Re: Chappell on development - "Pick 'em before you need 'em"
Reply #5 –
Bootsma has struggled all season and I don't understand Malthouse's perseverance with him while others are dropped and/or not given an opportunity. It may be help with development if younger players are given an opportunity and I think the sub provides the best way to do that. Starting Bootsma on Riewoldt was folly, not to mention not giving any respect to one of the premier key forwards.
I'm not sure where Bootsma's career is going; he is not big enough for a key defensive role and, while he is not bad at spoiling, he lacks the judgement and ability to spoil effectively; how many times do his spoils end up with an opposition shot at goal?
I don't really get the comparison with Walls either. I played against Walls at high school and he was too strong for us even though we had a couple of blokes who were his equal in height and weight. Walls was hollow-chested but was big in the thighs and hips while Bootsma is just a skinny kid. Walls was an incredibly courageous player who always took marks under pressure and gave as good as he got.
I'd like to see Bootsma work on his game in the NBs and earn another shot.