Best young forward line

[Long Term Injury]

Ok, so still high off the win, but bare with me. What are other's views on our forward line. Im of the opinion that of all the up and coming teams we have the best young forward line as a package. Not many are ever going to go missing because they work so damn hard and love the contest. It is a really good sign. Usually the forward line is the hardest to construct, but I think we've nailed it in the space of a season and a half. great balance of big guys that hit the contest ( Bruce mccartin membrey) then a rotating ruckman or two, then the smalls with aggression and talent (Mav, Gresh,Sinclair, Lonie, billings, etc.)

that we have all the pieces, or next to, and in such a short time and all within a similar age bracket is huge.these guys will possible play the next 10 years together... Yeah alright I'm still buzzing a bit

What are your thoughts

[Goose is king]

It's young and it functions well with quick ball movement. McClunkin, Bruce and Membrey will be awesome when given 40 games together.

[Griggsy]

Paddys break out game just around the corner. Each game I think he has had a chance of kicking a bag he gets hurt or misses the game entirely because being hurt the week before.

[BigMart]

Ours IMO

Billings - Bruce - Weller

Lonie - McCartin - Membrey

Ability to also play forward
Steven, Armitage, Acres, Minchington, Templeton, Hickey, Carlisle, Goddard, Gresham amongst others

[Saint wagga]

I'm loving seeing our young forward line develop in front of our eyes this year. What i love about it as well, it's that it's not your carbon cut out high draft pick forward line, but you couldn't find a more ecclectic mish mash of players...

Bruce - draft steal defender turn KPF gem
MccArtin - No.1 draft pick prodigy
Skunk - Tough nut medium forward, draft steal, recycled swans reject
Weller - Suns discard, remodelled spiritual leader (Think Patrick Swayze's Zen Master, Bohdi, not the crappy remake version)
Mozzie fleet - mostly draft steals, all showing plenty

COmpare that to the AFL manipulated start up teams and we have what money and draft picks can't buy...team spirit and this team is on a journey!!

[Saint wagga]

ps: Love the nickname McClunkin!! Hilarious whoever coined it!

[White Winmar]

McClunkin needs to become McDeadeye or McKenna. His kicking for goal has been the only downside to his game this year. Love Paddy, but he's missed too many easy ones a player of his ability should have nailed.

[Con Gorozidis]

Our fwd line is so good it isnt funny. And all young. Bruce, McCartin, Membrey, Weller, Billings + 1 other. Absolutely deadly.

[skeptic]

Ours IMO

Billings - Bruce - Weller

Lonie - McCartin - Membrey

Ability to also play forward
Steven, Armitage, Acres, Minchington, Templeton, Hickey, Carlisle, Goddard, Gresham amongst others

Really looks good doesn't it?
And we just need to find a way to fit Sinclaire in.

[ROLS-LEE]

Paddys break out game just around the corner. Each game I think he has had a chance of kicking a bag he gets hurt or misses the game entirely because being hurt the week before.

McClunkin need more TOG. He spends a lot of time on the bench.

[George27]

McClunkin need more TOG. He spends a lot of time on the bench.[/quote]

Agree. He made no impact in a couple of key opportunities in the last 5 minutes, and by his own admission in interview with Ling that he was cooked- yet he only had 68%TOG ( behind only the injured Nathan Wright). Hopefully a tough preseason will fix that.

[saintspremiers]

Can't Carlisle occasionally float forward and kick a goal also?

[Trev from the Bush]

McClunkin needs to become McDeadeye or McKenna. His kicking for goal has been the only downside to his game this year. Love Paddy, but he's missed too many easy ones a player of his ability should have nailed.

I think you are far too precious! Last night was only Paddy's 14th game and you are appearing to concentrate on his "weaknesses" FFS!!!

Not as though he missed half a dozen sitters.

[Wayne42]

I like Bruce, but he seems to be struggling at the moment, i think the opposition have him sussed.

[ace]

Paddys break out game just around the corner. Each game I think he has had a chance of kicking a bag he gets hurt or misses the game entirely because being hurt the week before.

I think this could be a problem his entire career due to his type 1 diabetes.
I can't see him getting through a complete finals campaign without getting some concussion.
Unlike other players who shake it off to play well the next week, McCartin has to be mollycoddled and miss games.

Imagine he were to have a Tony Lockett season but get a small concussion in a preliminary final.
Teams premiership chances crushed.

(For those too young to have seen Tony Lockett in his prime, a Tony Lockett season consists of our full forward averaging, yes averaging, 8 goals per game).

[Jacks Back]

I like Bruce, but he seems to be struggling at the moment, i think the opposition have him sussed.

I was just about to mention the same thing. Bruce last night didn't really do anything until the last qtr when he came good. He is also only really doing okay towards the end of matches when its usually all over (either way). He needs to lift.

[skeptic]

The link btw type 1 diabetes and concussion is..?

You know you can't shake off a concussion right? It's not like you get a stitch and can run it out. You either have one or you don't.
A question about how/when Paddy commits himself to a contest or how he protects his head is one thing but a suggesting that he's soft because he has had concussions doesn't make a lot of sense to me

[bigcarl]

The diabetes is a non issue so long as he's vigilant with his diet and meds.

I think the kid would be devastated if he thought he was being treated any differently than anyone else or mollycoddled because of an eminently manageable medical condition.

It's true that we are being very cautious with him and I sincerely hope it is only because we recognise he is a big part of our future.

[bigred]

I don't think I have seen a key forward work harder for such small scoreboard return as Josh Bruce.

He works his arse off.

[bigcarl]

I don't think I have seen a key forward work harder for such small scoreboard return as Josh Bruce.

He works his arse off.

He does and the goals will come. The marks aren't sticking at the moment.