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- Feb 14, 2023
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- Essendon
Kelly has been playing back pocket anyway so is no longer in the conversation. He only ever started on the wing so he could slide back and cover for Martin.
You think it is the easiest spot in the AFL to fill ? You need skill , quick thinking , some speed and defensive ability / transition.
Long term playing Martin at half back will make him a better player in the same way it has for Nick Daicos and harry Sheezal.
I would sooner look at Perkins at half back.
Inside midfielders are not half backs. Pressure forwards maybe but not half backs.
Saying inside Mids aren’t HBs feels like massaging definitions to suit a narative.
Daicos/Sheezel. Jordan Dawson, Rory Laird, Callum Mills, Jack Sinclair, Dan Houston, Jack Crisp, Zorko, Angus Brayshaw there’s a clear link/development pathway between HB and midfield.
Sure inside mids like Libba might struggle there, but if you’re a good balanced mid you will be good at HB. You just typically won’t play there because you will typically be better/have a bigger impact on ball.
And it is the easiest spot to fill. It’s where failed pressure forwards who can’t kick goals go to revive their career because you get more space/time than any other position on the field. Just need above average skills and speed to be able to play relatively mistake free footy and your set.
As far as Kelly goes. Kelly playing Back Pocket pushes McGrath up the ground which has its own issues. McGrath has been better this year but he’s no where near skilled enough to be the primary HB distributor.
Long term the list has clear skill and balance issues. To me that’s an off-season issue. You can only pick the best combination of players you have access to.