Some do struggle to build endurance, like trying to convert a 100M sprinter into a 10,000 KM runner
Lets not exagerate. Lets face it most afl players are not the elite
natural athletes that we often portray them to be. They get there through the support and guidance of their club and due to the motivation of contract etc. Most would not win a 100m at schoolboy level, nor would they be running out the 10k . They are mostly ok athletes that happen to have a gift in the area of football ability.
I dont buy this Raynor is a lost cause in terms of endurance BS. He is physically able to reach the necessary levels if he wants to as are probably 95% of players drafted. Sure there will be the freak natural athletes- but they are not the norm or the benchmark
All I know is that modern AFL demands multiple avenues to goal and the influence of the KPF/specialist forward is declining and the emergence of the midfielder who has a proclivity toward kicking goals is becoming ever stronger. If there is anything that cant be trained, it is natural goal sense and conversion. Given that we know Raynor has this latter ability, I say that this puts him in front of most other midfielders. His endurance will come and will only serve to make him even more damaging. I have great faith in SOS and PB to assess a player and do the right thing. If that is Raynor -so be it. If not - bullet dodged