What do we do about our forward Llne

[Eastdog]

I'm probably sounding like a broken record but what do Bevo and co. need to do in order for our forward line to function efficiently and get the results on the board. The most important aspect of the game and we are just not good enough.

[SonofScray]

Back to basics.

Big men fly. Little blokes run.

Get to the fall of the ball.

Kick goals.

[Eastdog]

Efficiency Inside 50
Power - 18 shots from 35 inside 50s (51%)
Bulldogs - 19 shots from 39 inside (49%) - Danjul mentioned in the game day thread for 8 entries only 1 goal was scored


Tackles in forward 50
Power - 10
Bulldogs - 15


Marks in 50
Power - 7
Bulldogs - 5

[FrediKanoute]

Its too congested. we almost need to go 2 in the 50 and the rest out with our speedy runners Richards, Vanders etc running on to the ball.

If we are going to play the way we currently do then you need 2 talls - one to take pack marks and the other to lead. It eases congestion as the both run to different places

[Vred]

1. JUH
2. Trade whatever we can for a proven good small crumbing forward (Rankie comes to mind)
3. Always play two talls no matter what configuration it is
4. Teach the guys how to kick set shots

[Remi Moses]

One of the reasons it’s congested is the one or two to many handballs
Last night was record pace . Bruce is carrying to much weight
Not good enough

[Mofra]

Sav Rocca as goal kicking coach. Yes, I am mentioning it again. He instantly makes us a 2-3 more goal side per week

[1eyedog]

Outs: Hansen
Ins: Sanderson

I'd offer Sanderson some mayo to get him across. Has the benefit of understanding Luke's position as well being a former coach himself.

[Bulldog4life]

Spread and lead for the bloody ball instead of most forwards just waiting for a high ball in a pack.

[Axe Man]

Outs: Hansen
Ins: Sanderson

I'd offer Sanderson some mayo to get him across. Has the benefit of understanding Luke's position as well being a former coach himself.

Could free tennis lessons be the sweetener needed?

In regards to the forward line have we tried turning it off and on again?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Its too congested. we almost need to go 2 in the 50 and the rest out with our speedy runners Richards, Vanders etc running on to the ball.

If we are going to play the way we currently do then you need 2 talls - one to take pack marks and the other to lead. It eases congestion as the both run to different places

I've made the comparison before a few times but the Saints are an intriguing example to compare us to. In prior years the Saints were absolute rubbish in front of goal as well. This year they are one of the highest scoring teams. They are a completely different looking side and one thing they do well is creating space in their forward line to get great quality looks. That forward line is largely the same as years gone by save for King instead of Bruce. But the have pretty much only King and Membrey in there (and maybe the resting ruck as well) and then the smalls run in from the midfield. Granted they have much better fast small/crumbing forwards than us, but it's certainly something we could at least try if we're willing to try Dunks and Macrae in the ruck.

[Avoid the rush]

Could free tennis lessons be the sweetener needed?

In regards to the forward line have we tried turning it off and on again?

Hit it with a hammer!!!!

[Dancin' Douggy]

Exactly. You would think it was obvious.

Its too congested. we almost need to go 2 in the 50 and the rest out with our speedy runners Richards, Vanders etc running on to the ball.

If we are going to play the way we currently do then you need 2 talls - one to take pack marks and the other to lead. It eases congestion as the both run to different places

[1eyedog]

Could free tennis lessons be the sweetener needed?

In regards to the forward line have we tried turning it off and on again?

I think that would be a sealer.

[bornadog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eei48LCUYAEoBL4?format=jpg&name=medium

Our forward line. No wonder we can't kick goals.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eei48LCUYAEoBL4?format=jpg&name=medium

Our forward line. No wonder we can't kick goals.

Yes. But do we bring this on ourselves? It’s just I see this every time we play but I don’t see it in every other game. There’s something we’re doing that brings this on. It’s probably our decision and a main reason as to why we get killed out the back once we don’t win the ball.

[1eyedog]

So Port have an extra one in there and we have Jack Macrae or Cordy I can't tell which sweating on the clearing kick on the outside. I understand the set up but geez we make hard work of it and we have been doing this for so long! Why are we so convinced this is the way forward?

[azabob]

Yes. But do we bring this on ourselves? It’s just I see this every time we play but I don’t see it in every other game. There’s something we’re doing that brings this on. It’s probably our decision and a main reason as to why we get killed out the back once we don’t win the ball.

Our crowding around the stoppage (sometimes +1 or +2) to allow quick handballs out and move the ball forward also lets us down especially when we do a hurried kick 15-20 it goes straight into the arms of the oppositions defense as they keep a one or two players back.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

So Port have an extra one in there and we have Jack Macrae or Cordy I can't tell which sweating on the clearing kick on the outside. I understand the set up but geez we make hard work of it and we have been doing this for so long! Why are we so convinced this is the way forward?

Obviously its Cordy. Why would our ruckman be out of the contest waiting for the clearing kick?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Our crowding around the stoppage (sometimes +1 or +2) to allow quick handballs out and move the ball forward also lets us down especially when we do a hurried kick 15-20 it goes straight into the arms of the oppositions defense as they keep a one or two players back.

Are teams just accepting this knowing they'll hurt us on the rebound? I mean we shoot ourselves in the foot (or as another poster put it, in the head) more often than not so maybe teams are letting us outnumber the stoppages knowing they'll have an extra man back to chop of the eventual errant kick and, expecting this, their mids/wings/forwards start transitioning before us to get a jump start running forward into a paddock.

[1eyedog]

Obviously its Cordy. Why would our ruckman be out of the contest waiting for the clearing kick?

Yeah that's Cordy with Macrae in the ruck and Tim on the outside on the right lol

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Its too congested. we almost need to go 2 in the 50 and the rest out with our speedy runners Richards, Vanders etc running on to the ball.

If we are going to play the way we currently do then you need 2 talls - one to take pack marks and the other to lead. It eases congestion as the both run to different places

We have the ideal leading key forward in Schache who when playing is clearly our best kick for goal. I also believe we could do worse than play Lew Young who was originally recruited as a key forward to be the other key forward. Young in the past has dominated in the ruck with Footscray and would be an ideal support to English. It was very strange to see our best mid fielder in Macrae on a number of occasions last night doing the ruck work. Give both Schache and Young 4-6 matches together. We couldn't do any worse.

s

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Yeah that's Cordy with Macrae in the ruck and Tim on the outside of the right lol

Sorry I was being facetious with the fact that Macrae was playing ruck at throwins in the final quarter.

[azabob]

Are teams just accepting this knowing they'll hurt us on the rebound? I mean we shoot ourselves in the foot (or as another poster put it, in the head) more often than not so maybe teams are letting us outnumber the stoppages knowing they'll have an extra man back to chop of the eventual errant kick and, expecting this, their mids/wings/forwards start transitioning before us to get a jump start running forward into a paddock.

I believe so.

Pressure the bulldogs at the source and they will turn it over either by foot or by hand on the way out.

[1eyedog]

Sorry I was being facetious with the fact that Macrae was playing ruck at throwins in the final quarter.

yeah I know I got it!

[bornadog]

There was two minutes to go and we were desperate for a goal

[The bulldog tragician]

There was two minutes to go and we were desperate for a goal

Our forwardline was indeed congested, but that was particularly so as we were pressing hard and Port's players all headed down to try and stop us..I guess that's why Cordy and Crozier were there as well. In fact who wasn't??

[Eastdog]

Smith and Richards missed one each in open play and McLean got his 2 so had they converted a different story but yes we need to ultimately create space in there as much as we can to free it up and give us an opportunity and getting more easier set shot opportunities.

Schache, Dickson are 2 great kicks at goal and you would want to get the ball in their hands but obviously have not been playing.

Also someone mentioned maybe a new forward line structure coach would be helpful in changing the structure up there. The forward line when we played North operates very well - need to try and replicate that.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

yeah I know I got it!

aha! Your edit was faster than my response!

[AshMac]

Be awesome if all our forwards didn’t lead to the same spot when we have controlled entry and we didn’t send all players up.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Be awesome if all our forwards didn’t lead to the same spot when we have controlled entry and we didn’t send all players up.

I don't think they are leading to the same spot. At least not on purpose. Our problem is our forwards don't get the opportunity to make smart, purposeful leads as there is never any smart/purposeful or systematic delivery. Its completely haphasard. The look that all forwards lead to the same spot I think is more a result of a rushed and hacked ball coming into the F50 that then means all forwards have to go to the same spot to create a contest. Everyone going up for the mark is then certainly a problem though.

[Eastdog]

I don't think they are leading to the same spot. At least not on purpose. Our problem is our forwards don't get the opportunity to make smart, purposeful leads as there is never any smart/purposeful or systematic delivery. Its completely haphasard. The look that all forwards lead to the same spot I think is more a result of a rushed and hacked ball coming into the F50 that then means all forwards have to go to the same spot to create a contest. Everyone going up for the mark is then certainly a problem though.

So we need to emphasise on forward leading patterns. We get in it there enough but we need to figure out the leading patterns and get some precise pinpoint passes to those forwards.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

So we need to emphasise on forward leading patterns. We get in it there enough but we need to figure out the leading patterns and get some precise pinpoint passes to those forwards.

I still maintain belief our forward woes are a symptom of a much bigger problem further up field. But it’s not that I don’t think we have forward issues. We certainly do, but if we can make life easier on our forwards we can then start to work on their problems such as leading patterns and when and when not to go for a mark which, frankly, are simpler issues to address.

We need to work in smaller swarms up the ground instead of what currently ressembles the Monash freeway at 5pm. Spread the opposition out which will then lead to more space up forward for leads to be made. This will rely on a bit of speed and skill but will give us more quality opportunities. Easier said than done though

[DOG GOD]

I still maintain belief our forward woes are a symptom of a much bigger problem further up field. But it’s not that I don’t think we have forward issues. We certainly do, but if we can make life easier on our forwards we can then start to work on their problems such as leading patterns and when and when not to go for a mark which, frankly, are simpler issues to address.

We need to work in smaller swarms up the ground instead of what currently ressembles the Monash freeway at 5pm. Spread the opposition out which will then lead to more space up forward for leads to be made. This will rely on a bit of speed and skill but will give us more quality opportunities. Easier said than done though

Do we have the coaching staff to change the game plan, and more importantly, do we have the players to action it?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Do we have the coaching staff to change the game plan, and more importantly, do we have the players to action it?

Coaching staff I have no idea. History suggests no as we’ve been a 1 way to play team for 5 years. I’d like us to shake up the coaching panel with Bevo still in charge of course.

I think with our playing group we’ve got enough to work with. Certainly could improve but which team doesn’t have room for improvement? Certainly up forward we need to get a better mix but elsewhere I think we have enough to make something different work. Foot skills and speed aren’t our strong suits but a different style of play could see some players in a different light. I’m thinking Richards, Dale, McLean, Lippa and most importantly Bont

[AshMac]

I don't think they are leading to the same spot. At least not on purpose. Our problem is our forwards don't get the opportunity to make smart, purposeful leads as there is never any smart/purposeful or systematic delivery. Its completely haphasard. The look that all forwards lead to the same spot I think is more a result of a rushed and hacked ball coming into the F50 that then means all forwards have to go to the same spot to create a contest. Everyone going up for the mark is then certainly a problem though.

Yeh agree re. all running under a long bomb. Also agree the problem is further up the field, we over handball to control the play and either get bottled up and turnover or have to throw it on the boot and it goes high and long into F50.

I’m honesty, I thought the biggest problem last night was our lack of contested marks. It’s clear teams know that by closing down options for the kicker we mess around with it and we don’t have any last resort expect a long bomb. It’s the same problem between the arcs as going inside 50 it just hurts so much when it rebounds straight back out of F50

[azabob]

Coaching staff I have no idea. History suggests no as we’ve been a 1 way to play team for 5 years. I’d like us to shake up the coaching panel with Bevo still in charge of course.

I think with our playing group we’ve got enough to work with. Certainly could improve but which team doesn’t have room for improvement? Certainly up forward we need to get a better mix but elsewhere I think we have enough to make something different work. Foot skills and speed aren’t our strong suits but a different style of play could see some players in a different light. I’m thinking Richards, Dale, McLean, Lippa and most importantly Bont

Thanks for the laugh. A change to the coaching panel...

[Rocket Science]

Indulge me, I have no idea if he's even remotely interested in re-entering 'the system' but how about we sound out Nick Riewoldt as a specialist forward coach?

I know. I know. But he talks rare sense for someone handed a microphone and has contemporary football intelligence up the wazoo, more crucially from an instinctive, mobile forward's perspective. Imagine some of that rubbed off on a certain other, skilled, rangy forward like Schache? Plus the relationship with ex-teammate Bruce.

Yeah, Bruce is new and still acclimating, Naughts is missing and the forward line's a permanent work in progress. Call me nuts but maybe we jag someone qualified to try turning it into a finished article that helps us win games of football rather than piss them away.

Our rusted-on coaching staff is starting to remind me of the shadow bench of the federal Labour Party where results seem a distant second imperative to maintaining an insulated, unchallenged gig. Quite the tangent. Who knows, maybe Naughts is the circuit breaker, but I envy teams that make and take their chances.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Coaching staff I have no idea. History suggests no as we’ve been a 1 way to play team for 5 years. I’d like us to shake up the coaching panel with Bevo still in charge of course.

I think with our playing group we’ve got enough to work with. Certainly could improve but which team doesn’t have room for improvement? Certainly up forward we need to get a better mix but elsewhere I think we have enough to make something different work. Foot skills and speed aren’t our strong suits but a different style of play could see some players in a different light. I’m thinking Richards, Dale, McLean, Lippa and most importantly Bont

I enjoyed these comments. The Coaching support group needs to be refreshed Would like to see us reinstate both Dale Morris and Joel Corey both Premiership players and lure back another Premiership player of ours in Matthew Boyd from Collingwood. These are successful people who have done the hard yards.We continue to go through the same old same old with little change in direction. Strong Clubs like Richmond place strong emphasis in this important area.
We should be doing likewise.

[Vred]

What are the chances we can throw the kitchen sink at Tom Papley to come over?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Can someone enlighten me to what happened in the back half of last year? I missed last season but looks like we were scoring heavily left, right and centre. Was this more a reflection on our opposition ala north melbourne this year? Or were we doing something different?

[1eyedog]

What are the chances we can throw the kitchen sink at Tom Papley to come over?

It was discussed but he re-signed last year. Long shot.

[azabob]

Indulge me, I have no idea if he's even remotely interested in re-entering 'the system' but how about we sound out Nick Riewoldt as a specialist forward coach?

I know. I know. But he talks rare sense for someone handed a microphone and has contemporary football intelligence up the wazoo, more crucially from an instinctive, mobile forward's perspective. Imagine some of that rubbed off on a certain other, skilled, rangy forward like Schache? Plus the relationship with ex-teammate Bruce.

Yeah, Bruce is new and still acclimating, Naughts is missing and the forward line's a permanent work in progress. Call me nuts but maybe we jag someone qualified to try turning it into a finished article that helps us win games of football rather than piss them away.

Our rusted-on coaching staff is starting to remind me of the shadow bench of the federal Labour Party where results seem a distant second imperative to maintaining an insulated, unchallenged gig. Quite the tangent. Who knows, maybe Naughts is the circuit breaker, but I envy teams that make and take their chances.

The other positive with bringing Riewoldt on board is he demands extremely high standards.

Hell, I'm open to anything to get us out of this monotonous year on year trend.

[azabob]

Can someone enlighten me to what happened in the back half of last year? I missed last season but looks like we were scoring heavily left, right and centre. Was this more a reflection on our opposition ala north melbourne this year? Or were we doing something different?

Honestly I think it was a bit of everything.

We had an extremely friendly draw, Bailey Dale produced his best ten games of football ever earning him a nice contract. I'm not actually sure if we beat anyone of significance, other than the giants who were in a bad patch of form and missing players.

But when the crunch came we were bullied and pressured by the Giants in the first elimination final and our game style fell away.

[EasternWest]

The other positive with bringing Riewoldt on board is he demands extremely high standards.

Hell, I'm open to anything to get us out of this monotonous year on year trend.

Imagine the meltdown on this board if we hired Nick Riewoldt. I couldn't get enough popcorn.

[azabob]

Imagine the meltdown on this board if we hired Nick Riewoldt. I couldn't get enough popcorn.

#BomberBlitz

[Grantysghost]

Imagine the meltdown on this board if we hired Nick Riewoldt. I couldn't get enough popcorn.

https://media1.giphy.com/media/pjU8fxO81DNS5x2GP7/giphy.gif?cid=4d1e4f29uykd56mhttk9o9cwgdm3h03qfv5h3299iakm8l i7&rid=giphy.gif

[Mofra]

Imagine the meltdown on this board if we hired Nick Riewoldt. I couldn't get enough popcorn.
If we had the chance to hire Sav Rocca and instead chose St Nick, I'd be first in that queue.

I think Nick is a very smart footballer but our conversion rate is woeful and that's an area we really need to address.

[Happy Days]

No rape apologists at the club please.

[EasternWest]

No rape apologists at the club please.

Who, this guy? https://i.postimg.cc/mcqbk2cb/roo.jpg (https://postimg.cc/mcqbk2cb)

[GVGjr]

Imagine the meltdown on this board if we hired Nick Riewoldt. I couldn't get enough popcorn.

Not from me, I quite like listening to him

[Happy Days]

Who, this guy? https://i.postimg.cc/mcqbk2cb/roo.jpg (https://postimg.cc/mcqbk2cb)

I dunno but looks like Nick doesn't know either?

[EasternWest]

Not from me, I quite like listening to him

He's a good analyst of the game, that's for sure.

[Danjul]

Can someone enlighten me to what happened in the back half of last year? I missed last season but looks like we were scoring heavily left, right and centre. Was this more a reflection on our opposition ala north melbourne this year? Or were we doing something different?
Trengove played in almost all, Schache played nine of the last ten for 20+ goals , Dale stayed near the sticks for 20+ goals (and others started looking for him). Now none can buy a game.

Naughton played as a strong marking tall closer to the middle of the ground and still managed some goals. We haven’t tried to replace this component of the play.

Team used quick kicking more and less handball than this year.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Not from me, I quite like listening to him

Yep, I think he's the best in the business right now.

I never liked him as a player, but he's actually a good guy and very astute (plus calls it as he sees it).

[Bulldog Revolution]

Yep, I think he's the best in the business right now.

I never liked him as a player, but he's actually a good guy and very astute (plus calls it as he sees it).

He's a bit like Selwood - you cant help but hate him if you've competed against him, but if he was yours you'd love him forever

[Axe Man]

Dogs look to Naughton to end 'revolving door' in forward line (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dogs-look-to-naughton-to-end-revolving-door-in-forward-line-20200804-p55idh.html)

Aaron Naughton is closing in on a return from his ankle injury and his inclusion will be keenly welcomed by fellow Western Bulldogs forward Mitch Wallis.

The undersized Dogs' forward line was unable to capitalise on first-half midfield dominance as Luke Beveridge's side slumped to a 13-point loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Monday night, leaving the Dogs at risk of falling from the top eight by round's end.

The Dogs mustered just five goals against Port, the fourth time in their last five matches that Beveridge's team kicked seven or fewer majors.

Emerging star Naughton hasn't played since round four when he went down with an ankle injury but is in the frame to return, either against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night or the following weekend against Adelaide.

Wallis, a member of the Dogs' leadership group, acknowledged on Tuesday that Naughton would provide a major boost.

"We've had a bit of a revolving door in our forward line, some through necessity and through injury, and others through form," Wallis said.

"But we're just looking for a consistent application for the contest, and Aaron hopefully isn't too far away, whether it's this week or the next week, he'll provide that and take another big defender which will help me out, which I'm looking forward to.

"We function better with him in the side. But I still think that the guys are trying really hard. We were a little bit undersized last night, but I thought our appetite to try and provide a contest was there."

Wallis said the Dogs had been let down by sub-par ball use against the ladder-leading Power.

"It's very frustrating. It felt like we controlled the night for most of the night. It felt like we should have had a better result," he said.

"We didn't really kick the ball to our forwards' advantage often, and that allowed their drop-off and their spare defender to really impact that. And also just sometimes we overused the handball, which is the story of our season at times."

Port snagged majors either side of half-time following errors from Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen, who was left visibly dejected in the rooms after the match.

"JJ's such a proud man and has been such a good footballer for the club over many years now. He was probably just disappointed that he let a couple of opportunities slip," Wallis said.

Wallis said he still wasn't sure when Lachie Hunter would return from his break for personal reasons but that the wingman was "going really well."

On a personal note, Wallis could see the funny side of the fact he had been ordered off the ground with the blood rule before he could take a shot at goal for the second match in a row. The hard-nosed Dog angrily threw the ball to the ground when given his marching orders late in the loss to Port.

"I was frustrated. I probably spat the dummy. I'm normally pretty calm in those scenarios. But it's happened two weeks in a row," he said.

"It was the same eye but it was a different cut this time. That's just the emotion of footy. I just wanted to stay out there and take my kick. But no more blood rules for the rest of the year, I think I've done my quota!

"It's something you don't want to be renowned for, coming off every five minutes for the blood rule. My wife even suggested I wear a helmet but I'm not going there."

Monday night also marked a personal milestone for the Wallis family. Wallis' wife Emily and baby Charlotte, who was born in June, are with him in the Bulldogs' Queensland hub.

"Charlotte slept really well ... we're embracing it. I love being a dad."

[Grantysghost]

Pretty much mirrors what most of us have said on here. At least we are aware of it.

"We didn't really kick the ball to our forwards' advantage often, and that allowed their drop-off and their spare defender to really impact that. And also just sometimes we overused the handball, which is the story of our season at times."

[bornadog]

Not sure why we didn't use Schache if we knew there was an issue with talls in the forward line - the season so far after Naughton was injured. He only got the one game.

[Mofra]

Not sure why we didn't use Schache if we knew there was an issue with talls in the forward line
Was he even available? Had a concussion the week after he was dropped, and I don't recall him being mentioned in the scratch match.

I suspect without the concussion he would have been in the frame for selection the week earlier.

[GVGjr]

Was he even available? Had a concussion the week after he was dropped, and I don't recall him being mentioned in the scratch match.

I suspect without the concussion he would have been in the frame for selection the week earlier.

I don't believe he was available

[bornadog]

Was he even available? Had a concussion the week after he was dropped, and I don't recall him being mentioned in the scratch match.

I suspect without the concussion he would have been in the frame for selection the week earlier.

Sorry the comment was a general one for the season, not last week.

[1eyedog]

Naughton is the key. With Naughton back there is uncertainty in the backline about both him and Bruce. I think we'll look like a vastly different team going forward with both playing.

I think we'll see him this week.

[Mofra]

I think we will, and Naughton will be rusty as hell and hardly get near it. Hopefully that means Bruce gets a chance at the odd one on one contest. If that means Wallis gets the odd one on one contest, even better as he seems to never get beaten.

Greene might get his chance too. 4 goals in a scratch match, playing a position of need for us, has to come into calculations.

[Happy Days]

Based on what I saw on Monday I really think Naughton's return will make everything click. Every other part of the game was kind of humming, including our forward 50 pressure which was my big concern previously. We just need to make better contests with the ball in the air and maybe even catch one or two of those rubbish high balls coming in and the next step should be profit.

[Vred]

Based on what I saw on Monday I really think Naughton's return will make everything click. Every other part of the game was kind of humming, including our forward 50 pressure which was my big concern previously. We just need to make better contests with the ball in the air and maybe even catch one or two of those rubbish high balls coming in and the next step should be profit.

Im with you there. I want to see Hunter back in so we're playing our 100% strength midfield (Bont, Hunter, Macrae, Smith, Libs, Dunks), I don't ever want to see Bont rotated forward again.

If Greene is kicking 4 in a scratch match than 100% bring him in, I'd be rotating Weightman out for that inclusion, I'd probably drop Llyod for Naughton if fit as well. Roarke can go out for Hunter, as bad as that feels, I want us to win games, not pander to players.

[Axe Man]

Im with you there. I want to see Hunter back in so we're playing our 100% strength midfield (Bont, Hunter, Macrae, Smith, Libs, Dunks), I don't ever want to see Bont rotated forward again.

If Greene is kicking 4 in a scratch match than 100% bring him in, I'd be rotating Weightman out for that inclusion, I'd probably drop Llyod for Naughton if fit as well. Roarke can go out for Hunter, as bad as that feels, I want us to win games, not pander to players.

I can't see an issue with Bont spending some time forward. He can't run all day in the middle, especially in this compacted schedule. If it helps get him through the season (and he does seem to be playing under some duress) then it's a smart move in my book. Obviously it is situation dependent though - we don't want him sitting forward for a quarter whilst we are smashed in the middle.

Lloyd played well on Monday in a tough game for our forwards. He couldn't possibly be dropped after that performance.

[bornadog]

Lloyd played well on Monday in a tough game for our forwards. He couldn't possibly be dropped after that performance.

I thought is was one of Lloyd's best game for awhile, including the last few games from 2019. I was starting to worry about him, but I think we need him in the forward line as he is one of only a few genuine forwards we have.