so milne is finished ... gimme a break!

[bigcarl]

yes he's flawed, but with his flaws he represents a 2 goal 2 goal assist average player in the forward line?

milne's a proven goal-kicker and goals on the board is what being a forward is all about.

there's been some talk that clinton jones will crack it for a gig on the forward line to provide "forward pressure"

i like him as a player but am not convinced he is a natural forward or even knows where the goals are. Only cold, hard goals will persuade me otherwise.

my forward six would be all proven goal-kickers with the possible exception of c. gardiner who will be important in providing a foil for roo across half forward.

imo

HF: c. gardiner, riewoldt, rotation (dal santo/ball/schneider/montagna/maybe x)
F: milne, kosi, gehrig.

gram and possibly goose will be very important this season in pumping the ball down quickly and long to our big forwards. just doesn't give our opponents the time to cover all bases.

between them dal santo/ball/schneider/montagna/maybe x should be able to provide plenty of "forward pressure"

and give milne some credit, too. his attack on mcleod in the final quarter on saturday night was first rate and "forward pressure" at its best.

it is true that he hasn't always been consistent in that regard, but imo no-one is too set in their ways to work on perceived weaknesses so long as they know that is what is required.

[To the top]

This is going to create some controversy, but in the game where Milne kicked 11 goals v. Brisbane at Docklands, I thought that Luke Ball played a far more effective and dangerous game when in a forward pocket and kicking 4 goals.

Milne got BOG because he kicked 11 goals, and Ball was overlooked by most.

From my perspective, Milne is not a crumbing forward.

Most of his goals come from creating space, mainly by attempting to drop in behind his opponent. He is not a Nathan Brown or a Phil Matera who were both lead up players, doubling back then leading to the ball carrier, despite their size.

Milne is not a lead up option, he relies on ducking and weaving to make space and his effectiveness in recent years (especially against stronger clubs) has been negated by them putting bigger bodied opponents on him, denying him the opportunity to "get in behind" and find space.

The reason for this tactic of Milne's is that he does not have straight line pace so he can not push back into a body, gain an advantage by retaining his balance then maintain the yard's benefit to present as a leading option.

In regards crumbing, some defence could be put because both Gehrig and Riewoldt are leading forwards.

This year, hopefully, the impact of Kosi closer to goal and the option to throw King or M. Gardiner forward will see spillages to St Kilda's advantage - so it will be very interesting to see what Milne brings to the side, or whether Schnieder or Ball "resting" forward would be the better option(s).

As I say, Ball really impressed me playing out of a forward pocket in that game v. Brisbane - and I have not forgotten.

[bigcarl]

As I say, Ball really impressed me playing out of a forward pocket in that game v. Brisbane - and I have not forgotten.

ball also kicked three against hawthorn last season when played forward because of his OP.

so he's definitely handy near goal.

but he'll probably be regarded as too important on the ball to be played down there full time.

milne kicked more than 30 last season and i've no doubt he'll do the same this year. might go even better if we do bomb it long to kosi quote often.

he's an opportunitist and the crumbs created when kicking to a contest like that are bread and butter to players like him.

i noticed he sharked a nice goal from kosi in precisely that situation in the last quarter on saturday