Chalk and cheese and not a great comparison, Syd has waaay! more obstacles to overcome than Shai but hopefully he can.
*Stengle would be a better comparison and a reason for a persist call. Stengle had to go through 3 clubs though to get there ,can Syd reverse his fortunes staying put?
Spot on.
No question Stack is a massive talent.
Clearly also taking some time to come to grips with the lifestyle and demands of AFL.
I understand tough love has been required for a player that was not in acceptable condition for the start of the season.
But even after being made to earn his spot, he has not had the same opportunities afforded other more favoured fringe players.
Dropped after one brief cameo v WCE and has since been languishing in the 2's.
I acknowledge his stats and performance haven't been setting the world on fire the past week or so.
But what's the line that has been trotted out regularly by Hardwick?
"You leave a player in the 2's for too long and that's what they become?" Or some such.
That's what I fear is happening with Stack.
During our horror month Stack's inclusion could have made a difference, but instead we went back to the same old same olds, who frankly let us down.
Now we have potentially only three games left in the season.
It's not like we have heaps of talent waiting in the wings to step up when our ageing warriors retire this year or next.
The supposed NextGen in RCD, Martyn, Dow, Mansell are all busts.
The Stand Rule has increased the premium on kicking efficiency and that means Castagna, Aarts & co are yesterday's men.
Stack is one of the few talented young players ready to go, given Rioli, Banks, Brown, Clarke and Bauer are probably 1-2 years off being consistent contributors.
Towards the end of last year, Stack (belatedly) came in to the side and had an immediate and significant impact.
This is one case of selection stubbornness that is actually in danger of becoming counter productive.
We can ill afford to potentially lose a player of his quality, and the Stengle comparison is apt.
For the short and long term, get him in.