Ashcroft

[CarterS]

What do you guys think of Marcus Ashcroft's current form? Personally I think he is having a pretty good year and is developing back from the mainly tagging roles of last year to the midfielder/linkup player/running player that he once was. There are some suggestions he should be dropped, but I don't agree. Opinions?

 

[NathanD]

I reckon he must be a question mark - he seemed to lack pace and presence, mind you with Johnno out he was exposed against a faster opponent.

Who would be a replacement - Hadley, McGrath, Copeland, Martin?

 

[pride01]

I feel really bad to say yes he probably should be dropped. Had 11 possessions on Sat and a total of 0 into the forward 50. Marcus doesn't seem to have the creativity he had or be able to totally blanket his oppponent when in the tagging role. I agree with others that have said he looks a bit slow lately. Maybe he is carrying something or father time is catching up.

My main point would be that I would like Headland to play to his full potential and I don't think it will happen until he is assured of his place in the team (and has reasonable performances obviously), otherwise we'll see the same headline at the end of this year "Headland seeks trade west".

Maybe not this week, maybe another chance until Johnson comes back. Hopefully he has a blinder and we talk about who could fit in rather than who can we drop.

 

[cjwalkley]

Ashcroft is still a very good contributor, just has to be played on the right sort of player. If the opposition has more than one quick small forward he may need to be dropped and a Martin or McGrath elevated. It's a horses for courses thing.

 

[Maverick]

He has played OK this year. However, the last 2 years he has been pretty ordinary in my opinion.

He is too slow and is holding back younger players.

Sad to say, but I think he has to go. The selection committee need to pick the best team, and stop playing players on past reputations.

 

[Paul D]

I didn't think he was too bad on Saturday night. Played the whole game on Nick Davis and restricted him to only 12 possessions and 1 goal.

However I would be a little worried if he was to line up on Jeff Farmer this weekend as suggested by Gary O'Donnell in the press conference yesterday.