Ivan Maric

[footystickerman]

Just wanting to know how Ivan is progressing. I played junior footy against him and he was a freak for his size, just wanting to know how he's going and what his chances of playing a senior game are in 2006?????

Can anybody help?????

 

[Alex99]

Just wanting to know how Ivan is progressing. I played junior footy against him and he was a freak for his size, just wanting to know how he's going and what his chances of playing a senior game are in 2006?????

Can anybody help?????

At the beginning of 2005 his chances of playing senior football with in 2 years were about 5 – 10% but his development at the Port Adelaide Magpies has been outstanding and he should get a few games in the NAB cup next year. If he goes well he is in with a realistic chance of getting game round 1 but the likely hood of him getting a game next season depends on form and injuries to Biglands, Clark and Hudson. After saying that I believe that it would be about 70% - 80% that he will get a game sometime next season.


Some quarters of the supporter base imply that he has over taken John Meesen in the peeking order in ruckman at the AFC, I will not past judgment until I seen a bit more of him.

 

[GoSarge]

Hudson is out with a knee recon, so I would expect Biglands and Clarke to carry the rucks for most of the year. It would definitely be interesting to see what happens should one of these guys go down. It'd be out of Meesan and Maric to come in IMO. At this point of time, I'd say Maric would be ahead in his development over Meesan.

I actually saw Maric play a few games with the PAMFC and he was quite a good ruckman for a young kid. Physically quite mature and his ruck work was solid. His round the ground work needs some work though, although I am sure that will improve in the pre season.

 

[footystickerman]

Thanks for the info, he is quite a good mate of mine and i actually caught a game in S.A whilst over their, and he is quite a solid lad as well as huge in height as well.

Have been told as well he has a thirst for knowledge, so that would very much so put him infront of the ever lackluster Meeson!!!!

 

[GoSarge]

Thanks for the info, he is quite a good mate of mine and i actually caught a game in S.A whilst over their, and he is quite a solid lad as well as huge in height as well.

Have been told as well he has a thirst for knowledge, so that would very much so put him infront of the ever lackluster Meeson!!!!

The fact that he was coached by John Cahill, perhaps the finest SANFL coach ever, would have contributed greatly to his development.

 

[relapse]

Hudson is out with a knee recon, so I would expect Biglands and Clarke to carry the rucks for most of the year. It would definitely be interesting to see what happens should one of these guys go down. It'd be out of Meesan and Maric to come in IMO. At this point of time, I'd say Maric would be ahead in his development over Meesan.

I actually saw Maric play a few games with the PAMFC and he was quite a good ruckman for a young kid. Physically quite mature and his ruck work was solid. His round the ground work needs some work though, although I am sure that will improve in the pre season.

If Clarke is a regular in our side next year then the AFC will be going backwards and not learning from past mistakes. Maric needs and deserves regular gametime next season and if the Watts lesson is anything to go by, AFC have everything to lose by wasting a regular spot in the team to a guy that really should have retired IMO.

We have to get game time into Maric for his development and next year is the perfect opportunity to do this, if we waste this opportunity while Hudo is out by just putting Clarke in then Maric may as well leave for Victoria at the end of 2006 because Hudson will be back in 07 and Maric would not have had an opportunity to develop.

 

[swanfan]

If Clarke is a regular in our side next year then the AFC will be going backwards and not learning from past mistakes. Maric needs and deserves regular gametime next season and if the Watts lesson is anything to go by, AFC have everything to lose by wasting a regular spot in the team to a guy that really should have retired IMO.

We have to get game time into Maric for his development and next year is the perfect opportunity to do this, if we waste this opportunity while Hudo is out by just putting Clarke in then Maric may as well leave for Victoria at the end of 2006 because Hudson will be back in 07 and Maric would not have had an opportunity to develop.

Very valid point relapse. I agree.

 

[Mong]

Only if he deserves it.

 

[GoSarge]

Very valid point relapse. I agree.

I dont. I Agree with ****. You wanna throw a lamb to the wolves ?

The guy has rucked pretty well for the Magpies this year, but his general field play needs some work. For this reason he does NOT deserve AFL game time.

Having said that, once this aspect of his game is up to scratch, he should be getting a game.

Playing a guy before he is ready would be detrimental to the guys development and also would be a bad example to set to other youngsters in the squad.

 

[swanfan]

I dont. I Agree with ****. You wanna throw a lamb to the wolves ?

The guy has rucked pretty well for the Magpies this year, but his general field play needs some work. For this reason he does NOT deserve AFL game time.

Having said that, once this aspect of his game is up to scratch, he should be getting a game.

Playing a guy before he is ready would be detrimental to the guys development and also would be a bad example to set to other youngsters in the squad.

Well you are entitled to that opinion and as followers of the same team we can't agree on everything but pre-season would be a good time for him to learn how to sink or swim I feel.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Only if he deserves it.

Thank you

For the life of me I can't figure out why people are in favour of handing out charity games to players just so they could keep them for a while. What a flawed strategy. If people think Watts would have stayed if he played a handful of games then they are truly deluded.

You don't give players a game in a hope that they stay. If they really want to leave they will go regardless. If Maric and/or Meesen are good enough to play 1st or 2nd ruck then thats bloody sensational. However, if they are not good enough yet then there is no point of playing them.

The players will come forward when they are good and ready. Playing them too early can had irreversable damage as far as their career is concerned. Van Berlo and Knights forced their way into the side because they had good SANFL form and showed plenty on the track. If Maric and/or Meesen want an AFL game then they better knuckle down and earn it rather.

 

[relapse]

I dont. I Agree with ****. You wanna throw a lamb to the wolves ?

The guy has rucked pretty well for the Magpies this year, but his general field play needs some work. For this reason he does NOT deserve AFL game time.

Having said that, once this aspect of his game is up to scratch, he should be getting a game.

Playing a guy before he is ready would be detrimental to the guys development and also would be a bad example to set to other youngsters in the squad.

Let me get this straight you are talking about field work impacting on whether he plays, but a guy with no field skills ie Clarke is a definate to start ??

As far as I am concerned Biglands is there so you arent technically throwing him to the wolves.

My opinion is that there is no advantage long term to the AFC for Clarke to get a regular game next year. If we dont try Maric next year then then when ??? We will need biglands in 07 to slowly get Hudson back into footy after his reconstruction.

 

[relapse]

Thank you

For the life of me I can't figure out why people are in favour of handing out charity games to players just so they could keep them for a while. What a flawed strategy. If people think Watts would have stayed if he played a handful of games then they are truly deluded.

You don't give players a game in a hope that they stay. If they really want to leave they will go regardless. If Maric and/or Meesen are good enough to play 1st or 2nd ruck then thats bloody sensational. However, if they are not good enough yet then there is no point of playing them.

The players will come forward when they are good and ready. Playing them too early can had irreversable damage as far as their career is concerned. Van Berlo and Knights forced their way into the side because they had good SANFL form and showed plenty on the track. If Maric and/or Meesen want an AFL game then they better knuckle down and earn it rather.

Firstly i dont think Meesen is ready yet and I also believe that it is probable that Watts still may have left even if had he played games this year, but really the only person who knows whether he would have stayed or left had he played some games is Fergus himself.

As for earning a spot, I have doubts about Clarke earning his spot last season considering he was playing reserves for South. Maric had the better form out of the two, but Clarke got the nod because of his experience. I also think it is a flawed logic when a spot comes up in a side not to give someone who we see as a player of the future and give it to a 32 year old player that gives nothing long term to our side.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Firstly i dont think Meesen is ready yet and I also believe that it is probable that Watts still may have left even if had he played games this year, but really the only person who knows whether he would have stayed or left had he played some games is Fergus himself.

As for earning a spot, I have doubts about Clarke earning his spot last season considering he was playing reserves for South. Maric had the better form out of the two, but Clarke got the nod because of his experience. I also think it is a flawed logic when a spot comes up in a side not to give someone who we see as a player of the future and give it to a 32 year old player that gives nothing long term to our side.

But thats not correct. Did you by any chance catch a game a couple of weeks before Hudson's injury where South Adelaide played Port Magpies????? If you did, tell me who spanked who in the ruck duels??????

Clarke handed out a lesson to Maric in that match up and his form in the last month leading up to his recall has been pretty solid for South Adelaide seniors.

Clarke had more claim on the recall for a number of reason. Experience being one of them and the match up between Maric and Clarke a couple of weeks earlier showed that Maric is not quite ready for the AFL just yet where as with Clarke you knew what you were getting going into the finals.

Maric's form in the SANFL has been solid but nothing spectacular. He earned his spot on the emergency list no doubt. It was a way for coaching staff to reward him for his willingness to work hard and learn. Despite how good Maric was in SANFL, he was still miles off from being ready for the AFL. Just because he improved at double the rate than the club expected doesn't mean he is ready to play in the AFL. With another solid pre-season and if his learning curve continues to be steep then he will get his chance no doubt.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Let me get this straight you are talking about field work impacting on whether he plays, but a guy with no field skills ie Clarke is a definate to start ??

As far as I am concerned Biglands is there so you arent technically throwing him to the wolves.

My opinion is that there is no advantage long term to the AFC for Clarke to get a regular game next year. If we dont try Maric next year then then when ??? We will need biglands in 07 to slowly get Hudson back into footy after his reconstruction.

I honestly don't see what the rush is with ruckmen?????? If we were talking about midfielders and to lesser extent KPP then I would be with you 100% but for crying out loud we are talking about ruckmen here. They generally take 3 years just to get ready for the rigours of AFL footy. 3 years just so they can crack a debut game not be established players in the system.

Why is it a must to give ruckman time next year?????? We have Biglands and Clarke next year. 2 experienced players who have been there and done it before. 2 players that complement each other well. We also have Hudson who is recovering from the knee reconstruction. What is wrong with playing the experienced 2 and giving a game here and there to Maric and/or Meesen when the opportunity arises??????? Why must we play them in an important role??????

In 2007 we will still have Biglands and Hudson coming off a knee reco. By 2007 I suspect one if not all 3 of the young ruck prospects will be ready. By then Biglands will be nearing the end as a footballer and Hudson will be just getting his feel of the game after a knee reconstruction.

If we didn't have Husdon on our list then I would be 100% with you about blooding these kids but the point is we have a player there who is our #1 ruckman.

Personally, I will be fine if neither of our young rucks don't get a regular season game for us in 2006. However, I woudl be one peeved off individual if players like Van berlo, Knights, et al are not blooded next year.

We are fine in a ruck department regardless if there kids come on next year or not. We will struggle in the midfield down the track with we don't start bloodign them NOW. Blooding ruckman can wait. Blooding midfielders can't.

 

[GoSarge]

Let me get this straight you are talking about field work impacting on whether he plays, but a guy with no field skills ie Clarke is a definate to start ??

Clarke has limited 'field work' influence, agreed, but his tap work is nothing short of exceptional. In fact he is arguably the best tap ruckman going around. Whilst Maric has been good in the rucks at SANFL level, he'll still get eaten alive (at the moment) in general ruck work AND around the ground play by quality AFL ruckmen.

As for Stiffy's comment re Clarke spanking him, I couldnt agree more.

Remember Maric is still a kid, has a lot of room for development (both physically and skill wise) and will no doubt improve with another pre season and SANFL season. If he improves to a state where his form warrants selection, so be it. If not, he can wait.

 

[marvin]

For the life of me I can't figure out why people are in favour of handing out charity games to players just so they could keep them for a while. What a flawed strategy.

I don't see anyone making that argument.

If people think Watts would have stayed if he played a handful of games then they are truly deluded.

I guess we'll never know. I doubt you could argue that he'd have been happier had he been playing AFL than SANFL though.

Playing them too early can had irreversable damage as far as their career is concerned.

That's a claim you've made for a long time. Have you got a case that proves it?

 

[Stiffy_18]

I don't see anyone making that argument.

Maric should play ahead of Clarke????? Based on what????? Age?????

Because it certainly isn't on form

I guess we'll never know. I doubt you could argue that he'd have been happier had he been playing AFL than SANFL though.

True but we do know that playing 5 games in his first year didn't stop him from being majorly homesick, prompting Steven Trigg and John Reid to fly over to see him and his family during the off-season. His move to Melbourne has been on the cards for 12 months now and I very much doubt him playing AFL would have solved the problem. It didn't do any good the first year, why would it do any good the second year. Some people find their feet others don't. IMHO, homesickness is a cop out but there is nothing we can really do about it.

That's a claim you've made for a long time. Have you got a case that proves it?

Off the top of my head, Skipworth. Got thrown to the wolves very early. He made his AFL debut before he made his SANFL debut and as a concequence he got found out at AFL level early and it took him years to recover from it. Even getting delisted along the way and spending time on the rookie list.

You could possibly argue the same thing about Reilly. Got a game when he clearly wasn't ready. Looked like a boy in man's land and arguably he hasn't come on as well as expected by both the club and the supporters.

Josh Fraser from Collingwood. Wasn't expected to play much in the first year, got thrown to the wolves early and has never reached his potential.

Those are just 3 example off the top of my head. I am sure there are many more example if we really sat down and analysed each case separately.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I honestly don't see what the rush is with ruckmen?????? If we were talking about midfielders and to lesser extent KPP then I would be with you 100% but for crying out loud we are talking about ruckmen here. They generally take 3 years just to get ready for the rigours of AFL footy. 3 years just so they can crack a debut game not be established players in the system.

Why is it a must to give ruckman time next year?????? We have Biglands and Clarke next year. 2 experienced players who have been there and done it before. 2 players that complement each other well. We also have Hudson who is recovering from the knee reconstruction. What is wrong with playing the experienced 2 and giving a game here and there to Maric and/or Meesen when the opportunity arises??????? Why must we play them in an important role??????

In 2007 we will still have Biglands and Hudson coming off a knee reco. By 2007 I suspect one if not all 3 of the young ruck prospects will be ready. By then Biglands will be nearing the end as a footballer and Hudson will be just getting his feel of the game after a knee reconstruction.

If we didn't have Husdon on our list then I would be 100% with you about blooding these kids but the point is we have a player there who is our #1 ruckman.

Personally, I will be fine if neither of our young rucks don't get a regular season game for us in 2006. However, I woudl be one peeved off individual if players like Van berlo, Knights, et al are not blooded next year.

We are fine in a ruck department regardless if there kids come on next year or not. We will struggle in the midfield down the track with we don't start bloodign them NOW. Blooding ruckman can wait. Blooding midfielders can't.

Stiffy, just a few thoughts.

I doubt we will get by with just 2 ruckman next year (assuming it is unlikely both will be available for all games) or in 2007 when Clarke retires, so we will need to play Maric/Meesen for some games from next year. For me, this means trialling them pre-season is a must. What happens if Biglands &/or Clarke get injured as the same time as Huddo this year (ie. prior to finals) & we haven't given these guys a few games? Better to try them out earlier in the season & give them some experience. It's not like we will be asking them to carry the rucks, with Biglands (or Clarke) playing most minutes.

Sure ruckman generally take longer to develop & learn their craft, but that doesn't necessarily apply to all. Maric was in better form in the SANFL than other ruckmen who have been promoted to the AFL. His form was more than solid, considering he was regularly in the Magpies best players. Ruling him out on losing the taps to Clarke in 1 game is short-sighted IMO ... particularly given most ruckmen lose most taps to Clarke. He wouldn't need to do much around the ground to be ahead of Clarke!

 

[Stiffy_18]

Stiffy, just a few thoughts.

I doubt we will get by with just 2 ruckman next year (assuming it is unlikely both will be available for all games) or in 2007 when Clarke retires, so we will need to play Maric/Meesen for some games from next year. For me, this means trialling them pre-season is a must. What happens if Biglands &/or Clarke get injured as the same time as Huddo this year (ie. prior to finals) & we haven't given these guys a few games? Better to try them out earlier in the season & give them some experience. It's not like we will be asking them to carry the rucks, with Biglands (or Clarke) playing most minutes.

Kane I am not debating whether these kids get given game time in the pre-season. I agree that is a must. What I am debating here is some opinions that Maric and/or Meesen must be given time during the regular season at the expense of Clarke. That I disagree with because you have to reward form and the age of the player shouldn't come into it. Meesen got games in the Wizard Cup this year because he earned his spot with his traning form and the form he displayed in practice matches against Norwood/North Adelaide side.

I am not against giving these kids game time ahead of the veterants during the pre-season but I am against giving them time in real season at the expense of veterans if they haven't earnt their spot. We need to reward form not age. If they are good enough they will get picked. Simple as that.

Sure ruckman generally take longer to develop & learn their craft, but that doesn't necessarily apply to all. Maric was in better form in the SANFL than other ruckmen who have been promoted to the AFL. His form was more than solid, considering he was regularly in the Magpies best players. Ruling him out on losing the taps to Clarke in 1 game is short-sighted IMO ... particularly given most ruckmen lose most taps to Clarke. He wouldn't need to do much around the ground to be ahead of Clarke!

Who are those ruckman we are talking about??????

But it wasn't just one game. Clarke had about a month of good form in the SANFL seniors before he got picked. Maric had solid and half of the season generally as a relief ruckman to John Meikeljohn (sp????)

Maric is not that great around the ground, despite popular belief. Quite often he looks lost out there and drops some very easy marks. He is too up and down in this regard at SANFL level to be considered better than Clarke in this department. Maric showed good form against second rate opposition in SANFL but as soon as he came up against AFL quality ruckman he got shown up for being still a bit off from AFL footy.

No one can say that Maric's form has been better in the month leading up to Hudson's injury than Clarke's form. Maric is an exciting prospect who is still raw in a lot of areas but he is promising and thats great. However, if his performances aren't good enough to warrant AFL selection he shouldn't play AFL footy.

I am not against giving Maric and/or Meesen a game here and there if they have earned it during the regular season. In fact I am all for it. However, what I am against is picking them up just because of their age despite having an older ruckman who is in better form than them.

You also mentioned what happens if one or both of Biglands or Clarke gets injured as late in the season as Hudson, the answer is we are up a ******** creek. When ever a club loses a key ruckman to injury, they generally struggle. We are no different. Without Rehn on the park we were half a side. With him, we were a lot better. I could also raise a question of what happens if we give Maric the role of back up ruckman and he starts the season well but tapers off towards the end as is a case with 95% of the youngsters in their first year but we can't recall Clarke into the side because he is injured?????? What happens then?????? We can't give both Meesen and Maric enough time on the ground for them to be ready if the opportunity presents itself.

Its more valuable for their development if they play a full game in SANFL than it is to play 10 minutes of AFL footy. As I said, if the opportunity presents itself and they have eant it, give the kids a taste of it during the regular season. It will do them good. Expose them bit by bit. What I am against is giving Maric/Meesen a game because they are 20 compared to Clarke who is 32 despite the fact that Clarke might be in better form than either of the youngsters.

Do we play Hart in the SANFL in order for Jericho to get experience??????

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Kane I am not debating whether these kids get given game time in the pre-season. I agree that is a must. What I am debating here is some opinions that Maric and/or Meesen must be given time during the regular season at the expense of Clarke. That I disagree with because you have to reward form and the age of the player shouldn't come into it. Meesen got games in the Wizard Cup this year because he earned his spot with his traning form and the form he displayed in practice matches against Norwood/North Adelaide side.

I am not against giving these kids game time ahead of the veterants during the pre-season but I am against giving them time in real season at the expense of veterans if they haven't earnt their spot. We need to reward form not age. If they are good enough they will get picked. Simple as that.


Who are those ruckman we are talking about??????

But it wasn't just one game. Clarke had about a month of good form in the SANFL seniors before he got picked. Maric had solid and half of the season generally as a relief ruckman to John Meikeljohn (sp????)

Maric is not that great around the ground, despite popular belief. Quite often he looks lost out there and drops some very easy marks. He is too up and down in this regard at SANFL level to be considered better than Clarke in this department. Maric showed good form against second rate opposition in SANFL but as soon as he came up against AFL quality ruckman he got shown up for being still a bit off from AFL footy.

No one can say that Maric's form has been better in the month leading up to Hudson's injury than Clarke's form. Maric is an exciting prospect who is still raw in a lot of areas but he is promising and thats great. However, if his performances aren't good enough to warrant AFL selection he shouldn't play AFL footy.

I am not against giving Maric and/or Meesen a game here and there if they have earned it during the regular season. In fact I am all for it. However, what I am against is picking them up just because of their age despite having an older ruckman who is in better form than them.

You also mentioned what happens if one or both of Biglands or Clarke gets injured as late in the season as Hudson, the answer is we are up a ******** creek. When ever a club loses a key ruckman to injury, they generally struggle. We are no different. Without Rehn on the park we were half a side. With him, we were a lot better. I could also raise a question of what happens if we give Maric the role of back up ruckman and he starts the season well but tapers off towards the end as is a case with 95% of the youngsters in their first year but we can't recall Clarke into the side because he is injured?????? What happens then?????? We can't give both Meesen and Maric enough time on the ground for them to be ready if the opportunity presents itself.

Its more valuable for their development if they play a full game in SANFL than it is to play 10 minutes of AFL footy. As I said, if the opportunity presents itself and they have eant it, give the kids a taste of it during the regular season. It will do them good. Expose them bit by bit. What I am against is giving Maric/Meesen a game because they are 20 compared to Clarke who is 32 despite the fact that Clarke might be in better form than either of the youngsters.

Do we play Hart in the SANFL in order for Jericho to get experience??????

The Crows played Gilligan after not many games. There are numerous other examples of inexperienced ruckman who have played in the AFL after not too many games in the VFL/SANFL. Maric had a solid year in the SANFL (& many think he had better SANFL form than Clarke). He would appear to be ready to get a sample of AFL game time. Why wait another 2 years? I can't recall Rehn being more dominant at SANFL level before playing for the Crows.

PS. Sighting not playing Hart for Jericho is a silly example. Jericho can play in most positions on the ground, so has more spots available. Also, Hart has been an AA in his position, whereas Clarke hasn't. Hart is also a club leader.

 

[cro_Magnum]

Gilligan played because everyone else was injured, Rehn was 2nd fiddle to Mickan and looked a bit shaky to start with, and we've had some pretty ordinary ruckmen over the years (Herbert, A Keating, Chalmers, Downsborough, Hewitt) so Maric or Meesen would not look out of place amongst some of those.
Having said that we are potentially a top side next year and need to find a balance between winning and playing juniors. I'd rest the regulars and play both M & M's in the pre-season to find out whose most likely to step up when (not if) needed.

 

[swanfan]

Gilligan played because everyone else was injured, Rehn was 2nd fiddle to Mickan and looked a bit shaky to start with, and we've had some pretty ordinary ruckmen over the years (Herbert, A Keating, Chalmers, Downsborough, Hewitt) so Maric or Meesen would not look out of place amongst some of those.
Having said that we are potentially a top side next year and need to find a balance between winning and playing juniors. I'd rest the regulars and play both M & M's in the pre-season to find out whose most likely to step up when (not if) needed.

I think Gilligan is still on an island somewhere.

 

[Ozzie]

The Crows played Gilligan after not many games. There are numerous other examples of inexperienced ruckman who have played in the AFL after not too many games in the VFL/SANFL. Maric had a solid year in the SANFL (& many think he had better SANFL form than Clarke). He would appear to be ready to get a sample of AFL game time. Why wait another 2 years? I can't recall Rehn being more dominant at SANFL level before playing for the Crows.

PS. Sighting not playing Hart for Jericho is a silly example. Jericho can play in most positions on the ground, so has more spots available. Also, Hart has been an AA in his position, whereas Clarke hasn't. Hart is also a club leader.

We had to play Kenny McGregor at CHF in his rookie year and it took him 3 years to recover. Tom Gilligan was absolutely fed to the wolves in his rookie year, playing his first game or close to it in the very first showdown. He got murdered in that game and I am sure was a prime reason he went home to Vic. These kids ie. the big lads need time to mature, there is no need to rush them into the side apart from injuries. Jonathon Ross and Chrid Groom's bodies were not ready either and both got injured badly. Fungus Watts was ALWAYS going to go to Daddy. Forget him, think of him as a poor man's ANGWIN.

 

[Stiffy_18]

The Crows played Gilligan after not many games. There are numerous other examples of inexperienced ruckman who have played in the AFL after not too many games in the VFL/SANFL. Maric had a solid year in the SANFL (& many think he had better SANFL form than Clarke). He would appear to be ready to get a sample of AFL game time. Why wait another 2 years? I can't recall Rehn being more dominant at SANFL level before playing for the Crows.

PS. Sighting not playing Hart for Jericho is a silly example. Jericho can play in most positions on the ground, so has more spots available. Also, Hart has been an AA in his position, whereas Clarke hasn't. Hart is also a club leader.

And What happened to him?

Rehn hardly looked comfortable as Mickan's back up

You say why wait but I say why rush it when you don't need to??????

PS. Same principle. Ok change Hart for Torney and see what your answer is??????

Point is, quite simply you reward for not age. If the kids are good enough, they will get games. If not its not an issue. As I said, NC has shown that he will pick kids if their form warrants it. He picked up VB every chance he got. He gave Knights a couple of games because his form warranted it. He has given Jericho a game when he deserved it. He picked Bock when his form warranted it. If the kid's form warrants a selection, he will get picked. If it doesn't, he will play SANFL. Simple as that.