Our forward line in '08

[FFB1]

Hi all, firstly footy is nearly back! I dont mind my cricket and I spend most of my saturdays punting but cant wait until the first bounce.. anyway..

Interesting to note that J Brennan was 2nd behind JB with 24 goals last season, something I hadnt really taken much notice of until today. I know this has been done to death, but the anticipation of having JB, Braddles (fingers crossed) and Clark (fingers crossed) as our forward targets rather than just JB is getting me all excited (and I just had a shower..). Chuck Brennan down there, Hooper shows us what he did in his few games last season, and McGrath (who thrived with JB at stages at the earlier parts of 07) we have an extremely exciting forward line and one that will no doubt trouble many a side.

I'm hoping we see plenty of Brisbane Lions: Goals - Brown 6, Bradshaw 4, Clark 4, Hooper 3, McGrath 3, Brennan 2...... and a multitude of single goal kickers.

 

[greendiesel]

Bradshaw may take a while, but I'm equally confident.

 

[T Rick]

Hi all, firstly footy is nearly back! I dont mind my cricket and I spend most of my saturdays punting but cant wait until the first bounce.. anyway..

Interesting to note that J Brennan was 2nd behind JB with 24 goals last season, something I hadnt really taken much notice of until today. I know this has been done to death, but the anticipation of having JB, Braddles (fingers crossed) and Clark (fingers crossed) as our forward targets rather than just JB is getting me all excited (and I just had a shower..). Chuck Brennan down there, Hooper shows us what he did in his few games last season, and McGrath (who thrived with JB at stages at the earlier parts of 07) we have an extremely exciting forward line and one that will no doubt trouble many a side.

I'm hoping we see plenty of Brisbane Lions: Goals - Brown 6, Bradshaw 4, Clark 4, Hooper 3, McGrath 3, Brennan 2...... and a multitude of single goal kickers.

Thats a total of 22 goals (132 points) not including behinds/single goal kickers. I'd hope for something more like:
Brown 4, Bradshaw 3, Clark 2, Brennan, Hooper, Mcgrath, Sherman

 

[DannyJames13]

Just add Bradshaw. I don't know how Brown did it but he went from double and triple teamed to get 77 goals. I reckon Brown has the potential to end up in Hird territory yet? They both have that characteristic we all love, that courage to do what it takes on the day.

So do you guys think Matthews can achieve at the lions what he did as a player at the hawks... The rebuild looks good.

 

[Warwick]

I reckon Brown has the potential to end up in Hird territory yet?

He is going to jump straight over the Hird territory and head for the Michael Voss territory.

May as well aim for the best.

 

[DEEZ_4_LIFE]

dont forget henderson.. i think he'll play a few games for you guys next year.

 

[Tassie4ever]

I don't know how Brown did it but he went from double and triple teamed to get 77 goals. I reckon Brown has the potential to end up in Hird territory yet? They both have that characteristic we all love, that courage to do what it takes on the day.

And this is the key- if the Lions are able to take some of the pressure off Brown, he will be able to truly achieve his potential, which is to be rated as the best of the best.

It was interesting to watch the repeated game plan against Brown last season- nothing complicated, just double, triple whatever on Brown as they knew where the ball was going to be delivered. No footballer, no matter how good, can succeed against these odds. And the other related point is that it must have a negative effect on the body of a bloke like Brown who has the heart of a lion. In a few games last year he looked completely spent and the body gone. Whatever can be done to expand the forward options can only be to his benefit.

Just as an imaginary exercise, if you really want to know what value other clubs might place on Brown, just imagine what Team Eddie would be prepared to stump up if he came on the market. We've already seen their opening bid a couple of years ago

 

[danielcan]

I'm hoping we see plenty of Brisbane Lions: Goals - Brown 6, Bradshaw 4, Clark 4, Hooper 3, McGrath 3, Brennan 2...... and a multitude of single goal kickers.

Thats a total of 22 goals (132 points) not including behinds/single goal kickers. I'd hope for something more like:
Brown 4, Bradshaw 3, Clark 2, Brennan, Hooper, Mcgrath, Sherman

Leigh said that he wanted to see more goals contributed by other players (similar to Geelong).

I think I prefer to be more optimistic about Brennan and consistency - when he is good, he is simply magnificent!

I reckon Clark may surprise us.

 

[blackpowerlappin]

Leigh said that he wanted to see more goals contributed by other players (similar to Geelong).

I think I prefer to be more optimistic about Brennan and consistency - when he is good, he is simply magnificent!

I reckon Clark may surprise us.

The key to our forward line this year is simple. Increase the clearances and stoppages "won" ratios and there will be plenty of goals from multiple goalscorers. There is no doubt the forward arsenal we have and are developing is awesome. The difference is how quickly we move the ball.

 

[TwoBlueEyes]

With the midfield the Lions now have, an average of 55 entries into the forward line should win them 8/10 games played, especially since your highly underated defence doesn't concede a lot of points against. The return of Drummond to that defence could well become Brisbane's best "in" for 2008, more so than Johnstone & Bradshaw

 

[possum8]

Opposition teams won't be able to afford to sit 2-3 men on Brown as they will need their talls to man up. This will only happen if we have Bradshaw and combo of clark, henderson or brennan up front.

With Stiller and Johnstone accurately firing them in from mid i think most teams (especially ones with smaller back lines e.g. bulldogs) are going to have problems keeping us from scoring.

I am keeping in mind that Braddy might be used as a defender though.

 

[TwoBlueEyes]

BROWN
BRENNAN
BRADSHAW
CLARK
HOOPER
CORRIE
SHERMAN
HENDERSON
& either CHARMAN or LEUENBERGER RESTING IN THE F50 =

That forward line should be scoring 100 + points every single game!!!!!!

Hooper should be aiming to become the best small forward in the game in 2008, he should kick 30+ goals crumming to those power forwards

I'd love to see Luke Power in there too, he'd wreak havoc on a hff

 

[dlanod]

I reckon we play a 16 man forward line and a two man ruck/midfield rotation and back ourselves to outscore whatever the opposition get running into an empty goal. Let's see them double team Brown then!

 

[Schmick]

You guys have alot of talls in your forward line so if i was Mathews i'd move Bradshaw back to CHB and just have a forward line of Brown, Clark, Brennan, Hooper, Mcgrath, Sherman/Corrie.

That'd would make your backline very solid, whilst still having a great forward line and developing Clark quicker at FF.

If you guys were set up like that, i reckon you'd be a very very strong side and win alot of games. If all goes right for the Lions in 08, they will become a very strong premiership contender IMO.

 

[greendiesel]

So God, as I was saying...get on the lions for '08....with our forward line, we can't fail.

 

[TwoBlueEyes]

So God, as I was saying...get on the lions for '08....with our forward line, we can't fail.

Think we have our first nomination for Post of the Year

 

[choco123]

two blue eyes you surely are a lions supporter??

 

[beatnik]

there are some tantalising options up forward for the Lions next year...

we'll have plenty of firepower up front - Brown and Bradshaw are an awesome combo, even if Braddy is not in peak condition early on

as tempting as it would be to throw Clark in when fit, i'm leaning towards the school of thought that he might not be a good foil for the two Bs...he might make the forward line a little top heavy with Brennan playing as a third tall and Charman and Leuey making occasional cameos

Hooper and McGrath could switch between the crumbing small forward and roaming flanker roles leaving Copeland as our tagging forward

so my ideal forward six would be:

McGrath Bradshaw Copeland
Brown
Brennan Hooper

but if we went big then i guess Brennan would play up the field a bit and Copes could slot in on a flank:

McGrath Bradshaw Clark
Brown
Copeland Hooper

the combinations are pretty much endless though - Corrie, Sherman, Rischa, Power, Drummond or Proud could all spend time up front

it's gonna be a fun season...bring it on!

 

[TwoBlueEyes]

two blue eyes you surely are a lions supporter??

 

[TheCoach]

Think we have our first nomination for Post of the Year

I missed that episode of Talking Footy with Brennan talking to Leigh Matthews

Lions forward line is ok. Its hard to judge how good a team will perform so early before a game has been played. I can't say they have one of the better forward lines because thats a bit unrealistic to say. They do however, have one of the most promising forward lines, with the Browndog and emerging Hooper and Clarke. If Brennan can get consistant and Bradshaw can get to 3/4 of how he was before his injury than they're a chance to improve a lot.

 

[greendiesel]

I missed that episode.....Its hard to judge ..... I can't say..... a bit unrealistic .....a chance to improve ...

Thanks for your definitive input Coach.

Edit : This post is withdrawn.

 

[TheCoach]

Thanks for...... Coach.

Reads a lot better when you chop things out and take things out of context.. I should try that more often

 

[TwoBlueEyes]

The Coach is correct guys, potentially the Lions have the best forward line in the AFL, but potential doesn't always come together.....just ask Richmonds' last 20 draft picks

Also ask Jared Brennan, a player who in his first game looked like being a superstar and has still yet to replicate that game more than once.

On paper the Lions forward line seems to have all bases covered; The best CHF in the game, a FF who can kick 50+ goals (albeit after an ACL), the freak in Brennan who can kick 7 or have one handball for the game, the super quick crumber in Hooper and the undoubted talent in Clark along with a 6th player who could come from a list as long as Richmonds' failures.......

As it stands, all of those players have queries on them coming into 2008, even Brown He has to back up his stellar 2007 with another 20 game, 60 goals season.....

Personally I think Brisbane will prove it has the best forward line in the AFL this year, but don't knock someone for disagreeing with your opinion

 

[dtm06]

The Coach is correct guys, potentially the Lions have the best forward line in the AFL, but potential doesn't always come together.....just ask Richmonds' last 20 draft picks

Also ask Jared Brennan, a player who in his first game looked like being a superstar and has still yet to replicate that game more than once.

On paper the Lions forward line seems to have all bases covered; The best CHF in the game, a FF who can kick 50+ goals (albeit after an ACL), the freak in Brennan who can kick 7 or have one handball for the game, the super quick crumber in Hooper and the undoubted talent in Clark along with a 6th player who could come from a list as long as Richmonds' failures.......

As it stands, all of those players have queries on them coming into 2008, even Brown He has to back up his stellar 2007 with another 20 game, 60 goals season.....

Personally I think Brisbane will prove it has the best forward line in the AFL this year, but don't knock someone for disagreeing with your opinion

haha you take out the prize for the best carlton supporter! i reckon bradshaw will start the season up front so he can get some match fitness but i woldn't be suprised if he moves down back midseason which would allow clark to play and develop at FF. Brown, Brennan, Clark and Bradshaw in the forward line at the same time is just a bit to tall for my liking.

 

[greendiesel]

But , I do agree with the Coach.