09-14-2016, 01:45 AM
(09-13-2016, 10:42 AM)DJC link Wrote: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.