How certain senior players are handled this year is going to be interesting. If Hardwick doesn't see the likes of Jordie and Kingy as part of our future they may spend most of his time at Coburg. On the other hand they may be used as "cannonfodder" in a losing side this year while the cubs are allowed to develop in their own time.
You know that raises the question should you use players as cannon fodder or should you throw your kids to the wolves?
It probably depends on the individual players nature, extrovert versus introvert, hot head versus cool thinker. But If I had to weight my selections one way I'd throw the kids to the wolves more than less. I think toughness is found during important games and the sooner we find the kids who can be tough to build the core team the better. Denis Pagan used to say Footy doesn't build character it weeds out those who don't have it.
I admit that's a bit of a simplistic view, I doubt Paul Roos would think in those terms. He would be more of a Footy Players are elite athletes and are trained to do the correct actions at the correct times. The better your training the better the result. Even to the point of peaking at the correct time of the season.
Still I choose a throw to the wolves leaning when your rebuilding your list.
What about others?
Are you are "Throw to the wolves" or a "play the cannon fodder" armchair admiral?
