Matera LeNui
Club Legend
I don't think we need to be pumping games into Sinclair, he is more back up than anything else at the moment and long term. Lycett though should definitely be given more games next year so long as he deserves them, but also with Cox being rested more often. This obviously hinges on Naitanui being fully fit. IF Naitanui is injured, I would like to see Cox still play the predominantly FF position and allow Lycett to start getting some real ruck work at AFL level alternatively when Cox is out due to being rested Lycett could then play that FF role that Cox should play next year. Early surgery/rest (ie now Jackovich you dumb heck) and a full preseason for Naitanui is vital for him and our team. Going forward Naitanui is entering his peak years and we need him to start playing 60-70% in the ruck for us to be any chance at contending in the future.
Yeah a lot hinges on Natanui's fitness with the Cox/Lycett/Sinclair plans. I agree Sinclair should only be the injury backup but I do think Lycett has to get games pumped into him with an eye to the future when Cox is gone. Don't want him completely thrown in the deep end once Cox goes and we lose our strong ruck advantage.
I hope Natanui works on his endurance over the off season. If he just had that slightly bigger endurance he would be able to get those few more possessions and more in red time. He seems very tired at the end of each quarter (repetitive sprints and all I know, impact athlete) but more work on that and that will help the team a lot, hopefully these niggles go away