I know we all see things differently however i have to call you out on this.Mate you are a carp reader too, because I am not far away from you actually. I am not actually too bothered we missed Merrett, or any other import. I also feel we already have the talent to go all the way. And yes I agree the problem lies with coaching & selection. See that was easy!
Where I disagree with you is the road we should take. A combination of injury and poor coaching meant 2020 was a wasted year. Butters and Rozee didnt get the opportunities in the middle that the club trumpeted would happen. Ladhams, whom we now know the club didnt really rate, was played in favour of Hayes delaying his development. Ken's MO of making selections and tactics to save his career, inspires zero confidence that anything will change. We have the talent, but the evidence is that it is being wasted!
Finally, sorry I dont really rate Lycett as highly as many here. He is a warrior & gives his all, his main asset is his strength at the contest. But he cant jump at all, and his tapwork is ordinary to poor - often to the opposition, who seem to rove his tap work better than our mids. I am not saying drop him, but Hayes has to play from day one, along with Lycett. He has to be given his chance now. Just like Luke Jackson has been allowed to play & find his level, we have to see if Hayes can step up. Hell, if Hayes supposedly isnt ready, then why the hell did they get rid of our other ruckman? No excuses! he has to play!
Unless we make the changes needed, and allow these guys the time needed, then 2022 will go the same way as the last two years. It might mean we slip back a bit in 2022, I dont care! But on the otherhand, we might do well ... Just do it!
2020 was never the year to play them as midfielders as they were second year players.
In 2021 we are talking about Butters who missed from Round 5 to Round 17 with a serious injury and suffered the injury whilst playing midfield.
Connor Rozee who went through the year with knee problems and actually missed games because of it and actually did play some midfield minutes in a number of games.
Ladhams was given 5 games as our No 1 Ruckmen during Lycett's suspension to show us what he had as the No 1 ruckmen and he choked big time.
Hayes will play next year.
Our coaching got us to Top 2 on the ladder in a season where we had a record number of in season surgeries.
I do agree with you that these players must get games as midfielders and as the ruckman asap, but to be blaming coaches and selectors is over the top.