The tall forward problem

[Turbocat]

Re: Moons and Our Tall Forwards

But aren't we talking about big power forwards, Mitch Brown may never have the body reciliance to play afl, and we passed over Jack Darling in last years' draft, at pick 26 was a gift to the eagles and we chose more mid size of which we have a cupboard full.

One would have to wonder if Geelongs' recruitment isn't concerned with the state of the taller playing group, but is primarily focused on the midfield and running ballcarriers.

I just hope we don't ruin Vardy like Hawkins, turning them into neither effective forwards or rucks.
I'd like to see Vardy play up forward.
If Taylor Walker is available seasons end, best we go get!

Dont agree Meto. Sure Darling looks good and perhaps he might have been a more obvious needs pick on what is on the field now. Would he looks as good without Kennedy and Lynch and Cox around him? Not sure but I trust Wells and his team are doing what works to build a list. How do we know it works? Because they did it in 99 & 01. They are rebuilding our base group and as we have shown , this is "the" group you must have the right for a club to be flag chance.

So , I think they will continue to focus on quality mids that are flexible enough to play in more than one position till they have the core of the next group. Then when they have the semblance the next group on our list they will either top our list with a FA or Cherry pick a kid they like from GC , just like the did with Ottens.

Now as we do add the mids we will pick some talls and with luck along the way we may pickup the odd gift as well. Walker last year for instance was considered a drifter.

 

[Partridge]

I've said this three or four times now. It's worth repeating. Mooney didn't know what he was doing until he was 26. Pods didn't get invited to Geelong until he was 26. Lonergan finally became valuable and reliable at 26.

Hawkins is 22.

I'm not impressed with Tom just yet. But when you see him forming an enviable partnership with Mitch Brown in four years you'll change your tune.

Only problem with that theory is that you could end up tolerating 7-8 years of underachievement because someone "might" come good. How come Jack Riewoldt is already a star? He was in the same draft as Hawkins. Yes big guys can take time but you can't put up with non-performance forever.

Don't forget too Lonergan yes became reliable at 26, but as a defender. He was tried and failed as a key forward.

 

[God Mode]

Only problem with that theory is that you could end up tolerating 7-8 years of underachievement because someone "might" come good. How come Jack Riewoldt is already a star? He was in the same draft as Hawkins. Yes big guys can take time but you can't put up with non-performance forever.

Don't forget too Lonergan yes became reliable at 26, but as a defender. He was tried and failed as a key forward.

Still kicked as many goals as Dawes and Cloke did last year. But wasn't as much of a presence I agree.

 

[_cam]

forwards are horrid atm, Hawkins just isnt coming along which is rather disappointing, his a complete pussy for his size

 

[Asty]

forwards are horrid atm, Hawkins just isnt coming along which is rather disappointing, his a complete pussy for his size

A certain collingwood player might disagree after running into his knee.
We dont need a thug up forward but if he can lead up at the ball and is happy to hit the pack (or who ever in front while going for the ball) then that is what we want.
I think his main problem at the moment isn't being a pussy but it trying to take too many chest marks rather than getting it in the hands. This probably costs him 3-4 marks a week which can be the difference between a good player and an average player.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

You could choose to look at it as a problem, or you could look at it as an opposition problem, where we've got Pods, Mooney, Chapman, Johnson, Varcoe, Stokes, Byrnes and Hawkins who are all capable of kicking 4+ goals in a match. Then there's Bartel kicking his 1-2 a week. The opposition doesn't know where the goals are coming from and can't afford to focus on one or two players, like they can with Hawthorn or St Kilda. We'd take Buddy and Jonathan Brown if they were available, but you've got to look at the forward line as a collective and when you do that, I think ours is top 5, easily. How many other teams have two absolute rock- solid KPFs? Not that many...

Hopefully Vardy and Brown get some serious gametime into them this year, so they are ready to take off from about 2013 onwards.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Problems also tend to present themselves as opportunities. We all acknowledge that our forwardline is our weakest area due to the poor goal return from our KPF spots. Sure they present and compete well and assist our structure but the issue for me is we would be so much more dangerous if we got 3-4 per game between these spots. Not advocating we become reliant on big bags from the KPF's but they need to hit the scoreboard at the 3-4 average per game if we are to take the next step. How easy is the game when you take hangers in the goalsquare or can bang one home from 55M out? How much better did we look when Moons was doing this in 2007?

 

[Partridge]

You could choose to look at it as a problem, or you could look at it as an opposition problem, where we've got Pods, Mooney, Chapman, Johnson, Varcoe, Stokes, Byrnes and Hawkins who are all capable of kicking 4+ goals in a match.

Quite honestly, right now I reckon you put a one-armed midget on Hawkins and he still wouldn't take contested marks.

 

[Sarah2Donohue]

Quite honestly, right now I reckon you put a one-armed midget on Hawkins and he still wouldn't take contested marks.

Careful...what have you got against one-armed short people?

I agree, unless someone can show me vision of him being unfairly treated by defenders/umpires. Can't say I recall his arms ever being "chopped", nor any hands in the back, charged at face on in a marking contest.
Seems to simply drop the ball if anyone whispers in his ear. I'm not saying he plays as if he's scared, just for whatever reason he doesn't appear to possess enough confidence to grab a mark.

 

[Partridge]

Careful...what have you got against one-armed short people?

I agree, unless someone can show me vision of him being unfairly treated by defenders/umpires. Can't say I recall his arms ever being "chopped", nor any hands in the back, charged at face on in a marking contest.
Seems to simply drop the ball if anyone whispers in his ear. I'm not saying he plays as if he's scared, just for whatever reason he doesn't appear to possess enough confidence to grab a mark.

Sad thing is he looked far better on debut against Carlton 4 years ago when he was unfit than he did Friday night. Then, he actually led hard, marked cleanly in front of his face, and kicked long and straight.

Love to know what happened.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

A certain collingwood player might disagree after running into his knee.
We dont need a thug up forward but if he can lead up at the ball and is happy to hit the pack (or who ever in front while going for the ball) then that is what we want.
I think his main problem at the moment isn't being a pussy but it trying to take too many chest marks rather than getting it in the hands. This probably costs him 3-4 marks a week which can be the difference between a good player and an average player.

Tell me about it, use the freaking dukes! This infuriated me on friday night!

You wonder why after 4 years tomahawk still hasn't worked out that it's best to put your hands out and try and get the ball at it's highest point, and use your big frame to make the defender have to go around you to spoil. Don't make it easy by trying to let the ball come all the way onto your chest.

 

[meto]

Thought Tom mighta learned to put the hands out front by now???????
Surely someone woulda told him, what do you think?
Maybe he just hasn't got it, the big league isn't a natural thing to him, unlike others.

 

[Turbocat]

Thought Tom mighta learned to put the hands out front by now???????
Surely someone woulda told him, what do you think?
Maybe he just hasn't got it, the big league isn't a natural thing to him, unlike others.

One does have to wonder. It would be told to kids playing in U16's let alone seniors.
I wonder what he thought of the the little on-ground commentary between Richo and Maxwell.