Originally posted by Black Thunder
We have to give Seaby (and Hansen) a run soon. For both of them its their second year on the list, and it's time to at least give them a game or two to see what they can do.
I think for the game against Kangaroos, it will be a chance to give McDougall a fair bit of rucking time along with Cox, while Gardiner gets some rest.
I dont mean not playing Gardiner, I mean playing him but limiting his time on the field (and more so his time in the ruck) unless we are getting done. So we start Cox in the ruck, McDougall up forward and Gardy on the bench. If we get a flyer and break away then keep Gardy on the bench for pretty much the entire match (at least keep him out of the ruck), if the games even with about a quarter to go then bring Gardy on for the last, and if the Roos get on top early, bring Gardiner on and play our usual game.
Gardiner is clearly showing signs of fatigue the last few weeks having to share such a big ruck load, and doing it with such dominanace. And we really need him to be fresh and firing for the Swans game. If he doesn't have to do much in the Roos game then he'd have effectively had a two week break, which IMO can only be good for him.
1 week is heaps for Gardi - he'll be back just fine. I do agree, however, that if we are in charge of games late that whoever the second ruckman is should take full ruck duties. This will make guys like Cox, Gaspar, and McDougall better players.
I see our tall talent in a different light to most however.
I personally believe that MacDougall and Hansen should be used as forwards from here on in. MacDougall is clearly our next CHF. He's not a ruckman, and should be used as one sparingly. The tremendous hands and terrfific agilty he showed this week are the perfect sign that he is part of our golden future.
Hansen is currently the best leading forward in the WAFL (outside Wilson) He is the next generation in that position(along with Haynes).
A decision needs to be made beteeen Seaby and Cox. Seaby is clearly good enough to be a back up ruckman at AFL level, and Cox to me is a very valuable trade commodity (we could be talking Lockyer/Hay if the right draft picks are included). If Seaby doesn't come up Beeck is there, so based on this I can't see Cox staying around
(Note - In my opinion Dean Cox is in the best 15 tap ruckmen in the league - his talent is actually going to cause him to be traded)
Lynch to me is FB if the future. I can not believe Woosha hasn't tried him yet. He won't be able to take the smaller FF's but seems well and truly strong enough to deal with that position.
Which brings me to the most important of them all CHB.
Travis Gaspar is close to the most important player on our list - because he will take over this role. He is an incredibly gifted footballer who will be the architecht of another strong backline. His strength, marking, leadership and determination will be an example to others and in my opinion will become our most important player on our list.