I think everyone knows that Nank does two things that Mabs doesn't, and Mabs has one thing that Nank doesn't.
1. Nank competes until he drop. He takes nothing off the field, it all stays out there. Enough said.
2. Nank consistently operates within his limitations to the absolute best of his ability. He keeps it simple and doesn't over think things. That is not to say he isn't a very good footballer because he is, but I really like the way that he knows what he can do, and he adapts that to any situation.
Mabs, on the other hand, doesn't really do either. But he is the athlete that Nank isn't.
If Mabs can do 1 and 2 for us, he is a best 22 easy. But he just can't seem to be a role player. And I hate to say it, but I think they have tried to keep things simple for him.
We have made some players nobody wanted into more than just AFL capable footballers. Lambert, Baker, Short, Castagna, Broad etc. etc. But I am afraid that I just do not see Mabs getting there.