Melbourne is a great example of not really needing dominant big men to be a good side. Besides Neitz, none of their KPP players are dominating. Nicholson is a lug but he is made to look good by the midfield. If you have enough well rounded running skillful on-ballers you will be a good side. Melbourne have Yze, Green, Thompson, Bruce, Johnston, McDonald, Whelan, Brown, Godfrey, Henneman, Armstrong, McClean, Davey etc. that can rotate through the middle and have an impact. They are all good running players.
RFC over the years has shown that the opposite holds true also.....that a team with good KPP, especially up forward, and a weak midfield will always struggle. Considering we've had the likes of Richo and Ottens available to play up forward, we have been the lowest scoring team for the past few years.
Get good midfielders and they will make aveage players like Ray Hall look like a gun full back.