My observation of Simpson as coach over the past decade is that he is generally reluctant to play young players, with some exceptions such as Ginbey, Hough, Long.
Part of this is that he doesn’t think they are ready physically, up to the standard, and his trust in his experienced players, and he seems to have his favourites.
Often he is correct, the player is not physically, mentally, or game ready. At the same time this attitude can hold young players back and discourage/ deflate them which you are implying with Barnett.
His reluctance to generally play younger players is a factor in causing the present disastrous situation.
The established players get injured and the developing player hasn’t enough experience and trust from the coach to fill the void.
With the present injury disaster he now has no choice, there are barely enough players to field a team so they all have to be played. This is forcing the issue and showing those who can play and those who can’t.
Getting back to Barnett. I don’t think he doesn’t like him or is treating him poorly but is rather protecting him.
There are lots of physical monsters in the ruck in the AFL such as Marshall today, and he doesn’t want him to get killed and injured.
I think his intentions are good, but there is a downside in that it doesn’t give the younger player a chance to show what they’ve got or put any trust in them so perhaps that they get discouraged and their development is stifled.
Bailey Williams is a prime case in point, when Naitanui was around, he was very reluctant to play him, now that he’s had to play Williams he is showing that he is a good player.
XON, might be another case in point. Hasn’t been played or trusted, given responsibility so his development has been ruined. Now he is next to useless, although in reality there may be more there if he was given an extended chance as opposed to being in and out of the side.
