In my opinion the worst thing we can do with Neck is play him in the backline... he wont put his head over the footy and go when its his turn, and in the backline you cant have blokes that wont attack the footy hard regardless of the dangers around... thats why Houla should never play backline either. Houla and Stevens on the HFF's is very handy, as they both have lovely disposal and can either set up others or kick goals themselves.

_________________
Matty Kruzer you star!

Pass......

His good far outweighs his bad in being an outside receiver
At the end of the day we would have been a far poorer team (if that's possible in recent years ..... except maybe for '08) without Stevo in the middle

He is still a great player and he belongs in the guts IMO

Considering our strengthening midfield I think he will be more effective; and perhaps more pertinently 'less ineffective' on the rebound; when rotated through the centre with Gibbs, Hadley (if/when fit) and Walker (now fit).

Much prefer more accountable players with better speed off HBF such as Armfield, Scotland, Grigg, Anderson, Ronbinson, etc.

_________________
^^^

Don't worry Essendon* ....... We still hate your guts

^^^

Most definitely not in defence. You cannot have players who refuse to contest marks or put their head over the ball in defence. I say we slowly start to phase him out of the side, we don't have room for soft ass players anymore.

_________________
You want the flame? Give us the marbles!!

I think that also applies to Houlihan, Simmo, Wiggo, probably Yarran when he's ready, Walker, Grigg and several others. Some established players will be competing for the few spots available as this year rolls on. I like Stevens on a HFF but he has to rotate through the midfield as wel because he is a good clearance player.
I also like the idea of Judd on a HFF if he is getting a massive tag he can't shake.

_________________
Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

No way should he play HBF. Not tough enough or disciplined enough.

Ratts needs to be smart in the way he is used. For me he should start off the bench and come on when others tire. Playing on ball or wing he can use his running ability and foot skills to break the lines and deliver forward. Let other guys like Hadley, Bannister, Bentick, Carrots do the hard stuff and let Stevens run loose.

We also have a young defence and it needs to settle and learn to play together. Jamo, Thornton, Austin, Bower, Waite & Setanta to fight for the three tall spots and Browne, Anderson, Armfield, Grigg, O'Keefe, Scotland to battle for the small running spots.

We are not going to change his style now and for me we shouldn't even try.