Here's my guess...Since Port have 2 rucks at 203cm, we have 1 at 199cm it's very cheeky of Dimma to play mind games with Port about the ruck situation IF he has no intention of playing Chol. He knows Chol would have been flat after his Brissy game and Dimma has seen him play much better. Dimma knows his players and, heaven forbid, we may still need him so it builds up Chol's self esteem to be referred to as 'in the mix' for this week, just for ruck duties. Same for Caddy, etc.
Most of us believe that Chol 200cm should only come in if Nank can't play but the MC will have considered these important questions...
- What if something happens to Nank early in the game?
- Can Balta/Broad/Astbury/Lynch do most of the ruck work against 2 giants?
- Even if Nank stays fit, do we need 2 giants to match theirs?
If you were on MC how would you answer those Q's?
How much importance does Dimma place on our previous game v Port, Aug. 8? We had
Soldo, Chol, Lynch and Riewoldt all in. (Nankervis inj)
Dimma remembers Chol had at least one passage of good play but he did not have an impact in the ruck., only 7 HO,
Soldo 29, Lycett 16, Ladhams 11.
From the Match Report Aug 8, 1st qtr (
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/matches/2831#match-report) ...
"Mabior Chol then ignited his side. As Derek Eggmolesse-Smith streamed off the half-back line and looked up the field, he saw Chol tracking back towards Richmond’s goal on the far wing, Eggmolesse-Smith drove the ball in his path. Chol sets his eyes on the ball, spoiled it back with the flight then sprinted after it. The athletic Tiger then tapped and scrapped the ball through half-forward, took the contact from a Port defender, tapped the ball inside 50, pick it up, took the brunt of a tackle then dished off the handball to Jack Riewoldt who snapped his first major. It was one of the best passages of play for 2020 and showcased the traits and tricks that Chol has in his arsenal."
Astbury had his knee heavily bandaged so how was his agility and spoiling v Saints? And did he pull up ok? How well did he train this week?
If Chol is IN and Astbury OUT then Broad could take Astbury's role in BP. Then Nank and Chol interchange ruck duties off the bench?
We don't have spies at training so how do we know if that's possible?
Most decisions have some element of risk/reward and this is another one.
