Interesting article in the HS written by Mick McGuanne about which team will benefit from the new 6-6-6 rule… the part that tickled my fancy was this…
THE WINNERS ARE …
Collingwood and Melbourne have the best two ruckmen in the game in Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn, and that’s going to be a big advantage.
Mind you, they also have the best midfield depth, too.
They have the class (Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams, Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver), but they also have the grunt (Taylor Adams and Jack Viney), as well as the speed (Adam Treloar).
There will still be room for taggers, but only those who can win their own ball too, such as Demon James Harmes.
Last year Champion Data ranked the Demons and Pies second and third for the best four-man combination for scores from centre clearance. Surprisingly, Essendon had the best.
Tom Bellchambers, David Myers, Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett rated No.1, with 37 centre bounce involvements resulting in scores 21.6 per cent of the time.
That shows the Bombers, despite finishing 11th, got some things right, and they have added to their midfield depth with Dylan Shiel, and can throw in Devon Smith.