Carlton Supporters Club

I'm a bit over the "Casboult does his best work as second ruck" line.  He doesn't; his best work is done when he works up the ground from centre half forward.  Furthermore, his knee injury probably means that he won't be able to pinch hit in the ruck again.

Our tall forward stocks are limited with McKay still to make his debut, Jaksch looking more and more like another list management blunder, Jones providing effort but not much return and Weitering and Rowe required down back.  Casboult is our remaining forward option and our forward structure should capitalise on his marking strength while minimising reliance on his kicking for goal.  He should play as a high forward with his main focus on getting possession outside the 50 and occupying the goal square when there's a set shot from the 50.

We have to play another tall forward, and that could be McKay, perhaps Gorringe, or someone who isn't on our list yet.  Charlie Curnow has shown enough to be pencilled in as a lead up forward and SOJ has shown that he is what I would call an opportunistic forward able to score from leads, finding space, crumbing and defensive pressure.  Wright is a very good small forward/midfielder but there's still a spot for a genuine crumbing forward and a specialist defensive forward.  Sumner and Armfield are contenders but are not certainties.  Finally, we need Cripps, Gibbs, Murphy, Kerridge, Ed Curnow, Everitt, Thomas (if he goes around again), Kreuzer and Phillips to have an impact when they go forward.

Apart from Casboult's kicking, the forwards need to learn some running patterns so that they can create space as well as getting behind the defenders to make it easier for our inside 50s to hit targets.

I would start off with:

Charlie Curnow     Casboult        to be determined/recruited

Silvagni         to be determined/recruited       Wright

Casboult has consistently done his best work when he's forward/2nd ruck. That's been that way ever since he come into the side. Not sure how anyone could argue with that. A run on the ball always helps him no end. I'd prefer him 2nd rucking rather than one of our other ruckmen who do sweet FA when they are not rucking. Like having 17 men on the ground.

Casboult is C grade at best where ever he plays.

LP, I would say at this point, its not worth posting numbers.

The argument has merit.  Casboult does perform better playing up the ground be it part time rucking, or getting on his bike.

Dont really need to support it statistically.  We see it most weeks.  He usually gains confidence and kicks better for it too when its time to score goals.

The argument of we need another target in our forward line is generally acceptable. One that can allow him to get up the ground so he can perform better.  It also shows benefit to our team in the wins we had this year as he generally played better with Jones and Everitt in the side.

I know you fixate on ruck contests a bit, but its not an argument worth making.  Casboult is a different type to Kreuzer.  They can work together.

Well we agree on something!

Yes Kreuzer is effectively an extra midfielder, Casboult is an extra spectator!

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-15/treloar-puopolo-is-like-a-bull-at-a-gate

In a way, it's a dopey article, but this is what I want from our small forwards - what small forwards I hear you ask...............

305 tackles and 125 goals between Rioli, Puopolo and Breust this season 

I'd take that from any three of our players, let alone three small forwards.  In fact, I'd be satisfied if four of our blokes could rack up those numbers between them.

Casboult is C grade at best where ever he plays.

This hits the nail on the head.
I never thought I'd say that Jones is a better option than anyone but he's better than Levi, at least he can change direction and has a bit of pace.
But really we'd be better off ditching both of them and playing a smaller front 6 like Footscray did when they didn't have a key forward, it won't win flags but it will win more games than we do now.
Footscray still haven't got what you'd call a power forward but they're in the Grannie this weekend all the same.
I'd run with Charlie Curnow and Silvagni and hope that McKay comes through, let them grow into the job together.

I'd recruit Patrick Kerr and get a player who can lead for the ball properly and kick straight.....
Charlie Curnow is too valuable around the ground IMO to leave as a permanent forward.....could be Kouta version II and we need more players who can run on the ball and get the thing forward....

Casboult, Jones etc cant kick so its a waste of time making them KP forwards......

I'd recruit Patrick Kerr and get a player who can lead for the ball properly and kick straight.....
Charlie Curnow is too valuable around the ground IMO to leave as a permanent forward.....could be Kouta version II and we need more players who can run on the ball and get the thing forward....

Casboult, Jones etc cant kick so its a waste of time making them KP forwards......