I'm the same re: Summa-Simmo, good way to describe it. There have been some bizarre selection/management things going on, but some explanations or 'excuses'. Simmo has had to contend with injury and the WCE establishment. Our biggest failing has been our midfield.
The 'establishment' being the incumbent WCE management hell bent on being mr nice club, and choice to build around their pre-Simmo installed "franchise players' - Gaff, Priddis, Hurn, JK, NN & Shuey. They've got it wrong with Priddis & Gaff, and Hurn as captain. Maybe that's why Simmo sacrificed Lecras into the midfield as an attempt to inject some actual skill and talent there, along with that spitter strategy. Priddis & Gaff are unmovable (from their spots + on the field). Hurn just isn't captain material.
All clubs get injuries, but losing NN was a huge contingency to deal with, particularly with such a concreted in useless midfield. Even when he was playing we regularly got smashed in the midfield. They got the Petrie selection right as a damage control/insurance policy. Simmo also lost Mackenzie back in 2015.. but had his best year.
Then there is Duggan, Redden and Sheed. All held back by both injury but also being blocked out by Priddis + Gaff, and then Mitchell. They sacrificed Redden/Sheed/Duggan before Priddis and Gaff to make room for Mitchell. There were gains made for these blokes mid season with Priddis playing less/missing games and finally retiring.. (well announcing it). But for the last few games where we're fighting for finals survival, he's backed Priddis straight back in? ? So those guys again cop another set back, unable to develop in their preferred and best suited positions. Sheed's played 60 min games FFS..? Gaff has sucked as well. But had his best game when Priddis was out.
Then there is the Yeo and Gov boggle. Both used as saving our ass players. Yeo to cover for mostly our inept, slow, unco midfield. We're playing our game like the actual 'midfielders' are a line behind at half back? Playing Gov in ruck is absolute madness, even if he says he wants to do it. Him going forward didn't work but I'm not adverse to him having a crack there randomly. The extra punishment from unco git blockhead opposition ruckmen he could cop rucking is not worth it. Yeo Yeo Yeo... geeeze. Just play him midfield Simmo. Also think they have handled Wellingham badly as well.