Small forward pain

[Partridge]

Well that's not true. In fact Bartel has been often criticised because he doesn't play much as a midfielder anymore. He's become a role player and therefore doesn't stand out compared to some other players since he won his Brownlow. In regards to selecting players to play in whatever position, I trust CS judgement long before I would yours.

I wouldn't say criticised because he doesn't play there, I'd say more a realisation that it's not 2007 anymore and he probably can't play there now. My only gripe - not with Bartel - is that the role player argument is used to offer that he's just as good a midfielder but we need him elsewhere. I don't believe that. He's not the player he was, and really isn't suited to midfield anymore (unless it's a flood), but is very valuable playing behind the ball. It's just they need to be mindful of the opposition trying to put a really quick small forward on him.

 

[Turbocat]

I think that would be a huge ask for Varcoe. He's never been a defender. His attributes are best used getting the ball and using his pace and skills. Not sure if he's the right guy to try out as a defender. That's not a criticism, it's just that he doesn't seem that type of player.

What really hurt us was not having Taylor and Josh Hunt. I don't mind players getting dropped for poor performances - I'm in favour of it - but the downside was it left us vulnerable there. Plus with T.Hunt out they seem to be keen on developing Guthrie as a runwith midfielder if not tagger, so he wasn't down there all game either.

He is not a player I would pick to do the job pre-game but in game , sometime you have to be flexible and do a role your not really made for. Pods in the ruck last quarter for eg.

Varcoe is out of form , he is not really looking like it on the forwardline. The only thing he is doing is trying to be defensive. At the other end Monfrie was cutting Bartel up , at the worst it would let TV follow someone to the ball and a chance to use his pace to pressure the forward. So id have tried it. I would have swung Bartel elsewhere , and told TV to forget chasing the ball , just stop Monfiries getting uncontested ball. We could have used it as a learning experience for him.

Id say Josh Hunt is probably back in , but I have about 3 or 4 guys coming atm , cant see that many changes happening. Chappy, Kersten , THunt , Blitz ....