I reckon Cleve's shortcomings might be as much physical as mental. Maybe even more the former.
He's not a big unit by any means. And he's got no leg speed so he can't find space unless he lurks or sags and key forwards are not allowed that much space.
And I've never seen him get any altitude. Your short and slow and there's a defender all over you, how are you going to mark the ball if you can't get air?
He gets a bit of leather at AFL level outside the arc but usually through lurking, smart play but hardly the bread and butter of a tall forward.
Pettifer would jump straight over him as would Schulz or JR. And which of them can he beat in a footrace? How's he going to find space at the level.
And even with a recent addition of 5 or 6kg he's not strong- the other end of the scale. Big nasty AFL key defenders like Craig Bolton or Ryan Hargrave would put him through the floor. Scarlett would puree him. And I don't know if it's the 5kg or a niggle that's increased his turning circle but he's not nimble.
That said it's not insurmountable. If he can work to keep the ball in front of him and dish as he absorbs the tackle, hunt down dancing defenders like the dogs they are and throw himself at the ground contests he can be a player. But career to date he's shown a distinct aversion to these practices, particularly the absorbing punishment bit. Very shy lad.
He's not a big unit by any means. And he's got no leg speed so he can't find space unless he lurks or sags and key forwards are not allowed that much space.
And I've never seen him get any altitude. Your short and slow and there's a defender all over you, how are you going to mark the ball if you can't get air?
He gets a bit of leather at AFL level outside the arc but usually through lurking, smart play but hardly the bread and butter of a tall forward.
Pettifer would jump straight over him as would Schulz or JR. And which of them can he beat in a footrace? How's he going to find space at the level.
And even with a recent addition of 5 or 6kg he's not strong- the other end of the scale. Big nasty AFL key defenders like Craig Bolton or Ryan Hargrave would put him through the floor. Scarlett would puree him. And I don't know if it's the 5kg or a niggle that's increased his turning circle but he's not nimble.
That said it's not insurmountable. If he can work to keep the ball in front of him and dish as he absorbs the tackle, hunt down dancing defenders like the dogs they are and throw himself at the ground contests he can be a player. But career to date he's shown a distinct aversion to these practices, particularly the absorbing punishment bit. Very shy lad.
