No one could actually accuse Nicks of not playing kids in the last few years, in fact there is an argument that we are paying for too many senior players gone. The problem is not being prepared to play our youth in the most important positions. Laird, ROB and Crouch are simply not good or fast enough to bring out the talents of our kids.
Outside of 2020, Nicks has not once selected a kid whilst sending a senior to the SANFL. And even in 2020, it was only a debacle against the Roos that ruled a line through Gibbs, Rat and Knight.