We use the wings so differently to other sides in the comp. They're not used so much as midfielders, as we push two more forwards up for numbers in there. They're used more as two extra half back flankers. As such, there's a certain skillset required to play wing for us. The two main criteria are that you need to be really fit and strong overhead.
We've trialled a fair few guys up there in recent times: Short, Graham, Pickett, Baker, Broad and most recently Castagna.
Short seems to get lost on the wing and doesn't have the same impact as he does in defense with a direct opponent.
Graham and Pickett seem more suited to working in congestion (although, in different ways to each other).
Castagna actually played the role pretty well in the second half last night, but his chaos ball use and decision making makes him a liability when he has to support the defense.
Baker was great offensively when he played the role in preseason, but he's the smallest guy on the team so he's not going to give the kind of aerial support that you see from Caddy and McIntosh running back.
Broad has all of the right attributes to excel in the role, but for some reason like Short above he just gets a bit lost up the ground and looks uncomfortable around stoppages (see his first quarter a few weeks ago when he was used in the ruck).
I think next week I'd probably start with Broad initially to give him another chance to shine in the role without having to worry about going into the ruck, and if that doesn't work I'd revert to Baker as we did against Collingwood in preseason.
We've trialled a fair few guys up there in recent times: Short, Graham, Pickett, Baker, Broad and most recently Castagna.
Short seems to get lost on the wing and doesn't have the same impact as he does in defense with a direct opponent.
Graham and Pickett seem more suited to working in congestion (although, in different ways to each other).
Castagna actually played the role pretty well in the second half last night, but his chaos ball use and decision making makes him a liability when he has to support the defense.
Baker was great offensively when he played the role in preseason, but he's the smallest guy on the team so he's not going to give the kind of aerial support that you see from Caddy and McIntosh running back.
Broad has all of the right attributes to excel in the role, but for some reason like Short above he just gets a bit lost up the ground and looks uncomfortable around stoppages (see his first quarter a few weeks ago when he was used in the ruck).
I think next week I'd probably start with Broad initially to give him another chance to shine in the role without having to worry about going into the ruck, and if that doesn't work I'd revert to Baker as we did against Collingwood in preseason.
