Our Back Line - Your Thoughts

[chrissy]

I though we could look at each part of our team line up and look at what need or why we have it right

I'll start it off THE BACKLINE

S . Thompson 193cm - 93kgs - 25yo
R . Tarrant 196cm - 96kgs - 22yo
S . McMahon 184cm - 86kgs - 25yo
L . Hanson 197cm - 97kgs - 23yo
N . Grima 192cm - 96kgs - 26yo
M . Firrito 190cm - 94kgs - 27yo
L . Delaney 194cm - 97kgs - 22yo

On a up side the best years are ahead of them , except Firrito .
Should not get pushed around with these heavey bodies
Got guts , dont mind hitting the contest hard and working back into the packs .

Is a very tall backline which struggles with players like Eddie Betts
No serious key backman ( which in time L. Delaney could be )
The forward line these are best suited to line up against is our own forward line .

My thoughts : we play too tall and when the ball goes to ground we are found out , could Lindsay be reinvented down back if his yipps continues next year ?

 

[coopers pale]

I don't see Lindsay as a backman, he goes to ground, and I don't know that he's as quick as he looks (if that makes sense). Hansen is the obvious question mark here, because he COULD be a dominant CHB, but we've rarely seen him actually take a game over. We look more balanced when he's playing (well) at CHF, but recently Pederson's played CHF better.

Bizarrely, though, the biggest question mark for me sits with possibly our most in-form defender:
The need for more pace and skill from the HBF's has been dogs-balls obvious, and our lack of a quality small defender just as clear. Where does Scott McMahon feature in this, I wonder? He's almost both of these, but he's ACTUALLY neither. Can he get fitter and faster and play as a rebounding HBF?

 

[speedy]

We definitely need more speed and skill coming out of the backline but I see the solution for that coming from the midfield. Our midfield is great around the stoppages but they don't help out our backline no where near enough.

As soon as more of our young mids get up to speed I would love to move Wellsy to half back, better even as an extra defender/sweeper. Then instead of our forward line having 14 players in it and the opposition having a paddock for their forwards (re the saints game) it will be the other way around.

 

[Shinboner Schem]

Add Mullet to that list??

IMO: we need another good quality kick in that group.
The only one who can pinpoint a target is McMahon.
we need to stop the turnovers and be able to come out of our backline quickly to use the spread effectively.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

If we give Lachie 5 or 6 more years he will end up being a Chris Groom type CHB.

 

[Daz]

Thread needs more Richardson and Mullet. Both have great leg speed and will hopefully be able to handle some of the more speedy opponents, whilst also providing some offence of their own. They'll have some poor moments next year but they need to play IMO.

I'm not sure which two out of Grima, Hansen, Tarrant and Delaney will cement their place but I'm pretty happy with our talls down back.

 

[Drew23]

What do we think about a player like Gavin Urquart, Yes he needs to get some form?

But back in his first? or second year he showed great promise but has been struck with injuries and lack of form. Great leg pace, makes good decisions, one of the more elite kickers in our line up

 

[speedy]

What do we think about a player like Gavin Urquart, Yes he needs to get some form?

But back in his first? or second year he showed great promise but has been struck with injuries and lack of form. Great leg pace, makes good decisions, one of the more elite kickers in our line up

He is more likely to get cut than be ear-marked for a senior birth next year.

 

[Moti]

Needs to be a clean slate. Won't happen but that is what we need to do. I think we are trying to create roles for players rather than finding players for roles. If you need two quick blokes to play in the backline, you put two in. Can't make Mc Mahon run any faster so no use trying.

I think we have too many KP or almost KP types. Setup the structure and the roles and fill from there. That way you can see Richardson and Mullett as the two options for the pace element. If that means McMahon, Thompson, Firitto or all three miss out, then so be it. No use trying to fit them in just because they have been there a while.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Needs to be a clean slate. Won't happen but that is what we need to do. I think we are trying to create roles for players rather than finding players for roles. If you need two quick blokes to play in the backline, you put two in. Can't make Mc Mahon run any faster so no use trying.

I think we have too many KP or almost KP types. Setup the structure and the roles and fill from there. That way you can see Richardson and Mullett as the two options for the pace element. If that means McMahon, Thompson, Firitto or all three miss out, then so be it. No use trying to fit them in just because they have been there a while.

Yep, completely agree.

IMO we need to play

2 key position players, one full back (Taz/Delaney) one centre half back (Hansen and maybe Grima).
We need one third tall (Hunter/Grima)
Someone to play on the leading small types (Hunter/McMahon)
Someone to play on the traditional crumbers (Levi/McMahon)
A creative role that can break through the first layer of the press with evasive run and carry and release the next wave of runners (Wells/Mullett/Atley/Richo)

That's five specified defensive roles, not all of which will be needed each week depending on opponents, and one attacking role.

We also need to have deep running mids that get in to help create the drive. Kind of like how Patch creates a link between the mids and forwards.

 

[Moti]

Yep, completely agree.

IMO we need to play

2 key position players, one full back (Taz/Delaney) one centre half back (Hansen and maybe Grima).
We need one third tall (Hunter/Grima)
Someone to play on the leading small types (Hunter/McMahon)
Someone to play on the traditional crumbers (Levi/McMahon)
A creative role that can break through the first layer of the press with evasive run and carry and release the next wave of runners (Wells/Mullett/Atley/Richo)

That's five specified defensive roles, not all of which will be needed each week depending on opponents, and one attacking role.

We also need to have deep running mids that get in to help create the drive. Kind of like how Patch creates a link between the mids and forwards.

I think we almost need a defensive wingman for a while, someone who plays behind the contest until we get into a defensive team orientated groove.

 

[GarnerSmash]

I think we almost need a defensive wingman for a while, someone who plays behind the contest until we get into a defensive team orientated groove.

That would be part of the 'Anti Patch' role too. Definitely something that should be considered.

 

[Long Live the King]

What we need is mid sized back that can perform the role of a Heath Shaw, Corey Enright, Luke Hodge.

Not sure if Wellsy is that player. Maybe Cunners. Mullett looks a likely type.

 

[winalotroos]

What we need is mid sized back that can perform the role of a Heath Shaw, Corey Enright, Luke Hodge.

Not sure if Wellsy is that player. Maybe Cunners. Mullett looks a likely type.

I agree I think we need some class down back and maybe Cunnington is what is needed or Mullett also shows he can be a link up player.

And I hate to say it but Firrito, looks like next year will be very hard for him.

 

[snapperbowler]

We need a couple of players who have the ability to get on their own. Players like Hodge, O'Brien, Maxwell and Fisher have this ability.

In the Fremantle game I noticed that Hansen was starting to do this. Maybe he is the player.

We also need players who can kick the ball and don't panic when pressure is applied. This is not restricted to the backline either.

We are the turnover kings and all the other sides know this.

 

[Passmore]

McMahon and Thompson are lock ins.

We need two of the talls to step up in the KP roles and some run off the flanks.

KP's will come from Grima, Delaney, Hansen, Tarrant. Personally I'd go with L Delaney at FB and Grima at CHB. Keys got torched by Hall a while back, but Bazza seems to be doing that a bit on his farewell tour so I wouldn't hang him for that. Appears strong and dependable to me. And I like the idea of Grima at CHB.

The flanks are a worry imo. Spud has been awful this year and looks shot. Pratty has been banging down the door in the two's but at 28, if your not in the team, the future is bleak.

Mullett, Richo, JMAC, Wells, Wright, Lower, White, Thomas have all been suggested at times amongst others. Dunno. There is a spot there if someone puts there hand up.

 

[Teffy]

Yep, completely agree.

IMO we need to play

2 key position players, one full back (Taz/Delaney) one centre half back (Hansen and maybe Grima).
We need one third tall (Hunter/Grima)
Someone to play on the leading small types (Hunter/McMahon)
Someone to play on the traditional crumbers (Levi/McMahon)
A creative role that can break through the first layer of the press with evasive run and carry and release the next wave of runners (Wells/Mullett/Atley/Richo)

That's five specified defensive roles, not all of which will be needed each week depending on opponents, and one attacking role.

We also need to have deep running mids that get in to help create the drive. Kind of like how Patch creates a link between the mids and forwards.

Are you interested in the North Melbourne coaching position?

 

[Devil Fish]

I am bamboozled by some of these thoughts. McMahon to play on small forwards!!!!!! McMahon is way too slow to play on small crumbing forwards.

 

[GarnerSmash]

I guess it depends on the match ups DF.

But sweeping, generalised statements seem to be de rigueur around here of late.

 

[Teffy]

If we were absolutely honest with our list, then we would have to conclude that our list is far better suited to a Ross Lyon game plan, than a Malthouse/Brad Scott style game plan.

Limit the problem that pace and good disposal presents to our backline and they are as competitive as anyone else.

Our forwards would also appreciate the extra space.

Based on personnel, we are a better "flood" side than a "press" side.

 

[Joey7]

We need class behind the footy.

Mullet, Ross, Wells, MacMillan, Urquart, Richardson even Matty Campbell could go back there. anyone who has pace and skills. We need to revamp our defense and work rigorously over the pre-season on our defensive structure and even more importantly - our skill execution. FFS we are ranked last in the comp for turnovers and kicking efficiency.

 

[Bengaliroo]

That would be part of the 'Anti Patch' role too. Definitely something that should be considered.

I haven't seen the stat (not sure where to find it) but I would of thought our marks within the defensive 50 is pretty bad. Can any of players just read the play and mark the ball overhead like Lake did in 10 and Bock in 08?

 

[the smith show]

MacMillan needs to take Firritos spot asap. Has the kicking skills needed.
Kennedy will help our defense down the track with his height, speed and good kicking skills. Should be able to play a Fisher/Gilbert role.

 

[Elite Master]

The backline is solid without being spectacle. Blokes like Thompson and Grima are hard nuts that take the game on with their body strength but turn the ball over with there poor skill level. McMahon and Hansen add a bit of flare with there speed and athleticism but get easily exposed agienst the bigger bodies. Delaney and Macmillan have proven themselves good spoilers in the air but haven't shown enough in terms of consistency. Firrito lacks the pace and offensive drive he's had in previous seasons but has been important when he's on, Rawlings goes without saying but obviously he's gone.

We need some class and leg speed which Mullet can certainly provide. Richardson also has pace as does Urquart.

Tarrents another option but his kicking has let him down. He's looked vulnerable at ground level too.

 

[THRILLHO]

Our half-back-flanks are close to the weakest in the league and the reason as to why we turn the ball over so often.

Simply don't have enough players who can create and find an option, kick long and precise over the lines and potentially pierce the zone. Instead, unless there's a player with acreage around him, we get numbers to one side and go long down the line.

Mullet/MacMillan/Undrafted. That spot is yours to make your own.

Backline collectively would have to be worst in the league. Full of 'tweeners who can't kick.