AFL Rd 9 2023 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Western Bulldogs

[crashlander]

Chris Judd was asked on radio if Ablett Jr could just rest down forward and kick 60 goals in the twilight of his career an his response was that small forwards have the hardest job in the game now and it's not where old players go to rest anymore.

No one kicks it to you unless it's a last resort under pressure, you run around chasing defenders who outnumber you to put pressure on even though you really have next to no chance of getting them but you have to do it.

I wish he were wrong, but small forward needs a special skill set. Eddie Betts had it, but few others do. It is one of the harder positions to play, unless you have a huge presence. None of our smalls do; they do not attract the ball. Our tall forwards have presence.