J.McVeigh vs K.Jack - Back vs Forward

[Sandrevan]

Jack out injured for a few weeks was what Longmire said on on the couch.

It must be difficult for the team selection process. KJ is in the 'do I, don't I' category at the moment. They've tried to get him to play through it because other senior players aren't available or down on form. But it's not working and his output is decreasing in front of our eyes so he needs a rest.

I always thought McVeigh was better as a forward as he could kick goals from just about anywhere in the forward 50. But he was used as a defender in the last 2 years or so to organize the defence - he was apparently quite good at that too. However, he was beaten too often in 1 on 1 contests as a defender.

Sadly, I don't think we'll see McVeigh again - he's just too injury prone now. Still, he leaves a great legacy and owes the club nothing. I hope we remember him for his games in the years 2008 to 2013. To me, he was almost untouchable in that time.

[bloodspirit]

Yes, this question might be or become academic. Remains to be seen when we'll next see either player play at AFL level again.

I think each player's assets work better in the roles they have:

* Macca's weakness is defensively (because he has lost what pace he had) which, ironically, is perhaps less crucial in his half-back rebounding on-field-general role
* Conversely his ability to direct play, coordinate and marshall other players is perhaps more useful sitting behind the ball
* At his best, Macca is the more talented player and better at disposing of the ball and so is probably the more versatile of the two for that reason.

[barry]

It's killing me to see Nankervis starring for the Tigers and Mitchell for the Hawks when we could really do with both at the moment.

I'm not sold on nankervis. He's still a lumbering oaf. He killed it on monday night because melbourne ran out of ruckman. Anyone could beat Watts in the ruck.
On the available evidence we had a choice of which ruckman to keep and which to lose. One was always going to get poached. I still think we made the best choice long term.