07-22-2024, 10:46 PM
You know this is probably the central point of all the structural and positional debates we have on here, whether it’s ruck or small forward.
A team is made up of three different types of players. Each is important. Good teams have a nice balance of both.
There is the ‘role players and pressure bringers’- These are guys whose contribution often goes unnoticed. They are also the most criticised because the average supporter doesn’t always understand their job, and the role they play because they’re not bothering the basic statsmen too much with disposals, goals etc.
Then there is the ‘impact’ player- These are the flashy guys the fans love. The high possession winners, the prolific markers and goal scorers. They often escape criticism because in a five -minute burst they can turn a game.
The third one is the rarity. The player who combines pressure, plays a role and impacts a game in a noticeable way… and they’re usually the most valuable players. They can change a game in a minute but also sacrifice and perform another role when required. I can only think of a couple of players in our side who fit that role.
So, in terms of team selection, it will always be the role player/pressure bringer who is most likely to be called into question when the final pieces are put into a side. Unless that pressure is elite it’s the easiest aspect to replace, because ‘impact’ is a natural extra ability or talent.
Ollie Hollands is in his second year. He’s 20 years old. This time next year he’ll likely be a 50 gamer with many more to come. He’ll develop extra strings to his bow as he matures. The best aspects of his game at the moment will only get better. But at the moment he wouldn’t be one of the first players picked, and as such there may be times when he is on the fringe of selection if we have a nearly full list to pick from.
A team is made up of three different types of players. Each is important. Good teams have a nice balance of both.
There is the ‘role players and pressure bringers’- These are guys whose contribution often goes unnoticed. They are also the most criticised because the average supporter doesn’t always understand their job, and the role they play because they’re not bothering the basic statsmen too much with disposals, goals etc.
Then there is the ‘impact’ player- These are the flashy guys the fans love. The high possession winners, the prolific markers and goal scorers. They often escape criticism because in a five -minute burst they can turn a game.
The third one is the rarity. The player who combines pressure, plays a role and impacts a game in a noticeable way… and they’re usually the most valuable players. They can change a game in a minute but also sacrifice and perform another role when required. I can only think of a couple of players in our side who fit that role.
So, in terms of team selection, it will always be the role player/pressure bringer who is most likely to be called into question when the final pieces are put into a side. Unless that pressure is elite it’s the easiest aspect to replace, because ‘impact’ is a natural extra ability or talent.
Ollie Hollands is in his second year. He’s 20 years old. This time next year he’ll likely be a 50 gamer with many more to come. He’ll develop extra strings to his bow as he matures. The best aspects of his game at the moment will only get better. But at the moment he wouldn’t be one of the first players picked, and as such there may be times when he is on the fringe of selection if we have a nearly full list to pick from.