Sonny Hayes
Brownlow Medallist
Statistically his output may drop, but that doesn't mean his performance will though. It was the main point that was being made. It gives him more freedom, less attention and the ability to do less of the heavy lifting.Last year his output increased without Mitchell in the team, which makes a lot of sense because he was forced to take on more responsibility in the midfield. If the reverse holds true it’s actually far more likely he will go backwards in terms output, and produce similar to 2018.
I’m also not understanding the mentality that he was somehow played out of position last year. He is now a career inside midfielder (has played as a permanent outside mid since 2014) and he is best used generating clearances which was his role.
Mitchell returning only pushes him down the pecking order.
Ideally he will always play a large amount as an inside mid so i agree with you that he wasn't necessarily played out of position. I do think in an ideal world he will be allowed to receive the ball more and use his speed to accelerate out of stoppages, the idea that he has lost his speed is flat out wrong. Having Mitchell return and a more experienced Worpel around him should allow that to happen.






