Yellow Feathers
Norm Smith Medallist
Bennell really wasn't that great a midfielder though. I know I'll get slapped down for saying it, but his midfield performance was entirely underwhelming and always has been. His disposal numbers were always high, but his actual impact on the midfield was usually pretty minimal.
He is a sensational half forward, but his focus in the midfield was basically just drifting around the ball getting quick and easy touches without a care for pressure, tackling, or any form of inside work. Seriously, rewatch his games and you'll see exactly what I mean.
Look at Cyril Rioli - has **** all touches, but has the most impact of any player in Hawthorn's list. Bennell generally had 30+ touches but rarely had a game-changing performance relative to his disposal count (excluding games like Geelong 2014, etc). Everybody would get carried away by his stats without really reflecting on his impact on the game itself. Ah Chee will replace Bennell at half forward very effectively without the need to make it into the midfield getting meaningless possessions for seemingly no reason. I can't see anybody being as effective as Bennell as a half-forward, but Ah Chee will still be brilliant for us.
As for Garlett, Matera, and Martin - the only small forward there is Garlett, who plays it perfectly in my eyes. I think it was the Sydney game in round 23 where he excelled at the forward pocket ala Eddie Betts. It made me moist.
Matera is not a small forward. He's kinda found his niche as a high half-forward linking the midfield to the forward line and plays that role very effectively, while Martin (when not injured) can play midfield, half-forward, or even at full-forward (like in the drawn Eagles game) provided somebody like Day or Wright took the main brute role.
Can't argue with that mate! Look forward to seeing how he goes. I'm glad we took a risk this year as we are well positioned for next year's draft. By risk I mean a flashy player who may or may not live up to hype.
As for Bennell, I see your point. Although I did think he was absolutely brilliant, even a midfielder.