Who replaces Howe?

[masoncox]

Bring in the Irish man.
He has a bit of mongrel about him.
He also seems to have the hunger.

[David]

Langdon is the obvious answer long-term, but until he’s ready I think Scharenberg or Quaynor are worth a try. Would love to see Dunn back in too, but it won’t be to replace Howe – his role is very different.

[K]

[Pebbles Rocks]

Nathan Murphy. Cannot believe he was not on your list...

[Uncle Jack]

Philips to replace Howe.

He's wasted up forward (an especially poor set shot kick) and a move down back allows Thomas to return up forward.

[watt price tully]

[watt price tully]

Jack Madgen might be the replacement. He’s barely put a foot wrong, does the right thing and is growing in the role as he gets more game time.

[Jpies]

Surely the obvious option (aside from langdon, if he were fit) would be Dunn to replace Moore as a key defender, and Moore to fill Howe's intercept role. Moore isn't a spectacular mark, but at his height, he doesn't need to be. He's a very reliable contested mark in the back half, and quick enough to get to contests.

I think that would result in a much stronger backline than Scharenberg or Madgen coming in (both too slow for the Howe/Moore intercept role, and not strong enough for a key defence post). Quaynor will be great, but is competing will Noble and Maynard for a spot.

[Boogie Knights]

[Presti35]

Looking at our injury list;

Reid is no more than 2 weeks away, but can he slot straight back in and not get injured again?

Langdon is making good progress and is getting closer and closer as the days roll on. Is still listed as indefinite, but hopefully we'll see him in these scratch matches very soon. Does anyone know how he's pulled up after the last two training sessions?

Greenwood is not far off either. Not that he is a intercept defender, but he will give us that toughness we've needed in the back half.

Looking at the rest of the list;
Scharenberg, could be a good option. He won't offer the high flying pack marks, but can take an opponent out of the contest.

Murphy, Keane and Quaynor are still very green as far as games played goes. All are 20 years old too. Murph and IQ are considered medium-defenders that can also spend time in the middle, whilst Keane is a 194cm defender that's been likened to Tyson Goldsack. Youth could be the answer.

Madgen/Dunn, gives us the option to reshuffle the backline and give Moore the "Howe Role". Dunn is 33 and coming back from another knee which is a worry.

Kelly, I'm excited about this player. But I think he'll be more of a forward than a defender. He is going to be our contested marking, goal kicking FF in the near future.

We're not going to be able to replace the huge pack grabs Howe takes. But we can find someone to be accountable for an opponent. Are we confident in Reid/Langdon? Those two could almost come in and play Howe's position, but are either match fit and can either stay on the park? Then there's the youth option in IQ/Murph/Keane. If we're confident one of those guys can come in and do the job. I'm leaning towards freeing up Moore by bringing in Madgen/Dunn to team up with Roughead as the FB/CHB combo, but at the same time, I know that we have better overall players than those two guys, but not as a one-on-one defender.

I think the point is, Howe will be hard to replace. We wont be seeing anyone taking those big grabs. But we do have a few roads we can take, we just have to find the right one.

[Cam]

What question would be better... "How will they reshape our backline?" Because there will likely be a reshuffle of roles rather than just a ready made replacement methinks.

[The Average Tourist]

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

Love it to be Langdon get back playing again asap

[Sicks Bux]

Madgen with Moore in the Howe role.

[Boogie Knights]

Looks like the field has just narrowed...