(07-21-2023, 01:50 AM)DJC date Wrote:I have no doubt that Kemp could play in the midfield but his intercept and contested marking in defence would be sorely missed. If our forward line is struggling, he could go forward (he was the under 18 All-Australian full forward) but I don't expect to see him in the midfield.If the opportunity presents we are crazy not to give Kemp a run through the midfield here or there, there is nobody on our list Kemp's size perhaps outside of McGovern, that can go with him over the first couple of meters of acceleration. Across the league, Bont has similar power, Stringer perhaps, De Goey, for size they are similar power over those first few meters.
There is no point fans complaining about Cripps being run into the ground, if our club doesn't actually try someone who can actually have an impact while giving him a chop out. There is no point using traffic cones, it has to be someone the opposition needs to respect.
The bulk of fans do not see this potential in Kemp because they are either ball watching or watching on TV, and what Kemp does and can do mostly happens before the ball gets near! There is a reason why you are seeing him more often as the 3rd man up and intercept marking, because he has the acceleration to leave his opponent at the last possible moment and clos the gap.
It's true we could try McGovern, but he's a much much better ball user than Kemp so losing McGovern off HB is a much bigger deal.
If we had Pitto and TDK, or some other combo that releases SoJ from ruck duty, then SoJ would be another great midfield rotation option that can offer a big body to give Cripps a chop out.
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"