04-06-2021, 07:06 AM
I think Murphy is struggling to get things together as full time small forward. It is not a role he has played much of, as he has been required in the middle of the ground for most of his career.
To be honest, I thought he would handle the role better, as he has kicked some excellent goals when resting forward, but our players often try to make an idiot out of me.
:-[ I would actually change things up for him and start him at the centre bounce for the first few minutes, trying to get him into the game. Not for long periods, but getting him in the heat of the battle would get him used to getting the ball.
I would also consider using him as a rover in ball-ups close to goal. He is smart and has good hands.
I'd be very tempted to try something similar with Eddie Betts. I wouldn't have him on the ball for long, but I would allow him to get his hands dirty. His defensive efforts would be appreciated at the centre bounce.
Playing small forward is not the easiest role in the team. People generally don't look for you, aiming preferentially at the tall targets. And it isn't always smart to kick to a small forward expecting him to be marking target: God knows we learnt that lesson when we last had Eddie. Far too often he was the marking target (which we couldn't hit, but that was another tale). It would be smart to kick it to Murphy or Betts as marking targets sometimes: keeps the small defenders from being able to zone off.
To be honest, I thought he would handle the role better, as he has kicked some excellent goals when resting forward, but our players often try to make an idiot out of me.
:-[ I would actually change things up for him and start him at the centre bounce for the first few minutes, trying to get him into the game. Not for long periods, but getting him in the heat of the battle would get him used to getting the ball.I would also consider using him as a rover in ball-ups close to goal. He is smart and has good hands.
I'd be very tempted to try something similar with Eddie Betts. I wouldn't have him on the ball for long, but I would allow him to get his hands dirty. His defensive efforts would be appreciated at the centre bounce.
Playing small forward is not the easiest role in the team. People generally don't look for you, aiming preferentially at the tall targets. And it isn't always smart to kick to a small forward expecting him to be marking target: God knows we learnt that lesson when we last had Eddie. Far too often he was the marking target (which we couldn't hit, but that was another tale). It would be smart to kick it to Murphy or Betts as marking targets sometimes: keeps the small defenders from being able to zone off.
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