http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/superfooty-rates-the-depth-of-every-afl-clubs-forward-line/story-fni5f22o-1227223832135
CARLTON
Headliners:
None
Support cast:
Lachie Henderson
Dale Thomas
Levi Casboult
Tom Bell
Liam Jones
Jason Tutt
Understudies:
Troy Menzel
Blaine Johnson
Extras:
David Ellard
Dennis Armfield
Verdict: Need Menzel and Casboult to up the ante and Henderson to work on his consistency to be any chance of kicking winning scores in 2015. Thomas is going as well as ever by all reports while new surrounds could kick enigmatic former Bulldog Jones into gear. In short, the Blues need a lot to go right.
Menzel an understudy?
The lad kicked 26 goals from 19 games in 2014 - how many other 20 yr old medium forwards did that (or of any age for that matter)?
He'll kick 40 this year comfortably.
In general a reasonable assessment, although a bit harsh on Hendo and Menzel.
In countering this article, didn't the same stats people report we have some sort of super efficiency in scoring from our forward entries last season, apparently with a bunch of C Graders and also rans! I thought the stats also said our big problem was being scored against, we were at the top of the scoring and being scored against trees!
I think Hendo is A Grade and Menzel will be A Grade without much further effort, when fit and firing, the "when fit' being a big part of that statement for both of them!
(Dear Mick,
Please no more playing blokes injured. We know you're still bitter about missing that GF, fitness tests can be brutal, but you are not helping these kids by allowing them to run themselves into the ground injured!
Regards,
The Long Term View)
I suspect with SpecialK being injured you will find Casboult rucking far more in combination with Wood who is useful in a pocket unlike Warnock who is a traffic cone outside of the center circle.
Perhaps Watson gets a chance to spend more time up forward in combination with Jones and Henderson. It would be foolish to underestimate any of them.
The pigeon holed defender Yarran might spend more time forward and is A grade wherever he plays.
I also expect to see Murphy spending more time in the F50 as well.
Isn't Walker supposed to be moving forward this year? Pretty sure Mick said this.
Menzel isnt a understudy and needs to be a main event...talent wise he is A grade and 30 goals a season should be his minimum target..
Thomas needs to kick 20 plus as well...dont expect him to be the Daisy of old running around the ground picking up 30 possies a game but I do expect him to convert more opportunities and be a threat down forward....
Jones, Casboult and Henderson looks top heavy to me if we play them all together down forward every week.....Walker might provide that smaller third tall to give us some balance vs different opponents...
Isn't Walker supposed to be moving forward this year? Pretty sure Mick said this.
I think he said something about more rotation with blokes like Hendo, Jaksch and 1AW capable at both ends.
Personally, I don't think the bookends will be a problem in 2015.
I suspect the midfield, midfield pace and defensive running will be our ongoing weakness. Defensive running and pace are the underlying reasons why we are too easy to score against.
It's shattering that the club is talking up Warnock as SpecialK's logical replacement. A busted up Wood after a year off was a 1000% better the tenth year 206, and Wood hits the scoreboard.
I agree Wood showed way more, he actually takes a few marks around the ground. Warnock is useless.
Very sobering list.
We need Hendo to become a consistent contributor and Menzel to continue to develop. Otherwise, the year will be a long one.
^^
If Hendo and Menzel, the most talented players on that list both fire then we have a dangerous forwardline. Add to that the Cas looking like a Chippendale and having improved his kicking I reckon we could trouble the opposition for sure. Anything on top of that is a bonus.
Last season we had an effective forward line, functionally and statistically it worked.
This year the list and options look even better, so no need to go any deeper into it than that!
Isn't Walker supposed to be moving forward this year? Pretty sure Mick said this.
I have not heard this from anyone at the club, do you have an article or quote of any sort?
Any assessment that brackets together Menzel and Blaine Johnson struggles for credibility with me. ::)
I agree Wood showed way more, he actually takes a few marks around the ground. Warnock is useless.
x3
I reckon we'll see Yarran starting forward of centre a lot more this year.
As others have said, Yarran is A grade any day of the week and would walk into any side in the competition - Hawks and Sydney included.
Expect to see the young man Clem Smith in the thick of it too - will be a special with a few hard preseasons in him - I'll call it now - he'll be better than B. Pickett.
Surely we'll see Jones kick the ton this year given his athleticism, super human strength, pace and all round Carey-like prowess in the pre-season?
I agree Wood showed way more, he actually takes a few marks around the ground. Warnock is useless.
Warnock is clearly a better player than Wood, who was languishing in the Reserves after being discarded unceremoniously from the AFL system. If you're looking to Wood, god help us.
Warnock can have an influence - just needs some consistency and strength through the shoulders/arms for marking.
Surely we'll see Jones kick the ton this year given his athleticism, super human strength, pace and all round Carey-like prowess in the pre-season?
That's a given.
I agree Wood showed way more, he actually takes a few marks around the ground. Warnock is useless.
Warnock is clearly a better player than Wood, who was languishing in the Reserves after being discarded unceremoniously from the AFL system. If you're looking to Wood, god help us.
Warnock can have an influence - just needs some consistency and strength through the shoulders/arms for marking.
Yes, he's needed the same thing his whole career! :P
But seriously, Wood is a more complete player, Warnock is a one trick pony and it's not even a great trick.
Jones, Henderson, Casboult along with Menzel, and 2 other small forwards could work. Levi will be spending almost half his time in the ruck, so we won't be too top heavy. If only we still had Betts we would be dangerous when on fire. Not the most dangerous forward 50, but still something that can work if the mids look for leading targets. Not just bombing the ball to the square all the time. If Levi is on his own in a one on one contest, then that is a different matter.
Need more goals from our mids and Yarran, 2E types.
Warnock is clearly a better player than Wood, who was languishing in the Reserves after being discarded unceremoniously from the AFL system. If you're looking to Wood, god help us.
Warnock can have an influence - just needs some consistency and strength through the shoulders/arms for marking.
Giving him shoulders and strength won't help because he has no heart or courage! He is 206cm tall and in my opinion he hears footsteps, he should be scaring people not be scared of them.
Being likable and well liked won't make you an AFL footballer, they need to cut him loose! ;)
Last season we had an effective forward line, functionally and statistically it worked.
This year the list and options look even better, so no need to go any deeper into it than that!
Depends which Carlton comes out. First half of last year (ie. No Judd) we were struggling with bottom 4 sides.
Depends which Carlton comes out. First half of last year (ie. No Judd) we were struggling with bottom 4 sides.
That seems subjective, it's not supported by the numbers.
After 11 games, ~85 for and ~97 against
After 22 games, ~85 for and ~96 against
But did we have a tougher draw in the second half of the season LP? I seem to recall we played some great games against a few top sides. Obviously the Port Adelaide game being the really poor showing.
But did we have a tougher draw in the second half of the season LP? I seem to recall we played some great games against a few top sides. Obviously the Port Adelaide game being the really poor showing.
We lost to Port twice, in Rnd 1 and Rnd 22.
I think the who played who when is also a bit subjective, I am not sure how to separate being smashed by Hawthorn and Port from losing to Melbourne and GWS?
For me averages over eleven games is enough to make "Who played who when" almost irrelevant, the "Who played who when" can become an excuse. I know it is a hard line, but I am comfortable with it! :D
Depends which Carlton comes out. First half of last year (ie. No Judd) we were struggling with bottom 4 sides.
That seems subjective, it's not supported by the numbers.
After 11 games, ~85 for and ~97 against
After 22 games, ~85 for and ~96 against
You're right. Half is way too generous... Last quarter of the season.
Menzel isnt a understudy and needs to be a main event...talent wise he is A grade and 30 goals a season should be his minimum target..
Thomas needs to kick 20 plus as well...dont expect him to be the Daisy of old running around the ground picking up 30 possies a game but I do expect him to convert more opportunities and be a threat down forward....
Jones, Casboult and Henderson looks top heavy to me if we play them all together down forward every week.....Walker might provide that smaller third tall to give us some balance vs different opponents...
I reckon Bell (187cm/98kg), Walker (190), Everitt (194) and Cripps (193) all have a role to play up forward as taller marking targets that are more flexible and mobile to provide a point of difference for us.
I reckon Bell (187cm/98kg), Walker (190), Everitt (194) and Cripps (193) all have a role to play up forward as taller marking targets that are more flexible and mobile to provide a point of difference for us.
Is 1AW even training at the moment?
Everitt especially I'd like to see play forward, he performed well there in the last preseason.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/superfooty-rates-the-depth-of-every-afl-clubs-forward-line/story-fni5f22o-1227223832135
CARLTON
Headliners:
None
Support cast:
Lachie Henderson
Dale Thomas
Levi Casboult
Tom Bell
Liam Jones
Jason Tutt
Understudies:
Troy Menzel
Blaine Johnson
Extras:
David Ellard
Dennis Armfield
Verdict: Need Menzel and Casboult to up the ante and Henderson to work on his consistency to be any chance of kicking winning scores in 2015. Thomas is going as well as ever by all reports while new surrounds could kick enigmatic former Bulldog Jones into gear. In short, the Blues need a lot to go right.
An interesting assessment and probably a bit more realistic than their assessment of our midfield. However, as others have already mentioned, there are some distinct questions:
[1] What part do our resting rucks play in our forward line?
In the past Warnock has played little up forward, as he is not a hugely strong mark and doesn't play the position that well. However, Wood is a different kettle of fish and he can take a strong mark and kick a decent goal. I wouldn't be surprised to see him spending some time up forward.
Casboult is slated as a key forward, spending short spells in the ruck. His kicking issues are well known. However, we also have the option of playing Jones, an considerable underperformer as yet, but one with the assets to make our forward line much more interesting. He will probably also give Wood some rest time.
These 3 guys are going to give other teams more worry (on paper).
[2] Menzel as an understudy?
Something of a surprise, considering he basically took over the role to replace Eddie and showed a bit. However, I hope they are implying that they expect him to improve significantly over the next couple of seasons. One of our issues is that Menzel now has to replace Eddie and Garlett. Others may help. but these 2 little guys have been the backbone of our scoring for some years.
[3] Dale Thomas:
I expect to see him in a number of different roles this year. Last year he played mostly forward: I would be very surprised to see it repeated. Mind yu I do expect to see his goal kicking improve.
[4] Andrew Walker:
I also recall mention of Walker spending more time forward, as we see Tuohy and Sheehan mature, Everitt to play a whole season, etc. This allows Walker to be something he is good at: a mix and match type. Mind you, his form forward in recent times has not been impressive, he hasn't held his marks and his kicking for goal positively excremental (a real disappointment compared to how he kicked for goal a few years back. He had the best record of any forward that year for accuracy and he often had good depth on his kicks. Last year his kicking for goal, when he had the chance, was almost as poor and unreliable as Dale Thomas', without the excuse of injury).
[5] Mids resting:
As others have noted, we have an interesting bunch of players this season who are taller than many of their direct opponents; Bell, Walker, Everitt and Cripps to mention a few. Everitt showed a number of times last year than he can move forward and take some good marks and kick some nice goals. Cripps showed he has good body work and a strong pair of hands. These guys may be goal kickers on a semi-regular basis. None of them have shown the ability to do this consistently, it has been more of a shock tactic, but, like McLean did, they can be a lot more than nuisance value in our scoring.
There are also Murphy and Judd, both of whom can kick goals given the opportunities. Neither have done much in recent years, but the opportunity to play forwards has rarely occurred. With Judd nearing the end, we need to have his successor(s) having midfield time already. Hopefully that allows him more scope for scoring.
To be honest, our scoring power is questionable: we haven't had the key forwards for a while and have lost Fevola, Waite, Betts and Garlett in recent years without having a direct replacement for any of them. We have also lost Kreuzer again and the flexibility he adds to our structure. But there should not be all doom and gloom: our actual forward structure appears much better and we appear to have a lot more guys who are flexible enough to do a job. I will be very interested to see how our forward line functions this year.
Everitt especially I'd like to see play forward, he performed well there in the last preseason.
In his own words:
My role is as a utility player. I don’t see myself as a permanent anything, more a wingman who can drop back, or go forward, There’s not many 194cm wingers going around and it can be an advantage for me in terms of versatility.
I reckon the assessment of our forward line is pretty well spot on and we will need significant improvement, luck with avoiding injuries, and the planets to align if our forwards are going to kick winning scores in at least half of our games.
I reckon Bell (187cm/98kg), Walker (190), Everitt (194) and Cripps (193) all have a role to play up forward as taller marking targets that are more flexible and mobile to provide a point of difference for us.
Is 1AW even training at the moment?
Think he's rehabbing still.