Why was Brennan picked in front of others more deserving?

[liz]

Laidlaw could/should also come in for Bevan who also stands at 183cm. And Dempster at 191cm for Richards.

The Laidlaw / Bevan suggestion isn't unreasonable, though coming off Bevan's best game for the season last week it was never going to happen.

Dempster may be 191cm but he doesn't play tall - he's an outsized wingman. I wouldn't want to trust him to play on Neitz if Grundy gets a go and is towelled up. In last week's reserves game he played pretty much as an onballer, starting most centre-bounces in the square. And didn't really stand out from the rest of his team mates.