Position Forwards Discussion

[bomberboy]

I might be a bit biased but Darling has been a lock for me all summer.

Have been to numerous training sessions this preseason, and he has looked a cut above all others, especially in match simulation work.

Up until that ankle injury last season, he was clearly the best forward in the game on form... 101 & 96 so far this pre-season, looks to benefiting from the one on one contests with the new 6-6-6 rules and I'm backing him in to start the season firing especially with JK easing into the season.

Today's paper reporting JK will take part in an intrclub on Friday and if he gets through that should play round 1.

Good colour from a knowledgeable supporter. I don't usually read into JLT too much, but did get the feeling that he was having a ripper pre-season. Looks good at F4 for my side, too.
How do you see him working in tandem with JK?

 

[Lost In The Sky]

Good colour from a knowledgeable supporter. I don't usually read into JLT too much, but did get the feeling that he was having a ripper pre-season. Looks good at F4 for my side, too.
How do you see him working in tandem with JK?

They work really well together, JK out of the goal square and Darling free to roam a bit up the ground making the most of his great endurance. Both are great at the defensive stuff as well and can chase and tackle, that's very handy for tall key forwards. Confidence is a wonderful (and very handy) thing... After last season, Darling is full of it, and it shows as he just looks at ease out there.

At the moment he is my only Eagle in my SC team.

 

[bomberboy]

They work really well together, JK out of the goal square and Darling free to roam a bit up the ground making the most of his great endurance. Both are great at the defensive stuff as well and can chase and tackle, that's very handy for tall key forwards. Confidence is a wonderful (and very handy) thing... After last season, Darling is full of it, and it shows as he just looks at ease out there.

At the moment he is my only Eagle in my SC team.

Interesting - I also have Hurn!

 

[BigRuss]

They work really well together, JK out of the goal square and Darling free to roam a bit up the ground making the most of his great endurance. Both are great at the defensive stuff as well and can chase and tackle, that's very handy for tall key forwards. Confidence is a wonderful (and very handy) thing... After last season, Darling is full of it, and it shows as he just looks at ease out there.

At the moment he is my only Eagle in my SC team.

Carn' LITS give it a rest, I'd just settled my forward line .

 

[Herbie66]

Carn' LITS give it a rest, I'd just settled my forward line .

hahaha he has come back into mine , and LITS post confirms it ? going to 5-0-3 in the forwards , defence is shakey but will follow Blighty's philosophy all out attack

 

[Johnsy44]

Anyone keen on Dahl?

 

[quite ironic]

Dunkley, T.Kelly, Boak, Darling

Hmmm wanting 2 of these and can't make up my mind

 

[apolis]

Anyone keen on Dahl?

Been recruited to play the majority of the game as a small forward and isn't a huge goalkicker. Long way down the list in terms of midfield minutes.

 

[Santoz]

What does Jack Higgins need to average to justify his price tag of 390k?

 

[quite ironic]

Is anyone else worried about Darling’s year last year possibly being just a spike year in a season they went 18-3 with him (17-2 if you take out the games where he played less than a quarter).

He’s had 40 goal seasons in the past and the best average he could manage was 83 in just 12 games.

They have a much harder draw this year and he’s had 6 70-85 average years before last year. It may be he is just entering his prime and figuring it out similar to Hawkins last year.

One big positive thing to note is he averaged 114.25 in 8 games at the new optus stadium if you take out the two games where he only played like 5 minutes.


What are others people’s thoughts? I’m just always wary about picking players that don’t run through the midfield or rack up a heap of possessions as backline players.

 

[pizza safety]

Is anyone else worried about Darling’s year last year possibly being just a spike year in a season they went 18-3 with him (17-2 if you take out the games where he played less than a quarter).

He’s had 40 goal seasons in the past and the best average he could manage was 83 in just 12 games.

They have a much harder draw this year and he’s had 6 70-85 average years before last year. It may be he is just entering his prime and figuring it out similar to Hawkins last year.

One big positive thing to note is he averaged 114.25 in 8 games at the new optus stadium if you take out the two games where he only played like 5 minutes.


What are others people’s thoughts? I’m just always wary about picking players that don’t run through the midfield or rack up a heap of possessions as backline players.

Agreed, he did average 95 without his injuries but at this stage it looks like a spike year unless he's a very late bloomer. Seemed to benefit from no JJK but he'll be back at some stage. New rules help him but you'd have to be game. I don't reckon you can correctly predict any of the top key forwards as top 10 except for Franklin year in and year out, JJK for a few years but no longer. It's a pretty random mix of players most years.

 

[Lukus193]

Can you afford Hurn and Darcy Moore? If so, that'd be my pick.

Have got that combo now. ??

 

[BlueNwhiteHoops]

They work really well together, JK out of the goal square and Darling free to roam a bit up the ground making the most of his great endurance. Both are great at the defensive stuff as well and can chase and tackle, that's very handy for tall key forwards. Confidence is a wonderful (and very handy) thing... After last season, Darling is full of it, and it shows as he just looks at ease out there.

At the moment he is my only Eagle in my SC team.

I know this is a forwards thread but id love to get your thoughts on Dom Sheed, his role in the team and whether or not you think he has the ability to continue his form from the finals and preseason into this season once Shuey, Yeo, Gaff ,Redden all turn it up a gear for R1.

 

[Lost In The Sky]

I know this is a forwards thread but id love to get your thoughts on Dom Sheed, his role in the team and whether or not you think he has the ability to continue his form from the finals and preseason into this season once Shuey, Yeo, Gaff ,Redden all turn it up a gear for R1.

Sheed was a major ball magnet as a junior with very high SC numbers, so he certainly knows how to find the pill when used in the middle. Had a pretty decent 2017 avg 83.6 in 19 games and looked to heading into breakout territory in 2018 but some patchy form, a loss of confidence and the great form of Jack Redden led to Sheed struggling for games until the Gaff suspension.

His excellent finals form has given him great confidence and he seems to have carried it on this pre-season. Has just turned 24 so is in prime breakout territory, however he does play a similar game to Redden as an inside ball winner, and you would also say Shuey, Yeo & Gaff are ahead of him in the pecking order.

Not sure he is going to become a top 8 mid so you are banking on him making some great cash to be a stepping stone to a top 8 mid.

 

[bomberboy]

Is anyone else worried about Darling’s year last year possibly being just a spike year in a season they went 18-3 with him (17-2 if you take out the games where he played less than a quarter).

He’s had 40 goal seasons in the past and the best average he could manage was 83 in just 12 games.

They have a much harder draw this year and he’s had 6 70-85 average years before last year. It may be he is just entering his prime and figuring it out similar to Hawkins last year.

One big positive thing to note is he averaged 114.25 in 8 games at the new optus stadium if you take out the two games where he only played like 5 minutes.


What are others people’s thoughts? I’m just always wary about picking players that don’t run through the midfield or rack up a heap of possessions as backline players.

Gut feel tells me that key forwards develop later - and the eye test suggests he's looking good.

I also think his price of 470k means it's a more palatable risk, and one that I'm willing to take.

He took more contested marks last year than ever, as well as more contested possessions - and his JLT showings demonstrated he can score well without having a "perfect" game - 1.4 with 50% DE netted him 96 against Freo.

 

[BlueNwhiteHoops]

Sheed was a major ball magnet as a junior with very high SC numbers, so he certainly knows how to find the pill when used in the middle. Had a pretty decent 2017 avg 83.6 in 19 games and looked to heading into breakout territory in 2018 but some patchy form, a loss of confidence and the great form of Jack Redden led to Sheed struggling for games until the Gaff suspension.

His excellent finals form has given him great confidence and he seems to have carried it on this pre-season. Has just turned 24 so is in prime breakout territory, however he does play a similar game to Redden as an inside ball winner, and you would also say Shuey, Yeo & Gaff are ahead of him in the pecking order.

Not sure he is going to become a top 8 mid so you are banking on him making some great cash to be a stepping stone to a top 8 mid.

Thank you for the insight.

 

[Hasnoshoes]

Sheed was a major ball magnet as a junior with very high SC numbers, so he certainly knows how to find the pill when used in the middle. Had a pretty decent 2017 avg 83.6 in 19 games and looked to heading into breakout territory in 2018 but some patchy form, a loss of confidence and the great form of Jack Redden led to Sheed struggling for games until the Gaff suspension.

His excellent finals form has given him great confidence and he seems to have carried it on this pre-season. Has just turned 24 so is in prime breakout territory, however he does play a similar game to Redden as an inside ball winner, and you would also say Shuey, Yeo & Gaff are ahead of him in the pecking order.

Not sure he is going to become a top 8 mid so you are banking on him making some great cash to be a stepping stone to a top 8 mid.

Thanks for this, good reading!

Random question - Why doesn't he tackle?? Has had a grand total of 8 tackles in 8 games since getting that mid role in round 21 (including finals and JLT). Seems to rely on lots of disposals and marks to score well which turns me off him a bit.

 

[jaca]

Sheed was a major ball magnet as a junior with very high SC numbers, so he certainly knows how to find the pill when used in the middle. Had a pretty decent 2017 avg 83.6 in 19 games and looked to heading into breakout territory in 2018 but some patchy form, a loss of confidence and the great form of Jack Redden led to Sheed struggling for games until the Gaff suspension.

His excellent finals form has given him great confidence and he seems to have carried it on this pre-season. Has just turned 24 so is in prime breakout territory, however he does play a similar game to Redden as an inside ball winner, and you would also say Shuey, Yeo & Gaff are ahead of him in the pecking order.

Not sure he is going to become a top 8 mid so you are banking on him making some great cash to be a stepping stone to a top 8 mid.

You don’t need to have the top 8 mids to win!

 

[Connoisseur]

J Darling:
2018 OS Avg: 92.5 from 10 (6/10 below 100, 3/10 120+)
2018 OS Wins Avg: 104.63 from 8 (4/8 below 100, 3/8 120+)
2018 OS Losses Avg: 44 from 2 (2/2 below 100)
2018 Wins Avg: 94.27 from 15 (8/15 below 100, 4/15 120+)
2018 Losses Avg: 50 from 3 (3/3 below 100)

If injury affected games excluded:
2018 OS Avg: 114 from 8 (low of 89 and a high of 181, 1/8 below 90, 4/8 below 100, 3/8 120+)
2018 OS Wins Avg: 117.57 from 7 (low of 90 and a high of 181)
2018 OS Losses Avg: 89 from 1
2018 Wins Avg: 100 from 14 (7/15 below 100, 4/15 120+)
2018 Losses Avg: 75.5 from 2

6 games pre bye at OS (GWS, Freo, Port, GC, Melb, WB)

2018:
Disposals: 13
SC avg when disposals equal/exceed 13: 116.1 from 10 (low of 81 and a high of 181, 2/10 below 95, 3/10 below 100, 4/10 120+)
SC avg when disposals below 13: 50.38 from 8 (low of -1 and a high of 90, 6/8 below 70)
Marks: 6.11
SC avg when marks equal/exceed 7: 123.13 from 8 (low of 93 and a high of 181, 1/8 below 100, 4/8 120+)
SC avg when marks below 7: 57.9 from 10 (low of -1 and a high of 90)
Goals: 2.33
SC avg when goals equal/exceed 3: 112.45 from 11
SC avg when goals below 3: 46.71 from 7

SC avg when he kicks multiple goals: 110.58 from 12 (low of 68 and a high of 181, 5/12 below 100, 4/12 120+)
SC avg when he kicks 1 goal or less: 39.5 from 6 (low of -1 and a high of 81)

 

[Connoisseur]

J Dunkley:
2018:
Disposals: 21.89
SC Avg when disposals equal/exceed 22: 114.9 from 10 (low of 86 and a high of 157, 2/10 below 100, 3/10 120+)
SC Avg when disposals below 22: 73.11 from 9 (low of 40 and a high of 105, 8/9 below 100)
Contested Possessions: 8.11
SC Avg when contested possessions equal/exceed 9: 120.25 from 8 (low of 94 and a high of 157, 1/8 below 100, 3/8 120+)
SC Avg when contested possessions below 9: 76.82 from 11 (9/11 below 100)
Tackles: 5.95
SC Avg when tackles equal/exceed 6: 104.67 from 12 (low of 60 and a high of 157, 5/12 below 100, 3/12 120+)
SC Avg when tackles below 6: 78.71 from 7 (low of 40 and a high of 116, 5/7 below 100)
Time on Ground%: 81.47%
SC Avg when time on ground equals/exceeds 82%: 104 from 10 (low of 42 and a high of 157, 4/10 below 100, 3/10 120+)
SC Avg when time on ground below 82%: 85.22 from 9 (low of 40 and a high of 116, 6/9 below 100)

Disposal Efficiency: 70.7%
Contested Possession Rate: 37.11%