SMALL BALL is TAKING OVER the AFL

Are the days of needing a dominant key forward over? This latest draft followed a similar trend in the past decade of clubs stocking up on small half forwards. The game seems to be changing right in front of our eyes and list managers and recruiters are scrambling to keep up.

[@blackdogRexy]

Imagine being a junior coach these days. "Ive got a 195cm, 95kg kid who I'll play in the centre and a 175cm, 75kg kid who will be full forward"

[@eyeballbilly]

big guys need much longer to develop, you still need them but most are projects

[@FURNEX167]

we proved that you can win the premiership without an apparent key keyword

[@TheLaughingMagpie]

Also the best wingmen are all shorter than 5’11: Errol Gulden, Josh Daicos and Massimo D’Ambrosio

[@user-dj2xn]

hugh mc luggage is taller than 5’11

[@TheLaughingMagpie]

@ Clug is the exception

[@johnfloris6306]

Jack Riewoldt 5 goals in 19

[@HorizonOfHope]

I think you argued well but I still think it’s not really true for the most part. The thing is: players get tired. The longer a game goes the more tired they get. But big players remain big. The fact is: you cannot allow Curnow, Cameron or Hogan near the ball while it is within 30m of goal. At the other end of the ground: Darcy Moore and Harris Andrews are huge. You need a big forward or you might as well give up on ever hoping to get an inside 50 mark. Sure, most recent premiers haven’t had a lot of key forwards but they have always had at least one massive bloke. If for no other reason than having a proper big-bodied forward forces opposing backs to hover around that player - and that’s what allows smaller forwards to succeed.

[@jj112499]

The problem lies with how defensive units are being coached. The amount of times I see key forwards with two or three players all over these tall forwards has driven forward coaches to think differently with there game style, and thus recruiting these monster stalls is no longer going to effective as it used to be.

[@HorizonOfHope]

@ Not really, tbh. Pretty much as soon as those key forwards get a one on one they will mark and, unless they are Harry McKay, score. All players, big and small, are getting more skilled and more athletic over time. Being bigger than your opponent is an advantage no amount of training can solve.

[@davidpalmer5967]

Always need KPF's but not need as many as there use to be

[@davidpalmer5967]

Dan Rioli don't play for Richmond anymore

[@jackwebster9246]

Would Brisbane make that GF without Joe Daniher? No! 50 plus KPF are indeed needed to win a GF! Watch for Riley Thilthorpe to boot Adelaide into a GF in the next few years! And with all the quick, small players. We will be a chance to win one soon 😉 BUT, that won't happen without the giant bearded unit!

[@mathiusashurst235]

Yeah good luck winning games off a hard working small over a tall that can have a hand at every ball. Smalls are fast and can take advantage of plans against FF but jesus christ, a great big boi is far more valuable than a great small haha