- Koschitzke
- Goddard
- Dawson
- Clarke
- Gwilt
- Fisher
- Blake
- Gardiner
It must be hard for a defender to be swung forward for 5-10 minutes then get yanked again because they haven't instantly created a goal. It's going to take time for a backman to learn, or re-learn in some cases, how to play as a forward. Success and goals are not going to come in minutes. Switching them out again moments later is not going to instill confidence in them next time they're swung forward.
It also can't be easy for the midfielders to look up and see a different player presenting (or not presenting in some cases) every time we go forward. They can't be sure how that new forward is going to lead or how they prefer the ball delivered. This could lead to uncertainty in our midfield and may be one factor explaining why our delivery inside 50 has been so poor of late.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, its messages with our backline structure as we constantly rob Peter to pay Paul. The success of our backline of the last 18 months has been built on their ability to play as a defensive unit. They work together to support each other and collectively shut down the opposition. That defensive unit is being weakened was we continually change the personnel down back.
The solution, as I see it, is to stop shuffling so many different players, most of whom are career backman, through the key forward position. We would far better of picking one player to become our makeshift forward, in Roo's absence, and letting that guy develop into the role. I don't care whether it's Goddard, one of the backmen, one of the ruckman or Stanley coming up from the VFL. Just pick somebody and let him develop as a forward. Give him time to work alongside Kosi and figure our how best to compliment each other. Allow the midfield to get to know how he operates and how to best deliver the football to him. Let him take a few marks and have some shots at goal to gain some confidence and establish a goal kicking routine.
It's clear for all to see that our forward structure has fallen apart. Identify the player best suited to play that key forward role, give him time to assume that role and rebuild the forward structure around him.