Disagree. Our midfield, indeed our strategy masks the deficiencies in our backline. There's a reason why we are able to continually go in undersized vs other teams. Hamling has done some nice things, and I would hate to see him go. But the fact of the matter is when our midfield is running at full tilt, we completely strangle opposition ball going inside our defensive 50's. Or at least the ball that go in are chaos balls. Pressure kicks and oft high or wayward. Hamling has done some nice jobs 1 on 1 and has shown he can take a grab. But our backline has been a rotating door through injury and form with only Moz the mainstay Key Position player all year I dont see Hamling as more crucial than Jong. Particularly since we are likely to lose Stevens and Hrovat now.
I don't disagree with much of this, but where is the tipping point? At what point do our backline deficiencies become so prominent that our midfield can no longer cover them?
It's interesting to note that with Hamling in the side we went 9-3, losing an unlucky one against Hawthorn, getting smashed in the middle against the Cats, and not turning up against the Dockers. Without him we went 6-4. Of course, this is a shallow analysis that shouldn't be considered in isolation - but it is an interesting thing to note I think. I don't believe you can keep taking things out of the area of deficiency to bolster your strength. At some point you have to try to equalise. Taking Hamling out and replacing him with somebody less proven could be that tipping point.
I also don't believe Jong is in our best side. If he is, he's almost the last one picked. Depth is extremely important, particularly in our area of strength, and as I said I'm happy to have kept him - but I struggle to view Jong as being more crucial than Hamling.
Of course, I could be entirely wrong. Somebody else could come in and perform just as well or even better - and let's not forget the possibility that Jong leaving may not have done enough to allow Hamling to stay, either. I'm simply pointing it out as a possibility. We will likely never know the answer to that question.
Should also probably note that I don't think Hamling is a star KPD or anything of the sort. He has benefited from our system and our midfield. He has his deficiencies. I do think he's in our best side, though, and I worry about the effect losing him will have on our backline - particularly if, god forbid, the end comes quicker than we all hope for Morris.