Imo our midfield is where we are struggling the most atm, with injuries to our only running backs in Houli and Yarran we are relying on players like Cellis, McIntosh, Bellis to fill gaps while keeping Vlas down there, and Dimma even earmarked Conca for a backline role this season.
Bellis(wing), Cellis(mid), McIntosh(wing), Vlas(mid), and Conca(mid) were our higher drafted mids that were supposed to take us to the promised land, and until we get them away from the backline we are stuck playing this defensive gamestyle that suit our midfield retreads. (Miles/Grigg/Townsend/Moore etc.)
We need to focus on recruiting retreads and lower draft picks for lesser roles through the backline (Houli/Morris/Grimes types) instead of the midfield which needs to be manned by high end draft talent(Cotch, Dusty, Vlas, Sheds, McIntosh, Bellis, Conca, Cellis, Lids) to enable us to move the ball quicker and cleaner through the middle and to improve our ceiling beyond what the retread role players can provide.