This season has seen a forwardline setup that few would have expected with some new faces finding spots inside 50.
Jack Ziebell has made the transition from the midfield, while Shaun Atley made a switch from the backline.
As the second half of the season rapidly approaches, North Media spoke to forwards coach Leigh Tudor about the performances of the scoring unit.
“He’s kicked and set up a lot of goals this year, he’s competed and marked really well. To be leading the Coleman Medal at this stage of the season pretty much says it all.
“He’s really taken his leadership to another level, in all our a line meetings he’s really trying to help the boys out with our structures and setups.
“He’s really growing as a player. His ability to create a contest is super, absolutely super.
“You would be able to count on one hand the amount of times he’s been outmarked this year.
“He’s given our small forwards a big chance to get involved in the game too, so he’s been really important for us.”
“It’s all new for Jack, playing as a permanent forward a little bit more.
“He’s been really strong, really competitive, he’s getting scoring opportunities and he’s just a really hard matchup because he’s so physical and strong overhead which is hard for defenders.
“He’s got some massive improvement left as well, so it’s been a really good start for Jack, he’s fitted in really well, and the opposition know he’s around when he tackles.”
“Defensively he’s been really good.
“We’d like him to kick a few more goals and he’s had his opportunity.
“I think this time last year he’d kicked ten, and this year he’s kicked three, so he’s missed a few that he wished he converted.
“All we can say is he’s doing the work on the track, so the rewards will come because when you work that hard, things turn for you pretty quickly.
“He’s been really important for us as well.”
“He’s really grown into his role. He had a super game against Sydney, and we’ve seen that Mason’s best is good enough to be a really good consistent AFL player.
“He’s such a good mark and generally is a good kick at goal, but he’s been playing a few different roles at the moment.
“He’s been playing a bit on the wing, so he’s learning a new role too.
“Again, he’s another tough matchup, and when he brings his marking and his running ability to the game he’s a pretty good player for us.”
“He hasn’t surprised anyone in here.
“He’s just a natural footballer that understands the game, he understands the way we want to play, and he’s as competitive as it gets.
“He plays to win and he plays to do all he can for the team, so he’s a very good team player.
“Again, he’s another one that’s been playing a few different positions, but has been really important inside the forward 50 for us. He’s a smart player.”
“Ats has been a really consistent player for us this year with his defensive efforts, score assists, and he’s starting to get on the scoreboard a bit too.
“He’s another guy that’s probably only played under 20 games as a forward in his AFL career, so he’s still learning the caper.
“To do what he’s doing now, I think he’s only going to get better. It’s been a good start for him this year.”
“When Cam’s been in, he’s played a role and played it well.
“He got into the side by being a really good defensive pressure player while still kicking the goals in the VFL, so when he brings that he’s dangerous.
“He’s very powerful, he runs through the line of the ball, he’s a pretty strong mark and he’s a nice kick, so he’s got some good AFL attributes and he’s just got to continue taking his chances when he gets them.”
