Mid - Forward - Ruck

Nothing wrong with exploring, experimenting and pinch hitting, but highest and best use is always the most productive policy. Time to Restump Podcast all the latest goings on at Cockburn central.Other than getting some miles in the legs, a preseason blowout and learning the Freo Dockers don’t believe in open borders, there wasn’t too much to take away from the kick to kick at Victor Kalis Saturday morning.However, there was a conspicuous emphasis on using the Cockburn corridor. The instruction obviously was to move it down the middle at all costs, something you imagine we’re attempting to take into the season proper, albeit with a bit more selectiveness and caution. Was the state of origin as exciting a prospect as we’re seemingly made or told to believe? It was a good spectacle but from a meaningful and emotional investment perspective, it felt more in the range of well below a home and away game and marginally above an exhibition match. Are we really pushing on with the intention of having Luke Jackson play substantial midfield minutes? Surely his highest and best use supersedes the experiments? And as we’re not discarding another Darcy dash to Doha, Jackson’s ruck fate may well be sealed. Luke Ryan seems to be a little off the pace at the moment which is a tad concerning, especially as the responsibility for our success this year feels like it relies on the fitness of him, Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox. Oscar aside, the lack of tall defender depth does make us a little nervous.  But all fit and available, do we have the cattle this year to go all the way? Or are we a Chad Warner away from as finished a product as you can be? Jojo has welcomed a few listeners to his Mount Hawthorn bar which he describes as a “relaxed, light driven, open atmosphere” so we’ll get an update there. But on more important matters the Chief wants a ruling from the self-appointed booing gatekeeper, Gerard Whatley, regarding Lachie Neale. We’re getting close to the siren to start the season! Its that time of year where the nerves are starting to creep in, they’re duelling with the excitement that is building all while trying to stave off cautious optimism. It’s the annual mixed emotional melting pot!All that in deeper discussion and a shedload more unenlightening nonsense that could well prove detrimental to your cognitive well-being. But hey, wee all take refuge in the concussion protocols, should they be required. So, suit up, forget looking before you leap and just dive head first into an hour of inevitable traumatic brain injury generated listening. Send us Fan MailSupport the show