Caddy in and starts.
Caddy, Kako and perhaps Ainsworth (free agent) straight into the forward line next season
Kako, Caddy, Langford
Ainsworth, Wright, Stringer
Rotating Geulfi, Gresham, J.Davey through for particular roles/depth.
Itās a different look.
PS-Donāt even rate Ainsworth that highly, but if the Brad/Rosa and co. think they can get more out of him as he hits peak years, then Iāll buy in.
Iām not sure we have a forward line at the moment - do we?
Not sure what he could have done when GWS just refused
ā¦. thinking about our recent games and inside 50 differential. Iām beginning to think that at this point of the year teams pretty much know your style and how you want to play. We are now known as a front half team and like to get the game on those terms. It means we push volumes of players up, keep our wings wide and drive repeat entries.
The problem I see underlying this is that when good teams have 1.good defensive structure 2. The ability to drive QUICK attack from defense and 3. Forwards that get get on their bike and have marking power for the dump kick one on one, we get carved up.
The Carlton loss was off bad kicking, I didnāt see GC live but on replay looked similar - but on the flip side all three recent losses have been from the opposition creating attacking play from our forward area.
Weāve stopped being able to lock the ball in - yes we re enter but donāt lock it in for more pressure. And the opposition floods our forward area so that when we have a higher volume of I50s itās often to a congested space where a) we donāt have the contested marking capability and b) lack true creative crumbing forwards
We find it hard to score, the team has pressed and then their are sling shot goals down the corridor with run and gun because we lose structure behind the ball with the too high press we see regularly is most recent games.
I donāt think we can get the balance right, nor have the balance of players with skills to navigate contested areas and contested marking capability. And on top of this we go slow out of defense, prop and sideways kicks when the teams who are making a move around the ladder, move quickly out of defence.
I think the inside 50s volume and forward line set up doesnāt tell the full story unless you dig under the surface ā¦
Interesting thing that Dempsey said after the cats win. He said they like to keep their wings in offensive positions. Which seems the opposite to us who like to have the wings get back deep.
This might result in slower movement as our outside types are found behind the ball as it moves forward.
Canāt help but think that some one like Martin would dominate in a system like the cats are running giving their wings freedom
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A few pieces of the 2026 forward line puzzle are currently injured but we certainly have a decent core now;-
Talls - May (20), Caddy (19), Draper (26). Backup talls - 2MP (28) & McMahon (23)
Our medium stocks look decent also if they can stay injury free in 26- Martin (24) Langford (28) & Edwards (25)
Its the small forwards that have me worried - outside of Kako thereās really nothing so we need to go to try trade for one and/or go to the draft
Huss is one we can get, and heās looking a real prospect. Lual is quick and agressive.
Oskar Smartt is begging for a few games at AFL level.
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This seems to be how we are using Clarke on the wing/half back he is getting forward at stoppages
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Misleading thread.
The implication that we have a forward setup is inexcusable.
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Some of the comments about Wright on this forum are ridiculous
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Iād be happy to move him on to a contender team for a good pick.
For example if the Allen deal fell through for the lions he would make a really good fit for them and would net us a good pick to assist the rebuild