Sam Murray. An unlikely forward option?

[swoop42]

I feel the need, the need for speed.

Call me a maverick or if you wish just a goose but I believe Murray should replace Wells this week and play in a new role as a defensive forward.

My thinking is with the silk of Wells gone for the year, the class of Elliott still on the sidelines, the talent of Fasolo unavailable, Varcoe as injury prone as anyone and young Daicos still a preseason away at least from having the physicality to be a consistent senior performer then Murray represents the best value to the side of those who remain because of his one clear elite physical advantage of leg speed.

I think we were all enamored by the early season form of Murray and enthralled by his willingness to take the game on and burst away from opponents.

His form in his role across half back might have wavered but his manic approach didn't and with a Collingwood side already troubling teams with it's outside run and spread adding another genuinely quick player to the 22 is a tantalising prospect to me.

Now people might say Murray doesn't have the experience as a forward but if we keep it simple in the beginning and just give him a role on the oppositions best creative half back or with the instruction that his primary purpose is to harass and tackle inside our forward 50 then I believe we have a starting point he's more than capable of fulfilling.

We should also factor in how the game is currently being played and how the last 2 premiership sides have been successful in putting together forward mixes incorporating non specialists with resting midfielders or role players with a team first mentality capable of creating turnovers the choice made.

We are starting to replicate this ourselves and with our improved transition ability we are also seeing our players able to find space leading back to the goal more frequently and it's hard not to think that Murray with his speed and useful height of 187cm couldn't prove a handful for the opposition in this circumstance either.

AFL coaches aren't often bold when it comes to drastic positional changes but with our defensive mix currently performing well and gelling I'd like Buckley to be bold, give Murray another opportunity but this time as a forward.

[K]

No.

Err... yes, it's unlikely, but no, it's not a good idea.

There are many in front of him right now.

[mugway05]

I think this is not a bad idea. Make it happen Bucks[/search]

[swoop42]

I think it's an idea worthy of trying on it's own merits and with the players unavailable one I'd do in a heartbeat.

Players with his mix of height, speed and a manic approach can be of use in the modern game up forward without having the genuine goal kicking class of others IMO.

[stui magpie]

Murray was recruited to the Swans as a small forward, He got sent back after 12 months of doing nothing and had to learn to play in defence.

having said that, keep him back. We have enough small forwards, we don't have a lot of fast small defenders.

[Mugwump]

Interesting idea, but if he has been tried as a small forward and not made it in the past, then perhaps a variation would be trying him out as a mid, or on the other wing to Phillips.

I agree that his careering speed can be very disorienting for an opposition defence. But he does need to improve his decision-making with ball in hand, if he can. I also wonder if he is a player who might be even better if preserved in the first half via rotation, then let loose once others have tired.

[K]

There were a lot of turnovers in his game last week.

I think form should be rewarded.

[Presti35]

I watched "Days Of Thunder" tonight and I think this is what you're really looking for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guQnnPJgtUo

[swoop42]

For mine we are 2 or 3 difference makers away from challenging Richmond and by extension winning the premiership.

At present out of those currently sidelined or playing VFL I only see Elliott and possibly Moore and Murray in that category to help bridge the gap.

With Wells out we have a vacancy and personally I'm not at all keen on a 22 containing both Mayne and Crocker as they're to similar in style and 1 is enough IMO.

Blair is a big hell no.

So what will we do?

Bring in Murray or Appleby and place Greenwood forward?

Give Sier or Wills an opportunity that will allow other midfielders more forward time?

[Sir Alan of Didak]

None of the above.

Just bring in Varcoe (most likely ready to resume, post byes).

He is the like-for-like replacement for Wells...not as silky, but excellent defensively, hits hard and at speed.

Just needs to hit the scoreboard a little more, ideally kicking 3 goals every 2 games...on top of all the other KPI's like pressure acts, assists etc.

Eventually, Elliot will take Daicos spot and something tells me come finals time...Murray will also have squeezed himself back in to that 22.

Having said that, the fact Greenwood's playing for his spot in that back pocket every week, is certain to bring out the best in him.

As for Appleby - a likely type - his time is (in all likelihood) next year onwards.

Although I prefer Wills over Sier, surely Sier debut's this week...before being dropped the following week for Varcoe and/or Moore.

[Pies2016]

^^^

Agree on Varcoe in the short term ( this season )
He forces mistakes on the opposition and you want those players inside your own forward line.
I’m not against Murray being trialled elsewhere ( or any player for that matter ) but it’s a big ask for a player to have trained for 8 months at one end and then trot down the other end and slot into your new role without missing a beat.
I’m an Appleby fan ( as a 19 year old developing rookie ) and he looks like a natural defender but Murray has the tools to play elsewhere. I’m happy for him to be trialed as a defensive forward to replace Varcoe but the experiment needs to be in the 2019 preseason for mine.

[Geek]

Agreed, Pies2016.

Quaynor currently reads like being some sort of gun HBF and that area is already getting crowded for Muz.

Short term though I like the kid on HBF. When he came in, he was teh only one looking to take on the man. Within a coupe of games, the rest of the team was following his lead. Opposition coaches went to shut him down as he was changing how we played and they were successful, at least while Maynard was out of the team.

Would love to see him back there again in a back 7 of Dunn, Howe, Schaz, Langdon, Crisp, Maynard and Murray. I reckon that's got most things covered. Get Moore back there when required and push 1 or 2 of the smalls closer to the wings and it would be a very strong defence.

The kid needs to be in form though as he's no Chris Judd. Here's hoping he finds some touch soon.

[RudeBoy]

You'd have to trial him up forward in the VFL for a couple of weeks to see if he is up to it, as Bucks did with Mihocek, before experimenting with him on the big stage.

[stui magpie]

He's played small forward hi entire career until the swans changed him to a small back and we drafted him for that role.

In the backline he has the field in front of him and can set up the play. Since we already have a glut of small forwards, the only reason to swing him forward would be as a defensive forward using his speed to tackle and pressure to keep the ball inside 50

[RudeBoy]