Don't need protectors, you need a few players who take every opportunity to punish anyone who gets in their way. Fairly. Squarely.This year the role take on added significance for the team and perhaps a redefinition of the role, at least from the traditional enforcer role to protect. due to the absence of our senior core, we have a greater need than any other team, in any other period for our protectors to become reality instructors as well. They will need to not only look after our first and second year players nad make sur ethye don't get beat up too badly in physical match ups, by taking the brunt of many of the heavier bumps around packs, but must also school them in how to play the game at the highest level.Them you need everyone else to ‘fly the flag’ if someone gets roughed up.
This could well be why Disco went for older bodies and heads when selecting the 10 new players to fill the list this year. The opportunity was there to select younger players, with perhaps a chance to uncover an0other Mitch Brown for next season and beyond going forward. l recall a few on here questioning the reasons for not selecting younger players. The reasons are not apparent as yet, but this is a very real possibility. So there is an educational aspect as much as a duty of care issue.
Jack, Its especially interesting that the first top up to get the call from Disco was Crowley. We already had Bird on the list as a replacement tagger. But to me the most important protector for the younger players is the player that takes a Dangerfield, a Mitchell or an Ablett out of the game or at least limit their influence. We saw how Dangerfield cut us up in the NAB cup. Negate these players and hopefully it will protect our younger players from the soul destroying losses that might otherwise have suffered.
It has been said that Crowley will spend time in the forward line in 2016, but I reckon we will only send him there to rest when his opponent goes for a sit on the pine or when Bird does the tagging.
That is along the lines of what l was getting at.
We agree ! I should have just given your post a LIKE !
