(07-25-2021, 01:16 AM)Baggers date Wrote:Taking Kennedy out of the midfield was a huge mistake. He's been the bull in there since the bye. Should have looked at other options to support the forward line.Yep, I mentioned if we did this it would be a mistake in the pre-game thread, not just Kennedy but Dow and SPS as well.
We continually flirt with players form by playing out of position. Historically guys would run into VFL form, then we bring them into the AFL in a foreign position.
Is it a failure of player development or list management?
But I think there is a bigger problem.
I'm not sure Cripps is the unifying presence we think and when he's in the midfield with the likes of Walsh and Kennedy things are actually worse because we've less leg speed. When Cripps had those first two burst out of the midfield we were all anticipating a captains moment, like Kennedy's goal a week or so back, but he refused to take the shot and only did so on the 3rd attempt late in the game, when the result was done and dusted and the pressure as off. In my opinion, that is not an example of a natural leader, it's not what someone like Cotchin, Hodge or Selwood would do. Cripps has all the natural flair and ability, but he looks like it is being buried in pressure.
Have we done like the Maltidas and made the best player captain, only to have the player and the team pay the price?
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"