I have little opinion on this, but just to say Ablett Jr isn't a great example. He averaged 15 disposals per game across exactly his first 100, as he was predominantly used as a small forward. It was his 6th season before he exploded.Accumulation is a fair enough point to bring up, though he’s only played 3 seasons of football, one of which he missed. And he averaged 18 touches a game. He averages more touches per game in his third season than danger, Ablett, and the same as Trac. But yes, who knows if he will end up averaging 25-30 touches per game.
But that kind of flies in the face of your “impact player claim”. That’s exactly what he is right now. High on metres gained, goals, score involments etc. if there was a stat for clearance per Center bounce attended I’d bet he’s high on that list too. He also regularly takes contested pack marks. And like butters throws his slender body into players. Loves to play tough.
Re “explosiveness”, maybe his laconic running style and lack of conditioning has misdirected you. He burst out of the Center square many times year. He also averaged more running bounces than butters and Rozee and twice that of Walsh.
Anyway, the future will reveal all.
Is Thomas more a silky type in the Burgoyne mode, as opposed to the beast mode mids, who are few and far between ?