vs Clark battle is the most intriguing aspect of the forward line IMO. With Clark we looked great on paper with a lot of talent but were dysfunctional and lost most times. With Mills we looked weaker on paper but our forward line functioned well and we won most times.

The problem seems to be that Brown, Clark and Bradshaw all play similar roles, ie. they play fairly close to goal, and I'm not sure if it is feasible to play them all in the forward line at the same time. This leaves Mills as the only guy who can play that true CHF role, although Henderson may be another candidate when he develops.

It will be interesting to see how they go about the structure. I just hope they don't become idealistic, and stay focused on picking guys who give you the best chance of winning. If that means picking Mills over Clark then so be it.

 

[Quigley]

I agree with Grim that Mills will get some time in the forward line at some stage this year and if he gets his kicking together over the offseason he could be a very effective player for us and one whose style complements Brown and Bradshaw very well. I also think Tyler will get some first team football this year and I think it is more likely up forward rather than down back. At the moment I think he is more of a forward. On the smalls I think Sheldon might get a couple of games and could be that creative crumber who is actually dangerous in front of goal we have needed.

I don't think we will see Henderson this year but you never know. Look for Leuy to get some time in the forward line though.

 

[SDG72]

I think Harding might get a run as a small forward this year, he has good pace and knows where the goals are! Just needs a bit of confidence.

I think McGrath will play further upfield, either on the wing or half back this year. The coaching pannel hinted at this last year when McGrath was played further upfield. I think the change will be create for McGrath.

I think there is another who may come into calculations as a small forward, being Keil of the rookie list. This will be reliant on someone getting injured, but very clearly remember him kicking two quick goals in the intra club match last year. I know a long shot, but I think this kid will be good. The Lions must be happy with our rookies from last year, as they did not really add to them this year, even when a lot of people were talking up Queenslanders that did not get drafted.

 

[beatnik]

i agree that Mills, Henderson and possibly Tyler will be our CHF options with Henderson probably the long-term option

if Mills' kicking improves, he might end up back CHB down the track but for the foreseeable future his ability to run all day and provide a strong marking target are vital in getting the ball quickly to Browny and Bradshaw - within scoring range rather than on a wing

you make a good point about Clark potentially crowding Brown and Bradshaw up forward and he might play as a backup ruckman and backup power forward if either of the big Bs go down

either way, you'd think he'll be treated very carefully this year - plenty of strengthening work, especially through the core to help him cope with the rigours of the game for a big guy

no reason why Copeland wouldn't keep playing a defensive forward role in 2008 and MCGrath and Hooper will probably spend time both in the small forward spot and further upfield

Harding and Proud are also options and so is Power if the rest of the midfield is firing

with everyone fit, our best forward line would prove quite a handful...

 

[CoZi36]

Braaaaaaddddddddddddllllllllllllleeeeeesssssss Can't bloody wait!