My thought is to replace Gibson/Hodge with Roughead and use his skills to play that 3rd man up / general role. I've never been a fan of him playing a 1-on-1 defensive role but his skills could suit the sweeper.
He reads the flight of the ball very well, jumps better from the side to mark or punch, clean below his knees to mop up or win a contested ball, a huge tackler (Hannebery says hi), the kicking skills to setup running/spreading defenders or fwds leading up the wing, and just enough mongrel to help the younger backline stand a bit taller (ala Hodge). He knows the game plan inside-out and I always like captains better in the back half. When we don't play a spare man in defence he can have bursts in the midfield or throw him fwd for impact when required.
The change might be good for the team but might also be the challenge Rough needs to get that spark back, that many here think he's lacking this year.
There's still a few very good years left in Rough yet!
I reckon it's worth a crack!
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