Joel Smith would be my pick. He has good speed and agility, decent tank, good aerial abilities and a good user by hand and foot. He ticks all the boxes... otherwise there's always Bugg.

On 5/8/2018 at 9:00 AM, monoccular said:

Cale and Toump are, happily, ancient history 

Fritsch and possibly Hannan look like they could be options from inside the club

Fitsch looked exactly that option on Sunday. 19 possesions roaming uo and down the ground as an option and using his marking and kicking skills to advantage.

On 5/8/2018 at 2:37 PM, DeeSpencer said:

It's also a long year and we shouldn't completely write off Billy Stretch. He's struggled in contests when given a chance the last two years but sometimes guys just start to click and be more confident. He wasn't timid when he first played as an 18 year old so I think he has something to offer. A natural outside runner and whilst his skills are limited he's pretty reliable. I hope he gets in from at Casey that gives him another go.

I would persist with him as well. he is exac;tly the player this thread is talking about. We need to be a club thats confident our players will improve with some patience. sometimes you plateau before the next step in improvement comes. We should give him a couple of years as i think its just a belief thing for him.

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

Clearly if you are potting VDB like this you never went to training 2-3 years ago - prior to his ankle problems he was the only guy who could take on Jayden over 50m and have a realistic chance of beating him.

Sure his kicking lacks a bit of penetration, but I'd love to see you in the same room with him and make your comments to him.

A walk up start if he was fit, sadly I suspect his injury is such that he won't be able to crunch the Tigers and Hodgey again. 

 

Yes VDB has pace and bulk and vitamin C as they say. utter shame his injuries took him down. he was tracking beautifully.

21 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

Have we had a half-decent winger since Robbie Flower?

None are popping into my head.

This year is the first time in years i have heard people talk about wing men. I thought that position went the way of the utility and ruck rover (always loved the name of that position - though was never sure what it actually was).

On 5/8/2018 at 9:27 AM, Deeoldfart said:

I agree it would be good to add some Porsche qualities, to complement the horse-power that we've already assembled in our engine room.  For mine, I don't see anyone on our current list emerging to fill that role.  Salem comes closest, but consistency and fitness have always held him back.  No doubt the draft will offer up some possibilities, but it is 'hit and miss', especially having to wait until the second round in 2018, and in any event, draftees will take time to develop into the role.  I'd therefore be looking to trade in an established B+ / A grader, but the price will be high.  Gaff would be great, but is probably out of reach.  Time for Jason and Josh to do their thing.

It's possible to imagine Hannan in this role as experience grows - he has early flexibility, good hands, a faster and taller player than first imagined, takes a mark but most possessions come into him, low, and he is good already with his foot passing. The key attribute would be his ability to find space and if there is none, makes a rapid and effective decision to move the ball onwards (check out most of his 'cramped' goals). 

On 5/8/2018 at 11:39 AM, McQueen said:

I hope it’s an educational thing

No, you did not mention 'polish' as a Richmond characteristic, McQ. I support your statement referring to '...an educational thing...' for the MFC and I think it is a part of the one-percent efforts that will emerge as our players watch the outcomes of their actions across time, for example: tap-ons, opponent coverage, 2nd and 3rd efforts, screening/shepherding, finding space early and two-way running.

4 hours ago, binman said:

This year is the first time in years i have heard people talk about wing men. I thought that position went the way of the utility and ruck rover (always loved the name of that position - though was never sure what it actually was).

Ruck rover was invented by TGNWS specifically for and became synonymous with Ron Barassi, and has not been close to being emulated since he retired.  Some may say Michael Tuck or maybe Adam Goodes approached his eminence in that role.