Yup sorry didn’t mean predominately, but I think theirs a serious need to give our core midfield a rotation that isn’t just the bench, means in critical moment we can have the same level of contested ball winning but be able to hold a jai or day in an attacking position. It would help stretch sides in time.I don't see it in Long to play as predominantly a leading/marking forward. He's a primary target onballer, using his size advantage to take the tackle and distribute to outside runners by hand. In our side, that's often Nash's role. Newcombe and Day play both roles (the mythical dual inside/outside onballers we've needed for the best part of a decade). Worpel still hoofs it too much from congestion but it is working out very well for him again right now.
It's an issue most young players have finding themselves in the side behind an 'established' midfield. Invariably due to size/physique they start in outside or supporting roles, and transition into the centre more as they develop physically. We've got a bunch (McDonald, Ward, McKenzie) of young mids already in our "best 22" that are probably all best as ballwinners inside the contest, but for the moment are mostly playing in supporting and distribution roles.
We have some (Long, Maginness, Stephens, Hustwaite) that don't offer as much 'outside' (despite Long's endurance, it's McEvoy style slow endurance to run all day, and Maginness simply can't kick), so will more likely need to wait until one (or more!) of Worpel/Nash/Newcombe are out for an opportunity to play as a true inside player.
The open spots are really on the HFF, with Breust and Moore the only locks and two spots being shared around.
Our onball unit is actually well set atm with the "big 4" taking nearly 90% of all CBAs.
Nash - 68% CBAs, (in 77% TOG)
Newcombe - 68% (82%)
Day - 64% (82%)
Worpel - 63% (76%)
With Ward/McKenzie/McDonald as the 5th getting just 3-5 CBAs per game when the big-4 are resting.
Similarly on the Wing, Amon (82%) and Morrison (81%) have dominated the time on wing, with the 5th midfielder and CJ/Moore/Weddle/Bramble all getting some time there over the season. Our young midfield is actually very settled and it shows in their performances.
Now we have Lewis back, and providing a structure both up front and in defence, I'm expecting big things the rest of the season (injury permitting). 5-6 more wins which will disappoint the draft watchers, as firstly Reid (already gone IMO) and soon Curtin, Caddy and others drop out of our draft chances as we approach pick 5 (NM, WCE with GWS/Ric/Car/Syd/Haw all in the next group picking 3-8).
In one season mitchell has been able to manufacture a functioning midfield, pretty amazing.
I expect us to win some more games and we are playing confident footy for the first time in a long time which has held us back for a while but seeing us get day at 13, Mackenzie…theirs always a chance for a gun no matter the pick. If anything list management is about to get a lot harder with knowing who to retain long term