Bye Bye Stokesy

Probably nothing pisses off a coach more then a player who doesn't lift because he's unaware he's down in the first place. Now Chappy Chap looks like a monte for returning and Bomber has given Varcoe, Kelly and Woosher immunity cards (well technically they themselves EARNT those immunity cards by their performances Fri night) there seems to be only one candidate left, Stokes.

His comments on the gfc website do nothing for his cause. Firstly he highlights how important Chapman is for the forward line, talk about digging your own grave! Secondly his comments intimated that Chapman gets others to lift by verbally grabbing them round the scruff of the neck and giving a yank. He also intimated that some in the forward line needed that.

It seems like Stokes is so busy looking at other's flaws he's forgotten to look at himself.

I mean even if Stokes wasn't under performing the fact both him and Chapman are marking small forwards argues that for team balance he's a candidate for omission given that Chap can play midfield and Stokes cannot. Which is something the fella should work on really, building up that tank to give another midfield option.

However just look at the stats. The only other players with less disposals then Stokes were:
Blake, who still had 11 hit outs and is an unquestionable inclusion.
Rook, who booted more fucking goals then Stokes despite playing in defence and is ten times as hard
Lonergan who suffered from the scragging, poor supply and a couple of slip overs. Lonergan ran 110m at one point after a turn-over from his slip over, laid a tackle that resulted in turn-over in Geelong favour for the ball to be run down for a Cats goal. His endevaour could not be questioned last night, as opposed to Stokes. Lonergan is only a chance of omission if Bomber believes that the forward line is too tall. Also, Tom is in his first year and does display some of the first year jitters of a rookie playing finals. But honestly I think dropping Lonergan would MAKE the team unbalanced rather then correct an imbalance.

So both from Dad's perspective, my perspective now the old man has brought it to my attention, and the disposal count Stokes may be the shock exclusion come the Grand Final. I probably wasn't fully convinced until his interview comments which contrast remarkedly from the usual Cat's line of humbleness and perspective. Seems to me Stokes has lost his perspective. One bloke that doesn't lose perspective is Bomber. Look out Stokesy!