How will our key backs structure up?

[samuraisaint]

I think we will have Goddard at FB, Carlisle at CHB, and Delaney at FB when Goddard is not playing, which will probably be for a third of 2016 and something less in 2017, while he builds conditioning. I think Lee will stay on the list and probably get his chance as a backman. One thing is obvious, until our midfield problems are fixed we are going to need a surplus of quality and mobile backmen or we are going to get smashed every time we play a top 8 side. Fisher is going to be important this year as he can play alongside Carlisle as a HBF, with Gilbert playing on the other half back flank to give us some much needed run out of defence.

[footynut]

Our backline is one area where we have plenty of options.

At the start of the season I see us lining up something like this:

Webster Carlise Dempster
Fisher Goddard Geary

However I think we should transitioning to a backline that looks something like:
Newnes Carlise Wright
Roberton Goddard Lee

with Savage, Webster & maybe gilbert swopping with Newnes and Wright through the midfield (inc. wings) and bench.

I think this backline has the potential to be hard, flexible and skillful!

[BigMart]

couple of things

dont go too early on Hugh, suggesting he is gonna be the next Glen Jakovich just yet... he's still got some work to do

he wont be a hbf
he has neither the mobility, agility or running power of an outside player.... for a starters he is 196/100+ which would be the biggest running defender in the AFL.

hugh will play key back, when he is picked... he is against Jake/Sam F/Luke D for two spots

[Bluthy]

Our backline is one area where we have plenty of options.

At the start of the season I see us lining up something like this:

Webster Carlise Dempster
Fisher Goddard Geary

However I think we should transitioning to a backline that looks something like:
Newnes Carlise Wright
Roberton Goddard Lee

with Savage, Webster & maybe gilbert swopping with Newnes and Wright through the midfield (inc. wings) and bench.

I think this backline has the potential to be hard, flexible and skillful!

Webster is one I'm going to watch carefully this year. You see him use that laserjet left foot sometimes and go "wow" what a weapon. He averaged 15 disposals and 4 marks last year. He should hit the 50 game mark this season so you'd love to see him take that up a notch and start to become a more dominant player really setting up play out of our back half that we are crying out for. Although he's tough, he's still quite slight and will face tough competition for places on the backline. I'm not sure he has enough size to play on ball much but maybe the wing.

[BigMart]

Roberton is easily in our starting group

Webster, Dempster, Geary, Fisher, Roberton, Were the preferred this year... Guessing Carlise will join them

With

Newnes and Savage going back at times

Hugh will play back if required I'd imagine

He and McCartin need to consolidate

[Wrote for Luck]

I understand this is about key backs but who plays on the small damaging forwards who can cost you a game?

Webster
Wright
Geary
Newnes
Shenton (a liability in my opinion)

Wild card - Tom Curren (if not getting into the midfield as a tagger - places on the hff in tough competition)

Brodie Murdoch has also played games on the half back flank but probably more on the half forward flank. Physically he's strong and there is no need to mention his left boot. Also he reads the game well. For me he is an interesting one to watch in the defensive space if he can get his man on man work right.

[To the top]

The options with over 191cm to 198cm defensive players are covered (including by the adding of Lee!!) - now it is down to performances!

I would envisage something like:-

Fisher Goddard Dempster
Roberton Carlisle Webster

(subject to match ups)

I agree that the "under 191cm" defenders is where we need to identify and consolidate - so players who can negate the opposition small forwards AND generate rebound including by long disposal efficiency.

In the above there are Dempster, Roberton and Webster.

Dempster's record is what it is, Roberton can rebound and Webster can penetrate with his left foot.

So the summary is "probably adequate, at best" across these players - hence identify and consolidate.

The options are relatively scarce (Gilbert and Acres in the mid field) and consist of Savage who, in my view, is too much a front runner exposed for "hardness", Geary who is a liability with the ball and not calculating in regards angles, Newnes who probably lacks a yard and is not to the required skill overhead, Wright who is manic but needs confidence and work on disposal and Shenton who is just short of the mark.

So who have we got with pace, overhead skills including closing and spoiling and a lethal, distance disposal?

Who beats a Rioli man to man and rebounds with precision?

This is where the hope is Webster - but that is hope not conviction.

I reckon this is the area that could find us out.

I do not subscribe to "Hawthorn has no talls" (they recruited Lake) including because they rely on a 3rd man up, out numbering then (short) disposal efficiency until Roughead becomes the option (or someone frees up given the opportunity because of the short disposal game meaning they are all on the same postage stamp area of the field).

We have to expose Hawthorn's game - not replicate it.

By exposing it we set our own agenda to be countered by all opposition sides.

And we do that with a balanced and skilled side of competitive rucks adept around the ground, tall, mobile forwards, tall mobile defenders, skillful and productive mids and quick, incisive defensive and attacking smalls also manic at putting defensive pressure on not only players but space.

And fitness!!!

[ripplug66]

I don't think we should be worrying about how the Hawks structure up because by the time we are ready to challenge the sides we may need to worry about are GWS, the pies, Dogs and maybe even the Demons. And footy will change again in 3 to 4 years. Look how much it has changed in the last 3 to 4 years.

[dragit]

It will be interesting…

We do need to look at life after Fisher/Dempster so I won't mind if they don't play every week, you'd imagine injuries will make this happen without needing to rest.

Agree with Marto on Goddard, would like to see him nurtured, maybe play forward a bit.

For all of Geary's flaws, he's still our best small defender IMO, I can't imagine him spending the year at Sandy.

My guess at full strength our backline will look something like

Geary Dempster Webster
Savage Carlisle Fisher

Roberton, Newnes, McKenzie, Acres, Gilbert to play more midfield, go back at time depending on matchups.

Delaney, Shenton & Wright will struggle to crack the side unless we have plenty of injuries.

[borderbarry]

Comment from poster that Gresham (178) too short to make it as an AFL footballer. Tell that one to Cyril, Bob Skilton, Ross Smith and dozens of others.

[ripplug66]

Comment from poster that Gresham (178) too short to make it as an AFL footballer. Tell that one to Cyril, Bob Skilton, Ross Smith and dozens of others.

Cyril is fair enough Barry but the others are really irrelevant unless you think Alan Morrow or John Nicholls could still play in the ruck. It is harder for a guy of Greshams height but if they are good enough they will make it. Its how far they make it that is important to us.