Raph back in form as a forward?

Choppa · Post: # 557281Post **Choppa** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 3:59pm

From Scorps Site:

Raphael Clarke won the Best on Ground ANZAC day medal for the Scorpions side, as selected by the coaching panel and will no doubt be pushing for St. Kilda selection.

Apparently played well up forward, could be a option for improved attack.

congorozides · Tue 29 Apr 2008 4:10pm

Choppa wrote:From Scorps Site:

Raphael Clarke won the Best on Ground ANZAC day medal for the Scorpions side, as selected by the coaching panel and will no doubt be pushing for St. Kilda selection.

Apparently played well up forward, could be a option for improved attack.

hes tall and a good mark. needs to be tried up forward for sure.
he cant play back. weve learnt that. we should trade kosi for a high draft pick or a mid fielder.

fonz_#15 · Post: # 557291Post **fonz_#15** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 4:14pm

i am trying to like raph, i am trying to support each and every saints player and he desreves another chance at some stage if he performs in the 2's.

he has a lot of work to do to be afl standard though imo

saintsrus · Post: # 557294Post **saintsrus** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 4:14pm

His kicking is terrible, then again will fit in nicely down forward

spert · Post: # 557298Post **spert** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 4:17pm

We just need to keep trying players in the forward line who can win one-on-one contests and keep the ball in the forward line. Might as well try Raph.

bergsone · Post: # 557306Post **bergsone** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 4:29pm

like to see him play well up forward more than once.then maybe a recall

clarky449 · Post: # 557318Post **clarky449** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 4:38pm

Hes not suited for AFL standard football. I bet you that he will come in to the side and will play s*** house

Sobraz · Post: # 557326Post **Sobraz** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 4:46pm

I am an loud and proud Raph fan, and for mine he should be in the side this week... He is often thrown to the wolves as a defender, a position that does not suit him at all... He is a free range forward/midfielder, and should be played on the flank, pushing up the ground then deep forward..

He has all the skills needed to perform this role, and most importantly he has an x factor to be able to do some freakish things.. A forward role will grant him this license...

He must be persisted with as an attacking weapon, not a defensive negator..

st.byron · Post: # 557334Post **st.byron** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 4:58pm

Choppa wrote:From Scorps Site:

Raphael Clarke won the Best on Ground ANZAC day medal for the Scorpions side, as selected by the coaching panel and will no doubt be pushing for St. Kilda selection.

Apparently played well up forward, could be a option for improved attack.

only problem I have with your OP Choppa is that it implies Raph has previously been in form and has returned to it. Am yet to see him 'in form' at senior level.

ratismeat · Post: # 557342Post **ratismeat** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 5:10pm

Shocking down back, maybe give him a go down forward = trade bait if anyone is silly enough.

Solar · Post: # 557359Post **Solar** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 5:33pm

saintsrus wrote:His kicking is terrible, then again will fit in nicely down forward

If you think he is a bad kick then I would hate to hear what your views are on cj, charlie and blake.

Raph's problems stem from consistant bad option taking and a lack of confidence to back himself.

Give him a few more games as a HFF, teach him to demand the ball from the midfielders and he will come back as a new player!

bob__71 · Post: # 557372Post **bob__71** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 5:54pm

Raph certainly looked good at chf....some of you guys need to remember that raph is a big bloke....any other afl team he would be chf

evertonfc · Post: # 557373Post **evertonfc** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 5:54pm

Does anyone know his best position?

He was really good in 2005. Really good.

Get a copy of the 2005 Adelaide Final - both he and Gwilt played the game of their lives.

suss · Post: # 557376Post **suss** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 5:56pm

I think he's one of the best tacklers in the team and he can take a grab. Maybe a stint in the forward line is worth a punt.

Solar · Post: # 557382Post **Solar** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 5:59pm

well by the sound of it he is being groomed as a forward now, perhaps his developed as a forward is following the usual "send him back so he learns how to read the ball coming in, spoil it, tackler etc." then swing him forward after some practice time in the reserves. Great sign that he is having heaps of shots at goal and dobbing all of them.

The other fact is that when he played CHB for springvale in 2005 he would play off his man and then use his spring to take marks or spoil the ball away (against larger forwards). If he is given the confidence of the coaches and playing group he could become a great third tall forward.

saintsRrising · Tue 29 Apr 2008 6:14pm

I would like to see more than 2 good games for Casey though....

The_Dud · Post: # 557399Post **The_Dud** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 6:17pm

bob__71 wrote:Raph certainly looked good at chf....some of you guys need to remember that raph is a big bloke....any other afl team he would be chf

um, i doubt it.....

bigcarl · Post: # 557403Post **bigcarl** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 6:18pm

bob__71 wrote:Raph certainly looked good at chf....some of you guys need to remember that raph is a big bloke....any other afl team he would be chf

aerially he's not bad either. perhaps it is clutching at straws but i'm all for trying things that might (or might not) come off.

Sobraz · Post: # 557461Post **Sobraz** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 7:00pm

we are seriously missing a mid sized forward flaker who can kick the occasional bag... Corey Jones, Mitch Hahn, Tim Boyle types..

Charlie Gardner tries, but doesnt quite hurt the opposition enough.. I have serious high hopes for Raph to develop into this mould, as well as pushing further up, into the midfield...

A few more games in the 2's would be needed tho i feel..

SaintBot · Post: # 557479Post **SaintBot** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 7:19pm

Back in form?

He played one good game in the reserves. At least two more weeks of strong football up forward at Casey and he might have a claim for the senior side.

st.byron · Post: # 557494Post **st.byron** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 7:53pm

bob__71 wrote:Raph certainly looked good at chf....some of you guys need to remember that raph is a big bloke....any other afl team he would be chf

????? Not serious surely. 188cm and 78 kg.
Move over Tredrea, Hall, Lucas, Jonathon Brown, Mooney and Richo, big Raph's on the park.

LENNY LEADS THE WAY · Tue 29 Apr 2008 8:00pm

st.byron wrote:
bob__71 wrote:Raph certainly looked good at chf....some of you guys need to remember that raph is a big bloke....any other afl team he would be chf

????? Not serious surely. 188cm and 78 kg.
Move over Tredrea, Hall, Lucas, Jonathon Brown, Mooney and Richo, big Raph's on the park.

HEHE LMAO GOLD

CeilidhSaint · Tue 29 Apr 2008 9:52pm

Raph in the forward line - in his current form, no.
Not in our best 22...perhaps rangy winger at best.
We have others who are better options up forward - Charlie Chuck Wagon can play the third tall if we need one plus Schneids, Milne, Ball, even Allen...thing is, these players would look good if only we were playing well.....

Mooksy · Post: # 557611Post **Mooksy** » Tue 29 Apr 2008 9:57pm

If this is all we have got to look forward then God Help us!

The Peanut · Tue 29 Apr 2008 10:09pm

Mooksy wrote:If this is all we have got to look forward then God Help us!

He came to us a forward - I think he may have temporarily crucified his forward career with his first kick - time will tell who needs to eat their words.

Raph back in form as a forward?

Raph back in form as a forward?

Re: Raph back in form as a forward?

Re: Raph back in form as a forward?