Team Selection Policy In 2016

[DJC]

I think this is the best place for Bolton's latest musings:

Asked whether Gibbs could become a consistently dominant player in 2016, Bolton said: "I'd really like to think that he could. His physical preparation has been a real positive."

"But our footy club needs to rely on more than just Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy and 'Kreuze' (Matthew Kreuzer), it's got to become more dense than that.

"Last year's draft was step one to help improve in that area, but it's going to take some time."

Stating the obvious perhaps, but Bolton will be expecting others to step up.

His thoughts on Kreuzer and the other talls are interesting too:

Bolton said Kreuzer's troublesome right foot had given him no problems this summer, as he looks set to complete his first full pre-season in years.

The Blues coach is yet to decide whether the 200cm big man is best suited to the ruck or forward line, but believes his versatility will be a significant asset.

"We know Kreuze is a really high draft pick and he has talent, but we're pushing systems," Bolton said.

"Andrew Phillips, Kreuze, Levi Casboult, Daniel Gorringe are all key forwards who can hit in the ruck, so I think we'll have a mix and a blend of them working as a system.

"I'm going to suspend judgment (on Kreuzer's best position). I want to see him within our system, but I think he can have impact both in the ruck and as a forward because he's so mobile for a big guy."

Rucks who can play forward and/or forwards who can ruck have been part of the Hawthorn "system" and it seems that Bolton will follow a similar approach.