Long One - Sorry.
I'm not really voting for anyone player here.
Here is a quote for reflection purposes:
Hardwick admitted his opinion of Rance’s football talent had changed quite markedly over the years.
“I often joke to him, my first year (as coach) I was prepared to trade him for a six-pack of Coronas at one stage,” Hardwick said.
(here is the article:
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-06-01/rance-goes-from-beer-to-champagne)
That year was 2009.
Rance was born October 89.
That means that at the age of 20 - his coach said (somewhat jokingly) the above mentioned.
Balta is 19 (march 99) - Who thinks Dimma wants to trade him for some Coronas? Just saying.
Now I know that there are a lot of chances for paths to fork... But think about whether the coaching ability at Punt road is better now, or in 2009. The support for him to go further is in place. Think about the fact that he could turn out to be freaking anything. 3 games - 3 goals. Not bad for a chop out ruckman come KPP or what ever he is...
Then secondly, I am terming a phrase:
"The Stack pack" makes me drool a little - I don't think enough can be said for the astute planning of creating the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI). We struggled so much to attract and retain talent universally, let alone the indigenous talent. I think about the revelation that JON couldn't read and no one knew until he got to WCE - now admittedly he was not up to it, but we should have known that coming in, not after he left...
Anyway, fast forward 2 or 3 (even 4 years) you have Rioli, Stack, Bolton (because I believe he'll make it now) all supporting a 19 year old Maurice Jnr, In a positive environment running rampant, led by their line coach a recently retired Shedda. It's X factor central...
Imagine trying to coach against that? It is going to be beautiful!
Bring it.
Then finally... Cast your minds back to draft day 2009... The OG Man Child... Ross is the same. Except he seems more comfortable. Now where is the happiness line.? I'm saying "If Jack Ross is 60% 70% as good as D Martin" are you happy...
What strikes me as the most amazing thing is how calm he is with the ball in his hand. Like he was meant to be there all along. First game, a minute to go (I don't remember how long exactly - but you'll remember) intercept marks, and then instinctively tells the team to "be cool" i've got this. That is not learned - at least not in game 1, it's instinct and comfort.