Ellis brought his strengths (running, big tank, cutting off opposition options etc) to his role on the wing. We bring another player in to that position the role changes slightly to suit the strengths of whoever ends up on the wing. Caddy brings a different set of skills (yep, he can run, but one thing I always notice with Caddy is how much he is in the face of the opposition) and plays the position differently. Yes, you need the player to be able to play the particular position, but each player does it a bit differently.
DS
Well argued David, but the way we play, committing blokes forward of the contest seconds before we’ve won it, means other blokes need to run super hard to fill defensive holes. You often need to make long runs again and again just to reach that fat side and prevent the counter switch.
folks thinking the Ellis case was a simple matter of us telling him he was surplus is plain wrong. Ellis knew how valuable he was to Dimma and co, hence his shock. Hence his certain inclusion in the premiership team.
the decision was a list management one and the right one. We as a club are in the unique position of letting blokes fulfil their market potential without rancor or bitterness. other clubs might’ve insisted on a pay cut or been spooked into paying market rate and losing someone younger and with more long term potential.
we knew we had to let him go, but in a perfect world he stays. The guy just got another medal, FFS. Not like he was languishing in the VFL.
with 666 potentially looming as a constant setup during games, the Ellis role will be even more critical. Those spaces on the wings will only get bigger and you need the right bodies (and lungs) in there.
people raise caddy as a counter argument but he is a thin side winger. Big bodied, great aerialist, likes contact and traffic.
if you look at our list, guys like Naish leap out as potential fat side wingers, the kind our system relies on. Whether he ends up with the tank and application Ellis had is another matter. But he looks to fit the mold so far. He’ll get a clutch of games. Doesn’t need to breakout just yet.
I agree a flexible, adaptable list is a good thing.
but the requirements of that fat side role ain’t gonna change.