For a team that prizes the contest we we woeful at the aerial contest in 2017, particularly with Max out injured or out of form.  Any kick down the line was a mark against us.

We made some big improvements in that area in 2018 and I think we can make further improvements in 2019.

I'm not sure of the logic behind Preuss coming in to enable Max to spend more time up forward. 

Max is the best ruck in the league. Why would anyone want to change that? When Preuss is in the side, I would expect him (Preuss) to be the one up forward to a) provide another tall target, b) provide ruck relief and, c) act as ruck in the forward half (or third) to reduce the amount of ground coverage required by Gawn. It's not like Max is a goal kicker* and I'd still expect him to spend time resting in the forward line.

*It remains to be seen whether Preuss is a better or worse in front of the big sticks.

 

I reckon there’s a “ conventional wisdom” about full forwards that is misleading.

Everyone wants a tall full forward who ideally can ride someone’s back and take screamers  then kick goals.

How often does that happen??? Rarely.

Most goals from full forwards are from well-timed leads,a good pass, and a chest mark.( McKenna  and Dunstall being classic examples.)

So I contend that the most important facet of a FF is speed on the lead, and the football nous of knowing when to lead.

Obviously there are times when there’s no time to pass, or space to lead, and a long kick comes into the pack in the goalsquare. If the FF isn’t tall, and the tall ruckman isn’t there, the kick should not be a high one to the pack, but a low scrubber that favours the pacy crumber.

Fullbacks are always tall, so the tendency is to put  similar players on each otherJust imagine a tall fullback( let’s use Fletcher as an example),with a tall Ff on him. A high kick comes in, and all he has to do is spoil, while the forward tries to mark. You’d back Fletcher to win. BUT, just imagine if , say, Garlett was somehow left “ one out “ with him, and a deliberate low bouncing kick came in. The smaller play would run rings around him( perhaps a Fletcher is a poor example, since he was so versatile, )

My point is that height should not necessarily be a desirable feature of a potential full forward.

ps....I’m very happy with TMac, though he’s tall, he times his leads well.