Kangaroos caretaker coach Brett Ratten says Ben Cunnington can nonetheless be a “fantastic” AFL participant as considerations over midfield steadiness hold the veteran out of the senior aspect.
The twin greatest and fairest winner was dropped after the Roos’ spherical 8 loss to St Kilda and has remained at VFL degree since, however Ratten stated Cunnington was up for the combat of forcing his manner again in and would nonetheless be an necessary participant.
Powerfully constructed on-baller Hugh Greenwood’s resurgence during the last three weeks has prevented Cunnington from returning to the North midfield, Ratten stated.
He stated the out-of-favour 31-year-old was nonetheless an necessary a part of the membership shifting ahead.
“We’ll sit down with Ben and have a chat – he’s been a fantastic player for the footy club and he still will be,” Ratten stated.
“But just right here at the moment, there’s a couple in front of him, and that’s a challenge when you’re getting a little bit older and someone leapfrogs you, you’ve got to fight your way back in, and he’ll do that – he’s up for that fight.
“It’s a tough one for Ben, he’s playing good VFL footy – he had 33 (disposals) the week before.”
Ratten stated Greenwood and Will Phillips’ sturdy performances meant there was “restricted” room within the Kangaroos’ midfield combine, which is but to welcome again its centrepiece in Luke Davies-Uniacke.
“When Hugh Greenwood is playing his role, and doing that, you reward those blokes that are in the seniors,” he stated.
“(Cunnington’s) name is talked about every week, it’s just (about) the balance – Hugh is doing a great job, he’s third in the competition for pressure, I think last week he had 10 clearances.
“Ben can’t do much more, but players are in front of him at the moment and given the opportunity playing well.”
Ratten stated Davies-Uniacke was a powerful probability to be match to face GWS in Hobart subsequent weekend, however he wouldn’t be match for Sunday’s conflict in opposition to Essendon.
He stated Tarryn Thomas was once more on the cusp of a senior return after he had 18 disposals, six tackles and 6 clearances within the Kangaroos’ VFL win over Collingwood.
“He’ll be very close to playing … he’s had a body of work for about three or four weeks playing VFL and in pretty hard conditions last week – it was quite wet and hard to hold your feet, but his second half was pretty good, he really got going,” Ratten stated.
“That’s challenged the match committee group to work out where does he fit in. Is he ready to go? Is he right to perform at AFL level? That will be the conversation.”
Source: www.news.com.au
