Truck isn’t dropping Stewart after 2 rounds.
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The idea that the club would think we have enough talent on our list that we can afford to give a guy two extra years on the list solely to fill in if a starting 22 guy (who we need to find someone better than anyway) gets injured, is stomach-churning.
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Considering he didn’t drop him all last year no probably not
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We give out 2 year contracts and contact extensions like lolly bags at a kids birthday party. And that philosophy isn’t restricted to the playing list.
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Zerk-Thatcher should be in the team 100 times out of 100 in favour of Stewart.
Stewart is a failed forward, and a failed defender.
Now who knows if Zerk-Thatcher can be a long time option - chances are prob not given he has not been able to cement a spot since he has been here, but I would rather take the chance and give Zerk a shot at it than to continually put up with Stewart as a defensive liability.
Did Langford get dropped for his brain-fade when he interchanged instead of manning a mark? What Stewart did IMO was far, far worse. I can’t see any justification for him to not get dropped.
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BZT was @theDJR’s love child based on his VFL form a few years ago. By all accounts i believe he’s been reasonable to good in the VFL/practice games hes played?
I’d be happy to have him replace Stewart with a block of games.
This maybe?
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I remember a few years ago Zerk had a few amazing preseason games. He showed an attacking flair too, and I think was the leading intercept player of the preseason comp. It’s in him to expand his game, just needs opportunity.
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Not sure I agree with that, he was a massive interceptor his first few seasons at VFL level and showed it in pre-season game time too.
He has the ability, he just doesn’t seem to show it at AFL level, which to me smacks of either coach instruction or a lack of confidence.
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Or the fact that he has played like 10 games and is a junior player who is finding his feet.
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Totally agree. I just have a feeling Truck and the coaches see some sort of fundamental limit in his game. I’m guessing it’s being quick to make a decision and move the ball.
Maybe not though, given they gave him 2 years.
Possibly… my point was that intercepting is a natural part of his game.
Seeing Stewart’s form (and age), and Reid being a few years off being able to match it with bigger players, the two year contract is totally justified right now in my opinion.
I saw him play in person quite a lot in the VFL in 2017-18 and he’s always had a decent turn of speed.
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It’s lack of confidence, which can only be remedied with an extended run in the seniors. He hasn’t had that yet.
He would have lost speed with more size. Hooker was lightning when he started and slowed down with added bulk, and then even more when he did the big hammy.
If Hurley never got that damn infection, Stewart would be a forward in the VFL, and Zerk a defender. Both maybe getting a few games as depth players.
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Or the oppo AFL-level forwards lead and position themselves better than those Zerk is used to playing against in the VFL, and the oppo AFL-level mids deliver better than those in the VFL, so Zerk has less opportunity to intercept.
Would not be me, especially with any Rance comparisons!
I just feel sorry for the kid; got a boomerang, dad decided to throw first, threw it sideways and crash-broke it.
Loved his one quarter as a forward, though.
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