I'm not buying into this debate, but isn't it amazing how many great teams recently have dominated without great ruckmen? I'm thinking of the North teams of 99 and 96 (I think their mainstay would have been McKernan, with help from Burton/Capuano), West Coast circa 92 and 94 (Harding), and Hawthorn in the mid to late 80's (Dear/Lawrence). I've probably forgotten someone, for which I apologise in advance, but at any rate I'm certain all these teams succeeded due primarily to the stars in midfield and in key positions.
Which brings me to Barnes. I think his efforts at Geelong have been underestimated, notwithstanding the fact that he isn't required there any longer. Ablett strode like a colossus over their entire recent history, which tends to cloud the memory of Brownless and Barnes. I don't think Barnes worked any harder, or with more personal success, at Essendon last year, but with receivers like Misiti, Mercuri, Hird, and co, not only would his performance have looked better, but his confidence would have risen proportionally. And Barnes is most definitely a confidence player.
Which is a roundabout way of saying that the Essendon experience has rejuvenated his career. Although where exactly his 2001 prospects stand with them right now is a secret known only to Kevin Sheedy.
But that's just my opinion, and I'm sure the Essendon posters have a far clearer view than me.