We have a slight problem. We’re currently running five small/medium guys through the backline - McGrath, Bags, Kelly, Dea and McKenna. Three of those guys for differing reasons may not be in the backline as soon as 2018. With a full complement of talls we still need 3-4 small/medium backs. Gleeson has doubts, Morgan is injury prone and Ridley is unproven (and possibly growing into KP height).
When you look at it like that, I’m not surprised that he’s getting games. Or that Jerrett, Stanton and Redman playing back in the VFL.
I agree, he looked a lot worse at the ground than on the replay.
Agree completely with the medium-term backs issue.
Hence Mckenna, and before him, Gleeson, getting extended runs in those positions.
Woosha and Harvs need to not only build coherence by blokes playing together, (especially in the back line - all the recent premiers have had a settled back 5, if not six) but also figure out who will feature in a genuinely damaging & attacking backline.
McKenna has the potential to do this.
So actually has Redman - going on yesterdays’ Ressies game he may be the next bloke given a run there.
We have to accept the short term pain and hope that at least one if not two players can develop significantly.
Conor is doing what the coaches ask of him, and they think he is developing nicely. Doesn’t matter how much hair is pulled out, or rants launched here, he is the first cab off the rank for the attacking half back gig. I should think Gleeson is still solidly in the frame as well.
As regards small-medium defenders, its early days, but during his second game in the VFL down back, Redman played a cracker of a game, so much so, he was mentioned in the bests on a day when forwards were starring. One to watch.
Its no surprise to me that Conor is being picked in the best 22. All emerging players need a block of games at next highest level to develop.