cryptor
Brownlow Medallist
- May 11, 2008
- 23,490
- 58,807
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Could be testing the waters to see if he can play Birchall in the middle more to allow Howe some game time on the back flank rather than just going all in. Then as Howe adapts to the game speed they can increase his minutes in the midfield and move Birchall back to the flank (with the benefit of now knowing if we ever needed to call on him in the middle we could).I'm really surprised (but extremely excited) that Birchall is playing through the middle. I remember reading somewhere that Clarko has restrained himself of the temptation of playing Birch through the middle because his kicking out of the backline is so elite that'd be stupid to move him. Anyhow, hope we get to see some more Birch action in the midfield throughout NAB