There’s been a bit of back-and-forward on other posts about how much blame for our forward line woes should reside with Lyon’s tactics, and how much resides with the quality of our forwards (and therefore indirectly the list managers). I’m generally in the ‘coaches get too much credit/blame’ camp, although I note that camp doesn’t really exist on this board because even if the midfield or backline is smashing the opposition that’s never attributed to Lyon.
One of my favourite parts of footy training was Backs v Forwards, mostly because it most resembled a game of footy. It was usually a good indicator of who in your team could really play, and it was always fun to see the best defenders/forward on your team go head-to-head for bragging rights. Which got me to thinking: how would our forwards go against our backmen in a game, and who as a midfield might you direct your kicks to?
I know that teams nominally have 6 forwards and backs in the line-up and at the bounce (cue the howls about no-one being in our forward line), but most teams usually include a midfielder in that team sheet that doesn’t really go in the 50m much. For example, Neale and Hannebury were named on flanks on the weekend. So let’s say you’ve got 5 Freo forwards and backs going head to head. How would the forwards fare?
Based on the team named last weekend, I reckon the match-ups would look something like this (assuming the defence gets to move positions based on who Freo names in the forward line). I’ve bolded who I think would win the match-up:
Match-ups
Cox v A Pearce
There’s a good chance Pearce absolutely towels up Cox one-one-one. He’s got him easily covered for height, pace and possibly skill. Cox’s best bet would be to read the ball better in a pack situation, but that’s a long-shot. I reckon at best Cox kicks a goal from a pack mark or free kick, but is largely ineffective otherwise.
McCarthy v Hamling
I also reckon McCarthy gets towelled up by Hamling, at least in the 50m. I’d love to see these guys on a lead, but I reckon Hamling would mostly have him covered unless the kick in was absolutely perfect. Anything in the air and CamMac is cooked. Best bet would be for McCarthy to get up the ground.
Walters v Banfield
Here’s a chance for goals. The defensive coach would like put their best stopper on Walters, which this season has been Banfield. Banfield has done a good job on some elite half-forwards, but I’d expect Walters to have the smarts and skill be able to make something happen. I’m not sure how this would happen – maybe Walters takes Banfield into traffic and works out, or reads a crumb better – but I reckon you could put Sonny down for a couple.
Ballantyne v Ryan
This would be a good match-up, and Ballas would give his all; but I think Ryan would shade him. Ryan is certainly better in the air, and I think probably has him for pace too these days. Ballas’ best bet is to hit the pack for a roving goal, but given the likely areal dominance of the defenders, I can’t see this happening too often. More likely the ball will be hurriedly kicked into the 50m, and Ryan will pick it off.
Matera v Wilson
I reckon a defensive coach would put Wilson on Matera. Wilson probably has him covered in the air and for pace, and would get a lot of easy possessions going the other way. Matera could craft a goal from a random event, but the defensive coaches would feel pretty comfortable about this match-up.
Tactics
Now imagine you’re the forward coach: How would you instruct your forwards to position themselves knowing that four of your five forwards would likely get beaten one-on-one?
My view would be that your best bet to craft a goal involves Walters, so I’d plonk him forward and make Banfield sweat. I’m not sure Walters from the square on a the lead is your best bet – you need another variable in the mix – so I’d play Cox close to goal and hope that when needed he can make a contest. I’d have CamMac, Ballas and Matera pushing up the ground a bit, but charging towards goal.
Everyone likes to blame the coach for not having a system that leads to goals, but the old saying ‘you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken [feathers]’ rings true to me; and with the tools at his disposal, I’m not sure how you craft goals from the forwards at Freo’s disposal.
Perhaps there are posters out there smarter than me who could turn those players into goals, but I just can't see it, even against Freo’s defence - which shapes to be very good in a few years, but is still learning to play together. I can see why people suggest playing Sandi and Fyfe forward, and even throwing rookies from Peel into the mix, because to me there’s no obvious path to a high score other than running in waves from the midfield with the forwards we have.
