He is in the side as a running defender and quite frankly even in previous weeks while he has been gathering his 15-16 odd possesions they really haven't been the line-breaking runs like we saw in that one final against Collingwood last year. If he isn't providing run then there really isn't much use for him, he is simply woeful as a defender.Spinner wrote:I dont think Clarke should be dropped.SaintBot wrote:In: A.McQualter, C.Jones
Out: D.Armitage, R.Clarke
And with that should (touchwood) be our September side.
Every center bounce he was causing chaos in the backline - almost as though he wanted to be a loose man, while there was not enough numbers to have the luxury of an extra man. At one stage he was pointing to the other defenders and having them all move around picking up different players while he stood in the clear leaving one man unoccupied. If this is a directive from the coach then blimey.
All that sounds a little dramatic I know but weak players (particularly defenders) get exposed by clever teams and in finals Raph would be one of those players teams try to play through.