With a significant number of players, they don’t have a “natural” position, so talking of playing players where they were drafted is a mantra for morons.
Hurley was always a TAC Cup KPD who was a useful swingman, but he was always more comfortable in defence, particularly with his dodgy wrists.
Football’s history is littered though with players who played juniors mid or forward, but ended with great careers in defence. Unfortunately, we tried too many defenders moving into the midfield in Sheeds’s later years.
Looks to me like Francis is comfortable playing anywhere…at least until his tank runs out. There wouldn’t have been questions about him in the 90’s.
Incredibly elite fitness AFL players have isn’t it?
The fact is, even after slimming down and having a good block of preseason train, it’s simply still not up to scratch.
I just have to believe history of soft tissue injuries, and how far away he was from even very good fitness, has meant our conditioning staff have insisted on a slower than normal build up to the required level.
To prevent injury, so as to then give him a sustained level of peak physical performance.
McKenna was also quite open about the fact that one of the main reasons why they’ve played him forward was so his lack of fitness didn’t get exposed as much and that now that they think he can run out games he’s gone back to defence. Although being Bluey he said most of that in ocker metaphors.
smokey for Friday? smaller ground, needing taller backline, Hartley took a knock - is he a chance or does Dea (rested) come in if they want to go a bit taller??
You are correct there, but Dea has the capabilities of playing tall. And is effectively the only real logical option to come in and play 3rd tall down back (with Ambrose and Brown injured)
No one who played VFL today will be playing on Friday.