-
IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
Having a look through our small forward options and there has been some developments over the off season looking to strengthen this area so thought is worthy of discussion.
Here are the guys I see challenging for the small forward roles.
Brown - Forward specialist
In the twilight of his career, Browny still has enough class to be a certainty for selection but has more pressure on his position than previously. These days he's largely up front but he can still have an impact on the ball when moved there occasionally. Needs to keep kicking goals and has to work harder defensively.
Morton - Forward specialist
Morts had a fine year for us in the first half of '08 averaging 2.1 goals per season. Concerningly he tapered after competition for his spot eased off after Pettifer was injured. Certainly has the skills to become a genuine star but as a specialist forward he'll need to maintain his intensity & keep kicking goals, or pressure will be on his position again.
Cotchin - Half forward/midfield
His well documented injury problems will possibly hold him back from an onball role this season(at least the start) so he may spend most of the year at half forward. Trent will have an impact there anyway. He can create and knows where the goals are.
Edwards - Half forward/midfield
Bit uncertain of where Edwards is best placed at this point, whether it be midfield or as a small forward. Showed on occasions last season that he can find space in the forward 50m and does like a goal but poor finishing sees him lose marks. On the plus side he applies pressure to the opposition which creates opportunities.
Connors - Half Forward/Half back
Missing large chunks of another pre season won't do Dan any favours unfortunately.
Has the tricks to become a damaging half forward but needs to get his fitness to the required levels to deliver consistently and become a good AFL player. A little unknown what he's capable of at this point but could yet make an impact up front in '09.
Hislop - Half forward/onballer
I haven't seen much of Tom but it was very interesting to read Wallace's comments recently, about his desire to turn him into a small forward for us based on his strong marking ability.
I also would not be surprised if Terry is looking to find a player who will apply pressure to the opposition defenders in the forward half. Hislop's tackling is also seen as a strength and given some of our other small forwards are being seen as found wanting in this area, he could find himself there regularly in '09.
Pettifer - Forward specialist
Returning from a knee injury but was clearly struggling even when fit in '08.
Is a very good shot at goal and does some good things but his weknesses are well documented hence why he was floundering at Coburg last season. Up against it to get a game at all this year and stay on the list in '10.
Nahas - Forward Specialist (Rookie)
Another I have seen little of apart from some highlights but by reports his youngster is a genuine goal sneek and a type we don't have on our list. On that basis, it's not hard to see why we've given him a chance.
Very small(174cm) and light(65kgs), he carved it up at VFL level last season kicking 49 goals.
Whether he can translate that success to AFL I'm insure but I expect he'll be given a chance at some stage during the year.
Personally I think to start it will be along the lines of Brown, Morton & Cotchin up front but it could change up soon enough depending on Plough's thoughts re Hislop or one of the others making an impact. What do you think?
Here are the guys I see challenging for the small forward roles.
Brown - Forward specialist
In the twilight of his career, Browny still has enough class to be a certainty for selection but has more pressure on his position than previously. These days he's largely up front but he can still have an impact on the ball when moved there occasionally. Needs to keep kicking goals and has to work harder defensively.
Morton - Forward specialist
Morts had a fine year for us in the first half of '08 averaging 2.1 goals per season. Concerningly he tapered after competition for his spot eased off after Pettifer was injured. Certainly has the skills to become a genuine star but as a specialist forward he'll need to maintain his intensity & keep kicking goals, or pressure will be on his position again.
Cotchin - Half forward/midfield
His well documented injury problems will possibly hold him back from an onball role this season(at least the start) so he may spend most of the year at half forward. Trent will have an impact there anyway. He can create and knows where the goals are.
Edwards - Half forward/midfield
Bit uncertain of where Edwards is best placed at this point, whether it be midfield or as a small forward. Showed on occasions last season that he can find space in the forward 50m and does like a goal but poor finishing sees him lose marks. On the plus side he applies pressure to the opposition which creates opportunities.
Connors - Half Forward/Half back
Missing large chunks of another pre season won't do Dan any favours unfortunately.
Has the tricks to become a damaging half forward but needs to get his fitness to the required levels to deliver consistently and become a good AFL player. A little unknown what he's capable of at this point but could yet make an impact up front in '09.
Hislop - Half forward/onballer
I haven't seen much of Tom but it was very interesting to read Wallace's comments recently, about his desire to turn him into a small forward for us based on his strong marking ability.
I also would not be surprised if Terry is looking to find a player who will apply pressure to the opposition defenders in the forward half. Hislop's tackling is also seen as a strength and given some of our other small forwards are being seen as found wanting in this area, he could find himself there regularly in '09.
Pettifer - Forward specialist
Returning from a knee injury but was clearly struggling even when fit in '08.
Is a very good shot at goal and does some good things but his weknesses are well documented hence why he was floundering at Coburg last season. Up against it to get a game at all this year and stay on the list in '10.
Nahas - Forward Specialist (Rookie)
Another I have seen little of apart from some highlights but by reports his youngster is a genuine goal sneek and a type we don't have on our list. On that basis, it's not hard to see why we've given him a chance.
Very small(174cm) and light(65kgs), he carved it up at VFL level last season kicking 49 goals.
Whether he can translate that success to AFL I'm insure but I expect he'll be given a chance at some stage during the year.
Personally I think to start it will be along the lines of Brown, Morton & Cotchin up front but it could change up soon enough depending on Plough's thoughts re Hislop or one of the others making an impact. What do you think?