Re: Post Game Parlay: AFL 2019 Rd 15: Carlton vs Melbourne
Reply #83 –
I feel there is irony contained in those comments, certain players get a free pass from fans despite not chasing, maybe because they are deemed to be superstars or leaders, yet their voluntary not chasing has the very same impact as an inability to catch despite effort. Is one excusable and the other not?
McLean use to run as hard and as fast as he could leaving nothing in the tank, often right past obviously faster midfield rotation players like Grigg, Garlett, Yarran, Ellard, Lucas or Walker, just to try and get to a contest or provide an option. In much the same way Daisy does now! Don't judge a McLean type because they might not make the ground, judge the others by their spectatorship. Do we dare to judge a Silvagni by the same criteria as McLean, inability rather than lack of effort, SoJ leaves nothing in the tank?
We use to love Armfield, not because he could catch, but because he would chase, always!
It goes a long way to explain the different ladder positions of certain clubs, if your name is Dangerfield, Ablett, Mitchell, Rich or Zorko and you don't chase you get admonished by a Selwood or Hodge type. But our blokes just want to argue about it.
When will our lot get that it's not optional, that being good at one thing doesn't excuse all the others, it goes a long way to explain ladder positions and lots of honourable loses.
A great example at the moment of doing it all, of having a crack, is Levi, I can't say on average his marking or kicking is significantly better this season than before, he still has his ups and downs, but the other aspects of his game have improved dramatically. His physicality, his work ethic and willingness to compete, he is no longer willing to be a spectator and it is paying off. Nobody would argue Levi 2019 isn't a better version than any Levi ever before!