Just like to know peoples opinions on our forward structure and if or how it could be improved.
IMO we have some very good forward players and on paper look comparable to even some of the better forward lines.
The problem I think with our forward line though is our main forward focus(Fevola) and his limited abilities. i.e. can not take a pack or contested mark. His ability is in leading, marking and kicking for goal. This is great if the opposition is playing man on man and Fevola can run and leave his player for dead but the opposition have worked out that all you need to do is put a couple of players back into his leading space to make him non-effective.
I think the way to counter this is to try another player as our main forward focus and let Fevola use his lead, mark and goal trick ala Brad Pierce.
I'd try Fisher as our main forward focus at FF with Fevola leading in a pocket. Fisher would be our best contested and pack marker and can also lead and mark which would make him perfect for the role. The only query is his size but he doesn't need to wrestle with players but run them around.
I'd also put Lappin back into our forward line which would make it very quick and lively with Betts also there. If Fisher is being tag teamed in a marking contest, Lappin could fly from the side for a mark. Setanta could be our CHF and wouldn't be expected to do to much but to contest and keep the ball in the forward area.
Leaving Fevola as our second forward would make our forward line unpredictable and I could see the team kicking alot more goals per game this way than having to always rely on Fevola kicking a bag to win us the game.

Trade for Warren Tredrea & Jonathan Brown and our forward line will ship-shape.

Until we recruit, develop, unearth, clone or manufacture a big burly pack-marking CHF, we will always struggle.

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Excellent plan Sheiky

Regards Cazzesman

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JK?

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Add Kennedy and find a Hamill/Pickett/Rice type who adds grunt and I think we will have a Premiership winning forward line. Fev, Fish, Pather, JFK, Betts, and Player X.

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

We have plenty of options, we just need the right mix.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

Personally I think we should trade Fevola as he isn't the type of player that is suited to our game plan and it doesn't look like the team can play to his strengths.
We have enough forward talent to be able to change our forward structure and actually put on a bigger score.
Our setup at the moment is too predictable and easy to counter.

Fev is working hard on his contested marking but his biggest issue is the timing of his leads IMO, they don't need to be so long (or so far from goal).

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And only 7 that you like;
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Get rid of our leading goalkicker for the last 3 years to increase our scoring potential? How about we change the gameplan and play to his strengths?

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

..actually, i think the Fevalenko can take contested marks.. ..his pack marking isn't as good sure, but to be honest it's been a long time since i've seen a FF goin' for regular screamers.. ..they're usually taken by pocket/forward-flankers.. ..and pack marks are becoming less frequent a-la screamers nowdays too with extra defenders running in to spoil.. ..still our main problem is forward delivery of the ball.. ..Bettsy being our only genuine crumber needs to spend the majority of his time (if not all) in a pocket like that stinky milne does.. ..i'd also like to see Lappin back in the forward mix, possibly/preferably in the other pocket.. ..i'd use fish and wait as forward flankers sitting either side of whits.. ..i still think he's our best bet as CHF.. ..i think that's our best forward structure. ..a good mix of size, speed and beef.. ..stick Houla's on a wing, cos he's not hard enough for the guts, and he's a good link player..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Our forward line is on the right track. Even last year we never failed to score well, it was just our defence was sh*t.

Fev scored 49 goals last season and was classified as a disappointment. He was injured for half the season, and took the best defender each week (even sometimes 2 defenders). He also had limited supply and was never kicked to his advantage by the midfield. He will improve

Betts is entering his 2nd season. He is an explosive player who is dangerous around goal. He creates chances and puts pressure on the opposition. He will play more constantly

Setanta could be played out of the forward pocket and could give us another tall target. He is still learning but he can improve. His potential is scary

Fisher completed a good pre season and is one of the best marks in the comp. Yes his kicking is inconsistent but that’s where he can improve. I expect him to play on the flank and roam as a second forward.

Waite will also be a gun. He is dangerous around goals and I expect him to play on the other flank

Our future could also be helped by Josh Kennedy. From what I had heard he will be a good CHF in years to come.

We also have De Luca who will be good as long as he plays consistent football and takes some marks.
If Davies wants to try this year, he could also play a part in a forward pocket.

If this was West Coasts forward line they would be favourites for the GF.

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"Dont count the games, make the games count"

for the blues to exceed expectations they need to improve muscle in defence.That is why we need to have a few cards fall the right way in terms of Hartlett and maybe O'Hailpin playing down back.This would mean Thornton and Livo getting the third tall.And of course there is Saddington.

I think the forward line is the least of our worries.

The one guy who we want to play 22 games is French.He is our only genuine competitive ruckman.Lets hope that Simpson,Bentick,Houlihan,Blackwell have good years
If this happens and the defence improves I could see us winning 8 to 10 games which would exceed expectations.

I would also like to see Kennedy given a real opportunity now.Judging what other people have said I dont think this kid would have any unneccesary mental scars if thrown into the deep end.Give him a month in the magoos and if he peforms play him in a pocket on a flank off the bench.

Your starting to sound like Pagan- Give me draft picks and I will give you wins. In other words I cant coach so give the best players - Then I show you how to coach.

By the way have you fixed up that ladder yet and got us on top

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They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

We need our main forward to be able to do abit of everything. e.g. stand and contest for a mark, take a pack mark, and also lead and mark.
The forward doesn't necessarily have to be geat at all 3 catergories but he should at least be proficient. Fevola is great at one so I think we need to look at another forward to do this. I'm not saying he's no good but just that the forward structure would work alot better if our main forward could do more than just lead and mark. Its predictable and too easy to counter.

Fevs our full forward!, His job is to get in the right position, lead followed by a mark. Then kick a goal. How many times does he have two opponents on him?. When is he kicked to his advantage?.

Our structure is unpredictable these days for the reason that Fev will take the Scarletts, Fletchers etc each week. Whille Fev is our focal point its where Fish, Waite, Sentanta, De Luca etc (most can take pack marks) should run inside 50 and make the secondary leads.

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"Dont count the games, make the games count"

Sheik is right we need a big burly CHF who we can build the forward line and team around....thats why we recruited Kennedy.
Colin Wisbey didnt exactly talk up our recruits but he even agreed Kennedy is a hard working hard contesting CHF and thats what we need.
I think Fevola is a talented player who can help us win a flag, he will screw up from time to time but in a GF he could be the difference with his straight long kicking and I think we shoud perservere with him.
Overall I think we have a good forward line setup...maybe one more clever small/medium player who can kick goals would be the icing on the cake....

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

Houlihan.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

If we had as many options down back as we do up forward we'd be really competitive.

Hopefully Saddington, Bower and Hartlett can add something this year in our back half. For us to improve big, it's the backline we need to fix.

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These are people who think through their statements Elwood, we're absolutely soaked in the forward line at the moment.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.