It would send a wrong message to the other players that despite them putting in the required work, others who haven't will be picked before them.
And yes, it did send the wrong message to Stack (who incidentally has a history of being out of shape and has poor training standards - refer to Stig and Caesars training notes). If we keep rewarding Stack with games when he doesn't apply himself, how on earth can we expect him to learn about the fitness requirements of being a professional AFL footballer?
And Dimma showing why he's a master coach with his handling of Stack? Yeah, it was great - Stacks form was so bad that it played a major part in our losses earlier in the season. Losses that are accentuated in a shortened season and could cost us a finals spot.
BTW, Balta by his own admission came back in poor condition but was made to earn his spot back and look at him now. Same deal with Eggmolesse-Smith.
We’re both saying supremely talented kids need to learn to work hard, somehow.
There’s being told, and letting him find out for himself.
Dimma let him play and find out for himself. Hopefully this will dent his ego slightly and spark something inside him that comes from within.
It would’ve been easy for him to make excuses if they left him out of the team. It’s a pandemic lockdown. In his mind, he could’ve convinced himself he would’ve starred anyway. Instead, he played poorly and this forces him to learn an important lesson.
I agree it wasn’t the best decision for maximising our chances in a couple of early rounds, but Dimma’s decision might payoff more in the long run.
As for team morale and rewarding work ethic... these aren’t issues. At all. Dimma has other ways of maintaining an excellent work ethic within the group.
While a lesson does need to be taught, I think Dimma has been a modern day master of answering the question of “how”. He certainly brought out the best in Sydney in his first year, let’s give him time in year 2 before we criticise his approach.