Should McDougall be playing?

[Gunnar Longshanks]

In the wake of our loss to Collingwood, there seems to be a growing call for McDougall to be re-instated as our first choice FF. This seems like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to me.

Our forwards didn't have great games, so people start searching for a solution. Given our FF of 2004 is playing in the WAFL, advocating his selection for Port Adelaide seems a pretty obvious answer.

But is that really the best direction for us to take?

McDougall has done nothing in the WAFL. He's had a hip injury and a shoulder injury and is clearly still labouring. What happens if McDougall comes back and turns in a Staker-like performance? Will people be demanding he be dropped? Or do we keep playing someone who doesn't contribute?

I guess the real question is: does McDougall deserve a game?

On performance, probably not. To pick him would be to pick a player based on an ideal of what he might be capable of. This rationale is very similar to the reasons given for Staker's ongoing inclusion in our team.

Should we swap one under-performing, under-built, project KPP for another?

No thanks. I'll stick with Lynchy. At least he makes an effort and creates a contest.

 

[iceman]

No

Just because we need a FF doesnt mean we should rush him back in.... if he cant put together some good performances in the WAFL, whats he meant to do in the AFL side?

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

McDougall does play for Perth which means that unless he's in the ruck or down back he's just standing around kicking the air.

There has also been a lot of argument that he's a confidence player and that the better AFL delivery would be good for him. If you consider that he gets terrible delivery at WAFL level it wouldn't really matter if he can beat his opponent, the ball still doesn't get to him.

I still think he needs another week for Perth though, more as a pre-caution to make sure the injuries are fine than anything else.

 

[coasting]

He'll be back soon but not this week.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

He'll be back soon but not this week.

Wow! That settles everything.

 

[94_Eagles]

He shouldn't come in until he's showing great form in the WAFL.

But hey, if Staker can get a game anything's possible.

 

[Debaser]

He shouldn't come in until he's showing great form in the WAFL.

That could take all year with him playing for Perth.

The club screwed up by playing him in round 1 when he clearly wasn't ready.

 

[94_Eagles]

That could take all year with him playing for Perth.

The club screwed up by playing him in round 1 when he clearly wasn't ready.

Is he clearly ready now?

 

[peterss]

Dougs is nowhere near reeady to make a comeback to AFL Level although i think he may come back in a few weeks

 

[cartman]

your right about stakers output . play someone else who has more confidence than brent please

 

[YAKUZA]

That could take all year with him playing for Perth.

And that's where he should be playing then next year, after he gets the arse, he can freeload on another AFL Club if there is one silly enough to take him!