Gunnar Longshanks
25 May 2005, 15:24
In the wake of our loss to Collingwood, there seems to be a growing call for McDougall to be re-instated as our first choice FF. This seems like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to me.
Our forwards didn't have great games, so people start searching for a solution. Given our FF of 2004 is playing in the WAFL, advocating his selection for Port Adelaide seems a pretty obvious answer.
But is that really the best direction for us to take?
McDougall has done nothing in the WAFL. He's had a hip injury and a shoulder injury and is clearly still labouring. What happens if McDougall comes back and turns in a Staker-like performance? Will people be demanding he be dropped? Or do we keep playing someone who doesn't contribute?
I guess the real question is: does McDougall deserve a game?
On performance, probably not. To pick him would be to pick a player based on an ideal of what he might be capable of. This rationale is very similar to the reasons given for Staker's ongoing inclusion in our team.
Should we swap one under-performing, under-built, project KPP for another?
No thanks. I'll stick with Lynchy. At least he makes an effort and creates a contest.
Our forwards didn't have great games, so people start searching for a solution. Given our FF of 2004 is playing in the WAFL, advocating his selection for Port Adelaide seems a pretty obvious answer.
But is that really the best direction for us to take?
McDougall has done nothing in the WAFL. He's had a hip injury and a shoulder injury and is clearly still labouring. What happens if McDougall comes back and turns in a Staker-like performance? Will people be demanding he be dropped? Or do we keep playing someone who doesn't contribute?
I guess the real question is: does McDougall deserve a game?
On performance, probably not. To pick him would be to pick a player based on an ideal of what he might be capable of. This rationale is very similar to the reasons given for Staker's ongoing inclusion in our team.
Should we swap one under-performing, under-built, project KPP for another?
No thanks. I'll stick with Lynchy. At least he makes an effort and creates a contest.