The ironic thing is Fritsch has kicked more goals than any other Brisbane player over a 4 year period. More than Cameron, Daniher, Hipwood etc. All in the peaks of their careers. He has also produced on the big stage. He continues to hit the scoreboard at elite levels. He was in many peoples AA team earlier this year before he had some down patches.
The irony is that you're trying to bag out Fritsch, a guy who has been elite in the game and still is yet at the same time pump up Rayner, an AFL fringe player who was pathetic on grand final day. He's failed as a defender, a midfielder and now as a forward. Does he hit the scoreboard? No. 1 goal a game. Does he find the footy? No. 14 touches a game. Does he apply defensive pressure? Absolutely not. Is he a big game player? Hell no. Rayner is a poorer version of Gary Rohan and that's being disrespectful to Gary.
2020-2023, Cameron kicked 25 more goals than Frittata. Given Frittata offers literally zero other than goals kicked, this is a shellacking. Daniher and Hipwood also have roles that extend far beyond just finishing off the good work of others - any comparison there is irrelevant.
Rayner offers far more than the stats sheet will tell you. Which is why this fixation with disposals and goals is a little baffling. One example; Cyril Rioli, a truly remarkable player, who averaged 15 disposals and 1.5 goals per game, for his career.
To be clear, I’m not comparing the two - just illustrating the point that numbers are not everything. Sometimes you need to watch players play. There’s no column in the stat sheet for breaking tackles, for example, but it was one of Dusty’s greatest weapons at his peak (and more recently, Harley Reid). A broken tackle and sudden surge forward is one of the best ways to blow open an opposition defence.
Over the last 5 weeks, where Rayner has been able to settle into a role he’s suited to (predominantly forward with bursts through the middle) he’s averaged 1.6 goals, 13.6 disposals, 2.6 clearances, and 3.2 inside 50’s.
By comparison, over his last 5 games, Frittata is going at 1.0, 11.0, 0.2, and 2.2. Of course, I wouldn’t judge him for his low clearance numbers - that would be akin to criticising Rayner for his low disposals numbers - just completely irrelevant to the role he plays.
All in all Rayner seems to be finding his groove - I’d be happy if he continued showing the form he has over the last month. And who knows, the 24 year-old who did an ACL and missed a year at 21 might even still have some improvement left in him..
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