The rise.... and RISE of Marc Pittonet

[ElwoodBlues1]

Team Balance.

Not sure how many times i need to say the same thing before it starts to sink in.

People (read LP) think this is about some kind of favouritism towards Jack Silvagni. Which is spin and deflection and clouding his own judgement. Ignore Jack from this debate.

The reason we as a team don't require a dedicated 2nd ruck is because of a couple things.
1. Our #1 rucks ability is elite in terms of ruckwork and can ruck a full game (80-90%) with minimal help.
2. Our team is very top heavy with a-grade talent (key forwards and key back(s)), we also have some taller '3rd tall' types at both ends. Too much tall talent
3. Our options for 2nd ruck (be that TDK, Mirkov or whoever) can not play another position effectively....and must be 'carried' or benched.

Would i play TDK if Harry got injured? Absolutely.
Would i play TDK if Pittonet stopped performing? Absolutely.
Would i play TDK if we had an extended interchange bench? Absolutely.

Now.....would i play TDK if i was another team who didn't have the same team dynamics as us? Absolutely.

I said it in the pre-season and have stood by it all year. Based on team balance, we cannot afford a 2nd ruck who cannot play another position (or is providing the output TDK is while playing another position).

If i was another club like the ones being mentioned, i would absolutely trade for TDK.

Put simply, he is a luxury for us that we cannot afford.

I dont think he has done anything special to warrant the hype other than take the odd speccy(he drops more than he takes too) and look flashy on occasions regardless of team dynamics. To be honest is he any better than Levi Casboult as a ruck/forward package?and I think some of the hype around him is based on his brothers achievements at Geelong.
He needs Pittonet to hold his hand in the ruck vs the mean hombres who want to push him around and his stats after 50 games are nothing outstanding...10 disposals, 2 marks, 0.32 goals and 0.12 goal assists, 16 hitouts......
The output doesnt add up to the hype, promise or money being offered by other clubs which in turn adds pressure to our list management. Bailey Williams the fill in ruck for WC has similar stats and he would be the lowest benchmark ruckman in the comp.
For me its an easy decision...we trade TDK while his market value his high and get a decent trade return we can use on something more vital and then look for another cheaper 2nd ruckman/forward.
If other clubs want to pay 800k a year based on promise and 50 games of joe average stats then be my guest...