CCJ was never a need, he's a classic tweener, too spindly for the ruck, not physical enough for a key forward role. That to me was a pick from an inexperienced recruiter. I personally wanted Sam Taylor but Allen would have been fine too, the list of key forwards slipping through the net is mounting at an alarming rate. Lewis (2016), Larkey (2016), Allen (2017), Van Rooyen (2021) Keeler (2022). Having watched a bit of Keeler in the VFL last weekend I'd say we've missed another one, the concerns about work rate unfounded, he was chasing down players, tackling and most importantly, applying scoreboard pressure. I think Clarke suffers from a SOS blindspot, the only difference being his Achilles heel is tall forwards and not midfielders.Speaking for myself there'd be no regrets. There are no guarantees in the draft, but picking the type of player we desperately need would have been enough for mine.
For example, In hindsight Coleman-Jones was a bit of a dud pickup and damn Oscar Allen wouldve been handy instead (imagine Allen and balta in our side now?), but we went for the type we needed you win some and lose some so not going to bag the clubs decision to take CJ over Allen. If we had of gone for another small fwd or flanker then different story
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